The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)

by Ann B. Harrison

  She paused at the door. “Rory, did you, I mean would you—”

  He silenced her with a kiss, stealing the words before she could utter them. He needed her more now than he could believe. He’d watched every move of her lips when she spoke over dinner. The movement as she swallowed her food had left him almost panting with need. Seeing her put her son to sleep had woken in him another kind of need that had been niggling just under the surface for days. The need to have a complete family. There was no way he was letting her go no matter what kind of trouble Tyson caused.

  Her skin had shone in the firelight as they lay snuggled up on the couch in front of the flames talking over their future with small snippets of Gina’s past thrown in as he got to know her. She’d struggled and that alone made him want to protect her so she never needed for anything again.

  While he’d managed to push away the final threads of guilt, a single strand still remained. Determined to take this woman to bed tonight, he mentally severed it, leaving the way clear for a night of sensual lovemaking. In his mind, the best way he could honor his wife and unborn baby’s memory was to take care of this woman and her child when they needed it most.

  Now it was time for bed and Rory had no intention of sleeping alone. He walked her into the room, his lips still locked onto hers. With his foot, he pushed the door shut and turned Gina back against it, pressing into her body.

  She broke the kiss, her breathing coming in ragged pants. “I need you, Rory. I have to tell you, I haven’t been with anyone since I got pregnant and I’m not on any birth control.” She licked her lip and he wanted to take it between his teeth.

  “Did you mean what you said about bearing my children?” He traced his lips down her cheek and under the soft skin of her chin.

  She swallowed before answering. “Yes.”

  “I’m ready to start practicing anytime you are. If we get lucky straight away, so be it.” He traced the curve of her chin with his tongue, the taste of her skin driving him forward. His fingers fumbled with the buttons on her blouse and Gina pushed his hands away taking over the job herself. He continued to taste the skin on her throat, under her ear, and in the hollow of her shoulder.

  When she slid the garment down, he cupped her breasts and sighed. “You are so beautiful.” Gina undid the clasp on her bra and dropped it to the floor.

  Rory rubbed his fingertips over her nipples, thrilled when they hardened under his touch. He dipped his head and took one into his mouth, drawing it in and rolling his tongue over the small, hard nub of flesh. When he pulled back, her flesh made a popping sound as it sprang from his lips.

  His cock strained against the zipper of his jeans and he knew he wouldn’t last long. “Let’s get to bed before I embarrass myself here.” He held her hand and together they walked over to the bed.

  Gina undid the button on her skirt and stepped out of it, then pulled down her panties and let them drop to the floor. She glanced at Rory before stepping over to the bed and pulling back the blanket. She sat down and reached for him, undoing the button on his jeans.

  While he stripped off his shirt, she pushed his jeans down and sat looking at his erection tenting his boxer shorts. Her hungry gaze had his blood racing through his veins and he pushed her onto the pillow, lying down beside her. Rory traced his fingers up her hip, across her stomach, and up toward her breasts. Small goose bumps appeared on her stomach as his fingers inched forward.

  “Are you cold?”

  Her breath came in small pants and her voice sounded strained. “No.”

  “Tell me what you want, Gina. How can I please you?”

  “I don’t want to wait any longer. I need you inside me now, Rory.” She reached for him, her hand travelling down his stomach and under the elastic of his shorts.

  He shucked them off and rolled over between her legs. “No foreplay?”

  “Not this time. I won’t last.” She reached for him and guided his cock to the warm heat between her thighs. He held his breath as he sunk into her slick folds, the pleasure almost too much to bear. When he was buried balls deep, Rory rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, trying desperately to regulate his breathing. He’d expected a twinge of guilt when he took her to bed for the first time and it was there, tapping him on the shoulder. He blocked it out, thinking of what he wanted for the future and only saw Gina and Fisher.

  Happy that he wasn’t going to embarrass himself, he nibbled on her throat, listening to her moan beneath him. His blood roared in his ears, the sound deafening and thrilling at the same time. His body jerked of its own accord. If he moved anymore he knew he’d lose it and, even though it was almost impossible, he wanted this to last more than five seconds.

  “It’s okay you know. I understand how you feel because I think I’m about to…”

  Her voice changed to a groan and her legs wrapped around his as her vaginal muscles clamped around his cock. Gina arched her body, drawing him in deeper and he thrust as fast as he could, unable to resist anymore. Rory’s toes curled and his legs spasmed as he cried out in pleasure. A flash of lights ringed his peripheral vision and his senses went onto hyperalert.

  He couldn’t move as his orgasm slowed.

  “Wow.” Gina ran her hands over his back.

  “Yeah, wow is right.” Rory lifted his head and looked into her eyes. The little golden flecks blazed with a fire that hadn’t been there when she’d arrived at the ranch. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m more than okay. I can’t believe how good that was, but that doesn’t mean I want to go to sleep now though.” She wiggled her hips and his cock decided on a repeat performance. This time he intended to make it last longer and have his fill of this woman before succumbing to sleep.

  As he closed his eyes, threads of silk wafted in the darkness as they were dragged deeper.

  *

  Gina opened her eyes and glanced at the man sleeping beside her. His long lashes lay over his high cheekbones like a soft blanket of gossamer that most women would kill for. Dark stubble prickled over his cheeks and jaw, sweeping over his top lip. The gentle graze of his five o’clock shadow had left small patches of burn on her sensitive skin, especially between her thighs. She blushed thinking about it and hoped for more of the same tonight.

  “Stop thinking and cuddle me.” He opened his eyes slowly and gazed at her, making her body tingle with need.

  Gina snuggled into his chest, her fingers toying with the trail of hair that led down to sensual delights she was sure she’d never get enough of.

  “If I were you, I’d either stop that or make it quick because I hear noises from the little guy.”

  She lifted her head and looked over at the cot beside the bed. Fisher mumbled unmistakable baby talk and tossed his little body around. His bottom was up in the air and soon Gina could hear sucking noises. “He’s sucking his thumb. That should give us at least ten minutes.” She lifted the blankets and scooted down Rory’s body, her lips eager for his body.

  When they climbed out of the shower, Fisher bounced up and down in his bed, hands clutching the railing. He grinned when Rory, a towel slung low over his hips, bent over and picked him up. “Hey, little dude. How come you’re so happy this morning?”

  “He really seems to like you so much.” Gina smiled at her two favorite men in the world.

  “Back at you, buddy. Shall we go and leave your mama to get dressed and meet her downstairs? What do you say?”

  Fisher clapped his hands and Rory winked at her over his shoulder. “I’ll get dressed in my room. See you down in the kitchen.” He shut the door behind them and she dropped the towel on the end of the bed. Gina looked down at the body still humming from the best sex she’d had ever. After a rocky start, she was finding her feet with Rory and she prayed they would be able to make this all work.

  Her little man was sitting in his high chair playing with a piece of toast when she walked into the kitchen. Callie and Chance were still upstairs, leaving her time to get her act tog
ether with breakfast before they surfaced.

  She walked over and kissed Rory. “Thanks for taking him.”

  He hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her down onto his lap, nibbling at her ear. “Anytime, especially if you reward me like you did last night, and this morning, and—”

  “Hey, get a room you two.” Callie bounced in with a grin on her face and a quick hug for the baby. “Oh, that’s right, you already did that last night.”

  Gina blushed and Rory slapped her on the butt as she tried to get away.

  “Don’t mind her. She can’t say anything considering she was probably doing the same thing.” Chance winked at Gina and strolled into the kitchen. “I’m hungry. What’s on the menu this morning?”

  “Well, I was thinking of bacon and eggs with fried potatoes. That okay?”

  “Sounds great. Now I’m really starving.” He chucked Fisher under the chin and took a seat at the table.

  Callie filled the coffee pot and put it on to heat up. “So, what are we going to do about those horses Tyson talked about yesterday? Do we really need them?”

  “I’ll take them if you don’t want them.” Rory looked at his brother before glancing over at Gina. “I think I’d like them, especially since we plan to get a few head of cattle. Make it easier to round them up.”

  Gina nodded her head. “I know nothing about horses at all. That’s your department. I’ll take care of the garden and the chickens. They’re about all I can manage, I think.”

  “Done.” Chance agreed that Rory would call in on Tyson and pay for the horses and see if they could stay with him until the new fencing had been done.

  “Hang on. You knocked him down yesterday and now you’re going to ask him to keep some horses on his property for you?” Gina looked at him, confused at the way they worked.

  “Yeah. Why not?” Rory frowned at her, obviously not understanding what her problem was.

  “Because if that was me you punched, I wouldn’t talk to you for weeks, that’s why.” She cracked eggs into a hot skillet.

  “I told you, that’s just the way it is with Tyson—the reason you should never let anything he says get to you. He forgets about it as soon as he says it.” He picked up the crust that Fisher threw on the floor and walked over to put it in the bin, ignoring the beseeching look in Sherbet’s eyes. “After work today, we’re going over to the cottage and you’re going to tell me what you want so the contractors can get started. I know you’re keen to move back in but we need the work done first otherwise it’ll be a nightmare. Also, I’d like to get married at our own place if that’s at all possible.”

  “Ah, Rory Watson, you are a romantic. Who would have guessed?” Callie grinned, pretending to wipe away a tear.

  He gave her a pitiful look which made her burst into laughter. Gina shook her head. They were all crazy and she’d fallen in love with them all.

  “Fine then, if that’s the only way to keep the peace, I’ll do it. Should I meet you there or will you come back for us?”

  “If you meet me there, you can putter around as I know you’ll want to anyway and get the feel for what you want, so when I arrive you’ll be on top of it all. How does that sound?” He slipped his arm around her waist and nibbled at her neck.

  “Great, but if you want to eat before you leave, might I suggest you go and sit down. It’s kind of hard to concentrate like this.” She shivered and her nipples perked up under her bra. Rory laughed, a deep throaty sound that went straight to her core. Tonight she would make him pay for teasing her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rory took note of the black car sitting opposite his office. The man in the front seat wore dark glasses and a suit like someone out of a bad spy movie, a newspaper held up to shield his face. If he was trying to look incognito, he was doing a really bad job of it. Rory shook his head and hurried to his truck. He was meeting Gina at the cottage to go over her ideas for the home they were going to renovate together. He’d already decided to add on an extra few rooms at the very least. He wanted a family room, and a bigger bedroom for Fisher, and at least one more for the next child he hoped they would have together.

  Gina’s car was already parked out in front of the cottage and he glanced around searching for her. The front door stood open so Rory started there first. He walked into the lounge, seeing it differently than he did last time he was here. Now he saw it with Fisher playing on the floor in front of the fireplace, his toys scattered over the rug while he sat back on the couch with Gina in his arms. Gina had painted it a rich cream, giving it a new lease of life. Once they had furniture in, it would look just as he’d imagined.

  “What’s got that dreamy look in your eye, cowboy?” Her seductive voice made his pulse race. She leaned on the door frame staring at him from under her lashes, a small smile on her lips.

  He smiled. “I want it all and it’s only now I’ve come to realize I can have that with you and Fisher. And to think I was happy to settle for a companion. I’m more grateful than you can ever imagine.”

  “Ditto. I never thought when I answered that ad that I would be so lucky. I hoped and I prayed for a decent man to spend the rest of my life with. I didn’t expect what I got last night.”

  “What was wrong with this morning?” His lips twitched and he tried to keep a straight face but gave up. His heart flowed over with happiness for the first time in years.

  “Nothing unless you count having to get out of bed.” She walked over and slid her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. Rory put his arms around her and held her tight.

  “Guess we have tonight to make up for that.”

  “Yeah we do.”

  “Hey, where’s Fisher?” He suddenly remembered his little sidekick.

  “Whoa, stop right there. He’s hanging out with Aunty Callie. She was desperate to have him to herself so who am I to deny her the simple pleasure of an eighteen-month-old?”

  He breathed easy. “Okay. For a minute there I started to panic. Right, since we have the place to ourselves for a little bit, let’s get down to it.”

  Gina pulled away, a shocked look on her face. “I am not having sex with you in this house until it’s way cleaner than it is now, do you hear me?”

  Rory burst out laughing. He’d been about to suggest it and was glad he didn’t. “I meant working out what we want in this place. And you’ve done so much work to the house already. I can’t believe how good this room looks.” He slid his arm around her waist again and pulled her out of the kitchen. “I want to add a few rooms, one for Fisher and hopefully a brother or sister, and a decent-size open-plan family/summer room. If you want the kitchen made bigger, now would be the time to speak up.” The poky room had everything it needed although it lacked the space and open-plan style that Chance’s house had. He liked that kind of setting and hoped Gina did too.

  “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d like something bigger with room to move. I’ve always wanted a kitchen like Chance and Callie’s. One where the family can all be together even when they’re not actually eating.”

  “Exactly what I was thinking too. Now, how about the bathroom? Do you want to change that?” They walked in arm in arm and looked at the old fittings, both chewing over how it would look updated.

  “I wouldn’t mind if we updated it, the size is pretty good, don’t you think?” She looked up at him, a small frown on her forehead.

  Rory raised his hand and wiped at the lines in her skin. “What are they for?”

  “I don’t want to spend all of your money. Plus, I don’t want to give your brother or anyone else cause for those comments yesterday.”

  “Don’t worry about him, I’ve already told you that and as for money, you’ll never have to worry about it. We have more than enough to live on.”

  *

  That thought didn’t make her feel as good as she thought it would. Even though everyone said Tyson was just like that and she really shouldn’t take it personally, it was hard. She came
into this relationship without a dime to her name and it rankled. If only Rory would let her take on a part-time job she would be able to relax about it but that idea had been squashed. He wanted a stay-at-home wife and she could hardly deny him that.

  “I mean it, Gina. Don’t let him get under your skin. Ignore him. And if you can’t, get me or Callie to sort him out. I’m pretty sure she enjoys getting back at him. When she arrived, he just about blew a gasket, gave her a hard time. A woman to run the ranch and from Australia to boot; it was almost too much for him to take.” Rory laughed and hugged her. “Come on, let’s see what else we can do.” He walked her back to where the old bed stood without a mattress.

  “In here.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “I was thinking of extending and adding a dressing room and bathroom for us. What do you think?”

  “Tell me something; if you wanted a bigger house, how come you bought this place? It doesn’t make sense to me.”

  He grinned and grabbed her hand, tugging her through the house and out the back door. Rory didn’t stop until they were out near the barn. He stood her in front of him and pointed at the river that flowed through the back of the cottage. “See that?”

  “Yeah.” She followed the angle of his finger.

  “See the way those paddocks across the river curve up and go across the rise to the mountains?”

  Gina nodded her head.

  “That paddock is the beginning of Chance’s ranch. If we want to, we can build a bridge and get to his place that way. And over the rise is the start of Tyson’s place. I never thought I’d be able to buy a place this close to home, but Chance heard about it going on the market before it officially did, so I got in and grabbed it. And since the place was so cheap, I can afford to knock the house down if I want to. But I love the character. It has good bones, so the contractor tells me anyway, so I figured it would be better to just renovate and add on what’s missing.”

  “Fair enough then.” She spun around and linked her hands behind his neck pulling his mouth down to hers. “Can we get this over and done with please? I really think I need an early night. I’m feeling so very tired.”