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?
"I'm okay. I've never walked around like this before. I feel exposed. Out in the open. When I went on training missions, it was dinner parties. Small. Intimate. Or rugged terrain if I was training to be a soldier. I've never done anything like this in my life."
Wyatt smiled down at her. "You're doin' great. Let's go in here and find you some clothes."
"Underwear," she said firmly.
"I like you without it."
She couldn't help but laugh softly at the humor in his voice that told her he was part teasing and part telling the truth. He had the cocky smile she liked. The one that told her he liked being with her as well.
"Of course now that I'm givin' it a little thought, we'd better buy you a lot. I like rippin' it offa you too. Choices are always good."
His grin felt good in spite of her nerves. His hand was tight around hers, giving her some comfort. She tried not to notice how some of the men on the street turned their heads to watch her walk. She wasn't feeling as if she had to shield them from her raw sexual hunger but maybe...
"No, babe, don' do that to yourself. You're naturally a beautiful woman, and men like to look at beautiful women. It's that simple. I'd be starin' at you too, if you weren' tucked up tight against me. I like havin' you at my side."
"You're not jealous?" She didn't want him to feel uncomfortable with her.
"Why should I be jealous?"
His hand swept down her back, over the curve of her butt. His touch was light, but it was possessive. She could feel the caress of his hot palm right through the thin material of the skirt, and deep inside a small tingle of awareness answered the gesture.
"You're with me and I have your full attention. Now you start smilin' and flirtin', that might be somethin' else altogether." He reached around her to pull open the door to the little boutique. "Flame likes this shop. I hope you find a few things you love."
In spite of herself, she felt excitement. She'd never been shopping for clothes. Wyatt continued to give her firsts. She found herself clutching his wrist with her other hand, her heart pounding as she walked into the store.
I've never done this. I don't have any money and I don't know how much things cost.
Wyatt looked down into Pepper's upturned face. She was glowing. He'd put that look there. Her eyes held trepidation, but they sparkled with anticipation.
I want you to have every possible experience, sugar. Shopping for you, for the kids, even for me, will come natural to you once you do it a few times. Let me worry about the cost. I've got it covered, no problem.
She bit her lower lip with her small, pearly white teeth he often found himself fascinated with. He'd never particularly cared for shopping, especially with a woman, but her obvious enjoyment superseded his discomfort. He glanced at the clerk. Of course he knew her.
Mrs. Marsh. She's the biggest gossip in town. Loves to get in everyone's business. She'll especially like me holdin' up sexy little lingerie for you. She'll probably take pictures on that cell phone of hers and send them far and wide.
He meant to tease her, to make her laugh, but the color leeched from Pepper's face. She shook her head and took a step back, her body behind his.
They can't send that picture around. Braden has eyes everywhere. He'll know I'm with you and that Ginger is too. He'll send his soldiers after us.
Mrs. Marsh had spotted them the moment they'd walked through the door, her bright, curious eyes finding Pepper right away. She frowned, not liking that she didn't recognize a local woman with Wyatt. Her gaze immediately dropped to their linked hands.
I was teasin', baby. Don' panic on me. Trust me to take care of you.
Pepper took a deep breath and managed a smile as Mrs. Marsh hurried toward them, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor.
"Wyatt! How lovely to see you."
&nbs