Devils on Horseback: Zeke, Book 3 (11 page)

Naomi gasped, she couldn’t help it. The memory of seeing her father murdered got mixed up with the picture Lucy painted of the ill-fated Allison. Her stomach clenched so tightly, she tasted bile in the back of her throat. No wonder Zeke was so cold and distant and unwilling to acknowledge any kind of relationship with a woman. He kept himself closed off for good reason. How was it possible Naomi, another preacher’s daughter, ended up in his arms?

“What happened to the raiders?”

“Zeke and his boys killed them.”

Naomi felt satisfaction course through her even if it meant she was bloodthirsty. Anyone who would kill a preacher and a young woman deserved what they got.

“I just thought I’d warn you. He’s not going to do anything other than fuck you.” Lucy’s coarse language didn’t serve to deter Naomi from her course of action.

The bluebonnets were a beacon of hope in the dark world Zeke occupied. He’d gone out of his way to show her something beautiful, to give her a piece of sweetness. Perhaps that meant there was more than a physical connection between them.

“Thanks for the advice, Lucy. I’ll keep it in mind.” She walked towards the door, the soft petals warm in her hand. “Good night.”

Lucy didn’t respond, but Naomi could feel the older woman’s stare nearly burning a hole in her back. It took only five minutes to reach the jail and by the time she arrived, she knew it had been the right decision. A smile spread across her face in anticipation. What she didn’t expect was to find a brown-haired man instead of Zeke.

He looked at her with surprise on his handsome face. “Hello there, miss. Can I help you?”

“Where’s Zeke?” she blurted.

“He had a bit of a rough time with his prisoners.” He gestured to the two cowboys occupying her cell, this time with the door attached. “I sent him to the doc.”

She crossed her arms. “Is he all right?”

“I expect so. Elliott is a good sawbones.” He stood and held out his hand. The man was as big as Zeke. Must be one of his friends she’d heard about. “I’m Gideon Blackwood.”

“Zeke’s brother?” She felt a bit of heat on her cheeks. “I mean, the sheriff’s brother?”

“No, ma’am, cousin. His brother’s name is Lee. He’s blond like Zeke and sports one arm. You might have seen him at the restaurant.”

So that had been Zeke’s brother the day she’d had breakfast at the restaurant with Ackerman. It might explain why he’d been hostile and downright rude to her—perhaps he didn’t like her taking up with his brother. Too bad he couldn’t be as friendly as Gideon.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackwood. Naomi Tucker.”

Gideon smiled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ah, Miss Tucker. Yes, I’ve heard your name once or twice.”

Naomi wondered in what context her name had been mentioned. “Do you think he’s still at the doctor’s?”

“Maybe. Either that or he’s back at the restaurant. We live above it.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.

It was very late for a visit, had to be three o’clock in the morning, yet Naomi knew she was going to find Zeke that night, no matter what. She had to.

“Thank you. I’ll be on my way now.” She nodded to Gideon and turned towards the door.

“Be careful, Miss Tucker. He might be cold and hard on the outside, but he can be hurt real easy. I don’t want to have to remind you of that.” Gone was the friendly gentleman and in its place, a fierce protector.

Naomi could not only appreciate the sentiment, but she respected it. One day she hoped someone could do the same for her.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. I have no intention of hurting Zeke.”

* * * * *

Zeke sat on the edge of the bed and held his face in his hands. A dull throb in his head was joined by an ache in his ribs. Those boys had lit into him good. Normally he’d be able to hold his own against two men, but with the small space in the cell, he’d had no room to maneuver. Bastards.

He was more angry than anything and fully intended on charging them with assault. A judge came into town every month, should be easy enough to request he come sooner.

He stretched, wincing as a sharp pain gripped his back. With a groan, he lay on the bed and closed his eyes. Doc Barham had given him a little bottle of laudanum, but Zeke hated to take it since it made him lose control. With his behavior of late, losing control had become a problem. It certainly got him in trouble with the two drunks.

When a small knock sounded at the door, Zeke clenched his jaw.

“What?” he snapped, unwilling to talk to Lee about what happened.

“Zeke?”

Naomi’s quiet voice made him sit up too fast. He gasped against the rush of blood through his head. She must’ve heard him because she opened the door and peeked in.

“Zeke?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Zeke didn’t want to admit to himself how glad he was to see her. The petite woman had gotten under his skin in the last two weeks, to the point her very presence actually made him feel better. Damn, he was supposed to be avoiding saloon women, not consorting with them every chance he got.

“Can I come in?”

She shouldn’t be alone with him in his bedroom though, no matter if she worked at the saloon or not. He was the sheriff and no doubt the old cronies on the town council would fire him if they knew. Zeke was well aware of all of it, yet it didn’t stop him from inviting her in.

“Please.”

Not only had he thrown caution under her little feet, but he’d said “please” too. Zeke knew then his plan to keep his distance from Naomi had failed miserably, and he started to shake. The urge to sling back a shot of whiskey roared through him.

“I met Gideon and he told me what happened. I was, well, I was worried.” Her confession dropped into the silence of the room.

Zeke, for the first time in his life, was overwhelmed by a woman. The sincerity of her tone and the fact she’d been worried about him made his throat close. Soft comfort and words from women hadn’t been prevalent in his life. His mother had been weak and dependent on his father, then him, for everything. Naomi had taken a lifetime’s worth of experience and reduced it to dust.

She stepped into the room and closed the door, her rose scent washing over him. He clenched his teeth and swallowed, trying to dislodge the words stuck there.

“Are you all right?”

He sucked in a shaky breath and swung his legs around the side of the bed, then patted the spot next to him. His thirst, pain, embarrassment and discomfort forgotten, he could only see her. In the moonlight, she looked ethereal, like an angel come to visit him. It seemed the preacher had been right in his description of her.

Naomi sat down gently, almost as if she was afraid, and peered at him in the dim light. “Zeke, I—”

He put his hand against her lips, their softness making his fingers tremble. “You shouldn’t be here alone with me.”

She smiled beneath his hand. “I want to be.”

Zeke cupped her face and tried to read what lurked in the hazel depths of her eyes. All he saw were shadows and uncertainties, a common theme in his life the last five years. He knew he shouldn’t be with her, but for once he was going to do what his heart told him.

God help him. He was listening to his heart.

“You didn’t get hurt in the brawl, did you?” He tried to find a topic to keep his mind, and his body, from focusing on kissing her.

“No, we hid behind the bar.” She smiled. “Thank you for coming to stop it again. You seem to be quite good at being a sheriff, for a new one, I mean.”

He chuckled at her teasing. “I suppose. It ain’t hard, well I guess it is sometimes.” He pressed a hand to his aching ribs.

“Are you all right? Gideon told me you were hurt.” She covered his hand with hers.

“I’ll live.” He pulled her hand up and kissed the palm. Zeke felt a shiver snake through her at the touch of his lips.

“I’m not sure what’s happening, Zeke.” She gazed at the palm of her hand. “Why did I come here?” she sounded as confused as he was.

“Probably for the same reason I came to your bed.” Zeke’s body began to react to being closer to hers. It wasn’t just a sexual reaction, it was something else too. That something else was unidentifiable, and it scared him.

Yet he didn’t ask her to leave.

She nodded, her blonde hair sliding over the dress with a soft sound. “I’ve been fighting for survival for three years, and now it seems I have to fight for something else.”

“What’s that?”

She met his gaze. “My heart. You knocked me sideways, Sheriff, and I find myself liking it.”

Zeke knew exactly what she meant. “I don’t want to be responsible for your heart, for anyone’s heart. The last year has brought me nothing but misery, and I can’t seem to get myself out of the hole I dug for myself. I don’t want to subject you to the same hell.” His voice had descended into a hoarse whisper full of emotion.

She took his hand, her little fingers wrapping around his in comfort, bringing a lump to his throat.

“I understand. Lucy told me about Allison. I’m so sorry.”

The mention of Allison made his stomach clench. Once upon a time, she might have been his wife. Now she was just another ghost in his heart.

“She’s gone, and I’m still here. Now you’re here too.” He squeezed her hand. “I just want to be sure you understand I ain’t looking for anything from you.”

Zeke sensed she didn’t believe a word he said, yet she remained silent. He hadn’t wanted a woman getting under his skin, but it was too late for that.

“Kiss me.” Her husky command sent a shiver down his skin.

“Are you sure?” He knew she should leave, get away before their sexual relationship continued, but he couldn’t seem to let go of her hand.

“Kiss me.” This time her voice was firmer, and he obeyed.

He lowered his head and kissed her, capturing her breath into his mouth, inhaling her essence. It began slowly, but the heat between them flared to life.

Their previous encounters had been fierce matings, full of passion and animal instinct. This time it was gentle—for the first time they were making love.

He began by taking off her dress. The tiny buttons at the front almost did him in, but he persevered and soon they were all undone. As he slid the dress from her shoulders, he kissed the alabaster skin and breathed in her scent.

She rose from the bed like a goddess, letting her dress slip completely off. He was thrilled to realize she wore nothing beneath it. His drawers were the only thing keeping him from embarrassing himself with the rock-hard dick screaming for her.

God she was exquisite.

“Looks like you’re pitching a tent there, Sheriff.”

He reached for her naked form. “Come here.”

“Not until you lie down like a good boy and let me have my way with you.” She pushed him back on the bed, and his injuries twinged at the movement.

“I’m all yours.” It went against his nature to let anyone take control of him, but he allowed it to happen. Naomi meant more to him than he could even put into words. He wanted to be with her and show her he trusted her.

Standing beside the bed, she looked at him in the moonlight, her gaze touching him like a caress. The small hairs on his body rose to attention as if she used her hands and not her eyes. Unbelievably, his dick grew even harder.

“Like a banquet all for me.” She skimmed her fingers down his chest, scraping at his nipples and sending shards of pure need down his skin.

“Then you’d best get to feasting because the meat is getting overcooked.”

She laughed and took his staff in her small hand. “Oh I don’t know about that. It feels just perfect to me. Let’s release it from this prison though.” Naomi shimmied off his drawers in a blink, leaving him naked on his back, and at her mercy.

“I like this.” She climbed on the bed, straddling his legs. Her pussy hairs tickled him and he shivered at the feeling.

“Me too.” His voice sounded gravelly and thick. “Now ride me, filly.”

She tsked at him. “I’m in charge of this round, Sheriff. So just hang on and let me handle the reins.”

It wasn’t easy, but he unclenched his hands and let her do as she asked. There wasn’t a woman alive aside from Naomi he would give control to.

She ran her hands up his thighs, skirting his jumping dick, and up his stomach. When her finger circled his bellybutton, he hissed, eager to do more than be teased. Yet he held his tongue and throbbed with arousal.

Naomi leaned forward and her beautiful hair covered him even as her mouth closed around a nipple. He closed his eyes and held on for all he was worth. She nibbled and lapped at him as her hair caressed his stomach.

He realized he was holding his breath and sucked in a lungful of air. Damn, she surely did know how to drive him insane.

“Feel good?”

He grunted, not trusting his voice to work properly.

She lay down completely on him and his skin sighed in pleasure. When her mouth found his, he wrapped his arms around her and fused with her. Liquid heat poured through his veins as his tongue twined with hers.

Sweet, dueling tongues rasped together as her pussy teased his cock. Her moisture coated his taut skin, made him nearly snarl for more. He reached down and pulled her knees up, opening her up for him.

“In, sweet one, let me in.” He couldn’t take one more second without being inside her.

Naomi reached between them and guided his throbbing erection to her. When the head of his dick finally entered her, he couldn’t be patient any longer. He thrust up, embedding himself deep in her body. She gasped and tightened around him.

Zeke paused for a moment, trying to stop himself from coming too soon. When he felt his control returning, he pulled at her round little ass.

“Ride me.”

She bit at his lip one last time then straightened, her hair like a curtain around her beautiful face.

Her tentative movements told him she’d never done anything like this before, but she got the hang of it quickly. Soon she was sliding up and down on his rod, clenching and unclenching with each thrust. He held onto her hips as his balls grew harder with each upstroke. He reached between them and circled her clit with his thumb, eager to bring to her the pleasure coursing through him.