Thanks as ever for the kind reviews to the last chapter. On with the story …

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Chapter 10

Coyote Creek might be small but it was a thriving little community and due to its location on what had become a busy route there was a regular stream of travellers passing through, many of whom chose to break their journey there. The town boasted both a hotel and a bunkhouse, and visitors made their choice according to their means. Alex was well used to seeing strangers in town which is why her reaction to the two men who passed her in the street that afternoon came as such a surprise.

Granted, they were unkempt and distinctly sleazy looking and although they touched their hats in deference neither of them bothered to hide an obvious leer, but it was more than that. Something furtive in their behaviour and body-language sparked her copper's intuition and she wondered if Gene's instinctive reaction would be similar. She shuddered, dropping her gaze to the ground and moving past them as quickly as she could, relieved to reach the safety of home.

Shaz was out and grandfather was asleep in his chair as usual, so she collected her sewing and went to sit in the window. As ever, her thoughts turned swiftly to the Sheriff and a wicked little smile played around her lips. It'd been several weeks now and yet they still couldn't keep their hands off each other, falling into bed at every available opportunity. She grinned to herself, recalling their moment of parting the previous night. They'd already made love three times over the course of the evening and she'd finally managed to struggle back into her clothes with no little hindrance from Gene, even though he purported to be helping. As she finally made to leave he tugged her back down into his lap, his lips unerringly finding the erogenous zone just behind her ear.

"Gene! I really have to go."

"Can't leave yet, your blouse isn't done up properly …"

He returned to his sensual torture and she glanced down at her misaligned buttons and huffed in disbelief.

"Well whose fault is that? You were supposed to be helping!"

He shrugged, flashing her a wicked grin and waggling his eyebrows.

"You know I'm so much better at undoing 'em."

His tongue circled the shell of her ear and she shivered, arousal already pooling between her thighs again.

"Gene, stop teasing. I know you can't possibly have the energy."

"Says who?"

He took her hand and placed it over his groin and she gasped. He was already hard again.

"Sheriff Hunt, you really are insatiable."

His lips traced the hollow at the base of her throat and she bit back a moan.

"Only with you, Sweetheart."

She giggled, her hand slipping under his shirt to find bare skin. God, he was so incredibly sexy.

"I should damn well think so!"

He chuckled against her skin.

"Besides which" … kiss ... "these buttons" … nibble ... "are going to need undoing again anyway."

Her snort of laughter was cut off when his mouth came down hard on hers.

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Alex shook her head in mock despair and checked the clock, counting the minutes until they could be together again. When she was in his arms it was easy to lose herself and forget everything for a while: Molly, Evan, her previous life …

Was it a relationship simply based on lust, though? She furrowed her brows and pictured him in her mind's eye. Gene, flashing her that smile that made her toes curl, his eyes twinkling as he teased her mercilessly; Gene, pouting like a little boy when he didn't get his own way; Gene, his eyes clouded with passion, his touch gentle, tender, always putting her needs before his own. Her heart lurched in her chest. He was charming, funny, thoughtful, caring … and drop-dead gorgeous. There was no doubt that they were incredibly compatible in the bedroom but there was so much more to it than that. She couldn't imagine life without him now.

Shaz walked in then, interrupting her train of thought, and Alex decided it was probably for the best. She was reluctant to delve into her feelings any further in case she uncovered more than she was ready to handle.

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"I don't like the look of 'em, Ray. My instincts tell me we should keep a close eye out. Can I leave it with you?"

Ray nodded.

"Already on it, boss. And for what it's worth, I don't like the look of 'em either."

After he'd left the office, Gene folded his long body into the chair and put his feet up on the desk, trademark pout even more pronounced than usual. He couldn't put his finger on it but those two had him rattled and he had no idea why. Just two more nobodies passing through his town, two among many. And yet … He hadn't stayed alive this long without trusting his gut and it'd do no harm to keep them under close observation until they moved on. With a bit of luck they'd do something stupid and he'd have a good excuse to run them out of town.

Meanwhile, he knew he could rely on Ray to organise things and he had an evening with Alex to look forwards to. His groin twitched and he grinned, shaking his head ruefully. She'd really got under his skin, it was an effort to think about anything other than her nowadays: how good she felt as she wrapped her legs around him and held him close, raking her nails down his back, begging, demanding, cajoling, always so unashamedly vocal in her enthusiasm. He shuffled about in his chair, trying to relieve the pressure on his trapped erection and hoping that Christopher was running late as usual. Damn the woman. She even managed to drive him insane with lust when she wasn't around …

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Alex was feeling equally restless and when Shaz suggested she go and stretch her legs for a while she accepted gratefully. She was on her way back home when she spotted him across the street and her heart did its usual little lurch. He was on horseback, passing the time of day with Mrs McCarthy and her daughter, and he looked as dangerously handsome as ever. Alex's gaze dropped to the younger woman and she immediately took in the flushed cheeks, the fluttering lashes and the shy smile. Sarah McCarthy couldn't tear her eyes away from his face and Alex felt such a sharp stab of jealousy below her ribcage that it robbed her of breath for a second. It was all she could do to stop herself marching over, jabbing the younger woman in the chest and laying claim to him. He's mine, only mine, and I want everybody to know it.

She swallowed hard, surprised at the violence of her reaction. She'd think about it later, right now he was bidding goodbye to the McCarthys and heading in her direction. His face lit up when he saw her and a flush of pleasure crept over her cheeks as he flashed her a dazzling smile.

"Out for a stroll, Ms Alexandra? I was led to believe that you much prefer a good ride."

He quirked an eyebrow at her and she tried not to appear too entranced by his captivating blue eyes, even though they always took her breath away.

"Indeed I do, Sheriff. I always say you can't beat the action of a hot-blooded stallion between the thighs. Really gets the heart pounding, don't you agree?"

His lips twitched and she bit back a giggle. Touché, Sheriff. She always loved their verbal sparring.

"You strike me as a woman who enjoys it hard and fast, ma'am. Would I be right?"

God, he's really turning me on. In a public thoroughfare!

"That rather depends on my mood. I find slow and easy can be equally … stimulating."

"Very true. Nice to take some time to savour the pleasures of the journey now and then."

He deliberately lingered over the word 'savour' and she couldn't drag her gaze away from his mouth, recalling all the wonderful things his lips and tongue were capable of.

"There's a lot to be said for delayed gratification in my book. The anticipation of the arrival just makes the experience that much more exciting."

The hunger in his eyes heated her blood and she prayed she wouldn't have too long to wait. He leaned forwards in the saddle, his voice gravelly.

"Would you care to take a ride with me later, ma'am? I think I can promise you a fulfilling time."

"I could be persuaded, Sheriff. I do hope my mount is feeling suitably energetic, though. I can be quite demanding in the saddle."

His expression of frustrated desire made her knees go weak and she flashed him a seductive smile as she walked away. God, I am so going to get it later. I hope …

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Hope you're still intrigued enough to keep reading. If so, let me know!