Page 19 of The Cowboy's Justice

“It was nothing,” she muttered, though a frown creased her brown.

“Don’t brush it away. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay, but maybe I can help.”

“It’s just something I overheard ages ago, and I can’t seem to get it out of my mind.”

“Go on.”

“It was one night at the country club. I was about to walk into the powder room and I overheard two girls talking. I thought they were my friends, but they were making fun of my clothes, my hair, everything,” she whimpered as a single tear spilled from her right eye. “My family didn’t have much until my grandfather invented that special rubber, and everyone knows it.”

“Damn,” he grunted, pulling her into his arms. “Girls like that—people like that—lead empty lives. It’s all about what they have, not who they are.”

“It’s one of the reasons I decided to have a country house, a place where I could escape when the whole social thing became too much. Anyway, while I was sitting in that traffic jam it flashed through my mind and suddenly I just had to get home. I couldn’t stand being on that freeway one more second.”

“So you hit the accelerator.”

“Yeah. I really am sorry. I just wasn’t thinking.”

“Hey, stuff happens,” he said softly, sliding his hand into her hair and clutching it tightly. “Forget about them, forget about all that crap. You’re here now, with me.”

“And I’m so glad,” she whispered, “so very, very glad.”

She was looking up at him, but closed her eyes as if inviting his kiss and he couldn’t say no. Tugging back her head, he lowered his lips on hers and softly kissed her. But as she fervently pressed her mouth against his, the passion between them sparked to life.

“Devlin,” she whispered when he finally pulled back. “I feel so weak.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Oh, no, it’s an amazing thing…please, please take me to bed!”

With his hardness pressing against his jeans, he swept her up, carried her to his bed, laid her down and stretched out beside her. He wanted to consume every inch of her, to utterly possess her, to thrust his hardness inside her until she was screaming his name.

“I don’t do this,” she suddenly panted. “I mean, I don’t just jump between the sheets, I don’t, I swear.”

“We’re in the same boat. This isn’t normal for me either. Does that help?”

“God, yes, now shut up and kiss me again.”

“First I’m takin’ off every stitch of your clothin,’ then, darlin’, I’ll do a whole lot more than kiss you.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Devlin’s growled promise sent a warm shiver through Portia’s body, and as he peeled off her clothes she thought she must have died and gone to heaven. His hands were rough, and his firm caress sent tingles through her entire being. When she was finally naked and he pressed his fingers into her sex, she let out a long, low, groan. But as he thrust them into her passage, he lowered his head and drew her nipples into his mouth, making her moan even louder. The blissful attention continued for long, heavenly minutes, until he reached across to his nightstand and pulled a condom from the drawer. She watched, mesmerized, as he knelt up, tore open the packet and sheathed his rigid rod.

“How much do you want me?” he asked huskily, stretching out over her and placing himself at her entrance.

“So much I can’t stand it.”

“Will you behave? No more snoopin’?”

“Yes, I mean…I’ll try.”

“Ah, an honest answer,” he muttered as he slowly pushed inside her warmth.

He began to stroke, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of him, but when he abruptly accelerated she found herself lost in a sea of scintillating sensations. She was about to beg him never to stop, but he unexpectedly pulled out and flipped her on her stomach.

“Now, you beautiful girl, it’s time for a quick chat,” he began, gripping her hips and jerking them up, “I’m in charge around here. You can’t just do as you please, like nosin’ around,” he declared, landing a hard smack on each cheek, evoking a startled cry.

“Oh, my God, I can’t believe you did that!”

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