by Sable Hunter
The street had cleared, so Kane sneaked one last kiss on her cheek and tipped his hat. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” With that, he returned down the street, his long legs gracefully eating up the distance.
Lilibet watched, her heart in her throat. How in the world had that happened? The most handsome man in the whole county had not only kissed her, but had coaxed her into one of the best orgasms of her life. Of course, it was the only orgasm she’d ever enjoyed while in the presence of another person. That alone, made it special. With a smile which outshone the morning sun, Lilibet continued her rounds, anxious to get home and prepare for her first gentleman caller.
* * *
Entering the office, Kane noticed someone was sitting in his chair. Logan was taking notes and smiling at something the strange man said. Looking up, his deputy hailed him over. “Sheriff, come here. You haven’t met Lonnie Patterson, have you? He’s a real important person in these parts, owns half the town, he does.” Logan had his thumbs hooked in his belt and was looking mighty pleased with himself. Something was up.
Kane shook Patterson’s hand, noticing that the man was burly, brusque and had a faint body odor which he’d tried to mask with too much aftershave. “What can we do for you, Patterson?”
“He needs somebody evicted, Sheriff.” With a flourish, Logan handed him the forms he’d already completed and stamped.
“That’s right.” Patterson crossed his short arms over his barrel chest and stuck his chin in the air. “I have strict rules, Sheriff. I run a tight ship and I’ve warned this person several times that my rental property is not zoned for a commercial business.”
Kane hadn’t looked down, but he had a sinking feeling about what he would see when he did. “What’s the deal, Mr. Patterson?” Praying he’d be wrong, Kane checked out the name on the eviction notice. Damn!
“I just can’t put up with it, Sheriff Saucier. That woman’s running a catering and food delivery service out of a private residence. And I want it stopped.” The slick old weasel had a sick grin on his face, as if he were enjoying the thought of putting someone out on the street.
“It’s not really catering and delivering, Mr. Patterson. She just sells plate lunches and sandwiches off of a cart.” Kane knew he didn’t have a legal leg to stand on. He knew legal was legal, but fair was fair. He’d been known to bend the rules so good sense would prevail.
“I want her out and I want you to tell her today.” Patterson had made up his mind and looked ready to fight about it.
Kane sighed. “I’ll take care of it, Patterson.” With a heavy heart, he realized his plans for the evening had changed dramatically. What could’ve been a romantic evening was now official business. He was going to have to evict Lilibet Ladner from her home.
Chapter Two
Lilibet was so excited. Company was a rare treat for her, and never had she been privileged to have a guest like Sheriff Kane Saucier. Hurrying, she tried to make everything perfect for Kane. She scrubbed the whole house spotless, cooked a hearty meal, and managed to make herself halfway presentable in the process. Looking around, she was satisfied that her small home was as welcoming as she could make it. Her father had given her many things—her sense of independence, her tolerance for other people’s intolerance, and her home which was insured by a long-term lease he’d negotiated with the original owner. She was blessed that Mr. Patterson, her current landlord, was allowing her to modify her business to accommodate his ever-changing rules and regulations.
A knock on the door caused her heart to leap into her throat. He was here!
Kane wished he was anywhere else but where he was standing at this very moment. Any other time, he would have been happy to spend an evening with the sweet Little-bit. But he had no desire to hurt her, and that was exactly what he was about to do. He listened to her uneven little steps as she came to the door, and vowed he was going to make sure she got a pair of built-up shoes constructed specifically to make her shapely legs the same length. There probably wasn’t but an inch or two difference in them, just enough to cause her problems and pain. As the door opened, his pulse rate sky-rocketed as his eyes took in her beautiful face and gorgeous body.
“Kane!” she exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
Lilibet was so happy to be near the handsome sheriff again. Her body remembered the joy of his touch and the wonder of his kiss. Hungry for more of the thrilling way he’d made her feel, she reached for him, moving closer so she could nestle in the warmth of his arms. After all, the last time they’d been together, he had treated her like a woman—his woman.
“Wait, Miss Ladner.” Kane held out his hand, putting up a barrier to prevent her from touching him. As much as he wanted to welcome her into his embrace, he knew he had to address his official duties first. “I have something I need to discuss with you.”
Lilibet froze. Something was wrong. Her newly born self-confidence withered like a fragile flower in the desert heat. Feeling like a fool, she took one step back and put her mask in place.
Lilibet was an expert at hiding her emotions. “Of course.” She smiled serenely, her insides quaking like the leaves of an aspen tree.
‘Oh, she bet it was about the lunch deliveries. Maybe Sheriff Saucier wanted to tend to business first. That had to be it.’ Letting out a breath, she calmed a little. “Don’t worry. If it’s about the lunch deliveries, I’ll give you an order form to hand out at your office.” As soon as she said the words, she saw his handsome face cloud. His beautiful brown eyes refused to meet hers.
“About the lunches...” he muttered, bowing his head. “Unfortunately, we can’t participate. We’re out of the office so much, and Sarah, our secretary, is always on a diet.” Damn! He felt like a heel. When he finally raised his eyes to meet hers, he saw the hurt and uncertainty even though she was doing her best to hide it. He knew she needed every dime she could rake and scrape together. Before he’d come over tonight, he had talked to Sarah and to several others, finding out everything he could about Lilibet and her plight. It saddened him to hear that no one would give her a chance and hire her for a decent job. They treated her like a pariah in this hard-hearted town. Sarah had said people viewed her as being disabled in more ways than her leg and arm. He was surprised at her arm. Taking time to glance at it, he could see nothing wrong. It looked perfectly normal to him.
“Oh,” she simply said. Lilibet cleared her throat. Well, okay. “I understand.” She gave him what she hoped was a sincere smile. “No problem.” She pointed toward the table which sat heavily laden with food. “I cooked chicken and dumplings and a coconut cake. I hope you’re hungry.” Lilibet wanted to salvage this evening, this precious beginning, more than she wanted to see the sun rise tomorrow.
Kane let his eyes sweep over her simple yellow dress, her hair that fell to her waist in dark chocolate waves. “Lilibet, unfortunately, I’m here in an official capacity.” Kane took his hat off and stood before her, dreading the words he had to say.
Lilibet couldn’t imagine. Was it bad news? She had no one to lose in an accident, except her brother, and he was okay, she’d just spoken to him a few minutes ago. He was in a financial bind again, but that was nothing new. So, he couldn’t have come to tell her of someone’s passing. Had she committed a crime? Was she under arrest? “What did I do?”
Hell! He couldn’t stand it. Reaching out for her, he took her small hand in his. It was so soft, and so cold. “You didn’t do anything, Little-bit. It’s just a hard-hearted man who’s forcing the letter of the law.” Her hand trembled in his as she searched his face.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Kane released her hand, when what he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and protect her from the world. “I’m sorry, Sweetie, but you’re being evicted. Mr. Patterson is enforcing his right as owner to reclaim his property based on your violation of the zoning ordinan
ces.”
“But, I thought…” Lilibet started to explain, but saw from his pained expression that he hated this as much as she did. Lilibet knew the sheriff was a fair man and if there was any way he could have prevented this, he would have. Stiffening her back, she faced the music. “How long do I have to find somewhere else to live?” Lilibet’s mind was racing. She had few options. Where would she go? She had no savings, and very little money in the bank. Her debts were not her own, but she owed them just the same.
With a tight voice, he told her the timetable which had been outlined in the complaint. “You have three days.” As her little face filled with dismay, Kane couldn’t help it. He had stood it as long as he could. “Come here.” Before she could protest, he picked her up, one hand around her shoulders, the other under her knees. He went to the dining table where her food was still fragrant and inviting and sat down in one of the ladder-back chairs. Pulling her against him, he held her as she shook, slightly. “Let’s get some food in you. You’ve cooked all of this good stuff, and I bet you haven’t eaten a bite.”
“I was waiting for you,” she said against his shoulder. “I don’t want it to go to waste. Let me fix you a plate.” She slid off his lap, needing the clear head that distance from his sexy form would provide.
As he watched her work with the food, he had to ask. “What will you do? Where will you go?”
Ah, the topic she was dreading. How do you respond to a question when you have no answer? “I will...” She paused, not even able to formulate a convincing lie. “I plan…”
Kane didn’t think twice. He knew what he wanted her to do. “Come home with me.”
Lilibet dropped the cutlery she was holding and it clattered against the china plate, causing her to jump. “What did you say?” Surely, she’d heard him wrong. Holding on to the table, she let her eyes eat him up. He was breathtaking—wide, wide shoulders, strong chest, muscled arms, and the face of a fallen angel. If life was recorded on a DVR, she would have rewound it and listened to his words again.
All Kane could think about was the softness of her lips, the way her nipples had felt grazing his chest and the soft, sexy gasps she’d made against his neck as she had flew apart in his arms. “I said come home with me. I want you. Hell. That says it all. Baby, I want you in my home and in my bed. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Move in with you?” Liliibet didn’t know what to say. It was all happening too fast. One moment she was being evicted and the next she was being propositioned—maybe. “How kind of you. But that would be impossible.” Her mind was being bombarded by chaotic thoughts. If she had to move, there was no way she could stay in Kerrville. The only solution would be to go to Houston and stay with her stepmother until she found a way to support herself. Paying off her brother’s debt had to be her first priority.
“There could be advantages, if you stayed with me.” Kane smiled at her gently. His heart was full as he looked at her. God, he was attracted to this woman. His cowboy boots resonated as he made purposeful, predatory strides around the table. Taking her by the shoulders, he gently pulled her close to him. She did not resist. “Honey, I am so sorry. There was nothing I could do. It nearly killed me to come here and say those words to you.” Framing her face, he kissed the tears from her eyes. “That ass Patterson is within his rights, unfair though it may be.” Kane studied her beautiful face, big sad eyes, and trembling plump lips which tempted him beyond reason. He wanted to suck the sweetness from them so much, he was just about cross-eyed.
A great sense of loss flooded Lilibet’s soul. Not only was she losing her home, she was losing any chance she might’ve had to enjoy a few stolen moments with Kane. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that this was just a fantasy, but the opportunity to spend a few hours with him had been so important to her. Now even that was gone. “It’s not your fault, Kane. I don’t blame you. You’re only doing your job.”
“Come home with me,” Kane whispered. “I want to make love to you.” Unbidden, his hands moved hungrily down her body. He could feel his cock swell to bursting. “We’ll work something out. I’ll take care of you.”
Knowing that the unexpected gift of sharing time with him was slipping through her fingers, Lilibet decided to be bold and for once go after what she wanted—Kane. It would only be this one time, this one opportunity to taste heaven. And she was going to take it. “Will you make love to me? Now? Right here?”
Kane’s heart almost stopped. Her sweet seductive offer took his breath away. “You don’t have to ask me twice,” he declared with a husky growl. Sweeping her up into his arms, he strode to the open door of her bedroom. Glancing around, he couldn’t help but notice that her haven looked like her. It was as warm and welcoming as she was. “I’m going to make this so good for you, sweetheart.“ Kane stood her down and feasted his eyes on her beauty.
Lilibet smiled at him. In her short life, she’d endured a lot of pain and rejection, and to think that this time she’d been the one chosen to be loved was thrilling. She marveled at his broad shoulders, his hard chest. “May I touch you?” Waiting for permission, she let her hands hover over his body, not sure where she would begin if the answer was ‘yes’.
Kane couldn’t believe the blessing in front of him. Taking her little hands in his, he kissed the center of each palm and placed them on his chest. “Please. Touch me, anywhere and anyway you like.” He steeled himself, waiting to see what she would do. This angel had no idea that she had him completely under her spell.
Lilibet looked at Kane. She felt as if she was starving and he was a feast laid out for her enjoyment. Taking a deep breath, she decided to make herself happy. “First, I want to kiss your face.” She rose up on her tiptoe and began dusting soft kisses over his cheeks, his eyes, his neck. Was he trembling? At her touch? The idea was heady and made her nipples tingle with anticipation. Would he touch her breasts? Would he suck her nipples? The very thought of what he might do for her made dampness begin to gather between her thighs. “Now, I’m going to unbutton your shirt,” she announced primly. And when Kane groaned, she looked up at him with surprise.
“Yes, please,” he encouraged. “I can’t wait to feel your hands on my skin.” Kane watched her concentrate as she undid each button. His uniform was starched and she had to work at it. Her little tongue was at the corner of her mouth and he couldn’t resist leaning over and stealing a kiss from that very spot. “Touch me, Babe. I’m on fire for you.”
Lilibet opened his shirt like she was unwrapping a present and when she saw the sculpted, perfection of his torso and the light dusting of hair over his pecs, she couldn’t resist. Laying her head against him, she listened to the strong beat of his heart, and then Lilibet began to play. Rubbing and caressing, she fed her fantasies, storing up memories for the long lonely nights ahead. With tongue and lips she tasted and sampled, nuzzling and memorizing the scent and feel of him, the wonder of being allowed to touch the man of her dreams. “You are beautiful,” she praised him.
Kane’s hands were clenched into fists. What he wanted to do was rip her clothes off and sink himself into paradise, but by all indications she wasn’t very experienced and the last thing he wanted to do was scare her. But when her soft, wet tongue swirled around his nipple, Kane lost control. “God! I want you!” He ripped off his shirt, socks, shoes, pants and everything else as his little doll stood there taking it all in. She was looking at him like he was an answer to a prayer, and he damn well felt the same way about her.
Wow. She couldn’t take her eyes off of it—it was huge! Lilibet had seen pictures of naked men, but they hadn’t looked like this one. This time she didn’t ask, as she was past the point of remembering her manners. She just wanted. His manhood was proud, long, and thick. To her, it appeared to need kissing—a lot. “You are so big!” she exclaimed. Looking into his face to make sure she wasn’t overstepping, she reached out to touch.
Lilibet was fascinated. His cock was so hard, yet smooth. “I don’t have any experience at this, but I’d like to try, if it’s okay with you.” Not waiting for a reply, she fell to her knees, opened her mouth and drew him in.
LORD HAVE MERCY! Kane threw his head back and let waves of ecstasy flow over him. Her little lips were pulling and sucking, her tongue was laving, and it had been so long since he’d been touched like this that there was no way in hell he was going to last. Looking down at her sweet face, her mouth stretched over his erection, and she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Damn! What he wanted to do was bring her untold pleasure, but at the moment, she was doing the pleasuring and he was—exploding!
Lilibet held on to his strong thighs. It wasn’t as if she was going anywhere. Kane had her hair twisted around his fist and he was pumping into her mouth in steady thrusts which both thrilled and shocked her. She loved being so intimate with him, and when spasms began to make his rod throb and jets of cum started filling her mouth, she swallowed as best as she could. Caressing his legs, she took pride in his moans and grunts as he enjoyed his orgasm, and when he began petting the back of her head, rubbing her neck, she felt so close to him. As far as experiences went, this was a highlight of her life. She was still a virgin, but she had brought pleasure to a man and that was something she would always remember.
Kane was blown away by the best orgasm he had experienced in years. Looking down at his angel, he marveled that she was looking at him with complete trust. “I enjoyed that, Kane. Did I do okay?”