Apologies for the delay in updating. Here's a nice long chapter to make up for it!

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Chapter 9

For a first time she had to admit it had been pretty damned amazing. Her body felt at once satisfied but still thrumming with a low level of arousal, as though the fire had just been damped down and was ready to flare up again at any moment. She lay with her head pillowed on his broad chest, listening to the steady 'thud, thud' of his heartbeat, one slim leg thrown casually over his hip. His arm was wrapped possessively around her, his long fingers tracing circles on the soft skin of her belly. To all intents and purposes it was a contented silence but she sensed that both of them were aware of the elephant in the room. Eventually, Gene cleared his throat.

"It happened almost seven years ago …"

Alex tensed and raised her head to search his face, the breath catching in her throat as she realised she'd never tire of looking at him. His hair was mussed from their earlier activities, his wickedly knowing mouth set in its usual pout and those eyes with their insanely long lashes gleamed silver in the moonlight. His gaze radiated calm though, and she relaxed again, running her fingertip along his full lower lip.

"Gene, you don't have to tell me, you know."

He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"I'd like to. If you still want to hear, that is."

She nodded, making herself comfortable again, her fingers entwined with his. He took a deep breath and released it slowly.

"I can see how I must have been a thorn in Layton's side. Managed to foil a couple of raids, killed one of his gang, very nearly caught him on more than one occasion. All in a day's work when you've finally made sheriff and you're hell bent on upholding the law. She was so proud …"

Alex squeezed his hand but said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"They came to the house while we were sleeping, caught me unprepared. I went for my gun but I wasn't quick enough and she saw the danger and threw herself in front of me … maybe she thought he wouldn't shoot a woman, maybe it was just instinctive, I don't know. His gun went off a split second before mine. Got Layton in the shoulder and another man in the leg before they took off."

He swallowed hard and she felt her eyes fill with tears.

"She died in my arms. There was nothing I could do …"

She sat up, cupping his face in her hand, her thumb stroking his cheek.

"God, I'm so sorry. But it wasn't your fault, Gene. Surely you must see that?"

He looked away, his expression grim.

"I got complacent. It's a mistake I don't intend to make again."

She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips, her eyes searching his.

"You, Mr Hunt, are a damn good sheriff. I've only been in this town a short time but even I can see that."

"I try."

He shrugged, but she could tell the compliment had pleased him. She laid her head on his chest again, wondering whether to give voice to her concerns.

"Gene?"

"Uh huh?"

"Promise me something, will you?"

He paused before answering and she pictured his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Depends what it is."

"You won't let this desire for revenge cloud your judgement? Don't risk your life just to get back at a man like Layton. He's not worth it, and you're way too valuable to this community."

"Hmmm. Just to the community?"

She picked up on the welcome touch of humour in his voice, smiling against his chest.

"Well, I guess Ray and Chris would miss you around the place."

"Never in doubt."

His hand was moving up her thigh now and she bit her lip, trying not to get too easily distracted.

"And … um … now you mention it, Shaz seems quite fond of you."

"Anyone else?"

His thumb reached its target and she gasped, her body responding readily to his teasing touch.

"I'm sure … oooh … your horse … unnfff … would miss you …"

She squealed as her rolled her onto her back and climbed on top of her, trapping both her hands in one of his as she wriggled wantonly below him.

"My horse, huh? Well, in my experience women and horses have a lot in common."

"Really?"

Her voice was already breathy with want and he suppressed a grin.

"Oh yeah. They both respond best to a soft voice …"

His low growl was like a caress, his breath warm against her ear.

"They both prefer a gentle touch …"

One fingertip circled a nipple, teasing it to a hard peak before his thumb skimmed over it, and she bit her lip to stifle a moan.

"And most importantly, neither of them can resist a good, hard, ride …"

His mouth took hers before she had a chance to protest.

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Alex walked around the following day with pleasantly aching thighs, trying very hard to look demure and not like a fallen woman who'd spent half the night in the Sheriff's bed. She'd drifted off in his arms and woken again in the early hours, reluctant to tear herself away from the temptations of his hard body but knowing she had a reputation to uphold. Thankfully, Shaz hardly ever bothered to lock the back door so she'd managed to sneak in undetected, or so she hoped. The younger woman had made enquiries about the evening with a knowing glint in her eye but Alex knew she was too polite to pry, even if she had guessed.

As the long afternoon wore on Alex counted the minutes, tortured by flashbacks of the previous night: his wickedly clever fingers, those sensual lips, the fire burning in his eyes as he rose above her, the feel of him buried deep inside her, filling her so completely, driving her relentlessly onwards to one blissful climax after the next. She swallowed hard, outwardly calm but inwardly seething with repressed desire. If she didn't get to have him again soon she swore she'd die of frustration.

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"Evening Christopher. Is he … ?"

She thanked her lucky stars is wasn't Ray on duty, he'd probably recognise a woman in a state of advanced arousal. Chris just gave her his usual lopsided grin and waved her on.

"He said to just go on up, ma'am."

He returned to whatever it was he was engrossed in and she breathed a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind her. For a split second her confidence faltered. What if he'd changed his mind, decided it had all been a big mistake? She took a deep breath. Not Sheriff Hunt. Having taken that step she knew he wouldn't go back on his decision now. Besides which, he'd been even more reluctant for her to leave than she had. She grinned to herself and set off up the stairs.

He was napping in his aging rocker, endless legs stretched out in front of him, eyes closed, long lashes resting on his cheeks. He looked younger in sleep, less careworn, and her heart turned over as she allowed herself the luxury of studying him undetected.

"Enjoying the view?"

She started guiltily, feeling a flush creep over her cheeks. Dammit, he'd caught her practically drooling over him. His lips quirked in amusement and he regarded her lazily from under half-closed lids, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

"I was, actually."

She sashayed her way over to the door and leant provocatively against the frame.

"What about you?"

Her shawl slipped slowly to the floor revealing a lacy white blouse. She wore nothing underneath it and the sheer fabric clung to her luscious curves and did little to hide her rapidly hardening nipples. His jaw dropped and she watched the various emotions chase themselves across his handsome features. Shock, admiration and desire gave way to a dark expression of determination that turned her stomach to liquid. He unfolded his lean body slowly from the chair and moved towards her like a big cat stalking its prey. She held her breath as he approached, his heated gaze moving from her face to her aching nipples and back up again, piercing blue eyes boring into hers. As he loomed over her, her eyelids fluttered closed and her lips parted in readiness, but instead of touching her he reached around and pushed the door open.

"Inside. Now."

His low rumble sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine as she moved past him and into the centre of the room, her heart pounding as she watched him turn the key in the lock. He circled her slowly, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable and she held her breath, waiting to see what his next move would be.

"You know I could have you arrested for lewd behaviour, don't you? Is that what you want?"

"N…no, Sheriff."

He stopped directly behind her, standing so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. His voice was a deep growl close to her ear.

"Seems like you could use a reminder of just who's in charge here. Kneel on the bed and raise your skirt up over your waist."

Oh my God. How does he seem to know instinctively what I want? She wasn't sure her legs would actually support her but somehow she made it as far as the bed, tugging her skirt slowly, tantalisingly up over her thighs and making sure he got a good view of her naked bottom. She heard him suck in his breath and then he took the few paces across the floor needed to reach her.

Gene gazed down at the glorious sight in front of him in awe and disbelief. Did she have any idea what she did to him? He was already rock-hard but he could tell she was enjoying this game just as much as he was and he really needed to hear her beg before he succumbed.

Alex didn't think she'd ever been more aroused in her life, willing him to touch her, take her, before she expired in sheer frustration. She bit her lip to stifle a moan as his fingertips ghosted lightly across her buttocks and down over her hips.

"So, Ms Alexandra. Just what is it you want?"

"You, Sheriff. Only you …"

Her voice was high and breathy and he had suppress a chuckle. Boy, was he going to enjoy this. His thumbs stroked slowly up the soft skin of her inner thighs and she parted her legs even further, gasping as one finger slipped between her slick folds and began to tease mercilessly.

"Oh God … Gene … please …"

His digit continued its erotic assault, circling and stroking until she thought she would go insane with lust.

"Please what, Alex?"

"Oooh! Gene … need you inside me … right now … pleeease!"

She heard his belt fall to the floor and then he flexed his hips and filled her with one long fluid stroke, almost stealing the breath from her lungs. He showed no mercy then, taking her hard and fast, his fingers digging into her flesh as she moaned and whimpered under the delicious onslaught of his body. A few more powerful thrusts and she was lost, crying out his name as an intense orgasm ripped through her body leaving her weak and trembling. Her convulsions took him over the edge and he surged forwards one last time, finding his release deep inside her as the world dissolved around him in a flash of blinding light.

Afterwards he collapsed onto his back and she fell against him, her head pillowed on his shoulder, listening to the gradual slowing of his breathing. Just as she thought he'd fallen asleep, he spoke.

"So. Maybe I won't arrest you, after all."

"Does that mean you're done punishing me, then?"

"Not necessarily …"

She grinned, glancing down the length of their bodies.

"Can't believe we're still fully clothed."

"Hmmm, I wouldn't say that, exactly. It appears one of us mislaid her underwear …"

Giggling, she stretched luxuriously as he moved up onto his elbow and gazed down at her.

"Any complaints?"

His lips curved into a wicked grin.

"No ma'am."

He kissed her then, long and slow, his teasing fingers seeking out the pesky nipples that had caused all the trouble in the first place. She let him have it all his own way for a while and then took control, pushing him back down on to the mattress and straddling him before taking him inside her inch by tantalising inch. As she fell into a rhythm, raising herself up before grinding down hard on him, she was greatly reassured by the uninhibited groans of pleasure and the words of desperate encouragement which spilled from his lips. Apparently women and horses weren't the only ones who enjoyed a good, hard ride …

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Naughty Alex! Hope everybody's still enjoying and thanks for your patience. Time continues to be in short supply at the mo but I'll post the next chapter as soon as I can. :)