True-Blue Texas Cowboy

by Janalyn Knight

  He kissed her. "There's nothing wrong with you, honey. You're a normal, well-adjusted human being who did the right thing when you had the chance. Do I think you would feel terrible if you'd accidentally shot someone? Of course. But that wasn't the case tonight. You did your duty and did it perfectly. Cody would have killed him if he'd been able to. You were a better shot this time. I'd give anything if you'd been spared this. Taking a life shouldn't be easy. But this was necessary. I love you, honey. Please don't do this to yourself."

  She laid on his chest, thinking over what he'd said. Sighing, she straightened out her legs and turned on her back, staring at the ceiling again. She felt drained, but not quite ugly anymore. Jesse was right. Shooting was the right thing to do. Somehow, she’d have to find a way to come to terms with her feelings about it.

  She turned on her side, away from Jesse, and wanted this day to be over. Her head hurt, and the pillow made her cut throb. Life sucked, and then there was today.

  Jesse slipped his arm around her.

  Tomorrow, with this wonderful man by her side, would be better.

  Chapter Fifteen

  OUT THE ROUNDED PLANE window the soft clouds bubbled beneath her. She couldn't believe it had finally happened. She'd married the man she loved and was winging toward a city she'd wanted to experience for years.

  While she and Jesse had prepared for their new life, Cody wrapped up loose ends on the mess that began with finding poor Jessica's battered body. That rat bastard Burke sang a mighty tune about Kenneth Hale.

  Hale was initially charged with the attempted murder of Julie Trevino and with hiring Burke to kill Lee. However, after a thorough search of the two-hundred-acre compound, the three unmarked graves of the missing girls were found in an overgrown, brushy part of the grounds. Kenneth was subsequently charged with the murder of those three young women.

  The best news came from the hospital where Julie Trevino was gradually recovering from her wounds. Her family had come up from South Texas, and at least one was with her around the clock to keep her nightmares at bay.

  Poor Jesse slept in the seat next to her, his head against her shoulder, exhausted from dawn to dark work days. They quit trapping hogs so that all his energy could be spent hauling and spreading clay to complete the pond before their wedding day.

  The craziness of the past few weeks had taken its toll on her, too.

  Cheri, Lee and her mom had planned or shopped for the wedding nearly every day. Cheri had insisted that no good dress would come out of either Abilene or Wichita Falls, and had set up an overnight trip for the two of them to Dallas. And, did they shop. But Lee had to agree with Cheri. With so many stores and all of the dresses to pick from, Lee was able to find an absolutely stunning, perfect dress.

  She’d felt lovely on her wedding day. Her strapless, cream-colored sheath fell beautifully around her curves, accentuating her waist on its way to the floor. Cheri had insisted on a veil, and in the end, Lee was so happy she did.

  Jesse was gorgeous as she’d walked up the aisle. His broad shoulders and slender hips in the elegant black tuxedo had made her shiver all the way to her toes. Watching Jesse lift her veil and kiss her for the first time as his wife, was a memory she would cherish forever.

  Jesse moved in his seat beside her and his hand clasped hers. She gazed into his dark eyes and was overwhelmed that this wonderful man was her husband. She returned his smile, tears welling again as they had so often in the past three weeks. But these were different. They were tears of joy.

  Jesse kissed her softly. "Hey there, beautiful, Mrs. Jesse Kincaid, I love you.

  "Hey, yourself, Mr. Jesse Kincaid. I love you, too."

  The plane began to descend. They'd be arriving in New Orleans shortly, and she'd feast on jazz and the blues for four whole days.

  After their plane landed, they pushed through the hectic crowd in the concourse. Hurrying to the baggage claim area, they picked out their luggage from the carousel. Jesse led her to the taxi line out in front of the building where they waited in the muggy, late afternoon air for their turn at a cab. Friday nights were obviously busy.

  On the ride to the hotel, there were so many places still ruined from Hurricane Katrina. This beautiful city had to overcome so much. The street signs showed that they were nearing the French Quarter. She slid to the edge of her seat and nearly pressed her face to the window.

  She glanced back as Jesse tried not to smile.

  The cab turned down Royal Street and pulled up at the Hotel Monteleone, a gorgeous turn-of-the-century high rise complete with scrollwork and heraldry. It was nothing short of stunning.

  Check-in was quick and the bellman showed them to their room. After tipping him, Jesse closed and locked the door. Turning around, he grinned.

  She swallowed and looked around at the heavy antique furniture, expensive drapes and gilt mirrors. This was way more luxury than she'd been expecting and certainly more than she was used to.

  Jesse strode over and swung her in circles, finally landing her back on her feet. "Mrs. Kincaid, I'm going to spoil you rotten for four days, so you'd better get used to it."

  "It would seem so, Mr. Kincaid. This is over-the-top." She walked into the bathroom and the marble floors and walls and shining fixtures were so beautiful she couldn't imagine messing the room up taking a bath.

  Jesse came up behind her and wrapped her in his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder. "So, honey, do you want to go out for a fancy dinner tonight? I have reservations at Galatoire's. Or, I can cancel, and we can eat in the hotel. Their restaurant is wonderful. We can also have room service and stay in here. It's up to you."

  It was no hard choice. Go out when she had the man she loved, her husband, alone in a beautiful hotel room? Seriously? She'd take door number three, please. "Honey, room service will be perfect. We can relax and enjoy the fact that the craziness of the past three weeks is over."

  Jesse picked her up and laid her on the big king-sized bed and kissed her lovingly. "I'm glad you chose that, little butterfly." He grinned at her. "So, how hungry are you?"

  "I'm pretty dang hungry. I was so nervous this morning I barely ate breakfast."

  "Me, too. Let's eat."

  Jesse frowned at her like she'd lost her mind when she ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and some milk, but she pointed to her tummy.

  He nodded as he ordered gumbo and rice and iced sweet tea.

  One of the things that Cheri had insisted Lee do while she was in Dallas was buy a whole new wardrobe of lingerie. Cheri read Lee the riot act. "Listen to me and listen to me good, girl. If I come over to your house and look in that drawer and find even one of Wess's old t-shirts, your ass is mine! How do you think it makes that gorgeous hunk of man feel when he sees you in those things? That's the past. It's time for an upgrade, girl, and we're getting some fancy gowns for your new life."

  So, what Lee did while Jesse was finishing up on the phone was take out a beautiful, short robe and go into the bathroom to get out of her clothes.

  When she headed back out, he gave her a low, sexy whistle and grabbed her. "You're mine now." He tossed her on the bed and tackled her.

  When he tickled her, she laughed, rolling around, trying to get him off her, and screaming quietly so the police wouldn't come. She couldn't catch her breath and swore if she wet her new panties there was going to be hell to pay.

  They were both laughing so hard their sides hurt when he stopped and let her up. She crawled up to the pillows and turned on her back. Her robe was up around her arm pits, and her underwear was half off. "Dammit, Jesse. I'm going to kick your ass!"

  "Yeah, you and whose army?" He started toward her again.

  She yanked her robe down and squeezed her knees together. "No! Stay there. Keep away, you ornery bastard."

  He grabbed her ankles and dragged her down to him, then laid down beside her and started kissing her all over.

  That tickled, too, and he damn well knew it! Giggling, she put her hands everywhere he kis
sed her, trying to protect herself, when there was a knock at the door. She whispered, "Look at me! They're going to see me! Look at my hair. Dammit, Jesse!"

  He grinned and headed over to answer the door.

  She ran for the bathroom before he got there.

  The waiter went over their food order. Jesse thanked him then knocked on the bathroom door. "You can come out now, gorgeous."

  Easing open the door, she said, "Kings X, no tickling, Jesse. I want to eat in peace."

  He grinned. "Okay, the bed's home base. You're safe there."

  They snuggled up against the headboard and ate dinner. Every time they looked at each other, they grinned.

  When they finished eating, Jesse set the tray on the dresser.

  She could see him in the mirror as he put the Do Not Disturb sign on the outside door handle. Taking her favorite new gown out of her luggage, she headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she took a deep breath and opened the door. And jumped back. Dammit! Jesse stood right there at the door waiting for her.

  "I heard you turn off the water." He grinned and pulled her to him. "You're stunning. You're so beautiful I almost can't stand it. I'll take my shower and be out in a little bit. Your wine's on the bedside table, and the bottle's chilling if you need more."

  She walked over and took a long drink of wine, stepping to the window. They were up high, and this was a gorgeous hotel.

  Back on the bed, she leaned against the headboard. She wanted this night to rock Jesse’s world. She'd do whatever it took to make that happen.

  Soon he walked out in his shorts. "How's the wine?"

  She smiled. "Great."

  He popped open a beer and started turning out the lamps. Before extinguishing the last one, he picked up the TV remote and found a quiet jazz station. Clicking off the last lamp, he laid next to her. The light of the TV was plenty for them to see each other by.

  Jesse took her hand and kissed her. "So, it's been a crazy few weeks, huh?"

  He understood her needs so well. She couldn't rush things tonight. Squeezing his fingers, she said, "More shopping than I ever want to do again. I'm glad this is the final wedding I'll ever plan. You better last me until the day I die, buster. No way am I going through this crap again."

  He laughed. "Until the day you die, I promise." Taking a drink of his beer, he said, "I think the pond's going to be awesome. The clay went down real well, and you picked out a great spot. I know it'll catch lots of water next winter and spring."

  "Thanks for working so hard on it. I can run more head in that pasture now. There's plenty of grass. It's the water that held me back."

  Jesse slipped his arm around her and pulled her to him, tilting her chin and savoring her lips.

  After a final sip of her wine, she put it on the bedside table.

  He helped her up, then slid back the comforter and sheet and laid her back on the bed again before slipping in beside her.

  She laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat, loving him intensely.

  Stroking her hair, he said, "I love you, Lee Kincaid. God, I love the way that sounds. You're my wife now, and I can hardly believe it. I'm so lucky, honey." He turned her on her back and looked at her. "Lee, you're so beautiful. I know you don't think you are, but I'm here to tell you, you're gorgeous. You are. I'm looking down at you right now, and I see a treasure. You're precious inside and out. I don't have the right words to tell you how I feel."

  His face was so earnest, she realized he truly meant it. It touched her in an old, old place. There, in that place, she was a beautiful, gentle woman.

  God, she hadn't been that person in such a long time. She'd closed that door and locked it tight when she'd entered a man's world—when she became a Trooper, a deputy sheriff, and a full-time rancher's wife. She had to be rough, compete with men, kill, and work in the heat, snow and rain all day. She'd forgotten that vulnerable woman existed—on purpose.

  Looking at Jesse, knowing how he cherished her and would take care of her, she didn't need to be hard anymore. She could be that tender, soft Lee again, and she promised herself she would. "Thank you, sweetheart. I feel beautiful when I'm around you."

  Smiling, he kissed her, taking his time, covering her with kisses—her face, her neck, her hair.

  She pushed him back. "I love you, Jesse. I'm so glad I married you. Make love to me, and, I'll make love to you. Unbeatable, remember?"

  He grinned, and she knew she'd made him happy. "Unbeatable."

  Lifting her gown, he examined her new panties. "Nice."

  "Yeah, thank Cheri next time you see her."

  "Mmm, I will."

  He kissed her belly, and she tried to cover up. Damn! Not the tickling again!

  Her heart raced as he tugged her gown off. He bent and nibbled on her nipple.

  She arched back and shrieked. "Dammit, Jesse! Do you always have to tickle me?"

  Without looking up, he said calmly, "Uh, huh."

  She growled at him between her teeth.

  He nuzzled her breasts as he laid her back down, and then nipped her neck.

  Now she was so ticklish anywhere he kissed, she felt like howling. She was not only extremely ticklish, but she'd become aroused. Hmm, there was a method to his madness, sly boy.

  She turned the tables and pushed on his chest, forcing him on his back. His eyes were wide, wondering what she was up to. Rising on her elbow, she stared at him, making him wait. Then, she leaned down and circled his nipple with her tongue.

  He sucked in a breath and shuddered.

  She raised her eyebrows in the dim light. Payback's hell, sweetheart. She kissed his chest, using the tip of her tongue to tickle his side, running it along the ridges of his muscles. He tried to be a tough guy and not pull away, but she knew she was torturing him. The scent of his soap and aftershave, a combination of spice and earth, made her throb with a hungry need to feel him inside her. She straddled him and kissed him deeply, moving to his neck and flicking him with her tongue, then sucked gently on his nipples again.

  He arched into her—hard.

  Oh, poor baby, is this tickling you? She raised up and kissed him again, running her tongue from the hollow of his throat down to his belly button. Then she kissed him lower, right above the band of his shorts.

  He jerked hard. "Dammit, Lee. You're killing me here."

  "Oh, you poor baby. Is you a widdle bit ticklish?"

  Grabbing her, he threw her on her back and started kissing her in earnest. "I'll show you ticklish, young lady."

  He tasted a little minty and of the beer he drank, a masculine combination that made her body soften and her pulses throb. She laughed and wrapped her legs around him, pulling him down on her.

  Drawing back, he looked into her eyes.

  She stared at him, still smiling, and kissed him. Cupping his face, she kissed him again, slowly this time.

  He slid from the bed and pulled off his shorts.

  She sucked in a breath. Her man was a breathtaking sight.

  Walking to the bottom of the bed, he easily slipped off her new panties and dropped them on the floor.

  She reached up her arms, "Come keep me warm. That A/C's cold on my tush."

  He grinned. "Well, we can't have that, can we?" He lay down beside her, rubbing her belly and looking into her eyes.

  She covered his hand with hers, smiling as he bent to her breast. She arched into him, running her fingers through his hair.

  He pulled her on top of him.

  He was hard. She kissed him deeply, rocking back and forth across his length, her hands braced on his shoulders.

  Jesse wrapped his hands around her waist and slid her forward and back.

  She rode his rhythm.

  Then he stopped and lifted her, easing her down on him, piercing her, filling her.

  She moaned, clutching his chest, reveling in the sensation of loving him.

  Jesse rocked her again.

  She was full and tight and leaned down and kissed him.<
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  He held her above him, pushing up into her, pounding her until she cried out with pleasure.

  She grabbed his shoulders and rolled over, wrapping her legs around him and kissing him, feeling such an intense love as she gazed into his eyes, she thought her heart might break.

  He moved inside her, his thrusts so strong yet incredibly gentle. Jesse held her gaze, and slowed, then stopped, moving to lie beside her. He kissed her eye lids and her lips.

  She stared up at him, needing him.

  Reaching down, he cupped her in his hand, and kissed her again. Lifting her legs up, one at a time, still looking in her eyes, he moved down between her thighs. With the tip of his tongue, he found her sensitive spot and slowly worked his magic.

  She fell off the edge of the world. She burned. She was ice cold. She wanted to yank him up and smother him with kisses and she needed him to stay pleasuring her forever. Desire thrummed in her core. Tension coiled inside her as he stroked her. She was close, so desperately close to release.

  A white-hot climax ripped through her. She called, "Jesse!"

  He rose above her, and she turned over, raising to her hands and knees.

  He said, “Oh, God, Lee.”

  She backed into him. “I love you, Jesse.” Arching her hips, she was ready for him.

  Clasping her, he entered her, easing in slowly.

  She clutched his thigh. “Make love to me, Jesse!”

  He pulled out and thrust into her.

  She moaned, “Yes, I love you.”

  He thrust again, and again, gaining a powerful rhythm.

  She lost herself, surging higher and higher, and then she was there—a raw, rippling wave washed over her from breasts to thighs.

  With a last, great thrust, Jesse spilled inside her, crying, “Lee!” He held her hips close for several moments, then lay down beside her.

  She turned over, and he looked at her with such love she wanted to remember it forever. Taking his face in her hands, she kissed him with everything sweet in her. "I love you, Jesse. You took me to the moon and back."