The Legacy

by Beth Williamson

  “You are beautiful.” Noah moved toward her, his body buzzing with instant arousal and burning with heat.

  He opened his arms and she stepped into them, wrapping her lithe nudity against him. Noah’s mouth found hers and their lips fused together in heated, deep kisses that made him dizzy with need. He cupped her round fanny and pulled her up against him.

  “God you feel good,” he ground out.

  “Not as good as you will once you take off those dadburn clothes.” She pinched his arm. “Get moving, Calhoun.”

  He set her down, his arms shaking from the effort of actually losing contact with her. With a wicked grin, she started unbuttoning his shirt, kissing the skin as it was exposed to the night air. Noah shivered as each kiss brought her closer and closer to his stomach. She tickled the hair that led from his bellybutton to his throbbing cock, then unsnapped his pants, continuing to kiss and lick her way down his skin.

  Noah thought he might embarrass himself by coming before she even touched his dick. He pulled her up by the arms.

  “Hold on, sweetheart, I don’t want to finish before we start.” He laughed nervously, trying to keep a hold on his excitement. This was the first time they’d make love unencumbered by the past or the present. Free and in love.

  He stripped off the remnants of his clothes and tugged her to him again. This time his skin sang with pleasure. She was so soft, warm and enticing, truly a goddess come to life. When she was pressed against his throbbing dick, she opened her legs and wrapped them around his hips.

  Good God, her heat and wetness coated him, making him jerk with desire so strong, his knees almost buckled.

  “Bed. Now.” She yanked at his hair.

  Noah obeyed, anxious to be inside her, and not just rubbing against her. He laid her down gently, kissing her the entire way. As their tongues dueled and danced together, he slid into her. An exact fit.

  He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing in soft pants. Her pussy clenched around him, drawing him deeper inside her. Never had anything felt so right than at that moment. She’d been waiting for him, ready for him, eager to be together as he was.

  “Love me,” she said as she bit his lip.

  “Pushy wench.” He returned the favor, then sucked her lip into his mouth and laved it with his tongue.

  As he began to move within her, she picked up his rhythm and met his thrusts. Rosalyn tugged at his behind, drawing him closer still. He didn’t think he could get any deeper without melting into one person.

  Noah licked his way down to her breasts, then proceeded to suck, lick and nibble on the rose-colored nipples. She moaned and bit his shoulder, drawing her legs up tight against him. He matched his sucks to each time his dick landed deep within her.

  “Oh, God, Noah, I’m about to lose my mind.” She scratched at his back.

  He knew what she meant. Her raw heat surrounded him, making him forget his name, making him act like an animal with its mate. Noah knew he wouldn’t last long, not with the essence of life that flowed through him from escaping death today, with the woman he loved in his arms and a future ahead of him most men would envy.

  His heart was full to bursting, so his body followed suit. Noah met her gaze in the moonlit bed.

  “Love you,” was all he was able to get out before his body took control and the stars exploded within him.

  Rosalyn clenched like a velvet fist, shouting his name, traveling along with him as they both reached the pinnacle of ecstasy together. Noah’s body flooded with light and heat as his balls tightened, spilling his seed into her welcoming womb.

  He hadn’t realized he’d stopped breathing until he took a gasping breath and laid his head on her shoulder. Noah shook with the emotions running through him, with the raw intensity of his connection to her.

  “I love you so much, Rosalyn Benedict. I can’t imagine ever being without you,” he whispered against her neck. “You make me whole.”

  She wrapped her trembling arms around him. “I love you too, Noah Calhoun. Stop trying to make me cry now.”

  Noah finally withdrew from her and lay down spoon-style on the bed, fitting her against him. He breathed in her scent and that of lovemaking.

  “Will you stay with me tonight?” she asked.

  His hand pressed against her heart, Noah knew there was only one answer.

  “Always.”

  Epilogue

  The entire town of Cheshire turned out for Noah’s nuptials. The Malloy family alone comprised twenty-four people, enough to fill half the church. The children ran around outside letting off energy while the adults mingled in and out of the building.

  Noah looked around at all the people who had come to his wedding and was amazed. Ten years ago he’d been an orphan, a single person in a big world with no one to rely on but himself. Now he had so much, he didn’t know quite what to do with it all. Marina and Elsa stood with Mark Jackman on the steps of the church. Noah was pleased to note that Marina kept her hand on Mark’s arm while they talked quietly. He had a feeling the two of them would find what they’d been seeking in life.

  Noah had dressed in his best britches and a new white shirt his grandmother had bought for him. In his pocket sat a gold band, nearly burning a hole through the cotton and into his leg. He’d used his salary, the entire month’s salary, to purchase it. Surprisingly, Goodson’s didn’t own the store in town anymore, a young couple from Minnesota did, and they gave him a good deal on the ring.

  His mother stood under the cottonwood tree nestled against his father’s chest. Both of them watched the children as they played in the field beside the church. It was a beautiful June day and the birds sang, the bees buzzed and all seemed perfect in the world.

  Everything was perfect. Noah was about to start his life, truly start his life with the woman he loved.

  “You nervous?” His uncle Brett stepped up beside Noah. “I know I sure as hell was and I’d known Alex all my life.”

  Noah laughed. “No, not nervous. Anxious. I want to get on with it, you know?”

  Brett nodded. “Yep, I know exactly what you mean. She seems like good people, Noah.”

  “The best.” Noah accepted a handshake from Brett before the older man sauntered over to his own wife.

  Noah studied them, wondering if it was something in the Malloy blood that made marriages so strong.

  His grandparents, John and Francesca Malloy, still looked at each other as if no one else in the world existed. They sat together on the bench beside the church, holding hands.

  His uncle Ethan had been married to his wife, Bonita, for fifteen years—unfortunately they’d never been blessed with children. Bonita had been sick before Noah left, and now she struggled with a disease in her bones and had to get around in an invalid chair. Ethan carried her whenever he could, the love for his wife shining in his blue eyes.

  His mother and father, Nicky and Tyler, were constantly touching, no matter where or what they were doing. Each of their children, the twins, Logan and Rebecca, and even little Francesca, were growing up in a house full of love and laughter.

  Then there were his aunts and uncles. Jack had been married to Rebecca nearly as long as his parents. They had three children as well, Hope, Malcolm and sweet Mary.

  The oldest, Ray, and his wife, Lily, were busy with four children of their own. Melody, the oldest, was the child of their hearts if not their bodies. Next came their twins, John and Peter, and the baby of the family, Emma.

  Uncle Trevor had found his bride, Adelaide, in a poker game in Cheyenne. They ran a successful saloon and restaurant and raised their son, Christopher. Noah could always count on catching them kissing in a corner somewhere.

  The last to be married was Brett, the most reticent of his uncles. His wife was the town doctor, Alexandra, and they had one child, a beautiful girl named Margaret who captured Noah’s heart the second he met her.

  The size and breadth of Noah’s family humbled him. They’d taken in more than one orphan, more than one damaged
soul and nurtured them back into whole people with love and patience.

  “Noah? I have something for you.” His Aunt Lily stepped up, a smile on her face. Lily was a former governess with a curvy petite figure, brown hair and sparkling brown eyes. “This belonged to my father and I’d love for you to have it.”

  She handed him a beautiful string tie made from black leather with a turquoise gem in the middle.

  “I can’t take this. Save it for John or Peter.” He tried to hand it back to her.

  “No. This is for you.” She smiled. “You’re the first of the next generation to marry and my daddy would have approved of my choice. Please, take it.”

  Noah couldn’t refuse. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

  “You already said it. Good luck, Noah.” She kissed his cheek and the scent of lavender surrounded him. “We love you.”

  After she stepped aside, his aunts Rebecca, Adelaide and Alex appeared. Each of them had something in their hands. Noah’s throat closed up with emotions he’d never allowed himself to feel.

  Adelaide handed him a twenty-dollar gold piece. “This is for your home. We didn’t know what you’d need for your house, but some extra money to spend on the two of you is always welcome.”

  Noah stared at the gold piece. “This is a lot of money, Aunt Adelaide.” She shrugged, her red curls bouncing with the motion. “Your uncle has been lucky on the poker table lately.” With a wink, she squeezed his shoulder and moved away.

  Aunt Alexandra was the doctor who’d saved his father’s life three years ago when the bull had gored him. “You found her.”

  Noah chuckled. “Apparently she was waiting for me in Chancetown. Who knew?”

  She laughed. “You Malloy men have the best luck with women. Each one of you has found a queen to marry.”

  “That’s the gospel truth.” He took one of her hands in his. “Thank you for what you did for my father. I don’t think he would have survived if you hadn’t been the doctor to treat him.” Noah swallowed hard. “You did more than save him.”

  Alexandra shook her head, the blonde braid swishing on the blue cotton of her dress. “I did what I had to and maybe a bit more knowing it was my brother-in-law. What happened wasn’t your fault, Noah. Life doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”

  Noah let out a gust of breath. “Thank you anyway. I owe you more than I can say.” If his father had died that day, the course of his life would have changed into a darkness he didn’t even want to think about.

  “You’re welcome. Now I have a gift for you too.” She handed him a bridle.

  “Thank you.” An odd gift, but it was good quality leather.

  “That’s not the gift, Noah. Look over there by the side of the church. You see the beautiful blood bay?”

  Noah spied the gorgeous mare, her coat shining in the sun. “You’re giving me a horse?”

  “No, we’re giving you two. The mare is for Rosalyn. Look next to her.” Alexandra pointed and Noah followed her finger.

  Noah’s breath caught when he saw the mustang. The white ring around his neck wasn’t exactly the same, but it looked so much like his horse Ringer that had died that fateful day three years ago.

  He stared at his blonde aunt in surprise. “Where did you find him?” She smiled. “Brett found him in a herd one day and knew he’d be perfect for you.”

  “I-I don’t know what to say. It’s too much.” His gaze kept returning to the mustang, to the hope the horse would be as strong and wonderful as his horse Ringer.

  “No, it’s just enough.” She kissed his cheek, the scent of roses tickling his nose. “Congratulations, Noah.”

  Noah could hardly get a word out, so he simply nodded and she stepped away.

  “I embroidered a handkerchief for you, sweetie.” Rebecca, the first woman who had captured his young heart so many years ago, had her blonde hair up in a bun. “I love Rosalyn. She’s perfect. I told you all those years ago you’d find someone, didn’t I?”

  Noah pulled her into a hug and she embraced him tightly. “Thank you.”

  “I made one for Rosalyn, too. I gave it to her earlier this morning.” Rebecca’s voice was husky with emotions, her gray eyes serious. “You and I have come a long way in life, endured more than most folks can understand. I’m very proud of you.”

  Noah smiled through the overwhelming sense of rightness. She was right—life had not been kind. It seemed as though God was making up for what Noah had lived with the first half of his life.

  “Good luck.” With one last hug, Rebecca walked away.

  Noah stood alone, staring into the sky, trying to get a hold of his thoughts, trying to remember the gifts he’d been given. Everything a boy and man could want, and most of all, boundless love.

  “Was she your first love?” Rosalyn’s voice broke though the silence. He turned and remembered exactly why he loved her. Rosalyn was dressed in the light purple dress he’d bought her weeks ago. Her black hair was intertwined with daisies. In her hand, she carried a bouquet of the beautiful white and yellow flowers. On her face was an incredible smile.

  “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” He cleared his throat. “I love you, Rosie.”

  She smiled. “I love you too, Noah.”

  “My family has given us so much, I can hardly remember it all.” He stared into her violet eyes. “It didn’t matter if we had nothing but us, I’d still be happy.”

  She cupped his cheek, the cotton of her white gloves making a light scratching sound on his whiskers. Her touch sent goose bumps down his skin. “I don’t think I knew what happy was until I met you.”

  He kissed her hand. “Are you ready to get married?”

  “I’ve never been more ready.” She threaded her arm through his. Noah stepped toward the church, Rosalyn beside him. He raised his arm.

  “I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for coming today. Rosalyn and I are two orphans who happened to find the best family and friends a body could ever want.” His heart was full to bursting with the gifts he’d received. “Thank you for everything. I…I love you all.”

  As everyone clapped and smiled through tears, Noah looked at his parents. Both of them smiled and nodded and he knew he’d made the right choice all those years ago. Noah had found more than a home. He’d found love, life and all he’d ever need.

  About the Author

  You can’t say cowboys without thinking of Beth Williamson. She likes ’em hard, tall and packing. Read her work and discover for yourself how hot and dangerous a cowboy can be.

  Beth lives in North Carolina, with her husband and two sons. Born and raised in New York, she holds a B.F.A. in writing from New York University. She spends her days as a technical writer, and her nights immersed in writing hot romances for her readers.

  To learn more about Beth Williamson, please visit www.bethwilliamson.com. Send an email to Beth at beth@bethwilliamson.com, join her Yahoo! Group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cowboylovers, or sign up for Beth’s monthly newsletter, Sexy Spurs, http://www.crocodesigns.com/cgi bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/spurs/.

  Look for these titles by Beth Williamson

  Now Available:

  The Bounty

  The Prize

  The Reward

  The Treasure

  The Gift

  The Tribute

  The Legacy

  Coming Soon:

  Marielle’s Marshal

  Devils on Horseback: Nate

  Branded

  Devils on Horseback: Jake

  Kincaid

  Amidst the post-war chaos that rains down around them, a controlling man and a desperate woman must choose between life and love.

  Devils on Horseback: Nate

  © 2007 Beth Williamson

  Coming September 25, 2007 to Samhain Publishing

  Nate Marchand grew up as the only son of the town drunk. As a Confederate soldier, he found that order in the chaos was the only thing that kept him sane. Numbers, information,
keeping everything in its proper place became second nature. The chaos of the war and its aftermath sent him into a rigid state that he couldn’t seem to overcome.

  He and his friends, nicknamed Devils on Horseback, leave behind the aftermath of war to start fresh in the west. Their new business venture flounders and desperation drives them to take whatever work they can.

  The Devils are hired to remove the Taggert family from land claimed by Samuel O’Shea, the largest landowner in Grayton, Texas. When he meets Elisa Taggert, his entire world shifts beneath him. Attracted, bewildered, and off-kilter, Nate ignores his conscience in favor of his wallet.

  The simple task of removing a woman, a boy, and an old man, along with a small herd of cattle, resembles a Medieval siege. Nate wrestles with what he knows is right with what he must do. Will his love for Elisa overcome his need for survival?

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Devils on Horseback: Nate:

  Elisa watched as the man walked toward the stream, knowing it was Nate without even seeing his face. He had a way about him that was recognizable in the moonlight. When he reached the stream, he sighed as he lay back on the grass with his knees up and his arms folded behind his head.

  She crept closer, careful not to disturb any of the foliage around her. If Elisa was good at anything, it was being stealthy. She’d had to become a hunter to feed her brother and mother while Da had been off to war. They’d had plenty of meat those two years.

  When she was within a few yards, she could see his face quite clearly in the light of the moon. His expression seemed contemplative, almost melancholy. She wondered what he was thinking about—probably how much money he’d make working for O’Shea. Dirty, rotten stinker.

  Before he could sense her nearby, she pounced. She pinned his elbows down with her knees, slapped a hand across his mouth as her knife rested comfortably on his throat. The scent of man and of Nate wafted up at her, tickling her nose and her sleeping arousal.