Page 55 of Jonathan

“I will not have you describing my man like a slab of beef.”

She was not aware of the words, until she saw her friends staring at her.

“What?”

“Your man.- That’s what you said,” Lauren told her.

“So?” She moved her uninjured shoulder jerkily.

“That’s the first time you have ever used those words – ever.” Salome said solemnly. “Which makes it very significant.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Darling…,” Salome touched her arm gently. “You’re in love with the guy.”

“Which does not matter, because I cannot be a rancher’s wife. Besides which, he has not said anything about permanency. It could be he’s just doing this because he feels guilty.”

“And you would be a damned fool to think that.” Lauren told her impatiently. “Even the blind could see that he’s completely gone over you.”

“His mother does not really like me.”

“She was very gracious to us.”

“She warned me off when I just got here. Apparently, some actress tried to lure him away from the ranch.”

Lauren shook her head. “But that was different. This is you. And from what I’ve seen, you’re nothing like some fleeting fancy. You’re real, genuine.”

Kamilah sighed. “I don’t know, maybe I’m just overthinking this. Or maybe it's too good to be true and I’m scared.”

Salome nodded thoughtfully. “It’s natural to feel that way, especially when it’s something that means this much. But don’t let fear make the decisions for you.”

Kamilah shrugged. “We’ll see. Now enough about me. What’s been going on with you two?”

Chapter 14

“You drew me a bath.” She murmured in wonder. “In your big ass tub that could hold a dozen people.”

“I drew us a bath,” he corrected.

“You must be so tired. You’ve been up since before dawn and did not return until past eight. You missed supper.” She allowed him to take off the dress she had worn to the dining table. Where her friends had charmed and entertained Leonie and the household staff.

“I had some things to deal with.” He was careful of the injury which sent shivers of rage and regret pouring through him every time. “It’s approaching winter, and we have some things to tie up.

The branding of the cattle and repairs to be done.” He unhooked her flimsy bra and felt the familiar stirring of desire. He had not touched her more than a week and was feeling the pressure.

He wanted her so much; he could taste it. Although, ‘want’ was too tame a word for what he was feeling. The need to feel her beneath him, wrapped around him, to taste the musky scent of her, to hear the sighs and moans- the husky sound of her voice when she calls out his name in the throes of her release was driving him mad.

He briskly finished taking off her clothes and helped her into the sudsy water that was threatening to overflow the lip of the tub.

“This is heaven.” She murmured, leaning back on the cushion and closing her eyes. Suds were up to her neck and the warm water seeping into her skin felt wonderful. Opening her eyes, she pleasured herself by watching him undress. The lean muscles flexed and quivered as he moved.

A purr sounded deep in her throat when he took off his underwear and she could feel the familiar crazy desire raging through her body. He had not touched her, but she was going to change that tonight.

He stepped in, sliding down on the opposite end and lifting her feet onto his lap. Blue eyes scanned her face, relieved to see thatshe looked better. She was healing and he was thankful for it. “Your friends are…, entertaining.”

She laughed at his hesitation. “You mean they are loud.”

He grinned. “I did not want to be offensive.”

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