Shannon Robinson

Anita turned to see who Sam’s opponent had been. His back was to her, coal black hair curled over the nape of his neck. “Turn around and show yourself, sir. You’re as much to blame here as he is, I imagine.”

The man didn’t so much as twitch at her demand. Irritation sprang to life within Anita’s veins. She learned long ago that some men didn’t give a damn to what a woman had to say, but when she wore the badge, she expected them to obey every word she uttered, whether they wanted to or not.

“I told you to turn around,” she repeated. He bent, retrieved a black Stetson from the floor, and settled it on top of his head. She expected him to turn around then, but when he still didn’t respond after a few seconds, she lifted her pistol and pulled back the hammer. The hair on the back of her neck began to rise. Something wasn’t right.

“I won’t ask you again, stranger. Turn around.”

She watched his shoulders sink as though a great decision had been made. He raised his hands in the air and slower than an armadillo’s crawl, turned around to face her.

Time seemed to stand still as her eyes met the clearest blue she’d only seen on one other person in her life. Anita ceased to breathe. Her palms grew moist around the handle of her gun while her mouth went dry. Standing before her was the one man she thought about every day, the one man she dreamed about every night, and the one man she’d hoped never to see again.

Her fiancé.

Coming November 2010 from The Wild Rose Press

Mattie stood on the porch feeling self-conscious and inadequate in her new outfit. Cole leaned against the wagon, staring at her. His gaze traveled from her head, down her body to her feet, and back up again, finally resting on her face. She gripped the package at her side, concentrating on its presence rather than Cole’s heated look. She stood silent for several moments until she could no longer stand his perusal.

“Well, do you like it?”

He nodded. “You look lovely, Mattie.”

The compliment caught her off guard, and heat rushed to her cheeks. She hadn’t thought he’d gift her with a flattering remark. It pleased her.

“Thank you, Cole.” She moved toward the wagon. “And thank you for the clothes. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn such finery.”

“You’re welcome.”

Again, he grasped her by the waist and lifted her into the wagon. She positioned her skirts and placed the wrapped package between them on the seat. Cole did not ask about the package when he climbed into the wagon and prepared them to leave.

She had to thank him. He’d given her more than anyone had in a long time. But she had nothing. Without an actual possession to bestow, Mattie leaned over to place a spontaneous kiss on Cole’s cheek. He turned his head and her lips landed on his mouth instead.

The instant his lips moved on hers, Mattie was lost. His mouth was hot and moist; his lips, velvet soft, teased hers. The pressure he applied hinted of barely restrained control. Her nipples prickled and grew tight. She wanted to unleash that control. To free the smoldering passion she knew existed from the tremors of his flesh against hers. Simply go up in flames and rise into the clouds, into the wind of desire Cole evoked within her.

The only problem was, she didn’t know if she could survive the fall back to reality once the wind stopped blowing.

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He placed a finger on her lips.  “I’m sorry for what I’ve done.  I never meant to deceive you and I promise,” he paused, drawing his fingers over her lips, “it won’t happen again.”

The sincerity in his voice, shining from his steely gray eyes, wreaked havoc on her senses.  She could smell the musky scent of him, a fresh woodsy smell that made her want to breathe deeply, inhale him into her.

A part of her wanted to believe him.  Wanted to forget the deception, forget her plan to refuse the marriage, and sink into his arms.  Bury herself in the heated embrace of his body. Never before had she felt such temptation, such want that caused her insides to quiver.  A strange ache drifted from her core into her blood, warming her body with desire.

Severin brushed her cheek with his knuckles, gently cupping her face with his palm while his thumb stroked her skin.  He stared into her eyes, persuasive gray meeting blue, daring her to accept him.  Accept his offer.

He leaned forward, water dripped from his wet hair onto her gown.   He tilted his head and urged her toward him.  She leaned closer, moving her hands to her sides.  Closer.  An inch more and she would revisit the kiss he’d bestowed on her earlier.

Without hesitating, she bent, grasped the handle of the pitcher, and promptly dumped the cold rinsing water over his head.

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“Chirene.”

“No, shut it Jacob.  You’re an inconsiderate, pompous jackass who doesn’t deserve—”

She paused; the heated flare of his brown eyes stared at her so intently, her breath was stolen from her.  Every fantasy she’d ever imagined with him radiated at her.  Unable to withstand his intense, uninhibited gaze, Chirene glanced down and nearly gasped as the outline of a very large arousal greeted her through the polyester fabric of his trousers.

“Oh my,” Chirene blurted out, raising a hand to her mouth.  She’d fantasized about Jacob’s size before, but what was obviously evident within his pants was much larger than she had guessed. “I, um…”

“I have never been as turned on as I am right now.” Jacob’s voice was low, hoarse as he stepped towards Chirene.  “No one has ever spoken to me like you did just now and I have to say,” his lips curved up in a sexy smirk, “I definitely like it.”

 He stepped closer to her and Chirene backed up until she hit the paneled wall behind her.  Jacob raised his arms up and braced his hands against the wall on each side of her, encasing her inside a cage of steely muscles.

 “That’s exactly the kind of attitude I wanted to see from you," he muttered, his breath warm and smelling of peppermint, before leaning in and capturing her mouth with hungry urgency. 

Chirene couldn’t move, frozen by the intoxicating motion of his lips devouring hers.  His cologne, a dark, musky fragrance, invaded her head and weakened her knees. He moved closer, his fingers gently tucking her blonde hair behind her ears and framing her face.  She felt the pressure of his bulging shaft on her stomach and jumped.

“Wait,” she protested and pressed a hand against him, trying to ignore the hardness of his chest.  “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done a long time ago.”

 Her own words emerging from his mouth sent chills up her spine as she realized exactly what he meant.  If his actions were any indication, then she could have been in this predicament a long time ago, if only she’d spoken up.  But she believed in not mixing business relationships with pleasure.

However, Jacob was no longer her boss and perhaps it was time she showed him exactly who it was he’d let go.

“Then do it.”

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