Catherine's Awakening

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An Excerpt From: CATHERINE´S AWAKENING

Copyright © JOANNA WYLDE, 2008

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

"You´ve been very good to me since Ryan´s death," she said, choosing her words carefully. He nudged against her again, and she stiffened and spread her legs, unwittingly copying the mare´s stance. She realized her mistake in an instant as he rubbed against her, but couldn´t bring herself to back down. She didn´t want to show him any weakness at all. Dear heavens, how could such a difficult man feel so good? She could sense her nipples hardening. Traitors. She needed to draw a line with him. Quickly.

"Your father too. I know he meant it when he said I could live here as long as I want. But the time´s come for me to move on."

He froze behind her.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I´ve applied for the teaching position in town. I´ve been meaning to talk to you about it," she said, her voice calm, as if his organ weren´t all be entering her from behind. She sensed the tremendous tension in his limbs, knew it was taking a great deal of self-control for him to hold back his reaction to her news. She really should have waited until a better time to talk to him.

Perhaps in front of witnesses. Too late now...

"You keep house for me and Dad, and you´re an important part of this ranching operation," he said. "Nobody wants you to leave, Catherine."

He crowded against her further as he spoke, and her breath caught. She could smell him, the tang of his sweat and the dirt, and just a hint of horse too. A working man´s scent. Every breath made her more uncomfortable, and she knew all too well what her foolish body wanted from him. Even at his worst, Wade´s physical form had always called to her. The image of Baron penetrating Ginger leapt to mind, and she shivered.

He thrust himself up at her imperiously, demanding her surrender with his body language. Liquid heat rose up along her legs. It would be so easy to give in to him, to let him toss her skirts up and take her body as surely as Ginger´s had been taken. Catherine took a deep, steadying breath. Successful teachers didn´t give in to wanton urges. Of course, she wasn´t a teacher yet. Stay focused, she reminded herself.

"We can talk about this later, Wade," she said, her voice sounding far firmer than she felt. "It isn´t right for you to be this close to me, whatever our relationship. Let me go back to the house."

"Are you sure you want to?"