Just a hint of what's to come for Dawson's Haven...

Just a hint of what is to come, as it seems a lot of readers are waiting. Just know that it takes a bit to get the story just how it needs to be for the character and the readers, but I hope this lets you know Dawson's Haven will be worth the wait!

Excerpt Dawson's Haven---The first kiss

                He took the bag from her and drew the straps apart and tilted it. A small light blue polished stone rolled into his hand and he held it out to her. She lifted it into her palm as he leaned ever closer, having never shared anything from the small leather bag with anyone before.

                “Turquoise. Polished it myself. For wisdom and protection. It’s…” Her cheek brushed against him once more and he stopped without finishing, wanting the kiss he hadn’t taken.

                Her breath was on his skin but as he leaned closer she pulled away, bounding to her feet and taking off on a run, turning back with a giggle, enticing him to follow. “Catch me and I will return your precious stone.”

                He chuckled. What was it with this woman, so carefree? He scrambled to his feet, giving chase, catching up to her in a few strides. He caught her around the middle and they fell into the high grass, his body across hers. Her laughter echoed through him as he studied her face and lips and settled his gaze on her wide hazel eyes.

                “Kiss me, Dawson McCade.” Her whisper filled his ears as she caught her breath.

                He wanted the kiss and he’d have it too. He placed his hand on her cheek, brushing the bruise that had faded, her skin flawless save a sprinkle of tiny freckles. He pressed his thumb across her lips and her gaze never left him as he touched her, though she wore a pleasant shade of pink. Her lips were plump and moist and—

                The impact of his mouth against hers made his heart race and his groin tighten. She was tender and parted her lips with little coaxing. Touching his tongue to hers, he wanted to consume all of her. Her warm mouth tasted of mint and her sigh of passion or surprise made him moan with the hard want of her. He rested his hand across her belly and slowly slid it to rest underneath her breast.

                She pulled from the kiss breathless, her breasts pushing against his chest and he continued his fervent kisses along her cheeks and across her jaw and to her neck. He raised his head, finding her gaze once more. It surprised him when she lifted her hand and tucked his hair behind his ear making him shiver. The sensation of her touch went clean through to his heart, warming his chest. He’d never wanted a woman as much, but more than that he wanted to know her mind and her thoughts. All of her…

                “My heart’s beating so fast.” She placed a hand to his chest. “I’ve thought of you so often.”

                He had no words, but touched her cheek again as Josie came close enough to drag her reins across them.

                She giggled and grabbed the reins. “Oh, Josie.”  

                “When you were at my cabin, I wanted this, to touch you, kiss you…” And he was falling ever deeper in admitting anything within his heart, knowing full better that she was too young and he had no lifestyle conducive to having a woman in it.

                “Then kiss me again, Dawson.” She ran her hands into his hair drawing him back to her lips.

                In spite of his thoughts, he lowered his mouth to hers, this time kissing her without mercy, tasting and letting his hands roam her body. Hell, he’d like to undress her here and now, taste the pert peeks of her breasts and then, take her as a man, not yielding until her legs quivered and she bowed beneath him in her first pleasure. And then he wanted to simply hold her and lie with her forever in a peaceful state of bliss and warmth he hadn’t known for a long time.

                He sat up abruptly, leaving her in the grass. Hell, he had to stop now or he’d do exactly what he was thinking. That was the problem, he wasn’t thinking was he?

                She sat up and opened her palm breathless. “Your stone.”

                He struggled to inhale enough air to recover and glanced at her, dragging a hand through his hair. He placed his hand under hers and closed her fist around the stone. “It’s yours now.”

                “Oh, no, I couldn’t. I mean it’s sacred.” She shook her head.

                “It is yours.” Some part of him he wanted her to have it, to keep something of him forever safe in her grasp.

                She leaned against his shoulder studying the stone. “What just happened between us?”

                How was he to answer a question like that? Hell, he was more unnerved by what hadn’t happened and the tightness of his buckskin trousers had relented little. He sucked in a much needed deep breath and glanced across the meadow having not felt what he was feeling ever before. “What would you want it to be?”

                The pink blush across her face hadn’t abated. “The beginning of something very beautiful.”

                He gave a slight chuckle and shook his head. “If you knew my thoughts, you’d run faster than you did from those Dog Soldiers.”

                She took his hand again. “I have no fear of you, Dawson McCade.”

                He smiled and stood, dragging her up beside him. “You should.”