Chapter Eighteen
The next day Josephine was relieved to see Jake outside working with the horses. At least Logan had listened to her in that respect and didn’t order the man to leave. Her heart fluttered at the thought that Logan may very well be jealous. It certainly sounded like it.
The days passed by without any major incidents. Josephine made sure she was awake and dressed a little earlier than Logan so that his breakfast was ready for him before he started the day. He seemed pleased to share that time with her.
After breakfast, he’d leave and come by for lunch. He’d ask about her day and then he’d leave and not come back until late afternoon. He was kind and always thanked her for making the meal. He also admitted rather sheepishly that he looked forward to the sweets she baked for dessert.
Josephine fell into a routine and found that she enjoyed taking care of the household chores by herself. She liked the fact that this was her home, at least for the time being, and took on the responsibilities with vigor. Ella had kept the place in order and Josephine intended to keep everything neat and clean.
It was going on a month and half since she’d been caught stealing and Josephine often wondered just how much she had earned and what was her remaining balance. She hesitated to ask Logan mostly because she was afraid of the answer. She could very well be on her way to freedom, something she had looked forward to but now not so sure.
True to his word, Logan did not touch her in any intimate way. They shared the same bed and he kept to his side as if her presence didn’t stir him in any passionate way. He had cleaned up his language. He made no suggestive remarks and, quite frankly, it drove her up the wall. She missed the old Logan. Sometimes he’d even be in bed before her and sound asleep.
Before Ella had gotten married, they would sit on the porch and talk female stuff after the supper dishes were cleaned and put away. Not too keen on listening to such intimate conversation, Logan would go for a walk or smoke a cigar behind the house.
But now, since it was just him and her, he joined her and she was becoming more aware of him as a man. He’d sit beside her on the swing, his strong male presence filling the air with his own masculine scent. He’d tell stories about Ella and what she did when she was a little girl and how he’d tease her mercilessly. Josephine listened attentively, thoroughly captivated at how his eyes lit up with brotherly adoration whenever he mentioned Ella.
She couldn’t ignore her feelings any longer. The man she called husband simply took her breath away. She looked forward to seeing him first thing in the morning and missed him when he was gone for the day. Could it be that she had fallen in love with him?
One evening after supper instead of going outside, Logan closeted himself in his office. Raising and selling cattle was the main source of income and the numbers needed to be tallied to make sure they matched with recent purchases.
Disappointed, Josephine sat out on the porch by herself. After a few minutes she went back inside to let him know that she would be taking a bath. All she got for a reply was the usual grunt.
It felt like heaven, having running water at her fingertips. Filling buckets from the well and lugging them back to the house had been exhausting. Jed had never offered any assistance. It had been up to her and Aunt Hedy to make sure enough water was available in the house and enough firewood for the stove to keep it heated for washing and cooking.
Logan proved to be totally different in that respect. If he spotted her carrying a basket full of laundry or a box load of wood, he’d scold her and take it from her hands. He could be such an irritating man at times. He gave orders most of the time. Make supper. Sew this shirt. Don’t go into town alone. But his mannerisms were much different than Jed’s. Logan would always make a point of tossing her a wink or lightly touching her arm, even going so far as tipping his hat.
Josephine scrubbed her arms with the lavender soap Ella had given her. There certainly was much more to the man than she thought. As she glided the soap over her breasts, her nipples puckered and she couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped from her throat.
She closed her eyes and imagined Logan kneeling beside the tub and soaping her skin with those large callused hands. He’d pay special attention to her breasts, her belly, and that place now throbbing between her legs. She needed his touch. He’d been the perfect gentleman. He hadn’t spanked her or threatened to spank her.
Frustration built up inside her body and she slapped at the water. The lout was doing exactly what she had asked him to do. She’d have to come to him if she wanted his attention.
Josephine washed quickly and pulled a long nightgown over her head without a stitch of clothing underneath. If she had to make the first move then so be it.
While Josephine stood outside the closed door to Logan’s office, she began having second thoughts about this daring move. Would he be angry at the interruption or welcome the distraction?
She mumbled to herself. If she hadn’t broached the subject about him keeping his hands to himself, she most likely wouldn’t be in this predicament.
Josephine took a deep breath and lightly rapped on the door.
“Come in.”
The mere sound of his voice made her tremble. She stepped inside and softly closed the door. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your work. I just wanted to say goodnight.”
“Is it that late already?” He rubbed his eyes before leaning back in his chair and threading his hands behind his head. His shirt gaped open, revealing his tanned, muscular chest. The sleeves were bunched at his elbows, leaving his arms bare.
He regarded her through hooded lids. “You finished your bath. Did you wash behind your ears?”
She giggled. What a silly question to ask a grown woman. “Yes, I did.”
He cocked a brow. “Must Daddy come over there and check?”
A hot coil of desire began to form deep inside her lower belly. Suddenly, his questions weren’t funny anymore. They were downright crude. Josephine’s heart ratcheted. This was the second time he had referred to himself as her daddy and damn if that didn’t make her feel dirty.
The area between her legs dampened and she wished she was wearing bloomers.
Josephine bit her bottom lip.
“Tell me what you want, Josephine.”
Her cheeks heated. “What makes you think I want something from you?”
He took a deep breath and his gaze intensified. “Take off your gown.”
She glared at him. “I will not.”
“I seem to recall you promising to obey me.” He got up from his chair and sauntered toward her like an animal on the prowl. His jeans rode low on his hips.
Josephine’s mouth went dry when she saw the telltale bulge just inches below. Her pussy clenched at the thought of him driving that big cock inside her.
She whispered fiercely, “Y-you promised not to touch me unless I asked you to.”
“I did and I’m not. There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to admire my beautiful wife.”
The compliment caught her off guard. With her short hair and lack of curves she had never considered herself beautiful. She feared he’d be disappointed.
“Take off your gown, Josephine. Show me your tits.”
His filthy words went straight to her core. “You are a crude man, Mr. West,” she admonished him but that didn’t stop her from doing what he asked.
* * *
Logan gritted his teeth as her body was slowly revealed. He’d been rock hard ever since Josephine mentioned she’d be taking a bath. And those cute little conversations in bed tested his resolve to stay true to his word. The woman had no clue about how much she was tempting him with her suggestive innocent questions.
He must have gone over last month’s receipts half a dozen times and came up with different totals. Images of Josephine stretched out naked in the tub with water sluicing over her body filled his head and he couldn’t concentrate.
As he drew closer, a hint of lavender filled his nostrils along with her own female scent. He may just spank her for teasing him. “I promised not to touch you. I do however plan on spanking you.”
Her blue eyes deepened to near violet and she licked her lips. Her pink tongue drove him wild and, no matter how many times she denied it, his crude words turned her on. By the time he was finished, she’d be begging him to fuck her.
Logan had always enjoyed playing games with women. The women he’d been with knew the drill and responded to his rough handling with much enthusiasm.
But Josephine was different. She could never pull off being one of those women. She possessed class and an innocence that could drive a man to madness, but didn’t know how to use it to her benefit.
He’d have to woo her to earn her love and trust and for the first time in his life, it didn’t feel like a chore to get what he wanted from a woman. She was his woman, his wife and he prayed she would remain so.
His breath hissed between his teeth as she pulled the gown up and over her head. She flung the nightgown aside and stood before him in all her naked glory. His gaze zeroed in on full breasts topped with pink nipples. They’d fit perfectly in his hands. Further down he admired her flat belly and the round curves of her hips. Her legs were long and slender and nestled in between was a thatch of blonde curls covering a treasure he was most anxious to explore.
His heart slammed in his chest. “Go sit on the settee.” He appreciated the gentle sway of her hips as she obeyed his command. He imagined her legs hooked around his waist as he drove his cock deep inside her.
Josephine sat at the edge of the settee and looked at him expectantly. “Lean back and spread your legs.” Hesitation showed in her eyes and he lowered his voice. “Do it for me, Josephine.”
Her movements were slow and awkward, but she obeyed. “Logan…”
He placed a finger to his mouth. “Shush. Cup your breasts. Offer up those luscious pink nipples to me.”
Again, she hesitated.
“Do it, Josephine. Don’t make me tell you again.”
Her hands trembled visibly, but she did as she was told and he nodded in approval. “Beautiful. Soon you’re going to beg me to suck on them.”
He closed the distance between them and moved to stand behind her. He bent over and whispered in her ear, “Play with your nipples.”
“Logan, I…”
He reached down and flicked one beaded nipple. She moaned and he nearly came in his jeans. “Feels good, hmm?”
He switched to her other ear. “Now let me see you do it.” While she fingered her nipple, he took hold of her other hand and placed it between her legs. “Touch your pussy.” He heard her breath hitch and smiled. His Josephine was indeed a passionate woman. “Good girl. Rub yourself with your fingers and tell me if you’re wet.” He watched her fingers disappear between her legs.
Embarrassed, she lowered her head. “I-I’m not wet.”
Still stubborn. He liked that. Showed she had spirit. “Naughty girl, I can smell your arousal from here. Show me your hand, Josephine.”
She pulled her hand away from her sex. Logan could see her fingers glistening with her cream.
Logan circled the couch. With booted feet braced apart and arms crossed over his chest, he said, “Look at me.” She raised her eyes. “You lied to me, Josephine. Do you know what daddies do to their little girls when they tell a lie?”
“They get spanked?”
He crouched in front of her. “Isn’t that what you wanted when you came in here?” He took hold of her hand and licked each finger clean.
* * *
Josephine’s mouth dropped open. Logan kept his eyes focused on her face while he inserted each finger into his mouth.
“You taste like the finest wine.” He sat down beside her. “Come here, love.”
When Logan guided her over his lap, Josephine went willingly. The scent of pine and cigar coupled with what she had just witnessed was like an aphrodisiac.
The fact that he remained fully clothed while she exposed the very secrets of her body felt highly erotic and vulnerable at the same time. This crude growly man with the dark good looks and rough demeanor had captured her heart in a matter of days. For propriety’s sake, she should recoil from his dirty talk and crude actions. Instead, she embraced it… craved it.
One powerful arm across her back held her down. Josephine tensed.
“Relax, baby, or it’ll hurt far worse than I intend.”
She blew out a shuddering breath. He rubbed every inch of her bare bottom and she sighed. His hands were so big and strong.
Lost in the euphoria of his touch, the first smack jolted her forward and she threw out her hands.
“Get back here,” he growled and adjusted his hold so that she was firmly aligned with his taut abdomen. His bare skin singed her quivering flesh. The scratchy material of his jeans teased her pussy and she ground her hips in a desperate attempt to seek relief.
“Bad girls don’t get off until they submit to punishment.”
The next smack landed with more intensity and she moaned. A wicked floaty feeling came over her and she blatantly ignored his reprimand. She bucked wildly in rhythm with his blows, crying out when wave after wave of her orgasm swept over her body and went straight to her toes.
Logan’s palm smoothed her bottom as she lay draped over his thigh savoring the tiny ripples of pleasure that still rocked her pussy.
When Josephine expelled a long satisfied sigh, he turned her over and tucked her under his chin. She wrapped her arms around his waist, content to remain in this position for the rest of the night.
* * *
Logan slid his thumb along Josephine’s soft cheek as he cradled her in his arms. He dropped a light kiss on her head. How could it be possible? Time and time again he had scoffed at Ella’s theory about love at first sight being a possibility. But this woman he held had managed to worm her way into his heart in a matter of days.
Within a couple of minutes her breathing became steady and he carried her upstairs. He placed her gently on the bed, even though he longed to sink his cock deep inside her and make her his.
When she yawned and stretched, a searing heat exploded in his gut. He could seduce her and take what he wanted.
Instead, he pulled the covers over her naked body and left the room.