by Lise Fuller
He slid one hand to her front, unfastened her pants and worked them over her hips. His hand slipped inside the opening. Marie panted as his fingers rubbed down her skin. Her breath caught at the first touch of him on her clit. Fire shot from Jake into her. Lightning. There was no other way to explain the sensation.
“God, you’re wet.” His heated breath teased her nipple. The coarse fingertip on her pussy massaged the sensitized nerve endings in her bud.
Her lips caressed his temple, her ragged breaths brushed his skin. “Jake, I want to touch you.”
He lifted his head. Stared. His dark gaze speared her, stripped any pretense she may have had and laid her soul bare. Jake knew she wanted him, in more ways than one. The understanding lay between them.
He came to her, kissed her as if she could belong to no other man.
Marie pressed her hands between their bodies, unhitched his buckle then unzipped his pants. Her hand slid inside, her small palm met his hot flesh. Jake was naked underneath. The sensation of that undid her. She had to have him now. She cupped his large penis.
“Jesus…” he groaned and broke the kiss, touched his chin to his chest as his eyes closed and his breaths labored.
God, his cock is so hard. The silky length of him was enough to fill her palm and then some. She wrapped her fingers around his sex. And just thick enough. She could barely touch her finger to her thumb. “Oooh.” She he stroked him, loved the feel of him in her palm, let the sensation of him drive her insane with need.
“Marie,” he rasped and took her hand in his, “let me please you first.” Jake pulled her away.
“But…” she protested.
He grasped the end of her blouse and pulled, taking the straps of her bra as well when he reached them. He slipped them both off and dropped them to the ground.
Desperate, Marie managed to undo the rest of his shirt buttons and pulled the cloth open. She ran her hands against his sculpted torso, fingered the peaks and valleys of his hard muscles.
He held her. Smiled. Eyed her naked flesh. “You’re beautiful.” Her white skin contrasted against his tanned arms.
Jake bent and tugged her jeans, dropped them to her knees. They fell to her calves as he tossed his hat to the side and pressed his mouth against her mons. He knelt in front of her, his breath titillating her clit. Jake guided her hands to his back, rested them there and levered her knees apart. His palms slid down the inside of her thighs.
Marie’s legs trembled. She could barely stand and balanced against him as he leaned forward. Jake used his thumbs to spread her nether lips and the hair that covered them. His tongue touched her. There. His hot mouth. Just a brush. On the top of her clit.
Oh, God. Marie moaned. Loud.
A low chuckle escaped Jake. His warm breath stroked her again. He followed with his tongue, licked her clitoris then circled it. His mouth covered her as he lightly teethed her flesh.
Marie’s carnal sighs filled her ears. Jake pressed on. His tongue outlined her labia then dipped into her core. He thrust into her, once, twice. Three times, before he suckled her again. Licking upward, he nipped on her clitoral bud. She cried from pleasure.
Jake dipped a finger inside her. Pressed another against the skin between her vagina and her anus. His mouth continued its assault.
The erotic sensation intensified. When had she ever been so pleasured?
His mouth left her. His other hand took over, pinching and rubbing the hood of her sex. His rugged exhalations caressed her labia. Jake licked around the edge, adding another finger to the one that fucked her. “God, I love the way you taste.”
His husky voice sent her to the edge. He penetrated her harder. His fingers moved faster. Jake’s mouth suckled the skin around them and Marie cried in ecstasy. Her body shuddered as she climaxed, her arms threatened to crumple against Jake as her legs gave way.
He held her up, let her mew until the last of her pleasure was savored. When her loud moans ceased, he ended the sweet blitz on her body.
“Jake…” she panted.
He looked up. The dark, needy gaze on his face made her lust surge again.
“I need you inside me.”
He nestled his head in her crotch. Licked her again, tasted her, kissed the curls of her pubic hair. He stood and traveled his hand over her body. “Marie,” he uttered through his heavy breaths. His hard penis wavered against her. “I don’t have a condom on me.”
“Jake, I won’t get pregnant, not at the moment. And I don’t have anything—” She pressed her lips together at the indelicate reference but she needed to be honest. She wanted him. “It’s been a while. I’ve been checked. I don’t have anything you can catch. I promise you.”
A smile crossed his lips. “I believe I knew that about you, but I—” His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed.
She grabbed his penis and stroked, let her thumb glide over the slit in the head.
“Sweet Jesus,” he groaned. “I’m clean, I swear it.”
A cooler breeze blew through the door, circled around her then left. For some reason the zephyr confirmed her belief in him. She stood on her toes to reach his lips. “Then take me, Jake. Like you want to,” she whispered against him.
He caught her up to him, wrapped her legs around him as he devoured her with his lips and strode to the side of the barn. His penis pulsed against her wet vee as he moved. When he reached the grainy wall, he rested her against it. With his hands on her ass, he held her up and plunged into her.
“Oh…” she cried and pushed her hips against him. Her clit soared, her vagina clenched. Oh my God.
Jake closed his eyes, whispered in ragged breaths against her neck. “Marie, you must know how I’ve wanted you.” He licked and kissed her as he moved from her earlobe to her mouth then hastened the rhythm of his fucking.
The small muscles inside her clasped around him again. He was on the verge, she knew it. She felt him pulse inside. But so was she. Oh how she loved the feel of this man. Jake gripped her rear cheeks, tugged them apart, stimulating her skin, sending more fire into her core. In moments, she climaxed again.
Jake took her harder, but only for a second, then he held himself deep within her. His body shook. Loud groans escaped with his release.
After a moment, Jake stared into her face. “Marie…” he murmured then nestled his head in her neck and nipped it. “God, woman.” He held her tight, kissed her chin then let his mouth hover over hers. His eyes penetrated her, made love to her soul. No man had ever looked at her like that.
Her mouth went dry. She understood how he felt.
“Dad?” The cry came from the house.
“Shit,” Jake hissed. “Coitus interruptus.”
She giggled as he lowered her and quickly bent to pull up her pants. Marie took them from him as footsteps sounded around the corner.
“I’ll be right back.” Jake quickly zipped his jeans and ran out to intercept Jesse in the yard.
Still dazed from the sexual onslaught, Marie eased her pants up the rest of the way. The cool air swirled around her. Made her flesh tingle. Goosebumps rose on her skin. Without Jake’s body to warm her, she soon grew cold. She heard Jake and Jesse talking. She needed her blouse but was afraid to step into the light to retrieve it. The boy’s voice seemed too close. She didn’t want Jesse to see her.
She crossed her arms over her breasts. The chilly air sobered her. What had she done?
A shadow broke the pure lines of the moonlight. Jake stood in the barn entrance. His hands rested comfortably on his hips as he stared at her. The moonlight bathed his sculpted frame, the light making an aura around him that shimmered. The sheer splendor of his body stunned her. She held her breath. She had just made love to this man.
“Beautiful.”
Desire resounded in his deep, raspy voice. Her heart raced again.
She tucked her jaw and looked away, embarrassed with the reckless sexual abandon they’d shared.
Jake strolled to her and lifted her chin with
the crook of his finger. “Marie, I want you for more than sex. I hope you know that. I know this is weird. It’s so sudden but I think we were supposed to meet. I think we’re supposed to be together.”
Marie was confused, needy. Yet she knew what he meant. Something more than his body compelled her to him. She wanted him intimately and on a much deeper level. How had this jumble of emotions hit her without warning?
Guilt rose in her. She couldn’t let this happen. There was no life for her here. “Jake…” She ran her hand through her hair then rubbed her face. “I…I’m sorry. I don’t do this, this one-night stand stuff. I usually get to know someone. I mean, we…we shouldn’t have done this.”
“Don’t say that.” He pulled her into his arms. “Look, I know this is awkward. I mean, we’ve known each other for what? A day? But,” his gaze delved into her, “I like you and you like me. Things are simple around here. Believe it or not, for some strange reason…” He looked out the barn door as if he tried to see something out there. Shaking his head, he returned his attention to her and inhaled deeply. “I think this could work.”
She backed away and hugged herself. “Things may be simple for you but they aren’t for me. You know I…well…” Hot tears stung her eyes. She shivered. “You said I was running. Aren’t you afraid I’ll take off someday?”
“Yeah.” He stepped to her and wrapped his arms around her again for comfort. “But I’m hoping instead you’ll tell me about it and let me help you.”
She rubbed a salty tear off her face. “I don’t think you can.”
He sighed and lightly kissed her temple. “Marie, when you’re ready to talk about your problem, I’ll be ready to listen. In the meantime, I’ll be there for you if you need me.” He rubbed her arms. “You’re cold. You’d better get inside.” He released her and turned to get her blouse.
She followed him, limping. The pain in her tush had returned. “Jake?”
He picked up the rest of her clothes and faced her. The white light from the moon shadowed his face but she could still discern his troubled features.
Marie stopped in front of him. “I-I don’t like making promises I can’t keep and I’m not…” She shook her head to clear it then gazed back at him. “I’m not good at casual relationships. In fact, I don’t have them.”
The corner of his mouth rose. He handed her the blouse and bra. “That’s good to know, Marie.” He picked up his Stetson and placed it on his head with a nod. “That’s damn good to know.”
She kept one arm across her breasts while she took the clothes with the other, now embarrassed with her nakedness in front of him. Jake was the sheriff, and she didn’t know him, not really.
To some degree, her sanity returned. She stepped past him toward the door. With her back to him, she slipped on the shirt then shoved her bra into the front pocket of her jeans, buttoning her blouse as she hobbled away.
“Damn.” She heard him slap his hand against his pant leg.
“What?” She stopped and swerved to face him. Had she angered him?
Jake walked to her and slid his roughened palm against her cheek. His fingers threaded into her hair. “I’m sorry. I forgot your backside ached.”
She smiled. “Only when I walk.”
He moved closer and kissed her, captured her lips again with his intoxicating mouth. Marie moaned as her tongue intertwined with his, and tasted him.
His lips released hers. Jake eyed her strangely for what seemed like an eternity. “Think about what I said, Marie.” His intense gaze pleaded with her.
Marie licked her lips. The corner of Jake’s mouth rose. She blushed but looked into his deep blue eyes and caressed the small wrinkle that formed along his mouth with her finger. “Okay.”
Lines formed on his forehead. “You do like me, don’t you?” His look searched for an answer.
She smiled. “Yes, Jake, for whatever reason, I like you.”
He nodded. “Well, at least that’s a start.” She gasped as he bent over and swung her into his arms to carry her. “Just promise me you won’t take off too soon.”
“I’ll try, Jake.” She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’ll try.”
He glanced at her as he walked. “I’ll take you into the house. You can let me know if you need some help with that salve.”
Marie grew afraid her blush this time turned as crimson as the deep red in the sunset around there. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
He simply grinned.
Jake stepped onto the creaky porch. The old rocker on it moved back and forth in a steady rhythm then stopped. He halted and stared at the chair.
“What’s wrong?” Marie looked at him.
“Nothing.” Jake forced the corners of his mouth upward and stared at the still rocker. His brows furrowed. He gently put Marie down and opened the door then looked back as he walked her into the kitchen.
—
“Boy, what the hell were you thinkin’? You don’t come on to a decent woman like that. You gotta court her, give her some time to ruminate on the situation.” The old ghost paced Jake’s bedroom.
“Gramps, if I need your help, I’ll ask, okay? Besides,” Jake groaned inside, “it just happened.”
“Son, she ain’t one of those doxies at the saloon. She’s a lady and you’d best be treating her like one or you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Hell, Gramps, this isn’t the Middle Ages. She’s got a mind of her own.”
“And she’ll use it to take a hike if you keep these antics up.” The old man puffed his cheeks. “I’d knew it’d come down to this. Guess I’ll hav’ tuh help yuh out.”
“Gramps, I’m warning you. Lay off.”
“I’m tellin’ yuh, she’s the one for you.”
“Then stop telling me and let me find out for myself.”
“Damn, boy, I know you’re tired of being alone.”
Jake stripped off his shirt and gave his great-great grandfather a black look. “She’s scared and on the run.”
The old ghost put his fists on his hips. “’Course she’s scared but she needs you as much as you need her. She don’t wanna leave. Yuh need to convince her to stay.”
Jake scowled at the old man. “She’s from the city. What makes you think she’d want to stay in a backwoods place like this?”
Gramps pressed his ethereal lips together. “She likes you. Even a dead person can see that. Hell, boy, that should be obvious to yuh after what she let you do to her tonight. Dag blast it.” He pulled off his cap and slapped his leg with it.
Jake squinted as he eyed him. “You weren’t watching, were you?”
Gramps choked then spit. “I wouldn’t do somethin’ like that but it don’t take a brain to know what happened. Hell…” He paced again then swerved and pointed a whitish finger at him. “Yuh shouldn’t be treatin’ her bad, is all.” He ran his hand through his ghostly hair then plopped the hat on top. “Takin’ ’er in the barn…” he mumbled. He waggled his index finger at Jake. “She likes yuh. I told yuh so.”
“Yeah.” Jake swallowed and sat on the bed. “Gramps, we both slaked our lust, both felt something, but that doesn’t mean she’ll like living here.” He stared hard at the dead infantryman. “Or that she’ll stay. I won’t go through that again.”
“You won’t. She ain’t like that.” Gramps nodded then a small smile flitted across his face. “You like her too. I knew you would.” He looked at Jake. The old man’s visage softened with a father’s concern. “Of all the kids and grandkids I’ve had, I worry about you most. A man’s supposed to have a woman.”
Jake listened to the soft tapping on the door.
Marie’s tender voice glided through. “Is your grandfather here?”
“Don’t.” Jake held up his open palm and gave the ghost a look that told him to get lost, then he crossed the room and opened the door.
Marie’s eyes widened with curiosity. She’d just gotten out of the bath. Jake tried not to ogle the green silk kimon
o that clung to her damp skin. He hoped like hell she hadn’t heard his argument with Gramps.
“Hi.” He nodded and leaned against the doorjamb.
“Hi.” Her mouth parted slightly as she stared at his naked chest. She licked her lips and gave him a tentative smile that sent his testosterone flying. Lust shone in her eyes. His need for her surged. He knew how she felt.
“I thought I heard you talking to someone.” Marie tightened her robe and glanced around his room. “Maybe I should get dressed first.”
Jake cleared his throat. His pulse picked up speed. “You look fine to me. I was, uh,” he shoved his hands in his pockets, “talking to myself again.” He felt a cold nudge.
“No you weren’t,” Gramps scolded him. “Tell her the truth. I wanna meet her.”
“N—” Jake caught himself before he shot a series of expletives at the old man. He forced a calm he didn’t feel then smiled at her. “On second thought, maybe you ought to get dressed. Cal got a pizza for dinner. He and Jesse have already eaten but there’s some left.”
“Okay.” She rubbed her arms and walked the few paces into the room across the hall. When she glanced back at him, her eyes still said she wanted him but her look narrowed with indecision. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” She shot him another smile, a sad one this time. After entering the room, she shut the door.
“Whew.”
Jake heard the sound and swerved to find Gramps behind him.
“Boy, I’m tellin’ you, that lady’s one heck of a woman.”
“Gramps, I’m warning you. I don’t want her scared half to death.” He ran his hand through his hair in an effort to unravel his confusion.
“Yuh like her. Admit it.”
“Okay, I like her. What else do you want me to say? That I’m tired of being alone? Yeah, I’m tired. I’m damn tired.” He sat on the bed and rubbed his hand over his haggard face. “I hope you’re right.”
“Lord be praised.” Gramps slapped his knee then started to dance a jig. “Boy, I’m glad you’re waking up, by golly…”
