His Sweet Kitten (Return To The McKenzies Book 1)

by Lynn Coppersmith

  Gabe relished her total capitulation. Her absolute submission was glorious. He simply couldn’t get enough, and he fucked her until he began to feel lightheaded.

  “Take it all, kitten. Take everything I give you,” he grunted. “Now!”

  He pulled both pins off of her nipples as he thrust deep and ground into her depths. He unleashed his seed in a torrent of hot bursts. Leslie screamed, milking him with her inner muscles. She flew even higher than she had before. He stroked his thumbs repeatedly over her nipples, intensifying the pain as the blood supply returned to the throbbing tips. She twitched and sobbed, all the while clamping his shaft like a vise to hold him as deep as possible inside her. Nothing had ever felt so good, and Gabe let his head drop back as he surrendered to the tide of pleasure and rode the waves with her.

  After a long time, he cracked his eyelids open and ran his gaze over Leslie. She was slumped on her knees, boneless and satiated, with his cock still embedded within her. Gabe felt his heart swell with emotion. A wave of tenderness washed over him as he stroked her sweaty back. He wasn’t sure if what he felt was love, but it seemed pretty damned close.

  With a satisfied groan, he withdrew and flopped onto the bed. He pulled her across his chest, covered them with the sheet, and succumbed to exhaustion. His last conscious thought was that life couldn’t get much better than this.

  Chapter 13

  For the next several weeks, everything went smoothly around the farm. July rolled into August. The weather was unusually hot, but they were fortunate to get some rain, too. The crops flourished, and Gabe had a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables. They were even lucky that the crop prices were high. Because of the newly built transcontinental railroad and the recent influx of immigrants looking to start fresh after the civil war, the population in Oregon was growing by leaps and bounds. As a result, there was a bigger market than ever for their produce. It was turning out to be a profitable summer.

  Leslie and Gabe worked diligently to harvest the crops, get them to market, and preserve enough for their own winter food stores. With her mother’s help, Leslie learned to can vegetables and fruits. Others were cleaned and stored in the root cellar to keep over the winter. She learned to make soap and candles, to cure meat, and to dry various herbs.

  Leslie continued to improve her cooking skills. She liked the challenge of learning new recipes and techniques, and Gabe was effusive with his praise. His exaggerated moans of delight when he tasted the dishes she’d prepared made Leslie giggle, and he enjoyed making her eyes sparkle with joy.

  August was the busiest time on the farm. Gabe worked long hours reaping the harvest and planting the fall crops. He also hunted game and chopped wood that would be needed over the winter. He butchered hogs and made sausage, hams, and bacon. They kept some for themselves, but most of the meat was sold for profit. Gabe was so busy that he often didn’t get home until after dark.

  Leslie did her part to lighten his load as much as she could. She always had a tasty meal waiting for him at the end of his long days. She took on more chores that were close to home so that he could spend more time in the fields or taking goods to market. She massaged his sore muscles and listened to his troubles. She made sure his home was clean and comfortable. With every passing day, she loved him more.

  Gabe became increasingly thankful for Leslie’s presence in his life. Without a doubt, she was the center of his world. He loved seeing her first thing in the morning, and he couldn’t wait to get home to her at the end of every long day.

  Even when he was away from her, he spent the hours thinking about her and what new adventures they would have that night. He delighted in thinking up new and inventive ways to tease, please, and torment her. Her adventurous spirit as his lover never ceased to amaze him. He continued to explore her sexual boundaries, and she continued to surprise him by not having any. The more he demanded from her, the more challenging he made it for her, the more eagerly she submitted to him, and the more pleasure they both found. Despite how busy they were, they always made time to indulge their ever-growing appetites. They spent every spare moment in each other’s arms.

  Gabe could hardly believe his good fortune in finding a wife who delighted in being submissive to him. Her obvious joy when he took control was intoxicating. Every time she surrendered her body, mind, and heart to him, she gave him a precious gift. He repaid her trust and generosity by lavishing her with pleasure at every opportunity. He doted on her, both in bed and out. He looked for ways to pamper and spoil her, and her happiness became his reward.

  One night in late August, Gabe held Leslie in his arms after another bout of passionate lovemaking. She was sound asleep, snuggled against his side, her warm, moist breath huffing along his neck and chest. The words that Brian McKenzie had told him months before returned to Gabe’s mind.

  When you find the right woman, you won’t be able to think of anything but making her happy and making her yours. She will always be in your thoughts, even when you aren’t with her. She’ll be the most important thing in the world to you. That’s when you’ll know for sure that you love her.

  Gabe was stunned. He realized that he had felt that way about Leslie long before they had ever become lovers. Why hadn’t he seen it before? He loved her. He was in love with her, and he had been for years. He felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner. Why had he fought his feelings for so long? Why hadn’t he been able to admit his feelings, even to himself?

  The more he thought about it, the more he understood. For years, he had looked at Leslie as if she were his sister. From the moment they met, they had been cast in the role of friends, buddies, pals, almost siblings. He was the older, responsible one who looked after her. She was the younger, mischievous child who dogged his heels. Even her parents had never batted an eye at the two of them spending so much time alone together, because they knew there had never been anything romantic or sexual between them. No one had expected there to be.

  Was it any wonder that it had taken Gabe some time to rescript their roles in his mind? To admit that he loved her in a different way meant that he had to say goodbye to their past. He was giving up his little buddy for something else. He knew now that he was gaining so much more.

  Gabe grinned like a fool as his newfound knowledge settled in his mind. His wife was the love of his life. He couldn’t have been more fortunate. Despite his misguided attempts to marry someone else, he had stumbled into a marriage with the one woman who could make him happy for the rest of his life. He would make it his mission to ensure that she was just as happy.

  He had to tell her how he felt, and the sooner the better. Tomorrow morning, first thing, he was going to confess his love for her and admit that she was everything he could ever want in a woman, in his woman. She was the wife he had dreamed of finding, and she had been right under his nose for years. He dropped one more kiss on the top of her head and fell asleep, feeling perfectly contented and unbelievably blessed.

  The next morning, Leslie jumped out of bed just before dawn. She ran to the bathroom, and Gabe could hear her retching. He brought her a cool cloth and held her hair back as she dry-heaved over the basin. When her nausea finally subsided, she insisted on brushing her teeth to get rid of the vile taste. She rinsed her mouth, using a cup of water that Gabe brought her. Then, he lifted her and carried her back to bed.

  Gabe pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. The signs had all been there, and he was surprised he hadn’t seen them before. She hadn’t had a monthly cycle since their marriage. Lately, her breasts had been more sensitive than usual, and now that he thought about it, he realized that her nipples were slightly larger and darker than before. Gabe had attributed her recent fatigue to the long hours she had been working, but he knew now that she was carrying his child. He swallowed against the lump in his throat, and he felt a surge of joyful gratitude.

  He rolled to the side so they were lying face to face. He smoothed her hair behind her ear and snared her gaze. “Ho
w long have you known that you’re pregnant, kitten?”

  Leslie swallowed hard before answering. She searched his face, wondering what he was thinking and feeling. His expression gave nothing away. She hadn’t wanted to tell him like this, but there was no point in denying it. He knew the truth. She desperately hoped that he would be happy about the news.

  “How long?” he prompted.

  “For a while,” she whispered.

  He raised one dark brow. “Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

  “Because I…” She broke off and closed her eyes.

  Gabe could see that she was fighting back tears, and it tugged at his heartstrings. He cupped her cheek in his palm and waited patiently until she looked at him again. “Why, kitten?” he gently demanded.

  Leslie breathed a deep sigh. “Because I didn’t know how you would feel about it. And I know how busy you’ve been and how hard you’ve been working. I didn’t want to add to your worries.”

  “Hmm,” he murmured thoughtfully, stroking his thumb along her jaw. “This is the time where I’m supposed to tell you that this is the happiest moment of my life, but I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

  Tears began to well in Leslie’s eyes again, and he rolled her onto her back. He rose onto one elbow and gave her a tender smile.

  “No tears, kitten. Just listen. I’ve been a blind fool. I should have realized, years ago, that I was in love with you.”

  Leslie gasped, and her eyes opened wide. “Gabe! I…you don’t have to say that just because—”

  Gabe cut her off with a finger across her lips. “Shh. Let me finish, kitten. I’m not just saying I love you because you are pregnant. I realized last night that I’ve loved you since the first day we met, when you were just a knobby kneed little tomboy who followed me around like a shadow. But I’ve been in love with you ever since you started growing into a beautiful, desirable, brave, funny, independent, stubborn, determined, intelligent, argumentative, strong willed, sweet, impulsive, generous, passionate, tender, loving young woman.”

  He punctuated each of the words with a soft, gentle kiss. His lips covered every inch of her forehead, temples, eyelids, nose, cheeks, chin, and jaw. His last kiss landed on her parted lips. He kissed her sweetly, and when he raised his head again, she sighed softly as her eyes fluttered open. He smiled at her and cupped her cheek tenderly in his palm.

  “I think I fell in love with you around the time I started calling you kitten. I just couldn’t see it, because I hadn’t expected our relationship to change so drastically. I couldn’t imagine that you might have the same kind of feelings for me. I thought that you loved me like an older brother, so I felt guilty for having those new, different feelings for you, and I tried to bury them, deny them. But I could never get you out of my head or my heart, because I loved you.”

  “Oh, Gabe.” Leslie’s heart was thumping in her chest, and happy tears trailed down her cheeks. She brushed his hair back from his forehead, letting her fingers twine through the silky strands. “I love you so much. I never thought I could be lucky enough to have your love in return.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” he murmured.

  He kissed her again, his lips warm and gentle on hers. It was not a prelude to passion. The kiss was a blending of two hearts, an acknowledgment of their past and a promise to continue sharing their love in the future. When he raised his head, she could see his love for her glowing in his eyes.

  His voice was thick with emotion when he spoke. “So, although I’m thrilled to know that you’re carrying my child, I have to admit that this moment is only the second happiest moment of my life. The happiest moment came last night, when I finally realized how very much I love you and how fortunate I am to have you in my life, kitten.”

  Leslie’s heart melted, and she pulled him down for another kiss. She finally had everything she had ever wanted. Gabe was hers, just as she was his. She wanted to shout it from the mountain tops. She wanted to show him how much his love meant to her. She wanted to express her love for him using her body as well as her words.

  She deepened the kiss, nipping his bottom lip and teasing him with her tongue. She trailed provocative kisses along his jaw, and tugged his earlobe between her teeth. “I want you,” she murmured huskily.

  Her hot breath feathering along his neck sent shivers up Gabe’s spine, and her sultry voice, full of sweet temptation, sent hot blood flooding into his cock. She writhed beneath him, arching her back and brushing her nipples teasingly against the hairs on his chest.

  Gabe groaned with pleasure, but he hesitated. “Are you sure you’re up for it, kitten? Aren’t you nauseated?”

  Leslie flashed him an alluring smile as she slowly ran her fingertip along his throbbing erection. When Gabe shivered again, her smile deepened into a wicked grin. “I’m not the only one who’s up for it.” She nibbled his ear again. “I don’t feel sick anymore, and I want you. Make love to me, Gabe.”

  Gabe pulled her arms over her head and pinned her wrists in place on the pillow. He snared her gaze and raised one dark brow in warning.

  “Don’t go getting any ideas in that pretty head of yours, kitten. Just because I’ve admitted how much I adore you doesn’t mean you’re in charge. And just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean I’ll let you call the shots. Your body belongs to me. I decide when to enjoy it. Never forget that I own your pleasure, kitten.”

  His commanding tone made her pulse quicken and her clit throb. She loved it when he took control, and she loved having to surrender to him in order to get what she wanted. She squirmed and whimpered, thrusting her breasts up toward him in blatant invitation. Her nipples were as hard as pebbles.

  “Oh, please, Gabe. I need to feel you inside me. Please.”

  He flashed a smug grin, his dimples cutting deep grooves in his cheeks. He loved it when she was so sweetly submissive. He plucked at her nipples while he pretended to consider her request. He toyed with her, twisting and pinching the tender tips, knowing just how sensitive they had been lately.

  “I’m going to have so much fun torturing these pretty little nipples while you’re pregnant, kitten. They’re even more tender and responsive than usual.”

  Gabe gave one nipple a harsh pinch, and Leslie gasped. He treated the other side to an even harsher pinch, and she arched her back, pressing the lush mounds up toward him. He settled in to play, chuckling devilishly as she grew more and more desperate and aroused. He used his fingers, teeth, tongue and morning whiskers to drive her insane. She struggled against his hold on her wrists, but he easily restrained her.

  “Be still while I feast on your beautiful tits, kitten.”

  “Please hurry,” she pleaded.

  “Oh no, baby. I’m just getting started, and I have no intention of hurrying,” he growled.

  He scraped his whiskers over one tender peak, and Leslie gasped. He held her breast still while he used the other cheek to scrape it even harder. The mixture of pain and pleasure sent shockwaves straight to her core, and she could feel moisture pooling between her thighs. She moaned helplessly while he continued to torment her. When she was panting with need, he released her nipple from his mouth with a pop and surveyed his handiwork. Both of her nipples were swollen, red and quivering. He knew they would be sore for days, and every time she was reminded of their soreness, she would remember this moment.

  Turning his attention elsewhere, he ran his hand over the lower curves of her breasts and down to her ribcage. He traced her sides, grinning when she squirmed because she was ticklish. He traced circles around her navel, plunging his finger inside several times just to make her squirm and squeal. He chuckled and moved on. His expression turned serious as he paused to caress the area where her womb was nestled deep inside, a burgeoning haven for his offspring. He placed a moist kiss there and growled with possessive satisfaction.

  Leslie moaned and arched her hips. As much as she was enjoying his attentions, she couldn’t ignore the urgent, empty ache he had stirred in her bel
ly. “Please,” she whimpered.

  He grinned and continued his exploration. He teased and tugged the soft hairs on her mound, letting her grow even more frantic before finally slipping his fingers between her thighs. Her breath hitched, and she released a trembling sigh. Leslie moaned and eagerly spread her legs to give him better access. He stroked her languidly, as if he had all the time in the world to tease her. He circled her opening repeatedly as she arched her hips and whimpered. She was slick with desire, her outer folds were puffy and swollen, and he could feel her clit throbbing beneath the pads of his fingers. He trapped her gaze and grinned.

  “Beg me sweetly, and I’ll give you what you need, kitten.”

  “Please, Gabe. Oh, please.”

  “Please what, baby?”

  “Please fuck me. Please, please fuck me!”

  He chuckled as he dropped one more kiss on her sore nipple. “That’s my sweet kitten. I just love hearing you beg for it.”

  He released her wrists but guided her hands to the edge of the headboard. When she had a firm grip, he knelt between her thighs. He lifted her hips onto his lap and wrapped her legs around his waist. He stuffed a pillow beneath her bottom, then flashed her another wicked grin and winked. Leslie’s heart did a little flip in her chest. She loved him so much.

  “Hold on tight, baby, and don’t let go. I’m going to enjoy plowing your field, and I don’t intend to be gentle about it.”

  He ran the head of his cock through her juices several times just to tease her. When she whimpered, he impaled her with one mighty stroke, bottoming out in her depths with a groan of pure masculine satisfaction. He took a moment to appreciate the view. She was spread out before him, her lush body was ripe and eager and begging for him to possess her. He made her wait a few moments more while he savored her total submission to his will. Then, he gripped her hips and anchored her in place as he hammered into her with wild abandon.