Free Heart of Mine (Bandit Creek) by Michelle Beattie Page B

bed."
    She looked away and Jake cursed. Damnation, it's what she thought. Of course, seeing it from her perspective, he couldn't blame her. Though they'd coupled before, they hadn't since the wedding. He'd been cold to her, had barely spoken, let alone touched her. Then all of a sudden he bought her things, took her to dinner and started to make love to her in the barn. No wonder she thought he was buying her affections.
    He'd have to prove otherwise. Which meant, damn it, he wouldn’t be sharing his wife's bed tonight after all.
    ***
    Jake smelled Laura on his pillow. The floral scent haunted him, reminded him of what he couldn't remember, what his body craved. She'd been naked in his bed, they'd coupled and, dammit, he couldn't recall any of it. He didn't know if that was a blessing or a curse. All he knew was that, for the fourth night in a row, he was awake. Awake and aroused.
    She was his wife and, despite the progress they'd made in their relationship, he wouldn't go to her. Not yet. She'd gone out of her way to prove she wasn't after his money; he could do the same to prove that he wasn't using it to gain his marital rights.
    No matter how much it hurt. Jake sat up, leaned heavily against his pillows. His wife was down the hall, soft and warm in her bed and he was lying here, his sheets tenting over his throbbing erection.
    It had been easier before he'd come to like her. Before he'd come to notice and appreciate her body. Her fingers were long and slender, gentle when they brushed his by accident and yet were firm and demanding when she'd clutched him closer as they'd kissed. Her breasts bounced enticingly when she walked. Envisioning them, his testicles tightened. His penis beaded moisture onto the sheets. Jake threw his head back, rolled his eyes to the ceiling. Perfect. Just perfect.
    Outside his darkened window a coyote's mournful cry filled the night. "I know just how you feel," Jake muttered.
    Realizing he was getting nowhere, Jake climbed out of bed. He'd never bothered with curtains and the full moon spilling into his room allowed him to see without lighting a lamp. He donned a pair of pants and padded downstairs. Maybe he'd re-stoke the fire and read for a while. Moonlight tumbled through the living room windows, illuminating his way. He was assembling the kindling in the stove when he heard someone moving outside. Jake stilled.
    Glad he hadn't lit a lantern that would alert the intruder and scare him off, Jake crept to the door. The knob turned, the door inched open. Jake's heart pounded in the silence. He bent his knees, flexed his hands. The burglar stepped inside and Jake leapt, taking them both to the ground.
    Laura's breath whooshed from her lungs, her head thumped against the wooden floor. White stars blurred her vision, but didn't lessen the urgency that thrummed through her veins. Blinded by instinct and fear, Laura flayed her arms, bucked her hips. She heaved to the side, tried to roll away. Strong hands bracketed her wrists, yanked her arms over her head even as his weight settled over her hips. Immobilized, Laura forced herself to calm, to think clearly. Her vision cleared.
    "Jake?"
    "Laura?" he asked at the same time.
    Knowing there was no threat did little to tame Laura's racing heart. Not only was Jake holding her down with his body, he was hardly dressed. The moon ran silvery fingers through his hair, dropped onto his shoulders and caressed the bare skin and the taut muscles beneath it. It wasn't the first time she’d seen Jake's chest but the last time had been in his bed and she'd been terrified.
    She wasn't scared now.
    She hadn't been able to sleep. Memories of their kiss had taunted her, keeping her awake and yearning. Jake was down the hall. He was her husband and she loved him. There was nothing she wanted more than to be his wife in every way. She'd been sure after their kiss in the barn that once supper was over he would continue where they'd stopped. But he hadn't. And, after