She sighed heavily and started to clean. As she mopped up the water and scrubbed smoke from the walls, her anger seethed. She kept running through what had happened. In her mind, she thought of all the things she could have said and done differently.
After almost an hour, Gabe opened the door and tentatively stepped inside. She was kneeling and cleaning the burned cornbread from the floor, but she paused and looked up at him with a narrow eyed glare.
“What do you want?” she asked coldly.
Gabe cleared his throat. “I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have yelled at you or called you names. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” she muttered, turning back to her work.
“I’ll help you clean,” he offered.
“No, thank you,” she clipped, still angry about the way he had treated her. “I made this mess. I’ll clean it up.”
Gabe’s hesitation was palpable, and he released a heavy sigh. “Leslie, I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to say those things to you or hurt your feelings. I was just so scared when I saw all the smoke, and I thought—”
“I know,” she snapped. “You thought I was going to burn the house down.”
“No, that’s not what I was going to say,” he gently corrected. He waited until she met his eye before continuing. “I wasn’t worried about the house. When I saw all that smoke, I was worried about you. All I could think about was that you might’ve been hurt. I lashed out because it scared the daylights out of me, and I overreacted. I’m truly sorry for saying those things and hurting your feelings. Please forgive me.”
His admission touched her heart and made her feel even more like crying. It reminded her of all the other times when he had rescued her. She always seemed to be getting into scrapes. No wonder Gabe was exasperated with her. She looked away as she blinked back tears, feeling like the worst possible failure.
“I’m sorry, too,” she said softly. “I should have known better than to put so much wood in the oven. It won’t happen again.”
Gabe knelt beside her and hugged her. Leslie buried her face against his chest and clung to him for several long moments. She wondered why she always felt so safe when he held her like this. Being in his arms always made everything better.
He tipped her chin up and grinned down at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you looking quite this filthy before, kitten. And that’s saying a lot.”
Leslie blushed and tried to pull away, but he kept her within the circle of his arms. “Let me go, Gabe. I should wash my face.”
“No, not yet,” he murmured, tapping the end of her nose with his finger. “You have soot smudged on your cheeks, but you look adorable.”
“Gabe,” she wailed as she tried to wriggle free. “Let me go so that I can clean it off.”
Instead, he sat down in the middle of the floor and pulled her onto his lap. “I said not yet. You look so darn cute like this, all grubby and dirty.”
He kissed her forehead and her nose and her cheeks and her chin. He cupped the back of her neck to tilt her face up, and he kissed her softly on the lips. When he raised his head, his dimples flashed as he grinned.
“You looked even more adorable while you were reading me the riot act, kitten. I thought you were going to scratch my eyes out.”
She giggled, and he captured her lips in another gentle kiss. It quickly became more heated as their tongues tangled and pent up emotions overflowed. Leslie wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed eagerly against him. It was like setting a spark to dry kindling. Passion erupted between them, and the kiss quickly grew ravenous.
They sprawled onto the floor, with her lying atop him as he devoured her mouth. He touched her everywhere, clasping her to him as his hands greedily roamed over her curves. She moaned her approval, straddling his hips and caressing his chest feverishly.
He rolled and pinned her beneath him. He fumbled with the buttons on her britches, and she helped him wrestle them over her hips and off her legs. He reached between her thighs and stroked her, groaning with lust when he found her already slick and swollen. He hastily freed his cock and plunged into her. She arched her back, moaning with approval.
Braced on his arms, he fucked her, pounding into her depths with desperate hunger. She wrapped her legs around his hips and hung on for dear life. He was thrusting into her so hard that they slid across the wet floor.
Their coupling was fast and frantic. It took only moments for them to reach the peak. Leslie threw her head back and screamed her pleasure. After three more strokes, Gabe caught up. His fingers dug into her hips to hold her in place as he plunged deep and gave a hoarse cry of release. Leslie could feel the scalding hot bursts of his seed pulsing deep inside her.
Their eyes met and held. They were both panting, and they were slick with sweat. The air was heavy with the smells of sex and smoke. They were both filthy and wet from writhing on the floor. They simultaneously began to laugh, starting with chuckles that quickly turned into howls of amusement. When their laughter finally subsided, Gabe stroked a gentle finger down her cheek and grinned.
“I didn’t think this day could be salvaged, but you never cease to surprise me, kitten.”
Leslie smiled up at him. “Yeah, you, too.”
He withdrew from her and scrambled to his feet. He pulled her up and gave her a quick kiss as he buttoned his britches.
“Get dressed and put your boots on,” he murmured.
He scooped up her britches and handed them to her with a fleeting kiss. She quickly complied as he turned on his heel and strode into the bedroom.
“Where are we going?” she called, shimmying into her britches and reaching for her boots.
He reappeared, carrying a stack of clean clothes, towels and soap.
“We are going to take a bath,” he said with a grin. “Come on.”
He tugged her toward the door, but she stopped. “But wait. I haven’t finished cleaning yet.”
He pulled her hand. “Leave it. You can finish cleaning tomorrow. It’s late, and I don’t want to go to bed smelling like a chimney.”
They walked the short distance to the river, and Gabe stopped near where a shallow pool had formed amid the rocks. It was nearly dusk. He laid their clothes and towels down on the thick grass and quickly began to remove his boots and socks, but Leslie hesitated.
“I don’t know, Gabe. It’s not even dark yet.”
He grinned at her. “Nothing to be shy about, kitten. There’s no one around to see, and I’ve already seen your body multiple times.”
She blushed at the reminder. He caught her against him and gave her a gentle kiss. He stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers and smiled down at her.
“Besides, you’d better get used to undressing in front of your husband. I can’t seem to get enough of you, so you’ll be doing it often.”
She shivered with awareness but nodded. By the time she had removed her own boots and socks, Gabe was already naked. It was the first time she had really had a chance to look at him without his clothes, and she couldn’t hide her appreciative stare.
He was mouthwateringly gorgeous. His shoulders were wide, and his chest and abdomen were solid, sculpted muscle. A light sprinkling of dark, curly hairs covered his chest, and they tapered down toward his navel. He had a flat belly, lean hips, and legs that looked as tall and strong as oaks. But it was his cock that drew her focus. It was thick and long, standing proudly erect. Her pulse beat faster just thinking about the fact that he had managed to fit it inside her. No wonder it had hurt the first time. As she continued to stare, it grew even thicker, and her eyes darted up to meet his.
Gabe flashed her a naughty grin. “Come on, kitten. Stop gawking and get those clothes off. I want you naked. Now.”
Her cheeks burned, but she complied. When she was done, it was Gabe’s turn to gaze at her. His eyes catalogued every inch of her body. It was all Leslie could do not to squirm or try to cover herself with her hands.
Gabe walked around her slowly,
taking in the view from all angles. He stepped up behind her and pulled her back against his chest, anchoring her in place with an arm of steel around her waist. He was a heated, rock solid wall of muscle and bone. The sheer size of him made her feel small and delightfully vulnerable. She could feel the hot, thick ridge of his erection pressing against her lower back, and she shivered. He traced his fingers down over the goosebumps on her arms and hummed his approval.
His lips were hot and moist as he nibbled along the side of her neck. He cupped her breasts in his palms and gently squeezed and lifted them.
“You’re beautiful, kitten.” He lightly pinched her nipples and she moaned. “And you have the most gorgeous pair of tits I’ve ever seen.”
She gasped and tried to bat his hands away. “Gabe Faulkner, how dare you be so crude.”
He merely tightened his grip and chuckled as he continued his naughty play. “It’s not crude to compliment my wife’s tits. They’re perfect, big enough to overflow my hands, with pretty pink nipples that beg for my attention.”
As he spoke, he squeezed her nipples harder. She moaned again and arched her back, pressing the mounds eagerly into his hands. He chuckled and did it again as he nipped at her earlobe.
“And so responsive to my touch. I love that you love to be touched and petted, my sweet little kitten. Are you wet for me, too?”
Leslie gave a little mewl of embarrassment and squirmed as he slowly slid one hand down her belly and cupped her mound. He could see her pulse pounding at the base of her neck as he toyed with the soft, curly thatch of hair between her thighs. His hot breath feathered her cheek as he growled in her ear.
“Spread your legs for me, kitten. I want to see how wet your sweet pussy is.”
She complied without hesitation, and he trailed one finger along the length of her slit. She trembled, fighting the urge to arch her hips in blatant invitation. He explored her leisurely, nibbling her neck and whispering naughty words in her ear as he stroked her with proprietary thoroughness. He rubbed one finger over her clit, and she whimpered and moaned, bucking against his hand.
She could feel him smile against her cheek as he did it again. “You like that, don’t you, kitten?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He traced lazy circles around her clit, and her hips rocked helplessly in response.
“I love that you’re so eager. I can’t get enough of your body, kitten.”
He suckled her neck and continued to fondle her. When she was writhing and panting in his arms, he shoved two fingers deep inside and pressed his thumb firmly onto her clit. She shattered. Her knees buckled, and it was only his strong arms that kept her from falling.
When her breathing began to return to normal, he eased her down onto all fours on the grass. She looked at him quizzically.
“What? Here?” she sputtered.
“Yes,” he growled. “Spread your knees, kitten.” When she still hesitated, he gave her a stinging swat on her bottom, grinning when she cried out in surprise. “Now, kitten. Spread your knees so I can fuck you.”
She remembered what he had told her. He would take her anytime and anywhere he desired. She was starting to learn that he had meant every single word. She did as he had instructed, and he slid into her with one forceful stroke. Her inner muscles clamped down and sucked him all the way to the root in her scalding heat. Gabe shuddered and moaned with relief.
“God almighty, you feel so damned good. Your pussy’s like a vise.”
He gripped her waist and began pounding into her. Leslie cried out from the shock. In this position, he felt even more massive inside her. Every thrust sent shockwaves of pleasure straight to her core. His balls slapped against her over and over. He reached around to squeeze her clit in time with his movements.
“You’re mine, kitten. Your body belongs to me now. Show me that you understand. Come for me now.”
She climaxed again, screaming as the pleasure exploded inside her. Gabe never paused. He only thrust harder, grunting and growling as he set an even more frantic pace and pushed her relentlessly higher.
Leslie could barely cope. Her senses were overwhelmed—the grass beneath her knees, his fingers kneading her breasts and twisting her nipples, his grunting breaths as he pounded into her, the pain mixed with pleasure as his cock brutally hammered against the door to her womb—each sensation caused her tension to wind tighter and tighter until she could hardly breathe. The pleasure was too much, too intense.
She tried to maintain some control, but Gabe continued to bombard her senses until she finally surrendered. She let her forehead drop to the ground and arched her hips, allowing him to sink even deeper as she relinquished all control. Her body had become his to use as he wished, and she gloried in his possession.
Sensing her complete submission, Gabe growled with triumph. He took full advantage of her capitulation. His fingers bit into her hips, holding her helpless and immobile as he rode her even more relentlessly. He wallowed in her depths, flaunting his mastery over her flesh with every slick, thorough, pummeling thrust. Leslie dug her fingers into the soil with a keening cry.
“Oh please, Gabe. Please help me.”
“You’re mine, kitten. Say it.”
“Yes,” she gasped. “I’m yours.”
“Your pleasure is mine, too. I decide when you get to come. Say it,” he demanded, still pounding into her.
“You decide! Oh, please, Gabe. Please let me come.”
He squeezed her clit and smacked her hard on her bottom. “Now, kitten. Come for me now.”
She screamed her relief, shuddering so hard that she thought she might faint from lack of oxygen. The rhythmic waves of her inner muscles took Gabe over the edge. He bottomed out inside her and threw his head back, giving a hoarse cry of primal satisfaction as he filled her with his copious seed.
They stayed like that for what seemed like forever. Neither one was inclined to move, as they rode the waves of pleasure. After an eternity, their breathing settled and their hearts slowed to a reasonable rate. For the longest time, he gripped her hips and continued to hold her anchored firmly in place before him. His cock remained buried inside her, emphasizing that she belonged to him. She was helpless to move until he decided to release her.
Leslie understood that he was making a point by keeping her pinned beneath him for so long. In her current position, she was completely vulnerable. He continued to occasionally thrust into her to remind her of his dominance. His control. His ownership. His possessiveness thrilled her, and she remained kneeling before him, content to wait for him to release her and allow her to move. While she waited on his pleasure, she savored the sensation of having him buried in her depths, still hot and throbbing inside her, possessing her in the most intimate way.
After a long time, the sun began to disappear behind the mountains, and Leslie shivered. Gabe finally withdrew and helped her to her feet. Their eyes met and held. No words were needed to know that things had changed. For the first time ever, Leslie had ceded the reins, and she knew Gabe would not let her forget. She was surprisingly fine with that. She was literally glowing with pleasure from his possession of her body.
“Come on,” he said gruffly. “Let’s wash up before it gets any cooler.”
He scooped her into his arms and chuckled when she squealed with surprise. She was content to loop her arms around his neck as he retrieved the soap and carried her into the water. The shallow pool had been warmed by the sun, but it still felt cool when he lowered her into the waist high water.
“Oh, it’s cold,” she cried with a little shiver.
He ogled her rock-hard nipples and grinned. “I noticed.”
“You beast!”
She playfully splashed him, and he responded by dunking her. She came up sputtering but eager for revenge. They wrestled gleefully for a few minutes before they got serious about bathing. The full moon was a bright orb in the sky, and she watched, enthralled, as he quickly washed himself.
Then, he lift
ed her to a shallow area where the water only reached her knees, and he washed her with proprietary thoroughness. He washed her hair and then lathered her entire body, taking special care to linger on her breasts, hips, and thighs. He captured and held her gaze as he slowly caressed soapy fingers over every inch of her slippery, swollen sex.
The possessive gleam in his eyes made Leslie shiver with anticipation. Her eyes dropped to his cock, and she felt a wave of feminine power when she noticed that it was once again fully erect and straining toward her. He might have her panting with need, but knowing that he wanted her just as desperately was incredibly erotic and empowering.
He rinsed her and pulled her into his arms. She searched his eyes, holding her breath in anticipation of being ravished once again. Just as he bent to kiss her, her stomach emitted a loud growl, and Gabe chuckled softly.
“Come on, kitten. Let’s get dressed before you catch a chill.”
They quickly dried themselves and dressed in clean clothes before returning to the cabin, hand in hand. After rummaging in the pantry, they shared a quick meal of sliced bread, cheese, pickles and jam. Conversation was sparse, but they shared many heated glances and smiles. By the time they had brushed their teeth, undressed and crawled into bed, they were both feeling amorous once again.
Gabe pulled Leslie beneath him and kissed her. When he raised his head, he held her gaze as he slid slowly into her body. He began to ride her with slow, gentle thrusts, and he flashed her a mischievous grin.
“You know, being married to you might not be so bad, after all.”
“Gabe,” she cried, thumping him on the shoulder. “What a thing to say!”
His grin only widened. “I’m just kidding, kitten. Although, if you think about it, we’ve been doing an awful lot of fighting since we’ve been married.” He traced his fingers across her collarbone and down around one pouting nipple. He met her eye and waggled his brows at her. “On the up side, I’m thoroughly enjoying making up with you after the fight we had today.”
She giggled and ran her fingers through his hair. “Me, too. But I would much prefer if we could stop fighting and just try to get along.”
His Sweet Kitten (Return To The McKenzies Book 1) Page 10
