The Texas Ranger's Daughter

by Jenna Kernan

  “Boon, I have a confession to make.”

  Here it comes, he thought, his whole body tense with dread.

  She rested a bare hand upon his chest. Where were her fancy white gloves?

  “I’ve missed you,” she said. “When you left, it nearly killed me. You shouldn’t have gone.”

  “I did it for you.”

  “No, you did it because you couldn’t believe that I loved you, even though I told you so. Instead, you decided it was better to be noble and break your heart and mine.”

  Boon had pictured seeing Laurie again, but in none of his imaginings did she tear into him like this.

  “You wanted to be a lawman and so you have become one, with no help from anyone. I’ve already heard that you are performing your responsibilities with fairness and competence, Justice.” She smiled.

  “Oh, Laurie, that just sort of happened.”

  “I like it,” she said. “It suits you.”

  He mustered his courage. “So you aren’t married?”

  She snorted. “You are such an aggravating man! No, I’m not married. I told you I loved you. Did you think leaving me would change that? Did you think that I’d just forget and take up with some, some…”

  “Banker?” he supplied.

  She threw up her hands. “Boon, when I said that I was still a child. But I’ve grown up.”

  “Only a few months ago,” he said.

  “A lifetime,” she countered. “I am no longer interested in marrying a man for his profession or the color of his eyes or because I hope to earn respect through him. A woman would be as big a fool to marry for respect as a man would be to choose a bride for her innocence.”

  She’d taken the words he’d said before leaving and twisted them somehow. He stared, taking in the differences along with what remained familiar. Laurie’s new confidence shone like polished silver.

  “You are the first person who has ever understood me and the only one who allows me to be myself,” she said. “I am done with pretending to be something I am not. And I miss you. So I’ve come to ask…” Her voice trailed off and she swallowed hard, squaring her shoulders as if readying herself for a blow. “I am here to ask if you have any feelings for me?”

  Could it be true? Could she really be here for him?

  She lifted a bare hand and stroked his cheek. He closed his eyes at the sweetness of her touch and clenched his jaw against the sweeping arousal that jolted him like lit gunpowder. He couldn’t stop himself from capturing her hand and holding it as he opened his eyes to see that she was really still there.

  “I was wrong about everything,” she whispered. “You are the best man I ever met and I’m not letting you go without a fight.”

  She moved closer, fingers stroking his face, her thumb brushing his lower lip. She moved to stand before him, her hands gliding down his neck and then his shirt until her right hand covered the silver star pinned on his vest. Then she rested her head against him. But when she spoke, it was not in a whisper. It was with words loud enough for every passerby to hear. She did not hesitate or falter, just spoke from her heart.

  “I love you, Justice Boon, and I can’t live without you.”

  Boon almost took her up in his arms. He believed her, saw the changes she spoke of, but still there was one hurdle.

  “Your father?” asked Boon.

  “Is shocked and I do not care what he thinks. He’s getting used to the idea that I have my own mind and do not take orders like one of his men.” Laurie lifted her head and gazed up at him as her fingers curled about the lapels of his vest to give him a little shake. “I choose you. And I’d fight them all to have you.”

  His eyes closed and he gathered Laurie up against him. He could care for her now. He had a job, a home and the respect of this community.

  She had given herself to him. The sweet relief poured down on him like spring rain, followed by the raw need for possession. She was his at last.

  She clung to him as he cradled her in the safety of his arms.

  “Is it true?” he whispered.

  She nodded, her eyes welling with tears. He let her draw back to arm’s length.

  No one had ever been willing to fight for him. No one had ever really loved him before. He knew he did not deserve her, even now. But he loved her. That was the only explanation for leaving her behind.

  “You sure about this?”

  She was and did not hesitate. “Completely.”

  “Laurie, I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, but I know I’m not strong enough to let you go twice.”

  “That will save me the trouble of coming to fetch you again.”

  “I’d like to stay here if you’re willing.”

  She glanced about the bustling street nestled among the pine trees and blue peaks of the Rocky Mountains and nodded her approval.

  “Anywhere you say,” she agreed.

  He grinned at her. “You look so different.”

  “I am different. Wait until I tell you about my clothing. I hope you’re not shocked.”

  He grinned. “Not a thing you can say or do will shock me. I’m the one who knows you, remember?”

  “Yes, and I’m the one who recognized you were a good man before even you did.”

  “I still got some bad.”

  She lifted her eyebrows in speculation and gave him a lustful look that burned him up like a spent matchstick.

  “I hope so. I’m looking forward to riding double with you very soon.”

  His ears went hot as the memories of their night ride poured through him, bringing him to an arousal very inappropriate for a public street.

  “First I aim to marry you.”

  She smiled, her eyes twinkling with delight. “I thought you’d never ask. Yes, Mr. Boon, I’d be honored to be your wife.”

  He gathered her up and kissed her hard. Gunfire sounded and hollering. Someone shouted, “The sheriff’s found himself a girl!”

  He pulled back to see the gathering of curious citizens. He pointed at the ones with raised weapons and motioned to his own holster. The firearms disappeared.

  “Wife,” he corrected. “The sheriff found himself a wife.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Laurie had taken to calling her fiancé Justice. It suited him perfectly. And, as they were to be married, he needed a last name to offer his bride. Justice surprised Laurie by wanting to marry properly in a church with friends and family. Laurie had invited her parents and Boon invited the friends he’d made in Silver Cliff. He had also insisted she wear white, saying that she was pure as snow and he wouldn’t hear any different. She’d finished her gown just before her parents arrived at the station.

  The wedding had been perfect, the supper overly long. But finally she was alone with her husband and all that separated them was a tri-fold screen and the length of the bedroom in the small house that came as part and parcel with his position in Silver Cliff.

  Laurie Garcia Bender Boon removed her petticoats, bloomers, stockings, corset and shift all from behind the screen. The splashing she heard on the other side told her that he made use of the washbasin. The scraping that followed caused her to cock her head.

  “Are you shaving?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “At night?”

  “Don’t want my whiskers to mark your fine skin.”

  The idea of his scratchy cheek grazing over her inner thigh caused her breath to catch. She hurriedly burrowed into the sheer lace gown that combined femininity and daring. Laurie paused to stare at herself in the oval mirror.

  Pins still captured her hair in an elegant upsweep. Her cheeks were flushed in anticipation and she could see the dark outline of her nipples through the lace.

  “Justice?” She liked the sound of his new given name as much as she liked being Mrs. Justice Boon. Tonight she would go to him without regret because she was his wife.

  “Hmmm?” he answered.

  “I’m ready.”

  Something clatt
ered against porcelain. A moment later came the sound of running feet as her husband charged across the room. Next came the squeak of the ropes beneath the mattress.

  She giggled, picturing him diving headfirst into their marriage bed.

  She wondered what he’d do if she dove right in after him, for she was equally eager for their wedding night to begin. Through his love and his unconditional acceptance she now truly believed she had nothing of which to be ashamed. Her past experience was a mistake or perhaps a crime, as her husband insisted. He was adamant that she was no more at fault than the victim of a robbery. He said he didn’t miss what she lacked and any man who did was “a damned fool.” Besides, he said he wouldn’t know what to do with a scared virgin on her wedding night. That last comment was one of the sweetest things he’d ever said, because she was certain he spoke to alleviate her sorrow at not being able to come to him as pure as her white dress. But she believed he really didn’t care.

  Laurie stroked the train of her wedding gown, now hanging over the screen. This was the first dress she had made since turning her attention to riding skirts and she was proud of her efforts. She’d never forget the look on Justice’s face when he first saw her in this dress, all wonder and gratitude. She felt just the same to find her tall, handsome husband-to-be waiting for her beside the altar.

  Justice had helped her with the long row of pearl buttons that descended down her spine, punctuating each one with a tiny kiss at her shoulder and neck until she was tingling and aroused and aching to have him. He’d been reluctant to release her. His demanding kiss and command that she “hurry back” had changed her mind about the need for nightclothes. But he’d given her a push toward the screen, saying that he wanted to see what she had been sewing out of all that lace, as her gown contained none of it. Strictly ivory satin and silk roses with a bustle and train that made walking nearly impossible, but did lengthen the waistline dramatically in the modern style.

  She stared down at the circle of gold on her left ring finger. The gold filigree band was set with three diamonds. The perfect symbol of the bright future they would share. Laurie extinguished the lamp on the dressing stand.

  “Laurie?” He sounded fretful, impatient. Eager.

  She smiled as anticipation curled inside her and stepped from behind the screen. Boon had the lamp beside the bed turned down so the golden light gilded the taut skin of his bare chest. The sight stole her breath away. Her gaze wandered to where the covers pooled at his waist and her brow lifted in speculation at the interesting tenting of the bedding.

  Their eyes met. His sharp intake of air made her smile.

  “I’m the luckiest bastard in the world,” he said.

  She knitted her brow. “Don’t call yourself that. You’re a lawman, a respected member of this community and my husband.”

  His shy smile held a hint of pride. “Still getting used to all that.”

  Laurie made him wait, lifting her arms and removing her hairpins one by one while her husband devoured her with his eyes.

  “It’s like you’re wrapped in a bridal veil.”

  “It’s the same fabric,” she said.

  “If I die right now I won’t have far to go. I’m already in heaven.”

  She shook out her hair, letting it tumble all about her bare shoulders. Justice flipped back the covers, recalled he was naked and flicked them back. His gaze flashed to hers, his intent stare searching for her reaction.

  Her lips curled in a sensual smile. “Not a scared virgin. Remember?”

  “Come here, wife,” he ordered.

  She did, gladly, padding silently across the floor, closing the distance between them. The rightness of this struck her hard as he enfolded her in his arms. She lay beside him on their marriage bed inhaling the heady aroma of soap, leather and the scent that was uniquely his own. Laurie clung, pressing against his side as his hand swept down her back.

  “I want to keep the lamp burning. I want to see you when we share this bed.”

  She nodded her acceptance as her fingers grazed over the soft skin, exploring the chiseled muscle of his chest. Amazed, she noted his nipple hardening at her touch. A tingle of anticipation rippled along her spine. What other surprises awaited her?

  Laurie lifted her gaze to meet his, finding him biting his lower lip. She tilted her chin and he swept in to kiss her long and hard. His tongue grazed her lips and then danced with hers as he took her to the bed. His biceps bulged as he drew back, resting on his elbows.

  “Laurie, do you want babies right away or would you like a little time?”

  She didn’t hesitate, knowing exactly what she wanted. “Right away. I want everything right away.”

  He grinned. “All right then.”

  Boon stroked her neck and drew away the lace that shielded her breasts from his lips. His kisses descended and Laurie’s body responded. She ached for him deep down within herself. Laurie lifted her hips and finished removing her frilly nightdress, thinking that from this day on she’d come to their bed naked.

  Boon used the gathered lace to stroke her needy body, brushing her skin until she arched and clung. She tried to draw him on top of her, spreading her legs in welcome, but he slipped away, using his smooth cheek and clever tongue on her abdomen and then her inner thigh.

  Laurie forgot how to breathe as his fingers delved into the thick nest of dark hair between her legs. She remembered that first night when they rode double on a fast horse and Boon had touched her here. Anticipation curled, only this time she felt not one moment’s embarrassment. The awkwardness had been replaced with eagerness; the shame with anticipation. He loved her and she loved him so nothing they did together could ever be wrong. She knew that now, deep in her heart, and felt the rightness of this joining. She lifted her hips to meet his delving fingers, his expert tongue.

  She clutched the bedding, his hair, the bedposts, as she tossed her head and lifted to meet each exquisite stroke. Her passion built. Gasps and moans and sounds that were not quite words all tore from her. He only increased his pace and she knew he had the endurance that had carried her to safety and would now carry her home.

  This time she did not try to staunch the rising tide of pleasure. Instead she threw herself into the void, trusting her husband to support her weight as the rippling contractions burst through her. She arched meeting the pleasure and then collapsed with the retreating waves. Boon lifted his dark head, slid his slippery mouth over her inner thigh and then scaled her body until his erection pressed hard against her soft belly. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her, his mouth now tasting salty, and she realized that she tasted him and herself together on his lips.

  A thrill of excitement beat inside her at what they would do next. She wanted to give Boon everything she could and knew that he offered the same. But her legs trembled and her limbs had gone limp as an old rag doll’s.

  His kisses were soft at first, but relentless, as her husband continued to lick and kiss. When he reached her earlobe, she groaned half in reluctance, accepting the building craving he rekindled.

  Curiosity tantalized her. She was wet and wanting. Laurie reached down and captured the object of her desire in her hand.

  Boon stiffened and drew a long breath. She loosened her grip and slid her palm up and down the lovely, long length of him. His skin was soft as velvet, but oh, my, the difference between that texture and what lay beneath.

  He extended his arms and stared down at her. She glanced at the prize she had captured and then met his eyes.

  “Come here, husband,” she commanded.

  One side of Boon’s mouth twitched upward. “Yes, ma’am.”

  He settled between her open thighs and she placed both feet on the mattress, angling her hips to meet him. He paused there a moment, just outside her body. She gripped his taut backside and pulled. Boon’s eyes never left hers as he slipped inside and slid home inch by satisfying inch. Their hips locked. He waited. She wrapped her legs behind his lower back and squeezed. He withdrew
and began a slow steady rhythm meant solely to drive her to distraction. Laurie’s eyes widened as she felt the now familiar building of desire. Boon smiled and increased his pace. Like a mustang, her husband had good wind and an excellent, smooth gait. The pleasure overtook her again and she arched against the mattress, giving a long moan as her release danced outward from where their bodies met.

  When she opened her eyes, it was to see the fracturing of her husband’s unbreakable control. Like a wild horse feeling the cinch or a cow scorched by the branding iron, he broke into a wild, riotous bucking that lengthened Laurie’s pleasure and had her gasping for breath. He arched his back and gasped. She stared up in wonder at the expression of rapture so intent it bordered on anguish. She stilled and stared and then felt the surge of his release.

  Laurie could not draw air fast enough. She used the last of her dwindling reserve to encircle her arms about his neck as he rolled to his back, carrying her along to sprawl across his wide chest. She held him as his ragged breath blew soft against her neck and the dampness of their skin cooled in the still dry air.

  “That was the most breathtaking, soul-shattering experience of my life,” she whispered.

  Boon lifted up to one elbow. His hair now fell down over his forehead. She swept it back and then caressed his smooth cheek.

  “I love you, Laurie. I’m so proud to have you as my wife.”

  She crumbled inside, knowing it was true and feeling so very grateful.

  At her change of expression, a line formed between his dark brows. “Laurie?”

  “I wanted to marry a respectable man but I never believed I deserved one as fine as you.”

  He started to speak but she pressed two fingers to his lips.

  “Justice, you saved me twice. First from those outlaws and now you’ve given me a life that I only ever touched in my dreams. I didn’t believe I deserved this or could ever have a husband as decent as you are. But you changed all that. You told me I was worthy and I believed you. I want to make you so proud of me because I am so proud of you.” The tears blurred her vision and he kissed them away.