Read Online The Devil's Daughter by Laura Drewry - Free Book Online Page B

the tip of his tongue, then traced the edges of her teeth, pausing only when she whimpered beneath him.
    Light from the fire flickered softly across her face, revealing eyes, heavy with desire, and cheeks reddened from his stubbled beard.
    He was lost. Somewhere in the ten minutes between that first cup of swill she called coffee and her fingers sliding through his hair, he’d dismissed his entire plan.
    But how could he refuse her now? She’d gone from a silk dress and fancy slippers to buffalo chips and dirt – all for him. And as much as he knew he should walk away from her, he also knew there wasn’t a man alive who had that kind of strength.
    Lifting her head off the blanket, he used his left hand as a pillow, then eased her back down. Her lips parted, inviting him to another taste. And like a man starved, he indulged. Then went back for more. Her long slender fingers slid over his shoulders, down his arms, then back to his hair, keeping him close, not giving him a chance to escape – as though he could.
    Had he ever wanted another woman this much? Had he ever been so shameless in his need? No.
    No.
    Jed eased back just enough to look down at Lucy, her lips swollen from his kisses, her hair fanned out in a tousled mess.
    Damn it.
    Her brow furrowed, then eased, a look of disappointment falling across her beautiful, dirt-smudged face.
    “Jed?” Her breathy voice, filled with confusion, whispered against his skin.
    If he had any sense at all, he’d see her into the house for the night. Problem was, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go yet. He rolled onto his back and pulled her up beside him, settling her head on his shoulder, while his other arm pillowed the back of his head.
    “Maggie might see us.”
    A low sigh was her only response.
    They stared up at the stars for a long time, Jed’s heart thundering beneath her ear, his fingers drawn to her skin like bees to flowers. He traced the length of her arm with slow strokes, wondering how long he’d have to wait before he could trust himself to kiss her again.
    The neglected fire simmered in the silence. Wouldn’t be long before it went out completely, and with it, the last of their light. Then he’d have only the memory of her desire – and the heat of his own - to keep him warm.
    “Maggie’s not going to let me sleep in there,” Lucy whispered into the night.
    Maggie. Shame coursed through Jed like a flash flood. He should be thinking about Maggie, not his own urges.
    “Of course she will.” Easy to say, another thing entirely to believe. He eased Lucy away from him and stood, taking a moment to adjust his trousers before walking toward the house.
    “Maggie.” He rapped his knuckles on the door and waited. And waited.
    From behind the door came the muted sounds of shuffling feet and whimpers.
    “Maggie.” He opened the door and stepped inside. His sister-in-law didn’t look up as she paced the dirt floor in front of the bed. Only took her two or three steps before she had to turn and go the other way, and after watching her for about ten seconds, Jed was dizzy enough for the both of them.
    He stepped close enough to touch her arm. “Maggie.”
    She started, jerked back, then looked up. “Jedidiah,” she exclaimed. “How did you get in? I barred the door.”
    Jed cast a quick glance at the old Bible on the floor, then looked back at Maggie. When was he last time she’d washed her face or brushed her hair?
    He took her hand and led her to the table, then waited until she was seated before he sat across from her.
    “It’s getting late,” he said quietly.
    “Yes.” She nodded quickly, her gaze darting around the room, never settling on any one thing for more than a second.
    “Lucy needs to get ready for bed.”
    “No.” She smothered her belly with the length of her arms. “She’s not coming in here.”
    “Maggie. . .”
    “No!” Maggie pushed away from the table and began to pace again. “She’s evil, Jedidiah. Evil.”
    “No