COWBOY ROMANCE: Devon (Western Contemporary Alpha Male Bride Romance) (The Steele Brothers Book 2)

by Amanda Boone

  When she looked in the bag she was relieved to see a pair of cotton trousers and a long sleeved top that would hide all the cuts and bruises. She dressed as quickly as possible knowing that her mother and step father were only outside. She wondered how they had known to get a hold of them but then she remembered the type of town she lived in. Everybody knew everybody and it was likely that the doctor knew her step father, in fact they were probably the best of friends. It sickened her to think on it.

  When she plucked up the courage to open the door and step out into the corridor her mother jumped up from her seat that leaned against the wall. She wrapped her arms around Anne and squeezed all too hard. Anne squealed in pain and her mother jumped backward with her arms up in a sign of surrender.

  “I’m sorry.” Ivy bit her lip as she realised that she had hurt her. Anne did not reply. Instead she turned to Drake and asked,

  “Will you please get me out of here.” Drake nodded and turned his back on her mother. He placed his arm gently around her shoulders and began to walk her down the corridor.

  “Anne! Please stop! We need to talk about this.” She heard her mother call after her but she could not look back. She knew that if she did she would begin crying and screaming all over again. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of everyone on the ward. She knew it would only make Michael angry and though she felt safe with Drake she could not subject him to such a scene.

  They were silent in the elevator and Drake only spoke once he had helped her up into his truck and was sat in the driver’s seat beside her.

  “So what’s the deal with your parents?” he asked as he pushed his keys into the ignition and pulled the truck out of the car park. Anne was almost confused by the question. She had never been asked anything like it before. She’d never spoken to anyone about Michael. She had never been around anyone without his presence making it harder for her to have a relationship with anyone that wasn’t him or her mum.

  “That monster is not my father.” She found herself growling harshly. Drake glanced at her before he turned his eyes back onto the road.

  “I’m sorry,” he sighed, “I didn’t mean to upset you. Has he done something to you?” Anne knew that it was finally time to tell someone. She could finally get everything off her chest that she had kept bottled up for so many years.

  Chapter Five

  “Michael Boardman has been beating me since the day he married my mother three and a half years ago.” She told him. The words were like a confession. Something released inside her and she found herself spilling everything to him, “I tried to leave when I turned eighteen but he found me and hauled me back and I’ve never dared to try again.”

  “What about your mother?” Drake asked, keeping his eyes on the road, “Does he hit her?” Anne shook her head and sighed.

  “She keeps her mouth shut and acts like she doesn’t see any of it. She knows how to keep him happy even at the cost to herself and to me.” Anne remembered how her mother had bent to his will and never questioned him whether she had doubts or not.

  “Why didn’t you contact the police?” he asked. Anne began to laugh then. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could someone not know Michael’s influence?

  “Are you new to town?” she asked turning in her seat to look at him. when he nodded she knew exactly why he was so clueless.

  “My step father is one of the highest ranking navy seals in this town and nobody speaks against him,” she explained, “He is well respected and has never had a bad word said against him.”

  “But if he has been beating you how could anyone respect him?” Drake both looked and sounded confused. Anne sighed as she realised this was going to be one long conversation if she had to explain everything to him.

  “He keeps me and my mum close. We are never allowed to be alone with anyone unless he is there. He stops us from talking about anything he deems sinful or that might harm him in some way.” Her heart pounded as she thought of the first time he had done it and she had snapped at him. When they had gone home from the social event he had hit her for the first time and she had learned that he was never going to be kind to her again.

  Drake reached over and placed his hand on her knee. She flinched away from his hand but he did not jerk away. Instead he moved slowly to place his hand softly on her knee and gave her a little squeeze.

  “You don’t need to worry this anymore,” he told her, “I’ll make sure he never touches you ever again.” Anne was shocked by his words. Nobody had ever been so kind to her. Nobody had ever had the chance to get so close to her. She found herself wondering what Michael would say if he saw her touching his knee. Then she caught herself and pushed the thought away with a mental shake of her head.

  “Where are we going?” Anne asked in an attempt to change the subject. Drake took his hand from her knee and placed it back on the gear stick.

  “I’m taking you back to my place,” he told her, “You’ll be safe there. If you give me your address I’ll go round later and collect some of your things.” Anne was instantly scared. She couldn’t imagine what Michael would do if he turned up on his doorstep. She wondered whether he might come out with as many bruises as she had.

  “You can’t do that!” she snapped sharply. Drake didn’t look shocked and Anne wondered if he had experience of being with other people like her. She got the feeling that he knew exactly what he was doing.

  “Fine, I won’t go round but we’ll have to get you some more clothes from somewhere. Those are far too big on you.” Anne looked down at the clothes his sister had given him for her and she realised he was right. The top hung off her so much that if she moved in the wrong way you could see right down the collar to her breasts. She blushed as she picked up the hem and held it to her chin.

  When they pulled up on to his drive Anne as relieved to realise that they were on the opposite side of town to where she had been living with Michael and her mother. They were as far from them as possible without crossing the town boarder.

  Drake pulled his key from the ignition, climbed out of the truck, and within a second was at her side of the vehicle. He pulled the door open and held out his hand to help her down from the high cabin. She placed her hand in his and gasped. She hadn’t felt the gentle warmth of another human’s touch for four years. It was a shock to her system as he heled her down from the truck and smiled at her gently.

  “Why are you helping me?” she asked as he slammed the door shut behind her and led her toward the small house at the top of the driveway.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. When she looked confused he added with a wink, “You still owe me that coffee.” Anne blushed as he placed the key in the front door and pushed it open.

  Inside the house felt fresh and she knew he hadn’t lived there long. There were still several boxes of unpacked belongings hanging around as he led her through to the kitchen.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked as he flicked on the kettle that sat beside the oven. Anne shook her head and stifled a yawn, “Want me to show you to the guest room?” Anne thought of refusing but then she realised just how tired she was and nodded with some protest from her neck.

  Drake led her back through the house and up the stairs. He walked slowly and kept glancing backward as though he thought she might fall at any moment. Anne had to admit she did think of falling just to see how he would react.

  They came to the first door on the second floor and he pushed it open. “I’m sorry about all the boxes. I haven’t had a chance to unpack everything yet.” He told her as he led her inside. The room was as big as her room in her mother’s house yet it seemed instantly more inviting. The bed had already been made up as though he was expecting someone. There was a wardrobe, a chest of draws and a mirror all leaning against one wall on the far side of the room.

  “I’ll leave you to rest,” he told her gently as he slipped back toward the door his arm brushing hers as he went, “Just show if you need anything at all.�
�� Anne smiled warmly at him as she watched him go.

  Then she sat down on the bed slowly. Every muscle gave protest and she gasped in shock as pain pulsed throughout her body.

  Chapter Six

  “Get your lazy arse out of bed!” Michael yelled as he grabbed the back of her collar and hauled her up from under the covers. Fear gripped her and she felt frozen as he dropped her onto the ground. She fell to her knees and tucked her head under herself in an attempt to protect her face. The toe of his boot came up into her ribs and she screamed in pain. He grabbed her hair and pulled her up to expose her torso. Hi fist hit her squarely in the chest and she could no longer breathe. The air was knocked from her lungs and she choked for oxygen.

  Tears burned her eyes and streamed down her cheeks as he glared down at her with a half-smile on his face. Anne had always guessed that he enjoyed beating on her but it was the first time she had ever really seen it on his face. His face loomed in front of her as he smacked her across the cheek. She felt her eye grow in size as he hit her again and again. The taste of blood was irony in the back of her throat.

  “Anne! Anne! Wake up!” Drake’s voice brought her back to the guest room of his small house. She was shaking. Cold sweat dripped down her spine and her throat hurt as though she had been screaming at the top of her lungs. She lashed out at him and he grabbed hold of her wrists, holding her gently against the bed until she began to calm. It was then that she realised the tears had followed her from her dream. They were hot against her cheeks and her eyes burned with fear.

  “Anne, you are safe.” Drake assured her as he continued to hold on to her. When she finally looked up at him she saw that his face was twisted with concern. She pulled her wrists away from him and sat up.

  “I’m so sorry.” She cried. She was used to apologising for everything. It was something she had to do often with Michael, one of the only ways to calm his temper.

  “You don’t need to apologise to me,” Drake shook his head, “I’m going to go and make you some coffee.” He stood up then and began to make his way toward the door.

  “Wait!” Anne called after him, “I don’t want coffee.” He turned to look at her and frowned.

  “Then what do you want?” he asked as though he was going to get her something no matter what it took.

  “Will you lie with me?” she asked. She needed the warmth of his body beside her, to feel safe and have his arms around her, like her father had done during her childhood whenever she had a bad dream. Drake smiled at that.

  He stood beside the bed as she shuffled over to give him some room. When he got onto the bed it dipped a little under his weight and Anne was forced toward him as though the bed willed it to happen. He held up his arm to allow her to get into the crook and she placed her head on his chest. She was shocked when she felt his lips gentle against her forehead and his arm wrapped around her waist.

  She turned her head to face him and in an instant she was kissing him. She hadn’t been close to a man before. She’d had sexual encounters with boys from her high school when she was younger but because of Michael she had never had the chance to get close to someone since then.

  Now she felt as though that was all she needed. She needed to feel something other than fear and hopelessness. She needed to feel like there was something more in the world other than violence.

  Drake’s arm tightened around her and his other hand came up to press softly against her cheek as he kissed her back. She breathed him in deeply. He smelled like lavender and chamomile and his lips tasted of mint as though he had been chewing gum.

  He pressed his body against hers as she pressed her palm against his chest above his heart. She could feel it beating hard and fast against her hand as she touched him.

  “You are beautiful.” He whispered against her lips and something lit inside of her. Something that had not been lit for a very long time. She found herself leaping up to straddle him. The pain in her body was forgotten and she wanted him suddenly. Her hands worked on the buttons that ran down the front of his shirt. After she had pulled two buttons open he grabbed hold of her wrists again and gazed up at her. His eyes were glazed with lust yet he seemed as though he was still in control, “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked her.

  Anne rolled her eyes at him and smiled, “A woman is throwing herself at you and you’re asking her if it’s what she wants?”

  “I don’t want you to regret anything.” He replied holding her hands still.

  “Shut up and kiss me.” she laughed as she leaned down again and possessed his lips with hers. He groaned against her as he released her wrists and allowed her to continue her work on his buttons. He grabbed hold of the hem of her top and pulled it up over her head, careful not to hurt her.

  “Aren’t you in pain?” he asked as he threw the top onto the floor beside the bed. Anne rolled her eyes at him again and placed her finger over his lip.

  “I’ll tell you if you hurt me.” she promised. As though her words had killed any doubt in his mind, he took hold of her hips and turned her so that her back was against the mattress. He leaned over her and kissed her gently on the mouth before he trailed his lips down her neck and along her collar bone. She breathed heavily with the pleasure of it all as she felt his hands stroke her sides. There was a small twinge of pain as he ran his fingertips over her ribs but she forgot it as soon as she felt his hands on her thighs. He reached for the top of her trousers and in one fluid movement had them off her. She giggled as he looked down at her as though she was the most wonderful thing he had ever seen. He bit his lip as though he couldn’t wait to have her.

  She reached for the button of his jeans and pulled it open in one swift movement. He pulled on his jeans and dropped them to the floor before shrugging out of his shirt. Then he leaned over her wearing nothing but his boxers. His abs were perfectly muscular, hard and glossy with tan. Anne reached up to touch them and the flame inside her burned brighter.

  Drake placed his hand between her thighs and rubbed her gently. His hand slipped beneath her pants and he stroked her softly before placing a finger inside her. Her head tilted backward and she gasped as he began to play her body like a master musician. Her hands tightened into fists on the bed covers and she gritted her teeth to stop herself from screaming out loud.

  “Do you want me?” Drake asked. His voice was husky and quiet as though he was struggling to speak past the lump in his throat. In truth Anne felt the same. Instead of replying she simply looked up at him and nodded. He grinned down at her and kissed her on the lips as he ripped her pants away from her. The tearing of the fabric was like music in her ears as he threw what was left of her pants to the floor on top of his jeans.

  When he entered her it was like nothing Anne had ever felt before. She felt full up instantly. The sensation was deliciously sweet. She licked her lips as her fingers tangled in his hair and she brought him down to kiss him. Her teeth raked along his lips and then she bit him. He groaned as though the pain turned him on all the more.

  He moved in and out of her so softly that it was almost teasing. He held her hips anchoring her to the bed as he moved inside her. The pleasure built in her stomach like a ball of wall being wound tighter and tighter. Her blood pumped hard through her veins as she arched herself up to allow him deeper inside her. Her wounds ached but they simply added to the different sensations that he was causing her to feel.

  They came together. She screamed and he groaned in her ear only adding to the entire pleasure she was feeling. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she held him to her as he came inside her, spilling into her like a fountain. The sensation was warm, like nothing she had ever felt before. She loved it instantly.

  He caught her smiling as he moved to look at her face. “You are so beautiful.” He whispered as he kissed the end of her nose and removed a strand of hair from her eye. When he dropped down onto the bed beside her, he pulled her close and held her there. She pressed her head against his chest and heard his heart poun
ding in her ear. It was one of the best sounds she had ever heard. It made her happy to know that his heart was pounding so fast due to what they had just done.

  “Anne, I promise I am going to protect you no matter what.” He told her as he held her close to him. In that moment she was truly happy. She felt safe like she never had before.

  THE END

  Tempted By The Alien Boss

  “This is the final boarding call for the Envirocorp Shuttle to Erenius Three. Repeat, this...”

  “Hetty, get your ass in gear!” Greenham Trant shouts at me as I try to haul my load of equipment through the crowded spaceport. This was it, the final shuttle flight to my new posting on the third moon of the planet Erenius, searching for life and habitable places for Envirocorp.

  I was late for the shuttle only because the idiots who ran the spaceport had lost my baggage while unloading it from the half C transport ship, which had left after us and arrived before. Envirocorp had coughed up for some new gear for me, but it hadn’t been ready, so they sent it on after. As the passenger transport was slower than the half-light-speed cargo transport, it didn’t really matter as the equipment was expected to arrive before I did.

  Trant stomped down the access ramp which led up into the shuttle – although it was called a shuttle, the massive ship was almost as vast as the galactic transport we arrived on – and grabbed hold of the stack of boxes I’d just pushed through the spaceport on their little trolley. He started yanking on it as hard as he could, threatening to bring the whole thing crashing down and destroying millions in new equipment.