Free Shotgun Bride by Lauri Robinson Page B

land. It's in my name and filed with the government." Her voice trembled. She knew first hand how most people felt about squatters.
    "I know you weren't squatting." His hands rubbed her shoulders.
    She hadn't felt comforting touches in such a long time. The soothing, warm pressure made her throat burn. Over the years, she'd met many kind people who took sympathy on her situation. Usually, within days if not hours, Russell would do something to make those same people turn their backs on her, simply because she was his sister. The thought made her heart hurt, again, like it had so many times before. That wellknown, lonely ache in the middle of her chest also said it would happen again.
    She stepped aside and lifted her chin a touch. "No, this time we weren't squatting."
    His stare, the one she couldn't see, but felt burning her back as she walked to the table to get the empty bread plate, made her eyes sting.
    "What do you mean, this time?" Kid asked. Jessie twisted to face him. Something in his brown eyes was so kind and caring. She pressed her empty hand against her breastbone, already sorry for whatever the future would bring.
    "I've been a squatter before and didn't want to be one again. People are not kind to squatters. People don't like..." her voice trailed away, a thick sob in her throat blocking any other words.
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    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    "Aw, sweetheart," he whispered. Solid arms folded her against his chest so tight the plate in her hand flattened between them.
    The affectionate, gentle caress of his hands moving across her back and running down the length of her hair offered more compassion than she'd ever known. The sob became uncontrollable and escaped with a croaking sound. Tears began to stream from her eyes. His embrace grew stronger and as soft words of comfort tickled her ears, she wept into his chest. Years of troubling and scaring times floated through her mind.
    Jessie cried until she had no tears left, and the sobs eased into slow even breathing. She felt drained and oddly refreshed at the same time. Taking a cleansing breath, she lifted her face from his chest. Gentle brown eyes gazed down, an easy grin lifting the corners of his mouth. The smile made little creases appear in the sun-browned skin around his mouth and eyes.
    Her heart somersaulted. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile as she lifted a hand to wipe at the moisture on her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I..."
    "Shhh," his lips puckered.
    Jessie stared in awe as they lowered to gently brush against her forehead, soft and warm. They floated across her skin, leaving a small trail of healing kisses. She closed her eyes, and a moan released from her throat at the soothing affects.
    His lips continued to appease, gliding across her cheeks, touching on her nose. When they touched her mouth, the 80
    Shotgun Bride [The Quinter Brides Book One]
    by Lauri Robinson
    connection surprised her enough to make her lips part with a slight gasp. The warm sensation flowing through her veins wasn't frightening or upsetting, instead it was encouraging and quite delightful.
    Kid's mouth coupled with hers, the movement acted like a leash, pulling her to copy his actions. Their lips joined, then separated and searched for another way to unite, the whole while making the warm stir in her body move faster, until it became heady and desirable. It was so natural, like walking, she didn't need to think as each movement naturally followed another. But Jessie was thinking, thinking kissing Kid was truly amazing and wonderful.
    Without lessoning the hold on the plate in her hand, she slipped her arms around his back, wanting more. The solid arms wrapped around her squeezed, pressing oddly sensitive breasts to crush against his firm, molded chest. Enticed, she tilted her head, giving more freedom for their lips to continue. The moan in the back of her throat slipped out as tingles covered every ounce of her frame.
    Kid's lips left hers