AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He wrapped his arms around her bottom, holding her in place. “Can you live with it? The fact I was an outlaw?”
She pushed away his hat and ran her hands into his hair. “I can live with it, because I know what’s inside you. I’ve seen it from the moment I met you. You may have ridden with outlaws, you may have done what they told you, but deep down, you were doing it to save your mother, not for yourself.”
“How do you know that?” he asked wonderingly.
“I just do. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s the truth. She—”
Doreena pressed her lips to his, stopping his words. “It’s over. You did what you had to do. Everyone stumbles. Everyone falls. It’s the way you pick yourself up that tells the world who you are.”
“You don’t give up, do you?”
“Not on you. Not now. Not ever.” She gazed deep into his eyes.
If possible, the tenderness she’d always seen in his eyes grew. It dawned on her then. It was love. This man held more love inside him than any dozen others. Life with him would be a precious gift she’d forever cherish. She pressed her lips to his again. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He spun on his heels.
She giggled, growing light-headed as the world whirled around them.
When he stopped and covered her mouth with his, a deep intuition rose from her core, begging for more. Her breasts tingled and a growing heat formed in the juncture of her legs. “Clint,” she whispered against his lips. “I-I need…” She didn’t know exactly what to say.
Abruptly, he set her down, took her hand.
After two steps, she asked, “Where are we going?”
“Back to the ranch. Before we do something we shouldn’t,” he said grimly.
She skidded to a halt.
He stopped, as well. “At least not until we’re married.”
“The preacher won’t be in town for two more weeks.” Running a lazy fingertip over the buttons on his shirt, she said, “Clint, I’m done waiting.”
He gazed at her searchingly, but hope also shimmered in his eyes. “Done waiting?”
Biting her lip to contain her excitement, she nodded. “I’ve dreamed of what we’ll do together, and I can’t wait two weeks.” She kissed the tip of his chin. “Can you?”
Chapter Seven
Heat and pleasure radiated from her center and flowed profoundly through her body as Clint lowered her onto the soft grass beneath the tree. Every touch of his lips, every stroke of his hands had her senses reeling. Their shoes and several pieces of clothing were in a haphazard pile beside them. She ran her hand over the hard contours of his chest. It was like touching heaven; there was nothing else comparable.
He pushed her hair from her face. “You’re so beautiful, so wonderful. Are you sure you want to marry me?”
“More than anything else in the world.” She kissed his neck, savoring the tang of his skin.
His lips pressed against hers softly and lingered there for a long time. The touch was so intense it stunned her. When he lifted his face, he said, “I never fathomed the things I want with you. Life. Family. Home.”
“That’s what I want, too.” There was no shyness inside her, only a hot, strong desire. “And I want you, Clint. Now.”
His smile lit up his face. “I’ll never be able to deny you anything.”
She giggled. “I hope not. Especially right now.”
The sun bore down on the earth, but beneath the shade of their tree, a sweet breeze floated over her skin as Clint, with tender, gentle hands, and even more affectionate kisses, eased away her underclothes. The way his eyes savored her body, as if he’d never seen anything more glorious, filled her with exquisite pleasure. His movements, how he rolled down her stockings or lifted her camisole over her head, were slow and languid, as if he unwrapped a delicate package. Afterward, when he set each article aside, he explored the exposed skin with his hands, and tempted the growing storm within her by kissing each inch.
Every touch, though soft and gentle, was powerful, making her sigh with pleasure while increasing the sensations awaking inside her. The need grew more demanding, focused on an action she knew little about, but wanted beyond reality.
She grew fervent, afraid she might perish if he didn’t soon satisfy the heated turbulence overcoming her. Kneading the thick muscles of his sides and hips, her fingers tingled and her palms quivered at the intimate touches while her eyes feasted on his masterful body.
He leaned down and covered her nipple with his mouth. The delightful intensity lifted her back off the ground, and she dug her hands into his shoulders, wanting to cry out with joy. Glorious sensations shot through her system faster than her blood could flow. His fingers weaved their way down below her stomach, to her private center. There they caressed her so sweetly she buckled, squeezing his hand between her thighs.
