Compromised Cowgirl by Reece Butler Read Free Book Online Page B

older than Beth.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I’d tan Beth’s ass if she went past the Mercantile, and she knows it.”
    Sin gulped. His cock rose at the thought of Jessie lying across his lap, her round ass waiting for his hand.
    “She came from Virginia on the Bride Train, disguised as a boy. She got to Tanner’s Ford on her own and found Ranger. She’s got more ability and sass than any woman I know, and she’s old enough to marry.”
    “Too old. She’s stuck in her ways, ways few men want.” Trace turned and went back to soothe Sapphire.
    Sin thought of the cold stream rushing downhill and how his cock shriveled when he washed up before saddling Emperor. When he had it under control he followed Trace. It wasn’t smart to let a man know he wanted his sister. Especially when he didn’t plan to marry her.
    “Jessie’s right for the Double Diamond,” he said to Trace. He cleared his throat. “I came here to ask your permission to court her.”
    “You want to marry my baby sister?”
    “No, sir. I want Ace to marry her. He needs a wife more than Henry and me. He needs the roots that a wife and family will give him.”
    Marrying into the Elliotts and MacDougals would give Ace so many roots that he’d never leave. Not just the land, but the eight or nine brothers-in-law and their families. As damn near an only child, Sin wanted his children to have lots of family near. Even Henry, the youngest of nine, wanted lots of young ones around.
    “How’ll you get Ace to marry Jessie when he thinks she’s a boy?”
    Now he knew Trace was on their side, Sin let the tension release. He leaned his arms on the loose box and rubbed Sapphire’s head.
    “I believe the lady will be the one pushing the suit. I see how she watches Ace when he doesn’t know she’s there. It’s the same with Ace. And the way she moans when I rub her shoulders—” Sin backed up a step and held his hands up. “Just her sore shoulders.” He dropped his hands when Trace grunted and turned his attention back to the horse. “Jessie needs a husband, and soon. If you don’t want her with us, I hear the Circle C is hunting for a wife.”
    “If Ranger figures you’re right for Jessie, I won’t complain.” He rubbed Sapphire behind an ear. “I guess my baby sister’s grown up. If she’s looking at Ace that way, it’s time to find her a husband. Or three.” He narrowed his eyes at Sin. “How come you came asking to court her?”
    “I don’t want eight or nine of her brothers and cousins going after me if she says I kissed her.” Sin planned to do one hell of a lot more with Jessie, but a big brother wouldn’t want it pointed out. “We’ve been raised to be honorable gentleman. Unless Jessie makes a move, Ace won’t see what’s under her padding and binding. He wouldn’t touch a virgin unless he planned to marry her.”
    Neither Sin nor Henry would touch Jessie until Ace claimed her. After that, Sin planned to bed her well, and often.
    “He’d better not touch her until after the wedding.” Trace looked to the east where the evening star rose in the heavens. “Be good to have the Double Diamond join the family. Other than the Circle C, we’d own this end of the valley.”
    “Is that an approval?”
    Trace made a fist and looked down at it. “Ben’s not here, so there’s only five of us Elliotts. Five against three ain’t bad odds.”
    Sin braced his feet. He rolled his shoulders and let his hands hang free. “Five against one, and I’ll take you any time you like. One at a time or all together.”
    Trace tilted his head. “Got it bad, have you?”
    “That woman—!” He shut up before he said something which would make Trace want to clean his clock.
    “You want the Double Diamond to share her, like we do Beth.”
    “Only if the lady’s willing.”
    “And if she’s not?”
    Sin inhaled. He let it out, shaking his head. “Then maybe Ace won’t be the one marrying her. And that would be a pity