Knotted (Trails of Sin, #1)

by Pam Godwin

The terrain of childhood shapes the soul, and the soul never forgets.

My girl is sunshine, rawhide, and pure fight.

“No matter what, we stay together. Miles, months, cities, years…” Her breath strangles. “We’re bigger than anything that tries to come between us.”

I didn’t sexually or intimately touch Sara. I didn’t kiss her. Didn’t remove my boxers. I didn’t even get wood. I’m still a virgin, because I love Conor Cassidy.

“Your obedience.” I hold up a hand when she starts to interrupt. “I’m going to peel away your walls, piece by piece, using my methods. For every session you submit to, I’ll answer more questions.”

“I’m not broken,” she whispers.

“You don’t need me to fix you. You need me to sit with you in the sadness.”

“You’re not riding alone. You haven’t been in the saddle in six years.” I hold out the pad. “It’s dark. The terrain’s changed. One misstep and you’ll be ass-end-over-tea-kettle. We’re riding double or not at all.”

“Fine.” She sniffs and snatches the pad. “But I have to sit—”

“Behind me. I...

If what he told me is true, he’s been running all over hell’s half acre for the past few years. Operating a cattle ranch, dealing with hitmen, renovating a wing of the estate, and stalking me?

“I always loved seeing you wear my things.” His gaze lifts to the Stetson on my head.

And those jeans fit so low and provocatively around his hips I can see his religion.

I retreat another step, bumping into a chair. “What are you doing?”

“I’ll give you a few seconds to be single.” He bends his knees, putting his face in mine. “But don’t get used to it.”

“What’s that supposed...

“You’re about to be taken.” His expression smolders with ...

“...

“You’re ...

“No,” I say louder and push him back. “I’m not yours...

With a grin that bares my teeth, I do what I’ve done my entire life. I chase her.

“I’m going to sleep in here with you and stay at your side, because that’s what you need and that’s what I want.”

“I need to be alone.” Her gaze lowers to my chest and skitters away.

“You’ve been alone for six years.” I grip her chin and force her to l...

Conor Cassidy is utterly and completely unforgettable.

“I’m just going to talk. You don’t have to say anything.” I slide under the covers, keeping a couple of feet between us, and lie on my back. “I cleaned up the shitstorm and made it safer for you to be here than anywhere else. That means I’m not just letting myself hope for a future with you. I’m pursuing it with single-minded focus. And I will do things, jealous things, to sabotage your chances with any other man.”

Lips swollen and hair mussed, he gives me the full force of his eyes. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever kissed.”

It’s impossible to describe the bond we share. We’re too great for words. Too sacred. We’re a feeling that goes beyond starts and stops. We’re stronger than hellos and goodbyes and deeper than beginnings and ends.

We’re an existence that can’t be measured. It doesn’t matter where she is or what I’ve done. We’ll always come back to this place. A place that can’t be found on a map or a time line. Nothing in the world can touch us here.

“You’re mine, Conor Cassidy.”

“When you protect those you love, you do it with every breath in your body.”

“You said something to me in the barn.” I feather my fingers along the rigid shape of him through the cotton. “Do you remember? You pressed your lips—”

“Against your cheek. I wanted you to feel my voice when I said, I love you. I belong to you. No matter the time or distance, I’m yours.

Not everything’s meant to be, but Jake and I are inevitable. We’re knotted together, and damn if he doesn’t know how to tie a knot that withstands the test of time.

I fell in love with him when we were kids, before I understood the language of love. Tonight, I fall harder than ever before. With every kiss, glance, smile, and evocative word, he doesn’t just stitch my heart back together. He welds it to his own.

“We live and die by the choices we make.