Authors: Paige Cameron
Tags: #Romance
Giselle hesitated, but then she managed to direct the point of the revolver toward Sylvia. Sylvia’s wrist gave in as another shot rang out. Sylvia had jerked her head away from the direction of Giselle’s gun, but it didn’t matter. Giselle was dead, and had slumped across her.
Sam ran to Sylvia and pushed Giselle aside. He pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?”
She was shaking and her heart pounded. “I think so.” She tried to keep the quiver out of her voice. “Where did you come from?”
“Honey, surely you didn’t think I’d let you go unprotected. Gab and I have been taking turns guarding you. I wanted to help, so I cover the mornings and then he takes over.” Sam checked the pulse on both Giselle and the man. “They’re gone. I don’t like taking a life, but they deserved it for threatening you.”
She stared at him. His expression made him look like the fiercest warrior. Gentle Sam had been replaced by someone she didn’t know.
“Where did you learn to use a gun like that?”
“Dad taught us when we were young. But he made sure to also teach us to respect guns, and to be aware of how dangerous they could be. He said never to shoot a person unless absolutely necessary, and then shoot to kill because you might not get a second chance. I have a big ranch, and I need to be able to protect my people and my cattle.” He looked down the road. “I see dust. That’ll be the sheriff. I contacted him once I saw where she was taking you.”
Two cars came flying down the road, the sheriff and one of his deputies. They squealed to a stop.
“Hell, you’ve already taken care of everything.”
“I couldn’t wait for you, Sheriff. They were planning to kill Sylvia.”
“Both dead?” Sheriff Grady asked.
“Yes.”
“She’s shaking. Take her home. We’ll handle this. You can come in later this afternoon and give me a full report.”
“Will do.” Sam picked Sylvia up in his arms and took quick strides to his truck.
“Put me down. I can walk.”
“Hush, I like to carry you.” At the truck door, he let her feet slide to the ground, opened the door, and lifted her in. “See you guys later.” Sam waved at the sheriff and his deputy.
He got in the driver’s side and turned to Sylvia. “I’m taking you to my place. No arguments.”
Sylvia only nodded. A reaction was setting in. Her teeth chattered and she shook. Sam gunned the truck and sped toward his house.
Once they arrived at his home, he carried her inside and straight to the master bathroom. He hurriedly undressed her and turned the water on to very warm. “If it’s too hot, you can adjust it. But it’ll help relax you and stop the shakes. Will you be all right for a minute? I want to call Gab and let him know what happened, and that I have you safe.”
“I’m fine. I’m not a baby,” she said, but her voice shook.
He stepped out of the room once she was in the shower. She heard his voice, but she couldn’t make out the words. When he came back in, he undressed and got in with her. He wrapped his strong, hot body around her. Nothing had ever felt so good.
“I called Gab and Gina. I didn’t want her to hear anything and be upset.” He picked up the soap and began to massage her shoulders and back.
“Thank you for calling them and for saving my life.”
“Honey, I was so mad at her for kidnapping you and for them both trying to kill you. I’m not ever going to let anyone hurt you again. Not while I’m around and able to stop them.”
She turned to face him. “You looked fierce today.”
“Did you think because I’m easygoing that I couldn’t or wouldn’t protect my own?”
“I’m not yours, and yes, I guess I saw the way you were as not as tough as Graham.”
“We’re all tough. With me it doesn’t always show, but my brothers and friends know I’m a rough competitor. Sometimes it’s all right to be underrated. It gives you an edge. But I’m glad you know I can take care of you in all ways.”
“This doesn’t mean I’m going to be your woman.”
“I can hope.” She had her arms around his neck. He pulled her legs up to his waist. “I love you, Sylvia. I’m not going away without trying very hard to win you. Right now I’d love to put my hard cock inside your delectable pussy, but you need to rest.” He kissed her and let her legs slide to the floor. “Finish up. I’m going to the kitchen to fix you a cup of tea. Luckily my appliances and furniture got delivered yesterday.”
He strolled off. She took the soap, washed, and then got out and dried. She didn’t want to put on the clothes lying on the floor. In his closet she found a robe, tied it snug against her waist, and watched so as to not trip on the bottom of it.
Sam was pouring her tea when she came into the kitchen. He looked up, and his eyes flashed with passion. Her heart had quit pounding, but her aroused desire had it beating faster again. He pulled a chair out for her.
The tea was hot and sweet. “This is good.”
He’d poured a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “The robe looks better on you than me.”
“It’s a little long.”
“I noticed, and it shows the curve of your luscious breasts.”
“You are not making me think of resting. You’re arousing me.”
“When I saw you in that robe, I decided making love to you might help you rest better.”
“That’s an excellent idea, cowboy.”
“I love when you call me that in your sexy voice. Have you drunk enough of your tea?”
She tipped the cup up and swallowed the last bit. “I have now.”
Sam carried her into his bedroom and gently placed her on his new king size bed. He removed the jeans he’d pulled on and joined her. Slowly, he undid the belt and opened the front of the robe.
His warm hand cupped her breast. “I’d like to make love to these jewels if it won’t scare you.”
“I think I’m past that. Let’s try.”
“Just remember who has you in their arms. It’s Sam, not the bad guy.” Lightly, his hand massaged her breast, and then his fingers gently pinched her puckered nipple. He kept his eyes on her face, which aroused her even more. Leaning down, he kissed her mouth as his hand and fingers played with her breasts. He moved his hand from one to the other.
A slow fire flared in her abdomen and spread outward. Her pussy began to throb and moisture flowed. Sam dipped his head and took her nipple into his warm mouth. Her breath caught when he licked across the tip. A rush of desire ran straight to her pussy.
He raised his head. “Are you all right?”
“Please don’t stop. It feels so good.”
Sam licked and sucked on her pebbled nipples. His hands cupped each breast. Sylvia’s pussy responded and felt supersensitive to every move he made.
“I need you inside me,” she pleaded.
“Not yet. I’m going to taste your whole body before this is over.” He moved upward and held her face between his hands. Sam lightly kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her chin, and then his mouth covered hers. She opened her lips, and his tongue swept inside to taste and lick. Her tongue ran along the edges of his.
When he moved his hand back to her breasts and rubbed across her tight buds, her body trembled with desire. She moved restlessly under him.
Her hand slid down his body and took hold of his hard cock. It jerked in her hand. His warm skin felt like satin with steel underneath.
His teeth nipped her earlobe. “You’re trying to speed things up, but I’m not going to give in. You taste too good.”
He licked and kissed her neck. Then he scraped his teeth along the edge of her shoulder.
Sylvia moved her hand up and down his cock. Her finger trailed along the line underneath and then her hand cupped his sac.
Sam groaned, but he continued to kiss her body, her breasts, her midriff, and her abdomen. He moved her hand off his cock as he slid down her body. Now he spread her legs wide and separated her folds. His tongue licked her clit.
“Oh, that feels good.” She ran her fingers through his thick, soft hair as his teeth and tongue licked and tasted her lower lips. His tongue dipped into her pussy opening and lapped up her juice. She whimpered and muttered his name.
“I want you so much it almost hurts.” Sylvia’s muscles were drawn taut like a string on a violin and Sam was the musician playing her body into a wild crescendo.
He moved quickly, ripped open a condom package from the bedside table, and sheathed his cock. Then Sam plunged into her supersensitive pussy. Her pussy walls rippled around him and her muscles from her legs up tightened as the wave of ecstasy released and shattered her into a thousand pieces of pleasure.
Sam kept pumping into her faster and faster, and smaller waves rippled through her pussy. He shouted as he reached his climax and pushed deep against her womb.
Sylvia held him close as his body shuddered and his heart pounded against her chest. He rolled, pulling her with him.
Gradually their breathing slowed and the world around them came back into focus. “I love you, and I won’t let you get away. Somehow we’ll work through our differences.” He kissed her forehead.
But her world was an opposite contrast to his. How could they ever meet in the middle? Was sex enough to hold them together?
* * * *
Sam had driven her back to the cabin this morning. Gab was packed and had said good-bye. He was going to stay with his parents. Sylvia had the place to herself. She wandered from room to room and tried to picture living here like Graham had. How did he keep from going crazy? But he was a loner, and it suited him. She’d always liked action, people coming and going around her.
Sylvia sat in a chair on the small porch. The fall leaves were a brilliant color, and she heard the chirps of numerous birds. Soon they’d be leaving to go south.
This land did bring a sense of peace and relaxation. She tried to remember how’s she’d felt when she lived with Gina and their father. He’d been the first trustworthy person in her life. Actually, he and Gina were the only ones she’d ever been able to rely on.
Before her mother married Dan Piercy, Sylvia’s life had been chaotic with frequent moves and several of her mother’s boyfriends passing through their lives. Then her mother married Dan. They settled down until her mother decided to divorce her stepfather. Thank goodness she’d left Sylvia and Gina with him.
She’d graduated from school and gone off to college. There Sylvia had got caught up in the social life, heard about the job she later took, and never returned, except for short visits to see Dad.
When Sam left her off this morning, he’d told her he’d come get her to go to his mother’s house tomorrow for the family gathering. He’d held her close, kissed her, and driven off in his truck.
He was dependable, trustworthy, and he aroused her as no other man had. But was it enough? She glanced around the land. Could she be happy on a ranch? And more important, what kind of wife would she make? Sam deserved the best. She didn’t believe she met that qualification.
Sam hated leaving Sylvia at the cabin. He feared she’d get bored and become more certain the small-town life was not for her. Their lovemaking had been incredible. He had never felt as close to a woman before. He knew she was the special one for him. No matter what his family said, he’d fight and do whatever was necessary to convince her to marry him.
When he’d seen her in danger yesterday, his heart stopped for a second, then pure anger flashed through his body. That anyone would dare to hurt her brought all his senses to full alert. Once he had her in his arms, his knees went weak with relief.
Their loving last night had been intense. Sylvia had opened herself to him and given him her all. This morning he noticed her trying to rebuild her familiar defenses. So he’d decided to give her a day to think and hopefully realize what they had together. It might be the worst idea he’d ever had, but he had to risk it. He wanted a solid, trusting relationship. Anything else wouldn’t last.
Sam parked at his house, saddled his horse, and rode out to meet his foreman. He had work to do. He hoped it would keep his mind off of Sylvia for a little while.
* * * *
Sylvia’s phone rang just before noon. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Grace. I thought we might drive to Wagon Wheel and have lunch. I have a few items I ordered to pick up for Sam’s house, and I’d like the company.”
“Doesn’t your mother want to go with you?”
“She’s happily cooking and baking for the big get-together tomorrow. My brother Clay is even going to be here, so she’s thrilled to have us all under one roof again.”
“Then I’d love to accept. It sounds like fun.”
“I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Is that all right?”
“Yes, if I can go in jeans.”
“Jeans are perfect. See you soon.”
Grace hung up, and Sylvia went to the bathroom to check her makeup and hair. She grabbed her purse, locked the cabin, and waited on the porch for Grace.
Once on their way, Grace glanced across at her. “How do you like living in Graham’s cabin?”
“It is a bit isolated and quiet.”
“I know. It was perfect for Graham before he met Gina.”