“Because the sex was better than either of us ever imagined or thought possible?” he finished for her. He bent his head to hers and brushed a gentle kiss across her mouth. “You’re really fucked up, aren’t you, babe? They did a real number on you. The sex is off the charts and I’d be a fool not to want that every day of my life. That’s all you, sugar. Not their damn enhancements. I have three little girls who desperately need a mother who will fight for them alongside of me and protect and love them. That’s you. I need a woman who can put up with my jealous, arrogant, demandin’ nature and love me anyway. That’s you too. I like holdin’ you in my arms and feelin’ you in my bed. I like listenin’ to you laughin’ and touchin’ your skin. I like knowin’ you’re goin’ to be wet for me and that anytime I want you, that you’re goin’ to want me right then, at that moment.”

She swallowed hard, his words penetrating through her brain and finding their way to her heart. It hurt, an actual physical pain in her heart to hear him talk like that – to her – about her. Did she dare take a chance? She’d be risking so much more than he realized. She’d be risking him. Wyatt.

As if he knew she was still struggling, he tipped her face up farther, holding her captive with his eyes.

“Do you have any idea how strong I am? Let yourself go, Pepper. Trust me enough to put you back together if you break apart. I’ll do the same. I’ll trust you. If I’m fallin’, I’ll expect you to shore me up. That’s what partners do for one another. Give us this chance. Give the girls this chance. I’ll be a good father to them and their home will be filled with laughter and love. We’ll surround them with that.”

“Be very sure you want me, Wyatt, not a fantasy,” she whispered, her heart pounding hard. “I don’t know the first thing about families or parenting.”

“That won’t be hard. We have Nonny and she’ll be there for you one hundred percent. She already has made up her mind to keep you. Fontenots are that way. I made up my mind when I saw you with that big knife.”

“Do you know that you rarely swear until you have sex, Wyatt?” Pepper asked, slowly pushing back, her hands on his forearms.

At the word “sex” his cock jerked. She felt it rubbing against her bottom, an exquisite feel of silk and sword. She bent forward to kiss his chest, right over his heart. Her hair swept around her face, tumbling down to brush his thighs. It was the first time she’d ever dared to really touch him. She was still a little afraid of herself, but she liked the freedom and he didn’t stop her.

“It’s the only time I know for certain Nonny won’ hear and wash my mouth out with soap,” he explained, laughter in his voice.

But there was a hitch too. He liked her touch. She kept touching, running her fingers down his body to his flat belly. She scooted back to give herself room.

“We still have to go into town,” she murmured. She glanced up at him to see his eyes watching her. His beautiful eyes. She could drown there.

“That’s true.” His voice was noncommittal.

Pepper kissed her way down to his belly button. “The answer is yes, Wyatt. I want to be your partner in every way.” Her tongue swirled in his belly button.

She watched his eyes the entire time, needing to see his reaction. His eyes went dark and then filled with a kind of heat that drove her crazy in a good way. She liked seeing the look on his face, that stamp of desire, the possession and the growing affection. It was there as well.

His breath caught in his throat and he slid his fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp gently. “You know I can be bossy. Especially durin’ sex.”

She laughed softly, deliberately allowing her warm breath to envelope the growing shaft. She liked the look of him, how masculine and perfectly built he was. He was unashamed of his body, if anything, a little arrogant and totally confident, which she admitted to herself he had reason to be.

“I’ll admit, I caught that,” she teased, and lazily swiped her tongue over him.

His body gave an answering shudder. His cock grew and thickened. With just one swipe and she was thrilled. Thrilled. This was her. Pepper. The woman, not the seductress. She was going to make certain her man was thoroughly sated. More, her body would be more than satisfied and when they went into town to shop for the children and supplies, there would be no mistakes.

“You goin’ to tease me or put your mouth on me, woman?”

The demand in his voice made her laugh. She realized she had fun with Wyatt. She hadn’t known fun or laughter.

“I believe I’ll put my mouth on you,” she replied, and allowed him to feel her laughter, her happiness right through the most sensitive part of his anatomy.

Chapter 11

Pepper stayed very close to Wyatt as they walked around town together. He seemed to know everyone. His hand held hers tightly, and she felt his occasional glance. She liked that it mattered to him that she was all right. She was acutely aware of her lack of underwear. Wyatt had torn her panties to shreds and there had been no salvaging them. He didn’t mind, but it was one more thing she was embarrassed about. She had no idea how to act or what he expected of her, so she stayed very quiet and tucked herself in close to his side.

“Babe, you’re trembling,” Wyatt said softly, pulling her to a halt in front of a store.

She couldn’t help it. She looked up at him. Hadn’t he noticed the looks the men were sneaking at her?