Compromised Cowgirl (29 page)

“Yes, you will obey me,” declared Ace. He used his nine inch advantage to look down at her.

Jessie turned her snarling face to him. “No, I won’t!”

“You either marry me, and that includes obeying my orders, or Finan. He’s storming up the valley right now.”

She gulped then pressed her lips together so hard they turned hard and white. Her free hand formed a fist.

“If you crush those flowers, Bridie will think you don’t like them,” Ace said softly.

Though his voice was soft, the emphasis was hard and determined. He hadn’t wanted to marry this woman, so far from what he desired in a wife, but marry her he would. Unlike Henry’s brother, also forced into a marriage due to being compromised, he would rule the home. Not with a fist, but by making her know what he wanted, and how she would benefit from it. Now that he understood her better, he enjoyed twisting her tail to increase her passion. He put on the expression he’d seen too often from his older brother. Indolent, bored and very, very superior.

“You can deny it all you like, but you’ll agree to marry me, and that means obeying my orders.”

She gasped. Her chest rose and fell quickly, the
V
of her pale green gown enticing him as she fought for words. The dress pushed her breasts high, showing a hint of cleavage. He wanted to slide his cock back and forth between them.

“I hate you,” she whispered. Her narrowed eyes and pursed mouth matched her words. The pastor blanched, but Ace knew it was the reverse side of the passion she showed in bed. One thing Jessie had in spades was passion.

“But you love my kisses.” He drew out the words, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. “That will have to do for now, Jessiemine.”

“The name is pronounced Jess-a-
min
!” She poked him in the chest with her index finger. “And I don’t want your kisses.”

“Oh, you want them, Jessiemine.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I’m going to kiss your hard nipples and your belly. Another few inches and I’ll kiss those swollen lips, already wet with wanting me. I’ll nibble that little button and you’ll explode with pleasure. And then I’ll do it again. And again.”

She ran her tongue around her lips and swallowed. His cock jumped at those lips, thinking of her mouth around him. She frowned, and then turned to her matron of honor.

“Even after a few years, is the sex worth being married, Beth?”

“Why do you think I put up with three of your brothers?” Beth replied in a dry tone. “Sometimes they make me furious, but”—she sighed and patted her rounding belly—“the joys are worth it.”

Jessie stared at Beth’s belly. She worried her bottom lip.

“Do you want that, Jessie?” asked Beth. “A home of your own and children to love?”

She nodded. “I do.”

“We’re not ready for that part yet, my dear,” said the pastor, “but I’ll remember you said the words.” He looked at the open Bible on his hand. “Where was I? Oh yes.” He cleared his throat. “To love, honor, and obey, in sickness and in health, from this day forward. So help you God.”

Jessie looked down at her flowers. Ace wondered if she would give in or let him win this battle but keep her determination to win the war? She thrust out her chin and set her shoulders back.

“I do.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Kiss the bride and seal the agreement.”

Jessie handed her flowers to Bridie with a sweet smile. It was gone by the time she raised her face to him. “This better be worth it,
husband
.”

Ace rested his hands on her waist. He tugged her forward until she pressed against his body. He knew when she realized what pressed against her belly by the way her eyes widened. She gulped, and then set her jaw once more.

He turned his head and nibbled her neck from her ear to her shoulder. While doing so he turned so his back faced the family and friends. Then he dropped his hands to her bottom. He took a cheek in each palm and squeezed. She squeaked and grabbed his biceps. He caught her open mouth with his and let her taste his tongue. She moaned and wrapped her arms around him. He lifted one knee, let it rest between her thighs and rubbed. She moaned louder and sucked his tongue deep.

“That’s enough for now,” said Sin, whispering loudly. “The bedding should be done after the party.”

He pulled Jessie’s hands from his back. Ace sucked in air, wishing everyone was gone, so he could finally bury himself in her heat. She was more than ready.

“They’ll be fine,” drawled Trace. “Now it’s my turn to kiss the bride.”

Ace frowned as five of Jessie’s brothers and the three MacDougals lined up to kiss her. He scowled when a grinning Luke Frost, Gabe Downey, and Oscar Cutler joined the line. The Circle C bachelors were eager for a bride, but he didn’t want them touching his woman.

“Stop growling,” said Sin. “They’ll behave with all her brothers watching.” He lightly pounded his fist into Ace’s shoulder. “Let’s check if we can see Fin MacDougal yet.”

Ace let Sin pull him away from his blushing bride. Why would a woman who demanded so much sex from them those first few days blush so easily? He snagged a glass on the way out of Trace’s parlor, frowning when he realized it was lemonade and not whiskey.

Far below, a lone man on a big horse walked along the valley road. His red hair blazed like a beacon. Since Gillis MacDougal was hauling Jessie into his arms, the one riding toward them had to be Finan. He hadn’t brought a posse with him, nor did he look like he was in a great hurry to get to Jessie.

Fin had disappeared the day after announcing his so-called “engagement” to Jessie. They’d thought he’d gone back to
Texas
until he arrived a few days ago, telling everyone he would soon be married and off to
Texas
. He looked so sure of himself that Trace insisted they move up the wedding.

Ace swigged down the lemonade. He choked at the acid taste, eyes watering.

“Bridie made the lemonade all by herself,” said Sin with a poker face. “She’s very proud of herself. She says we’re her uncles now, so she has eleven.”

Ace nodded, unable to speak. His eyes watered. He flicked his tongue in and out of his mouth for a moment to let the acid evaporate. “I’ll pass on my thanks when I see her.”

Though only thirteen, Bridie’s wide smile and beautiful golden-red hair already had men hoping she’d choose them in a few years. Meggie was closer to marriageable age, being sixteen. Considering they were the only young girls around, having eleven uncles gave them protection that would have helped Molly Sinclair and her family.

Miss Lily had passed the word that Molly and Sarah were doing well.
Rosa
, having survived years of rape, could put life in perspective for them. They were still afraid of strangers, but were less likely to cringe whenever someone moved too quickly. It would still be a long time before they were ready for visitors, especially men.

Having rescued Sarah, Luke and Gabe had a special interest in the young woman. She wasn’t ready to be courted, but the Circle C had made it clear they would not tolerate any disrespect toward her. It also meant she wore their brand. They wouldn’t push, but if Sarah showed interest, each would be there with hat in hand, ready to propose.

Ace tried not to think of how Jessie, travelling alone, could have been sold into the same type of hell. With her attitude, she’d attract men who enjoyed dominating a woman. They would break her body and ravage her soul, but he liked to think her spirit would survive.

His family crest pinky ring was on her left hand. A proper wedding ring was one of the things they’d get in
Bannack
City
after they sold the steers. Perhaps they’d drive them to
Virginia City
instead, and make even more profit.

The bachelor plans for whores, whiskey, and gambling were out the window. He’d won the war about the marriage, but lost the battle over the cattle drive. Jessie was coming with them to drive the steers to market. He’d never let her see it, but he was proud of her in so many ways. Of course, it was easier now that his cowboy skills were improving.

Luke strolled out of the house with Jessie’s hand resting on his arm. “You want your wife back now, Langford?”

“Maybe I don’t want to go to him, Luke.”

Jessie tossed her head and simpered at Luke. She had learned many things while in
Virginia
. He’d seen many a young miss in
London
flirt the same way. He held his grin, managing to keep it to a lip twitch. Jessie was trying too hard to keep her mad on, and it showed.

Luke stepped away when Ace wrapped his arm around her slim waist and pulled Jessie close. He already knew what she looked like naked, from all sides. But she looked even better from this angle. He looked down, his cock jumping at the view of her inviting cleavage.

She pouted up at him, eyes narrowing. “What are you thinking about?”

“That you are mine, Jessie Bonham Elliott Langford,” he said, loud enough for others to hear. He nibbled her ear and whispered. “I will slide my cock between those breasts you’re showing off. You’ll bend your head and take me into your mouth with each slow stroke.”

She turned her head and met his eyes. He nodded, just a slight movement but enough for her to know he meant it. She opened her mouth to breathe. Her corset was designed to be worn with the dress and was too tight to allow more than a shallow pant. Beads of perspiration appeared on her upper lip. Her nostrils flared as she listened.

“I’ll spread your legs. I’ll kiss your feet, all the way to your pussy. I’ll lick and nibble that button of yours until you explode. Then I’ll put my cock where it will do the most good for both of us. I’ll make you come again. Because you are mine.”

“Here comes Fin MacDougal,” called Luke. The parlor emptied, men spilling out to watch him arrive.

“She’s married, so ye can take yer sorry carcass to
Texas
,” bellowed Gillis at his oldest brother. “We dinna want ye here.”

Fin drew his horse to a stop twenty feet away. He looked them over, his lip curling in disgust. “Jessie ain’t enough woman fer me. I found a real woman, one who’ll bear many sons fer my Clan.”

“What do ye mean, ye’ve got a wife?” demanded Gillis.

“I found a wee lassie in
Bannack
City
.” Fin smoothed his trimmed beard and smirked. “Morag MacConacher is far more woman than that one will ever be.”

He pointed at Jessie. She automatically stuck her tongue out at him. He hawked and spat to the side. “Yer welcome to her, Langford. She’s so puny she’ll likely die with her first bairn.”

Ace automatically tightened his hold on Jessie. He knew of too many women who died in childbirth, especially small ones like Jessie. He reminded himself that Trace told him their mother was built like Jessie, and she’d had two sets of twin sons as well as three others. Though she was short, his wife had wide hips, perfect for his hands to hold and for birthing babies.

Trace pushed past Ace and Jessie to stand beside Gillis. “Get back to town before I take a horsewhip to you.”

“Good idea. I’ll get my bullwhip,” said Jessie. She struggled to step away, but Ace kept her pinned. “Pa banned him from Elliott land after he took a whip to our horses for ‘fun,’” she complained to Ace. She poked him with her elbow. “It’s about time someone did it to him!”

“Settle down,” said Ace calmly. “Let the others deal with Fin.” She opened her mouth to squawk. “If we were on the Double Diamond, I’d hand the whip to you.”

She pressed her lips together. After a moment she nodded. She turned back to Fin, showing with her expression that she wouldn’t hesitate to attack.

“At least yer bloody English lord made ye wear skirts,” said Fin to Jessie.

“Actually, my dear boy,” replied Ace in his most cultured voice, “Father is an Earl. That’s just below a prince, for those of you uneducated enough to know.”

“You’re egging him on,” said Jessie.

“Good,” replied Ace quietly. “Every man here would love to have a piece of him for what he’s done to you.”

“You’ve said what ye came to,” growled Gillis. “Get yer carcass off our land.”

Fin narrowed his eyes and sneered. “It may be yer land now, but ye’ll nae pass it on. Sunbird ne’er married Father, so those two are bastards.” He pointed to Ross and Nevin, then looked at Amelia, nestled between them. She blanched. Ross pulled her close.

“It dinna matter what comes out of yer belly, woman. I’ll own this ranch when Father dies,” threatened Fin. “And I’ll sell it to yer worst enemy!” He turned his horse and raced downhill, echoes of Gillis’ furious bellows chasing him.

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t stop until he’s in Tanner’s Ford,” said Sin.

“We’ll go with you,” said Luke. “In case he tries to stop along the way and make trouble.”

“Thank you,” said Trace. “I wouldn’t put it past him to torch Jessie’s new home on his way past.” Luke, Gabriel, and Oscar followed Sin to the barn.

“What if your father dies before I have a son?” Amelia wiped away tears. “We could lose everything.”

Jessie bit her knuckle. She turned her head, staring at the ground. She lifted her head, frowned, and looked at Amelia. “He’s wrong,” she said. “I’m sure Sunbird married Finan.”