A Corner Of My Soul Read online

  He broke the kiss and thumbed her nipples. “Oh, baby ... I love you, too."

  Tiny shock waves shot from her as he rolled her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. She still managed some sense to smack his shoulder. “That's not fair looking into my head."

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart.” He dotted kisses around her mouth, across her jawline, down her neck. “I've wanted this since the day we met. A man can only have so much control, you know.” Devilment gleamed in brown eyes.

  "It's not fair, not when I can't see into yours."

  His hands slid down. That sweet erection between her thighs diminished a little. Doug eased her away, but his gaze on hers was steady. “Honey, you don't want to see inside my head."

  Natalie cupped his face. “You already know everything that's in mine and you know why I'm here."

  He frowned and looked puzzled. A smirk lifted one corner of his mouth. “Actually, I was focused on the hot sex and the love pouring off you. I didn't look any farther."

  She didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed that she had to tell him.

  "I do know you came here for business. I could see that. But I also saw the joy in your face when you saw me. That's when I got nosey and looked inside. And ... here we are ... or, rather ... were."

  He frowned again, concentrating this time, and Natalie knew he was probing her mind. She didn't object, although they'd have to set some boundaries at some point if they were going to be together.

  "Someone's been killed,” he said. “It has something to do with Stephen Harcourt. And you came here to ... aw, baby..."

  The look on his face was so filled with love it made Natalie want to cry.

  He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. “I suppose this is the part where I'm supposed to go all macho alpha man and say, ‘Woman, I'm a man. I can take care of myself.’”

  "Not if you want to keep your manhood intact."

  He brushed a kiss against her temple and chuckled. “Right now my heart's filled to bursting over the fact you love me enough to come up here and protect me. Even though I'm fairly capable of doing that myself—at least ninety percent of the time—back-up is damn smart. When that back-up is the woman of my dreams and fully capable of kicking bad-guy ass..."

  Natalie smiled. “You say the sweetest things."

  A splash of rain pulled their heads up. It looked like the clouds were going to open up any second.

  Doug re-hooked her bra before she could think to do so, then gave her a pat on the butt. “We'd better get inside before we get drenched. You've got an overnight bag?"

  "Always.” She kissed the tip of his nose and crawled from his lap.

  "Then the last one in scrubs the other one's back.” He winked and reached for his fishing pole.

  "I love a win-win situation.” She resisted the urge to cup his backside and trotted up the steps to her sedan. As she opened the passenger door, Natalie treated herself to a glance back at Doug.

  A grin split his face when he reeled in a second fish. She longed to freeze this moment, to shut the evils of the world out and let their time here be about them only.

  Doug lifted his catch for her to see. She smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. She loved how he seized the joy from life, loved how he forced the horrors of their work to roll from him and embraced happiness. He admitted to having his dark moments. Who wouldn't in this business? She'd seen that look overcome him when he fully opened his mind to what was out there. It took tremendous skill and training for him to hone in on one person, and even more skill to keep himself guarded from the thoughts of others. He had his family to thank for guiding him. They'd taught him very well how to protect himself. What would they say about his eavesdropping on her thoughts? Probably second nature to them all. That would prove interesting when she met them.

  Natalie sucked in a gasp and felt her cheeks flush. She was going to meet his family. Doug loved her. He loved her! The knowledge made her giddy, despite the work that lay ahead of them tonight. Joy and happiness amid the horror.

  She hauled her small overnight bag from the floorboard and snagged the case portfolio from the front, along with her purse. Her holstered weapon and badge were within easy grasp inside it. Both were never far from her side. Natalie didn't believe in taking chances with her life, or anyone else's, but even a seasoned agent could be caught off-guard. Even an agent who could read minds—Doug's blessing, curse, and secret weapon all rolled into one.

  She locked the vehicle and leaned against it while she surveyed the wooded area. No wonder he loved it up here. Peace surrounded her. He guarded his privacy well. That would help keep him safe. She'd only known where to find him because he'd been required to give a physical location when he went on vacation.

  The rumble of thunder pulled her head in his direction. Natalie watched him stack the coolers on top of each other. Forearm muscles flexed as he picked them both up. The fishing rod bounced in his hand with his trot up the steps. His smile warmed her all over, swelling her heart with love. Her body ached from want of him. His arms around her, lips devastating her senses...

  She heard a hiss that sounded like a million snakes and glanced over his shoulder to see the rain exploding into the lake and coming their way fast.

  "Last one in...” he shouted, and broke into a run.

  Laughing, Natalie dashed for the cabin. They hit the covered porch at the same time with the rain on their heels.

  "How about that ... a tie! I win!” He set his load down and swung the door open.

  She'd barely had time to cross the threshold and set her things down before his arms were around her.

  Hot lips welded over hers. Natalie tossed her arms around his neck. One hand cupped on her ass, Doug hoisted her leg to his hip and braced her against the wall. She snapped the other leg around him and rocked her crotch over his.

  Doug broke the kiss on a groan and yanked her T-shirt up over her breasts. “A man can only resist his alpha nature so long, sweetheart. I swear I'll make it up to you later, but if I don't get inside you soon, I'll die."

  Boy, does he know how to make a woman's panties wet or what?

  How much longer could they keep the world at bay? It wasn't as if they could do anything about it tonight. They were stuck here until after the storm, safe in a location few knew about.

  "Then"—he had her panting already—"why are my clothes still on?"

  "My thought exactly.” He ducked, tossed her over his shoulder, and ran toward the bedroom.

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  CHAPTER 3

  Doug's footsteps pounded on the wooden floor. Laughter bubbled out of Natalie as she bounced on his shoulder.

  "Oh, my God, you have gone caveman."

  "You ain't seen nothing yet, baby. I can come quick like a caveman, too."

  "There's a great endorsement.” She squealed when he smacked her butt, then flopped her onto the mattress and fell on top of her.

  The full-size bed groaned under their combined weights. His eyes widened, “Oops.” Then he grinned, snapped open her jeans, and started to peel them down her hips.

  Natalie toed off her shoes and pulled her T-shirt off. “Please tell me you have some condoms."

  The expectation on his face faded to gloom. “Ah, man...” He jumped off the bed. “Be right back. Don't go anywhere."

  She waited until he cleared the door, then finished stripping and crawled under the cool covers. One tug released her ponytail. She fluffed her fingers through her long hair, hoping for a sensual, bed-tossed look, while she glanced around the room.

  It had that same mountain cabin feel she'd noticed in the brief glimpse she'd gotten of the rest of the place. Two full-size beds had been crammed into this room with little space to spare. Both were covered with beautiful handmade patchwork quilts. They, and the lacy sheer curtains on all the windows, clashed with the dark red/brown/green décor, but it was a nice, homey combination of male/female tastes. This was a family cabin and that feeling
showed through. Braided rag rugs were scattered across the wood floors. Pegs in the walls provided hanging space that might be lacking in small closets. Drawers were built under the beds.

  She'd also noted modern touches throughout, which would be a good plus for occupants thanks to the solar panels on the roof—wall furnace, stove, refrigerator, and probably a hot water heater. Natalie had seen everything at a glance in the big open front room.

  Rain beat on the roof overhead, matching the frantic thundering feet tearing through the cabin on Doug's search for protection. Natalie smiled. Perhaps she'd let him suffer enough.

  "I think I might have one or two in my purse,” she shouted out.

  Seconds later he filled the doorway, gloriously naked, fully erect, and shielded like a soldier going into battle. More condoms were clutched in his hand.

  "Thank you. I think I'm sufficiently under control now.” He walked her way, heavy cock bobbing with each stride.

  Natalie licked her lips. “My pleasure. A shame to have to cover up so beautiful a package. Perhaps we can ... negotiate.” She peeled the bedcovers back and rubbed her hand over the sheet.

  He grinned and crawled in beside her. “Then allow me to present my case.” A snap of his wrist covered them once more.

  Natalie melted into his smile and draped her arms and legs around him. He settled between her thighs, erection poised at her pussy.

  "I meant what I said, honey.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek. “If I don't get inside you now, I'll die."

  She groaned and arched into Doug with the first press of his cock head into her vagina. Just this bit and he'd already spread her wide. She clamped her cunt muscles around him, trying to pull him deeper. For a man who was in such a hurry to claim her, Doug sure took his time doing so, easing in a millimeter at a time. Natalie pawed at his back, dug her heels into the clefts of his butt, frantic for possession. And still he moved at his own pace, spearing her wider than she'd ever thought possible. He was harder than any substance known to man and hotter than the sun. She could feel the repressed strength rippling in his muscles—so powerful and yet so gentle ... so determined.

  "Oh, please,” she begged. “I need you. I want you. Oh, God, Doug!” She gasped and clutched him tighter. “I love you."

  "I know, sweetheart.” He brushed his fingers down her throat and over her shoulder. Tiny chillbumps sprouted in the wake. “You feel like a furnace. A sweet, hot, silky furnace. I can't wait to be buried all the way."

  Jeez, how much more did he have? “Give it,” she demanded through clenched teeth.

  He smiled and slipped his hand between them, looping her breast in his grip. He shifted back, piercing more of his flesh into her. Natalie rocked into him, but Doug was clearly the man in charge. He squeezed her breast until the nipple plumped, then traced his tongue over the tip.

  She stabbed her fingers into his hair and forced his head in place. He obliged and drew her nipple into his mouth, thrusting it against the roof while he suckled it. Her pussy tightened of its own volition, ripping a groan from deep within his chest. She cried out in response and ground her pelvis into his.

  A single thrust seated him to her womb. Natalie reared up, legs locked around his waist. He raked his mouth to her other breast, teasing the nipple to marble hardness, the perfect match to the clit now wedged against his cock.

  "Oh...” The word came out a whimper. She couldn't help it.

  Doug pulled his head up. “Yes ... it does feel great, doesn't it?"

  Beyond great. “Yes.” Another whimpered moan.

  He cupped her ass and lifted her into another thrust. Her clitoris had no choice but to go along for the ride ... and greedily begged for more.

  "You're gonna make me come,” she gasped out.

  "Yes ... I am,” he replied on another stroke. “Many, many times. For many years to come.” He plunged in deep and pulled out long.

  Natalie cried out, feathering her hands over every portion of his body she could reach. Eyes closed, she lost herself in the wonder of his body moving in hers. She'd been fucked before, but never like this, never made love to at the same time.

  Tension pooled behind her belly button. Her clit hardened all the more. She was so wet she could hear the squish with each stroke.

  "I'm coming. I can't believe—” Orgasm rolled outward and just kept going. His dick felt harder than ever, pulling her up and over, up and over, until the sensation ebbed.

  Doug pressed deep and stayed there, seemingly satisfied to dot kisses to her lips and shoulders, smooth her aching nipples, whisper words of love. She felt content, lazy even ... and then he moved again.

  His thrusts were harder this time, deeper, faster. He rolled into her, too, reawakening her clitoris to more pleasure. It didn't argue. Still sated from her first orgasm, Natalie wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, tickled her fingers into his hair. She nibbled his earlobe, traced her tongue around the shell of his ear, and whispered a few special words of her own.

  "I love you. You feel so good, so hard. You make me come so good..."

  A shudder traveled through him. Natalie reveled in the small measure of power she possessed. “I can make you come good, too,” she whispered.

  Doug growled and levered himself up in a deep push. He stayed there, frozen, while he tried to gain control. She watched the battle on his face—the clenched jaw, eyes closed on the edge of rapture. She could feel it, too, in the pulse of his cock. It throbbed against her pussy walls, taking every bit of space down there for itself.

  He rocked to his heels and hauled her with him, bracing her hips on his powerful thighs. Gaze locked to hers, he licked his thumb and rolled it around her clit. Another orgasm blasted out of her. He eased her over the peak, then stretched over her once more. He laced his fingers through hers and nailed them to the pillow on either side of her head.

  The look in his eyes filled Natalie with so much love she wanted to weep.

  "I'm going to fuck you now, sweetheart. Hard. And you will come again."

  He kissed her breathless and pounded his cock into her. Natalie gasped into his mouth, fingers clenched with his. She was going to come again! She could feel it!

  So could Doug.

  He yanked his head up, hips pivoting fast and hard. She clamped her legs around him and rode the wave of climax.

  "That's it, baby. Come for me,” he growled. “I'm gonna marry you, Natalie Gray. I'm gonna plant my seed in you deep. Cry with joy when you birth our babies. And when we're old and gray"—he plunged even faster—"I'm still gonna make you come like you've never come before."

  He slammed forward, body bowed with the force of his orgasm.

  "God, you're beautiful.” She captured his lips and kissed him as hard as he'd kissed her.

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  CHAPTER 4

  "Babies?"

  Natalie's voice had a lazy, well-satisfied, too-spent-to-move tone that pumped Doug's fragile male ego up to bursting with pride that he'd caused it.

  Head braced on the pedestal of his arm, he smiled down at her, and traced a tendril of her long gold-brown hair around her puckered nipple. He was about ten seconds away from sucking the brown jewel between his lips.

  "Uh-huh ... two or four. I'd like to keep it an even number, if you don't mind. You can pick out their sex."

  Her laughter jiggled her breasts—an enticing sight.

  "How very kind of you.” Sarcasm might have weighed her words, but the glow in her eyes told a different story. She brushed her fingers through his hair. “You've obviously thought a lot about this."

  "Oh, yes...” He leaned closer and pulled her nipple between his lips. Her sigh caressed his soul. “From the moment our gazes first met and our hands touched."

  She cradled his head against her, petting him. “And you had intended to tell me when?"

  He pulled his head up on a grin. “Oh, I was working up to it. Didn't you catch my moves the last time we had coffee?"

  Her l
aughter this time rasped her nipple over his throat. Doug groaned and suckled it again.

  "Mmm...” She flexed her fingers against his scalp. Talk about instant hard-on. He tucked his growing erection against her hip.

  "What took you so long?” she asked, nudging into him. “I've wanted you from day one. Somewhere along the way I realized I loved you, too."

  Doug stretched out beside her. “I didn't want to rush. I wanted us to treasure the experience of getting to know one another. I wanted to wait until I was sure you felt the same way."

  She cupped his face between her hands. “All you had to do is look inside my mind."

  "I was trying my best to not violate your trust and privacy.” He shrugged his shoulder. “Until today, obviously. I want to say I'm sorry about that, but I'm not. Unless you're mad about it and then I'll say I'm sorry, because I know I shouldn't have looked into your head. But I'd missed you so much. Thought about you every day since I've been up here, wanted you for so long. And there you were, here on business, but so filled will joy to see me. I couldn't help myself."

  "And what do you see now?"

  "Only you. Only love.” His lips were a whisper away from kissing her when a thunk from the front porch snapped him upright and leaping out of bed. “Shit!"

  "What is it?” Natalie was a heartbeat behind him, hauling on her jeans as he zipped his. The man sure could dress fast.

  "Damn bear's after my fish."

  Laughter filled the cabin. She fell back on the bed. “Oh, please tell me you aren't going to fight a bear now."

  "That's my fish, woman ... and my beer."

  Natalie propped hands on hips. “I don't know whether to follow you and offer assistance, have my finger poised to dial 9-1-1 on my cell in the event you are mauled, or be naked and on all fours awaiting your triumphant return."

  Doug stabbed his feet into his shoes and snapped a finger her way. “The last one."

  Natalie clutched her fists between her breasts. “Be still my heart."

  "Smart ass. I'd jumped your bones right now if I wasn't forced to prove my manhood."