NotoriousWoman (16 page)

Jake kissed her mouth, her neck. Each breast was suckled.
His fingers massaged her legs, gripped her buttocks. She stroked the muscles of
his back, tentatively squeezed the muscles of his buttocks, gripped his thick
arms, slippery with sweat. She kissed his neck, teased his nipples with her
teeth. Rapture filled her. Why had she waited so long to be in his arms? Why
had she resisted the pleasures of the flesh before now?

Jake was amazing, and for at least this short time they were
together. She felt cared for, loved the way a woman wanted to be loved.

The pace of his thrusts increased in tempo. Their soft moans
filled the room, rivaling the sounds of crickets and other insects outside.
Sweat glistened off their skin and the gentle rocking of the bed against the
floorboards was like an ancient, natural song.

“I am so close,” Jake murmured.

This time she wanted to come with him. “Yes, yes, me too.”
She panted and met each thrust.

He dropped his head into the crook of her neck. His thrusts
came faster, harder, their skin slapped together. He pressed farther. The
mounting pressure inside her was almost too much to bear and when she was sure
she might die from this exquisite torture, her world shattered and once again
she came undone.

Jake shouted her name, his body quaking above hers. His hips
pressed harder against hers, his pace slowing until finally he collapsed.

His head was still buried in her neck. Her arms no longer
clung to the bedpost but held him, unwilling to let him go. Her legs were still
wrapped around him, molded there as if she belonged this way, his cock still
inside her.

“My beautiful Kate…” he whispered.

She felt beautiful, desired and loved. His words would never
be forgotten. She wanted to be his.

He rolled off her. The cool air made her shiver.

She could smell him on her body, her sweat mingled with his.
He fell back against a pillow and closed his eyes.

They lay side by side, buck-naked in the dark. Kate listened
to Jake snore. She had to admit, what she’d been missing was beyond her wildest
dreams.

She would never be the same.

Chapter Ten

Way before dawn—not even the birds were twittering—Jake
buttoned his britches and shrugged on his shirt. It’d be light soon. He glanced
back at Kate sleeping, a blanket covering her, showing the curve of her hip.
Her dark hair was splayed out against a white pillowcase crocheted with lace.
She looked peaceful and content. His heart took an extra beat.

What have you gone and done, Jake?

He’d claimed her and vocalized all that was in his heart.
Damn.
Falling in love had never been in the cards for him. And yet watching her sleep
awakened a deep yearning inside him that he wouldn’t deny.

He felt a strange, unfamiliar pull, a stirring of
contentment.

He was in a quandary. He’d let his cock call the shots last
night and had no regrets. The wager was to tame her, to make her into a docile
lady, but to be honest he didn’t want her to change. He liked her fine just the
way she was. There was no doubt he’d do anything for her, which muddied up the
waters.

What was he going to do? He’d decided the best thing was to
return to the Box T. Caleb had given him a good excuse for leaving. Now he
wasn’t so sure that was what he wanted.

He tugged on his boots. He’d never imagined he’d find a
woman who would match him in grit and determination. They made a good team
standing in the branding chute, giving old General a dose of salts. They’d
punched cows together and made plans to improve the ranch. She relied on him.

Making love to her had been satisfying beyond his craziest
expectations.

He shook his head and smiled. Jake Madden under the spell of
a woman. He hadn’t believed it possible.

Last night he’d given her all he could give. What if he
cared for her more than was healthy? He licked the corner of his mouth where
she had hit him. The cut still smarted. His jaw was still sore. Kate could be
volatile.

Hell, who had he been kidding, trying to convince himself
they weren’t right for each other, when everything they shared had been what
any man would hope for?

He rubbed his jaw. Well, not exactly everything.

“Jake?” She raised herself on one elbow. Her hair fell on
her bare shoulders, curled around her breasts. How pretty she was as the first
light softened the shadows, with sweet love reflected in her eyes
and…happiness. It was a side of her he’d never seen until this moment. “Is everything
all right?”

This would be as good time as any to tell her about the bet.
A fresh stab of guilt coursed through him, gripped him hard. He’d not been
dishonest a day in his life but now, when honesty was the most important, he
came up failing.

He buckled his belt. “I’m going to check on the stock.”

“Are you coming back to bed when you’re done?” she asked,
trusting, loving.

“No.”

She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Her mouth, so easily
puckered, was set in a sweet bow. Jake couldn’t help but wish work could wait.

She sat up, clutching her blanket to her neck like a virgin
on her wedding night. There could be only one explanation. Kate wanted him to
stay. He wasn’t against her using feminine wiles to full advantage but there
was work to do.

“I can change your mind,” she said with a lusty growl. “I’ll
let you see me bare-ass naked.”

Jake snorted. “You get dressed. I’ll go put on some coffee.”

“Humph, you’re no fun.”

He could be but he would stay focused on the job she’d hired
him to do.

She pushed back the covers. “I can’t believe it’s morning
already.”

“The sun will be up by the time we get started.” He headed
to the kitchen before he took up her offer for some more bed play.

“Where exactly are we going?” she hollered from her room.

He heard the bed creak as she got out. It was the kind of
sound that messed with a man’s good sense. He wanted to go back in there and
relive last night, whip, kisses and plunging deep inside her cunny…every last
delicious minute.

“We’ll head up to the Sepulveda Pass. Steers will be
congregating in the foothills this time of year. Wear something warm.”

“Do you really think we’ll find cows up there?” she asked.

He ladled water from a stone crock and filled the coffeepot.
“Can’t say for sure but every head counts. I’ve done a tally. You’ll be short,
time winter comes, with what you have.”

“Then we better go get them,” she said behind him.

Jake spun around.

Kate had slipped into her britches and wore a leather
jacket. As she tied a red bandana around her neck, he noticed the tiny reddish-purple
mark he’d left there. She’d tucked her whip into the waistband—and now every
time he saw it he’d imagine her bare, silky round ass. She looked fresh and
eager to get started. And he was too—but not on cattle punching. His cock
pulsed hard, demanding satisfaction.

She took over fixin’ the coffee and before long the strong
brew was boiling on the cast-iron stove.

“Smells good,” he said, slapping her on the rump.

“Mind your manners.”

Jake shook his head. He’d like to kiss her right now but
with one kiss he’d be a goner.

The cowmen over at the Box T had been up to some
foolishness, betting he could change her. He scoffed at the notion of Kate
becoming a sweet-tempered woman. He wouldn’t change anything about her. And he
didn’t want to.

“I’ll see you later, Kate.”

“What about your coffee?”

“Keep it hot.” He grabbed his jacket off the hook on the
back of the front door. “I’ll go saddle the horses.”

He stepped outside. The morning air was bitter cold and he
put on his duster and flipped up the collar. Young Purdy’s fancy buggy was
parked in front of the barn. He and Jolie had no doubt bedded down there again
after they returned from town. Love for them wasn’t complicated. They’d found
pleasure in each other’s company and in each other’s arms.

Purdy would inherit a fine ranch. With Jolie by his side,
he’d prosper.

Jake would return to his life as a drover, punching cattle,
driving them north to the railhead for a living. He barely made enough to
support himself and didn’t have much put by. Not enough to honor his bet,
leastways.

Jake peered up into the big sky, the shifting clouds.
Snowflakes drifted down, melting before they hit the ground.

There was no way to settle the matter. If he confessed why
he was here, she would realize he’d betrayed her trust and that was what he
feared the most, the look of disappointment she’d be sure to show him. He’d be
better off going back to his old life before that happened. Both of them would
be.

Except his gut roiled when he considered leaving her. What
choice did he have?

Dearest Kate, my Katie, what should I do now?

* * * * *

Jake saddled Rascal and Kate’s dun mare. There was work to
do. Kate wanted to help with the roundup. He’d oblige her.

He entered the farmhouse without knocking. Embers still
glowed in the fireplace grate. The warm room was inviting after the raw morning
air. The smells of fresh coffee and bacon frying stirred his insides.

The checkerboard was still out, the black and red checkers
in a pile. No more playing games. She’d been hotter than a widowed coyote as
she set out the board. Making love to her had been a pleasure he’d not likely
forget.

He strode into kitchen. She poured two cups of coffee. He
stood next to her at the stove, drinking the hot brew.

He fought his urge to pick her up and carry her to bed.

“Did you notice if Jolie came home last night?”

“Yes, Purdy’s buggy is outside.”

“Good.”

He detected a note of sadness.

Kate sat in a kitchen chair and shoved on her boots. “You
think I ride her too hard,” she said, stomping them on.

Surprisingly she wanted his approval. “Jolie’s a grown woman
and apt to want to make her own decisions.”

“She’s too young to get married.”

“I expect her mind’s made up.”

“You won’t back me on this?”

“No, Katie.”

“I reckon you’re entitled to an opinion.”

“Without a doubt.”

“Just you remember who’s boss of this outfit.”

He recognized that smug expression she wore when her dander
was up. He’d riled her and she wasn’t about to give an inch.

Jake exhaled noisily. “As I said last night, I’m the boss
when it comes to other…skills.” He couldn’t help himself. He needed to remind
her how much she’d enjoyed his company in her bed.

Jake bent and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. When she
was panting, moaning and gripping his shirt tight, he reluctantly pulled away.

“Time to get a move on. It’s going to be a long day,” he
said.

The front door banged open. Jolie stood in the doorway in
rumpled clothes, arms folded before her and her head bowed. Her blouse was
buttoned in the wrong buttonholes.

“Good morning,” Kate said. Thankfully, she held her tongue.
They was no time for an argument.

“Is there coffee?” Jolie scurried into the kitchen but
avoided meeting her sister eye to eye.

“You’ll have to make a new pot.”

Jolie nodded. “You want some?”

“No ma’am,” Jake answered.

“All right then.” Jolie tended to the coffee.

Jake had to wonder why she was so skittish this morning.

Kate didn’t move. Her silence made him nervous and they
couldn’t delay any longer.

“What are we waiting for?” he asked.

She shot him a murderous look and he backed away. “I’ll only
be a minute,” she said.

“I’ll be outside,” he said, figuring that to be the safest
place for him.

Kate stayed rooted in the kitchen. She hadn’t liked Jolie’s
sheepishness when she came into the house as if she had something to hide. Kate
was fully aware her sister was lying with Caleb.

Kate couldn’t leave with bad blood between them.

“Out with it, Jolie. Why are you avoiding me?” She’d spoken
harsher than she meant but she couldn’t help it.

“I’m so sorry, Kate.” Jolie picked up the stone pitcher.

“Sorry about what?”

She set the pitcher down so quickly water sloshed over the
sides. Neither of them did anything about the spill.

Kate wanted her sister to share what was on her mind without
receiving any criticism, any show of temper. A tall order, but Kate sucked in
her lower lip before she said anything more.

“Caleb and I…” She looked at Kate.

“Yes?” Kate was losing her patience.

“We’re getting married.”

Kate had been expecting her announcement but she still
wasn’t prepared for the wrenching in her heart, the plummeting of her stomach.

She nodded, trying to swallow back the bile in her throat.
She had to be strong. This was what Jolie wanted. She deserved happiness and
there was no disputing Caleb made her happy.

Before last night, Kate would have considered her sister a
hopeless romantic. They had both found out early in life how marriage could be
one disappointment after another.

Jake had taught her different. Coupling with a good man
could be pleasurable, life-changing. From the sounds Kate had heard in the barn
of Jolie and Caleb’s carrying on, Jolie already had figured that out.

“Caleb’s offered to buy the farm, Kate. He says you can
remain here and run the place if you want to.” Jolie choked back a sob. “I will
live with him in his house.”

She was terribly hurt but there was only one thing she could
say. “You have my blessing to marry but I won’t allow Caleb to buy the ranch.”

Kate couldn’t look at her sister right now. She didn’t want
her to see the pain that was most certainly etched on her face.

“But Kate, how will you survive? You can’t afford to pay for
help. Let Caleb buy the ranch, let him pay for more workers. Let him get this
place running again. Maybe one day you can buy it back.”

Jolie’s words were like broken glass. Kate had failed. It’d
taken only the better part of a year to ruin all their pa had worked so hard
for.

Had Caleb found out about how much debt the homestead
carried? Certainly, he must’ve guessed. Even if she did use Caleb’s money to
start over, how would Kate ever make enough money to pay off her debt? She’d
suspected all along the Purdys wanted her ranch and now they would have it.

Her insides burned. Silas Purdy had won.

Maybe selling out to Caleb Purdy was for the best. The ranch
would never thrive as much as she wished. The money she’d earn from the
purchase, she could invest in a smaller place.

But the ranch was home and the way Jake had been talking,
there were things she could do to grow and prosper. She couldn’t think of
another place she wanted to be.

If she didn’t sell her share to Caleb, he would acquire
Jolie’s half when they married. Caleb had filled Jolie’s head with a fistful of
pretty ideas. Ideas that were rubbish. The no-good, lying bastard.

Kate walked up to Jolie and put her arms around her. She
hugged her close. “I am so happy for you, Jolie. You have no idea how much I’ve
longed for you to find love, to live the life you’ve always wanted.”

Jolie hugged her back. “But what about you?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll find someone, just you wait and
see.”

Jolie pulled away. “Promise me you’ll think about selling
out. Caleb will give you a fair price. He promised.”

She heard the urgency in Jolie’s words but Kate wasn’t going
to make a quick decision. “Give me some time to think about it. I can’t decide
just now.”

“Fair enough,” Jolie replied, glowing with a sweet smile.
Her worry had gone, giving Kate some satisfaction.

Her sister only wanted the best for her but the ranch was
part of her. She wasn’t going to give up without a fight. “Jake and I are
riding up to the pass to round up strays. We’ll talk later.”

Jolie nodded.

Kate stomped out of the house. This was all happening too
fast and her emotions were swirling as if caught up in a cyclone.