Sweeter Than Honey Read online

  Too breathless to cry out, instead she grunted, unable to restrain the harsh gusts he forced from her body with his powerful thrusts. He hammered her womb, hard and fast, his thighs and buttocks delivering powerful strokes so fast, so hard, his cock shoved her up the bed.

  He followed, crowding closer, bumping the backs of her thighs as he forced her up the mattress until she had to let go of him and press hard against the wall at the end of the bed to brace herself against his powerful strokes.

  He was harsh, brutal—but she loved it, took all of it. His reddened face drew into taut, harsh lines above her, his lips curled back in a frightening grimace. His gaze was feral, wild—his wildness set her free.

  Her hips slammed upward, out of rhythm with his strokes, but she couldn’t find it, couldn’t match his speed. But she had to answer his thrusts, had to take him as deep as she could. She wanted it all, the fullness, the scalding heat, the power that pounded her body so incredibly.

  She sobbed, tears threatening to overspill her eyes, and then she exploded like Fourth of July fireworks, falling like a shimmering waterfall of aftershocks to rest against the sheets.

  Joe shouted, the muscles of his belly and thighs bunching hard as steel as he pounded faster, delivering sharp slaps of flesh to flesh, until a second, softer explosion took her.

  When the hot streams of his seed flooded her channel, her tears slid into her hair and her arms and legs melted to the mattress. She hadn’t the strength to move, didn’t have the heart left to think about what happened next.

  Joe came down on top of her and scooted lower, withdrawing his cock from her swollen channel with a reluctant groan and rested his head between her breasts.

  As their breaths slowed, Honey thought the sweetest feeling she’d ever known was Joe gently kissing her breast as she fell asleep.

  Chapter Six

  Joe awoke surrounded by softness—a downy mattress beneath him, Honey’s breast pressed against the side of his chest and her small hand cupping his balls.

  A man could get used to this.

  He stretched his toes against the footboard and yawned and then reached down to cover her hand and give it and himself a squeeze. A smile tugged the corners of his lips. “You sore?”

  Her gaze shot up, and she wrinkled her nose. “That’s not the first thing I wanted to hear this morning,” she said grumpily.

  He rolled over her, bringing her under him on the narrow bed, pressing her deep into the downy mattress. He could get used to covering her, having all her parts crushed beneath him. At his mercy.

  He kneed apart her legs and settled his thickening sex in between. “What did you want to hear?” He thought he knew, but he wanted to hear her admit it.

  Even in the gray light of dawn, her many vivid colors were a beacon—her red hair shimmered, her creamy cheeks glowed, her pink swollen mouth…

  Damn, just looking at that mouth had him getting harder. He nudged between her folds but stopped there. She wanted to talk. Wanted him to say something, but he wasn’t ready for those three words. Not yet.

  Should he comment on her beauty? Making love suited her, made her lips and nipples rosy and her face soft, but he knew she didn’t want to hear that either.

  Her green gaze narrowed, and her lips pressed into a stubborn line. “Maybe I was just waiting for a good morning.”

  She was so easy to rile, and when she was riled up, she got as horny as he did. Last night was proof enough of that. Feeling lighthearted, he decided to tease her a little, to see how far he could push before her passion exploded all over him. “I think you want to hear how good it was last night—you and me.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. Outrage reddened her complexion all the way down to the tops of her breasts. “I’m sure that wasn’t it,” she bit out, her tone frosty. “You can let me up now.”

  “Maybe you want me to say how pretty you are—how hot and pink your—”

  “Nope, not it either. And if you don’t get off me now, I’m gonna make you a gelding.”

  He bent to kiss her lips, but she turned her face, so he sucked on her earlobe. “But those weren’t any of the things I wanted to say,” he said softly.

  She lay so still beneath him he could feel her heart beating against his chest, speeding to keep up with the quickness of her breaths.

  He snaked an arm beneath her shoulders and a hand beneath her bottom, holding her close, waiting for her to meet his gaze.

  When she did, that heavy ache inside his chest was back, and he recognized it for what it was.

  Her eyes welled with tears and her lips trembled. She was scared and as vulnerable as she’d ever allow herself to be with a man. He knew it, welcomed it. Hoped it meant she felt as raw and vulnerable as he did.

  “Wh-what were you going to say?” she whispered.

  “That I want you to stay. Here. With me.” That was as much as he was willing to admit. They’d known each other just a few days. Maybe it was too soon for her. He didn’t want to spook her into fleeing.

  “Why? Because of this? You want to fuck me some more?”

  Her words were harsh, but her tone wasn’t nearly as brittle, and her voice held a quaver.

  “I’d like that,” he said honestly, “and I’d like to spend time with you. Learn all about you. Have you learn all about me.”

  “How long? A few days?”

  “How about through the winter, and we’ll see how it goes?” Should be long enough to plant a babe in her belly and give her a lifetime of reasons to stay with him. And damn, making that baby would sure light a fire on those cold winter nights.

  Her gaze slid away. “I don’t know. I have places to go. You know, I’m a business woman. I have to mind my business.”

  He bent his head, and this time she didn’t turn away. He kissed her, sliding his lips over hers. They’d talked enough. If he said anything more, he’d mess it up. He drew a whisper away from her mouth. “Think about it. Think about this.” Then he flexed his hips and thrust into her snug channel.

  She grimaced and sucked air between her teeth.

  He didn’t like that he’d hurt her, but at the same time, he felt a deep, masculine satisfaction that her discomfort was due solely to the wild ride he’d given her. “I did ask,” he growled. “Want to stop?”

  Her cunt tightened around him, rejecting his invasion. “Um…I think we just need to take it a little slow.”

  Relieved he’d have her anyway, he pulled out and rolled again, stopping when she lay stretched on top of his body. He placed his palm on her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her pouting bottom lip. “Straddle me. Take me inside you.”

  Her eyelids dipped, and when she met his gaze again, fresh sensual excitement lit her features. With her hands braced against his chest, she rose up, watching as he spread her swollen folds. He licked his fingers to wet them and then rubbed the moisture all around her entrance. She surprised him when she licked her own fingers and rubbed the tip of his cock.

  When he gave her clitoris a sensual slide of his calloused thumb, she pressed down, blowing out a breath. She halted after accepting only a few inches of his cock and rose again.

  He kept his hands off her, knowing he’d bruise her delicate skin if he put his hands where he wanted—on her hips to force her to move faster. Instead, he fisted his hands in the bedding beside her knees.

  She took him so slowly he gritted his teeth and counted, reaching thirty before she’d sunk far enough to suit him even a little. Hard as a railroad spike, he knew his girth caused her pain. Still, Honey rose and fell with her thighs quivering and her eyes squeezed tight. She canted her head and her hair trailed down one shoulder, her curls capturing a nipple.

  The sight of the soft tangle tugging at her breast was more than he could stand. He couldn’t take another minute of not touching her and reached up to brush away her hair, cup her, squeeze her breast
s and thumb her nipples while she pushed a little deeper.

  A little dry at first, her sex grew slick fast, aiding her movements so she glided up and down faster, pushing down on him, taking more of his length into her narrow passage.

  Her mouth opened on a ragged sob, and he tried to soothe her, knowing she was quickly being overcome by all the emotions, all the sensations swamping her now.

  Did she know this was special? That any other man wouldn’t affect her this way, wouldn’t fill her like this, wouldn’t love her with the same intensity? Joe knew he’d never have the likes of her again.

  Joe came up on his elbows and rooted at her breast, taking as much as he could into his mouth, suckling as she pumped up and down.

  It was almost enough. His balls felt heavy and full and had drawn up close to his groin. His cock was ready to burst, but he needed to lift his hips and stroke her walls, needed to move against her and feel her surge against him as he crammed deep inside her.

  “Please,” she keened, shuddering over him, her passage rippling all along his shaft.

  The plea was the answer to his prayer, and he lay down and bent his knees, planting his feet firmly in the mattress. When he grabbed her hips, her eyes flew open and her gaze locked with his. He speared upward, the stroke hard and sharp, and at the same time forced her hips down.

  She yelped but didn’t fight the next lunge, letting him guide her, letting him pull her down his shaft to fuck his cock with enough force their groins slapped together. Hard enough to jar him, hard enough to make her shout and cry as she came, hard enough to make him come in a furious flurry of thrusts that jiggled her belly and breasts. When he exploded, his shout sounded incredibly loud inside the close confines of her wagon.

  As he slowed, he ground against her, scraping her clitoris while she moaned and gasped. He tried to make her release last but needed to rest because his heart pounded inside his chest and he couldn’t catch a breath.

  She collapsed over him, and he wound his arms around her back and held her hips close, not letting her slip off his cock. He wanted to stay like this, surrounded by her, overwhelmed with her passion.

  “I think you killed me,” she said, gasping against his sweaty skin.

  “Murder by fucking?” He closed his eyes and grinned. “Think they’d hang me?”

  “They’d probably pin a medal on your cock.”

  He thrust his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back. All he had to do was stare at her mouth and she leaned forward and kissed him hard, framing his face in her hands as their kiss deepened.

  “Think they’re done?” came a gruff whisper from just outside the window.

  Honey jerked back, her eyes rounding. “It’s Letty,” she whispered frantically.

  His lips twitched. His suspicions about the ladies’ intentions were confirmed. Letty must have had her ear to the wagon wall. He wondered whether she’d even had a peek inside. He wouldn’t put anything past the rascally woman.

  “They can’t find us like this,” Honey said, trying to push his hand off her bottom.

  He captured her hands and pressed her palms flat against her bottom, enjoying the sight of her jiggling breasts and the feel of her pussy wriggling on his cock as she tried to free herself. “Would it be so bad?”

  “Joe. This isn’t a joke. You have to let me up.”

  Her expression went from shocked fury to mortification with a single blush, and he relented. “One kiss, then I’ll let you up.”

  “Joe.”

  “A kiss,” he commanded, wiping his face free of any amusement.

  When she leaned over him, he reached up and captured her mouth in one lusty caress before falling back. Holding her gaze, he whispered, “It’s gonna be all right, sweetheart. Trust me.”

  He let go of her hands and she scrambled off the bed, jerking her clothing off the hooks to dress in a hurry. He liked that she didn’t bother with the pantalets. The thought of her greeting whoever waited outside with his release drying on her thighs gave him a primitive satisfaction.

  “Letty? Are you out there?” she called out, holding up a mirror as she tore at her tangled hair with a brush.

  “She must have heard us,” came another gruff whisper.

  “She must have heard you!” came another harsh whisper.

  Joe pressed his lips together to suppress a grin. Embarrassing though the next few minutes would certainly prove to be, he had no regrets. The women could have flung open the door while Honey rode him so sweetly, and he’d have been happy to prove up his claim.

  With her hand on the door knob, Honey tossed a frantic glance over her shoulder. “Get dressed. And for goodness sake, cover yourself.”

  Honey stepped down to the ground and right into a passel of trouble. The number of riders, most of them men with shotguns in their crossed arms, made her stomach lurch.

  Letty stood in front of the group, a floppy hat pulled down so low her eyes were shadowed. Daisy flanked her, her expression pained.

  Honey scanned the riders, trepidation rising when she noted Reverend Sessions wearing his white collar and Amos Handy’s beefy fist holding a shotgun like it was a fly swatter. Even Curly Hicks rode with the gang, looking oddly happy.

  Honey cleared her throat. Maybe they were on the trail of outlaws and their appearance here didn’t have a thing to do with the sinful goings on inside her wagon. “What can I do for you folks?”

  “Now, Honey girl,” Letty began, her tone holding more than a hint of regret, “You know why we’re here.”

  Mortification of a deep, soul-crushing sort heated her cheeks, made her hands shake and her stomach roil. “Letty, why’d you bring all these folks here?” she asked softly.

  “It was all part of our plan,” Daisy said, her smile strained.

  Anger, swift and blazing hot, took the edge off her embarrassment. “You mean besides the kidnapping and stripping him naked part?” she asked, her voice rising. It would have been one thing for the women to accidentally let slip and mention what had occurred, but to set a deliberate trap?

  Letty winced. “Well, it seemed like a good plan. At the time anyways. And could ya keep yer voice down?”

  “Why?” Honey said, scowling. “You have a headache?”

  “Damn, she gets ornery when she’s riled.”

  “I suspect she’s simply embarrassed,” Daisy said, her expression apologetic. “And a little worried about the sheriff, aren’t you, my dear?”

  “If it helps, yers won’t be the only weddin’ today.”

  Honey fisted her hands on her hips, not ready to be sidetracked from her anger, but she was curious. “There’s gonna be another wedding? Whose?”

  “Sally’s,” Letty said, a little smile curling her lips. “Curly finally ate that apple pie.”

  “Pie?” Honey shook her head, not understanding, and then her mouth gaped. “Letty? Did you give her some of your elixir?”

  “Some things call for desperate measures, and that man was as skittish as a colt when it come to marrying the girl. He just needed a little shove. Doesn’t look unhappy about it now, does he?”

  Honey leaned to the side and stared at Curly. Sure enough, his grin stretched so wide she could see every one of his pearly white teeth.

  “So how much elixir did you have to give the sheriff?” Letty whispered. “Must a been a whole bottle, since you two were still frisky this morning.”

  “Letty,” Daisy exclaimed, shoving her elbow into Letty’s side. “I swear, Honey, we just arrived—”

  “’Bout half an hour ago. With all the noise, we had to take a peek to make sure he wasn’t killin’ you.” At Honey’s shocked expression, Letty added, “It was just a quick peek. I swear we didn’t see…much.”

  Judging by the blushes both women wore, it had been more than a peek. But it didn’t matter. This had gone far enough. “I didn�
�t ply him with any potion. I’d never trick a man into marrying me. And while I’m happy for Sally, there will be only one wedding today.”

  Daisy reached across to touch Honey’s shoulder. “But you have to let the sheriff do right by you. Your reputation will be in shreds—”

  “And it’s so much worse,” Letty interrupted, “’cause he wasn’t even under the influence of your potion.”

  “He took advantage of you.”

  “I have no reputation to lose,” Honey shouted to be heard above the women’s chatter.

  “But what about mine?” The low rumbling voice brought everyone to silence.

  Honey closed her eyes for a moment and then looked over her shoulder. Joe stood in her doorway, his shirt only partially buttoned, exposing most of his naked chest. And he was bootless. Anyone looking at him knew by his state of undress and the thick stubble shadowing his jaw that he’d been up to no good. His expression didn’t give much away, but his gaze was piercing, maybe a little possessive, when it landed on her.

  Honey melted. This proud, handsome man stood on her stoop, looking so well-pleasured and debauched—and she was responsible for that. She didn’t much care what anyone else thought. She felt pride in the fact she’d held his interest all through the night, that she’d sparked his passion and taken all of his rough loving.

  In fact, she didn’t much care if she followed him back inside and started all over again. They could all damn well watch and listen.

  “What about my reputation, Honey?” he asked, stepping barefoot to the ground, his dark gaze holding hers. “Won’t you do right by me?”

  “You mean marry you?” she asked faintly. Oh, she wanted to, but not at his expense. And not because he felt he had to. She straightened her shoulders. “I thought a man’s reputation was only enhanced by his conquests.”

  “Only a bastard thinks like that,” he said, walking toward her.

  “Still, none of this is your fault.” Her gaze clung to his tall frame, to the carved features of his face. Could he see how sorry she was? “You were entrapped.”