Free Beneath The Texas Sky by Jodi Thomas Page B

“I think I’ll live,” he said lightly when he noticed her worried face. “If I died easy I’d have been gone a hundred times before…” His words lodged in his throat as he remembered her mother touching him with the same gentleness years ago.
    “Josh…” Bethanie became aware of his nearness. “I want to thank you…”
    “For nearly getting you killed?” Josh interrupted her. “You may regret leaving San Antonio.”
    Bethanie knelt beside him, resting her hand on his knee. “I’ll never regret leaving San Antonio, Josh, no matter what happens.”
    Josh risked touching her damp hair. “You don’t haveto say more. I think I can figure it out for myself…the problem you had there.”
    Bethanie looked up and smiled. “Thanks for understanding and for making me feel safe. I believe you’d have given your life for me today. No one’s ever cared that much about me before.”
    “Why not?” Josh answered as he continued to stroke her hair. “I owe it to you twice now.”
    Bethanie cocked her head sideways. “I don’t understand.”
    “Remember years ago during the first months of the war? You and your mother saved my life. I was half crazy with fever from a head wound and lack of water. Your mother doctored me and you gave me a drink.” His voice was low and he could not stop his hand from moving to her face. Tenderly, he ran his fingers along her jawline. To his amazement, Bethanie turned her chin into his palm.
    “You were one of the Rebel soldiers?”
    “I remember you asked me where I was from and then told me you had an uncle and aunt in San Antonio. Later, after I was free, I wished a hundred times I’d asked their names.”
    Bethanie raised to her knees and pushed his hair back from his forehead. “We treated many men on both sides.”
    She leaned closer to examine the thin line high on his forehead that told of a long ago healed head wound. Her breasts brushed lightly against Josh’s shoulder as she moved, unaware of the effect her action was having upon him.
    Bethanie rocked back on her heels. “I remember many soldiers who were covered with dirt and blood.” She smiled. “Much like you were a few minutes ago.”
    “I remember a beautiful girl.” Josh’s voice was thick as every sense came alive within him. She was so near.He could smell her soft fragrance and feel her light, timid touch as her hand rested on his leg. Suddenly, he could bear the closeness of her no longer. “Bethanie,” he whispered as he moved toward her. “Bethanie.” His lips touched hers as he repeated her name.
    Bethanie opened her mouth as if to protest. Her lips trembled beneath his touch as his hand drew her closer to him.
    “Never have I wanted to hold anyone as much as I want to hold you,” Josh whispered. “Don’t pull away from me, Bethanie.”
    Josh watched her eyes carefully, reading the expressions blended in the beautiful green depths. Her surprise evaporated into curiosity as he tenderly traced the outline of her mouth with his fingertips. Slowly, he slid off the log to kneel beside her, their bodies lightly pressing together as his lips touched hers.
    Josh felt his kiss ignite a fire within her. Its flames spread from her satiny lips to each part of her flesh resting so invitingly against him. Shyly, she raised her hand to his chest. He felt her warm fingers brush over his shirt in a halfhearted effort to push him away. His muscular body didn’t obey her light pressure and she continued moving her hand as though she found his warmth beneath her fingers thrilling.
    “You’ve driving me mad with your touch, Bethanie,” Josh whispered just before his tongue divided her lips and tenderly played with her mouth.
    They swayed as dancers to the music of explosive feelings that were coursing within them. Josh’s arm encircled her waist to steady her and pull her closer to him. His body pressed against her from his thighs to his shoulders and still he felt the burning desire to be nearer.
    When