1887 Kansas
Jasmine has no idea who she is, only that she's awoken in a brothel and the madam is demanding repayment for taking care of her. Stark terror fills Jasmine when the madam sells her innocence to a stranger. Garrett might be kind, but it doesn't change Jasmine's situation. One night at The Ruby and she's damaged goods. A soiled dove, even if it wasn't by choice.
Someone out there knows who she really is... Someone who wants to make her pay.
Even after Garrett offers her a chance at a new life on his ranch with his brothers, Jasmine knows it could all come tumbling down. They can never find out who she really is, or what she's done. They'd never want her in their home. But the more she gets to know the eldest brother, Ransom, the more she falls for him.
Will she get her happily-ever-after, or will her past come knocking and wreck it all?
“I’m glad to see you’re awake,” the woman said in a smoky voice. “You’ve been out for over a day.”
“Where am I?” A day? She’d lost an entire day? No, it felt like more time had pass.
The woman gave her a chilly smile. “My place, The Ruby.”
Jasmine looked down at the nightgown she was wearing. It didn’t have any sleeves and fell to the floor with a ruffled hem. The material seemed more sheer than she’d typically wear. Certainly not the night rail she’d donned before going to bed. At least, as far as she remembered. The thought of someone dressing her made her ill. What else had they done while she’d been unconscious?
“Did you dress me in this?” she asked.
The woman shook her head. “You came to us wearing that. Gus found you in the back alley. Best we could figure is that you were on your way here and were waylaid. What do you remember?”
Jasmine frowned. Who was Gus? And why would she have been coming to this place? The Ruby. The name wasn’t familiar. Based on her clothing, the woman’s, and the name… Jasmine had a feeling she was in one of the rooms above a saloon. Definitely not a place she’d ever dare step foot. She may not remember much of her past, but that she felt bone deep.
She opened her mouth to respond and then snapped it shut. Where her memories should be was nothing but a gaping hole. How did she explain that to this woman? Should she bother? For all Jasmine knew, the women meant to harm her. She knew her name and age, knew she hailed from Tennessee, but aside from that, she couldn’t remember a blessed thing.
“I don’t know,” she answered softly. Being honest was the best. She didn’t think she could keep track of lies if she started speaking half-truths.
“Well, I’m Bess and you’re safe for now. Since you’re awake, I’ll have a tray sent up to your room. I would imagine you’re hungry. After you eat, we’ll discuss your duties here.”
That feeling of dread intensified. No. The woman couldn’t possibly mean what Jasmine thought she did. Right? “Duties?”
The chilly smile was back. “You’ve taken up one of my beds for over a day now, and you’ll be eating my food. You’ll earn it.”
Jasmine swallowed down the knot of fear that was growing by the minute. “And how will I do that?”
A calculated gleam entered Bess’s eyes. “This is a brothel, honey. How do you think you’ll do it?”
Jasmine paled and sank to the floor. It was exactly as she’d feared. The woman meant to sell her body, and Jasmine had a feeling she had no choice. Maybe she could make the woman see reason.
“I can’t do that,” she whispered. “Please don’t make me.”
“Pretty young thing like you ought to fetch a good price. Be prepared to earn your keep tonight. On your back.” Bess turned to leave, but paused in the doorway. “And just in case you’re thinking about escaping, don’t. You’re on the second floor and it’s quite a drop. Your door will remain locked until tonight.”
Adult Excerpt
“I want to savor you,” he whispered, “but I’m afraid that won’t happen this time. I’ve wanted you for far too long and it’s been over a year since I’ve been with a woman.”
“I don’t care, Ransom. I just want to feel like I’m a part of you.”
He kissed her deeply and slipped a hand between her legs. His fingers brushed over her clit drawing a gasp from her sweet lips. As he circled and stroked the sensitive nub, her fingers dug into his shoulders. Her body felt as if it were getting tighter and tighter, reaching for something. Ransom slid a finger inside of her wet pussy and she cried out as it triggered her orgasm.
Lifting her legs around his waist, he placed his cock against her pussy and eased inside of her, giving her time to adjust to his size. She’d never felt so full, it was pure bliss. She could tell he was afraid to move, probably afraid he would hurt her. Trailing her hands up his chest and over his shoulders, she ran her hands into his hair.
“Ransom, you aren’t going to hurt me,” she said softly. “Make love to me.”
“You’re just so tight. I’m afraid I’m going to split you in two.”
“I love the way you feel inside of me,” she admitted with a blush.
He grinned and leaned down to kiss her. Easing out of her, he gently slid back in, using long, slow strokes. Jasmine tightened her legs around his waist, pulling him in further. She couldn’t tell where he stopped and she started, and she was loving every minute of it.
She looked up into his intense eyes and saw all she needed to know. He loved her. He might not have said the words, might not ever say it, but it was there in his eyes for all the world to see. And with him gently making love to her, she felt more cherished than she ever had before.
Ransom’s thrusts became shorter and faster and his eyes darkened. She knew he was close, and so was she. Arching her body against his, she let the sensations carry her away, and as he plunged inside of her one last time, she came calling his name.
