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  Turning off the vehicle, she sat there for a moment and waited. The yard was empty and she could detect no movement inside. Opening her door, she climbed out and gently pushed it closed. The air was sultry and sweet as she walked towards the back door. The sun was climbing over the hills in the distance as she put her key in the lock, turned the knob and let herself inside.

  Erin knew her way around the house, having visited here many times as a child. Mrs. Garrett had always been kind to her and any cooking and household skills that Erin now possessed had come from her patient instruction and tutelage. Erin had desperately wanted a mother, and Mrs. Garrett had wanted a girl to mother. It had worked out well for both of them and Erin had been heartbroken when she’d been killed. It had been like losing her own mother all over again.

  She saw bags, several suitcases and boxes piled just inside the door, so she knew that Abel was around somewhere. Quietly she laid the pie on the kitchen counter and peeked inside all the rooms on the bottom floor, but each of them was empty.

  Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she climbed the stair of the farmhouse. Assuming that Abel had taken up residence in his old room, Erin made her way to the bedroom at the front of the house. The door was partially closed, so she gently pushed it open, relieved when it didn’t squeak.

  It was now or never. She could still walk away and nobody would ever know she’d been here. For a moment, as all her doubts and insecurities rose up to taunt her, she almost turned and ran. As she hesitated, her conscience piped up and whispered that there could be dire repercussions, for both her and Abel, if either of her brothers ever discovered what she was doing.

  Poised at the threshold, with one foot edging forward into the bedroom, and the other still planted firmly out in the hallway, she chewed her lip in indecision. When she realized what she was doing, she made herself stop and rubbed her abused lips with her finger. It was a nervous habit that she’d never been able to break no matter how hard she tried.

  Erin could feel a bead of sweat roll down her back. As much as she wanted this, she didn’t know if she had the nerve to do it. It was one thing to think about doing something she saw in a magazine, but it was quite another to actually do it.

  A movement from inside the room caught her eye. The covers on the bed moved as Abel rolled over in bed to face the door. She held her breath as she waited for him to speak, but he said nothing. In fact, he made a soft snoring noise and settled back to sleep. Erin breathed a sigh of relief before her gaze was drawn to him.

  God, he was gorgeous. He was so large, he filled the double bed completely and his feet stuck out over the end. His chest was bare, and the sheet was bunched around his waist. The muscles of his arms and torso stood out even when he was at rest. He had a perfect six-pack stomach and a light sprinkling of dark hair that angled down from between his flat brown nipples, traced a line straight down his belly, and disappeared under the covers. It was impossible for a man this size to look vulnerable, but his face appeared relaxed as he slept.

  She couldn’t abandon her plan now. Seeing him here like this, there was no way that she could stop herself from climbing into bed with him. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man. He was loyal, kind, hardworking, and smart. The fact that he was gorgeous was icing on the cake. Restless, Abel sighed and turned once again until he was lying flat on his back.

  Chewing on her bottom lip for a moment, she came to a decision. It might be easier for her if he just found her naked in bed next to him. That way she wouldn’t have to say anything but let nature take its course. After all, no hot-blooded male would ignore a naked willing woman in his bed.

  Creeping to the end of the bed, her eyes never left his sleeping form as she toed off her sneakers before shimmying out of her jean overalls and panties. Bending forward, she tugged her shirt over her head and dropped it on top of her jeans. Her fingers unhooked her bra and a second later it joined the pile of clothing on the floor. Acting on instinct, she took the rubber band from the end of her braid and shook out her hair. Fully naked, she stood there, trying to decide the best way to handle this. There was hardly any room on the bed at all.

  She froze as he shifted in bed again and a moment later grinned at his new position. As if he’d guessed her predicament, he had rolled until he was lying on his side and there was a space in front of him that looked to be just big enough for her to crawl into. Erin tiptoed around the side of the bed, picked up the sheet and eased down on the bed. Her whole body was tense as she lowered herself next to him, and when she was finally in position with her head on the pillow next to his, her breathing was shallow and quick and her heart was racing.

  Erin’s breathing eventually slowed and deepened to match Abel’s as she lay there next to him. She waited for him to move, to wake, to speak, or to do anything. Finally, she came to the conclusion that she’d been too stealthy while sneaking into his bed. Abel was sound asleep and showed no signs of waking up anytime soon. She rolled her eyes and huffed out a breath, slightly miffed that he didn’t sense her presence. This was like something out of a romantic comedy, she thought with amusement— aroused woman gets nerve enough to climb in bed with hero who sleeps through the whole thing!

  Well, she was here now and she wasn’t leaving. He had to wake up eventually and when he did, she sure hoped he liked his surprise. Grinning to herself, she rolled onto her side, facing away from him and snuggled into his pillow. She caught a whiff of his soap as her breathing got slower and deeper. The hypnotic sound of his breath and the heat of the day relaxed her. While she waited, her mind drifted to her upcoming blueberry harvest, and all the work she had to get done before then. Without her even being aware, she drifted off to sleep.

  Abel Benjamin Garrett drifted in a hazy state somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, enjoying the remnants of a pleasant dream, as his thoughts wandered. Nightmares had plagued him for months now and sleep had become a luxury. He’d gotten used to always being tired, but by the time he’d finally made it home this morning he had long passed being tired and was now completely exhausted.

  He’d driven all night and rolled into the small town of Meadows just after eight this morning. The grocery store was already open, so he’d forced himself to stop and load up a cart full of food. He couldn’t even remember what he bought, but he recalled a brief conversation with the lady who checked him out, as well as piling the grocery bags into the back of his truck.

  The drive to his childhood home was nothing but a blur. It had been crazy and dangerous to keep driving, but Abel was filled with a burning desire to go home and shut the world out. Gathering the last of his energy, he’d dragged in his luggage and the groceries and dropped them in the kitchen. He’d shoved the perishable food into the refrigerator and left the rest piled on the floor.

  Stumbling up the stairs, he’d stripped off his clothes and fallen into bed, immediately falling into a deep sleep. The usual images of violence and anger that were such a regular part of his dreams were missing for once. Instead, a comfortable feeling of well-being filled him, as he’d wrapped his arms around one of the pillows.

  Totally relaxed as he lay there in bed, Abel let go of all thought and began to sink back towards sleep and the woman who still waited for him in his dream. He could still smell her. An elusive perfume permeated his senses, but he couldn’t quite place it. It was familiar to him somehow, and he knew that at some point in his travels he’d met this woman. The mattress shifted, indicating that she’d stretched out next to him. Giving himself totally to his dream, he lay there and waited to see what she would do.

  A lock of hair tickled his nose, but instead of moving away, Abel leaned closer and breathed in the scent of fresh air, sunshine, and woman. He immediately became aware of soft feminine flesh snuggled close to him. Not wanting to wake from this delicious fantasy, he wrapped one arm around his prize and pulled her close until her behind was snuggled up tight against his throbbing erection. She squirmed a bit, trying to get comfortable, and he coul
d feel his cock growing even larger.

  Sighing, she mumbled something before drifting off to sleep again. Abel decided that it was time for him to explore. Even though he knew he had to be dreaming, he kept his eyes closed tight and inhaled the essence he was quickly becoming addicted to.

  Because of her height, his dream lady matched his body better than any other woman he’d ever been with. Her ass cuddled his erection with ease, while his knees fit right behind hers. The sleek contours of her back fit nicely against his wider chest, and her head tucked right beneath his chin.

  Indulging himself, he rested his hand on her flat stomach and spread his fingers wide, easily touching both her hipbones with his fingers. The heat from her belly warmed his palm, and it occurred to him how nice it would feel in the dead of winter to warm himself with her body.

  Slowly, he used his index finger to trace a path up to her belly button, circling it before moving higher. Unerringly, his hand found her breast and cupped it. His large palm covered it completely, and a feeling of raw possession filled him. Mine. A wave of emotion filled him and he gripped her tighter, pulling her even closer until her back was plastered against his chest.

  When she began to struggle lightly, he reluctantly eased his grip, and she quieted once again. Her nipple was stabbing the center of his palm and he felt a growing urge to taste it. He growled at the thought of savoring every square inch of her succulent flesh. His body was hot and his cock was swollen to its limits, but he didn’t take her. Not yet. In case he never got another opportunity, he wanted to enjoy every moment of this dream.

  Her skin felt soft against his roughened finger as he traced the velvety skin around her nipple. She moaned sensually, pushing her ass back against him once again, while her hips made a little circular motion that almost drove him out of his mind. Clenching his teeth, he continued to explore her breast, testing the shape and texture of her nipple with his fingers.

  Shifting his upper body slightly away from her, he kissed a path from the top of her head to the nape of her neck. Nibbling her neck, he continued to tease her breast and grind his erection against her behind. She sighed and raised her arm until it was wrapped around his head, holding her to him.

  His muscles tensed slightly as he felt her fingers lightly skim his hair, and he found himself wishing that his hair were longer so that she could run her fingers through it. He kept his black hair cut fairly short for convenience sake, but the sensation of her hand caressing his scalp was a pleasant one. Sighing, he angled his head so it was easier for her to touch him.

  It was hard not to protest when her hand slid from his hair. But instead of losing contact, she rolled over onto her other side so that she was now facing him, allowing her fingertips to trail along the side of his neck and over his shoulder, until her palm was flat on his chest. As she traced the muscles there, he could feel his body start to tense. His cock flexed, demanding attention. It had been a long time since he’d wanted a woman this badly.

  Her fingers lightly rasped one of his flat male nipples. A moan of pleasure slipped from his mouth, and for a moment he was afraid she would stop. Instead, he felt her breath on his lips just before her soft mouth covered his in a sweet kiss that tasted of cinnamon. His heart was racing now as he waited to see what she would do next. She didn’t disappoint him.

  Delving into his mouth, her soft, wet tongue explored every inch of him. Unable to hold himself still any longer, he gripped her head in his hands and turned it slightly so that he could have better access to her sweet lips. Taking his time, he sucked on her tongue before foraging his way into her mouth. There, he tasted and savored her sweetness.

  His cock continued to throb, but it was almost a pleasant kind of torture. For a man who liked sex and women as much as he did, he’d all but lost interest in both in the last few months as his work had consumed him. The fact that he was actually thinking about sex again reassured him that he’d done the right thing by coming home. All he needed was a rest. A place to recharge his batteries and rethink his life.

  Moving his hands slow as to not frighten his mystery lady, he allowed his hands to follow the line of her spine, gently urging her closer to him. She murmured something in response, but he couldn’t quite understand the words, and at this point he didn’t care. Cupping one of her firm tits in his hand, he used his thumb to rub the hardened nipple.

  “Make love to me,” she whispered.

  Abel froze as the sounds of the birds outside the windows penetrated his foggy mind. His hand covering her breast stilled and she made a small sound of disappointment as she gripped it in her own hand and began to move it once again. Prying open his eyes, his dream became a reality. The fragile slope of her neck was moist from his kisses and one creamy shoulder was exposed. The sheet had slipped low and his eyes followed the contours of her side and the indent of her waist, barely catching a glimpse of the side of her breast that was covered by his hand.

  “You’re real.” His voice sounded surprised even to him.

  “Did you think I was a dream?”

  “Yes.”

  She was a beauty. Her hair, pushed back from her face, was the color of a cinnamon stick. Pale blue eyes seemed to be cataloguing all his features as she reached out and traced his lips with her finger. Fine skin with a smattering of freckles across her slightly tilted nose, and full, lush lips completed the picture.

  All in one motion, Abel grabbed her shoulders and flipped her until she was flat on her back. Rolling on top of her, he covered her body with his, trapping her under him. Capturing her hands, he raised them over her head and held them there with one of his hands. Her back arched and the hard nubs of her breasts stabbed his chest. He almost moaned as he felt her soft curves conform to the hard planes of his body. His arousal was poking her in the stomach, but there was nothing he could do about that. She was totally at his mercy.

  Abel was the kind of man that other men walked softly around. Built on a massive scale, he was eight inches over six feet and more than two hundred and fifty pounds, all of it solid muscle.

  But it was more than just that. It was the look in his eyes that said he had seen it all and done it all, and nothing scared him any more. Abel hated the thought of frightening a woman, but it couldn’t be helped. He needed answers. The one thing he did remember was that he’d locked the door behind him. If nothing else, this woman was guilty of breaking and entering.

  He leaned over her, ready to reassure her that he wouldn’t hurt her if she answered his questions. Bracing himself to ignore the fear in her eyes until he got his answers, he opened his mouth to speak and then clamped it shut. She was smiling at him. A soft, sensual smile that had him swallowing hard.

  “I’m glad you’re home, Abel.” Her voice was soft and sultry and made his toes curl. He wanted to hear that voice crying out in pleasure in the dark of the night. All the nerve endings in his body were humming in anticipation of that happening. He would have her, of that there was no doubt, but first he had to find out who the hell she was.

  “Who are you and how did you get in here?” Her smile disappeared and he was filled with the ridiculous notion that his words had hurt her somehow. His first instinct was to do whatever it took to have her smile at him again.

  “I guess you don’t recognize me.” She closed her pretty blue eyes and took a deep breath as if gathering her strength. “It’s me, Erin.”

  For a moment the name didn’t register, but the moment it did, he wanted to throw back his head and howl at the injustice of it all. Erin Connors. His best friend’s little sister. He remembered her as a little girl following his every move with her enormous blue eyes. She’d still been a kid when he left home, and over the years, he’d only caught glimpses of her here and there. Jackson might be the closest thing he had to a brother, but what he was feeling towards Erin right now was certainly anything but brotherly. She sure as hell wasn’t a child any longer. Now, she was a woman grown, and what a woman! Tall and curvy, she fit him perfectly.

>   Dropping his forehead to hers, he pushed his hips towards her unable to help himself. “God, I wish you weren’t.” His cock throbbed, and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep from coming on her stomach.

  To his surprise, she pushed back, grinding her hips against him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  In spite of his aching arousal, he felt himself smiling as he looked into her disgruntled features. It was amazing. In a short few minutes with this woman, he had experienced more emotions than he had for a long, long time. Arousal, amusement, and curiosity filled him all at once.

  “It means that you’re Jackson’s sister and therefore off-limits.” Because he could no longer resist them, he kissed the smattering of freckles on her nose. “Which is too damn bad, because I want to fuck you. Bad.”

  She gasped for a moment and he prepared himself to be blasted by her for his blunt words, but she surprised him. “I want that too.” Leaning forward, she licked his lips. “Fuck me, Abel.”

  Abel hadn’t expected her to take him quite so literally, but all the reasons why he shouldn’t make love to her were suddenly unimportant as she shifted, cradling his cock against her wet pussy. She was naked in his bed and more than willing.

  An awful thought crossed his mind. “Neither of them will come looking for you, will they?” She knew who he meant and was already shaking her head.

  “No. I told Jackson I’d be home in time for lunch.”

  Abel smiled and glanced at the clock. “That doesn’t give us much time, but we can work around it.”

  He felt her surprise as her body jerked slightly. “But it’s just past ten.”

  “I know. I’d better get to work.” Releasing her hands, he rolled off her, turning her until her back was to him once more before licking a line down her spine all the way to the dimples just above her luscious ass. He kicked the covers off the bed as he moved until they were both naked. She made a slight sound of distress. “I plan to see and taste every inch of your luscious body, honey, and keep you naked as long as possible.”