Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails) by E.E. Burke Page A

parts, the same as when he’d kissed her and fondled her breasts.
    God forgive her, she wanted him to kiss her again. Touch her.
    As if he’d read her mind, his arm curled around her waist. He bent his head, molding his lips to hers. The peach dropped from her hand, forgotten.
     
    ###
     
    Jake couldn’t stop himself. Not even if they’d been standing in front of a steam engine. Redbird’s lips were wet with juice and too luscious to resist. He delved into the depths of her mouth, so sweet. He couldn’t get enough.
    She removed his hat and ran her fingers through his hair, returning his kiss with fervor. She had a hunger for him, as well. He couldn’t imagine why, outside of some physical attributes women found pleasing. Maybe that was the only reason. Based on how she was kissing him, it would be enough to gain her consent.
    Gripping a handful of her hair, he pulled her head back so he could taste the creamy skin on her neck. She melted in his arms with a moan. He unbuttoned her jacket and shirt, tugged the ribbons on her undergarments, slipped his hand inside and palmed her bare breast. Her nipple constricted into a tight nub.
    Need coursed through him, hot and heavy. His erection strained against his trousers. He pressed it into her soft belly and shuddered with the most intense hunger he’d ever known.
    “Jake, please—” Her breath hitched as he fondled her.
    “I will,” he rumbled. “I’ll please you.”
    He covered her mouth. She eagerly accepted his tongue, even rubbed hers alongside his, pulling a helpless groan right out of him. If she learned this fast, he’d be her willing slave in no time. She was supposed to be his prisoner, but the further they’d ridden, the more she’d wheedled and joked and made him crazy with wanting her, the tighter the bonds had become. How the hell would he let her go?
    Maybe he didn’t have to let her go…at least, not yet.
    Inside him, two beasts grappled for control. One whispered she wanted him as much as he wanted her, and he should take advantage of it. The other reminded him if he took her and put a babe in her belly, he was no better than the careless yu-ne-ga who’d sired him.
    Her tongue twined with his. Did she realize how blatant an invitation that was? No, she was an innocent just getting her first taste of pleasure. There were so many things he could show her, and he didn’t have to spill his seed inside her to enjoy them. He knew ways they could find pleasure without making a child.
    He stroked the turgid tip of her breast and felt her tremble. God yes, he could please her, and she could please him, and then they could go back to their lives and forget about each other. His body throbbed in anticipation.
    Who was he trying to fool? If he did those things with her, he’d never get her taste out of his mouth or her image out of his head. Not to mention, if he coaxed her out of her clothes, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t give in to the temptation to bury himself inside her and thrust until he reached oblivion. He’d never wanted a woman like he wanted this one.
    With a frustrated groan, he broke off the kiss.
    She blinked as if awakening from a trance. He half expected her to slap him or pull away. Instead, she gazed at him with longing…and trust.
    His heart wrenched like she’d reached inside his chest and wrapped her fingers around it. Redbird trusted him. She might even believe she cared for him…and all he could think about was using her.
    He closed his eyes, in agony. He couldn’t do it. As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t use her and then toss her aside. He removed his hand from inside her shirt and folded her in a tender embrace, placing a reverent kiss on the top of her head.
    “We have to leave.” He tried for a firm tone, but his voice sounded hoarse.
    She tilted her head back. Tears welled in her eyes. The last time he’d kissed her, he’d made her cry.
    He released her and stepped away. “I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry you