STORY EXCERPT

“You are the stubbornest man.”

Sam shrugged. “When it’s needed.” He winked at her then glanced at his watch. “Quit talking and eat. We have to leave in fifteen minutes if you want to be on time.”

Sylvia slowed her eating and sipped her coffee. Sam laughed out loud.

“Now who’s being stubborn?”

She grinned and ate her meal while watching Sam. He and his mother were discussing ranch business. He’d turned his face to the left toward his mom. Sunlight coming in the kitchen window highlighted the gold strands in his light-brown hair. When he turned to her, he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Ready to go?”

“Yes. I’ll run to my room and be right back.” She rushed down the hall and into her bathroom, where she brushed her teeth and put on more lipstick. She was still startled when she looked in the mirror and saw the scar on her face. And she hated how it flashed her back to the scene in the underground torture room when one of the kidnappers had sliced her face with his knife. He’d thought she’d tell him where her sister was hiding. But she didn’t. If she had they’d have both died after the men were through with them. She’d been sure she was going to be killed the night Graham and his friend rescued her. She shook her head to clear away the memories. Once she finished rehab on her wrist, she planned to contact a plastic surgeon and hopefully have her face fixed.

“You’re pretty with or without the makeup.”

His voice startled her. Looking in the mirror, she saw Sam leaning against the side of the door. His golden-brown eyes held her mesmerized. Her heart beat faster as he came into the room and stood behind her. Leaning down, he sniffed her hair. “You smell like sunlight and spring flowers.” His arms wrapped around her body as his lips gently kissed her neck.

“What are you doing?” Her voice quivered.

“Letting you know you’re important to me. I was worried when you took so long. You were remembering the nightmare.”

“How do you know?”

“Your eyes look very sad when you are thinking of that time. Forget the scar. I seldom notice it. To me it’s your badge of courage.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s time to go to your appointment. If you need me to drive you or do anything else for you, I’m here.”

His husky voice made her hot. She spread her arms and pushed him away. “I’m not ready for a romance. I’m a city girl, and you are a cowboy born and bred. The two can never be happy together.” She lowered her eyes and swallowed around the tightness in her throat. Her memories did make her sad, but so did the thought of when she’d leave the ranch and Sam. Still, she knew herself. This man would not do for her. She’d hurt him.

“Afraid to give romance a try?” He’d stepped back, and she walked into the bedroom, got her purse, and led the way out.

She didn’t answer until they were in the car. “I’m not afraid of anything. But you’ll be hurt, not me.”

“I’m a big boy. I can take the hard knocks, if they come. I’m betting that I can change your mind and convince you that you are a cowgirl who got lost in the city.”

Sylvia had to chuckle. “You’ll lose.”

“It’s my gamble.” He reached across and touched her hand. “I want to make love to you, to kiss your gorgeous body all over, and put my cock in your sweet pussy. I want to see your eyes when you explode from my lovin’.” He pulled into the parking lot at the hospital.

“You are very sure of yourself.” His words had her pussy clenching with desire and lust rushing in her veins.

“Shall I come in with you?”

“No.” She jumped out and practically ran to the hospital door.

“I’ll go see Rand and pick you up in an hour,” he hollered after her.

Sylvia stopped just inside the hospital lobby to regain her composure. In her mind all she saw was the two of them wrapped around each other. Who knew the quiet, innocent brother had such sexy thoughts about her. He’d been such a gentleman. Wow! She got on the elevator and tried to push the salacious pictures in her mind to the back. Rehab was important.

Her cast had finally come off after six weeks, and after several weeks of rehab, she saw quite a difference. She could have driven herself, but she gave in to be with Sam a little longer this morning. In a little over two months, she’d gotten too fond of him.

What she needed to do was concentrate and get well. If she didn’t hurry and leave Frontier City, she might get confused about what she wanted for her life. It certainly wasn’t living on a ranch, near a small town, in the middle of nowhere.

ADULT EXCERPT

She turned to face him. “You looked fierce today.”

“Did you think because I’m easygoing that I couldn’t or wouldn’t protect my own?”

“I’m not yours, and yes, I guess I saw the way you were as not as tough as Graham.”

“We’re all tough. With me it doesn’t always show, but my brothers and friends know I’m a rough competitor. Sometimes it’s all right to be underrated. It gives you an edge. But I’m glad you know I can take care of you in all ways.”

“This doesn’t mean I’m going to be your woman.”

“I can hope.” She had her arms around his neck. He pulled her legs up to his waist. “I love you, Sylvia. I’m not going away without trying very hard to win you. Right now I’d love to put my hard cock inside your delectable pussy, but you need to rest.” He kissed her and let her legs slide to the floor. “Finish up. I’m going to the kitchen to fix you a cup of tea. Luckily my appliances and furniture got delivered yesterday.”

He strolled off. She took the soap, washed, and then got out and dried. She didn’t want to put on the clothes lying on the floor. In his closet she found a robe, tied it snug against her waist, and watched so as to not trip on the bottom of it.

Sam was pouring her tea when she came into the kitchen. He looked up, and his eyes flashed with passion. Her heart had quit pounding, but her aroused desire had it beating faster again. He pulled a chair out for her.

The tea was hot and sweet. “This is good.”

He’d poured a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “The robe looks better on you than me.”

“It’s a little long.”

“I noticed, and it shows the curve of your luscious breasts.”

“You are not making me think of resting. You’re arousing me.”

“When I saw you in that robe, I decided making love to you might help you rest better.”

“That’s an excellent idea, cowboy.”

“I love when you call me that in your sexy voice. Have you drunk enough of your tea?”

She tipped the cup up and swallowed the last bit. “I have now.”

Sam carried her into his bedroom and gently placed her on his new king size bed. He removed the jeans he’d pulled on and joined her. Slowly, he undid the belt and opened the front of the robe.

His warm hand cupped her breast. “I’d like to make love to these jewels if it won’t scare you.”

“I think I’m past that. Let’s try.”

“Just remember who has you in their arms. It’s Sam, not the bad guy.” Lightly, his hand massaged her breast, and then his fingers gently pinched her puckered nipple. He kept his eyes on her face, which aroused her even more. Leaning down, he kissed her mouth as his hand and fingers played with her breasts. He moved his hand from one to the other.

A slow fire flared in her abdomen and spread outward. Her pussy began to throb and moisture flowed. Sam dipped his head and took her nipple into his warm mouth. Her breath caught when he licked across the tip. A rush of desire ran straight to her pussy.

He raised his head. “Are you all right?”

“Please don’t stop. It feels so good.”

Sam licked and sucked on her pebbled nipples. His hands cupped each breast. Sylvia’s pussy responded and felt supersensitive to every move he made.

“I need you inside me,” she pleaded.

“Not yet. I’m going to taste your whole body before this is over.” He moved upward and held her face between his hands. Sam lightly kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her chin, and then his mouth covered hers. She opened her lips, and his tongue swept inside to taste and lick. Her tongue ran along the edges of his.

When he moved his hand back to her breasts and rubbed across her tight buds, her body trembled with desire. She moved restlessly under him.

Her hand slid down his body and took hold of his hard cock. It jerked in her hand. His warm skin felt like satin with steel underneath.

His teeth nipped her earlobe. “You’re trying to speed things up, but I’m not going to give in. You taste too good.”

He licked and kissed her neck. Then he scraped his teeth along the edge of her shoulder.

Sylvia moved her hand up and down his cock. Her finger trailed along the line underneath and then her hand cupped his sac.

Sam groaned, but he continued to kiss her body, her breasts, her midriff, and her abdomen. He moved her hand off his cock as he slid down her body. Now he spread her legs wide and separated her folds. His tongue licked her clit.