Marriage at the Cowboy's Command Read Online Free

lonely, especially at night, when the wind blew and the eaves groaned and the coyotes howled as she lay in the dark, her head spinning with money worries.
    She’d lain awake, alone, for too long. But she had a ranch to run, son to raise, hence little time for fun.
    Too aware of the hunger that sparked in Luke’s green eyes and her own vulnerability, she took a step backward.
    When he reached out and took her by the hand, she fought to pull it free. He held on tight, lifting her palm and inspecting it closely.
    â€œYou’ve been working hard. Too hard.” The sympathy in his voice surprised her and temporarily lessened her anger. Without thinking, she quit tugging and leaned closer to him.
    What was she doing? Softening toward him? She should fight him harder, yank her hand free, but her emotions were escalating too fast to control. His tall, powerful body and his understanding intoxicated her. She’d done without a man’s passion for too long. Done without him. If only she’d had an inkling she’d see him today, she could have steeled herself.
    Instead of trying to run, she froze. His beautiful green eyes—eyes she had so adored—stared straight into hers, igniting her soul, burning away the years and the hurt and the hatred, and melting her resistance.
    He lifted her callused palm to his lips and kissed it. Only then did she jerk her hand from his. “You probably prefer women with soft hands.”
    â€œI thought I did. These days I don’t meet manywomen who work outside with animals the way you do. When I left Texas, I dated lots of women. Until I saw you working with Ramblin’ Man, I thought I’d put you totally behind me.
    â€œYou were so good with him. I respect that. You looked so beautiful and wild. I wish I’d come back, at least once, to check on you. I suddenly realized I never…said goodbye.”
    â€œNo…you didn’t.” She caught herself. “This isn’t happening,” she whispered, feeling shattered by his admission, by the sweetness of his kiss on her poor battered hand.
    â€œSomething sure as hell is,” he muttered, sounding angry and lost. “I should have stood my ground and stayed in London.”
    â€œYou could always just go.”
    â€œIt’s too late now. The damage is done.” His eyes devoured hers. He stared straight into her soul, which had always belonged only to him. “I’ve seen you. I’ve touched you. And now I’m curious…about a lot of things.”
    She didn’t understand the stillness that possessed her, held her. Was she in a trance? Clasped tightly against his tall, muscular body, his heat flooding her, she could barely think, barely breathe.
    It was as if she were in a dream, as if she was again caught in the vortex of the youthful passion that had nearly destroyed her. For years she’d told herself she’d do it differently if she was ever faced with such temptation again.
    Now, here he was.
    Time to smarten up, Caitlyn.
    But she lifted her head, parted her lips invitingly. Her nipples tightened into pert berries, throbbing where theybrushed his shirt and felt his heat. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers, nibbling her top lip as he’d done in the past, sucking on it, tasting it. Then she melted against him.
    â€œOh, God,” he muttered.
    Instantly, nerves tingled in her tummy. Where he was concerned, she’d always been easy. Why did he have to make her feel so good, so fast?
    Sighing, she wrapped her arms around his neck, threaded her fingers in his silky hair, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him right back. He was simply too delicious to resist.
    â€œI’m going to hate you for this,” she whispered, her voice thick. “Most of all, I’m going to hate me.”
    â€œI hear you, sweetheart.”
    Then his tongue invaded her mouth, and sweet, urgent needs made her arch her body into his hardness. Like a mare showing