The Outsider Series: The Complete Omnibus Collection

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Diana was absolutely exhausted by the time she pulled in at Jed’s. It was dark as she slipped out of her SUV. The lights blazed inside Jed’s house. She knew he was home, but she was still angry and confused. She knew he wanted to protect her. She had taken the energy of her pain and hurt, this vicious cycle she’d carried for so long, and gotten it out of her system, letting it go, just as she had to let this justice thing with Andy and Todd go. This obsession with the rich and poor. She didn’t have all the answers and knew there was no rhyme or reason why Faye drugged Todd. Faye was a vindictive, spiteful woman, and she’d gotten what she deserved—prison. Did Todd and Andy, and their men get what they deserved, no. Not in her mind, but then she wasn’t their judge, and it wasn’t up to her decide. She didn’t want this to become her entire existence, because she finally realized that she didn’t want to be angry anymore. Become a bitter, lonely old woman seeking vengeance. She believed Andy had regrets. She wasn’t vindictive, but if she continued down this path, she’d be destroying herself, not them. She needed to decide what was going to give her peace. And go after the one thing she’d always denied herself, love.

She glanced over at the darkened corral that she knew was still empty, and her heart ached for Scarlett and Dusty. She didn’t go into the house, or knock, or let Jed know that she was back. She knew he was mad at her, and he’d also realized she wasn’t being entirely honest.

She started walking toward her cabin when a warm hand grabbed her bare arm and swung her around.

“Have you figured things out yet?”

“Yes,” was all she said before he brought his mouth down hard on hers, backing her against her SUV. His breathing was fast as he pushed himself with urgency against her softness, the sweet friction almost painfully arousing. He thrust his fingers through her hair, pulling it loose from where she’d tied it back. He was fully aroused, and she could feel him straining against her belly.

Diana whimpered into his mouth and squirmed against him with all the hunger she’d suppressed for so long. She didn’t need moonlight or candlelight. Diana wanted Jed with a blind, ferocious need that had her clinging to him willingly.

He carried her inside his house, and Diana could do little more than hold on to his shoulders as he kicked the door closed behind him and stalked down the narrow hall to a darkened room. He didn’t release her but rested her across the bed, pinning her down.

Diana could taste him on her, and she tugged on the back of his neck to bring him down to her. He didn’t hesitate. His lips were warm and demanding, and she squirmed underneath him, feeling so empty and needing to have him there. He must have known, as he spread her legs wide, pressing his thick ridge into her. She moaned into his mouth as his hands covered her and then her breasts, kneading them. He tore his mouth away as he shoved her jacket open and lifted her shirt and bra together, baring her naked breasts to his demanding mouth. He slid one arm under her bottom and lifted her leg up, anchoring it over his hip. He sucked hard on one n****e, causing a sharp sensation that had her arching into him.

“Oh, Jed.”

He responded by holding tighter as he ground his erection into her, which set loose a fire in her response, and she felt herself slipping down this fiery tunnel, tossing her head side to side, and he pulled away long enough to strip her bare and shed his own clothes before he was on her again, pushing her legs wide.

“Diana, open for me.” His voice was rough as he hovered above her, resting his forehead on her, kissing her again and then watching her as he pressed all of himself into her. She froze from the gigantic pressure between her legs, and all desire left her from the size as he thrust deeper into her and froze above. He swore softly and then whispered, “Look at me.”

She couldn’t have torn her gaze away even if she'd tried. Even in the darkness, with the light drifting in, she didn’t miss the tenderness in his gaze, the concern, and something else she’d not seen from another man.

Jed gripped her hips and traced his hand up her legs, coaxing them around his waist. All the while, he coaxed her with tiny thrusts, and then, with one sharp effort, he was all the way in. The pain shot through her, and she cried out.

“Shhh, baby, just lie still and get used to me. The hurt will pass,” he said against her lips. Then he began to move, slowly at first, watching her, and moving in her. She could feel the pangs of pleasure building. He slid his hand between them and touched her, pressing and moving fully against her. Fire burst through her—she had no defense as the sensation intensified from each thrust. She felt herself losing control, sinking down this spiral to heaven as the rippling waves of desire coursed through her. Jed didn’t stop. He thrust again and again, until his harsh groan rumbled deep in his chest, and he swore again.

He collapsed on top of her, still inside her, and she could feel every nerve ending twitch from the lasting pleasure. She could feel his heart pounding against her breast.

Jed’s breathing slowed, and slowly he withdrew, raising up on his elbows. “I’m too heavy for you.”

But she couldn’t talk, and she was stunned by what she was feeling. He rolled over on his back, taking her with him. He ran one hand over her bottom, and his other caressed the back of her head, which she rested on his chest.

“You’ve never been with anyone.” He said it with a certain amount of astonishment. He kissed the top of her head. “Did I hurt you?”

Someone pounded on the front door, interrupting before Diana could answer.

Jed slipped out of bed. “Stay here.” He stepped into his jeans. “Okay, I’m coming!” he shouted when someone pounded again.

Diana heard a familiar voice. She climbed out of bed and fumbled in the dark for her clothes, scattered on the floor. She found her panties tossed in the corner, but her bra was twisted in her shirt and took a moment to untangle.

When she stepped into the tiny front room, it wasn’t Jed who saw her first, but Andy, who stood in the doorway wearing a dark slicker and a glance that could have set her on fire. Jed jerked around as Diana stepped closer.

“What the hell is this? You’re sleeping with him! It looks like the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, with the lies. You played up the innocent so well, and, what, not even two hours ago you told me you weren’t sleeping with him.”

Diana’s face burned in shame; he’d twisted something so beautiful and made it ugly. Jed glanced at her and said nothing. Then he dove at Andy, tackling him with all the power of a linebacker, drawing back his fist and hitting him flush in the jaw.

“Stop it!” Diana yelled when they rolled on the scuffed wood floor and shattered the old coffee table. Diana tried to pull Jed off, but somehow Diana was shoved in the scuffle and crashed against the door, knocking the wind out of her. She wasn’t sure who yelled, but instantly Andy and Jed were beside her.

“Diana, are you okay? Talk to me, honey.” Jed slid his hand behind her and eased her up. Andy’s lip was bleeding, and Jed looked as if he’d have one hell of a shiner. His left eye was already beginning to swell.

“I’m… fine.” Diana was dizzy as Jed helped her stand, his hands sliding to her waist. She took in the room, which looked as though a tornado had swept through it, and shook her head. “What a fine mess this is. Do you feel better, both of you? And Andy, don’t ever talk to me like that again.” Diana stiffened, but Jed didn’t release her.

Andy stepped back, holding his hands up.

“Why are you here, Andy?” Diana asked, unable to hide her irritation.

“It’s about your horses, Jed. They were found earlier tonight in the forest behind our house. Why didn’t you tell me they were gone?” Andy stared at his cousin, and it was the first time Diana saw hurt and betrayal. He really cared for Jed.

“You’re kidding, right? What you pulled with Diana, I let your old man and you both know that this would become my fight. And funny thing, that night after Uncle Todd laughed in my face and said I didn’t want to take him on, he gave me his own warning.… Guess what? My horses disappeared. So why would I tell you, when you two were first on my list of suspects?”

She wished she could hate Andy, for every time he glanced her way, her chest ached from something that now felt so much like sorrow. She needed to get away from both of them. But she forced herself to stay still and used every ounce of power inside to put her best lawyer-face on.

“Jed, we’re cousins, and whatever you may think about me, I’d never do that to you. Family’s one thing you don’t screw around with. Why are you so hell bent on protecting her, anyway?” Andy shouted, his eyes flashing with fire, and she wondered for a moment if fists were about to fly again.

Jed was proud, strong, and he didn’t let anyone in, so what he said next startled Diana.

“Because I love her.”

“What?” she snapped, and she stared at him in disbelief. Then, before he could respond, she pushed him aside, yanking the door open and tearing out into the night, and she ran. She heard swearing and feet pounding behind her. She stumbled as she ran, unable to see straight because of the darkness… and her tears.

A strong hand grabbed her and lifted her to her feet, pulling her into a warm bare chest. And she fought like a banshee. She was no good with men, she’d never had a relationship, and she didn’t know what the hell this was with Jed. She was afraid to trust him. Andy had turned what had happened between her and Jed into something dirty—something to be ashamed of. And for God’s sake, Jed should have been telling her he loved her instead of telling Andy!

“Would you stand still? What the hell is the matter with you, Diana? I’m damn tired of you running out as if you can’t figure out what the hell you want.” He was shouting at her, and it took a second for her to realize he’d put her down.

“Is it him you want?” Jed shouted, and he jabbed his arm toward a shadowed figure leaning in the doorway. He growled, his voice so dangerously rough she had to fight to keep from flinching from him.

Diana edged sideways. She felt trapped with Jed standing so close. Jed adjusted his position, turning so that they stayed face-to-face. He wasn’t letting her get away.

“You told him you loved me!” she shouted at him. All of her good sense had apparently taken a hike, because she sounded like a spoiled five-year-old. But she didn’t care, because no one had ever told her they loved her. She didn’t know how to handle it.

“Yes, I did. There is something about you, Diana. I am so attracted to you because you ooze sexuality and innocence more than any woman I’ve met. But when I tasted you the first time, I knew you were made for me. You gave me the shock of my life tonight when I discovered you’ve never been with another man.”

When she didn’t respond, he cursed. “And just so you know, I didn’t use protection.” He stepped closer again, as she tried to scoot the other way.

Her head was spinning. Lord, she wanted to trust him, to believe in him, but she didn’t know if she could. She felt every wound she’d tried desperately to hide from everyone all these years ripped open.

He stepped closer again, this time resting both hands on her shoulders. “This is more, Diana, and I think you know. But you need to decide what you want.” He let his hands fall away, and he shouted back at Andy, “Let’s go get my horses!”

Jed stormed away. Andy hopped down as Jed passed to go put clothes on, and Andy stalked right into her space, so close she could smell his warm breath. It was pleasant with the ripe scent of an after-dinner whiskey. Her instincts screamed for her to back away from him. God, if you put the two Friessen kin together, the resemblance was uncanny. Standing here with Andy, she knew that Jed cared for her. With Jed, it was rough and lovely, whispering of commitment, family and honesty. As she looked up at Andy and tried to see him through the eyes of child, she wondered how delusional she’d been to see him as her hero.

“I know you, Diana, do you really think Jed can make you happy? Struggling from month to month, barely getting by.” A sense of danger screamed at her to back away from him, but she tossed her good sense away and met his darkened glare.

“Well that’s where your wrong, Andy. I’d never been happy until I met Jed. And I’ve never seen so much misery than what comes with money.”

“Andy! If you’re done,” Jed shouted at him while staring at Diana. Even in the darkness, when their eyes met, she knew he was thinking of her and what they hadn’t said. Jed didn’t make a move toward her. She didn’t look away, but he did. She knew he was hurt as he climbed into his truck and backed it to the trailer, hooking it up. And Andy finally walked away.