More than ready, Lilah snarled at him.
He snarled right back. "I won't permit you going out with Marcus."
"You are not my keeper!"
"I will punch him."
"I will maim you."
"Empty threats."
"Watch me."
"He's an idiot."
"So are you."
The fury on his face darkened his eyes, a storm of colors that ignited her own temper higher, even as warning bells rang in her mind.
"The only idiot I see here is you."
"Get over yourself. I will go out with Marcus and there's nothing you can do about it—”
He snapped at her. "Why Marcus of all people?"
"Because I'm sick and tired of chasing after men who don't want anything to do with me. I want a damn orgasm and if he can provide it, then so be it!"
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself - and too late realization sank in at what she'd said, foolish words at best and dangerous words at worst.
Silence.
Finn's fury had vanished, leaving only a stunned expression. Embarrassed beyond belief, wanting to just get this over with, she plowed on.
"So Marcus is my best bet and I'm going out with him and there's nothing you-"
The hands on her wrists tightened, bringing her arms up over her head and trapping them against the books with his. His stunned expression was changing, as his gray eyes held an emotion that had panic fluttering inside her, along with something almost primitive.
Oh, no.
His body molded against hers, as hard and hot as steel. Lips ghosted on the skin of her cheek, trailing down until his breath was almost mingling with hers. Her heart skittered.
Both of their breathing had turned heavy.
"Finn - what are you...doing?"
His eyes filled with sheer lust.
"I'm giving you your orgasm," was his only response before he kissed her, hard and demanding and everything she'd ever wanted.
Her thoughts scattered. Her arousal spiked, a rush of molten heat that spread through every part of her body, turning it aching for his touch. Her hands, no longer wanting to be passive, actively sought him out, wrapping around his hands that trapped hers and pushing, until he released them and she was free to explore his skin, his body, his own heat. Oh, but he wasn't passive, either – his wicked mouth was turning her insides upside down and his hands—
Dimly, she heard a rip, and found her strapless bra on the floor. And then his hands were on her breasts, thumbing her nipples in circled motions until they ached.
She moaned.
Then his mouth was there, sucking her stiffened peak and rolling his tongue over and over as she writhed against him and gripped his hair in her hands, vibrating like a plucked string.
More thoughts scattered in her brain, and one took form.
"Finn – the door – haven’t locked—”
He murmured something unintelligible before turning her around, and trapping her with his body. The action pressed her breasts flat on the books, as his hands slid down her butt, sliding her dress up and cupping her intimately. Then he ground against her, and his erection - unzipped and pulled out of his jeans - rubbed at her panty-covered center and sent a shot of mind-numbing pleasure into her.
She moaned louder, forgetting the doors as her mind blanked.
He kept thrusting, that hardness hitting her clothed center over and over until the only sounds were her whimpers and his groans and the raw sounds of their pumping.
A finger slid in, as he stopped kissing her neck for a moment to rasp in her ear.
"So. Wet. Delilah."
His finger worked her as a crescendo of emotions built up in her, higher and higher. She wanted to plead with him that she needed more, she was almost there—
Something wet slid inside her slit, seeking her pleasure point. His wicked tongue licked and sucked, moving in time with his pumping fingers, faster and faster—
She exploded and saw colors.
When she came down from her high, he turned her back to face him and pressed her there, his head resting on top of hers. She slumped against him as she tried to catch her breath, burying her face on his shoulder.
There were a few minutes of silence before she could finally speak.
"You ripped my blouse."
"Hmm. We're both idiots."
Lilah smiled. On that, she could only agree.
Chapter 7
Finn discovered a lot of things about Lilah on their first month not-together.
One: she liked to argue for the sake of fun, and that included arguing over the cons of having a sexual relationship with him. This happened right when he was driving them home after her first orgasm, after he'd convinced her to lock up her bookstore for the day and...well, play hooky with him.
Two: her words were for naught, because the moment he distracted her with kisses, she was practically melting against him as he navigated their way to his bedroom, careful not to get caught.
Three: she had standards, and that included not sleeping in the same bed that he'd dealt with his past women. This was easily rectified because she was the only one he’d brought in this bed, anyway. He’d never brought those other women home.
Three: she was getting very, very good at seduction, but not as good as him as he seduced her right out of her panties – and bra and shoes and dress – and dragged her to bed. She was very receptive too, eagerly giving back as good as she got, right down to licking his cock and driving him mad with desire.
Four: she was a virgin – or she'd been when they'd first started. He tried to be as gentle as possible, making her wet (oh, he was very good at that) and opening her up first before allowing his raging erection to finally slide inside her. He almost lost control then, as he felt her liquid tightness wrap around him like a vice, then heard her moan in pleasure later, threatening to consume them both.
Five: she was fantastic in bed, in any position – below him when he thrust repeatedly and she wrapped her legs around him, on top of him as he taught her how to ride him, against the wall when they were too frantic to find a bed, from behind as she had to muffle her scream on a pillow while he took her hard. She tasted and felt fantastic too, with that damned scent of lilies always in the air and the scent of her skin beneath, hot and arousing and all Lilah.
Six: she was really good at sucking his cock anywhere. She particularly tortured him with her teasing mouth when he least expected it, like when he opened his eyes from sleep or was alone in the kitchen.
Seven: she often snored in her sleep, and it was irritatingly adorable.
Eight: her friendship with James was important, and it flourished into brotherly love as she tried to set him up, and cajoled Finn to join in. He absolutely refused, deeming his brother old enough to do this on his own.
Nine: her green eyes lit up when he brought her new books to read, and chocolates he made. She especially loved the dark kind, and would usually finish a huge box all by herself in one sitting (which solidified his opinion that she ate like an ox).
Ten: she laughed at horror movies, and cried a lot at those with puppies dying.
Eleven: she had a very warm smile, the kind that could fill out a room with light. Sometimes, it made him stop and just stare, realizing that she had the kind of beauty that snuck up on you when you least expected it.
Twelve: she was very, very terrible at cooking.
There were many more, but it all added up as he discovered one thing about himself in the process.
He was in too deep.
---
Something smelled delicious in the kitchen, and like a bee lured to honey, she went there and sniffed the air, pausing at the entrance to find the room empty.
Her vision zoned in on the cupcakes cooling on the rack, and immediately she was on them, taking a bite out of one and closing her eyes as it practically melted in her mouth.
Hmm.
She walked around the room, admiring F
inn’s handiwork, from the cupcakes to the paella that he’d prepared for the family gathering. Now if she could only find the chef himself—
A hand grabbed her and dragged her away and inside the closet room.
“Hey!”
“Hey, back.”
Finn’s voice vibrated in her ear, indicating that he was standing very close. He kissed her before she could say more, sucking at her lower lip and playfully cajoling her mouth open. She responded easily, swept away by his wicked mouth as it trailed kisses on her mouth, then her neck, then—
Lilah’s eyes flew wide open when she felt him start unbuttoning her denim shorts, then sliding it down. His other hand slid under her loose shirt, getting busy.
“What are – we – doing – Finn?”
The hand busy on her breast guided her fingers down, until she found herself holding something hot and hard and pulsing. Already beyond aroused, she held his cock firmly and played him with her own fingers, loving the way he softly bit her shoulder and groaned out her name.
“I need to be inside you.”
And with that, what started out playful became quick and almost desperate. Her shorts and panties were quickly slid down her legs, his fingers sliding inside her until she was wet – wetter – for him. Then he was hoisting her up, even while she insistently tugged on his shirt in between kisses, bringing it up over his head and putting her hands all over him.
He entered her without pause, leaving her biting her lip at the sensation of being so full. Then they were readjusting their bodies, him wrapping her legs around his waist as he withdrew, then surged forward powerfully and making her moan.
He covered her mouth with his to muffle her sounds. Then he pumped, hard and purposeful and wickedly wonderful.
They changed position in between, as he turned her around and bent her over the cramped drawer. Guiding his cock back in from behind, he paused for a moment as he unhooked her bra and filled his hands with her breasts, kneading and cupping and playing with her nipples. Then those hands slid down to her stomach as he bent down and covered her back with his front.
This time, he kept the rhythm slow, hands going from time to time to roll over her stiffened nipples. He turned her head to the side, capturing her mouth in a frenzied kiss as she wriggled her butt and demanded more.
With a groan of assent, he thrust faster. Her body bounced, the desire in her stomach wounding tighter and tighter as she met him thrust for thrust, as she was taken to the peak of his lust, as the ball of desire wound even tighter—
Her orgasm came hard, a burst of pleasure that had her biting her lip to keep her voice together. A few more thrusts, and then she felt him convulse and explode inside her as his grip tightened on her hips, his heavy groan filling the air. He slumped against her, wonderfully spent.
Lilah closed her eyes, content.
After a few seconds, Finn murmured in her ear. "I'm leaving for Paris."
Lilah stilled. A few seconds passed as she tried to process his words. She opened her mouth to say something, but he kept on.
"To close shop there. And relocate here."
Her heart soared, but she didn't dare hope too much. Hesitantly, she spoke. "Finn?"
Slowly, Finn turned her around, expression carefully hooded.
"I was hoping you can come with me. A month, tops. Then we can come back here and...start over."
Lilah knew him, she really did – and the only reason he had on that careful expression was because he was half-expecting her to say no.
Slowly, she tiptoed, whispering one sentence before pulling him down for a kiss.
Like she'd refuse the man who'd accidentally stolen her heart.
"It would be my pleasure, Finn."
The Relentless Cowboy
A Mail Order Bride Historical Romance
Brides of Deadwood
Deadwood, South Dakota is the center point of a large gold rush in the Black Hills. A hot-bed of trouble and danger. Life held to be as precious as the gold and fortune that the town’s people seek. Levi is one of a handful of lawmen hired to try to keep the people from killing each other. After seeking a wife in the mail order bride catalogues, he found a young woman who fit what he’s looking for in a woman to live his life with. He and Nora hit it off right from the start and though life is hard in the rough town, they plan to stay in the area and raise a family. The murder of a friend has Levi seeking the killer and Nora fearing for his life. She comes to realize how dangerous his job is and how unstable a life with him will be. Will Levi and Nora be strong enough to make their relationship work when there is danger lurking at every turn….
Deadwood, South Dakota
1876
NORA
Snow falls in light flakes from a gray sky. From my window on the second floor, above the Sheriff’s office, I can see the people of Deadwood walking to and fro. Some are finishing up their errands before the light completely leaves the sky and Deadwood turns into the place that so perfectly fits its name. Others are seeking the relative safety of the many brothels and saloons, those are the night people.
My husband of just one day has left me to go to his shift, the night shift. The most deadly shift there is for the Deadwood Sheriff’s Office. Levi Langston changed my name yesterday. No longer am I, Nora Walker. That woman will never be again.
The life I left back in New Jersey disappeared as I rode the train out to the west, the wild west, the deadly west and now my home. Levi began writing to me six months ago and captured my heart.
My father came out west a year ago. We found out he was killed in a shooting at a bar in Tombstone. With the news, my mother told me it was time I found myself a husband to care for me. She was going to move in with my oldest sister and live with her and her family the rest of her days.
I am the youngest of six girls. At first I protested that I was but twenty years old. She chastised me as she was a bride at merely twelve. So I put my ad in a mail order bride magazine and caught the attention of several men. Levi was by far the most intriguing.
His letters told of a life he chose in the western frontier town of Deadwood, South Dakota. Levi was living in New York, just one year ago. He answered an advertisement for deputies in Deadwood. It seems they drop like flies around here.
Levi is young, twenty-five years old, and tough as hell. His letters told me he was a bit hard-headed and at times prideful, but deep down, he has a softness in him. I fell for him before I ever laid eyes on him.
Once I did see him, well I was done for. Putty in the man’s hands, so to speak. I don’t know a woman who wouldn’t be.
I stepped off the train yesterday to find a man who stood at least six feet six inches. He kept his wavy auburn hair which fell to his shoulders under a black cowboy hat. His black, button down shirt was pressed and fit him well, it showed off his broad shoulders and tightly muscled chest. His black dungarees covered muscled legs thick as a tree trunk.
All man was what I saw, and he held a large, white sheet of paper with my name on it. I approached him slowly, taking advantage of how he was looking all around and not noticing me taking him in. His deep green eyes had tiny lines around them. His skin was tanned from the sun and his lips were full and plump and they were soon to be mine.
“I’m the girl you’re looking for, Levi,” I said, and he looked down at me. His smile went clean across his face and I knew he was happy with what he saw.
I was pulled up into his strong arms and his lips touched mine for only a second. He laughed and his eyes twinkled as he looked at me. It was as if the moment our eyes met, we knew it was right.
So we went to the justice of the peace’s office and made it legal then he took me to his home. Our home now. With no pomp and circumstance he took me right to his bed, our bed now.
Levi is rough around the edges and wild as any animal that roams freely here. His letters let me know he wasn’t looking for a prim and proper wife. He wanted one just as wild as he is. And he is wild, wow!
T
hough a bit nervous that I wouldn’t be able to hold up to his expectations, I surprised myself. His magnetism made it very easy to fall into bed with him after knowing him a mere three hours.
We’re staying in the small, one bedroom apartment on top of the Sheriff’s office until Levi builds us a home. His eye is on a piece of property south of town, and he was waiting for my arrival to make the purchase.
Soon our new life together will be lived in our new home. Where we will have children and raise them. The whole idea makes me giddy with an unexpected joy.
A shot rings out and I run to look out the window down to the main street below. A wobble legged old man holds a pistol in the air with one hand and a whiskey bottle in the other. “I struck it rich today!” he shouts and pulls the trigger again.
The sound makes me flinch even though I had an idea he was going to do that. Then I see my new husband walk up to the old guy and pat him on the back. “Congratulations, Matthew! Let’s get you set up in the saloon and off the street where you can have some real fun.”
Levi’s ease with him makes the old man smile and he puts his gun back in its holster. Levi walks him across the street and through the swinging saloon doors, then he turns back around and looks up.
My heart skips a beat as he smiles and gives me a wave.
LEVI
The smell of gunpowder fills the air as old Matthew shot his pistol off to announce to the town he’d found some gold. I find myself looking up to the window where my new wife waits for me. There she is. More gorgeous than I ever dreamed she’d be, Nora has been a very pleasant surprise.
She waves at me and blows me a kiss. Her sweet, red lips pucker and I wish I didn’t have to work and could go back to our bed with her on this chilly night.
Nora has a small body with perfect proportions. Her breasts are pleasingly plump. Her waist is small, her hind quarters are round. Long, black ringlets fall across her pale shoulders. She’s already changed into her sleeping gown for the night and I need to tell her to get the hell away from the window. The whole town can see her from down here.
Adored By The Rancher: Mail Order Brides Box Set Page 48
