His lips left hers to rain swift open-mouthed kisses down the side of her neck. A low moan escaped her lips when his thumb skimmed over her sensitive peak. Claire tensed. Matt shifted to look into her eyes, studied her for a heart pounding second then he dipped his head. His mouth captured her nipple, sucking hard.
Pleasure shot through Claire. His tongue teased her while his hand caressed her skin. She gasped. Her fingers wove through the hair at the back of his head and held him close. His hand moved to her other breast, creating sweet torture. An aching need grew swiftly until it reached unbearable heights.
“Please.” Her desire fierce; she begged.
Matt broke off his attentions. His hand came up to trace the contours of her face. She stared up at him, entranced. A second felt like forever then he shifted, kissing her mouth softly, gently, unexpectedly.
His lips lingered for several seconds. She made a quiet, inarticulate sound as expectation surpassed her tolerance. In response, he changed the pace again. His mouth found her breast while his hand tugged at what was left of her clothing. Claire mimicked him, reaching down for the fastening of his pants. Rough, impatient, awkward movements soon rendered the couple nude.
Matt eased onto his side, facing her, his body hard against her soft flesh. Curious, Claire’s gaze roamed over his full length then returned to meet his. Her lips parted. Before she could speak, his mouth swooped down, taking thorough possession of hers.
Her fingers dug into his muscled thigh while his tongue danced with hers. He pressed against Claire until he all but covered her. She writhed against him, passion clouding her thoughts. Matt broke off their kiss, his mouth moved over her skin, tasting her. He nibbled beneath her ear, licking from the hollow of her throat to the skin between her breasts.
Claire gasped. His hand grabbed hers and placed it on his hardness. Excited and eager, she pressed her mouth to his and stroked his shaft. Instantly his body went rigid. He pulled back, breaking off the kiss. His gaze locking on hers, he reached down and captured her wrist. Their labored breathing sounded loud and harsh in the otherwise quiet cabin.
“Are you sure?” His tone was guttural.
Despite his grip, she managed another touch. “Very.”
With a low growl, Matt removed her hand and parted her thighs. His fingers stroked over her curls. He kissed behind her ear, tracing along her jaw and then spread his open-mouthed kisses down her neck, over her collarbone. Persistent. Relentless. He continued his sweet onslaught until she couldn’t bear it anymore.
“Please,” she breathed.
Her plea brought an immediate response. Matt moved, settling between her legs. Hardness rubbed against her wet folds, driving her wild. Claire arched her hips. Raw, animal-like sounds escaped her until he captured her mouth once more.
Need consumed her. She tore her lips from his, desperately begging him. The same single word repeated with every gasping breath.
Please.
Matt ignored her. His fingers played with her breast. He moved down, working his tongue around her nipple. Her head whipped side to side. She whimpered. His mouth closed over her, suckling.
White-hot excitement shot through her. Incoherent, Claire struggled, frantic, torn between wanting him to stop and needing him to continue lavishing pleasure on her. Nothing existed for her, but him.
Matt pressed against her entrance. Sensations overwhelmed her as he slid inside her an inch at a time. Her hands slid down over his ribs, grabbing his hips. She tried to hasten his pace, but he resisted. He continued moving so slowly that Claire thought she’d go insane. Then he hit her barrier and stopped.
“Please Matthew.” Her voice was raw, almost a scream.
His gaze locked on hers. “I love you.”
With an expression so intense that it bordered upon pain, Matt buried himself within her. She tensed as pain swirled with pleasure. Slowly, tenderly, he continued making love to her. Her need soon built again, overcoming everything else. She started arching against him, driven by a bone-deep ache.
Sweat moistened their skin as they moved, searching for and then finding a common rhythm. Terrible, sweet tension coiled beyond her tolerance. One second Claire thought that she couldn’t survive the beautiful torture any longer and then, in the next, her universe exploded.
Waves of pleasure crashed over her. Against the damp flesh of his shoulder, she screamed her release. Claire felt him clutch her tighter, thrusting over and again, and then with a low groan, empty himself within her.
Matt slipped off to lie by her side a moment later. Eyes closed, he gave her a lazy kiss on the cheek. Claire studied him, languidly, amused, as his breathing softened and deepened.
For a time, she lay motionless watching his face, listening to him sleep. She treasured the unguarded moment. All of a sudden, warmth touched her bare shoulder from the sunshine now streaming in through the bedroom’s only window. The storm had passed. She had to go.
Still Claire lingered. With one fingertip, she traced the angle of his cheek, and then the fullness of his lower lip. She wanted every detail of this time committed to memory. Conscious of the minutes that ticked by, she swallowed a sigh, and slipped out of his embrace.
Matt grumbled a wordless protest. He reached for her, eyes still shut, but she easily evaded him. Claire walked back into the other room in silence, gathering up her clothing as she moved. She hoped he’d settle back to sleep so she could slip away, allowing the mood to remain undisturbed.
Without his warmth around her, the cabin felt cold. Claire shivered as she shuffled closer to the fire. She gathered a few pieces of oak from some stacked to feed the dying flames, and then started to dress.
“Come back to bed.”
His drowsy voice startled Claire. Her head jerked in his direction. She had a clear view through the open door to where a few rays of light fought with shadows. Although Matt hadn’t moved, hadn’t even opened his eyes, tension filled her.
“The rain stopped. I have to go.”
“I don’t want you to leave.”
“I’m glad.” His simple declaration warmed her heart.
His eyes opened. Matt turned on his side and patted the bed beside him. “Then stay.”
His naked glory birthed a whisper of temptation within her that she found hard to ignore. Claire fastened her last button, smoothed down her skirt then walked back to him. She leaned down, brushed a kiss over his lips but then stepped back, out of reach, before his arms could close around her.
“I have chores that can’t wait.”
“Fine.” The word sounded more like a sigh. “I’ll help you.”
If he were with her when her family returned, Claire knew her parents would think they’d settled their differences. She didn’t want to deal with others’ expectations when hers were so fragile. She wanted to savor the first peace she’d felt since breaking off their engagement.
“No.” She shook her head then continued softening her tone, “thank you. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Matt sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He studied her for a second. Her skin tingled, heating as if he’d touched her. He reached down for his pants.
“I know you will, but two pairs of hands make quick work.”
“It wouldn’t be a good idea Matt.” With her flat tone and averted gaze, she made her rejection clear.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Claire finger brushed her hair and with brisk efficient movements wove it into a single thick braid. Her heart beat quickly as she struggled to keep her expression neutral.
“Okay.” Disbelief colored his voice but he didn’t challenge her on it further. “I’ll just escort you home then.”
“There’s no need.” She walked back into the main room, swung her cloak over her shoulders and fastened it.
“Yes there is.” Matt followed her. “You know that.”
Irritation ate away at the contentment she’d found in his arms. She’d known seducing him wouldn’t solve anyt
hing. Still, Claire had hoped, if only for short time, the argument that had torn them apart wouldn’t rear its ugly head.
“I can protect myself now.”
His eyes narrowed. “One gun won’t-”
“That’s all you carry.” Annoyed, she grabbed her gun belt, pushed her cloak out of the way and put it on.
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“Because it is,” he snapped.
“I don’t see how.”
“Claire-”
“I’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“I won’t have you taking that risk.” His patronizing tone put her teeth on edge.
Her temper blazed. She fought to hold it in check. Her lips flattened into a thin white line, only parting enough to allow words to escape.
“It’s not a risk, it’s a walk home.”
“Humor me.”
Why couldn’t he let it go? “Trust me.”
“It’s not a matter of trust.”
“Yes it is.”
“I have a right-”
“Not anymore you don’t.”
“After what just happened?”
“That changed nothing.”
Pants tugged up over his hips but unfastened, he stomped over to her. His stocking feet made almost no sound while his expression screamed frustration. Matt didn’t stop until they stood toe to toe.
“It changed everything.”
“Obviously not.” She shook her head for emphasis. “We’re arguing about you being overprotective again.”
“So our lovemaking meant nothing to you?”
The hurt in his stiff voice pierced her annoyance. She reached out to rest her hand on his bare chest, felt his heart beating strong and fast beneath her palm. “It means the world to me, more than I dreamed possible.”
His arms closed around her. She rose on her toes, placed a soft lingering kiss on his mouth. However, when he started to deepen the kiss, Claire pulled back.
“I really need to leave.”
Matt let her go with obvious reluctance. Fingertips slid one last time over bare skin as she turned from him. Without another word, Claire walked away. He didn’t follow her, didn’t even speak until her hand touched the doorknob.
“I’ll be over in the morning to speak to your father.”
Claire looked back at him, puzzled. “Why?”
“Why?” A stunned expression on his face, Matt stared at her for a full second. “To ask for your hand again, of course.”
“No.”
“No?” Startled Matt repeated her answer.
“I told you nothing has changed.” Claire opened the door and stepped into the opening. “I can’t marry you.”
Before Matt could protest, worn wood swung back into place behind her. He stared in disbelief at the barrier. The woman who had always loved to debate each point of a disagreement had simply left him again. Wind moaned against log walls, its lonely sound finding an echo in his heart.
Impossible woman. Matt turned on his heel. Long, quick strides brought him back to the bed. If she wants to walk all alone, fine, so be it. He pulled a boot on. She’s walked that path hundreds of times. He thrust his foot into the other boot.
Matt searched among tangled bedcovers until he found his shirt, shoving his arms in the sleeves. Without buttoning it, he returned to the door and paused. I should let her be. His hand hovered over the knob.
But what if— Jaw clenched, he grabbed his things off a peg on the wall. He crammed on the battered hat and shrugged himself into his coat. Matt jerked the door open and stomped outside, letting it slam shut behind him.
Bright afternoon sun illuminated the sky. A few remaining clouds dotted the blue cover with gray. The sheriff headed down the path he knew Claire would’ve taken. Chilled air nipped at his skin, exposed where his garments gaped open. He ignored the cold’s bitter bite, focusing only on finding her.
Brush oak and scattered fir trees clumped on either side of the old trail. His boots made no sound on the thick mat of pine needles and wet leaves so he covered the ground quickly, unworried that she would hear him coming after her. Matt caught sight of his target in minutes. He slowed, following only close enough to be certain of her safety.
The half-mile trek cooled both his body and temper. When he reached her family’s land, Matt stopped at the tree line. He glanced back at the way he’d come, but couldn’t leave. His gaze returned to Claire, watching her cut across a field to enter the barn. He felt the urge to go after the stubborn woman and force the discussion clamoring within him. If she would just …
Matt took one long stride forward then stopped, growling in pure frustration. e dkkdClaire always dug in her heels when provoked, which in large part was how they reached this impasse. It would only make this bad situation worse if he backed her into a corner.
His gaze lingered on the oversized barn door. He leaned his back against a sturdy tree, reluctant to go. Independent and opinionated, Claire wouldn’t change her mind easily. Matt took his time buttoning his shirt up, lost in thought. He needed to come up with a different approach, one that would persuade her to come back to him, permanently.
The sound of a wagon rattling down the road broke his concentration. Matt straightened, looking to his right. Her family neared. He sighed. After one last glance back at the building that sheltered Claire, he headed back to the cabin.
Doubt haunted Claire. She remained wide-awake long after darkness fell and her parents and brothers were in bed. Sitting in her mother’s rocking chair in the main room of their home, she stared into the fireplace. Hands folded in her lap, still and silent, she watched the flickering flames until they died then stood, still tired yet restless.
With her arms wrapped around her waist, Claire stared out of the window into the night. The stubborn man had followed her home. It annoyed her a little, but also warmed her heart. She’d been hovering close to the barn door until her family had pulled up, torn. The desire to run back into his arms had been so strong that she nearly had.
Lighting a candle seemed too much effort, so Claire shuffled in darkness to her room. She loved Matt with a fierce passion, but finding a way for them to be together, happily, eluded her. Ever since the incident with the Nash brothers, he’d been completely unreasonable.
Claire paused at a small writing desk on her way to the bed. She’d been patient with him being overprotective at first, certain that he’d relax, given time. But he hadn’t. The last straw for her had been when Matt insisted that she would have to give up her writing after they married.
One hand slid over her leather bound journal. Newspapers in Corvallis and Salem had published her stories. Matt had been so proud. They’d celebrated each story sold together. A tear rolled down her cheek. One stupid mistake changed everything.
Research usually involved chasing down details. At times, it could be interesting, others dull, but it had never been dangerous until the afternoon she’d followed Billy Nash down an alley. And now, Matt deemed the work that she loved to be risky. Claire wiped her face and moved to her bedside. He had flat out refused to drop his absurd notion that she would give it up. They’d argued then, repeatedly. Every fight had ended in a stalemate. In her opinion, that put marriage out of the question.
The air chilled. Claire shivered as she changed into her flannel nightgown. She pulled down the covers and crawled into bed. Her words never seemed to get through to him.
At least he can’t ignore my touch.
With her eyes closed, memories danced through her mind. As soon as her family had left, she had dashed over to his parents’ farm, knowing that he’d be there, unable to stay away. One look at Matt brought an instant hunger and she had to have a taste of what might have been. She shifted, restless. The cold sheets were no match for the heat of her imagination.
Claire turned on her side, cradling the pillow against her chest. His touch had unleashed magic on her skin. She craved feeling him again; missing him so much already that it was a con
stant ache. Her grip tightened. She couldn’t bear to let him go completely. As soon as she had another opportunity, she’d seduce the sheriff again.
The next day started as if nothing had changed with regular chores completed as a matter of routine. Midmorning, Claire was on her knees in the garden, searching for a few last vegetables for the evening stew. Suddenly the sound of an approaching horse made the hair on the back of her neck to rise. Awareness prickled down her spine. She turned her head to stare.
Matt.
Chapter Three
Pleasure surged. A smile played on her lips as he rode up to the edge of the garden. She drank in his appearance as he dismounted. Denim jeans accented his long legs, and in the growing heat of the day, his green and gold checked shirt was clinging to his chest. In short, he stole her breath.
Though his eyes were shadowed by the brim of his weathered hat, she felt the weight of his regard. Seeds of suspicion grew and pushed aside her delight. If he’s thinking of speaking to my father despite what I said, I’ll-
Claire tossed the handful of withered turnips and carrots she’d uncovered into her basket without care. She stood and smacked the dirt off her skirt. While Matt looped his reins around a post of the scrub oak fence, she marched over to him, her spine stiff. Her expression schooled to reflect only polite interest and, mindful that her family was close, she whispered.
“What are you doing here?”
His gaze wandered over the length of her, searing her body like a physical touch. She fought the need to squirm. Matt leaned forward. Her breath quickened. She felt her face flush.
“A little overheated Claire?” One hand reached up. Her heart raced. His fingers brushed damp strands of hair off her forehead.
Frazzled, she stepped back out of his reach. “Matt?”
“Don’t worry darling, I’m not here about us.”
“You’re not?” A sliver of disappointment pierced her, even as Claire told herself that was what she’d wanted.
“No, I’m here on official business.”
His neutral tone cooled the remnants of her temper. “Oh?”
The Lawman of Silver Creek Page 2
