The wife remained silent and somewhat behind her husband who was emboldened by his hatred. “It’s not me with the problem, missy. My wife isn’t a half-breed, and my children don’t have tainted blood like yours will.”
Visible tremors shook Tamara’s small body. The shock of his statement left her speechless. But not for long.
“You disgusting, narrow-minded bigot. I sure hope you didn’t teach your children to be so hateful. This land belonged to the Native American people before ignorant, self-righteous people like you decided they were somehow inferior because of their differences. And it was this proud race you deem inferior who acted with grace in the face of having their very way of life destroyed by assholes like you.”
Wow! You go, spitfire. An overwhelming surge of pride filled him from watching his princess put on such a vehement defense.
Dakota wished the couple a pleasant evening and ushered Tamara away from the heated confrontation. He was proud to be loved by a spirit mate who would stand against injustice and fight to protect those she cared about, but wanted to end the confrontation. He’d been truly blessed the day he’d found his princess.
She launched into a spirited diatribe as they continued their walk to Paperback Roundup. Frustration, hurt and disbelief shook her, each word filling her rant with a new energy and passion. Great Spirit, he loved the wildcat.
He loved every facet of his fierce princess from the bawdy, badass attitude to the vulnerable, hurt woman she tried so hard to hide from the world. All he had to do was look at Tamara or even just think of her to bring powerful emotion welling up within his heart.
He’d never imagined how intense the experience of having a spirit mate, or feeling this way for another person, would be. His happiness was wrapped up in her own. It was a frightening and daunting concept, but also wondrous and amazing—something he’d longed to feel all his life.
No sooner had they entered the store than he captured her in a strong clinch. Tamara’s resistance and anger melted away under the gentle pressure of his lips. He placed butterfly kisses over the angry lines marring her forehead, against her tightly closed eyelids, then along her nose and cheeks before brushing her quivering lips.
She opened for him with a deep sigh. Dakota put all of the powerful emotions he felt into the mating of their mouths. What started as a slow, tender joining became fueled with overwhelming desire and passion. The angry tension was quick to melt away, replaced with ferocious sexual energy.
Her hands slid up his arms, fingernails gripping his biceps almost to the point of pain while she consumed him. Their bodies curved into each other, getting as close as possible with only their clothing coming in-between. Her leg slid over his, and Dakota’s hand clasped under her thigh, raising the limb to his hip.
He had no idea how many times the guy behind the counter cleared his throat before the sound filtered through the frenzied sensual heat enveloping them. Letting her leg slide back down, he broke the kiss and looked up into the smiling face of a man he liked on first sight.
Tamara looked dazed. Her eyes were darkened with desire and heavy-lidded. It took a few moments for her collect herself enough to make introductions. He was thankful, for her sake; there were no customers in the store to witness their shameless display of lust. Not that it would have bothered him. Instinct told him she’d be upset for her patrons to glimpse a slip in her professional demeanor though.
Letting the pride he felt over what his princess had accomplished with the store show in his expression, Dakota paid close attention as she showed him around. Overall it was a comfortable place to shop or sit and discuss the latest book releases with a friend over coffee. The wide selection of books offered something for every taste.
While she spent some time going over business details with the manager, he looked over the offerings, catching her watching him as he moved around the store. Finding a magazine to page through, he sat in a comfortable chair, his mind on the past few weeks and the future.
He knew Tamara didn’t understand the significance of the words he’d spoken when their spirits joined out at his camp in the mountains. Before long he would have to explain the ceremony, and let her know according to the beliefs of the Cheyenne culture they were married. Then it would be time to tell his family.
Thinking about his family warmed his heart, but also worried him. How would his spirit mate react to the outgoing, eclectic group?
Dakota was so lost in thought he’d not even realized they’d locked up the store for the night, dimmed the lights, and the manager had retired to his apartment upstairs. Not until she came up behind him, whispering in his ear. Her breath warmed his neck and sent shimmering awareness throughout his body.
“I’ve always had this fantasy about closing up one night and finding a handsome stranger waiting in the darkness.”
He closed the magazine, setting it on a nearby table, waiting to hear the rest of her fantasy. She didn’t disappoint.
“The attraction is immediate, making my abdomen clench. I can feel my blood heat, rushing to my cunt where my labia swell and become slick with my cream. I want the handsome stranger. The look of desire in his eyes lets me know he wants me too.”
The light brush of her fingernails over his shoulders combined with the slow seduction of her husky voice sharing a secret desire had his cock hard and ready. He wanted to reach down and set it free from the confinement of his jeans, but this was her show.
Moving around the chair, she took his hands, encouraging him to stand before backing away slightly.
“We play a game of cat and mouse, advance and retreat, as without word we circle around each other, assessing actions and reactions.”
As she spoke they began to act out the enticing scene she described. Electricity seemed to crackle in the air around them as hunger built.
“I can tell from the way he stalks me, this man is a dominant predator determined to possess me, take me in a primitive joining. His body is powerful, so much stronger than my own. Images of him stripping off my clothes, taking me with a violent need are making me burn. It’s exactly what I want from him. No words or expectations, only animalistic lust unleashed—hard, deep, feral fucking.”
Damn, he easily pictured it too. While very different from his nature, Dakota imagined what it would be like to release the inner beast and act solely on impulse. He watched Tamara reach for the halter tie at her nape, then drag the soft material over her body with a slow deliberation, making him yearn to glimpse each inch of smooth, soft flesh. She was so beautiful it blew his mind.
Following her lead, he began to unbutton his shirt, matching the slow, tortuous pace she set. They still circled around each other, looking for any opening which might be exploited to their advantage.
“My mind tells me I have to be strong, not giving an inch, but my body wants to be weak and allow his dominance. I’m burning up with the need to be fucked. My pussy clenches, and hot juices slide down the sensitive walls to coat my thighs.”
The opportunity came when she stopped moving, bending over to unbuckle the straps on her shoes. Without thought, Dakota sprung, determined to give her what she wanted, finish what she’d started. He’d gone into the role she established with ease, mind and body turning to a savagery he’d never known, yet adapted to without question.
Not once did he think about her being weak or fragile as he rushed forward, tackling her to the floor beneath him. Blind need took over and he followed his instincts and the fantasy she’d spun. With rough hands he flipped her over, putting her on her hands and knees while pushing the dress up past her hips so it bunched around her waist, baring her to his devouring gaze.
“Oh, yes,” she panted. “Take me.”
With one hand he forced her shoulders down. The fingers of the other seized the silky material of her panties, ripping them from her body. Using his knees, he spread her legs, wanting to roar at the sight of her swollen pink lips covered with her juices. The smell of musky arousal filled his lungs with
each breath he took.
She glanced over her shoulder and tried to reach for him. Dakota grabbed her wrists, restraining both at the small of her back in one of his hands, driving her cheek to the floor. One small corner of his mind balked at his brutal treatment of the woman he loved, but she’d unleashed something he was unable to simply turn off. Not without satisfying the beast raging inside him.
Not even the hounds of hell would prevent him from plunging into her at this point. Nothing except her telling him no and that wasn’t the words he heard rolling off her tongue.
“Oh, yes,” she cried.
Her soft whimpers and pleas only made him more mindless. One thought kept playing through his mind in an endless loop. Fuckherfuckherfuckher.
The raspy sound of his zipper was loud in the quiet store, making her tremble beneath him. He freed his throbbing cock, and without preparing her in any way, slammed every inch as deep into her clenching pussy as it would go.
She was wet and ready, taking him with ease, her thick cream paving the way. Dakota never paused, merely began hammering her with his shaft, letting the blinding passion she’d provoked take over.
Tamara screamed and thrashed beneath him, face pressed against the carpet. Everything he was had narrowed down to his cock. That’s all there was, his erection shafting her, taking what was his. He gave her exactly what she’d said she wanted, hard and fast primal fucking.
Never in his life had he worried about his own pleasure first or allowed himself release before ensuring his partner found pleasure, but his own climax was the only thing entering his mind now. He pounded into her so hard they moved forward with each punishing thrust, flesh slapping against flesh. It was a pretty safe bet she’d end up with some rug burn on her knees and shoulders, maybe even her cheek.
His climax took him by surprise, intense sensations grabbing him by the balls, sending molten hot jets of come through his cock, filling her with his essence. She tightened around him, strong muscles grasping at his pulsing shaft. She screamed his name as her orgasm crested, drawing out his pleasure.
His princess collapsed in sated exhaustion and Dakota followed her down to the floor, rolling them onto their sides and curving his body around hers. They lay panting, slow to recover from the frantic coupling.
A small glimmer of guilt pricked at his conscience over the harsh way he’d taken her, but it had been glorious to let go with his mate.
As if sensing his thoughts she said, “Damn…that was good.”
Pulling her even closer against him, Dakota let his hands stroke over her silky skin. So many feelings were rushing through him. He was overwhelmed and yet content to just hold his spirit mate within the shelter of his body.
She was his now. It was his responsibility to make sure she was happy, comfortable, safe and loved. He’d make sure she never lacked for anything she desired. He was serious about his responsibility and would do everything possible to be everything she needed for the rest of their lives.
Chapter Fifteen
Dakota’s family had been anxious to meet his spirit mate, but he didn’t feel she was ready. He wasn’t worried about them liking each other, but something kept him from allowing it to happen right now. He held the family off, explaining it was not possible for the two of them to leave Montana before Wyatt Bodine’s trial was completed. Savannah needed Tamara there with her in court each day for moral support. When the trial ended, he’d had to scramble for more excuses.
What a tremendous relief it was for everyone when the long ordeal was over and the judge put the sociopath away where he’d be prevented from harming anyone for a long time.
Working in the corral with one of the horses, Dakota kept mulling over something Savannah had said at breakfast. They’d been discussing his work with the animals when she began talking in riddles. He got the sense she was trying to clue him in to something by telling him to watch out for his tribe, and saying his filly would bolt when overwhelmed.
It didn’t make any sense. He didn’t have a tribe on the ranch, unless she was talking about the other cowboys, warning him they were plotting something. And the horse they’d been talking about—the filly he was working with now—had the most serene disposition of any he’d ever worked with.
Taking a look around the yard, he noted everything was as peaceful as it had been since the drama of their return from the mountains. The cowboys were all busy with their individual work for the day. He was the only one who seemed to be fidgety and tense.
The sound of a screen door smacking against its frame drew his attention to the main house where Steph now stood on the porch, stretching lazily. Tamara and Savannah were busy inside decorating the nursery. The two women had become much closer since his princess had learned to open up and begin trusting her friends. They had dragged Sandy in there to help, too, attempting to forge a bond with their newest friend.
When she spotted him, Step walked over to the corral and leaned against the fence in a lazy posture. “I can’t stand being inside for another minute,” she complained. “There’s no way to get any work done when they’re constantly interrupting to show me paint colors, wallpaper samples, and catalogues of crib bedding. Ugh!” She groaned in frustration. “And Savannah keeps coming into the room every five minutes to peer out the window into the yard like she’s waiting for something.”
Hmm…that last bit was interesting. What had she envisioned would happen? He knew somehow it involved him, but still had not figured out her cryptic words from earlier.
Mandy came strolling up to the corral at a slow pace as they stood talking. It was unusual to witness the girl, who was normally a flurry of activity, looking so lethargic.
Noticing the same thing, Steph said, “What is up with everyone today?”
He didn’t get a chance to respond as they all turned to watch a convoy of vehicles kicking up a thick cloud of dust on the ranch drive. Dakota figured he was about to find out what Savannah had been waiting for all day. It surprised him she hadn’t appeared outside yet, but then he saw her silhouette in an upstairs window.
The unexpected approaching vehicles captured everyone’s attention. Before long he was surrounded by his friends. Everyone was there with the exception of the three women, which made Dakota a bit suspicious.
Even before the assortment of cars and trucks had come to a complete stop, people were pouring out the doors and Savannah’s words began to make sense. His family had lost their patience and made the trip from Colorado to meet his spirit mate. He groaned when he saw no one had been left behind. Every aunt, uncle, cousin and even a few close family friends had made the trip to the ranch. Great.
Seeing Steph standing close to him, the only woman among the gathered group, his family jumped to the assumption she must be the one. They rushed forward, all taking at once, and Steph was drawn into their ranks. He tried to get a word in above all the commotion, but it was too late. Steph was being passed from one person to another to be hugged and kissed as she was accepted into the fold. Poor Steph looked overwhelmed and frazzled, trying to figure out why she was being welcomed into his family as though she were a member.
It didn’t take long before they moved on to his friends, pulling them into the pandemonium. His only option was to climb over the corral fence and accept the warm greetings and congratulations. When things began to settle down, he held up his hand to get their attention and informed his family Steph was a friend, not his spirit mate. Catching on to the misunderstanding and eager to get their attention focused somewhere, anywhere else, Steph pointed to the porch where Sandy, Savannah and Tamara had appeared, standing a safe distance away to observe what was happening.
“Tamara is Dakota’s girlfriend, not me,” Steph stated.
Making sure they would not be drawn into the rush of people headed their direction, Savannah and Sandy stepped back, leaving Tamara to face the crowd alone. Their actions singled her out.
If there was any way humanly possible for Dakota to have reached her first
, he would have kept his family from overwhelming his princess, but there was nothing he could do. Tamara looked shell-shocked as they descended upon her and she experienced the force of nature that was his family for the first time. A panicked expression crossed her face as his female relatives began talking about bonding ceremonies and sewing a wedding quilt.
Cord clapped Dakota on the back. “Dang. Quite the tribe you’ve got there.” The other men all chuckled, but he only heard Savannah’s words rolling through his mind.
“Your filly will bolt when the tribe overwhelms her.”
And that’s exactly what Tamara did. It made him think of the movie about the woman who always got scared when walking down the aisle at her weddings and would run away.
As soon as she managed to untangle herself from his family, she took off through the screen door. Only seconds after it slapped shut, he saw her run around the back corner of the house, headed straight for the Jeep. She was locked safely inside and headed down the drive before he reached her.
Nicole Austin Page 17
