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“My, you are in rage.” Beau backed off with the plate in hand and sat down at the kitchen table.
“My husband has ordered me to cease any activity in finding you—which he has every right to ask of me. And that terrible man you
owe the money to has taken to hassling me about it.” She jabbed a finger to her chest.
Beau seemed hardly moved by this pronouncement.
“Do you understand! He had his men virtually kidnap me so he could deliver his particular warnings. He was serious, Beau. He’ll get what’s his one way or another. I don’t want to think about what he’ll do if you keep running from him.”
“Hannah,” he pointed his fork at her, scowling as he chewed, “I’m not going to give myself up to that bastard—excuse me, sorry,” he added when she cast a disapproving glance his way. “I don’t owe him half of what he says I do. He calls it interest. But interest or no, I’m not going to just surrender to the man. I got plans, plans to pay him. Don’t you worry. But I’m not going to be able to pay him anything if he’s twisting my arm every minute.”
Hannah leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed in front of her. “You know, I just don’t understand why he is so intent on this. I mean, he’s said to be worth a fortune. What you owe him is surely a pittance in comparison.”
“‘Cause he’s Jarrett Cain, Hannah. And everything that doesn’t go his way is a personal affront. Besides, he feeds on revenge. I didn’t want to bow to him the way everyone does, so he has it in for me.” Beau shrugged and took another scoopful of beans, saying just before he shoved it in his mouth. “Probably didn’t like the way I socked him in the face.” He grinned. “I heard he had a bloody nose and two black eyes from that punch.” He laughed between forkfuls of food.
Hannah shook her head in shock. “Beau, why do you get yourself into these fixes?”
“Oh, this is by far the worst, sister,” he said it as if it were a joke. “It’ll either blow over, or I’ll pay him, or—well, who wants to think about that?” He chewed the beans and swallowed them down with a glass of milk. “You know, I was actually thinking of waiting him out.”
Hannah’s eyes flashed fire. “That is the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. But just give me a little time.”
“Yes, a little time; I think that’s all you have.”
“And don’t you go getting in his way, Hannah.” Finished with the meal, he pushed away from the table and rose to this feet. “He likes women.”
“I’m a married woman.”
“So, you are. But that never mattered to him before.” He cocked his head and his manner softened. “You know, sis, maybe I should be here to protect you—and Jolie,” he looked around, “She still here?”
“She’s been visiting a friend for a few days, but should be back here later today.”
“So, what do you think? Can I stay? I mean, you have Daniel, but when he’s out checking the traps. Hum? I’d stay in the barn, no trouble at all. Added protection, huh?” he added hopefully. “That man, Travis, Daniel’s friend hasn’t been around here much lately.”
“He’s had a sister to take care of. But we are just fine here. Besides, if you mean stay in the barn and hide away like some criminal, you’re absolutely not welcome. Though, I suppose if you stick around so you can face your foe and get the matter settled, then I can’t turn you away.”
Beau shook his head. “Settle with Cain? Oh, I can’t do that, not yet. But I got places I can go.”
He moved to the door.
“Fine. You can leave. Just remember what I said.”
“I will, Hannah. I will.” He turned all sincere as he took her hand and caressed it lovingly. “You’ll see. I promise. And you take care of yourself.” He stared her in the eyes seeing all her mixed emotions like a desperate plea. “And, I know you and Jolie are safe with Daniel.”
“Yes, we are.”
He let go her hand, grabbed his hat from a peg by the door and set it on his head. Hannah thought he looked no better than the Tremaine boys, as rough, as desperate and as rash. It was taking a long time for him to grow up. Sometimes, she was afraid he never would.
***
Daniel turned in bed and felt Hannah’s sweet body beside him, still sleeping. He moved in close and pulled himself above her, then leaned down and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her eyes, her mouth, and her mouth again as she began to awaken and responded to the tender kisses. Her skin was warm, so was her breath. Her body rose into his embrace and their aroused loins began to rub against each other. The hardness between Daniel’s thighs caused her belly to quake with satisfaction and promise. He was dazzled by her yielding body, gathering her in and holding her in a coveting grasp.
“Oh, husband,” she murmured. Her eyes were not yet open.
Daniel tugged at her nightgown, lifting it to her waist, then moved down her body with mouth and tongue working feverishly along her moist skin. He stopped to kiss her navel before traveling toward the delicate hairs of her fragrant womanhood. Her pubis lured him in, rising like a wave to meet his mouth and probing tongue. Her hands found his hair and grabbed on as she breathed in sharply. His lips burrowed into the valley between her sex lips, tasting the sweat and female dew that gathered at the opening of that luscious furrow. As he inhaled the sweet and tangy perfume of her morning body, he felt the deep ache of his erection, urgently clamoring for this mysterious sheath.
Hannah’s body quickened beneath his hands as her flesh became more alive. Sucking the hardened bud of her clitoris, Daniel listened to the lilting moans of pleasure escape into the tepid air. He bit the thing and heard her groan with sound that gained in passion, then felt her lifting him upward, tugging his hair, wanting him inside her.
