When Julia’s arms wrapped around his neck, Grant grabbed her hips and pulled her into him, pushing his own forward at the same time. “I need to hold on to you for a bit. I don’t want to lose control too quick.” His voice sounded husky with desire.
“Mmm,” her soft hum against the crook of his neck while she pressed kisses to his heated skin pushed him to the brink. She looked up at him and moved away, taking his hand. “Come take me. We have all night. The first time can be hard and fast, as long as we take our time the second time.”
She lay on the bed with her legs over the edge, making it easy for him to take her without hurting his wounded sides and stomach. He neared, his body straining, demanding without restraint now. He couldn’t wait any longer.
Grant parted her legs wider and ran two fingers down her center to find her damp for him. Julia moaned softly and lifted her hips from the bed. “Make love to me, Grant.”
“I’ll try to be gentle.” Grant grunted, taking himself in hand and guiding his pulsing member to her core. He rubbed the head of it into the moist folds, his breath quickening. Next he nudged her entrance and with one hard thrust he was fully seated. Both let out a gasp followed by soft releases of breath at the multitude of sensations. Every inch of him savored her heat, as he slid out and back in. He found a rhythm with hers and maintained it. Pushing in and out in a steady motion that increased to faster within minutes, Grant took them toward a peak. He slowed and allowed for them to fall just a bit but it was useless to hold back now. All control lost, he took her with powerful thrusts.
He muffled her cries with his mouth and placed both hands on the wall over her head to keep the bed from banging against it. Julia was lost in her passion, not aware of anything but their joining. She clawed at his shoulders, wrapped her legs around his hips to urge him onward while arching her back. The woman was amazingly passionate.
Grant took her by the hips and lifted Julia from the bed to continue to slam into her several times until she began to quake. While she still trembled, he came so hard he dropped on top of her while his body continued to convulse in release.
He rolled to lie beside her on the narrow bed having to pull her half atop him. They lay in the narrow bed for a few minutes. Her fingers traced lazy circles on his chest while he pressed kisses on the top of her head.
She looked up at him, a dreamy expression on her face. “I don’t want you to feel any type of obligation for this.”
“Why don’t you let me decide what I feel and then we talk?” Grant replied, his lips curving at her scowl. “You’re a bossy little thing, you know that?”
Julia turned her face her lips pressed against his skin. She nipped and licked his chest, her hand disappearing under the blanket. Her intended target found, fingers curved around the most sensitive part of him, which had already sprung back to life. “I enjoy your company Grant.” Her serious eyes met his. “Let’s leave it at that.”
“I agree,” he replied and grunted when she slid her hand up and down his hardened shaft. “For now.”
This time they took their time exploring each other. Grant’s hands slid up and down her sides in a leisurely fashion, making her squirm with need. Julia rubbed her center against his leg and was gratified when he reached between them to stroke between her folds. One of his thick fingers found its way inside her and she shuddered.
“Please.” At her whispered plea, he covered her with his body, pinning her under his hardness. The weight felt good and she wrapped her arms around his hips, her fingernails digging into his buttocks. In the midst of the whirlwind of sensations she considered his injured state. “Be careful.”
“I have to take you now again, Julia. I wanted to take more time, but I can’t. You’re driving me crazy.” He held her face between his palms and looked down at her. “I don’t know why you found me worthy, but I’m thankful. You’re so tight, I can tell you haven’t had many lover. Feel so good surrounding my cock. Allow me in.”
Julia squirmed at the truth of his words. She’d fought against making love with Jasper, which usually ended in him taking her by force. In the six months they’d been married, they’d made love a handful of times. Her first lover, a young boy named Jeffrey whom she’d grown up with, had taken her virginity and they’d enjoyed making love only once more before he died from consumption. Both only sixteen, they’d sworn to love each other forever. His death had broken her heart.
“Yes, Grant.” She pulled his face down and kissed him. His tongue instantly slipped between her parted lips, stroking not just hers, but the flames burning through her veins. His hips moved, gliding himself against her sex, and she gasped at how well he could satisfy her. With each movement she floated higher until she mewled and scratched at his sides, begging with actions for him to enter her.
“Impatient, aren’t you?” Grant whispered into her ear. “Shhh, you’ll wake up your aunt and it will be hard to explain why I’m in here naked in your bed.”
Julia was beyond reason; she reached between them and grasped his hardened member. Directing it to her center, she thrust her hips upward and took him in. Both of them inhaled sharply and Grant let out a husky moan.
His sack added to the melee, the softness hitting the spot below where they were joined. “So hot and tight.” He pushed in deeper and Julia bit her lip to keep from crying out.
He maneuvered them to lay on their side, she knew it was because his midsection was still tender, so she took over, moving her body up and down taking him deep and then sliding up until he was almost out.
“Yes.” Grant let out a second moan and buried his face into her neck, his entire body tense.
Not able to allow total control, he held her hips, his large hands holding her in place while he pumped in and out of her, his breathing became harsh and his incredible body slick with perspiration. Grant’s heated release filled her just as she lost control and cried out, her fist in her mouth to muffle the sound.
A few minutes later, she lifted and inspected his bandage to make sure he was not bleeding. The bandages were clean. She let out a breath of relief. “Are you hurting?”
“A little,” he replied honestly and pulled her down to lay beside him.
After a few minutes Julia started to get sleepy nestled against Grant’s warmth.
“I should go.” Grant lay on his back; his arms around her while Julia rested, pressed against him, her head on his shoulder. “I hate the thought of letting you go. I’ve become used to seeing you daily, beautiful lady.”
His fingers under her chin, Grant tilted her face up to him. “Allow me to court you, Julia.”
Julia’s heart seized in panic. She couldn’t possibly aspire to a relationship, not while Jasper was in all probability searching for her. If the cruel man found her with Grant, he would not hesitate to kill them both. She should tell Grant her reasons for turning him down. Tell him the truth. But the words would not form. This fairytale was not for her.
But what if she wanted it? Even if only for a few days…live one more stolen moment with him. It would be her memory to keep until old age. Would once more be enough? What if he found out the truth? That she was hunted, belonged in theory to another. He would of course, and would hate her, judge her a woman of loose morals. It surprised her he didn’t already. His tone was always one of respect and gratitude, lacking in judgment.
“You don’t judge me for allowing you in my bed.” Her statement was not a question instead stating a fact.
“Why should I? Men are allowed free rein to have lovers without it affecting their social status. I believe the same should be for women. Although I’d prefer to think I will be your last lover.”
Her throat constricted and she looked up at the handsome man in whose arms she lay. If only he could be hers forever.
Although it was possible to hide from her hunter forever. What Jasper had done to her was attempted murder. Maybe he’d be tried and found guilty. No, she was smart enough to know she’d never live to see the day Jasper
would be tried. He was a cruel man who wouldn’t rest until he made her pay for escaping from his grasp. No doubt once Jasper found out she was alive, he’d come for her and she doubted she’d live much longer after he did.
“I am sure you are my last lover, Grant Gentry,” she replied and kissed his jaw.
“What is that tone in your voice?” Grant put hand on the side of her face and held it up to him. Thankfully the darkness made it hard for him to see the sadness and he sighed. “I can’t see you.”
Julia let out a chuckle and whispered, “The candle has gone out and there isn’t enough moonlight. You will have a hard time making it back to your room without running into something.”
After a long exhalation, he lifted from the bed. “Not to mention finding my clothes.”
Although reluctant for him to leave, she rose from the bed and after a few moments a new candle flickered to life. She went back to the bed and watched him dress hating each piece of clothing that covered his skin.
He dressed in silence, and then leaned over her. “You didn’t reply to my courting request. I won’t give up, Julia. Not until you’re fully mine.” After a soft kiss, he left.
* * * *
Julia woke with a jolt, sunlight slipping from between the curtains. She touched the pillow next to hers and smiled. Then she sat up and let out a stilted breath.
Lonely emptiness crept over her and somehow she knew.
Grant had gone.
Chapter Five
It felt good to be atop a horse again, the cool breeze sweeping across his face, the warmth of the sun on his shoulders. Grant pulled the reins and brought his grey gelding to a stop. Just over to the right his home awaited. Smoke wafted from the chimney, several dogs ran in circles in front of the porch while a wayward goat grazed in the garden. Damn animal was forever escaping from its pen and causing trouble. One day he was going to kill the beast and eat him. He’d repeated the threat for years and had yet to follow through. He may as well name the damn thing.
In spite of himself he chuckled when his young ranch hand, Jimmy, hurried at the goat with a stick, his skinny arms waving as he shooed the animal out of the garden.
An older woman walked from inside onto the porch, wiping her hands on a tattered apron. Linda was Jimmy’s mother, who came a couple times a week to clean and cook for Grant.
His father must have sent word he was returning and she’d come to get the house ready for him.
Instinctively he searched the corral to the right of the house for Linc’s black stallion. It was not there. His brother had to be alive. Where had he gone off? Had Linc somehow survived the attack and left in an effort to get help and had somehow ended up recovering in someone’s home just like him?
Whatever the truth was, it was up to him to find Linc and bring him home. His brother couldn’t be dead, Grant refused to believe it.
He urged his mount forward, the entire time, concentrating on what he remembered about the night of the attack. Why couldn’t he recall everything? He had to have seen something. Although it had been a moonless night, the light of the campfire should have given enough brightness to see someone’s features. What he did remember were screams, the smell of blood and gunpowder followed by the whinnying of the horses, and the harsh thuds of fists against flesh. Of course these memories came mostly from the nightmares, reality mixing with dreams to the point he wasn’t sure what was real anymore.
* * * *
Morning came early and Grant groaned when he shifted in his bed. Movement was painful, partly from his night with Julia and the ride home. He paid for it now.
He regretted neither.
Time to get up and face the day. He wrapped his arms around his middle and sat up, swinging his legs to the edge of the bed. At least he’d rested. Slept all night, his nightmares replaced with dreams of his night with Julia. She reawakened feelings he’d thought were long dead. Grant had resigned himself to the idea that any notions of love or marriage were not something he’d ever have, or wanted even.
However after one night with Julia, his shriveled heart came to life, and his entire body tensed in anticipation of being with her again. I want her. Of course it could be a challenge to convince her, but he’d make sure she became his.
He wished that before leaving her bedroom he’d convinced her to allow him to court her. She’d been less than forthcoming about her past, stating only she was not free to do so. It was with reluctance she’d finally agreed to going on a ride with him if he came for her. And only after he refused to leave the bedroom until she did. He smiled at recalling her stubborn chin jutted out and her fiery eyes raking over him.
For now his priority was to find Linc. His brother was alive, he felt it in his bones. Somehow he’d find Linc and help him prove his innocence. It was incredible. How could anyone believe Linc murdered Taylor right before they left on the cattle drive? Although the two had not gotten along, Linc was incapable of murderer. His young brother was the most even-tempered person he knew. Never held a grudge and rarely lost his temper.
Then there were his friends, the ranch hands. Three men were dead. Grant wasn’t certain who’d done it or why, but whoever they were, he would ensure the cowards paid.
For those two strong reasons, he had to return to the place of the attack and track not only his brother, but the murdering cowards as well. When he found the bastards who’d attacked them, he’d kill them. Consequences be damned.
As the hours passed, his body protested every move, from the climb out of bed that morning to working on his land, ensuring all was in good order. Through the aches and tiredness, Grant pressed on. He needed to get things done so he could leave again. It would be at least a week before he could go search for Linc, but it couldn’t be helped. Luckily, while he’d been at the Sullivan’s, his pa had sent a couple ranch hands to ensure the animals were looked after, but the list of chores needing to be done before he could leave for another couple of weeks seemed endless.
At this point he couldn’t hire but one person to help out while he was gone. The money from the cattle drive was gone, the hundreds he and Linc made from the sales was gone. The lowlifes who tried to kill them stole months’ worth of hard work. Although he kept a savings account, the money would be used up within a year if he wasn’t frugal.
Grant leaned on a fence he’d mended and drank water. A rider appeared in the distance and he narrowed his eyes in an effort to recognize who it was. Emerson. His brother either came to ensure he was well or to ask about Linc…probably both.
Instead of greeting Emerson, Grant returned to the task at hand. The sooner the fence was patched up, the faster he could move on to the next task. If Emerson wanted to talk, he could do so while Grant worked.
“You sure you should be doing this?” Emerson pushed his hat back and yanked the hammer from Grant’s hand. “I’ll do it.” He began pounding nails into the wood one after the other and before long the mending was complete. Grant had already moved to the barn to shuck stalls, ignoring Emerson’s calls to stop. Once again, Emerson grabbed the tool from his grip, this time a shovel, and took over the task.
“We can keep at this all day. I’ll not refuse the help,” Grant told his solemn older brother while shoveling out a different stall. “Did you come out here to work or something else?”
Emerson grunted and lifted soiled hay to a wheelbarrow. “I knew you’d try to do too much. What’s your hurry?”
“I gotta find Linc,” Grant couldn’t keep the accusatory tone out of his voice. “Someone should care what happened to him.”
A ripe curse came from the opposite stall and Grant turned to see a red-faced Emerson walking in a circle his left hand covering his right elbow. “I banged my elbow on this damn stall door.” His brother cursed again and rubbed his injured arm with a grimace. “Hurts like hell.” He walked to Grant with an angry scowl. “I looked for him, damn it. He’s either dead or hiding.” Emerson shifted his shiny eyes away. “He’s alive, has to be.”
&n
bsp; “He’s alive,” Grant agreed and lifted the handles of a wheelbarrow. “I know it too.”
Emerson came to stand in front of him. “Did you hear him that night? Maybe he got away before he was injured?”
Grant lowered the wheelbarrow, suddenly exhausted, and shook his head. “I have tried to relive that night and can’t remember past hearing screams and the sounds of gunshots. It’s frustrating the hell out of me. Linc would never run.”
“No he wouldn’t. What about later when you woke?” Emerson leaned his shovel against the wall and began to pace. “Did you see any sign of him anywhere?”
So much blood, the stench of death had hit him like a brick when he came to. Along with the smell of it, he’d heard moaning, only to realize it was he who cried out. He’d crawled to the closest person to him, and stared into his friend Will’s unseeing eyes, next to him was Jack, the oldest of the crew. Linc was nowhere. He’d passed out again while looking for him. “No. Just Larry, Will and Jack, all dead, shot.”
“Why did they try to gut you then?” Emerson took Grant by the arm and half dragged him to a stool. “Sit there and keep talking, you’re looking like you’re about to pass out.”
He swallowed his pride. Emerson was right, for the last hour he’d been fighting against lightheadedness. “The horses were gone, our money was gone too. I found Linc’s hat a few yards away. That was all.”
“What about the attackers? Have you remembered anything?”
“No. I could probably recognize the voice of one of them if I heard it. It was unique, raspy and hoarse.”
“Hmpf,” Emerson continued working and by the time the fourth stall was done, both of them laid fresh hay and it was time to bring the horses in for the night.
“You know Linc isn’t a killer. Have you tried to find out who killed Taylor?” Grant had to ask. Although all the evidence pointed to Linc, he refused to believe his younger brother capable of killing a man in cold blood. Taylor was a man who lived in Rutgers Ridge, a known card cheat. Rumor was he had attacked a saloon girl Molly, who Linc was well associated with and Linc killed Taylor as a result. Shot him in the back as the man ran away.
Gentrys of Montana: Gentrys of Montana Page 4
