Her heart raced and her breaths shivered as she clamped down on the fear that threatened to seize her muscles. She needed to remain steady, sure—needed like she never had before to hit every target.
One bite and she was a dead woman. If the wolves didn’t kill her, one of her men would have to—those were the rules.
She’d shed buckets of tears over her father’s death, but she’d understood why he’d stuck his pistol in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He’d done it to save her. She’d demand no less of herself.
Danny broke into the clearing and took aim at the wolves covering Lucy Lu.
“Kate, I’m going to try a shot, don’t move too sudden,” Sam said, sliding from his saddle. He raised his weapon and sighted down his barrel.
But Kate had to turn to keep both wolves in sight. Suddenly one lunged inside the circle, and she jerked off a shot, missing the cur that quickly returned to circling her, its fur raised in hackles on its back, its fangs bared.
Devils, Hell’s spawn. She hated and feared these creatures. And right this moment she didn’t care that most of them hadn’t entered their present state willingly—they earned demon’s souls the first time they turned their appetites toward a human.
“Dammit, I can’t get off a shot. I’ll hit you,” Sam said, his voice tight with fury.
“Take it, Sam. Better a bullet than a bite. Do it,” she commanded.
A gunshot rang out; dust lifted as it burrowed in the dirt at her feet. As if the shot was their signal, one wolf turned to Sam and the one remaining faced off with Kate.
She stared it in the eye, knowing even if she could get off a shot, it would be too late. At that moment of clarity, she pulled back her trigger.
The beast leaped, the shot hitting it dead center in the chest, but his momentum set him on a path to take her down. She braced herself, but a movement crossed the edge of her vision—a blur so fast, she couldn’t understand what she was seeing.
Something knocked the wolf aside.
When it rested on top of the wolf, holding it down as the silver worked its poison through the beast, Kate blinked and found Ty braced over it, his chest heaving and his arms bulging with effort.
Kate swayed on her feet and caught herself before she crumpled. A quick glance around the site and she saw more soldiers spilling into the clearing, blasting the last of the wolves into oblivion.
Sam stared at her, his arm dangling by his side with his weapon pointing toward the ground. He drew a deep breath. “You all right?”
Kate nodded and swept her gaze from head to toe over him. “You?”
“Not a scratch. Fell off my horse.” His lips curved upward. “Damn, but that was close.”
Relieved they’d both been spared a bullet that day, Kate settled her gun into her holster and turned back to her horse, lying in an ever-growing puddle of blood. Lucy Lu’s sides billowed.
As she came around to the horse’s head, Kate saw the deep gashes beneath her throat.
Her horse was dying.
Kate dropped to her knees beside her old friend and smoothed her hand over her muzzle, not caring that tears tracked down her cheeks. She knew what had to be done, but she couldn’t let go.
Her daddy had helped her train the horse, spending endless hours watching them ride in circles around the corral. She leaned close and kissed her and looked into her wild, brown eyes. Then she drew her gun from its holster.
“Baby, let me do it,” Ty said, kneeling beside her.
She gave a savage shake of her head and leaned back to place the muzzle of the weapon to Lucy Lu’s head. The shot dulled Lucy Lu’s eyes in an instant, and Kate dropped the gun in the dirt.
Strong arms closed around her and she turned to snuggle her face in the corner of Ty’s shoulder. Sobs tore from her throat, tears flowing to wet his T-shirt, but he held her as they knelt in the dirt, crooning nonsense into her ear and rubbing her shoulders and back.
“Kate.”
Sam’s voice broke through her pain-filled haze and she drew back to look over her shoulder.
“Look at his face, sweetheart.”
Kate lifted her gaze to Ty’s face and gasped. His handsome features were a gruesome mask—heavy, protruding brows, fangs curving over his bottom lip. Even his dark eyes were changed—narrow, vertical slits against gold disks. A monster held her inside the circle of his arms.
That he hadn’t traded his mask for his human face told her something—either he was still too caught up in the moment, too angry to remember…or he wanted her to see the real him.
The longer he held her stare, his chest barely lifting with his shallow breaths, the surer she became it was the latter. She lifted her hand and traced the shape of his heavy, hooded brow. “You aren’t ruled by the demon inside you. Not like them. I understand now,” she said quietly.
The bony mask melted, reshaping into his strong, sharp-edged features. “I’ll understand if you can’t accept that part of me. I’ll still take you and yours to safety.”
Her hand crept from his shoulder to his nape and she grasped his hair to pull him closer. The Apocalypse had made them all monsters in different ways. What a man or woman chose to do, in spite of what hand they’d been dealt, was the true measure of whether they deserved to survive. Whether they should be trusted.
With her lips a breath away from his, she said, “I’ll take all of you, Ty.”
For Ty, her kiss felt like absolution—a purifying burst of heat that cleansed his soul. He wrapped his arms around her and slanted his face to deepen the kiss. When they came up for air, he realized they were still sitting in the dirt beside her dead horse.
He pressed her face to his shoulder. “Don’t look. I’m going to take you back home.”
A trembling shook her slender frame, and she ducked her head. “Sorry, I’m such a wimp. I always feel like this afterwards.”
He shared a smile with Diego. His aftermaths usually involved breaking something. Tears, he’d learn to handle. “It’s okay,” he said and kissed her hair. “You can lean on me.” He started back down the trail to his Hummer, but Sam Culpepper stepped into his path.
Sam’s gaze fell to Kate snuggled against his chest and his jaw tightened.
Ty gave him a moment to accept her choice and then stepped forward, forcing the other man to act.
Sam stepped back and turned away. “Gather the horses, men. Let’s ride back to the house.”
Kate hefted her suitcase onto the rear of the transport, surprised when hands reached around her to help. “I can manage this myself, Ty.”
“I know. I want to help.”
She let go of the case and stepped away, turning for a final glance at the ranch house.
Sam stood on the porch with Shep and Danny beside him. They’d already said their goodbyes and she was through crying. She gave them a little wave and headed toward the Hummer at the lead of the caravan.
“You know,” she said over her shoulder, “I’m not going to let you fight all my battles. Even if you are some kind of Superman.”
“I had a suspicion you’d be stubborn,” he said, his voice a sexy rumble, closer behind her than she’d thought.
Her mouth stretched into a grin. Their easy banter helped. As she’d packed a few precious photos, the clothes she’d need, and loaded the few horses she knew she’d want to bring along, she realized that while she’d miss her home, excitement stirred inside her.
While Ty stowed her daddy’s gun beneath the seat, she glanced around her one last time. “I love you, Daddy. Watch over Sam,” she whispered.
With Ty’s hand at her elbow, she climbed into the passenger seat and faced forward—toward new life. One she was finally ready to embrace.
Ty reached across to fasten her seatbelt and she gave a grimace. “Now how’m I supposed to move quick if we come under attack?”
His eyebrow arched. “We’re good at spotting trouble. Better nose. Better eyes. I’ll give you plenty of warning to unbuckle.”
Kat
e breathed deeply. He kept reminding her of their differences as though he expected her to balk. But she knew what he was. Had seen the monster inside him. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Not really. She thrilled to the danger he kept leashed. Making love with him, letting him drink from her, was the pinnacle of the aphrodisiacal mix of lust and fear he embodied.
When he slid into the seat beside her, he gave her a steady look. “It’s now or never.”
Kate’s mouth stretched into a blinding smile. “Let’s roll, soldier boy. Daylight’s a wastin’.”
About the Author
Until a few years ago, award-winning erotica and romance author Delilah Devlin lived in South Texas at the intersection of two dry creeks, surrounded by sexy cowboys in Wranglers. These days, she's missing the wide-open skies and starry nights but loving her dark forest in Central Arkansas with its eccentric characters and isolation—the better to feed her hungry muse!
For Delilah, the greatest sin is driving between the lines, because it's comfortable and safe. Her personal journey has taken her through one war and many countries, cultures, jobs, and relationships to bring her to the place where she is now—writing sexy adventures that hold more than a kernel of autobiography and often share a common thread of self-discovery and transformation. To learn more about Delilah and her stories, visit www.DelilahDevlin.com.
Look for these titles by Delilah Devlin
Now Available:
True Heart
Saddled
Stone’s Embrace
Lone Star Lovers:
Unbridled
Unforgiven
Four Sworn
Breaking Leather
Coming Soon:
Red Hot Winter
Lone Heart
One for remembrance…one for healing…and one to seal her heart forever.
Breaking Leather
© 2010 Delilah Devlin
Lone Star Lovers, Book 4
Chrissi Page has tried to find one man who heats her bed the way the Kinzie brothers did one shameful night years ago. She’s failed miserably, leaving her with no choice but to bank that inner fire—and keep a lid on her inner bad girl.
She’d been weak, unable to choose between three men who appealed to her in different ways. And when they’d confronted her as a tease, anger had boiled over into a passion so wild, she’s still trying to live it down.
Since that night, Ezra, Cade and Joshua have individually sown their wild oats with pretty much the entire available female population of Two Mule, Texas. Yet nothing erases the attraction they still feel for Chrissi. And when she ends up stranded on the road near their ranch, it’s their last chance to turn their mutual obsession into an unusual proposition.
One weekend, three on one. If she can’t stand the heat, they’ll let her go on with her life. And try to find a way to live with the hole she’ll leave behind in theirs.
Warning, this title contains: A girl who thinks she can’t have it all, and three brothers who set out to prove otherwise. One on one, two on one, and three on one; bondage in the wild; a bit of riding crop action. And a pickup truck load of emotion.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Breaking Leather:
Chrissi watched Josh lead away his tall roan gelding and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d thought her worst fears had already been realized when Ezra arrived to rescue her. Seeing Josh and Cade, in close proximity to Ezra, had sent her body into apoplectic shock, stirring up all those old memories.
Foremost in her mind, she remembered skinny-dipping in the river with them. Innocent enough since Ezra was her boyfriend and had approved. And how could she resist when the three brothers had eagerly shed their clothes?
Sweet Jesus, the three of them, so alike and yet so different… She’d gotten love-drunk on the sight of them.
Ezra, older by only a year than the other two, had always seemed so much more mature. His body even then had been broad and sturdy—ripped from his shoulders to his calves. His size and strength had always made her feel safe, except during sex—but then his largeness and sexual intensity thrilled her, frightened her almost, she’d wanted him that badly.
Cade had been the quiet one. The nice one. Always courteous, always respectful, but his slow smile, so seldom seen, had had the power to melt her to her toes. And although the most reserved of the three, the memory of being held inside the circle of his strong arms whenever she’d suffered a fright was a cherished one.
And Josh, dear God, Josh was the golden child. Blond where the other two were dark-haired, his tall, lean body and the wicked glint in his crystal blue eyes, as though he was always ready for an adventure, had never failed to make her hot. How many times had she smoothed her thumb over that dimple in the center of his chin and warned him not to break a woman’s heart? Why hadn’t she taken her own damn advice?
That day by the river, the sight of their tall, tanned bodies, lined up prettier than any Chippendales’ review, had sucked the air right out of her lungs.
She hadn’t been as eager to get naked, feeling a little insecure among so much perfection, but they’d teased her, joking with each other, jostling and shoving until she’d laughed at their antics and joined them.
Even then she’d felt their combined illicit allure. Her nipples had prickled, her sex had tightened—but she’d been relieved to know she wasn’t the only one affected as each of the boys’ cocks had hardened.
They’d laughed, as though it was the most natural thing in the world to watch each other get hard. Her stare had lingered as she assessed their size, the slight upward curve of their shafts, the ruddy tan color that gave way to a reddish-purple at their fat, round crowns. When they’d grown silent, she’d dared an upward glance.
Ezra’s steamy blue gaze had locked with hers. “Not anything to be ashamed of, Chrissi. We’re guys. It’s what happens when we’re around a pretty girl. Only you can’t always see it when we’re dressed.”
She’d thought about that often, wondering how many men walked around with hard-ons inspired by a stray glimpse of an attractive woman. Not something she wanted to think about, considering she’d been living like a nun for a very long time.
“Open the door,” Ezra repeated, his voice sounding as rough as gravel. She shivered at the quiet intensity of his order. Even after all this time, she wanted to do exactly what he asked. However, she knew where her submission would lead.
She folded her arms over her chest and looked away.
The locks sprung. The door slammed open. Startled, she glanced up, but Ezra already had her wrist inside his hand and was pulling her from the seat.
She slid to the ground, stumbled against him, and felt that rock-hard chest she’d sighed over for years. Resisting the temptation to explore, she shoved away.
“You always this stubborn?” he bit out.
She tossed back her head. “Guess you don’t know me as well as you thought.”
“I know more than you think, Chrissi.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You don’t know me. You haven’t for a very long time.”
“I know you’re wet.”
Her jaw sagged.
He turned on his heel and walked away.
“Am not,” she whispered furiously. She turned to pick up her purse where it had fallen from her lap to the dirt and closed the cab door. Then, stiffening her backbone, she strode toward the porch.
The screen door slammed behind him as he walked inside without giving her a backward glance. She hated it when he did that, pretended his mama hadn’t taught him any manners, because she knew it was deliberate. Something he did when she disobeyed him. A punishment.
And he knew she liked punishment.
She gave a silent moan and climbed the steps. The sooner she placed that call the better. Already she felt some of her carefully erected reserve crumbling away beneath the liquid heat her proximity to Kinzie testosterone generated.
Entering the house, she noted that not much had changed since Mr. and Mrs. Kinzie had
moved to Padre Island to enjoy their retirement. That had happened after Cade and Josh graduated; Ezra had already been in charge for a couple of years.
And word was that Ezra was a capable rancher. Fair to his employees and as hard-working as any hand. So were Josh and Cade, although Josh liked his playtime.
She’d heard about his exploits, all the women he’d been through. Gossip about the other two had been harder to glean, but she knew they hadn’t been celibate for long after she’d departed their lives.
Even though it had been her decision, she’d still been hurt. She’d nursed an aching heart for a very long time. However, she knew she’d done the right thing. There wasn’t anywhere their relationship could go but straight to hell.
She glanced around, looking for a phone, but her attention was caught by the warmth of familiar surroundings. Wooden floors, yellow walls, brown leather sofas and Indian rugs were cozy and inviting, even if the tall, vaulted ceiling and huge iron chandelier hinted at their wealth. The Kinzies didn’t act like boys who’d been born with silver spoons in their mouths. They’d been raised to work hard. Something she’d liked about them from the start. Raised by a single mom on a tight budget, she hadn’t let her head be turned by their wealth.
“It’s nice seein’ you here again.”
She turned to find Josh right behind her. How had he gotten here so quickly? He was a big man, as tall as his brothers if a little leaner, but he moved with a pantherish grace. “You still like sneakin’ up on women, I see.”
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