Free The Badger City Gang [Bride Train 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Reece Butler

balance while he closed the door and shutters. She could see well enough as light came in through the cracks in the shutters, but not the logs. She didn’t know much about log cabins but was pleased. If light could get in, so could wind, bugs, snakes, and more.
    There wasn’t much to see. A table, one chair, two benches, a stove, narrow stairs to the second level, and a bed in the corner.
    One. Big. Bed.
    She gulped. “Is that my bed?”
    Zach sorted through the mugs and things on a wide shelf that ran along one wall. He found what he wanted, turned, and looked at her. His icy-blue eyes seemed to pierce her. His nostrils flared. He set his feet wide and crossed his arms. He looked at her, from feet to bonnet, and back.
    “Yep.” One side of his mouth curved up in a smile that sent shivers from her breasts to her thighs. “Mine, too.” He winked. “But not before I take care of you.”
    “I don’t need taking care of. I can manage quite well on my own.” There was a difference from need and want. Compared to her siblings, she’d gone without a lot of things. It made her realize just how little she needed.
    “Don’t doubt it. There’s few men could get off a train and ride like you did for two days. But I know you’re hurting and I’m wanting to take care of you.”
    Zach set one knee down in front of her. He eased off one boot, and then the other. She flexed her toes and rolled her ankles.
    His fingers went under her skirt. She slapped her hands down to stop him. He immediately stopped, though he grasped her knees. A tremor travelled from his touch up between her legs. He looked at her, solemn for once.
    “I don’t think you want to sit down to do this,” he said. “And you’ll fall over if you let go of that chair. So I’m going to help you.”
    “I can take my stockings off myself.”
    The skin around his eyes crinkled. He slowly shook his head. His hot thumbs caressed her inner thighs through her skirt. Her legs trembled, and not from the strain of riding. Her nipples rose as if she was chilled, but she felt like she was burning up.
    “A man expects to take care of his woman,” he murmured. “And I intend to take care of you.”
    “I’m not your woman.”
    “If you’re living here and sleeping in my bed, you’re mine. Near enough to a wife.”
    “But we’re not married. And we may never be,” she added.
    One corner of his lip turned up. “I’ll take that chance.”
    He stared at her like a cat stalking a mouse. His hands went under her skirt and rose to the tops of her stockings. She couldn’t speak. He eased them down, letting his fingers trace across her thighs. He slowly rolled each one off and tossed them aside. Nothing existed except his touch on her body. The third time his hands slid up her legs he trailed his fingers lightly between her thighs.
    “I’m feeling your skin to see where you need soothing.” His voice was rough, as if he’d been yelling.
    She found it hard to breathe as his fingers trailed ever higher. He encouraged her to move her feet apart. He brushed his fingers lightly at the top of her thighs. When he touched her intimate flesh, a jolt shot through her. She almost crumpled. He groaned, as if in deep pain, and dropped his hands on his knees. He suddenly stood and carried her to the bed. He gently laid her on her back and went down on one knee.
    “I can’t see well enough with you standing.”
    She knew she shouldn’t let him do it, but she wanted his fingers to touch her again. To touch that spot he’d found for her. All those times she’d rested against the train’s vibration was nothing compared to one touch of his finger. She nodded, biting her lip. He slumped for a second, took a deep breath, and slowly drew her skirt up. He moved between her thighs and looked closely at her skin.
    “That must hurt,” he whispered. “I’ll kiss it better.”
    She gasped as Zach traced his way up her leg with his lips. He pushed her skirt to her hips as his