Daniel's Desire

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Authors: Callie Hutton
Tags: Romance, Historical
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that noise? She rolled onto her back as Daniel walked through the bedroom door. He stopped inside the door and stared at her. Slowly, he moved to her side and squatted.
    Her heart thumped so loudly, he must’ve heard it. Happiness warred with fear. His return put him in jeopardy, and her heart in danger.
    He studied her face, his eyes seeking an answer to a question she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. He ran his knuckles over her cheek. “I wanted to lead them away from here, so they would leave you in peace.”
    “I thought you were halfway to Kentucky by now,” she whispered.
    He smiled, flashing straight white teeth. “I started to but you still need help.”
    “Is that the only reason you came back?” She inhaled sharply, amazed at what she’d asked.
    “No.” He lowered his head, his breath fanning her face. “But I need to leave one day. You must know that.”
    “I do.” The last words she murmured before he took possession of her mouth.
    • • •
    Daniel felt as if he’d come home. Home to the woman he wanted more than any other. He’d lied to her, and to himself, when he said he returned because she still needed help. On the ride back he realized he needed her . And he wanted her — in his bed and in his life. He groaned as he pulled her closer, and tilted her head to take the kiss deeper. He nudged her lips with his tongue and she opened. Her warm sweetness overwhelmed him. Soft, wet, like molten honey, he touched all the sensitive parts of her mouth.
    He moved away before he took it any further. If he didn’t return to his bed in the barn right now, he never would. With the war still tugging at him, he’d no right to make her his.
    Daniel gazed into her passion-filled eyes, a feeling of satisfaction washing over him. She would be his one day, of that he was sure.
    “I’ll see you in the morning.” He whispered against her ear, and then tasted her sweet lips once more in a light kiss.
    • • •
    Early April 1865
    “I can’t believe poor Hans is gone, and I wasn’t here to comfort you.” Susan McDonough clutched Rosemarie’s hand, sorrow etched on her full face. “And then injuring your leg that way.” She tsked.
    “I’m doing all right.” Rosemarie attempted to pull her hand free from her neighbor, who had descended on her with her husband, Jacob, and their four children.
    Never too fond of Susan, who had a curiosity beyond polite and a well-developed propensity to gossip, Rosemarie had invited them into the house against her better judgment. Daniel was working in the barn, and the minute he appeared, Susan would pounce on him like a lion.
    “Here Jacob and I hoped to ask Hans to help with our barn raising.” She stopped as she reached the small table in the kitchen, surprise lighting her eyes. “Why, I’m sure you didn’t even know the Rebels burned our barn down, now did you?”
    “No, I didn’t.” Good manners required she offer them at least a cup of tea, when all she wanted to do was send them on their way. “Would you care for some tea? I have sweet biscuits left from breakfast.”
    Susan settled her large bottom into the kitchen chair. “Why, that would be wonderful, Rosemarie. It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”
    You mean since you pried information out of me.
    “Maybe while we’re here Jacob can do some chores for you. I’m sure you’re havin’ a hard time since Hans passed, and with you having that injury, and all.”
    As usual, Jacob remained quiet, letting his wife prattle on. It amazed Rosemarie how he put up with it.
    “Mama, Mr. a’Coy sent me to fetch some water.” Amelia rushed into the kitchen, one of Susan’s girls following in her wake.
    Susan turned to Rosemarie, her eyebrows raised. “Who’s that?”
    “Mr. McCoy. He, ah, is the hand I hired to help out for a while.”
    “Really?” Susan turned to Jacob and nudged him in the elbow. “You better go see this Mr. McCoy, make sure he’s not a criminal.”
    “No.” Rosemarie

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