Sagebrush Bride

by Tanya Anne Crosby

  Before she could stop herself, her fingers slid boldly down to his hand, turning it gently to her scrutiny, and exposing his disfigurement. Once again, their gazes met and held, neither of them able to break away from whatever force held them snared. Cutter said absolutely nothing.

  But then, Elizabeth hadn’t expected him to. He wasn’t the sort of man who would reveal anything easily. Yet she sensed that the moment was right. And she needed to know. “How—”

  The shadows deepened in his eyes, making them appear fathomless, as though one could topple into the depths of them and never, ever, find her way back into the light… as though they’d seen more than a man should have. “Leave it be, Doc. You don’t wanna know.”

  Elizabeth’s gaze never wavered. Despite his closed expression, she sensed his vulnerability. “Yes, I do,” she insisted, her voice soft but determined.

  Cutter sighed ruefully, shaking his head, as though he begrudged himself the comfort she was offering, yet couldn’t turn it away. His voice sounded gruff. “It’s not anything worth digging up, Liz… too long ago now.”

  Acting out of impulse, as well as the need to return the comfort he’d given earlier, Elizabeth lifted his hand to her lips, squeezing with compassion. And then, before she could stop herself, she was kissing each scalding fingertip, lingering on each, as though to kiss them were to heal them.

  As he watched her through heavy-lidded eyes, growing heavier, Cutter’s insides vaulted. His throat constricted. “Lizbeth,” he said thickly. “I don’t think you know what you’re doing, gal.”

  Elizabeth chose that moment to meet his gaze, and what was revealed in the depths of them made Cutter’s pulses leap to life.

  Damn him, if the little harridan wasn’t trying to seduce him!

  Why he suddenly felt compelled to warn her off, he didn’t know. But he did. He had the feeling that she was riding on instinct, that too many days on the trail with a man had made her vulnerable, and he didn’t want her that way.

  She kissed another finger compassionately, her eyes closing with the intensity of her feeling. “Lizbeth,” he groaned. But further words failed him—to hell with good intentions!

  With a tortured moan, he lifted her up, into the spot between his legs. Weakened by the quivering of her limbs, Elizabeth couldn’t help but sink to her knees with a gasp of surprise. With a grunt of satisfaction, he wrapped his arms about her, hauling her up against himself. His hand went to her throat, his thumb beneath her chin, raising it up.

  Elizabeth never even thought to protest. She knew he was going to kiss her… prayed that he would, even… wanted it so badly. His gaze grew heavier as he drew her closer, as though he would pull her inside of himself, and then, very slowly, his mouth slanted over hers, warm, hard, and unyielding, and Elizabeth swore she’d suddenly died and gone to heaven.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  He kissed her deeply, feverishly, as though he were losing himself with every second that passed, and Elizabeth found herself clinging, arching toward him desperately, her body seeking out his instinctively.

  It felt so good. So right… the yearning so deep. Warmth began a slow coil deep within her, creeping out into her limbs, making them languid with desire. More than anything, she wanted to give herself to Cutter. It really didn’t matter that nothing could come of it later. Nothing mattered. Only this—the moment. And she intended to seize it. She’d had so few in her life… so very few… and this was one she couldn’t deny herself. Lord help her, but she couldn’t.

  So intent was she on the interplay of their mouths that she hadn’t even felt Cutter undo the braid from her hair. But suddenly she was aware that he was threading his hand through the length of it, separating the long, rain-thickened strands with great care as though it were rare silk, freshly washed, instead of damp and unkempt. Like a man consumed, he brought a lock to his nostrils, and they flared with the scent of it. The look of intense pleasure on his face sent a warm quickening through her.

  His lips were scalding against her ear. “Sooo long,” he hissed. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” He kissed her lobe, nibbling it gently, all the while combing his fingers through the length of her hair. Tilting her head just so, he brushed the side of her face, sighing into her hair. The tenderness of his touch was almost unbearable.

  “Lizbeth,” he whispered, “don’t you ever just wanna let down your hair… be free?”

  She did. Sometimes the feeling fairly overwhelmed her. Sometimes… sometimes she craved nothing more than to kick off the heavy high-button shoes she wore and run barefoot through the fields… to laugh… How long had it been since she had laughed? Truly laughed? Without realizing it, Elizabeth nodded, her body going limp in his arms. Whatever Cutter wished of her, she wanted to give him in that moment.

  Anything at all.

  Reverently he spread her hair about her shoulders. Without a will of her own, Elizabeth clung to him wantonly, her head tilted seductively, her eyes closed in delight.

  “If you’ll let me,” he began huskily, his voice whispering promises, his lips worshipping her face, “I can show you how easy it is to cut your wolf loose… how good it can be between us.” His knuckles swept across her nipples, and they budded instantly as he stroked them deliberately.

  “Feel it?” he whispered as she whimpered. All the while, he stroked the tip of her breast with the back of his hand. Stopping suddenly, he gently tweaked the nipple, rolling it between the roughened pads of his fingers.

  The sweetest ache pulled at Elizabeth’s core. Lost in the sensual bliss, she nodded, her voice having fled entirely. Though her eyes were opened, she could see nothing through the sweet haze of pleasure.

  “Just say the word,” Cutter coaxed, a ruthless gleam in his eye.

  Elizabeth didn’t know what to say. How to say it. Some part of her still understood that to acquiesce was to go against everything decent ever taught her. And though she wanted to, more than anything, she couldn’t step over that line. She arched again, begging without words, and Cutter understood.

  With a grunt, he lowered his mouth to the breast she offered so willingly, nibbling at it feverishly, nipping at it through her cotton shirt. He tore himself away, only long enough to fumble with her blouse.

  Drinking her fill of him, Elizabeth’s eyes never left his as his free hand undid her buttons. One by one, quickly, deftly. Her breath coming in small gasps, she let him support her with a firm hand behind her back, while once again, the feel of cotton sliding out of her skirt sent quivers down her spine. With his rugged fingers, he laid her blouse open, lifting her camisole, exposing her breasts to the cool air. He dipped his head to suckle one nipple eagerly, while he fondled the other. The coarse texture of his fingers against her soft skin sent a quiver of pleasure rippling through her.

  Unable to contain it, Elizabeth moaned with the sheer joy of him. Her hand slid instinctively around his neck. Nothing in all her life could have prepared her for the sweeping sensations that shivered through her body in that moment. As he suckled, a thread burned from her breast to her most secret reaches, and she wanted insanely that he should touch her… there.

  Again.

  She cried out suddenly. Wicked as the notion was, it scandalized her an instant, but just as swiftly, desire overwhelmed her, removing all coherent thought from her mind. Her fingers curled into his hair.

  “Cutter,” she sighed. “Oh, Cutter…”

  His answering murmur burned her flesh. “Come with me, Lizbeth. Don’t hold back,” he told her, his whisper savage. Never pausing in his feasting, he peered up at her through his thick, dark lashes, watching her expression intently, his dark eyes smoldering.

  Well beyond words now, Elizabeth shook her head no, that she wouldn’t, and lest Cutter misunderstand her, she clutched his head possessively to her heart. Her hands threaded more deeply into his hair, tugging gently in desperation.

  That was all the encouragement Cutter needed. Without a word, he swept her up, carrying her to his
bedroll. He placed her down upon it reverently, kneeling over her, his lips curving at the sight of her. Her eyes remained closed, as though she couldn’t bear to watch what he was about to do. He kissed her lips reassuringly, coming away with the beguiling taste of her on his lips.

  “Lizbeth,” he whispered huskily, his breath hot against her mouth. “Open those beautiful eyes for me, gal.” She did, taking his breath away with the emotion nestled in the depths of them. His breath quickened, sounding as though he’d run a country mile. “Say no now… ”He kissed her softly, hoping like hell she was too far gone to hear or comprehend his advice. “If you’ve any doubts at all… it’ll be too late once I… ”

  Groaning as she brushed his face with her velvety soft fingers, he surged forward, thrusting one hand beneath her bottom and lifting her up against his hardness. “Damn me, if it ain’t already too late,” he muttered without regret. His other hand covered her breast as he buried his face into her soft neck. “Much too late,” he whispered.

  His fingers skipped down her body worshipfully, then glided the length of her leg, her thigh, lifting her skirt, searing her flesh where he touched her. Like a man possessed, he slid down to kiss the inner length of her thighs, sending delightful shudders coursing through her. While he kissed and caressed her there, his hands worked at the laces of her skirt. Freeing it, he moved up again to nibble her lips as he tugged her skirt down. Almost eagerly, Elizabeth helped him in the endeavor, lifting herself at his will.

  Then came her blouse, her camisole… her drawers—all shed before she could even think to protest. All the while he kissed her lips so masterfully, so wickedly, his tongue dipping in, then out, the sensation so intoxicating that she never even realized her nakedness until the cool night air kissed her burning skin.

  Mesmerized, she watched as he straightened momentarily to unbutton his own shirt. Peeling it off, he cast it aside. Bare-chested now, he knelt over her, examining every inch of her with his eyes as he’d craved to for so long, not touching, yet increasing her desire with his lusty gaze.

  Never had anyone looked at her just so, with so much heat, as though she were beautiful. Never. And to Elizabeth’s shame, she rejoiced in it.

  By now it had grown dark, the firelight casting a rosy tint over Elizabeth’s flesh, her breasts, even the darker areolas. Remembering the sweet taste of her, Cutter imagined his children suckling there, and felt white-hot desire knot his gut. Impatient to be inside her suddenly, he brought his hands to his buckle, unfastening it deftly. Removing his gun belt, he placed it gently aside while Elizabeth watched, her eyes wide.

  The harsh sound of his buttons popping sent a momentary shiver of alarm rushing through her, but she willed it away. She wanted this, she told herself. So much. And it felt so right. More right than anything ever had before. Still, a lump of fear rose in her throat, nearly strangling her.

  As quickly as he could, Cutter removed his boots, then his denims, and suddenly he was free, the night air gliding over his sweat-dampened skin, heightening his pleasure. This, he thought triumphantly, was the way man was meant to be. Free.

  His hands touched her knees, urging her legs apart. Elizabeth swallowed convulsively, resisting instinctively. “I—I can’t!”

  “Don’t fight it,” he whispered. “You want this as much as I do.”

  Elizabeth shook her head.

  Cutter’s eyes devoured her. His hand slipped between her legs, and he grinned suddenly. “The hell you don’t!” he hissed.

  Elizabeth willed her fear away, remembering only the pleasure she’d felt under his touch the first time.

  He eased between her thighs, covering her suddenly, his flesh burning her clear to her soul. And his hardness nudged shamelessly at her private places. Taking her face into his big hands, Cutter kissed her lips feverishly, tiny pecks, then with a tortured groan, filled her mouth with the heat of his tongue.

  His body nearly exploded on the spot when she instinctively lifted her knees, tilting herself to give him perfect access.

  “So sweet,” he groaned. “So good.”

  In response to his words, Elizabeth careened her hips even more. “That’s it,” he coaxed, trembling with restraint, his whisper tormented. Sweat beaded on his brow. “Open for me, bright eyes.”

  He was poised at the barrier, his arms straining with the effort of constraint, not wanting to hurt her, torturing himself with the wait. Had to check himself… had to make this good… for her.

  Again she tilted, moaning with the ecstasy of his promised intrusion. “Please, Cutter,” she breathed. “Please… ”

  Still Cutter didn’t move, only shuddered violently somewhere above her, within her.

  Without warning, Elizabeth lifted her hips forcefully, urging him inside, filling herself with his heat. The pain was minimal—too much a part of the pleasure to even be called pain.

  With an oblivious groan, Cutter began to rock into her, out of her, filling her and then withdrawing again. Crying out, Elizabeth willed him deeper still, and with her fingers, clawed at his back, silently pleading for the release she knew he could give her. Instinctively her hands slid down to his buttocks.

  Following his lead, she moved her hips along with his, whimpering with the exquisite rhythm he’d created, following him desperately. Suddenly, without warning, her body convulsed, fragmenting somewhere deep within. Just as it had the first time. Only the degree so much more. So, so much more. She cried out, kissing his shoulder reflexively, again, and again, grateful in a way she’d never been before.

  Feeling her body tighten around him, and hearing her soft cries of release, Cutter gave himself up. Drawing back with a primitive cry, he drove into her with a ferocity that would have startled Elizabeth had she been the least bit aware. With a last grunt, he collapsed atop her with a deeper satisfaction than he’d ever experienced.

  Kissing her temple long and hard, he rolled to the side so as not to crush her beneath him, and then hauled her up against himself, hugging her fiercely. He said nothing for the longest time, only stroked her hip and thigh absently. It seemed obscene to tarnish what they’d just shared with mere words. His body glistening with well-earned sweat, he turned a deaf ear to all sound, focusing instead on the ruthless pounding in his chest. It was only when Elizabeth seized his hand and raised it to her face to hold against her cheek that he felt compelled to speak.

  His blood pounded through his temples. He swallowed the salty burn in his throat. “Did it branding cattle,” he said gruffly, swallowing again. “I was fifteen… and too stupid to know better when they told me I wasn’t a man unless I could fire the branding iron bare-handed.”

  Listening quietly, Elizabeth crushed his hand to her cheek.

  For the briefest moment, Cutter could see again the curl of the men’s lips as they jeered him on. In their eyes, he’d been no more than a useless half-breed kid, fit only as a distraction for their boredom. And hell, he’d been too green and too desperate to prove himself to see the contempt in their eyes. He’d learned the game quickly enough, though.

  Hugging Elizabeth jealously, he allowed himself to feel again the scorch of the metal rod boring into his palm, searing his fingers, smell the stink of his own burning flesh. And then, with a fierce shuddering, he thrust the memory back again into the graveyard of his mind… where it belonged.

  “Anyhow, so now you know,” he said matter-of-factly, without emotion, “and you owe me one.” He brushed her hair gently away from her face, kissing her temple. “Tell me about ‘Greensleeves,’ “ he whispered, squeezing her gently for encouragement.

  “Greensleeves?”

  For a befuddled moment, Elizabeth couldn’t fathom what he was talking about, and then it came to her, and she felt as though her heart constricted. How had he known? It didn’t matter. She wasn’t ready to bare herself to anyone. Too long she’d kept herself apart from everything but her work, and despite the cherished moment they’d just shared, she couldn’t open herself up for his scrutiny—didn’t k
now if she ever could. Her eyes misted. Her throat burned. “I-It was my mother’s favorite song,” she said with difficulty, stiffening a little in his arms. “She used to sing it to me as a child. That’s all.”

  That wasn’t all there was to it, and Cutter knew it, but he didn’t push it. He gave her a little reassuring squeeze, letting her know that, and then kissed the back of her head with a sigh. Hearing a smothered sniffle, he asked, “You’re not gonna start regrettin’ already, are ya?”

  Elizabeth shook her head, cursing herself for a sniveling idiot. Why, she wondered, were her emotions so near the surface lately when they never had been before? She’d always prided herself on being so clear headed, so strong. What had happened to her since meeting Cutter?

  “Good,” he whispered, turning her suddenly, and planting a kiss on the tip of her breast. “ ‘Cause I’m not through with you yet.” Positioning himself over her once more, he suckled her gently, and with a whimper, Elizabeth arched toward him, amazed that he could so quickly stir her body to life, awed that his could recover so quickly when her own felt so bone-deep sated.

  Almost reverently, he ran his rough hands along the length of her, chasing chills up her spine as his fingers moved up her arms. He pinned her hands to the blanket, and stroked the inside of her palm with his scarred thumb.

  The last coherent thought Elizabeth had was that Cutter McKenzie was very, very good at driving away demons, while ironically, Cutter wondered whether he was actually seeking to drive away hers… or his own.