Beverly Barton - Paladin's Woman

Nick looked at Addy standing just inside the doorway. Her topknot of thick red hair had begun to droop, fiery tendrils curling about her face and neck. Dewdrops of perspiration dotted her face, more abundant than the smattering of freckles that covered her nose. Her cotton blouse clung to her, outlining her tiny waist and high, firm breasts. Her billowy tan slacks hung loosely about her hips.

Tall and slender as a reed, Addy moved gracefully across the room. She possessed the very essence of nature—a fiery warmth, an earthy allure. The amazing thing, Nick realized, was that she had no idea how unbearably beautiful she was to him.

Tonight he would show her.

The wind picked up, swaying the treetops, pushing nearby limbs against the windowpanes. Addy and Nick watched each other, like two hungry animals preparing to attack. Sweat trickled down the curve of Nick's spine, his shirt and jeans absorbing part of the moisture.

Just thinking about Addy, just looking at her made him hard. He'd become aroused on the walk from Elizabeth's cabin. It would be so easy to take Addy quickly and ease his throbbing ache. But he wouldn't—he couldn't. Tonight was going to be a first for her, and he intended to make it a night she'd never forget.

He could see the desire in her eyes, and the uncertainty. She wanted him, but lacked the experience to give her enough confidence to tell him so. Before this night ended, Addy would have confidence. He was going to give her that … and a lot more.

Slow and easy. That's how it was going to be—the first time. Addy needed the steady, progressive stimulation to prepare her for the pleasure to come. Even if it half killed him, he was not going to rush this sexual adventure. It meant too much to her, and to him.

Propping his cane against the table, Nick began unbuttoning his shirt. He watched Addy staring at him, her gaze following his fingers as they slipped each button from its hole. "It's so damned hot. This place could use a few fans."

Addy couldn't take her eyes off Nick, off the bare expanse of chest that lay between the two sides of his open shirt. She wanted to touch him. But he was all the way on the other side of the room, and her feet refused to move. "A fan in the bedroom would be good on a night like this."

"All we need tonight is that old wrought-iron bed. It looks pretty sturdy, don't you think? Big enough for two." He tugged his damp shirt off his shoulders and flung it on the wicker rocking chair on his left.

Addy's heart hammered in her chest. The thought of sharing that antique bed with Nick sent shivers of longing through her. "I wonder why Elizabeth has never run electricity out here to the cottage? If she did, she could put in air-conditioning."

"This house is meant for lovers. An isolated retreat used by people who neither want nor need lights or telephones or televisions or radios." Nick ran his hand down his throat, wiping away the perspiration.

Retrieving his cane, he took a tentative step toward Addy. Not moving, she watched and waited. When he was within arm's reach, he touched her, his finger pressing against her bottom lip. She opened her mouth on a sigh. He slid his finger over her chin, down her throat and ever so slowly slipped it inside her blouse. "You're hot, Addy. Hot and sweaty."

"Maybe—maybe I should take a bath. That should cool me off." She gasped when his finger slipped up and down between her breasts, popping open the top buttons on her blouse.

"Maybe you have on too many clothes." He undid the remaining three buttons, then tugged her blouse out of her slacks, easing it from her body and tossing it atop his shirt. "Isn't that better? Cooler?" Her sheer yellow lace bra did little to conceal her breasts, the dark areolae visible, the tight nipples straining against the flimsy material.

She wasn't cooler; she was hotter. Nick's smoldering gaze scorched her. Erratic tingling sensations tightened her breasts almost painfully. She wanted Nick to touch her there, to put his mouth on her, to suckle her. Memories of last night reminded her body of what it meant to be pleasured by a man who truly cared, a man whose only purpose was to give his woman pleasure.

Dropping his cane to the floor, Nick ran his hands up and down her naked arms. She trembled. "Do you have any idea how much I want you?"

"Oh, Nick." She swayed toward him, hoping he would kiss her.

Thunder shook the cottage. Nick jerked Addy into his arms, one big hand splayed against her back while the other sought and found her bra's catch. White, jagged lightning lit up the night sky. The wind's velocity increased, wailing and moaning as it ripped through the trees and whistled along the side of the house. Nick pulled her bra down her arms and off her body, then rubbed his hard chest against her thrusting breasts.

She flung her arms around his neck, savoring the feel of their nakedness as her nipples stabbed into his chest hair. "Oh, Nick, how can you make me feel like this?"

"Like what?" He kissed her neck, his tongue snaking out to taste her. Moving his fingers between them, he undid the front closure of her slacks, then slid his hands inside, scooting her zipper downward several inches. He grasped her hips, forcing her soft delta into his arousal.

"Like—like I'm going to … explode."

Cradling her naked buttocks in his palms, he petted her. "We're both going to explode … over and over again tonight."

Mimicking his actions, Addy loosened his jeans and slipped her hand inside, positioning it over his manhood, touching him through the thin barrier of his briefs. He pulsated with life. "I never knew I could feel like this. That I could want someone so desperately."

"Do you want me desperately, Addy?" His deep voice was as dark and mysterious as the man himself.

"You know I do." She closed her fingers around him.

"Then prove it." Issuing the command, he prayed she would have the courage to obey.

"I—" She started to say that she didn't know how. But she did. Releasing him and stepping away, yet still facing him, she moved backward, her feet edging slowly toward the open door of the bedroom. She stopped in the doorway.

Nick watched her intently, the shadowy darkness from behind her occasionally lit by lightning and silhouetting her tall, slender body. Gripping the elastic of her yellow lace bikini panties, she slid them down her legs, then kicked them aside. She stood before him, beautifully, irresistibly naked. Her willowy body called to him, the fiery curls hiding her femininity, tempting his touch. The look in her eyes promised him unbearable pleasure, and he knew that Addy would never lie to him.

Removing his jeans and briefs, Nick followed her, his gait a slow, heavy limp. Addy walked toward the mullioned door that led to the porch, opening it to stare through the screen door out into the raging night sky.

Nick came up behind her, putting his arms around her and pulling her naked back and buttocks up against his chest and manhood. His big hands splayed across her belly, his fingers inching downward, downward, until they discovered the treasure hidden beneath her curls. His fingers petted her sensitive nub; her thighs opened and she moaned.

"You're wet and hot. You must want me. Do you, Addy? Do you want me?" His fingers played her, strumming her like an untried instrument on which he could make sweet music.

"Yes," she groaned. "Yes, yes."

He bit her neck, then soothed her flesh with his tongue. "Tell me how much you want me." While the fingers of one hand stayed busy at their task below her waist, he raised his other hand to cup her breast, his thumb flicking back and forth over her distended nipple.

Her knees weakened. She leaned back, resting her slowly dissolving body into his rock-hard frame. He throbbed against her. With a strength born of her passion, she pulled out of his embrace, turning slowly to face him. Her hand hovered over his manhood. She looked up into his desire-hot black eyes, knowing that he was hers, that she possessed as much power over him as he did her. The thought exhilarated her, filling her with the glory of her womanhood. Primeval, pagan urges flowed through her. She embodied the strength and power of femininity. Creation and life were hers.