Click on image to enlarge.

Category: Erotica/Multicultural-Interracial Erotica/Historical Fiction
Description: When he was a lawman Simon Boothe thought of justice like a best friend that would never do him wrong--until he was on the wrong side of the law for a crime that he didn't commit. To clear his name he had to become one of the men he apprehended, an outlaw living on the outside of a society he once protected. The only place he could go was the one place not even the Pinkerton's dare tread, Dessert Gulch nestled in the Santa Fe mountains. There he found Delight Blue, an ebony goddess who ran the Copperhead Bar. Her eyes held as much fire as the gun she carried on her hip, and he tasted the passion when he kissed her lips. They joined forces to bring down the man who had done them both wrong. All the while the desire that simmered between them became an uncontrollable fire. Simon knew that one way or the other their fate was irrevocably entwined. Come hell or high water, he intended that after the last hand was dealt, the exotic Delight would be his forever.
eBook Publisher: Amira Press, 2011
eBookwise Release Date: August 2011

5 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [199 KB]
Words: 48347
Reading time: 138-193 min.

He swung his long legs off the bed, wishing he was in Silver Springs for a hot bath in the tub he had bought from the Sears catalog. Instead he would make do with a quick wash from the basin and pitcher in his room. He was surprised to find the water jug full when he went over and lifted it. She'd come in and filled it at some time while he slept. Simon was amazed he hadn't woken up when she did.

He stuck his head out the small window and was surprised no one took a shot at him. The dirt street of the bandit town was surprisingly empty, and by looking at the sun's position in the sky, he could tell it was nearly noon. Holy fuck, he thought, knowing that in his life he had never slept past eight, even on a Sunday.

He took his hat up and put it on his head before heading downstairs to look for Delight. She was sitting behind the bar, which was empty of music and people. In her hand she held a book and seemed engrossed in its pages. He'd hardly seen men read, let alone a woman. Simon was intrigued when he saw a scowl on her face. His presence had interrupted her even though he'd said nothing.

"Morning," he said casually.

"It's nearly afternoon," she said and never looked away from her book.

"Must have overslept. Any chance I can get some breakfast?" Simon asked.

"Kitchen is through that door. Go make yourself a plate of biscuits or something. Molasses is on the shelf, coffee on the stove," Delight replied.

He grinned and followed her direction. No one could call her a hostess because she was prickly as they came.

He came back with his plate and a cup of coffee and sat again. "What are you doing?"

She gave a weary sigh, and Simon bit into a biscuit to keep from laughing.

"This is called a book. What I'm doing is called reading."

"I know what both are. I just don't see many women reading," he commented.

"Well, most women want to find a rich husband and be kept," she said. "I don't aspire to such things."

She sounded like a schoolteacher. Simon liked it. He'd had a thing for his teacher when he was behind a desk.

"So tell me, Delight Blue, what do you aspire to?"

"You get out of this dang place is what."

"What's your book about?"

"Read it when I'm done."

"Are you always in such a piss-poor mood?"

"Only when a certain ex-sheriff comes and interrupts me from the only peace I get all day."

Simon held up his hands. "Sorry. I'll eat my breakfast and leave you to it."

Delight sighed. "No use now, my concentration is gone, and I need to talk to you anyway."

He tensed. "About what?"

"The full moon . . ." She rolled her eyes. "William Bonaparte, of course."

"What about him?"

She leaned her elbows against the bar. "For a fact I know that some of the outlaws here work for him, so it will get back to him you're here. Don't be surprised if there's a target on your back. I've got a few friends who will keep me updated if a bounty goes out on you."

"Okay, go on," Simon replied.

"We should hit the train with his payroll."

Simon almost choked on the biscuit he was eating and took a sip of coffee before replying, "Are you trying to get the Pinkertons on our ass?"

"How did you think William was going to come out of the woodwork, if we invite him over to tea?" she asked casually.

"I wasn't going to commit a crime to get my point across."

"Get it through your head, Simon. You are a wanted man now," Delight snapped. "Even though we know you didn't do shit to be that way. The Pinkertons are private law, not real law. They answer to the man with the most money, and you know it."

"You know a lot for--" Simon began, and she cut him off.

"For what, a colored girl?" she snapped.

He could see she was ready to haul over the bar and punch him in his face. "If you would let me finish, I was going to say you know a lot for a woman," Simon replied.

"Well I'm not most women," Delight replied grudgingly. "Are you in or not? We'll have to do a few stagecoach holdups to make it look good before we go for the big haul."

"There are a few points that we have to consider before we do this, Delight," Simon began. "First off, if we do this, we can't come back here. William's men will be on to us and come here first. I know there are outlaws here, but women and children followed these men. I don't want to see anyone hurt on my behest."

She nodded. "Wasn't planning on it anyway. I'll be heading to Canada after he's dead."

"So that means we'll be on the run until we get him in a position to come out into the open and I can kill him."

She lifted her chin. "I've lived out in the wild before. I won't be crying for my Chantilly lace or my rose water."

He grinned at her statement. "Okay, then it's a deal."

"We should shake on it," she said firmly and held out her hand.

Simon stood and began to move around the bar. "Nope."

"What do you mean, nope? That's how you seal a deal, right?" she asked in an outraged voice.

"That's not how I do it." He closed the distance between them and slid his hand around her neck to draw her closer.

"What are you doing?"

"Sealing it with a kiss," he murmured and rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip.

Her wide eyes looked up at him. "Don't make me punch you."

"I'll take the risk."

Her back bumped the wall, and there was no escape as he took her lips. Her hands pounded at his chest, and he clasped them to his body. She made a sound of frustration and anger that turned into a whimper and then a confused moan as his tongue begged for entrance to her mouth. When she opened her lips and he tasted her, it was Simon who groaned in pleasure. He had to hold himself back from caressing her, from molding her against his hardness. With one kiss he wanted to take her against the bar with those long legs wrapped around him while he thrust into her over and over again. That thought made him pull away, knowing full well if he didn't stop, he would end up doing what he wanted, and she wasn't ready yet. Beneath all that bravado, she was innocent, and he would have to take it slow. He pulled away slowly, and her eyes lifted to stare at his face before they sparked fire and she slapped him hard.