Karma Read online

  “I’m positive. As long as we stick together, we’ll be better than okay. Fate, remember?”

  “I’m sorry that I need you to keep reassuring me like this,” she muttered.

  “I’m not. I like saying that stuff out loud. Makes me know you’re not just part of a hot dream I’m tormenting myself with.”

  “Thank you,” Abby exclaimed as she hugged him. “Um, Jesse?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You still want to do that kissing me and making me better thing?”

  “Oh yeah. Definitely.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay? You’ll let me kiss you everywhere?”

  “Please?” she asked timidly.

  “Abby.” Jesse shifted back up onto his elbow so he could capture her lips. “I’ll be very gentle. But promise to tell me if I hurt you when I touch you.”

  “I will,” she agreed, meeting his eyes.

  He kissed her mouth tenderly before letting his lips and hands seek out her purple flesh. “You’re so precious,” he whispered as he traced each mark. “I wish I’d met you first. I wish he’d never had the chance to do this to you. I wish I could take it all away.”

  She sighed at his careful treatment. “You are taking it away. It can’t hurt while you’re doing that.”

  He continued to move over her body, touching each bruise tenderly. When he parted her legs to lavish attention on her upper thigh, he could feel Abby’s nervousness. If she had given even the slightest hint of resistance, he would have skipped over that intimate spot. Instead, she opened at his light touch, letting him see her arousal just above her bruise. Not wanting to make her feel even more self-conscious, Jesse moved on to her hip before easing her to her side so he could touch all of it plus the bruise that wrapped around her ribs. When he was positive he had covered every portion of Earl’s damage, Jesse worked his way back up her body, retracing his path.

  “Will you tell me something?” he asked between kisses. When she nodded, he said, “Did Earl hit you everywhere? Were you bruised all over?”

  “At some point, yes,” she answered honestly.

  “Then perhaps I better kiss all of you. Just in case a part of your skin remembers how he made you feel.”

  “Oh. All right. If you want to.”

  “I want to. I more than want to,” he whispered against her lips. “You have the softest skin. I just love the way you feel.” He covered the rest of her face with light touches before he drifted to her neck. “I love the way you smell.” He inhaled deeply before moving over her collarbone on the way to the swell of her breast. “And I love the way you taste.” He flattened his tongue against her flesh. “I can feel your heart racing. You seem to like this.”

  “Jesse.” She moaned as she arched her breast toward his teasing mouth.

  “What is it, precious? Did I miss a spot?”

  “Please.” She drew the word out into a sigh.

  “Please, hmm? Let’s see if I can guess what you want.” He caressed her sides while his hot breath scalded her chest. “If I remember correctly, last night you seemed to like the attention I gave to these incredible breasts of yours. By please do you mean that you want me to spend some extra time here before I continue?”

  “Yes.” Abby arched again. “Please, Jesse.”

  He teased her peaks with the tip of his tongue until they formed hard buds. “You are so responsive. So sensitive. Must be from neglect.”

  Abby caught his face so he would look at her. “No. It’s you. I always liked this but it never felt this incredible before. Last night…” She dropped her gaze.

  “None of that now. No hiding while we’re discussing our mutual pleasure, remember? But.” He flicked his tongue over her before he continued. “I’ll help you out this time. If I’m not mistaken, you were about to say something about last night and how excited you were just before we were interrupted. Am I correct in assuming you’re as interested as I am in discovering just how excited you get with extensive stimulation?”

  “Please,” she panted. “Please make you feel like you did last night.”

  Jesse covered her with his mouth. “I was kind of hoping I could make you feel better than that.” He used his hands for added stimulation, kneading and stroking, fondling every inch of her quivering mounds.

  Abby’s breathing increased. Her back arched, offering herself to his seeking mouth. He was fascinated by her response. The sounds she made alone were enough to drive him wild. Not to mention the feel of her more than luscious breasts with the incredibly sensitive nipples. She was big enough that he could push them together and capture both peaks at once. When he raked them slightly with his teeth, instantly soothing with his tongue, Abby started to tremble. Her body exploded when he sucked her deeply into the heat of his mouth.

  “Jesse,” she moaned as if the sensations he created drove all other words from her mind. She lay trembling next to him, letting the pleasure spiral throughout her. When she was once again able to focus, she met his serious eyes.

  “You’re beautiful,” he declared earnestly. “Spectacular. I could lose myself in you.”

  “Oh,” she gasped, seeming surprised at the power of her climax.

  “Good oh or bad oh?”

  “Amazing oh.”

  “Please don’t hide.” He stopped her from turning her face away from his. “Do you have any idea how tremendous you make me feel?”

  “No.” She frowned.

  He studied her face. “I don’t have a clue how to explain it to you so you’ll have to trust me on this one. I said you were a gift earlier. But that reaction, well, that was even more of a gift than I imagined. I will cherish that as long as I live. I love you, Abby. Thank you.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I feel like I should say something. You… That… I… Jesse.” Her voice broke as she wrapped her arms around him.

  He slid up into her embrace until he was holding her. “You don’t have to explain. It’s what I was saying too. I understand.”

  Abby considered him for a few minutes. “You make me feel so special. So alive. Feminine. Like I’m not worthless.”

  Jesse submerged the flare of anger at Earl for taking this away from her for so long. “Oh, Abby. My precious outlaw girl. You are so much more than all that. You deserve all the best of everything. From now on, I promise to show you every moment how much I believe that. How much I treasure you.” He couldn’t resist her mouth. “How much I loved the look on your face just then.” Another sweet kiss. “How much I desire you. Let me kiss you again. Let me see if we can do that again. Let me show you how much I want to replace the way Earl treated you with the way I am going to treat you.”

  “Please,” she urged as she molded her body to his, capturing his hand and moving it back to her breast. “Make me forget. Touch me and make me forget.”

  Jesse’s heart thudded at her encouragement. He slowly lowered his head back to her chest, caressing with his mouth as he went. His hands cupped and petted, following the encouragement her moans supplied. His tongue swirled and licked, flicked and probed, teasing her higher and higher until he took her past the point of control. Again, Abby trembled as the exquisite sensations consumed her.

  As before, Jesse was watching her face when her eyes managed to focus. “You are so incredibly beautiful. I could watch you come all day and still want to see you again.”

  “Make love to me,” Abby spoke sincerely.

  “I will,” he promised. “Later. After we’re married.”

  “Now, Jesse. Please,” she begged.

  “Don’t do this to us. You have to know how desperately I want to do just that. But I think it’ll be even more special if we wait until later.”

  “But I need you. You made me come twice and I’m on fire. I need more. I want you.” She tried to shift against him.

  “I want you too. In all imaginable ways. But I haven’t finished my mission. There are still places Earl’s touch hasn’t been erased yet. I need to kiss them too.”
/>   “Oh God,” Abby groaned as his hand inched below her breasts.

  “I want to make love too, precious, but this is important to me. Can I continue? Will you let me do what I set out to do?”

  “Yes,” she gasped as he licked and kissed his way down one leg and up the other, settling between her thighs.

  “The way you said that is making me want to ask sorts of questions, just so you’ll repeat it for me.”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold on, I haven’t asked anything yet.”

  “Yes.”

  “Hey, I’m serious here.” Jesse made sure she could tell he was teasing.

  “Yes.”

  “Abby, please.” His voice changed, drawing her attention to his face. “I’m going to kiss you here now.” He cupped the drenched lips between her legs. “I want to take away the pain of the times Earl forced you. I want to give you as much pleasure with my mouth as I can until you accept that this is what you can expect from me. I’ll never hurt you.”

  “Yes,” she whispered, letting her trust show in her expression. “Show me, Jesse.”

  He smiled as he stroked her. When he shifted his attention, he knew she was still watching him. “Lie back and let yourself feel.”

  “Yes,” she agreed, spreading her thighs wider.

  Jesse spread kisses over her mound without opening her. He covered her repeatedly, in no rush to move on. When she squirmed against him, he chuckled softly. “Feel this. All of it. I’m not going anywhere. Let me take my time.”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.” Jesse rewarded her by stroking her slit with his tongue. “You’re beautiful here too,” he announced as his fingers parted her outer lips, revealing the folds around her opening. “So soft,” he muttered as he caressed her. “So hot,” he stated as his finger dipped slightly deeper. “So wet,” he declared as he slipped in up to the knuckle. “So sweet,” he announced as his tongue replaced his finger. “Delicious. Incredible. Pure woman. Addictive.” He punctuated each word with a tentative lick. “Can I have more?”

  “Yes.” She was breathless with anticipation.

  Jesse responded by delving as deeply as he could. He could feel her inner muscles trembling under his touch. It took every bit of his self-control to maintain the slow pace he set. He wanted to draw this out, giving Abby as much buildup as he could before he coaxed her to another orgasm. She was moving against him, urging his tongue even deeper. He eased out, lapping as he went.

  When she whimpered in protest, he filled her with his fingers, first one, then two. Stroking slowly, he let his mouth drift to the top of her slit. His fingers spread her folds as he circled the spot he intended to lavish with attention next. Jesse could feel her clench around his fingers. She was so tight around him, clearly unaccustomed to penetration. But she was so slick. When Abby asked for more, Jesse eased a third finger inside. At the same time, he captured her swollen flesh with his lips. Instantly, she shattered under his mouth. He waited, motionless, until she began to regain some composure. As soon as he sensed her calming, Jesse resumed his movements. He wanted to take her over the top as many times as she would let him.

  “Omigod, omigod, omigod,” Abby chanted as he worked his magic on her senses. “Jesse,” she moaned as she flew into a million pieces.

  “Beautiful,” Jesse declared again. “Such a sexy outlaw. I want to see that expression again. Please, Abs?” he asked even though he’d already resumed the slow thrusts with his fingers. “Can I have one more? Just to be certain you know I’m the one touching you. Come for me again. Say my name so I’m sure you want this with me.”

  Abby’s trembling never fully stopped. He took her directly from the end of one orgasm to the beginning of another. “Jesse,” she moaned. “Jesse James,” she panted. “Jesse James Monroe,” she gasped as she forced her eyes to focus on his. “My destiny. My fate. Jesse,” she managed to say just before his touch set her off again.

  This time, Jesse slid upward until he could hold her against him. He wrapped her securely in his embrace, kissing her face until she was still. “Thank you,” he whispered as he looked deeply into her eyes. “I feel much better now.”

  Her stunned expression was replaced with a grin as she giggled at his comment. “I’m so glad I could help. You will let me know if I can do anything else for you.”

  “You can count on it.” He chuckled with her. “I’m afraid I’ll need constant reassurances like that from you. I hope you won’t think I’m too needy, if I ask you for help several times a day.”

  “No, no, that’ll be fine with me. But don’t forget the nights too. I’m more than willing to help you then too.”

  “Then that makes you perfect for me,” he stated seriously. “I love you, Abby. I’m looking forward to showing you often.”

  “But what about you?” she asked when his erection pressing against her hip.

  “I’m fine. Hard as a rock and horny as hell but I’m fine. I can wait until later.”

  “You don’t have to.” She brushed her hand over him until he caught it.

  “I want to though. That was about putting an end to your past. I was erasing any memories of Earl’s touch from your skin and starting out our life together without his influence. I really do want us to have the symbolism of waiting until we’re married before we make love. Enough to overcome the way my body’s reacting to yours and ignore how much I want you.”

  “You make me feel cheap for trying to touch you.”

  “Oh no, Abby. Please don’t look at it that way. I love that you reached for me. And that you don’t want to leave me in this state. Trust me. After we sign those papers, I have no intention of ever denying either of us ever again.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m so stupid.”

  Jesse tipped her chin so she was looking at him. “Abigail James, you are not stupid. Nor do you have any reason to apologize. You have been manipulated by a very misguided fool into believing a pack of lies. I, however, promise to tell you the truth. And the truth is that you are a very desirable, passionate woman who is wonderful and caring. I already think you’re imaginative and interesting. I’m sure Wyatt can’t wait to spend time with you. The little amount you’ve spoken has him more fascinated than I ever remember him being. I bet you’ll have my whole family captivated once you start to relax around them.”

  “They’re going to be disappointed. I’m probably not what they wanted you to end up with.”

  “Abby, if you can, I’d like you to push aside all the things Earl told you that you were and weren’t and think about yourself. What kind of person do you think you are?”

  She frowned in concentration. “I don’t know anymore. I’m not anybody.”

  “You are so wrong about that,” he stated softly. “I can see so many different things in you. You will be able to again too. I know you will. I promise to help in any way I can. Just let yourself be who you are. I want your reactions, all of them. Even if you think it’s not one a well-behaved good girl should have.”

  “I’ll try,” she muttered as a tear slid down her cheek.

  “That’s all I’m asking for.” He dried her face. “I bet you’ll stop reminding yourself that you don’t have to hide your first reaction in no time.”

  “Why are you willing to put up with me like this?”

  “Because I’m extremely selfish.” He smiled at the look of disbelief on her face. “I’m claiming you as my own now, before anyone else figures out how incredible you are. I have tremendous faith in you. I know you’ll relax and let your true nature show sooner than you think. I want our destinies linked before someone else gets the idea to capture you.”

  “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  “Again, you’re wrong but you’ll see that soon enough too.” Jesse smiled reassuringly. “For now, you’ll just have to trust me.”

  “I guess,” she agreed. After a long silence, she shifted to look at him again. “Jesse?”

  “Hmm?”

 
; “Thank you. For what you did. How you made me feel. It was amazing.”

  “My pleasure.” He held her closer. “But you were the amazing part. I could watch you come forever and not get tired of it.”

  “Jesse.” She hid her face even though she pressed her breasts against his side.

  He felt her nipples harden and stroked her with his fingertips. “You’re so sensitive. I’m really going to enjoy having you as my wife.” He tilted her head so he could brush her mouth with a gentle kiss. “I like the way that sounds too. Abby Monroe, my wife. Think you’ll be able to get used to that?”

  “Yeah.” She sighed, relaxing into his embrace. “Husband. You’re going to be my husband.”

  “That’s how it usually works. We’re going to be fine. Don’t worry, Abby.”

  “Okay.” She snuggled closer, draping her leg over his.

  “Damn, it feels good, having you hold me like this. A guy could get used to this.”

  “Me too.”

  “Good. Think you can go back to sleep? I doubt if we’ll get much rest tonight.”

  “Promise?” she teased, kissing his neck.

  “Guaranteed.” He chuckled as he traced lazy circles on her back.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jesse and Abby wandered through the store, holding hands. When they located the department where Abby decided she would be able to find a suitable dress, Jesse pulled her into his arms.

  “Take your time,” Jesse encouraged her. “I’ll be waiting right here when you’re ready.”

  “All right,” Abby agreed, fighting her nervousness.

  “You’re okay here, Ab. I promise. But feel free to call me if you want to. I won’t mind.”

  “You’re being too nice to me.”

  “Not really. The thought you might seek me out for reassurance makes me feel incredibly masculine.”

  “You are incredibly masculine.” She lowered her eyes as she blushed.

  “Tease.” He chuckled, raising her chin. “I love it!” He caught her mouth in a brief but searing kiss. “Go find something soft so we can get to city hall. I’ll see you soon.”