The Cowboy Wins a Bride (The Cowboys of Chance Creek) by Cora Seton Read Free Book Online Page B

this was happening.
    She ripped at the buttons of his shirt, pushed it off him, smoothed her hands over his hard chest.
    "Claire," Jamie breathed. He worked at the buttons of her dress, searching for a way to get it off of her. Claire dragged him to his knees and he cradled her in his arms.
    It wasn't enough.
    She knew she would regret this, but she didn't care. She'd wanted this for so long – wanted Jamie for so long, whether he was good for her or not. Whether he'd stay with her or smash her heart to smithereens. With one hand she brushed the ground free of sticks and pinecones, then lay back and pulled him on top of her, kicking off her boots.
    “Claire,” he said. “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.” How had she waited this long? How had she thought she could resist him? Intoxicated by the night, the moon, the ride, the champagne, all she felt was the burning desire that pulsed within her – the desire only he could fulfill.
    "You ready to lose our bet right now?" he said.
    "That doesn't start until tomorrow."
    She fumbled with his jeans and he pushed her hands away, doing the job for her with the ease of long practice.
    "You think one time with me is gonna do it for you?" Together they slipped off her dress and she unclasped her bra. Suddenly shy, she waited until Jamie’s calloused hands slid the straps off her shoulders.
    “Let me see you,” he said, his voice husky with emotion.
    She let it fall, leaned back and watched his face in the moonlight. She saw wonder in his eyes, his own hunger. Then he moved forward and covered her with his lean body. She had no idea if one time would satisfy her for a minute or a lifetime and she didn't care. All she wanted was Jamie. Inside of her. Loving her.
    “Protection?” he breathed.
    “I’m on the pill.” She let out a ragged moan as his hardness pressed against her core. “Please, Jamie – now.”
    He pushed inside her with one strong stroke and she arched back, crying out. Sliding out and pressing back in again they soon found their rhythm and she gripped him, pulling him against her, gasping when her nipples bounced against his chest, matching his pace as his movements lifted her higher and higher, closer….
    “Yes. Jamie, yes!” They moved faster, Jamie pumped harder within her and anticipation built until with one final stroke she fell over the edge of desire and cried out again, clinging to Jamie, digging her nails into his skin until she shuddered to a stop, sinking back against the rough ground.
    Jamie collapsed on top of her, nuzzling her neck as she stared up at the blaze of stars that covered the sky. She wanted to stay here for all eternity. Wanted to hold her breath and forget everything.
    Please don't let this end. Please don't let me think…
    Too late.
    As her breathing slowed, reality came crashing back, leaving her emptier than she'd been before. Suddenly sober, horror washed through her. Jamie's trick had worked. He'd stuck a stupid ring on her finger and she'd spread her legs. Now Jamie had what he wanted, he'd be on to the next woman before she could blink. Hadn't she learned anything? Now she could never come home again, because there Jamie would be, watching her, laughing at her, swapping tales with the others of how he'd bagged her.
    What had she done?
    “Ah, Claire,” Jamie said. "Forget the bet. Let's go find that preacher and get married right now."
    She lay still while he kissed her cheek, her jaw. An hour ago she’d felt so alone. Now she’d connected – with Jamie. With Storm, too.
    With her old life.
    And she had to leave it behind again. All of it behind. A wordless agony built within her at the thought of turning her back on it all again. How would she find the strength this time? Fury at her mother, fury at Jamie had kept her at bay before. Now she was just tired. And sad.
    And alone.
    Tears pricked her eyes as the ring's glitter in the moonlight echoed the stars dotting the sky above her. No matter what words he said to her now,