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“Rosalie Winter was in to see me today.”
He held her upright when she momentarily drooped. As she drew a breath her spine stiffened and she removed her hands from his shoulders, ran them over her stomach. A vision of when they’d lain on the couch and he’d caressed her belly appeared before his eyes. He’d touched his child then, safe and warm, growing inside her.
“What did she want?” Florie asked, looking everywhere but at him.
“Her sons.”
She would have stepped away, had he not tightened his hold on her hips. Cord waited for her to speak, or protest.
“Did you arrest her?”
“No. Should I have?”
“She always said harboring outlaws was as bad as being one. That’s why we couldn’t tell anyone, because we’d go to jail as quick as the boys would.”
“Maybe,” he said.
She looked at him then. He wanted to kiss her again. Kiss away the apprehension glittering in her eyes. The trepidation marring her face. “Maybe?” she repeated.
“If there was cause to believe the ones harboring the outlaws were outlaws, then yes, they might be arrested.”
She shook her head. “I feel like you’re talking in circles.”
“Maybe I am.”
“Why?”
“Why’d you come to see me, Florie? What was so important you walked across two counties?” He knew, but wanted to hear her say it.
Her expression changed a hundred ways in mere seconds, but in the end, she took a deep breath, lifted her head and told him, “I’m in the family way, Cord, and the baby is yours.”
The thrill, the exhilaration those words brought him, had his toes tapping in his boots. Maintaining his composure, which was the hardest thing he’d yet done in twenty-eight years, he gave a brief nod. “I see.”
Her bottom lip was white where her teeth bore into it, but she held his gaze, never looking away while she nodded.
There was a sheen of happiness deep in her eyes that almost stopped his heart. “When’s the baby due?”
“Before the end of the year,” she answered, unwavering.
Damn near giddy, thinking of the little person they’d created, the life they’d have together, Cord found it close to impossible to remain steady. “That could cause some tongue wagging.”
“Yes, it could,” she replied. “And it’s your decision what happens next.”
Believing he’d thought of everything, Cord was taken aback. “My decision?”
“Yes.” Florie took a step back, slipping out of his hold. It was too difficult to think while Cord touched her. Rational thinking anyway. Her mind was filling with wanton thoughts again. She moved to the table, searching for support to remain standing. Her decision was made, and this time she wouldn’t run away. “I understand your position, and the embarrassment this situation will cause you.”
He’d moved as well. Stood directly behind her and laid both hands on her shoulders.
His touch, his closeness, had her insides stirring all over again. She breathed. Deeply. “I didn’t come here to make trouble. I just wanted you to know, but don’t fret,” she added quickly, “I have options.”
“Options?”
“Yes. Options.”
“Like what?”
Florie squared her shoulders. For the first time in her life she did have options, but more than that, she had confidence. She would be fine. The baby would be fine, and loved. “My mother has offered to help. You’ll have no reason to worry about the baby.”
He spun her about. “Your mother…no reason…what the hell are you talking about, Florie?”
“I understand this is a shock for you, but there’s no need to curse, Cord,” she admonished, already wanting to protect her baby from such language.
“A shock?” he whispered. “I’ll show you what’s shocking.” His hands pulled her forward roughly, but sweetly, and his mouth, with tongue blazing, attacked hers.
Sensations leaped to life, consuming her from head to toe. He kissed her until she was breathless, and filled with an urgency that couldn’t be dowsed. Just like this afternoon, she had to feel him, have him.
Frantic, she tugged at his clothes, and shrugged out of hers as he undid buttons and loosened stays. The need inside her burned hot and unmanageable. She bit at his skin, softly nipping at his bare shoulders and chest as he pushed her dress and pantaloons down her thighs. He lifted her then, sat her on the edge of the table. His mouth found her breasts, causing the fires inside her to burn hotter, brighter.
“Cord,” she begged. The ragged ache in her couldn’t wait. She cupped his firm buttocks and pulled him forward. “Please.”
