Free Over the Barrel by Breanna Hayse Page B

couple wanted to marry, he would
throw them quite a wingding.   Every
year on Christmas he offered them the opportunity to leave, supplying the ones
who chose to go with a stipend to start their own life.   Twenty years of plantation life and
nobody ever left him.   He also
demanded his family treat the slaves with respect and honor."
    "I
would not have figured you to be the type of man to marry a debutante."
    "Well,
yes … I made the mistake to believe that his daughter had the same human
compassion as he did."   Sloan's
tone dropped.   "Ours, I am
ashamed to admit, was a marriage of convenience."
    "I
don't mean to pry, Sloan.   I
apologize if I offend."
      "No offense, Squirrel.   We should be getting close to the river
again pretty soon and can set up camp.   I'm going to teach you to shoot a gun."
    Blair bit
her lip and eyed Sloan, accepting the change of topic.   "Do you think I can do that?"
    "Darlin',
I think you can do anything you put your mind to."

    Blair flung
her arms around Sloan's neck after successfully striking her target.   She had suggested they use the
half-empty whiskey bottle as proof of her 'reform' and had managed to shatter
it after her fourth attempt.
    "I did
it!   Did you see?   I hit the bottle!"
    Her joy was
infectious, and Sloan laughed, swinging her around.   "So you did!   You are a natural, my dear girl.   I am very proud of you."
    "I
didn't think I would ever hit it.   I
…"
    Blair gasped
as his large hand held the back of her head and pulled her against him in a
passionate embrace.   Sloan's mouth
covered her lips.   She felt her
knees weaken as she gave into his strength and timidly kissed him in return,
inching slightly forward as he lured her toward him.
    "Blair,"
Sloan said hoarsely as he caressed the soft skin of her cheek with the tips of
his fingers.  
    "Yes,
Sloan?"   Blair swallowed,
feeling the heat of his body as it pressed against her.   His mouth was just inches away, and she
stared hungrily at his lips.
    "I'm
going to kiss you again.   You must
stop me if you don't wish this."
    Breathless
with passion, Blair slowly inched her hands to his face and slightly closed her
lids.   "Please, do not
stop," she whispered as she met her lips to his.
    "I am
finding it impossible to withhold myself from you," Sloan whispered in her
ear.   "This time together has
been torturous for me."
    "Sloan
… I wish you to have me.   As a man
has a woman.   In the manner you
explained.   With you, I have no
fear."
    "I
can't do that." Sloan pulled away.   He wiped the layer of fine sweat from his brow.   "I will not dishonor you like
that."
    "Then
marry me," Blair demanded, with her hands on her hips.
    Sloan
wrinkled his forehead in confusion.   "Marry you?   Blair, it
is not proper …"
    "You
already know my feelings about what is considered proper and what is not.   You claim a woman is a rare find out
here," she gestured to the rocky cliffs and graveled road that they had
been traveling upon.   "You
stated that I was a free spirit, just as are you.   I can learn to do the things that will
make me be a woman of substance.   I
…"
    "Blair,
shhh.   Listen to me," he grasped
her face between his hands and gently kissed her pink lips, "You are
beautiful, intelligent, courageous and willful.   You will have much better choices of men
in an environment of wealth and education.   You cannot allow yourself to be saddled down with a man such as
myself.   Maybe find yourself a
banker, physician, or an attorney …."
    "I want
none of those.   Don't you
understand?   I do not wish to live
out the rest of my life in the manner of my aunt.   I want adventure, and you understand my
need."   Blair turned her face
away, breaking eye contact.   Sheepishly, she admitted, "I think I have fallen in love with
you."
    "My
sweet, sweet girl."   Sloan held
her warmly against his chest and rested his chin upon the top of her head,
"You are so young and so innocent of the ways of