Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek)

by Michelle Beattie

  Laura's hand jerked, almost spilling her coffee. She set the mostly full cup on the floor next to her chair. If they hadn't been interrupted earlier Jake would have made love to her. There wasn't a doubt in his mind. Yet the idea of them together made her jumpier than a virgin on her wedding night. Why? He knew it had nothing to do with walking away from her father. Was it the gifts, then?

  "Laura, I didn't get you those things today to try to buy my way into your bed."

  She looked away and Jake cursed. Damnation, it's what she thought. Of course, seeing it from her perspective, he couldn't blame her. Though they'd coupled before, they hadn't since the wedding. He'd been cold to her, had barely spoken, let alone touched her. Then all of a sudden he bought her things, took her to dinner and started to make love to her in the barn. No wonder she thought he was buying her affections.

  He'd have to prove otherwise. Which meant, damn it, he wouldn’t be sharing his wife's bed tonight after all.

  ***

  Jake smelled Laura on his pillow. The floral scent haunted him, reminded him of what he couldn't remember, what his body craved. She'd been naked in his bed, they'd coupled and, dammit, he couldn't recall any of it. He didn't know if that was a blessing or a curse. All he knew was that, for the fourth night in a row, he was awake. Awake and aroused.

  She was his wife and, despite the progress they'd made in their relationship, he wouldn't go to her. Not yet. She'd gone out of her way to prove she wasn't after his money; he could do the same to prove that he wasn't using it to gain his marital rights.

  No matter how much it hurt. Jake sat up, leaned heavily against his pillows. His wife was down the hall, soft and warm in her bed and he was lying here, his sheets tenting over his throbbing erection.

  It had been easier before he'd come to like her. Before he'd come to notice and appreciate her body. Her fingers were long and slender, gentle when they brushed his by accident and yet were firm and demanding when she'd clutched him closer as they'd kissed. Her breasts bounced enticingly when she walked. Envisioning them, his testicles tightened. His penis beaded moisture onto the sheets. Jake threw his head back, rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Perfect. Just perfect.

  Outside his darkened window a coyote's mournful cry filled the night. "I know just how you feel," Jake muttered.

  Realizing he was getting nowhere, Jake climbed out of bed. He'd never bothered with curtains and the full moon spilling into his room allowed him to see without lighting a lamp. He donned a pair of pants and padded downstairs. Maybe he'd re-stoke the fire and read for a while. Moonlight tumbled through the living room windows, illuminating his way. He was assembling the kindling in the stove when he heard someone moving outside. Jake stilled.

  Glad he hadn't lit a lantern that would alert the intruder and scare him off, Jake crept to the door. The knob turned, the door inched open. Jake's heart pounded in the silence. He bent his knees, flexed his hands. The burglar stepped inside and Jake leapt, taking them both to the ground.

  Laura's breath whooshed from her lungs, her head thumped against the wooden floor. White stars blurred her vision, but didn't lessen the urgency that thrummed through her veins. Blinded by instinct and fear, Laura flayed her arms, bucked her hips. She heaved to the side, tried to roll away. Strong hands bracketed her wrists, yanked her arms over her head even as his weight settled over her hips. Immobilized, Laura forced herself to calm, to think clearly. Her vision cleared.

  "Jake?"

  "Laura?" he asked at the same time.

  Knowing there was no threat did little to tame Laura's racing heart. Not only was Jake holding her down with his body, he was hardly dressed. The moon ran silvery fingers through his hair, dropped onto his shoulders and caressed the bare skin and the taut muscles beneath it. It wasn't the first time she’d seen Jake's chest but the last time had been in his bed and she'd been terrified.

  She wasn't scared now.

  She hadn't been able to sleep. Memories of their kiss had taunted her, keeping her awake and yearning. Jake was down the hall. He was her husband and she loved him. There was nothing she wanted more than to be his wife in every way. She'd been sure after their kiss in the barn that once supper was over he would continue where they'd stopped. But he hadn't. And, after endless minutes, Laura had finally realized he wouldn't.

  Why, she wasn't sure. She'd felt his arousal in the barn; she knew he desired her. It wasn't love, but it was a start. And, she'd come to realize in the loneliness of her bedroom, she didn't want to wait any longer. But neither could she summon up the courage to walk to his room. He'd banned her from it. She wouldn't go in without an invitation.

  Now, however, she'd been given an opportunity. One she didn't plan on wasting.

  Yes, she was petrified of what he'd do when he realized they'd never been intimate, but it was going to happen eventually. Better to have it happen after a great day, such as the one they'd had. There was only one thing that could make it even better.

  His breath fanned her face, making her wish it were his fingers tracing her lips and brows. Yearning filled her from head to toe. Her skin tingled. Her heart, which had yet to calm completely from being grabbed and tossed to the floor, galloped in her chest. His eyes, shadowed and mysterious in the darkness, seemed to drink her in.

  Lost in his stare, Laura didn’t realize he’d released her hands until his rough palm slid over her cheek. "Did I hurt you?"

  Laura shook her head. She was scared to speak; afraid she'd break the spell that kept him lying on top of her.

  "I'm sorry I knocked you down. I was sure it was an intruder. I don't know how I missed hearing you walk past my room."

  "I was quiet, I didn't want to wake you."

  "I wasn't sleeping," he whispered.

  He'd been awake as well? Had he felt as restless and unfulfilled as she had? "I'm glad you're awake."

  "Why's that?"

  Laura took a deep breath, along with a huge leap of faith. "I don't want to spend another night alone."

  His eyes caressed her face. "Why didn't you say anything?"

  "You told me to stay out of your room. I didn't know how to invite you into mine, other than to leave my door open, which I did. When you didn't come to me," she bit her lip. "I thought you didn't want me."

  Jake's knuckles grazed her jaw, curved around her chin. "I've never wanted anyone more."

  Her eyelids fluttered closed as his thumb brushed her bottom lip. Laura's lips parted and she gulped in a breath. She hadn't moved her hands since he'd released them, but she did so now, laying them on his shoulders. Beneath her palms the muscles trembled, the skin heated. Using him as leverage she lifted her mouth to his.

  Their kiss earlier had been glorious, but having his weight on top of her as his mouth closed on hers was heavenly. She'd never felt more desirable, never been more aware of herself as a woman. Jake's hands cupped her cheeks, skimmed over her temples and delved into her hair. His lips mated with hers, pulling and drawing, demanding she respond. Helpless to do otherwise, Laura wrapped her arms around his neck.

  His tongue flicked across her lips, probed the seam of her mouth. The kiss in the barn had been her first but he hadn't used his tongue. Yet she didn't question. She trusted Jake completely and opened for him. His tongue was deliciously wet and very thorough. Laura's body flew into a flurry of sensations. Her belly clutched, her breasts swelled. He lowered her shoulders back onto the floor, pressed his body fully against hers. His arousal was hard and insistent.

  Between her legs a restless ache grew. As if Jake knew, he ground his hips against hers.

  A gasp tore from Laura's throat, causing Jake to still. When cold air replaced his warmth and she no longer felt the full weight of him, Laura opened her eyes.

  "I'm sorry, I got carried away." He brushed her hair back from her temple.

  He was sorry? Was he sorry he'd kissed her? Sorry he'd started something he had no intention of finishing?

  His fingers smoothed the frown from her forehead. "I'm no
t sorry for what we're doing, Laura, or what we're about to do." He gave her a rakish look. "But we're going to finish this upstairs, in a bed. My bed."

  He helped her up, deftly unbuttoned her jacket. His hands caressed her shoulders, then her arms as he slid the garment from her wrists. Grasping a sleeve in each hand, he used her jacket to hold her against him. With his arousal still prominent against her belly, Jake murmured endearments in her ear. His tongue slipped around her earlobe, as hot and wet as his kiss had been.

  "I want to see you, Laura. All of you. I want you naked and undone beneath me."

  Mercy. A flash of burning heat consumed her. Did men really say such things to their wives? She didn't know. She didn't care. She simply knew Jake did and, shamelessly, it excited her.

  Beneath the white cotton of her nightgown Laura's breasts were full. Her nipples beaded tight and the movement of her nightgown scraping them heightened her desire. Would he touch them?

  As though he heard her thoughts his gaze slid down. His pulse pounded in his neck. She expected him to stroke her, but instead he dropped her jacket and turned. Pressing a bare foot to the door he pushed it closed. Stepping over the fallen garment he swung her into his arms.

  "I'm going to do things properly this time," Jake said as he carried her easily up the stairs. She knew to what he was referring, and knowing the truth was about to come out added to Laura's nervousness. But it didn't deter from what she wanted most. Jake. Only Jake.

  Jake had never craved a woman this much in his life. And while his heart hammered and his loins throbbed for release, he forced himself to remember that this coupling wasn't about his needs. He'd promised himself that his wife would be satisfied when next they were together and, with that vow echoing in his head, Jake set about his goal.

  Setting Laura down onto his bed, Jake sat next to her. Her braid had come mostly apart after he'd thrown her to the floor thinking she was an intruder. Tugging on the ribbon, he tossed it to the ground and delved his hands into her hair. Silken strands wove between his fingers. He brought a fistful of them to his lips. The same floral smell that had lingered on his pillow, tormenting him for days, filled his senses. After days of wondering, of trying to pry the lid on his memories, he was about to discover every secret Laura's body held. It was going to kill him to go slow.

  Letting her hair sift through his fingers, he worked the rest of her braid free. Her hair was long, almost to her waist. Some fell over her shoulder while the rest glided down her back. A vision of her naked but for her hair covering her breasts filled Jake's vision. Hungry, he licked his lips.

  He brushed the hair off her shoulder. Intrigued by the pulse he saw at the base of her neck, Jake leaned in, pressed an open-mouth kiss to it. Laura's breath shook, her head tipped back. Jake didn't refuse the invitation. He bathed her neck with kisses, moved from the base of one ear to the next. Her blood pounded beneath his mouth, her quick breathing filled his ears.

  Guiding her onto her back, Jake lay next to her. With feather-light touches he traced the bones that peeked over the neckline of her nightgown. Then, using the tips of his fingers only, he skimmed his hand down her chest, through the valley of her breasts. His knuckles brushed the soft fullness. Laura's eyes blurred. Jake's penis begged for mercy.

  From her breasts, Jake's hand spread over her belly. He flexed his fingers over her taught abdomen before he dipped his hand lower. Hellfire. She was naked beneath her nightgown. Jake's blood surged. It wouldn't take but a second to lift her gown, to shed his pants and bury himself within her. Sweat broke out across his shoulders and forehead. No. No. There was more yet to be discovered.

  Under the virginal white of her gown, he felt the curls that covered her sex. No doubt they'd be auburn as the rest of her hair. Imagining it had him gnashing his teeth to keep his waning control leashed. Testing how far he could push himself, Jake cupped her. Laura's hips arched at his touch.

  "You're so sweet." Using the nightgown, he gathered a handful and rubbed her, knowing just where she ached. He circled, stopped. Circled some more. While one hand tormented her womanhood, the other cupped a breast. Softness filled his hand. Her back arced. Her hips ground against his hand. Her moans encouraged him but it wasn't enough. He needed to touch her without the impediment of clothing. He grabbed the hem of her nightgown.

  "Lift your hips, darling."

  She watched him, eyes wide, but did as he asked. When it gathered at her waist, he helped her sit. Then, with his heart in his throat, he drew it over her quivering breasts and up her arms. It was tossed to the floor in the same forgotten manner he'd tossed her jacket.

  Moonlight fell over her. Jake thought he'd gone to heaven. Her breasts were snowy white with perfect pink peaks that jutted as though searching for his lips. Lifting one in his palm, he ducked his head and his mouth closed over her. Laura's fingers dug into his shoulders.

  He lay her down, moved over her. He'd yet to take his pants off but the last barrier of clothing between them only tormented him more. Made him hungrier. As did her unfocused gaze as she reached for him.

  "Not yet." He placed her arms at her side, returned his attention to her body. He jiggled her breasts in his hands, imagined them doing the same when he finally drove into her. He kissed one perfect globe, then the other, flicked his tongue over the peaks.

  "Jake."

  He smiled. Empowered that he was driving her as crazy as he was making himself, he raked his gaze over the rest of her. A narrow waist, slender hips and a perfect triangle of chestnut curls that teased him to discover what lay within them.

  Hell if he wasn't going to find out.

  Laura had never imagined herself acting wantonly. She wouldn't have thought herself that brazen. But with Jake, it was hard not to be. His touch scorched her. His half-lidded gaze, his lusty words drove her beyond reason. He looked at her like she was the richest dessert--one he couldn't wait to devour. His touch built a need within her womb, a need she couldn't fill. Only Jake could.

  Which was why, when he slid to the foot of the bed, when he shackled her ankles with his hands and slowly spread her legs she didn't resist. Until she realized his intent. She'd expected him to touch her there, with his hands. She'd enjoyed his mouth on her nipples, but not--

  "Jake!"

  He held her thighs apart and he was far stronger than she was. "Trust me, Laura."

  "I do, but--"

  "Then let me taste you, all of you."

  If she weren't lying on the blankets she'd have whipped them over to cover herself. "But surely--"

  "Shh. Watch."

  She couldn't. Her eyes jammed closed, she held her breath. She felt his breath first and again her legs wanted to close. Jake chuckled. He was between her legs and laughing and--Mercy! His tongue flicked over her, one long sweep of sin. Laura's body quavered. Her hands fisted in the covers.

  "Sweeter than I imagined," Jake said.

  He worked his mouth over her like she was a candy stick from Eaton's Confectionary. It wasn't long before Laura forgot her protests and her thighs fell open. With each pull of his mouth, he drew her higher, tighter. If she were a violin string she'd snap any second. Needy, she writhed against him.

  "I can't… I can't--"

  Jake moved up her body and silenced her with his kiss, which both soothed and further excited her. Still missing something, Laura ground her hips against his. His erection pressed against her and through the fabric of his pants she felt his heat.

  His hands trailed her from shoulder to waist. He lifted his hips enough to get his hand between them. His tongue slipped into her mouth. His fingers slid into her heat. Her whole body convulsed.

  "Jake!"

  He grinned; he couldn't do otherwise. Her muscles clasped tightly around his fingers as she found her release. Relentless, he teased her, drawing out every moment of her climax. Only when she was limp beneath him did he withdraw. He stayed close, held her to his side while she regained her breath. Her fingers toyed with the hair on his chest. Her breathi
ng tickled. Still throbbing for his own release, he waited for her to recover.

  Finally, she pushed herself onto an elbow, looked down into his face. "You didn't…You haven't…"

  He chuckled. "Ends up I had another gift for you." He came off the bed, shucked his pants. "Now we'll do this together."

  Her eyes were on his erection. She seemed both scared and excited. Surely she'd seen it the time he'd bedded her? Or maybe it had been too dark. Either way, she'd felt him before and he'd just ensured her body was ready.

  He moved to roll over her. Her hand on his penis stopped him. If she wanted to touch him, far be it from him to argue. Stacking his hands behind his head, Jake lay at her side. She was timid. Her touch was gentle and hesitant. The innocence behind it drove him wild. She wasn't a virgin, but damned if she wasn't acting like one.

  Damned if he didn't like it.

  But after minutes of breath-like touches that were driving him to the brink, he took her hand and wrapped it around his shaft. With one hand over hers he showed her how to stroke him, with the other he plucked and played with her nipples. Soon they were both panting. And he'd reached his limit.

  Moving over her, he positioned his sex against hers. Feeling her heat, her wetness against him, Jake growled. Then with a hard thrust, he entered her, breaking a barrier that shouldn't have been there.

  Laura cried out.

  Damnation! Jake tensed. His eyes, he knew, were as wide as hers.

  "How in Hell is it possible that you're a virgin?" he demanded.

  SEVEN

  Laura wanted to escape but Jake wouldn't let her. He kept her underneath him. He stayed inside her. No matter how hard she pushed at his shoulders, he wouldn't budge.

  "Jake, move!" When he wouldn't, she turned her head and scrunched her eyes closed.

  "Darling, don't do that. Laura, look at me."

  "I can't," she answered.

  He chuckled. "We're naked and I'm still inside you. Seems looking at me is the easy part."