STORY EXCERPT

Gabe Parson stepped into the grocery store in town, automatically searching for any sign of Dawn Hopkins.

She was married to one of his ranch hands, and he had no business lusting after her, but he couldn’t help it.

Both he and his older brother, Ben, had felt the chemistry with her at their first meeting, and no amount of bedding other women or avoiding her lessened his hunger for her.

In fact, it made it worse, especially since she was married to a drunk who felt it was his right to take his failures in life out on his petite wife.

Ignoring the attention he drew, he made his way past the register and to the office counter, disappointed that he didn’t see Dawn.

He and Ben, were used to drawing attention, their size and the fact that they owned the third largest ranch in South Dakota seemed to interest people, and they’d long ago learned to ignore it or use it to their advantage, whichever happened to suit the situation.

The manager, Sally Johnson, came forward with a frown. “She left about ten minutes ago. Bought a gallon of milk, loaf of bread, and a dozen eggs. She also bought another bottle of ibuprofen.”

Gabe clenched his jaw. “Any new bruises?”

Sally snorted. “She wears long sleeves year ’round, so my guess is that she always has bruises. Had that worn jacket on and was shiverin’ like crazy. It’s too damned cold out for that poor excuse for a coat. As usual, she had a smile for everyone, despite the fact that her lip was split.”

Fisting a hand on the counter, Gabe inclined his head. “I’ll take care of it. What do we owe you?”

Sally gave him a figure and, while he counted out bills, leaned forward. “And how are you doin’? I saw you at the dance with Brenda Swanson Saturday night. She was eatin’ you up with her eyes.”

Gabe allowed a small smile as he handed the money to her, while inside a familiar frustration ate at him that he hadn’t gotten to Dawn first. “She’s a nice woman.”

Sally stuck the money into the register and handed him a receipt. “Judging by the dress she wore, she wasn’t goin’ for nice.”

Another one of the locals approached the counter, a widower who’d been hitting on Sally for almost a year. “Hey, Sally.”

Sally blushed and straightened. “Hey, Henry. How’s it goin’?”

“Pretty good. Hey, Gabe. How are you? How’s your brother?”

Gabe tucked the receipt away and offered a smile as he turned. “We’re both good. You?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” He glanced at Sally before holding out a hand toward Gabe. “I was over at the sports store to buy myself a new reel for my fishing pole. Surprised to see Dawn Hopkins there. She was so cold she was shivering. Limping, too.”

Gabe stiffened, unsurprised that Henry would know the information would interest him and furious at what he was learning.

Everybody around town knew that he and Ben looked out for her.

With a shrug, Gabe narrowed his gaze. “Probably buying something for John.”

She doted on her son and appeared to do her best to protect him from the truth about his father.

Henry frowned. “I don’t think so. She bought a baseball bat. Nothing else. No glove. No baseball. As far as I know, John doesn’t play baseball and the middle of fall seems like a strange time to be buying a boy in South Dakota a baseball bat to play with.”

Sally smiled, but Gabe couldn’t miss the concern in her eyes. “Good for her. It’s about time she decided to fight back.”

Gabe grimaced. “She’s fought back before. I’ve seen the bruises on Jeff. It sounds like she’s upping her game.”

Henry grimaced. “Hell, I don’t like the sound of that. He’ll kill her for sure.”

Gabe hid the rage and fear inside him. “No. He won’t.”

He made the ride back to the ranch in record time, the tires of his pickup squealing as he turned onto the long driveway.

He brought the truck to a halt and jumped out, slamming the door behind him.

Ranch hands scattered to get out of his way as he strode across the yard to Jeff Hopkins, his fists clenched at his sides.

Backing up until he pressed against the post and rail fence, Jeff loosened his hands at his sides in an apparent attempt to appear unafraid. “Mr. Parson? What’s wrong?”

Gabe didn’t stop until he stood toe-to-toe with Jeff and bent to get in his face. Keeping his voice low, he let his rage show. “If I see your wife with another bruise, I’ll tear you apart. Understood?”

Jeff swallowed heavily but lifted his chin in defiance. “I don’t know—”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.” Gabe wanted nothing more than to grab the other man by the throat but didn’t trust himself not to beat Jeff to a bloody pulp. “If you do, or if you hurt her again, I’m gonna show you what it feels like to be beaten by someone larger and a hell of a lot stronger than you.”

Straightening, he took a step back. “The only reason you still have a job here is because I don’t want to take away your ability to provide for them, but if she’s ever looking for a place to stay, I’m gonna make sure she has one, and then you’re gone.”

Jeff glanced around, puffing his chest out when he saw that, although the other men didn’t approach, they watched the scene play out. “My wife is none of your business.”

“If any man beats on a woman, I make it my business.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Ben stripped her jeans off of her, tossing them aside in the vicinity of her other clothes before reaching for her panties.

The feel of them being removed accompanied the sound of ripping material, heightening the sexual tension even more.

Tossing them aside, Ben grimaced. “Sorry, baby.”

Her body shimmered with heat, her need for him at a fever pitch.

Reaching for him, she tried to close her legs, hoping to ease the ache in her clit. “Please, Ben.”

Ben parted her thighs and moved between them, hooking the backs of her knees over his broad shoulders. “Be still, darlin’. I want to pleasure you before I take you.”

Shifting restlessly, she slid her fingers into his hair and kicked restlessly. “No. Just take me. Please don’t do that.”

She moaned as he slid up her body, the feel of his clothing against her skin a sharp reminder of her nakedness.

Sliding a hand into her hair, he tilted her face to his. “Why don’t you want me to use my mouth on you?”

She sucked in a trembling breath at the feel of his hand sliding up her inner thigh. “God, the way you talk.”

“I’m honest.” He slid a finger through her slit, setting off a riot of sensation. “Answer me, darlin’. You’re not scared, are you?”

Dawn’s face burned. “It’s too intimate, damn you! Just take me.”

Ben’s slow smile added to the intimacy, the affection in it breathtaking. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you?”

Stiffening, she searched his features for any sign of disapproval or disgust.

“No, baby.” He touched his lips to her nipple and lifted his head, staring down at her as he circled her pussy opening with his fingertip. “Don’t stiffen up on me. I like that you’re demanding. It means that you want me enough to lose your inhibitions.”

He bent his head again to circle her nipple with the tip of his tongue, slipping his fingertip slightly into her. “It also means that you trust me. Do you know how arousing that is?”

“Please!”

Lifting his head, Ben blew out a breath and shoved his jeans down. “Damn, I can’t resist you.” Covering her body with his, he used his powerful thighs to push hers wide. “Look at me.”

His guttural tone unnerved her, prompting her to immediately lift her gaze to his again. “I wanted to use my mouth on you first to ease some of the hunger, but maybe it’s better this way.”

Cupping her jaw, he positioned the head of his cock at her pussy opening. “Keep looking at me, baby. I need to see if I hurt you. You’re nice and wet. That’ll help.”

Wrapping her arms and legs around him, Dawn moaned as he began to ease into her. “I want you naked, too.”

“Next time.” Cupping the back of her head, he braced himself on his elbow, effectively keeping most of his weight off of her as he slid deeper. “Next time, I’m gonna take my time with you and use my mouth on every inch of you. This time, the hunger’s too sharp.”

“Yes.” Gripping his shoulders, Dawn stared into his eyes as he slowly entered her, her breath hitching at the full, stretched sensation.

Ben groaned, his body tight against hers. “You’re so damned tight.”

She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted before, and fearing that he’d stop, she tightened her legs around him. “It’s been a long time. Please don’t stop.”

A shudder went through him as he went deeper. “I won’t. Just hold on to me, baby. I’ve got you. Jesus, your sweet little pussy’s clamping down on me and sucking me in deeper.”

“Yes!” Dawn cried out and hung on to him, her breathing quick and shallow.

Brushing his lips over hers, he drew a deep breath, his own breathing ragged. “That’s it. I won’t go any deeper. We’re gonna do this nice and slow, darlin’.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears of need and embarrassment burned her eyes, and she struggled to bury her face against his neck again.

Sliding his forearms beneath her shoulders, Ben threaded both hands into her hair and held her face tilted to his. “Don’t you dare apologize to me. I’ve waited forever for this. You’re even sweeter than I ever imagined. I’ll break you in for my cock little by little. We’ve got the rest of our lives, baby.”

The need in his voice, the glitter of love and desire in his eyes, and the feel of his cock withdrawing slightly and slowly entering her again was enough to send ripples of pleasure through her.

The tingling began a heartbeat later, growing hotter with every slow, shallow stroke of his cock. “Ben!”

Ben groaned and nibbled lightly at her bottom lip. “Even the way you say my name excites me.”

Letting her eyes close, she threw her head back and fought the hot, rippling sensation. “Please, Ben. Something’s happening.”

Holding her face gently in his large hands, he stared into her eyes, his gaze searching and filled with wonder. “You’ve never had an orgasm before?”

Too needy for embarrassment, Dawn writhed against him in an effort to get him to move again. “I don’t know. Please! Do something.”

With a groan that rumbled from somewhere deep in his chest, Ben began to move again, this time faster. “I’ll do something all right.”

Dawn held on for dear life, dizzy with pleasure. “Oh, God!”

The hot, tingling sensation grew and expanded until it encompassed her entire body in shimmering heat.

Crying out, she stiffened and rode the pleasure, distantly aware of Ben’s deep groan.

He continued to move inside her, his thrusts shallow, but faster.

With another groan, he pulled her closer and stilled, the feel of his cock pulsing inside her setting off another series of rippling waves. “Damn, woman. You undo me.”