Saxon's Lady by Stephanie Janes Read Free Book Online Page A

asked, his voice turning husky as he continued to wind his hands in her hair, "of how many nights I've lain awake remembering what it was like between us?"
    A curious flare of excitement and hope came to life within Devon. "Did you really lie awake thinking about me?"
    "More nights than I can remember. I've missed you so much, Devon. I thought this year would never end." He uttered something half under his breath and then he pulled her closer, folding his strong arms around her until she was pinned tightly and securely. "I'm not going to let you go again. I couldn't."
    Devon slowly put her arms around him, letting herself relax against the welcoming strength of his body. He smelled so good, she thought fleetingly. There was a tang of honest sweat mixed with the indefinable essence of fresh air and sunshine, soap and leather. Her arms tightened as something inside her stirred in response. This was Garth, the man who'd taught her the meaning of passion on that fateful night a year ago. He was telling her he'd been wanting her for a long, lonely year. She couldn't deny that a part of her had been wanting him, too.
    "You feel so good, Devon, and it's been so long. We're nowhere near Hawk Springs. There's no one who will know if I take you to bed tonight. You were always so careful not to cause gossip, but no one will talk about you after tonight. I was going to wait until after we're married but I honestly don't think I can." His mouth hungrily skimmed down the arch of her throat and his hands moved on her back in a sensual, stroking motion.
    Devon shivered restlessly, aware of the excitement curling to life inside her. No other man had even remotely interested her this past year and she knew now what her body had known all along. She'd been waiting for Garth. It would probably complicate things if she made love with him tonight. There was so much they had to work out, so many decisions yet to be made. Garth might be certain of the future in his own mind, but Devon was plagued with uncertainty and doubt.
    Yet none of those uncertainties or doubts seemed an adequate shield against the need that was beginning to burn within her.
    "Garth, the packing..."
    "The packing can wait until morning," he said. "I can't." His hands moved on her more urgently, pulling the silk blouse free of her waistband. He sighed with satisfaction when he slid his rough fingers underneath the delicate fabric and touched her smooth skin.
    Devon gave up trying to use common sense to halt the inevitable. Garth wasn't the only one who'd been waiting a year to rediscover the passionate side of their relationship. She'd told herself she didn't want to make a commitment, that she needed her freedom after so many years of being confined by responsibilities, but it was hard to look into the future when Garth was holding her like this. A year was a long time.
    "Devon, you feel so good. Warm and silky and soft. I don't think I'll ever be able to get enough of you. Can't you tell what you do to me?"
    She could feel his desire and knew a primitive joy in being able to provoke such a response. Devon gloried in the tough, muscled feel of him. She slipped her fingertips over his back, kneading with catlike sensitivity.
    "Sweetheart, you're going to drive me out of my mind." Garth groaned and captured her mouth. When she parted her lips for him he shuddered and swept inside to take what she was offering.
    Devon barely felt the silk blouse sliding off her shoulders as Garth found the buttons and undid them. But she was suddenly aware of coolness against her skin and then the heat of Garth's hands as he gently cupped her breasts.
    When he found and released the catch of her bra, Devon sighed into his mouth. She trembled as his callused palms glided over her nipples, coaxing them into taut peaks.
    "Oh, Garth, I'd almost forgotten what it was like," Devon breathed in soft wonder.
    "I never even came close to forgetting," he said thickly. "The memories have been threatening to