Chapter Ten
Keller blinked and Freedom was gone from the room.
He attempted to comprehend what had just happened, but it made little sense. Should he be surprised? Freedom did things that only she knew rhyme or reason for.
He didn’t doubt that she’d enjoyed the attention he gave her. He inhaled her scent on his fingers and his hard cock jerked. Her juices had dried, but her memory remained warm and delicious in his head. Her pussy had squeezed so tightly around his knuckles that she had him nearly coming in his pants.
He was standing at a fork in the road. One way sent him chasing after her, the other he allowed her space. Keller had never been one to chase a woman, but Freedom wasn’t just any woman. She was part of his history, his present and someone he would happily invite into his future.
Jumping up from the bed, he adjusted himself and zipped his jeans.
He decided pride didn’t belong anywhere in the situation.
He made his way down the hall and found the front door standing wide open. Pushing through the screen door, he found her barefoot, the blanket tightly wrapped around her, and her hair damp from the rain.
Keller had half a mind to pick her up over his shoulder and take her back inside.
“You’re going to turn into a prune.”
She jerked as if she only just realized she was no longer alone.
She gave a little shiver. “I’ll survive.”
“What the hell? Talk to me. What happened upstairs?” he asked.
She looked up at him with an expression that melted him. It had been years since he’d been involved with someone and needed to worry about their feelings. He’d been so busy working, following the busy career path that he’d hardened himself to dating. He didn’t want to fill his own head with false ideas and wishes. Nothing about tonight meant there was opportunity for a relationship. Yet, he couldn’t imagine not pursuing her.
“I-I…” her words faded into the velvety darkness.
“Hey, talk to me.”
“You and I, we are like a moth and flame. We naturally gravitate toward each other. There’s a draw that I can’t deny.” She stared into the darkness. “Warnings are popping off inside my head.”
He felt a punch to his gut that almost sent him to his knees. “I’d never force you into anything.”
She leaned onto one hip, facing him, clutching the blanket tightly at her chest. “If we…” she swallowed loudly. “do this, we need to keep it private. I can’t have Sagebrush Rose hands treating me like I’m your lover. Or be the butt of the joke in late night talks at the bunkhouse.”
He understood where she was coming from. “You never have to worry, Free.” He reached for her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his chest. “You should know I’d never let anyone hurt you. I vow to protect you always.”
“Keller…”
He touched her chin with his thumb and gently lifted her face so that she was looking at him. “Don’t fight it. I know you don’t need taken care of, but everyone, no matter how strong they are needs someone who has their back. We can do as little, or as much, as you wish.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her tiptoes. “I enjoyed myself in your bed.”
“I enjoyed myself.” He wagged his brows.
She lowered her hands and planted them against his chest. “This is a heavy rainfall. It must mean something.” The glow of the security lamp caught her expression.
“That we should both get our asses back inside before we freeze to death or get carried away by a flood?” He shivered. “I’m freezing, so I know you have got to be too.”
“You’re not afraid of a little rain, are you?” she teased.
“Says the one in the blanket.”
“Let’s fix that.” She shifted, opening the front of the blanket and wrapping it around both of them. “Better?”
“Much.” In fact, holding her warm naked body made his dick stiff again. “Better tell me now, sweetheart. Do I put the brakes on?”
“Gas pedal. To the floor.” She pressed her lips against his, sweeping the tip of her tongue over the curve of his lips.
He planted his hands on her back and drew her closer, leaving no room for distance or the frigid air to move between them. Lifting her, he settled her on the railing that was a perfect size for her bottom and his height.
Sliding his fingers inside her passage, she was wet again. Her moans were carried away by the breeze that suddenly felt invigorating because inside the blanket they were toasty.
She reached down, unzipped his jeans, and slid her hand inside his boxers, lifting his cock out. Her tight grip skated up and down his length and each glide of her hand only made him needier. Spreading her legs, she hooked her knees on his sides while she gripped his shoulders.
Grabbing his cock, he guided himself into the V of her thighs and slowly, inch by delicious inch, he slid into the tight grip of her channel. Her damp heat wrapped around him as he thrust in and out. They held onto one another under the blanket while the rain poured down outside the porch.
*****
Pok gave a shiver. He wasn’t cold under the warm jacket, but he was triggered watching Keller lay his hands all over Freedom again.
Neither had seen the mess he’d left of the windshield.
He had fantasized at least a dozen ways to get rid of the doc. Ranging from throwing him off the nearest cliff to poisoning him. Pok needed to exercise patience. Soon, very, very soon, Freedom would need Pok. She’d see him instead of looking straight through him.
Gritting his teeth, he envisioned himself storming up to the cabin, breaking the doc’s neck and Pok being the one to satisfy Freedom’s carnal desires. What he wouldn’t give to hear her say his name.
Anger surged through him when her moans reached his ears. He was too close. He could be spotted, but a part of him didn’t care. He drove all the way to get a glimpse of her. Neither she nor Keller saw him at the bar or the auction. He could have easily taken Keller out or did what he ached to do. Steal Freedom away. Once she was alone with Pok, she’d see that he was the man for her.
He leaned his back against the tree, unzipped his jeans and took out his limp dick. As fury surged through him, he pumped himself, little good it did. He shoved himself back into his jeans and cursed under his breath. He needed a woman’s touch to get him there. Freedom’s touch.
Giving the couple on the porch one last glance, Pok retraced his path through the woods and back to his truck. Soon, very soon, his life would be different. He’d have Freedom even if it killed him.
Little did he know until ten miles later that he’d lost the item of Freedom’s clothing he’d stolen. He must have dropped them on the ground.
With deep sorrow, he punched the steering wheel repeatedly until his knuckles bled.