To Tempt a Rogue

by Connie Mason

  It was becoming increasingly difficult for Kit to sleep in the same room with Ryan. She waited now in dread for him to come to bed. She had retired early, as was her habit, preferring solitude to sitting around listening to the men’s vulgar talk. She heard Ryan’s footsteps approach the hut, and she closed her eyes, pretending sleep. But some perverse imp inside her made her watch as he undressed.

  During her years with the gang she’d been exposed to various parts of men’s bodies without being affected by the sight. Mostly she’d been disgusted, but there was nothing disgusting about Ryan’s body. For one thing it was clean. Rippling muscles and bulging biceps made it evident that Ryan Delaney was not the kind of outlaw who sat around between robberies guzzling whiskey and growing soft. He looked like a man who didn’t fear physical labor.

  A beam of moonlight filtering through the dirty window revealed more of Ryan than Kit wanted to see, but she couldn’t close her eyes. When Ryan shrugged out of his pants, she was shocked to see that he was naked. She’d expected to see him in long Johns, but obviously the heat had convinced him to discard them. In the brief moment before he climbed into his bedroll, he paused and stretched. Her breath caught in her chest when she saw the hard mounds of his buttocks and sculpted length of his powerful thighs. As if aware of her scrutiny, Ryan turned slightly, giving her a full view of his lean stomach and that dark place between his thighs where his male appendage hung full and heavy from a thick nest of black hair.

  She bit her tongue to keep from gasping aloud. She didn’t know if he realized she was watching him, but it no longer mattered, for Ryan had crawled into his bedroll and turned away from her. She knew Billy and the others slept fully clothed and realized that Ryan was an enigma. Nothing he said or did placed him in the same category as the Bartons.

  Kit lay awake a long time, fantasizing about making a life with Ryan. But living outside the law wasn’t the kind of life she intended for herself. Even knowing that Ryan was an outlaw didn’t stop her from imagining what it would be like having him permanently in her life. Of course it would mean discarding her disguise and exposing herself as a woman, but she’d contemplated doing just that for a long time. She was old enough and independent enough now to make a life for herself. She didn’t need Lex to protect her. Thinking about Lex presented another problem. She needed to find out soon what had become of him.

  Before she fell asleep she decided that no matter how attracted she was to Ryan, he was an outlaw and definitely not the kind of man with whom she wanted to spend a lifetime.

  “We’re runnin’ outta tequila,” Billy complained the following day after a breakfast of cold biscuits and leftover venison.

  “We could ride over the border and get some real whiskey,” Clank suggested.

  “It’s too dangerous,” Billy argued. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the posse is still searchin’ for us. We’re gonna have to quench our thirst with the rotgut from town.”

  “Suits me,” Durango grunted. “I’ve been hankerin’ for a woman again.”

  “What about you, Ryan? You game for a trip into town? You passed on the women last time. You oughta be ripe now.”

  “Sure, I’m game,” Ryan said. “How about you, Kit? I’ll show you the ropes if you’re shy.”

  Kit sent him a malevolent look. “No, thanks. I ain’t anxious to get the clap.”

  “The women are clean,” Billy claimed. “Mount up, boys, I aim to be the first in line.”

  “Come on, Kit,” Ryan said, yanking her up by the collar. He didn’t know what devil made him do it, but he wanted to see how Kit would react under duress. Of course he would intervene before she was actually exposed as a female, but he couldn’t resist having a little fun with Kit.

  “You’re going,” he said, dragging her to her horse and tossing her into the saddle. Keeping her reins in his hands, he mounted his own horse and joined the others as they rode out of camp. He gave Kit no chance to protest as he kept a tight hold on her horse’s reins.

  “I ain’t going in there,” Kit muttered when they dismounted before the cantina a short time later.

  Ryan had intended to let her off the hook once they reached town, but he hadn’t counted on Billy’s interference.

  “It’s time you had a woman,” Billy insisted. “You’re a grown man … almost,” he added, eyeing her smooth chin. “I had my first woman at thirteen. I know you’re older than that. Haul your ass inside and pick out a woman.”

  Ryan could tell that Kit was beginning to panic. Her blue eyes were rolling wildly, as if she were searching for a place to hide. Her face was white, and she looked as if she wanted to vomit.

  Deliberately he went to Kit and placed an arm around her shoulders. He felt her quaking and wished he’d kept his mouth shut back at camp and left Kit to her own devices. He’d never been consciously cruel to a woman, and he didn’t intend to start now.

  “Tell you what,” he said, thinking fast. “I’ll go last and take young Kit here inside with me. Kind of show the boy the ropes.”

  Billy shrugged. “Suits me, as long as Kit gets initiated proper like.” He turned to Kit. “Don’t look so scared, kid. Once you’ve had it you’ll be wantin’ it regular like. Lex should have seen to your education a long time ago.”

  “Bastard!” Kit hissed when the men entered the cantina, leaving her alone with Ryan.

  “Don’t worry,” Ryan said. “It won’t be as bad as you think. Trust me.”

  “Trust you!” Kit spat. “If you only knew …” Her mouth clamped tightly shut, refusing to say more.

  Ryan could add nothing to that. They sat in silence until Billy came out of the cantina, carrying several bottles of tequila. He stuffed them in his saddlebags and walked over to join them.

  “As soon as Durango’s finished, Lolita will be free. Unless you’d rather have Carmen.”

  “Lolita will do just fine,” Ryan said. He pulled Kit to her feet. “Come on, brat. Watch carefully, you’re bound to learn something. You and the boys can go back to the camp,” Ryan said to Billy. “Don’t know how long we’ll be.”

  “We’ll wait,” Billy said, smirking. “I wanna see the kid’s face when Lolita gets through with him.”

  Ryan nodded and dragged Kit off with him just as Durango strutted out the cantina door and walked toward them. Lolita was waiting inside for them. She motioned them toward the curtained alcove, smiling beguilingly at Kit.

  “Does the little hombre want to go first?” Lolita asked in halting English.

  Clank came out from behind the second curtain, winking at them. “Good luck, kid,” he said. “Lolita will treat you right.”

  Ryan thought Kit looked green around the gills, so he quickly hauled her behind the curtain and shoved her into the only chair in the squalid room.

  “I can’t,” Kit gasped, looking away as Lolita began removing her camisa and skirt.

  “That’s enough, Lolita,” Ryan said, placing a hand on the whore’s arm to stop her. “We’ve changed our minds.”

  Lolita looked from Ryan to Kit, her dark brows raised. “You do not want Lolita? Billy said to show the young hombre a good time. That it’s his first time.”

  Ryan dug in his vest pocket and produced a five dollar gold piece. Lolita’s eyes sparkled when he flashed it before her. “This is more money than you can earn in half a year, Lolita,” Ryan said. “It’s yours if you do as I say.”

  Lolita eyed him warily, then dropped to her knees before him, her hands on the buttons of his fly. “Is this what you want, senor?”

  Kit reddened and looked away as Ryan hoisted Lolita none too gently to her feet. “No, it’s not what I want. The coin is to buy your cooperation and your silence. If Billy or the others ask, you’re to tell them you showed us both a good time. Is that clear?”

  “You don’t want Lolita?” the woman repeated, pouting.

  “Another time. Kit isn’t feeling well. But I want the others to think we both enjoyed you. Do you understand?”

  “Si, se
nor, I understand. You are very generous. When your compadre is feeling better, I will show you both the very best time. And I will tell no one what has passed between us.”

  Ryan tossed the coin at Lolita. She caught it handily and slipped it into her pocket. “Much obliged, Lolita,” Ryan said, tipping his hat. “You can go through the back door if you’d like. Kit and I will sit here a while longer before joining the boys.”

  Lolita did not argue as she slipped through the curtained alcove and out the back door.

  “Why?” Kit asked, looking stunned.

  “I don’t believe in making someone do something they don’t want to do,” Ryan said. “You’re just a kid. There’s plenty of time to do this.”

  “But… you didn’t… didn’t Lolita appeal to you?”

  “Let’s just say I wasn’t in the mood,” Ryan said. “This was a bad idea. I don’t like anyone watching when I take a woman.”

  “Can we go now?” Kit asked, obviously uncomfortable with her surroundings.

  “I reckon it’s time.” He stopped before her, hands on hips. “Just remember,” he said by way of warning, “I don’t plan on sticking around long. What if Lex doesn’t come back? Who is going to protect you?”

  Kit’s chin shot upward. “I can take care of myself.” She glanced at the rumpled bed and grimaced in distaste. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “How did it go?” Billy asked, grinning at Kit. “Did Ryan show you how it’s done?”

  “He probably still don’t know. I bet his little pecker shriveled up the minute Lolita spread her legs,” Durango guffawed.

  That remark produced a round of laughter that increased as Kit’s face reddened.

  “Knock it off,” Ryan barked. “Kit did just fine for his first time.”

  The tittering continued as they mounted up and rode off.

  Chapter 3

  The situation was becoming desperate. Kit felt as if her world was disintegrating. She placed the blame for her distress squarely on Ryan Delaney’s shoulders. The man was simply too attractive, too big, too male for her physical well-being. He disturbed her in ways she never thought possible. He made her aware of her femininity and put ideas in her head that she’d never before entertained, let alone imagined.

  Ryan had only to give her one of his beguiling smiles and turn his sexy green-eyed gaze on her, and she all but melted into her boots. Kit knew how dangerous it was to remain with the Bartons. Fear of being unmasked rode her mercilessly. Without Lex to protect her, she risked being exposed as a woman, and that didn’t bear thinking about. Even more worrisome was the peril Ryan presented to her very existence. Her attraction to him could become her undoing.

  Kit soon realized it was imperative that she leave the Bartons. Nevertheless, she couldn’t bring herself to leave until she learned what happened to Lex. She surprised the gang one day by announcing that she was going to Tombstone to inquire about Lex’s fate.

  “It’s too dangerous,” Billy said, dismissing her words with a careless wave of his hand.

  “I need to know,” Kit insisted. “No one paid much attention to me during the robbery. I can sneak in and out of town without anyone the wiser.”

  “No,” Billy said firmly.

  “I’ll go with Kit,” Ryan offered.

  “I don’t know,” Billy contended. “Your face is as well known as ours.”

  “Not without the beard,” Ryan claimed.

  “I’m going no matter what you say,” Kit said, firming her jaw. “Lex and I were together a long time. I need to know what’s become of him.”

  “Clank will go,” Billy decided. “He’s the least likely to be recognized. What do you say, Clank?”

  “Sure, boss. I’ll leave as soon as I get my gear together. Two days to Tombstone, two days to return, and another to find out what happened to Lex. Look for me in five days. Anything you want while I’m in Tombstone?”

  “Yeah,” Durango growled. “Some decent whiskey.”

  “Chewin’ tobaccy,” Billy added. “Wouldn’t mind a few tins of peaches, either. Buy them, Clank, don’t steal them. Don’t want no more trouble in Tombstone.”

  Clank grinned. “Don’t worry, boss, I sure as hell don’t want to end up like Lex.”

  Kit watched with trepidation as Clank packed supplies in his saddlebags and left camp. She had a bad feeling about Lex, and each day without word from him only added to her worries. Lex wasn’t the best of brothers, but he was all she had.

  Ryan felt a pang of pity for Kit. She looked so woebegone when Clank left that he wanted to put his arms around her and comfort her. But he knew where that would lead. Despite her rough speech and masculine clothing there was a fragile vulnerability about Kit that made him want to protect her. He admired her courage; it took an extraordinary woman to carry off a charade as long as Kit had. He’d never known a woman with Kit’s remarkable fortitude. Not for the first time he wondered about her background, and he made a silent vow to find out where Kit had come from and exactly what she was to Lex Johnson.

  “I wouldn’t get my hopes up about Lex,” Ryan said, placing an arm around Kit’s shoulders. She stiffened and removed his arm.

  “You think he’s dead, don’t you?” Kit asked.

  “He was seriously wounded. Even if he recovers he’s bound to be tried and convicted. I know Lex means a lot to you but I think you should expect the worst.”

  “I can take it,” Kit said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

  “Will you stay with the Bartons if Lex … doesn’t make it back?”

  “I hadn’t thought that far into the future,” Kit hedged.

  “You’re just a kid. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Get out while you can,” Ryan advised. “You don’t belong with hardened criminals.”

  “And you do?” Kit taunted.

  “More than you.” He wanted to say more but was wary. If he let on that he knew Kit was a woman, he might draw Billy’s attention to her and that was too dangerous. It could lead to more trouble than he could handle by himself. The longer the Bartons thought Kit was a boy, the safer she’d be.

  The following days passed slowly. Kit kept herself busy planning for her eventual departure. She intended to leave the camp disguised as a boy and arrive at her destination dressed as a woman. Lex had purchased women’s clothing for her on one of his trips across the border, and she’d kept the articles hidden in a wooden crate beneath her boy’s togs.

  Kit felt confident that none of the Bartons would recognize her dressed as a woman. Confident enough to return to Tombstone as Kathryn O’Shay. Kitty, for short. Her mother’s name had been O’Shay before she’d married Deke Johnson, and the few people that mattered had known she wasn’t Deke’s daughter. She reckoned few people in Tombstone would remember Deke, Rena, or Kitty after all this time.

  Clank returned to camp five days after he’d ridden off. Billy spoke with him privately, away from the others. Kit was on pins and needles as she watched them converse in low tones. She was about to barge in on the conversation when Billy called her to join them. From the corner of her eye she saw Ryan fall into step behind her.

  “The news ain’t good, kid,” Billy warned.

  “I didn’t expect it would be,” Kit returned. Her gaze shifted to Clank. “Lex is dead, isn’t he?”

  “Sorry, kid. He died there in the street. Talked to the undertaker myself. Lex was shot through the heart and was probably dead before he hit the ground. He didn’t suffer none, in case you’re wonderin’.”

  Kit ducked her head and nodded. It wouldn’t do to let the Bartons see her trembling lower lip. Men didn’t cry.

  “Much obliged, Clank,” she said raggedly as she turned away. “Reckon I’ll go on down to the stream and fetch some water.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Ryan offered.

  “No! I want to be alone,” she added more reasonably.

  “Let the kid be,” Billy said. “Him and Lex were best buddies. I reckon he ain’t learned yet th
at it never pays to get too close to anyone in this business.”

  Kit could feel Ryan’s gaze on her as she headed down to the stream. She didn’t want him to follow. She didn’t want anyone to see how frightened she was without Lex to protect her. From the time she was thirteen she’d had no one but Lex to rely upon. For six years Lex had kept her safe and seen that her belly was full when she was hungry. Well, Kit acknowledged, as safe as Lex could make it given the reckless life they led. She had literally grown up in his careless custody. He had taught her to ride and shoot and cuss like a man. He had disguised her as a boy and taught her to survive in hostile territory when they joined up with the Bartons.

  Kit reached the stream and sat down on a rock to contemplate her uncertain future. Lex was gone, and her entire life was suddenly without direction. She didn’t want to cry over a scoundrel like Lex, but she couldn’t help it. She realized that remaining with the Bartons now was tantamount to sitting on a powder keg in the middle of a forest fire. She knew instinctively that it was time to leave. She’d lay her plans, bide her time, and sneak away when the time was right. There were so many things to consider and so little time to do it. Her head spun with ideas, some quickly discarded as unworkable. If only she could trust Ryan. But she couldn’t. He was an outlaw. He was no more trustworthy than the Bartons. Drying her eyes, Kit returned to camp, determined to leave her life of crime behind.

  Ryan felt a curious relief when he saw Kit returning to camp. He wondered if she loved Lex Johnson and realized she must have. Few women would remain so long with a man they didn’t love. Kit couldn’t have been more than a child when she took up with Lex, he speculated. Dimly he wondered what would make a girl leave home and take up with an outlaw. It just didn’t make sense. Unless …

  Could it be? His senses reeled with sudden comprehension. Had the woman he sought been under his nose the whole time? That notion gave Ryan an entirely new perspective on the situation. One that bore investigating.

  That night Ryan decided to question Kit more thoroughly about Lex and Kathryn. He waited until supper was over and she sought her bed before following her into the hut. He was determined to solve this mystery.