EXCERPT: One to Take

Excerpt

Mariska

When I open my eyes again the next morning, and I’m alone in bed, I’m pissed. Sitting up, I know what I have to do. I pull my hair around, over my shoulder and weave it into a thick braid then I throw back the covers and stomp over to the window. Still raining.

Going to the closet, I jerk it open, pulling out a bright red floral dress and pulling it over my head not bothering with a bra. It buttons up the front, but I only fasten the middle ones. I’ve had enough of this behavior.

Amy is sitting at the kitchen table when I emerge from the hall. “Hey, Mare! I want you to read my coffee grounds!”

“In a minute,” I grumble, going straight to the door and outside. Light rain gathers in little beads on my hair, making it look like I’m wearing a veil.

Into the barn, I scan the open space looking for Bill. As far as I can tell, the only person in the area with the horses is Stuart, just the man I’m looking for.

He’s in Ranger’s stall, and I go straight to the door, pull the latch, and go inside. He stands up slowly, a confused smile on his face, and it hits me so hard. He’s gorgeous in those loose jeans and that damn grey Henley I stole last year.

“Hey, babe—” but I don’t let him finish. I go straight to him and grab the front of my favorite shirt.

“I’m sick of it!” From the corner of my eye, I see Ranger’s ears lay back, but I don’t care.

Stuart’s brow lowers. “Sick of what?”

“Stop treating me like a fucking China doll!”

“Mariska—”

“No!” I push him, but he doesn’t move. The man is a wall of granite. “Before you knew, before I told you, when I was already twelve weeks pregnant, if I left you in the bed alone one morning… One! You were pissed!”

He’s fighting the urge to grin, but I won’t have it. I push against his arms and grab the front of his shirt, shoving it up his lined torso.

“What are you doing?” He tries to catch my hands, but I push his away.

“You’re going to fuck me right here and now in this stall.”

“What the…” He steps forward, past me to the door of the stall and looks out into the barn. “Where’s Amy?”

“She’s in the house having breakfast with your mom. I don’t know where Bill is.”

“He went into town,” Stuart says quietly before turning to face me.

“Then we’re alone.” My hands are on his waist, but I only get the top button of his jeans open before he catches them.

“Take it easy. We’re not doing this here.”

The tightness in my chest almost makes me scream. I’m breathing fast, and my whole body is on fire with fury and hormones and lust. “Stuart William! You’re the only man I’ve ever slept with!”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he says, that sexy smile returning.

“You taught me how to make love—fierce and rough and demanding. I want you to love me like that now.”

I unfasten the buttons on my dress, allowing the front to fall apart, revealing my bare breasts heaving beneath. His expression darkens, and I see a glimmer of the old Stuart in his eyes.

He reaches out and catches my waist, pulling me hard against his chest. A flash of need spikes in my veins. “Yes,” I whisper. “Like that.”

The muscle in his jaw moves, and he looks away. “I can’t get off thinking I might hurt you.”

“You’ve never hurt me before.” Sliding my hands up his arms, I grip his biceps. “You’re hurting me by holding back.”

Reaching for his hand, I guide it down, pulling my skirt up so he can feel I’m not wearing panties, so he can feel how wet I am. “I want you. The real you.”

“Mariska,” he growls as his fingers curl against my sex.

Putting both hands on his face, I pull him to me and kiss him hard, parting his lips and pushing my tongue inside. At the same time, his fingers plunge into me, and a low moan scrapes from my throat.

I rise on my toes, chasing his lips, and he’s kissing me back with just as much passion, plundering my mouth. When I pull back, I nip his bottom lip with my teeth, and our eyes meet, burning with the fire I’ve been missing so long.

He takes my arm and turns me around, pushing me against the wooden side of the corral.

“Yes,” I gasp, clutching the wooden slats, arching my back as I brace against the wall. Cool air sweeps along my thighs and ass as he sweeps the flowing skirt away.

He studies my body as I hear his zipper lower. One large hand grips my hip, kneading my skin. “So beautiful.” His voice is rough and hungry.

“Please,” I whisper. I’m on fire, and I ache deeply for his rough touch.

At once I feel a stinging SLAP! against the soft skin of my behind followed by another kneading grip. The biting pain only spikes my desire.

“Oh god, yes,” I sigh. My legs tremble. Sparks of pleasure fizz in my veins, and waiting for him is almost painful. I moan as he slides his erection up and down my slick folds until finally, in one hard thrust, we both groan as he plunges inside.

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One to Hold - Recommended Reading Order

(standalone stories with interconnected characters)