“You know Dorie only did what she thought best for you,” Shane explained to Jeremiah, as they traveled the road to Henry’s house.
Jeremiah shrugged. He’d been quiet since saying goodbye to his grandparents earlier. “I suppose.”
“If you wanted to leave Silver Hills to live with them, I think she’d understand.”
“I don’t. I mean, maybe one day I’d like to visit them. It’s just…all the lying.”
Shane smiled. “None of us liked deceiving such good people.”
“Dorie didn’t seem to mind.”
“She did. Your sister puts on a good front, but I know she felt as guilty as the both of us. She’s been both mother and sister to you since your mama died. She feels it her duty to protect you.”
“From my grandparents?” Jeremiah seemed truly puzzled. He stared straight ahead, watching Smart and Sassy amble down the dirt path.
“She didn’t know what kind of people they were. She thought they’d take advantage of her situation to persuade you to leave with them. She loves you, Jeremiah. And having Dorie’s love, well, it’s like thunder and lightning rolled up into one. She’s a force all her own. When you get older, you’ll understand better.”
“I suppose,” he said with a twist of his mouth, then he turned to face Shane. “So how do you reckon with her force?”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
Shane stopped the wagon a few yards from the turnoff to Henry’s house. “What do you mean?”
Jeremiah didn’t hesitate. “I mean…my sister’s got a hankering for you, Shane. All that stuff you said about thunder and lightning, I was thinking, most of that’s for you.”
“Are you saying…” Shane stopped that train of thought. He had no business thinking about Dorie, not when he’d be heading home tomorrow and probably facing Tobias Barkley and impending nuptials. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter. We’ll get our lives back tomorrow. And we won’t ever have to think this hard again.”
Jeremiah smiled. “Yeah, it was hard thinking and saying the right things all the time.”
“Well, now you don’t have to worry over that anymore.”
Shane urged the horses forward and reached Henry’s house in a matter of minutes. Jeremiah jumped down, clutching his new hat to his head. “I’m not gonna forget my grandparents. I promised to write and I will.”
Shane nodded. “They’ll appreciate that.”
“One day, I’ll visit them.”
“When you do, you can tell them the truth. That should ease your mind some.”
Jeremiah thought on that a second, then grinned. “Yep. I’ll tell them everything.”
“See you in the morning, son.” Shane winked and turned the horses around heading back to Virginia City. Shane left Jeremiah feeling a great sense of pride in the boy.
Half an hour later, Shane arrived back at the hotel, ready for sleep. He hoped Dorie would be fast asleep herself. He’d fulfilled his part of the bargain to her and starting tomorrow he’d have another bargain to carry out, to Tobias Barkley. It’d just make things a whole lot easier if he didn’t have to deal with Dorie tonight.
He opened the door slowly, hoping his boots wouldn’t creak on the floorboards under the plush carpeting. Dim lantern light cast shadows on the walls, then as he stepped inside he found Dorie set in silhouette, standing by the window, staring out.
“I thought you’d be asleep by now,” he said quietly.
“I waited for you,” she said, turning to face him, her eyes glittering fine specks of blue fire. “I thought we could celebrate.”
Shane glanced down at the small table by the chair. Light reflected off two crystal glasses and a bottle of whiskey. “You want to celebrate?” Shane swallowed. He didn’t like the look in Dorie’s eyes. Thunder and lightning came to mind.
“I do.”
She poured the amber liquid into both glasses, three fingers high. Shane raised his brows, recalling how the wine last night had affected her. “You don’t drink.”
“I’ll just have one,” she said softly. Pink taffeta ruffled as she approached with the drinks. She’d worn the same damn pretty dress as yesterday, the hue creating rosy tones on her face and making her skin look creamy soft. The pearl necklace she wore dipped down in the generous hollow of her bosom. Seeing her dressed this way in the light of day was one thing, but seeing her now as a gentle glow of light surrounded her was another thing entirely.
Shane took a step back. His heart pounding, his brain muddled, and he knew if he took a drink with Dorie there’d be hell to pay. “No, thanks.”
Dorie smiled and continued her approach, until she faced him squarely, looking up at him. “Are you afraid to have a drink with me?”
Hell, yes. “No, damn it.” He grabbed the glass from her hand and gulped the whiskey. “There. I had a drink with you.”
Dorie took a delicate sip of her drink, her expression thoughtful for a moment as she contemplated. “I think I prefer wine.” Then she gulped down the whiskey, a triple shot of liquor vanishing in a matter of seconds.
“Hey, be careful with that!”
“I’m tired of being careful, Shane.” Her eyes studied his and she smiled so prettily, his groin tightened instantly.
“I think it’s time for bed.”
“Not before I thank you for all you’ve done. The Parkers would have never believed me if you hadn’t been here. Without your help, I would’ve lost my brother.”
“It’s over now, Dorie. No more thanks necessary.”
“Shane, the money I was paid from Mrs. Miniver—”
“Oh, right,” he said, grateful for the change of subject. He dug into his trousers. “Here it is. I forgot to give it to you.”
Dorie glanced at the wad of money in his hand. “I want you to keep it. To pay off your debt to Mr. Barkley. You’ve earned it.”
Shane glanced at the cash Dorie shoved back at him. “I can’t take your money, Dorie. You earned it. It’ll see you through the winter, but I appreciate the thought.”
“But if you pay off Mr. Barkley, you won’t owe him anything, anymore.”
Shane marveled at her innocence, and he admired her genuine generosity. But if the Almighty came down to earth, urging him to accept Dorie’s money, Shane would still refuse. “It’s more than money, sweetheart. I’ve given my word. Besides, I owe him three times that amount.”
“Oh,” Dorie said, reaching again for the bottle of whiskey. She poured another three fingers worth into her glass.
Shane set her money down on the armoire, hoping she’d soon tire and go to bed. Instead, she walked over to him and refilled his glass.
“Go easy on that stuff,” he said. “Or you’ll wake up with a humdinger of a headache.”
Dorie sipped the liquor again. “I’m getting used to the taste.”
Shane watched the delicate workings of her throat and took another big swallow of whiskey. “Let’s get some sleep now.”
“Okay,” Dorie said with a little coy smile. “You get the bed tonight.”
“No. I won’t have you sleeping in that cramped wing chair.”
“I wasn’t planning on sleeping in the wing chair, Shane.”
“But then—”
Dorie halted his words when she reached up to brush her mouth over his in a kiss that stole all of his breath. He kept his hands at his sides, fighting for willpower, but his manhood rose and pressed against the juncture of her legs; even through layers of material there wasn’t any way Shane could deny his need for her. His body had grown instantly hard, straining for her, his heart wanting her, his mind…his mind fighting a losing battle.
Shane tasted the heady aroma of whiskey on Dorie’s breath, and when she opened for him, he kissed her fully, their tongues colliding in a ritual that had both their bodies swaying in lusty unison. Shane grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her, bringing her body even closer. Shane was beside himself to stop the onslaught of the desire burning in his belly. Dorie gave him everything he wanted, her body pressed to his, their lips mating, their tongues dancing.
Moments later, when the kiss ended, Dorie pulled back just enough to look him square in the eyes. “I want to know what it’d be like to be your wife for real, Shane.”
“No, Dorie. We can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you,” Shane said, holding on to the shred of hope that Dorie would come to her senses.
“It wouldn’t be fair to me not to, Shane,” she said with quiet determination. “You’re the only man for me. Ever.” She spoke in a whisper now and Shane heard the heartbreak in her voice. “All we have left is tonight.”
He felt the exact same way. He’d wanted Dorie for so long he couldn’t reason it away anymore.
“You want me,” she breathed out. “I know you do.”
“Can’t deny it, sweetheart.”
Dorie pulled the pins from her hair, letting the silky coppery tresses fall loosely over her shoulders. She turned to expose her back to him. “Undress me, Shane.”
Shane wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in, crushing his body to hers, his fingers finding the soft supple spot just under her breasts. He kissed her throat and whispered from behind, “I can’t offer you anything but one night, sweetheart. Is that enough?”
Dorie put her head down and beseeched him. “You could take the money I offered, pay Mr. Barkley back some. We’ll figure a way to pay off the rest. You won’t have to marry his daughter.”
Shane had to make things clear to her. She had to know that tonight would truly be all that they could hope to have. She had to know that there wasn’t a way out of this for either of them. He spoke with regret. “You know I can’t do that.”
Dorie turned in his arms, the rosy glow on her face marred by sadness and regret, yet she smiled bravely. “Then tonight will have to be enough.”
Shane closed his eyes briefly, wondering when Dorie had grown up. She’d become a woman right before his eyes and he’d fought the realization. Fought it hard. But he’d lost the battle. She was the woman he wanted. He couldn’t deny her any longer. He wouldn’t think of how it had come to this, or all the reasons he should walk straight out of this room. Instead, he’d make love to her tonight and they would have to part tomorrow as soon as the new dawn rose on the horizon.
“I’ll make it right for you, Dorie.” Shane placed both hands on her shoulders and spun her around. She lifted her hair up so that he could unfasten the buttons on her gown. He kissed the back of her neck as he slid the gown down her arms. She wiggled out of her garment, petticoats and all, then undid the corset that confined her breasts. Shane watched as she dropped the tight-fitting undergarment onto the floor. And when she turned to him, fully unclothed, Shane was completely intoxicated—not by whiskey, but by the exquisite vision she presented. “You are an amazing…woman, Dorie McCabe.”
“Oh, Shane,” she whispered in the dimly light room.
Shane picked her up and carried her to the bed. Setting her down gently he gazed at her, feeling a deep measure of pride, seeing her exposed to him with such trust and acceptance. Her skin glowed smooth and creamy under the lantern light, her long wild curls spread out across the pillow and her blue eyes beckoned with a sweet loving smile.
Shane sat on the bed, tossing off his boots, and when Dorie reached up for him, he took her into his arms and came down onto the bed, kissing her with overpowering need. His nerves raw, he told himself to go slowly, to make this night memorable for her. He’d tried to be her protector, tried to help her in ways he might never have imagined, and now, he would claim her innocence. Shane struggled with the notion, while his heart and body rejoiced. Between deep lingering kisses, he spoke tenderly, “I never meant for this to happen.”
“I prayed that it would,” she whispered back.
Shane’s heart soared. “I don’t want to hurt you in any way,” he said plainly.
“You won’t, Shane. I want this. There won’t be any regrets, I promise.”
Shane smiled down at her, knowing that her naive perception wouldn’t hold up. Oh, there’d be regrets, but he was defenseless to refuse her any longer. Only she could stop what they’d begun here tonight.
“Is this how it is?” she asked. “All this…talking?”
Shane chuckled. Dorie, innocent as she was, had registered a complaint. He wouldn’t allow another one. Lying beside her, he cupped her breast in his hand and bent his head to kiss her lips. “No more talking,” he said, gently moving his hand on her, his thumb sliding over the crest, flicking the nub until it rose to a peak.
“Oh!” Dorie gasped through his kisses. Her pleasured moans as he continued stroking her ripe full breasts created havoc below his waist. Shane struggled to control the fire in his groin, to take this night slow and take her even slower. But Dorie’s unabashed reaction to his touch stirred something deep in his heart as well as his body.
He vowed not to hurt her in any way, so he fought for control. It wasn’t an easy task. Dorie lying on the bed, bared to him in all ways, crying out in pleasure, created the prettiest of pictures. One he never dreamed he would see.
“I never thought anything could feel so good,” she breathed out.
Shane bent his head and drew her into his mouth, his tongue flicking over her tight hard nipple. She whimpered and arched up, her body reacting with heightened pleasure. He moistened each globe again and again then lifted up to crush a kiss to Dorie’s sweet mouth.
“I’m tingling clear down to my belly,” she said with wonderment. “Are you, Shane? Is that how it is for you, too?”
Shane nodded. “Clear down to my belly, honey.”
Dorie smiled, her eyes gleaming in the low lantern light. “Oh, Shane.”
Shane stroked her shoulders, absorbed the feel of her creamy porcelain skin, while he continued to kiss her. Her arms wound around his neck and he deepened the kiss, his tongue probing hers. They kissed for long moments this way, until Dorie pushed him off slightly.
He looked down at her with question, but when she unbuttoned his shirt and tugged at the material, Shane helped her remove it entirely. Her hands went flat on his chest and the heat of her palms coursed a hot path straight down to his groin. When she moved her hands, caressing his skin, then rising to plant tiny kisses on his chest, Shane lay back, resting his head on the pillow, relishing the moment and allowing Dorie to explore his body.
Dorie’s tentative hands became bolder and she stroked him with confidence, her fingers flicking over his flattened discs with a look of delight in her eyes. “You’re so hard,” she whispered in awe.
Shane groaned. His manhood strained the confines of his trousers. Soon she would see the true extent of her statement.
Dorie lowered her hand down his torso caressing the area just below his waist. She stopped short when Shane drew a sharp breath, then smiled and reached for his belt buckle.
Shane stilled her hands. “Not yet,” he said, though the notion of what she was about to do dizzied his mind. Dorie feigned a pout, the look so adorable that Shane took hold of her and raised her up so she lay atop him. “You need to get used to me first, sweetheart.”
Dorie clearly got his meaning. Her eyes widened with surprise when his arousal pulsed beneath her through his clothes. Shane cupped her derriere and nearly died with pleasure seeing Dorie’s eyes change from surprise to heavy-lidded desire. He stroked her bottom and she swayed, moving against his gliding hands, causing unbearable heady friction. Her breasts crushed his chest and, with her pretty face inches from his, Shane found her lips and kissed her hard on the mouth, his own undeniable desire mounting.
He continued to slide his hands up and down, gliding from her sweet behind up to her back and shoulders then down again. They moved together causing heat and passion, rubbing their bodies, learning and exploring. Enjoying.
Dorie uttered tiny gasps now, her breaths labored and short. The mere sound of her sighs brought Shane immeasurable satisfaction. He was ready for her, all of her, but she wasn’t quite ready for him.
He rolled her onto her back and he immediately missed the feel of her breasts on his skin, her thighs pressed to him. Soon, he told himself. Soon, he would satisfy both of their needs.
Dorie looked up at him, her expression filled with aching need. Shane wasted no time. He brought his mouth to hers while his fingers found the juncture of her thighs. He touched her there and she opened for him, her body seeming to know what he wanted. His fingers found her core, the soft petals of flesh that would soon welcome him. He touched her gently there, and she was jolted by the sensation.
“Oh, Shane,” she breathed out on a plea.
“Dorie, honey, just lie back. Won’t be long now.” He kissed her again, quick and hard. Then he cupped her, his palm open, his rough skin rubbing the soft petals of her womanhood. She arched up and whimpered, her body reacting immediately to his touch. She moved with him, her body undulating as he stroked her tenderly.
Shane had little willpower left. Her soft cries as he readied her for him made him ache, his manhood growing harder with each passing moment. He kissed her again, gliding one hand over her body, caressing her skin, brushing over her breasts again and again, while the other hand moved with her rhythm. Her breaths became as labored as his, her soft cries even more pronounced, and Shane knew it was time.
He rose up from the bed and worked at removing his belt. He was surprised when Dorie reached up to pull the belt completely off. He grinned at her impatience, then tugged his pants and undergarments off. Before rejoining her on the bed, he took in her stunned expression as she viewed his naked body. “I won’t hurt you,” he reassured her.
“I know you won’t. It’s just that, oh, Shane…you are an amazing…man.” She took a big swallow and lay back on the bed, her eyes focused below his waist.
Ridiculous pride swelled his chest at Dorie’s obvious admiration. When she opened her arms to him, Shane put aside all of his misgivings. He lowered himself onto the bed and rose above her, gently spreading her legs for his entry.
Dorie closed her eyes with a sweet giving expression on her face. Shane touched the tip of her womanhood, teasing her with his full length. She opened more for him and he entered her with one slow but forceful thrust. He felt the exact moment when he claimed her innocence, the resistance that broke from his pressure. Dorie’s slight grip on his shoulders tightened. Before he could ask, she whispered, “It didn’t hurt, Shane.”
Shane released his breath, relieved at Dorie’s undeniable courage and tenacity. He gazed down at her, the beautiful woman with a generous soul and giving heart was joined together now with him and Shane realized that he’d never felt anything better in his whole life. He relished the moment, looking into Dorie’s eyes, and he moved slowly, thrusting into her with slight measured movements. His manhood strained the tight confines of her body, yet she accepted him fully and moved with him, finding a pace that fit them perfectly.
Shane had had sex with women before, but he’d never made love like this. He’d never been so touched, so honored and so involved. He wanted Dorie to feel everything, enjoy it all, to make their night together something they’d never forget.
Shane had already achieved that for himself. And as he moved with her, plunging deeper into her, he knew he’d never in his life feel anything so fulfilling. He’d never want a woman the way he wanted Dorie.
Shane touched her skin, caressed her breasts, slid his hands over her belly, then cupped her face and kissed her deeply on the lips. She made little noises, her breaths labored, her body reaching up to his. They rocked in unison now, Shane driving his manhood deep, absorbing all of her.
She cried out. “Shane!”
He rose up and plunged as deep and as hard as he could, his body burning up. She met each thrust and they reached the fiery mountain together, climbing to the very top as flames erupted and Shane felt her spasms of release. She cried out again as if in stunned surprise spurring Shane’s own potent sharp release.
Once their bodies relaxed some, they gazed at each other in wonder. Dorie blinked, her throat worked, but she spoke no words.
Shane wrapped his arms around her then rolled to his side, taking her with him. He kissed her forehead and spoke softly. “Your heart will slow down soon, sweetheart. Take some deep breaths.”
Dorie looked into his eyes. “I don’t think my heart will ever slow down, Shane. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything so wonderful or so…powerful.”
Shane smiled above her head, relieved that she hadn’t been disappointed in any way. “Are you all right?”
Dorie chuckled. “I think I’m stunned.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Dorie stayed cradled in his arms for a time before she asked, “Why, Shane?”
“Why, what?”
He’d begun to relax, his breaths almost back to normal again.
“Why were you…stunned? Was it me? Did I surprise you?”
Shane stroked her shoulders and toyed with her breast, then decided that diversion would only muddle his mind further. He held her loosely and admitted, “You always surprise me, Dorie.”
“In a bad way?” she asked, with uncertainty.
“Not in a bad way, honey. I was stunned…in the best way.” He kissed away her doubts and brought her close. “Let’s get some sleep now.”
Shane closed his eyes, but his mind wouldn’t settle. Images of Dorie just moments ago flashed in his head. He’d never forget making love to her. He tightened his grip and nudged her even closer, needing her near, absorbing her warmth, for this one last night.
Mrs. Whitaker once told Dorie that the one you love can make you angry and frustrated and crazy all at the same time, but even so, you can’t imagine your life without that person. She said to love meant to open your heart and give all you had to that one person, and know that they’d return the kindness without a second’s hesitation. She said that loving meant joy and heartache. It meant happiness and sorrow. Loving meant putting that special someone’s needs above your own.
If that were all true—and she believed it to be—then she had truly fallen deeply and completely in love with Shane Graham. She gazed at his sleeping form beside her and realized that she loved him with her whole heart. She’d probably loved Shane since the first time he’d kissed her more than a year ago. And to love him genuinely meant to let him go.
She shook off the sheet and rose, taking one warm coverlet with her to wrap around her body. Still reeling from their profound lovemaking, Dorie’s sated body ached from the loss that would surely follow. The wound she feared would only increase as time went on. Dorie had only this one night with Shane.
She loved him.
It was different from the love she felt for Jeremiah, but it was the same, too, because she couldn’t imagine living her life without him.
Dorie tiptoed to the window and, parting the curtain slightly, she peered out at the empty night for a moment. Bereft as the starless sky and vacant as the deserted streets below, Dorie knew sleep would elude her. She found solace in a finger high tumbler of whiskey. She sipped carefully, trying not to make a sound, but when she turned from the window, Shane’s eyes were upon her. “Trouble sleeping?”
She shook her head. “I…don’t want to.”
Shane stared into her eyes, his grass-green eyes holding her hostage. “What do you want, honey?”
“You,” she said honestly, noting the enticing picture he made laying lazily across the bed. “I thought we’d have the whole night together.”
Shane shook his head. “It’s your first time—”
“My only time,” she corrected. And she meant it. She didn’t want to bed any other man but Shane. She would go her entire lifetime recalling this one special night with the only man she would ever love.
“I thought you’d be…thought you’d need… I didn’t want to…” And as Shane searched for the exact right words, Dorie let the coverlet that warmed her body drop unceremoniously to the floor. She stood naked before him, her eyes meeting his without shame.
Shane visibly gulped. His eyes gleamed, roaming over her from head to toe, his direct perusal heating her like a slow simmering fire. He slid to the other side of the bed, making room. “Come back to bed. And bring the bottle,” he ordered.
Dorie turned to do his bidding, grabbing up the whiskey bottle and making her way back to bed. She tripped on her shoes that jutted out from under the bed and toppled onto him, spilling liquor all over his body. “Whoops, sorry.”
Shane laid back, stretched out and welcomed her with a grin. “Now you have to clean me up.”
Dorie nodded, feeling like a clumsy fool, and spun around to get a cloth. Instantly, Shane grabbed her wrist and she turned to him in question. “Not with a cloth, honey,” he whispered, his tone quite mischievous. “Use that wild imagination of yours.”
Dorie nibbled her lower lip, contemplating, until she figured out what Shane had in mind. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she prayed Shane wouldn’t notice how his enticing invitation had affected her.
Dorie stretched out her body fully atop Shane, no longer unfamiliar with his form. His heat became her heat, their bodies meshing together like puzzle pieces, each part connecting to the other. She rose slightly to look him in the eyes, then dipped her head and kissed away the whiskey on his throat, his shoulders and, shimmying down a bit, she kissed his chest. Whiskey wet her lips and she licked at them, tasting the heady elixir. Becoming bolder even still, she dipped down once again and licked the liquor from his skin this time, eliciting pleasured moans from him. Dorie continued to kiss and drink up the whiskey with her tongue, sipping from his chest like a road-weary thirsty traveler.
Shane reached for her, bringing her face to his. “I want to taste you.” He kissed her fully on the mouth, his tongue making sweeping swirls gathering up the moistness still on her lips. Then with one fluid, graceful movement, he rolled her over, so that she rested her back against the bed.
Their eyes met.
Dorie witnessed the passion burning deep in Shane’s hungry gaze. And she jerked slightly when he dripped whiskey onto her body, slowly, deliberately, pouring the liquor from her chest to her navel.
Shane bent his head and sipped from her skin in much the same fashion as she had. His lips wiped up the liquor with small urgent kisses and his tongue licked at her with long sweeping motions. He suckled the moistness from her breasts making her cry out and, when he dipped his head further down, drinking from her navel, hot hungry sensations pulsed through her body.
His hand found the folds of her tender skin then and she arched up, the pleasure almost pure agony. He stroked her again and again, and when she thought surely he’d drive his sleek manhood into her body, he rolled onto his back. Dorie followed his movements until she sat upon him, straddling his thighs. He showed her the way, guiding her atop him and, once positioned over his hard length, he helped ease her down.
Rapid all-consuming heat engulfed her instantly, her body burning up from the heady sensation. She took him in slowly, by increments, until finally he filled her. She moved up and down, his hands on her hips guiding her, his eyes intent, filled with passion.
Dorie moved more fluidly now, adjusting to his size, finding a distinct rhythm. She tossed back her head, her hair as wild and loose as she felt right now, relishing the tight flaming friction she created. Moaning softly, she met Shane’s own soft cries of passion. They moved and rocked and jerked, Shane letting go, allowing her to find her own way now.
“So beautiful,” he uttered. He thrust up and she slid down time and again until friction and heat built to an earth-shattering climax. Dorie’s body convulsed uncontrollably. She called out, “Shane!” and he responded with a cry of his own.
She floated back to earth as if on a cloud. Shane embraced her and she folded herself into him, the scent of whiskey and love surrounding her.
“Mmmm,” she breathed out.
Shane kissed her cheek and sighed. “I bet you could sleep now.”
Dorie smiled and searched his eyes. “I don’t think I want to.”
Shane cursed vividly but smiled back. “I’m afraid to ask. What do you want now?”
“I want to know it all, Shane. I want you to teach me. There’s more, isn’t there?”
Shane grunted. “Yeah, but—”
“There are different ways, aren’t there? And things we haven’t done?”
Shane nodded, albeit with reluctance. “We’ve done quite a lot, honey.”
“So you don’t want to make love again?”
Shane let out a deep-throated groan. “I didn’t say that.”
“So you do?” she asked eagerly. If this was her only real night with Shane, she had to know him in every way. She had to make this night last as long as possible. For Dorie, no other man would measure up. But she wondered if she were less than he had expected. “Unless you’re tired of me already. Is that it, Shane?”
Shane tightened his embrace. “I don’t think I’d ever tire of you, Dorie.”
Dorie’s heart soared with that declaration. “I’d never tire of you either, Shane. So, will you show me?”
Shane kissed her lips and nodded. “Give me a few minutes. A man needs time…to perform again.”
Dorie nodded in understanding, relating it to chopping wood. Sometimes after splitting a log, you needed to rest up some before picking up that axe again.
Shane had done a wonderful job chopping wood so far, having no trouble raising that axe. And one thing was for certain, splitting logs was a whole lot more appealing than sawing logs.
Dorie didn’t plan on doing much of the latter tonight, just as long as Shane could continue to lift his axe.