Rated M from now on, as previously advised. It's all Alex's fault ... ;)

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Chapter 8

Alex smoothed down her new dress, surprised at just how much the nerves were beginning to kick in. Plans were coming together nicely and everything was set for her big seduction routine, but what if he turned her down again? Worst case scenario, she could end up ruining things between them. She sighed in frustration. Much as she valued his friendship, she knew she couldn't continue in her present state. Had she ever wanted a man this much before? She doubted it very much. All or nothing, Alex. Let's just hope you haven't misread the signals.

Taking a deep breath, she went to check on the food for the umpteenth time, even though she knew her slow cooked stew of beef ribs and bacon was smelling and tasting pretty good. She'd been pleasantly surprised at the variety of food stuffs available at the general store and the proprietor had been most helpful, even pointing her in the direction of a particular dark ale to add flavour to the stock. As she made to leave he winked conspiratorially and told her he hoped the Sheriff would enjoy the meal. She rolled her eyes. Clearly it was well-nigh impossible to have any kind of private life in a town this size.

Pouring herself a decent measure of whiskey, she sat in the old rocker and sipped it while she contemplated the sunset, hoping it would calm her jittery stomach. It struck her just how quickly she'd settled in to this strange way of life and she realised that much of that was down to Gene's reassuring presence and the way he'd taken her under his wing and skilfully eased her into local society. She smiled. He might try to hide it but underneath that gruff exterior lurked a kind, sensitive, thoughtful individual, and a perfect gentleman. Which is exactly the problem she thought wryly, raising her glass to nobody in particular. Gird your loins and prepare for battle, Alex. To the victor, the spoils.

Right on cue she heard his footfall on the stairs and she stood, ostensibly to get him a drink but also because she wanted to show off her new outfit to its best advantage. As he looked her up and down she saw the brief flash of desire in his eyes before he schooled his features into a nonchalant grin. Fifteen love, she thought, returning his smile.

"Whiskey, Sheriff? You'll be needing something to wash those beans down with."

His eyes narrowed but she saw the glimmer of humour there.

"You'd better be joking, woman …"

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As darkness fell she lit a couple of candles and they moved inside, eating at the little table. She watched with satisfaction as he polished off a second helping and soaked up the remains of the gravy with a chunk of bread before sitting back with a contented sigh.

"Best meal I've had in a long time, ma'am. Any time you get the urge to cook again, my kitchen's at your disposal."

She smiled, secretly delighted at his praise.

"Why thank you, kind sir. You have no idea how tempted I was to throw in a good old handful of black beans but I resisted. This time …"

He leaned forwards, his captivating silver blue gaze momentarily stealing her breath away.

"Good. Otherwise I might have had to arrest you."

A sudden vision of Gene cuffing her to the bed and having his wicked way with her made her head spin, and she took a slow sip of her drink before replying.

"You wouldn't expect me to come quietly, would you?"

Oh God. Why on earth did I say that? To cover her embarrassment she got up and started to clear away the plates, but not before she'd seen him suppress a grin. Fifteen all, dammit.

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The log burner was throwing out a nice amount of heat and a comfortable silence descended as they stretched out side by side on the settee, inches apart, their arms not quite touching. She'd seen his gaze lingering on her cleavage more than once during the course of the evening and felt her skin tingle under his scrutiny, her nipples tautening in anticipation. Her awareness was heightened, her whole body tuned to his, and it was all she could do to resist reaching out a hand to touch him. She cleared her throat, knowing it was up to her to force the issue: he was far too much of a gentleman.

"Gene?"

"Hmmm?"

"We should really talk about what happened the other afternoon."

She felt him tense next to her but there was no going back now.

"I understand you were trying to do the decent thing but I'm not some blushing virgin, after all. I've been married, I've had a child. You wouldn't be stealing anything from me or taking advantage of me, far from it. I'm a grown woman, I have ... needs …"

"Alex, stop. You don't have to explain ... "

His voice was gruff and he was rubbing the bridge of his nose, a sign of his increasing discomfort, but it was too late to turn back now. She got to her feet and went to gaze out of the window, attempting to put her feelings into words.

"Gene, I was incredibly lucky to run into you of all people when I landed here out of the blue. You've been so kind and considerate, you looked out for me when I had nobody else, and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am. You saved me from a fate I'd rather not contemplate and I'll always value your friendship. But God help me, I want more." She paused. Just say it, Alex. "I want you as my lover …"

She held her breath but there was no sound from behind her, no indication that he'd even heard her. Her heart plummeted into her stomach and she swayed a little on her feet before stiffening her spine, knowing she had to at least make a dignified exit. She'd given it her best shot, laid herself on the line, but in the end he was a product of his time and she could hardly blame him for that.

"I should really go now. I'm glad you enjoyed the meal and I hope me making a complete fool out of myself won't affect our friendship too badly."

"Alex, wait."

His voice was gruff and she held her breath, hardly daring to hope. She sensed movement behind her and then without warning his arms circled her waist and he pulled her back against his broad chest, his warm breath fanning her neck.

"Stay …"

It was barely more than a whisper, and then his tongue began to explore the shell of her ear eliciting a gasp of surprise and pleasure. She dropped her head to one side to give him easier access and his lips left a slow trail of fire all the way down the exposed skin of her throat while his strong hands slid up over her ribcage to knead her breasts. She couldn't believe it was really happening until his thumbs began to stroke the taut buds through the fabric of her dress and an involuntary moan left her lips. He continued his sensual torture as the moisture pooled between her thighs, sucking gently on the soft skin behind her ear and teasing her straining nipples until she thought she'd go mad with longing.

"Gene! Oh God …"

Slowly he turned her, one arm supporting her around the waist while he tipped her chin up with a finger so that she had to meet his eyes. She saw the hunger in their glittering depths and her legs threatened to give way beneath her. Slowly he lowered his head until his lips found hers and she opened to him willingly, her fingers threading through his hair as his tongue began a slow, sensual exploration of her mouth. Eventually he broke the kiss and scooped her up into his arms, smirking at her flushed face and dazed expression.

"Should've known you wouldn't be able to resist my animal magnetism for long, Ms Alexandra."

For once in her life, she didn't even try and argue.

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He lowered her to her feet by the side of the bed and her eyelids fluttered closed as he swept her hair gently to one side and started to unfasten her dress, brushing his lips over every newly exposed inch of skin. Slipping the silky fabric from her shoulders, she heard the rustle as it pooled at her feet and his sharp intake of breath.

"Beautiful …"

She was naked now apart from her stockings and he seated himself on the bed behind her, his hands spanning her waist before travelling slowly down over her hips and thighs, the featherlight touch of his fingers sending pulses of desire coursing through her. His lips brushed the indentation at the base of her spine before he turned her to face him, pulling her down to straddle his lap, her thighs either side of his hips.

"Mmmm … Gene …"

Finding herself in the ideal position she rocked against the obvious bulge in his trousers, dipping her head to take his mouth in a languorous kiss as her fingers made short work of his buttons. Slipping his shirt off, she ran her hands over his broad shoulders before exploring the muscular plains of his chest, enjoying the groan of appreciation as she nipped at his neck with her teeth.

Her sensitive nipples rubbed against his torso and she leaned back again, flexing her spine, presenting her breasts to him, desperate to feel his lips wrapped around the taut buds. He kissed his way along her collarbone and down towards her cleavage, smiling against her skin as she huffed in frustration.

"Gene … please …"

Finally he took pity on her, laving one pebbled nipple with the flat of his tongue before taking it into his mouth and sucking hard. She gasped with pleasure as he moved to the other and tortured it with his teeth as she continued to rub herself against his trapped erection causing him increasing discomfort. He groaned.

"Alex … have to get out of these trousers …"

She giggled, sliding from his lap and making herself comfortable on the bed, watching intently as he dropped them to the floor and stepped out of them with some relief. As he straightened up her eyes widened and she bit her lower lip in anticipation. Wow. He was a big man in all senses of the word. Desire coiled within her and she parted her legs in open invitation, thrilling to the look of hunger on his face as his eyes raked over her body.

He settled between her thighs and leaned in to kiss her, his tongue darting and teasing between her lips as his long fingers played with a nipple, and she squirmed beneath him.

"Can't wait any longer, Gene … need to feel you inside me …"

Her voice was husky with arousal. He was rock hard now and he knew the chances were he wouldn't last long but he guessed he probably wouldn't need to.

The first tentative thrust took him half the way in, and her slick warmth enveloped him as she moaned her approval. He paused to catch his breath and then buried himself inside her to the hilt, gritting his teeth to avoid losing all control. God, she was so wet for him and it had been so damned long.

Alex felt as though her body was one throbbing mass of need, digging her fingernails into his shoulders as she writhed against him, willing him to go even deeper, to fill her completely, to drive her over the edge. Already she could feel the first stirrings deep in her belly and she arched her back, winding her legs around his hips.

"Please, Gene …"

He began to thrust in earnest then and she moaned deep in her throat as the sweet heat began to build between her thighs. As his mouth closed over a straining nipple and he raked it between his teeth the insistent ache became an unstoppable wave of sensation and she quivered in ecstasy beneath him as a powerful climax ripped through her.

"Yes … oh God, yes!"

As she squeezed him in strong pulses he lost all control, his hips pumping, his heart pounding, finally finding blissful release deep inside her body.

Alex heard his growl of triumph as if from a distance, still shuddering through the aftershocks as he buried his face in her neck and she clasped him tightly in her arms, never wanting to let him go.

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Think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship! Hope you're still enjoying. If so, do take the time to let me know. :)