Chapter Twenty-Three
Logan’s mood grew solemn as they made their way to the livery. Josephine was on edge wondering what he must be thinking. When they arrived at the livery she saw his stallion alongside the mare.
He saddled Blaze and gave her a boost.
Seated on top of the huge animal, Josephine placed the coffee in one of the saddlebags and waited quietly while Logan saddled the mare. He led the mare alongside the stallion and looped the reins on the saddle horn. He swung up behind her and with a click of his tongue both horses moved in unison.
The ride to the ranch was totally different than the first time she had found herself in this similar position. This time she leaned into Logan, loving the feel of him and his male scent. His left hand was splayed on her left thigh.
With each movement of the horse his thumb would slip closer to her sweet spot. “I can’t stop thinking about last night. I never imagined such feelings could exist between a man and a woman.”
His fingers dug lightly into her thigh. “I wasn’t much of a gentleman, was I?”
“I didn’t mind.”
“You mean you don’t want a gentleman in your bed, Mrs. West? Tsk, tsk, how unladylike of you.”
Blushing furiously, Josephine rubbed her nose in his chest hairs. Craving to feel the taut texture of his skin beneath her fingers, she twisted at the waist and slipped both hands inside his shirt and around to his back. His muscles flexed.
She smiled up at him. “I love the way you feel.”
Logan bent his head and took her mouth in a possessive kiss. While his lips played with hers, his forefinger slid up and down the thick seam of material running between her legs. Caught in myriad sensations, Josephine’s hips mimicked the rhythm of his bold strokes.
“If you had a dress on instead of these damn pants I could fuck you right this very minute.”
Josephine buried her face against his broad chest. Her fingernails clawed the broad expanse of his back as he continued to rub her pussy. The dirty words he whispered in her ear and the way he touched her so intimately right here out in the open drove her wild.
“Oh, God, Logan, what are you doing to me?” she asked breathlessly.
“Making love to my wife on the back of a horse.”
Darn it. He sounded so casual, so calm, while she was ready to burst out of her skin. On impulse she slid one hand slowly down his solid chest to his crotch and smiled with satisfaction when she heard him groan.
“You’re playing with fire, little girl. Keep touching me that way and I’ll strip you bare, spank your ass, and fuck you.”
Josephine thought she had gained the upper hand, but Logan’s dirty words and caress sent her reeling over the precipice. “Oh, Logan.”
His broad hand covered her pussy. “I can feel your pulse. Mrs. West. I do believe you’re soaked right through.” He brought his hand up to his face and inhaled. “I could devour you right now.”
Josephine held tightly onto Logan while her entire body shook from the aftermath of her orgasm. When they arrived at the ranch she felt as weak as a babe. As if sensing her plight, Logan caught her around the waist and eased her slowly to the ground. Josephine clutched his thigh for support.
“Can you hand me the coffee I put in the saddlebag?” Logan found the tin and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” She stepped onto the porch and turned around. He was still there on top of Blaze staring at her.
“You look fetching standing there with the sun shining on your hair.”
Her face heated. “In these old clothes?”
“You could be wearin’ a burlap sack and still make me hard.” He thumbed back his hat and crossed his arms over the saddle horn. “I trust you won’t take off while I see to these two?”
“Never again. I’ll heat up some coffee.”
Josephine went straight to the kitchen and filled the coffeepot with water. She couldn’t ignore the pounding of her heart. The front door slammed shut. Logan hovered in the doorway.
“Sully said you were crying when you left. I thought leaving was what you wanted.”
“No, I—oh, I don’t know.” She spread her hands out in front of her. “I made a terrible mistake, Logan. I’ve been too preoccupied worrying about something that may never happen that I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face.”
Unable to bear his intense scrutiny, Josephine went to the pantry and placed the coffee inside. She rested her forehead against the cool wood for several seconds then swung around. This man wielded so much power over her heart it overwhelmed her. “I stopped to see Ella. We had a nice talk. She sure can be the voice of reason at times.”
“I don’t know who she gets it from. Ma was as thickheaded as Pa, only she was much more subtle about it.” Logan moved further into the kitchen. “Why didn’t you drink that stuff I gave you?”
She didn’t answer. Wasn’t it obvious? She couldn’t take the chance of wiping away the most precious gift he may have given her… his child.
Logan rubbed the side of his face. “It’s possible you may be pregnant.”
“It’s possible,” Josephine replied, dreading the answer to her next question. “Is that why you came after me?”
For a big man he moved fast. He closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds. “I came looking for my wife hoping we could give this marriage a shot. You think I care more for the baby you might be carrying instead of you?” He placed a hand on either side of her face, successfully caging her in. “Answer me.”
“Yes, but I’m more fearful of how you would feel if I can’t carry a child to term.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “You are my life. Whatever happens, we will deal with it together. I’m more than ready to be a good husband to you if you just give me a chance.”
Tears of joy leaked from her eyes. “You mean it?”
“Of course I do.” He thumbed her tears away. “Now there’s no need for tears. You of all people know darn well I mean what I say.”
“I love you, Logan.” Josephine sobbed. “I love you so much.”
“Are you sure? You wanted a gentleman. Something I’m not and will never be.”
“I used to feel that way. Seems like a lifetime ago.” She sighed. “Logan, I don’t want you to change. I want you to stay just the way you are. Rough around the edges, growly, always barking orders, making me mad. You were right. A timid man is not for me.”
“You mean that?”
“From the bottom of my heart, Mr. West.”
“Just so you know I’m not any good with the fancy words and stuff. I’ll put you across my knee and spank that sweet ass of yours when you least expect it. I’ll shock the hell out of you at times.”
Josephine feigned surprise. “You, shock me? Why, Mr. West, do tell.”
He grabbed a fistful of her shirt and pulled her to him until they were nose to nose. “Rough around the edges, eh? Okay, sassy boots, that’s enough with the wisecracks. Get in the bedroom and take off these clothes.” He turned her sideways and smacked her ass.
Josephine scurried ahead of him, anticipation seizing her belly. She shimmied out of her clothes and waited anxiously as he took his time looking at her.
“Beautiful. On your knees,” he commanded roughly.
Licking her lips, Josephine dropped to one knee and then the other. He stood in front of her, tall and proud and so handsome. He reached out and cupped her chin.
“You’ve been a bad girl, Josephine, wearing those pants to town for all the men to gawk at what belongs to me. Tell Daddy you’re sorry.”
Dear heavens, she nearly shattered into a million pieces. She bent her head. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t want to take away anything that didn’t belong to me.”
“But you did take away something.”
Her head shot up. “I don’t…”
He unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. “You, Josephine, you were thinking about going away. Don’t you know by now that you belong to me?” He pulled out his cock and palmed his erection.
Josephine watched in fascination as his manhood swelled with each pass of his hand. She longed for a taste.
He tapped her on the mouth with his cock. “Open wide for Daddy.”
Logan prodded her bottom lip with the smooth swollen head of his cock. She opened her mouth and closed her eyes, feasting on his flesh as he slid to the back of her throat. He tasted salty, male. Goosebumps popped on her skin. He was so big. She tried not to gag as he stepped closer, almost straddling her face.
He angled her head just so and began to pump in and out. “Suck me, baby. Yeah, just like that.”
His groans of pleasure made Josephine feel empowered. She tugged harder on his succulent flesh.
Suddenly, he pulled out of her mouth. Hot ribbons of white smeared her breasts, slipped down to her belly button and mixed with the curls covering her pussy. “You are mine to fuck. To punish. To play with and most of all to love. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stay put.”
Josephine heard him rummaging in one of the closets. He came back with a crude-looking switch and a wet washcloth. “I whittled this myself with your pretty ass in mind,” he said proudly, placing the stick on the bed. He dropped to one knee and tenderly wiped her breasts and belly.
When he slipped the cloth between her legs, pleasure took hold of her once again. Josephine threaded her fingers through his thick hair and hung on tight as she rocked against him. He slapped her ass. “Bad girl. It’s time for your punishment.”
He got to his feet and started to roll up his sleeves.
Every flex of his muscles caught Josephine’s attention. She settled her bare bottom on her heels and watched him.
He quirked a brow and asked, “Are you trying to hide my target?”
“I’ve never been spanked with a switch before.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” Logan reached down and pulled her to her feet. “You are my woman. Whether we have children or not you will always be a part of me.” He moved about the room, throwing several pillows onto the bed. He patted the soft mountain.
“There, that should do it.” He crooked his finger. “Come here, little girl.”
Josephine backed her way to the door. “I don’t think so.” She reached behind her and fumbled for the doorknob.
“You ain’t thinkin’ of leaving this room buck naked?”
Damn. She had nowhere to go.
Slowly, he walked toward her, his eyes never leaving her face.
Josephine tilted her chin.
Logan murmured, “So defiant,” and before she knew it, swept her off her feet. He carried her to the bed, but as soon as he placed her on the feather mattress, she rolled onto her belly and scrambled to the opposite side. Logan grabbed her by the ankles and hauled her back. “Must I tie you down?”
She pointed at the stick. “But I don’t want to get hit with that thing.”
He rolled her over and shoved the pillows under her so that her rear was raised high up in the air. “Arms stretched out and above your head.” He knelt on the bed. “Move and I’ll add more strokes to the twelve you’re already getting.”
“Twelve?” Josephine croaked.
“Yep, and I expect you to count each one. Out loud. Miss a count or jump ahead and we’ll start all over again.”
The first strike landed without warning. Tongues of fire licked her skin. “One.” Another blow fell. She arched her back against the sizzle that streaked her skin. “Two.”
“I’m doing this for your own good, Josephine.”
“Three.” She bit back a smart remark.
“You are the most important thing in my life.”
“Ouch, that’s four, five, and six. That darn thing stings like hell.”
“This darn thing will serve as a reminder when you get silly thoughts into your head about not being woman enough for me.”
The stick fell again.
“Seven, eight, nine. You are a beast.” He didn’t stop. Each stroke fell with precision. “Ten, eleven, twelve.” She blew out a ragged breath and collapsed. “Please get rid of that darn thing.”
“Nope, I aim to keep this darn thing handy in case I need to use it again.” He dropped the stick on the floor and gently pulled the pillows out from beneath her. “Hmm, your backside is as red as a tomato.”
Josephine angled her head and shot him a glare.
He thumbed her bottom lip. “Look at that pretty pout. Poor baby, I guess Daddy will have to kiss it all better.”
And he did.