She was pure, coming to him like this, giving him claim to her body. And honest, telling him of Joellen’s return.
“This is between the two of us,” she whispered boldly. “No one has to know.”
She was giving him a way out, letting him know she wouldn’t protest when the time came to dissolve the marriage. Her courageous act warmed his heart. But he couldn’t think of that, or anything else beyond the woman he’d wanted since he’d set eyes on her two months ago.
He brought her close, cupping her face with his hands. “Sweetheart, I couldn’t deny you tonight if I wanted to.” He kissed her briefly on the lips, then bent to lift her into his arms. “Where?” He headed toward the only unoccupied bedroom.
Letty Sue shook her head. “No, here, where you sleep, Chase.”
Chase smiled and set her down on his blanket in front of the fireplace. She lay before him, her nightdress fanning out around her and dark sable curls teasing the rosy peaks of her high, full breasts. He stretched out beside her, his body ready and taut with need. “Are you sure?” he asked, searching her blue eyes.
“I’m sure. Make me your woman, Chase.”
His groan was long and deep, coming from the depths of his chest. He wanted this woman, there was no doubt about that. But was she his woman?
Walk as one, stand together.
It was too much thought for a man whose body had been denied all these months. He bent his head and kissed her full on the mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, turning his mind to mush.
He broke off the passionate kiss minutes later, to whisper in her ear, “Sweetheart, tonight you’re mine.”
Letty Sue wanted to be his forever, but if tonight was all he was offering, she’d wouldn’t complain. She’d love him with the whole of her heart, hoping to heal his wounds. Hoping that, one day, he’d love her back.
He slid his hand down her throat to her chest, where he caressed the swells of her breasts. His touch sent her senses reeling. And when he unfastened the tiny buttons of her gown, parting the fabric and lowering his head to her awaiting peaks, she closed her eyes from the sheer pleasure.
“Chase,” she murmured, when his stroking became too much. She needed more from him, the heat deep within her escalating, building in intensity.
“I know, sweetheart,” he whispered, “trust me.”
She did trust him, perhaps foolishly, but he held her heart. “I do,” she said softly, “so very much.”
Chase kissed her again then, his passion sweeping her away in a swift and sudden storm. She’d never felt this way before, as if her heart and body were in rhythm, as if senses she’d never experienced before.
She could feel his heat, his desire. It filled the air and consumed her. She needed this man, and the time was right.
With gentle pressure, she pushed until he slid to the floor at her side. She reached for the buttons on his shirt and with trembling fingers managed to undo all of them quickly. Spreading his shirt open, she laid her palms on his chest, finding his skin sleek, smooth and so very hot. With her hands, she sought every inch of him, stroking gently, her fingertips moving with precision. Then she pressed her lips to his skin, kissing and drawing her tongue over both flattened disks. His body tightened.
He ground his teeth and a pleasured groan escaped his throat. “You trying to kill me?”
Letty Sue smiled as she continued to explore her husband’s powerful body with her mouth. The strength of him astounded and thrilled her all at once. His hands went into her hair, a loose mane of untamed curls. He pulled her up higher so their lips could meet once again, then he guided her back onto his blanket.
His kisses were hot now, wildly so, but it was when he cupped her womanhood with his hand that Letty Sue nearly burst into flames. A low, aching moan of pleasure poured from her throat as he pressed, tenderly massaging her female core.
There was no describing the sweet ache building. Letty Sue had never known such pleasure existed. The heat, the tingling, the arousing sensations continuing to heighten until she thought she could die from it all. She arched up instinctively, her body attuned to Chase’s steady stroking.
Then the stroking ended. She witnessed her husband shrug out of his pants and kneel proudly before her, his eyes savage yet tender upon her. The sight of the man about to claim her was breathtaking to behold. “I won’t hurt you,” he said. It was a vow, and she believed him.
She parted for him, and slowly, with restraint that cost him much, he entered her, filling her fully. This sharing of their bodies, their remarkable joining brought tears to Letty Sue’s eyes. She’d never felt so complete, so wonderful.
Chase’s face fell when he noticed her tears. He began to pull away.
“No, no. It’s just so beautiful, Chase,” she said adamantly, tugging him close again.
He exhaled in relief and moved inside her. She met his stride, thrust for thrust, slowly, then more rapidly, his body urging hers on.
Letty Sue matched him time and again, the pace fast and heady now. She felt a building pressure, an unrelenting need, potent and powerful. Chase kissed her then, long and hard, bruising her lips. She returned his kiss and called out his name, the pressure releasing, shattering her senses. Chase, too, ended the pleasing torture—with one final thrust and a low guttural sound that came from the depths of his chest.
Moisture coated his bronzed skin as he stared down at her, brushing aside a lock of hair that had fallen onto her cheek. His dark smoky eyes glimmered.
He looked more like Silver Wolf now, untamed and primitive and so very appealing.
She was his woman.
Silver Wolf’s woman.
If only he could see that.
“You didn’t hurt me, Chase,” she said softly.
“Tried damn hard not to, sweetheart, but you’re one hell of a tempting woman.”
“I’m your wife, Chase.”
He rolled off of her and lay on his back, taking her with him. She fell onto his chest, her naked body pressed against his. “Tonight, I’m glad you are.”
She wanted to ask, “And what about tomorrow?” But she couldn’t break the spell, the magic of the moment, being in his arms so intimately. She wanted to relish this time they had together. “Me, too,” she said truthfully.
“Are you sure you feel okay, darlin’?”
Although it warmed her that he might worry over her well-being, a wicked notion struck, and Letty Sue couldn’t resist. She pressed her breasts against his chest, causing torturous friction against his taut skin. “Don’t I feel okay, Chase?” she teased softly.
He groaned aloud. “Damn woman, you are trying to kill me.” He rolled her over onto her back and grinned devilishly. “But I know exactly how to take out my revenge.”
Letty Sue savored every bit of his expert, erotic retaliation.
Chase stroked little Jake’s head tenderly, watching the boy sleep. He smiled down on him, grateful he seemed to have accepted his new home without much fuss. Although he’d had some nightmares, they had ebbed, and Jake had effortlessly become a part of their family, taking easily to the ranch and the newness of his situation.
When the boy stirred slightly, Chase made his way out of the bedroom, carefully closing the door. He strode back to the parlor and to Letty Sue. She’d tossed off her blankets and was sitting up, waiting for him. “Is Jake all right?” she asked, her expression a mixture of sated woman and concerned mother. Her nightdress had slipped off her shoulders, the material parting in a most tempting way.
“Jake’s just fine. Sleeping soundly.”
“Come back to bed then,” she whispered, patting the spot where he’d slept earlier in the night, holding her in his arms.
He shook his head and rubbed at his jaw. “Don’t think so, sweetheart.”
Her face, full of eager expectancy, fell, her sweet mouth turning down in a frown. “Why not?”
It hurt him to disappoint her in any way, b
ut she needed her rest. He’d taken her innocence tonight and her untried body would need time to heal.
“If I come back to you, neither of us is going to get much sleep.”
He didn’t trust himself to keep his hands off her. With regret, he’d decided to sleep the rest of the night outside.
Letty Sue rose up on her knees, reaching for and grasping his hands. She tugged him down to her level without great effort, since Chase wasn’t putting up much resistance. Her eyes, so blue and honest, shone in the dim firelight. “I need you here with me, Chase.”
“But if I touch you…it won’t stop there.”
“I was sorta hoping you would,” she said sweetly. “And I do ache, Chase. For you. Come back to bed.”
Chase prided himself on his iron will, but her soft smiles and beckoning eyes assured him like nothing else ever could, and it wasn’t as if he wanted to sleep apart from her. Hell, he’d call himself every kind of fool for a lifetime if he refused her invitation.
“Move over, sweetheart,” he said, taking up most of the space on the blanket, so that the only room left was on top of him. He hoisted her up gently. “I don’t think this is going to get us much sleep at all,” he said, then brought her lips to his, kissing her deeply.
Her swift acceptance and overwhelming passion stunned him. She kissed him fervently, holding nothing back. Chase was at a loss to protect her from his desire. And when she removed her nightdress and straddled him, all rational thought left his head. He guided her down onto his manhood and watched as she closed her eyes, her face a beautiful blend of innocent woman and sexy vixen. She moved on him now, slowly, her bare body learning to adjust to his size. Her hair, loose and untamed, teased the tips of her breasts with each unhurried thrust. Moisture coated her creamy skin, radiating a brilliant glimmer. He let her set the pace, entranced by her beauty, this woman, his wife, as she rode him, nearly conquering him.
Chase had never wanted like this before. He’d never lost himself in a woman, not this way. Not as though his very life depended on taking her, pleasing her, making her his. He didn’t know what it all meant, couldn’t fathom the intense feelings swelling in his gut.
And when she moaned his name, a soft, low, anguished caress to his ears, he cupped her bottom, speeding up the pace and acknowledging her need, for it matched his own. They thrust together now, as one, Chase giving to her all that he possessed. They met at the top, a perfect sensual joining of two bodies, two souls.
Letty Sue fell onto him, spent. He held her tight, feeling her heart pound erratically. He stroked her skin tenderly, until they both calmed. Then she rolled to the side and gazed up at him, the soft glow in her eyes revealing her heart.
“Chase,” she whispered, “I—”
He kissed her quickly, stopping her from saying what he read in her eyes. He needed time to figure it all out. He couldn’t bear to hear her words, not until he knew what he was feeling, what was in his own heart.
He had closed himself off for such a long time, he couldn’t abide making the wrong decision, not now, and not just because she’d given him a hell of a good time in bed.
Things would become more clear to him tomorrow. He simply needed the time. “It’ll be dawn soon, darlin’. We should sleep now. We’ll talk in the morning.”
She nuzzled his neck, her breath tickling his throat, her naked body a temptation he could scarcely resist. “Promise, Chase?”
He ground his teeth. The woman was getting to him again. “It’s a promise.” He set her aside gently and stood, reaching for her hands. “It’s best you get back to your own bed now.”
“But I don’t—”
“Jake will be waking soon. You’ll need to be there for him.”
That convinced her. She dressed quickly, then took his hand. He walked her to the bedroom door. “I wish we could sleep together tonight,” she said, regret evident in her tone.
He smiled and stroked a finger along her swollen lips. “We tried that. Doesn’t work, sweetheart.”
“I’ll miss you.”
Hell, he’d miss her, too. He doubted he’d get a wink of sleep, his mind reeling, his body still humming from their lovemaking. “You need to get some rest.”
Her eyes beseeched him. “Until the morning, Chase.”
He nodded. “Good night, Letty Sue.”
Chase couldn’t believe he was standing face-to-face with Marabella Donat. He’d awakened later than usual this morning to a sharp knocking at the front door. Marabella’s driver had stood at the threshold, claiming that the woman needed to speak with him. Chase had dressed and splashed water onto his face, then headed outside.
She’d been leaning on the corral fence, admiring his stallion, Tornado. “I knew he was yours the minute I saw him. He has a strength about him, a certain pride.”
Chase rubbed his neck, glancing at his once would-be bride. She was as stunningly beautiful as he recalled. Long golden hair wound up in a fancy bun touched the collar of her emerald velvet traveling suit. The color brought out the wintergreen in her lustrous eyes. Chase once thought that he’d never seen a lovelier creature in his life. “Marabella,” he began, then glanced around, noting many of the ranch hands looking on with interest, “I doubt you came here to admire my horse.”
She laughed and took hold of his arm. “Heavens, no, Chase. Perhaps I came here to admire you. Shall we take a walk? I’ve been riding in that buggy quite a while.”
Chase didn’t want to play her games. He’d played enough of them back in Abilene. He stood rooted to the spot. “Why’d you come, Belle?”
“Oh, Chase,” she said with a long, wilting sigh, “you have missed me, haven’t you?”
“I’m married, Marabella. You have to know that.” And it surprised Chase how much he meant what he’d said. For the first time since that day at the picnic, Chase felt as though he were truly married, bound to another by vows hastily spoken, but vows nonetheless.
“I know you were heartsick when you left the ranch. I know I made a terrible mistake, Chase. We can rectify that.” She brushed her body against his. “Won’t you give me another chance?”
“Marabella, did you lose your hearing? I’m a married man, with a…a son.”
Chase glanced back at the house. Letty Sue, looking rumpled and tired, holding a sleepy little Jake, stood at the porch rail.
“That’s your wife, Chase? Did I hurt you so badly that you had to pick out the most needy woman to take to your bed?”
Chase unfolded her from his arms, pushing away. “It’s time you left, Marabella. Sorry I can’t offer you some refreshment, but town’s only an hour’s ride away. You’ll get a good meal there and then you can head back to Abilene.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, Chase,” she said, undaunted by his rude behavior. She smiled sweetly. “You see, I did come with a purpose. Seth is sick. Seems my stepfather needs to speak with you. He’s been asking for you. He’s dying, Chase. I don’t think he’s going to last much longer.”
Chase’s gut twisted. “Marabella, if you’re lying—”
“My, I did cause you damage, didn’t I? No, Chase. I’m not lying. I thought it best to come and explain personally. Seth is dying. There isn’t much time.”
Chase cast her a long hard look, blowing out a deep gust of breath. Damn, but he believed her. He didn’t want to, but his instincts, which he’d always relied on, told him that she spoke the truth.
“I’ll pack up a few things and be ready to leave soon. You can go on ahead.”
“No need, Chase. I’ll wait for you.”
There wasn’t time to argue. If what she’d said was true, then he’d need to get to Abilene as quickly as possible. “Suit yourself.”
He headed to the porch, took a curious Letty Sue by the hand and led her inside.
“Chase, what is it? You look very upset. And who was that woman?” Letty Sue set Jake down, to give Chase her full attention.
“Marabella.”
Letty Sue’s face collapsed. “Oh.�
�
“I have to head back to Abilene, darlin’.”
“You’re going back…to her?” Her voice trembled, but rose with disbelief.
Chase’s mind spun as he began gathering his clothes. When he rolled up his blanket, her scent still lingered on it. “It’s not what you think, Letty Sue. I have to go. Seth Johnston’s taken sick. She claims he’s dying. He’s asked to see me. There’s not much time left.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Chase, truly I am. But what about us?”
What about them? He didn’t have time to think it through. He’d been hit with all this too suddenly to make sense of any of it.
“I’ll make sure the boys watch out for you. Talk to Sam and Sally. Let them know I’m gone. You’ll be fine, Letty Sue.”
“When will you be back?” she asked, her eyes misting up.
He didn’t have answers. All he had right now were questions. “I don’t know.”
She nodded bravely. “I’ll take care of little Jake. We’ll be fine.”
He kissed her then, a quick meeting of lips. “Goodbye.”
Chase crouched down to Jake. He hugged the boy tightly. “I have to go now, Jake. You listen to…to your ma and be good.” He ruffled Jake’s hair and kissed his forehead. “Bye.”
Chase stood and picked up his gear. “I’m sorry, Letty Sue. There’s no help for it.”
She drew in her lower lip and nodded. “Goodbye, Chase.”
He was halfway to the door when a small, unsteady voice called out. “Papa!” Jake came barreling full force toward Chase, grabbing his legs.
Stunned, Chase looked down at the boy first, then lifted his gaze to Letty Sue. She’d been working with Jake every day, hoping, praying for his speech to return. She’d never given up. Now, the sound was bittersweet. Jake had spoken, but was it out of pain at his leaving?
“Chase,” she said, her eyes round and full of tears, her voice filled with awe, “he spoke. I can’t believe it.”
Chase bent to lift the boy up.
“Papa,” Jake repeated, tugging on his neck.
“That’s right, Jake. I’m your papa.” He glanced at Letty Sue. Tears streamed down her face now. He handed Jake over to her. “And this is your mama. She’s going to take good care of you while I’m gone.” Chase hated to leave. He wanted to stay, to revel in the sound of Jake’s voice, to watch Letty Sue’s face flush with excitement when the boy spoke.
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