Escaping Love

by Debra Smith

  Seeing him ready to feast on her made her legs go weak.

  “Yes.” She didn’t know if she was answering his words or giving him permission.

  “That pleases me more than you could know.”

  His hands slid under her, gripping her butt and lifting her mere inches from his face.

  “Do you know how your scent entices me? It calls to me, begging me to drink you dry.”

  With his words she stood on the precipice once again. Fear and desire for unfathomable pleasure warred inside her mind. Her inner slut was cheering her on completion with fist pumps.

  “Please, Clint.”

  Her head thrashed against the pillows as she raised her hips as a silent invitation. Finally he licked her, stopping to pay extra attention to her clit. He groaned, seeming to enjoy every ounce of juice he consumed. Daring to watch him worship her, she opened her eyes just in time to see his close with blissful reverence.

  Her breath hitched when his gaze locked with hers. He continued his gluttony, never breaking his stare. She tried to muffle her cry of disbelief when he rose up, taking her out of reach of his masterful tongue.

  Frustrated from being denied her release, she dug her nails into the fabric of the bed and let her claws and her secret break free.

  She gave him a look of death if he didn’t finish what he started. He sported a cocky half-smile then slipped one of his talented fingers inside her.

  “Oh God.”

  She cried out as shudders of pleasure radiated through her body. Stars erupted behind her eyes, and all she wanted to do was have it happen again and again. With a male like Clint, she bet it would.

  ~****~

  Watching his Little Cat break apart under his touch stole the air from his lungs. He almost came against the quilt, shaming him for all eternity. If the sound of her ecstasy wasn’t enough, her taste would surely curse him to an existence of pure addiction.

  He brought her down slowly. Drawing his finger from her tight pussy made his cock twitch. He needed to be inside her. All he could think about was her milking him while she came with his name on her lips.

  Unable to bear wasting a single drop of her passion, he licked his fingers clean.

  “I want you inside me now.”

  He chuckled.

  “Patience, Alexandria. If I took you without properly preparing you, I could injure you.”

  On the last word he pushed two fingers inside her. If he was less of a man he would be balls deep inside her, thrusting hard and fast, giving her exactly what she wanted. She’d be so lost to him she wouldn’t remember her own name.

  But he had more honor than most and wouldn’t risk hurting someone so precious. Her cunt squeezed his fingers, drawing a curse from his lips. Her tight little entrance seemed hungry, greedy even.

  “I can’t wait any longer. Please, Clint.”

  It was the desperation in her voice that made him snap. Hell, he could relate to desperation. His whole body radiated it.

  He grabbed a condom from his pants pocket, tore it open with his teeth, and seated himself at the V of her legs. Maybe he was a little presumptuous with the condom, but it was better to have it and not need it then need it than not have it. Fortune favors the prepared, and his fortune never looked better.

  His Little Cat dug the heels of her feet into his ass, demanding he finish what he started. God bless her. He began by slowly entering her, inch by jaw-clenching inch. Even with the barrier between them he had never felt anything quite so perfect. Sweat dampened his brow as he tried to control his breathing. There, he was in. She let out the sweetest sigh, and he almost lost himself inside her.

  She pulled him down to her lips and sucked on his tongue. Naughty girl.

  She broke the kiss and nipped at his ear. “Move now,” she growled.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Angling his hips to hit her clit, he set a rigorous pace. It hadn’t been part of his original plan but she just felt so damn good. When she cried out and her waves of pleasure massaged his cock, he exploded. The orgasm seemed to lean toward a personal record. While he finished he placed light kisses on her lips, her nose, and her temple.

  Contentment washed over him as he nuzzled her neck. She smelled so good. He could even pick up his scent on her skin, making his wolf particularly happy. He hadn’t marked her as his but damned if he didn’t have the urge.

  Reluctantly, he pulled for her embrace to dispose of the condom. Nothing made him happily than post-coidal cuddling. But when he came back from the bathroom she wasn’t waiting with a happy, sated smile. Truth was she slipped away like the cat she was.

  He’d be damned if he would be denied his after-sex happy time. So he got dressed and followed her scent right into a rainstorm. That was Wyoming for you, hot one minute and raining the next. At least it was a soft and warm rain. It didn’t sting his face while he ran to catch up to her.

  It didn’t take long to find her. He heard her grumbling before he even saw her.

  “Damn it. I finally got dry and then it had to rain.”

  “You sure are speedy when you’re running away.”

  “I wasn’t running away. We were done, and I still have a score to settle with Old Gus.”

  “Naw, I think you were running scared.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, okay, sure. I was scared—”

  “See? Glad you can admit your true feelings. Having sex with me tends to send the females for a loop. Don’t worry—it’ll wear off.”

  She turned and a few drops of water splashed him in the face. He didn’t remove them.

  “What did I tell you about interrupting me?”

  He just grinned at her. He found her so darn fascinating.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  “What? No, I don’t want to dance. It’s raining.”

  “So I thought you weren’t scared.”

  “I’m not, but dancing in the middle of a gravel road is something crazy people do.”

  “Well then, darlin’, I guess I’m due for a trip to the loony bin, ’cause seeing you here in the rain makes me want to dance.”

  She started to argue, so he kissed her slightly parted lips and started swaying back and forth as if it was the most natural thing in the world. At that moment, he wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else on Earth or with anyone else.

  He broke the kiss and hid his smirk at her dizzy expression. She didn’t seem happy about it, but she let him lead her around with her hand placed tentatively in his palm. He busted out his best moves and gave her a spin.

  He planned it going a lot smoother than it did. She stumbled, and he went to catch her, throwing himself off balance. During the clumsy descent to the muddy ground he turned, taking most of the impact on himself. Water splattered over their faces, running in small rivers down her nose to his. Her full-faced smile did funny things to his insides that wasn’t remotely like what happened after he ate some of Clara’s homemade campfire chili.

  Alex snorted. “You are such a dork.”

  She climbed off of him and started walking down the road leading back to the main ranch. It was when she turned and gave him a shy smile that he knew he was in deep trouble. He was falling for his Little Cat, in more ways than one.

  Chapter Ten

  Alex felt all sorts of dreamy. Despite being chilled and soaked to the bone, warmth radiated through her. Damn that overbearing, sexy, dancing hillbilly. She only had a couple of days left before she had to go back. If Jenny didn’t make herself known then this small hope she carried with her would be gone, smothered by what was left of her family duty.

  She couldn’t afford to fall for Clint. Not now. She had to keep her head on straight. Not to mention she still had to finish her daily chore with Satin’s pet. Her anger at the little donkey dissipated when she saw how miserable he looked. He pawed at the mud just as soaked as her.

  “Hey, big guy. You pulled a nasty trick on me today. But I guess I can forgive you. I’d still like to be friends.”


  He just looked at her with his big chocolate brown eyes. He seemed so sad. Maybe the way his hair looked matted from the rain, but she wanted to hug him. She didn’t because that would be stupid, but she had the feeling just the same.

  “Are you hungry? I’m going run and get you your dinner.”

  Every time her foot hit the ground she cringed at the squishy sound. At the pace she set for herself it seemed as if she was in a bad cartoon where the main guy was sneaking around on squeaky shoes. All that was missing was the guy hitting her with the frying pan.

  Luna meowed a greeting when she entered the little shed. She took a moment to scratch the sweet little thing behind the ears. The smell of fresh hay made her nose tickle, and she fought a sneeze. Luna padded her way back to her nice, dry home in the hay.

  “Right, back to work.”

  She made quick task of opening the indoor stall to let the poor animal inside out of the rain. Then she put the grass in his trough and waited. Just as Clint said, Gus meandered his way in and began munching on his food. Remembering the warning of his nightly escape, she closed the door behind him, double-checking the lock to make sure it was secure. There was no way the little bugger would pull a Houdini.

  She didn’t muck out the stall, so tomorrow she’d have twice the work. She vowed to get up early and get the outside corral done before it was time to let Gus out for the day. Stepping outside the mini barn, she braced herself for rain but was pleasantly surprised.

  Sun shined through the clouds in brilliant rays reaching all the way to the ground. Her mom had once said it was God’s way of letting us know there would always be light after darkness. She sure hoped her mother was right.

  She started toward the main house and tried to ignore the fact she’d spent almost the entire day wet.

  “Hey there, darlin’. Nice weather we’re having.”

  Speaking of wet. God, his voice drove her insane, making her want to drop her pants and beat him senseless at the same time.

  “What do you want, Cowboy?”

  “Well seeing as how you ran off I had to go back to my secret spot and get our picnic basket. Good news is the dessert is safe and sound.”

  She looked at him incredulously. “Seriously, you went all the way back there to get dessert?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I wouldn’t want it to go to waste. After all, you’ve never tasted anything like it. Nothing compares.”

  She tilted her head to the side and looked at him while letting her tongue slip out and taste her bottom lip. It was cliché but hell, it was fun. She gave him her best bedroom voice.

  “Really, nothing compares? Shame.” She spun on her heel and sashayed away.

  She heard him growl low, “You are so mean.”

  She liked playing with him. Maybe it was her nature but she had a feeling it was just because it was Clint. He brought out the best in her. Well at least her fun-loving side. Her body warmed while she remembered their brief but no less magical dance in the rain. She’d only seen that in movies, and to think she’d done it too now.

  Butterflies flitted around in her stomach, making her speed up. She could feel him behind her. Every step she took squeaked an annoying ballad. But he stayed silent behind her, kind of irritating her. The cat in her balked at the idea a dog could be stealthier than her. Damn boots.

  All she wanted at the moment included a dry set of clothes, some warm apple cider minus the catnip, and to snuggle up with Clint in front of the fire. The last part, no matter how tempting, would be too dangerous. Despite her setting ground rules, just scratching an itch seemed more and more ridiculous.

  She needed a reminder of what brought her to Clint in the first place. Avoiding her degradation and finding a way to change hundreds of years of tradition needed to be her first priority not the next time she was on the receiving end of a mind–blowing, toe-curling orgasm. Being at the ranch made her problems fade away like the evening sun.

  She gripped the handle of the door leading into the mud room and slipped inside. She left her boots by the door and bypassed a singing Clara. The smell of some sweet confection almost had her switching gears and heading to the table instead of her room.

  She made a decision. There couldn’t be a repeat with Clint. No way in hell would she survive the next few days with a level head if she kept thinking about his hands on her body. It didn’t matter that she had yet to taste him or find out what really drove him wild. Nope, it didn’t matter at all. She was fine. She could do this, nothing to it.

  Sighing with what she hoped was relief, she ignored the ache in the center of her chest. She found the most unattractive bits of clothing she could muster and cleaned up. Using the stealth her ancestors would be proud of, she descended the stairs, stopping at the sound of Clint’s firm tone.

  “I can’t get ahold of Gryph. He hasn’t returned any of my calls. I left messages for Clay, but he hasn’t called me back either. I’m not surprised since the bear probably hasn’t even checked the machine in my office. Gryph should have called me back by now. They will come for her. I won’t let them take her. Even if I wasn’t bound by Hospitality, I wouldn’t let them put a hand on her. She’s—”

  Alex tried to make out the last part, but she failed miserably.

  “My dear boy, do you realize what you’re saying?”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Well, whatever you need I’m here for you.”

  “Thanks, Clara.”

  Steps echoed down the hall so Alex shuffled her way back to her room and closed the door, cringing as the latch clicked shut.

  Her heart pounded in her ears. She felt as if she’d been caught doing something bad. Her hands shook. She wished she could have heard the last part of what he’d said. The gist of the conversation pointed to her being out of luck. Gryph and Jenny were MIA. That meant she had to go back before they came to take her.

  She couldn’t risk Clara or Clint being hurt in the crossfire. If the Mercs didn’t find her, surely her father’s Beta would. Given the choice, she knew her father’s men wouldn’t hurt her, at least not physically. She’d give herself one more day then she’d find a way to leave.

  Her lip trembled, and her eyes burned. One last day to be with him. Earlier she resolved to stop dallying with Clint. Now she couldn’t think of anything else. Maybe she didn’t love him but she had never been so consumed by a person. Every one of his movements held her captive, his scent drugged her, making her heart race, and his smile made her feel as if maybe there was a Happily Ever After.

  A stray tear broke through her mental bindings, burning a trail of sadness down her cheek, then finally falling to its demise on the shaggy carpet. The number one had never held such interest to her, but when she thought of it in regards to Clint, it seemed both priceless and nondescript.

  Angrily she wiped at her eyes and did her best to plaster a smile on her face. If he suspected her of any shenanigans, he would never let her out of his sight. She ghosted her way out of her temporary room. Ghosted seemed appropriate because she felt like a shell of her former self. All the life had been sucked out of her. Maybe she shouldn’t have left home in the first place. Some arranged marriages turn into love or at least a comfortable friendship. Would that have been so bad? At least then she wouldn’t know what she was missing. After all, ignorance was bliss.

  ~****~

  Clint’s stomach rumbled as swirls of chocolate chip goodness filled the air of the kitchen. Clara excelled at many things but nothing compared to her melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Merely describing them as cookies seemed an injustice. More like circular pieces of heaven. They warmed your heart and made you feel all loved and cared for. Nothing made him happier, until he saw Alex bounce into the kitchen.

  Her hair sat on her head in a messy bun. She had no makeup on and wore the most horrific saggy clothing. She looked downright snuggable. Snuggable may not be proper English, but it described her perfectly.

  He grabbed a cookie to fill his mouth and keep from saying embarrassi
ng things like ‘will you marry me’. Just before he popped it into his face, Clara smacked his hand.

  “Don’t you dare spoil your dinner.”

  He frowned at her, surprised how her tone still made him feel like a little boy.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He flashed Alex a cocky grin.

  “I made chicken stir fry for dinner. I hope that’s all right. Look at you, dear. Don’t you just look like you’ve made yourself right at home?”

  His Little Cat turned a brilliant crimson as she looked down at her clothes.

  “I didn’t think—I was just trying to get warm after spending much of the day soaked to the bone.”

  “Well, you look comfortable. I think I’m gonna go get on my jammies and join you.”

  Clara walked toward her room. During Clint’s youth he hadn’t seen Clara in her jammies once. The dear woman was probably trying to make Alex feel better. He liked where this was going.

  “I’d go slip into my jammies too, but I’m afraid I sleep naked.” He kept his face impassive as her eyes grew wider. “Unless you’d like to see my jammies, then I could make a special appearance just for you.”

  Her gaze drifted down his body, landing on his already eager erection. The damn thing seemed ready and willing when she came near. Her gazed snapped to his face, and a wicked gleam made her eyes sparkle.

  “Sure, Cowboy, I’d love tickets to that show.”

  His mouth gaped a little, but he managed to hide his surprised amusement.

  “But first I think we should eat dinner. We may need the sustenance for later.” She winked at him.

  The little minx made him smile. Laughter flowed from deep inside, and he couldn’t help but let it all come out. He laughed until his sides ached and his eyes watered.

  “Thanks, I needed that.”

  She had laughed a little with him, but he guessed it came from confusion and awkwardness instead her finding herself entertaining. It was okay because he found her entertaining enough for the both of them.