Free To Love a Stranger by Connie Mason Page B

for your trouble. I’ve developed an intense dislike for Samson Willoughby. Therefore I’ve decided to stay long enough to put an end to his meddling.”
    “How magnanimous of you,” Zoey said cynically.
    “Don’t get me wrong, my love. We both know our marriage is a farce. When the time comes, I’ll be able to leave with no regrets and no looking back.”
    “That’s more than I have a right to expect,” Zoey allowed. “I used you, and I’m not proud of it.” She turned away from him. “Good night, Pierce.”
    Pierce reached for her. “Not so fast. Don’t I rate a good-night kiss for the anguish you’ve put methrough? How much does this ranch mean to you?”
    “My land means everything to me! It’s all I have in this world,” Zoey declared hotly. “I’d do anything to keep Willoughby from claiming it.”
    “Anything?” Pierce asked softly.
    The breath left her lungs. “Almost anything.”
    Pierce’s eyes glowed like emeralds as he grasped her shoulders and pulled her against him. “You know what I want.”
    Zoey felt his heat through the soft linen of her nightgown. Her heart pounded as she dragged in a painful breath. Why did Pierce have to be so blasted attractive? she wondered with the one rational bit of her brain that still functioned.
    Her hands came up between them to rest on his chest. Her original intention was to push herself free, but when her palms flattened on his smooth, heated flesh, she could no longer think. With his blunt words and positively scorching gaze, a sizzling heat welled up from somewhere deep inside her.
    Pierce ground himself against her, letting her feel the weight of him, the shape, length, and hardness of him. Showing her how much his body wanted her.
    Zoey felt the daunting strength of Pierce’s hard body, and her mouth fell open in wordless protest. She didn’t want this. Succumbing to his desires frightened her in so many ways. It wasn’t just the intimacy she feared, it went far deeper than that. Letting Pierce love her would have devastating consequences. She knew intuitively that once Pierce rode out of her life, she’d no longer be thesame woman. She couldn’t allow herself to feel anything for this man.
    “Let me go, Pierce.”
    His answer was to place nipping little kisses along the side of her neck, and to tease her earlobe with his mouth and his tongue, taunting her with what he wanted to do to her.
    “Are you a virgin?” he asked, startling her.
    “What makes you think I’m not?”
    The breath slammed from him. “I’ll be careful with you,” he promised. “I’ve never had a virgin. I wasn’t even the first with my wife.”
    Then his mouth settled over hers, hard yet gentle, but oh so determined. Zoey fought the urge to give in to his unspoken demands, but something inside her resisted. This wasn’t a real marriage, it was never meant to be. Then her thoughts scattered as his kiss deepened and his hands found her breasts. Her mouth opened against the pressure of his probing tongue and he thrust inside, savoring her sweet essence.
    Realizing she was flirting with fire, Zoey broke off the kiss and pulled away. “No, I won’t let you do that to me!”
    Struggling to quell his nearly painful arousal, Pierce took several deep breaths before speaking. His words were clipped and edged with steel. “I’ve never forced a woman in my life. Before I leave, you’ll beg me to bed you. Good night, my love. I wish you the joy of your cold bed.”

Chapter 5
     
    Z oey was waiting for Pierce in the kitchen when he came down to breakfast the next morning. Her greeting was less than enthusiastic. Pierce pretended not to notice, assuming she was still piqued over last night.
    “Cully is saddling the horses,” she said. “We can leave for town as soon as you’ve eaten. I’ve made a list of supplies I need. Mr. Schultz, the grocer, is very good about giving credit. Have you written your letter?”
    “I wrote it last night after I left your room.”