Free Texas Haven by Kathleen Ball

Once again she woke to an empty bed, but she realized that she was either going to have to accept it or get up earlier. She decided that she would have find out how much earlier.
    Burke laughed as she approached him on the subject that night at dinner. “I get up with the roosters, darlin’. I’m perfectly fine in the morning. You already pack a great lunch for me to take every day and the dinners have been delicious.”
    He took a good long look at her. “Do you want me to wake you when I get up?” he asked.
    “It’s a lonely feeling to wake up alone.”
    Burke laughed and gave her a roughish grin. “But the nights are anything but lonely.”
    Annie felt her face turn red. “I know. Well, lately I don’t know, but I’m hopeful for when my sunburn fades.”
    Burke threw his head back, laughed and gave her a wolfish grin. “Oh, darlin’ we’ll be making up for lost time, believe me.”
    Annie was both embarrassed and excited by her husband’s teasing. She’d always heard of a man’s needs and frankly, she was shocked to realize that she had needs too. Now that Burke had awakened her sexually she felt as though he’d created a monster. Maybe it was the fact that they couldn’t that made her want it even more. She didn’t know, but wanting him preoccupied her mind a great bit over the next few days.
    Finally, her burn and bruises disappeared. Annie studied her image in the mirror critically, but she had to admit she’d never looked better. She hoped that Burke agreed because she had wifely plans for him tonight. Annie put on her yellow sundress. The one she had first worn to the ranch.
    She went downstairs. There really wasn’t much to do. Dinner was cooking and she had worked hard cleaning earlier. Cat napped in the sun. She decided to go out to the barn and meet the horses. She had wanted to get a look at them. The red barn was the most well-kept building on the ranch. The smell was a bit overwhelming, but she figured she’d get used to it. She stopped at the first stall and looked in. The head of chestnut colored horse appearing right in front of her startled her. She gasped, taking a step back and then smiled at the horse. “I live here now,” she told him. “I would like for us to be friends.” She took a cautious step forward. She wanted to touch it, but she knew she was out of her element and didn’t want to explain a bitten hand to Burke. “My name is Annie,” she continued until she heard a slight snicker.
     
    * * * *
     
    Burke walked into the barn. He grew enchanted while he watched Annie talking to his roan. She’d actually introduced herself and he wanted to double over in laughter, but didn’t want to offend her. God, she was beautiful. Best of all, she looked fully healed. He could feel himself getting hard as his eyes devoured her.
    Annie turned and smiled brilliantly, lighting up the whole barn. “Well, hello, cowboy.” She moved toward him, swaying her hips, stopping right in front of him, locking her green eyes with his. He could read the blatant desire there.
    Burke pulled her against him. He buried his hands in her long auburn hair enjoying the softness of it. He brought her closer and dipped his head to kiss her. He nipped at her lips giving her light, teasing kisses. Raining her face and neck in sumptuous kisses, he pa i d particular attention to the place between her neck and shoulder. He felt her shiver. Her eagerness seemed to match his. He drew back, gazed into her heavy lidded eyes, and saw her look of desire. It felt as though it could explode at any moment. He grabbed her hand and a blanket, and led her to a couple of stacked hay bales. They looked to be the perfect height for what he planned.
    Burke covered the bales with the blanket and bent Annie over them. He reached up her skirt, ripped off her panties and pushed her dress up over her back. Burke admired her perfectly rounded rear end for a moment before he untied the halter on her sundress, allowing her large