A Desperado's Bride (Book Fourteen of the Brides of the West)

by Rita Hestand

  "That's easy, your husband's rich, and very beautiful wife." He added as his lips hovered over hers. "What do you think my chances are?"

  She turned on him suddenly like a viper.

  Almost cautiously, she eyed him with perception now. This woman was no idiot. She wouldn't be used. "You're a very good kisser, and certainly know how to seduce a woman, but there's more to this than meets the eye. You hardly know me." She came dangerously closer, her lips pursed. "Is it money, position, the ranch, or…me that you're after."

  He looked surprised but he veiled that from her.

  Knowing exactly what she wanted to hear he was clever. "I want it all, honey."

  "Now we're getting somewhere. You're honest too. I like that. It's refreshing." She laughed. "I'm glad you are. An affair like ours needs to be honest. I have to admit, I like the way you handle me, so far. I like your kisses, the look in your eyes when you look at me, and you have been looking. Haven't you?"

  "You know I have," He came close again.

  "So why haven't you finished unbuttoning my shirt and pants?" She panted. "I know you want me."

  "I certainly do that…" He smiled.

  "And I want to look at you," she moved to unbutton his shirt and run her hands inside, tweaking his nipples with her fingers.

  "I know that too…" He chuckled, stilling her hands. "But we hardly know each other."

  "Maybe, but we both know what we want…" She purred, as she kissed his chin, then went to spread her hand over his chest once more, her lips going where her hands had been.

  "You're very sure of yourself aren't you?" He smiled.

  "Aren't you?"

  "Yes," he breathed heavily and took her lips once more. "Besides, I know what you want too!"

  "What?" She barely whispered as his hand went to cup the full breast over her shirt. Her breasts were soft, and full and her nipples protruded from the soft material. She laid her head on his shoulder and moaned. He took a nipple between his fingers and squeezed hard. She gasped, but her face turned to a real smile. "You like to play rough, I see." She purred. "That's fine with me, the rougher the better."

  "How about you, you want Noah's land. You want to beat Hardin at his land game. What else do you want?"

  "I thought you knew! You!" She walked away from him, then turned around, posing once more for him in her tight clothes. "Any man that hooks up with me is going to have to be as ambitious as I am. I want land, money, riches, everything, and maybe even you! I like the way you kiss, and especially the way you look at me. I know hot desire when I see it. In that we are equal, I want you to, and the chase is liable to be very interesting. I don't mind you looking, I rather enjoy it. I know you want me. I can see that in your eyes. And in time, that will happen, because I want you too. I want you right now, right here. But…there's too many people around."

  "How do I look at you?" He asked, staring at her, all of her.

  "Like I'm a piece of candy." She chuckled. "Can you tear yourself away from that little waif at Noah's and meet me here tonight? We could talk, make plans and…. make love through the night. That is what you want, isn't it? To make love."

  He laughed aloud, "I don't play those kind of games."

  "What are you talking about?" She frowned instantly at his refusal.

  "I don't get tangled up with you until I'm sure we're on the same side honey. So…tell me a little something. Did you send those Indians over to Noah's place?"

  Her face reddened. She hadn't expected him to talk about that. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

  "Ya see, we are not on the same side yet. You want to play games with me, have a little fun in the hay. In other words, use me like the dumb cowboy you think I am, to get what you want. I know you lady. And if you want all of that from me, you're going to have to be more honest with me. You sent a pack of Indians over and only one had a rifle. Now what good does that do? If you're going to play this game, I want in on it. I want to know what you are doing, and when. And…I want you, all of you! And I don't share with anyone. Understand?"

  She threw back her head and laughed. "God, I like you. I hadn't planned on really liking you. And you are sexier than sin with you kisses and voice."

  "So level with me. We're wasting time." He smiled, and stared at her breasts. Her nipples pressed hard against the shirt now as she buttoned up once more.

  "You can button up, but you can't hide your reactions, look…"

  His eyes nodded at the nipples that saluted him.

  "You can't give all of them rifles. People would suspect!" She blurted. Startled by her own admission she covered her mouth. "All right so you know. What are you going to do about it?"

  "So you did send them over." He smiled and bent to kiss her sweet moist lips again. "And you are supplying them rifles."

  "Prove it!"

  "That's your game not mine. Noah's only one man, why don't you just take it from him?"

  "He's well respected in the community. I wanted to scare him out if I could. I don't seek to kill…unless I have to."

  He reached to pull her hard against him and bent his head to take her ruby lips. He inhaled the expensive cologne and he romanced her. She wound her arms around him and pressed herself hard against him, swooning with a slight moan when he finally released her. Her mouth fell open in surprise and he took her once more, their tongues meeting in a mutual dual. The imprint of her breasts pressed hard into his chest, as a button popped open and he got an even more provocative look at her. His hands went to her back and he pressed her hard against him, molding her to him and he groaned as his hands went around her. She was hard to resist; like Rebecca she knew how beautiful she was. And as a woman, all his male instincts had him trying to put on the brakes because he could easily take her. She was a real whore. But those thoughts sobered him. Even when her hot lips slid to his chest and she whispered. "I wish you'd reconsider about tonight."

  "I'll be back honey, you can bet on that." He whispered and patted her on the rump.

  Long moments later, she pulled away and smiled into his face, her chin and cheeks were ravaged by his beard and she was breathless from the implications of his stare.

  "You are a force to be dealt with Jace. And I'm just the lady who can deal with you." She said and pulled his head down for another sultry kiss. "You won't reconsider and come over tonight?" She pulled something out of her pocket, it was a red and black garter, she swung it around her finger. "I can certainly offer you more than that little dancehall slut you've been sleeping with."

  "I'd like nothing better, but I don't want Noah suspicious of us yet. No ma'am. But I'll be back…alone." he smiled and walked out of the barn with her garter that he stuck in his pocket. She followed slowly, staring at his back, still quite breathless.

  Jace walked back to the corral and stood on the gate watching Noah work with the animal. He didn't want to think about what he just did. He was going to have to find a way to prove she was supplying guns to the Indians. But how far would he have to go with her to find a way to prove it? She was a seductress, offering herself to men like she did. What a bitch she was to treat her husband like that. He had to control his own manly reactions to her. After all, she was a handful of woman. But, he couldn't let her get the upper hand. He had to keep her guessing until he could find proof.

  When she caught up to them she watched Noah but spoke with Jace.

  "You're a hell of a good kisser." She breathed in heavily. "I wonder what else you're good at."

  "So are you, honey." He winked. "And I'll be glad to show you, another time…"

  Noah walked over to them. "I need to take him home with me and work with him for a day. I'll send Jace back with him tomorrow afternoon." Noah's expression was bland and Jace knew he suspicioned what had gone on.

  She smiled brightly. "You'd do that for me, Noah?"

  "Sure why not, he's a fine animal."

  "Wonderful. And let me know what I owe you."

  "Sure," Noah looked from Jace to h
er. "We better get on back now."

  Jace nodded.

  "See you tomorrow then…" She smiled and walked back to the house. Knowing Jace was watching her, she swayed with every move. Jace gave her credit, not many men could resist that kind of sway.

  The ride back was quiet for a while, the Noah glanced at him. "So did you chase the hen around the barn, Jace?"

  Jace chuckled. "What makes you think that?"

  "Her face was kinda red and raw, like maybe…"

  Jace frowned. "She's a beautiful woman, Noah. Hard as hell to resist, too."

  He frowned and shook his head. "She's a married woman, Jace."

  He nodded, "I know. But I'm not sure she does."

  "Do you know what you are getting into?"

  "I think so." Jace answered. "Look, I'm only human, Noah."

  Noah stopped in the middle of the trail, "What about Jen?"

  "I'll settle up with Jen."

  "When?"

  "I don't know. When time permits, I guess."

  "You're gonna hurt that little gal and you know it. And I hate to see it." Noah barked. "She's had a lot of hard knocks Jace. She don't need any more. I know it's easy to get tangled up with a pretty woman who smells like heaven and purses her lips to invite your kisses, but use your head. She's wicked. And married!"

  "I know that, Noah, but things will work out all right. I promise."

  "Don't make promises you can't keep." Noah frowned and nudged his horse onward. "She's already got you wound around her finger, anyone can see that."

  Well, he'd done it, he'd convinced Noah and Jen. But had he sold Kate yet?

  That night at supper Noah was extremely quiet and Jen noticed. Jace wasn't doing much talking either.

  After eating Jace invited her outside, but she refused and went to bed early.

  Noah noticed and smiled. The girl wasn't a dummy; she knew something was up too. Good for her!

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next day Noah worked with the white stallion until he had him moving exactly as he wanted.

  The tension was running high between the three of them but no one said anything.

  After lunch Noah told Jace to take the Stallion back.

  Jace nodded. "All right."

  Jen shot Noah a glance but walked off.

  He saw the way Noah looked at Jen and it made him fret about what he was doing. He didn't like what he was doing nor the way he had to do it, but the sooner he put Mrs. William where she belonged, the better.

  But when he took the Stallion back, Mrs. Williams wasn't around. However, after he put the Stallion in the corral some of her men cornered him. Doug was front and center nursing a frown that wouldn't quit.

  "I put the stallion back, I'll be going now." He told them noting the way they were all standing around in a semi-circle, their feet wide apart, their hands itching.

  "We don't think so."

  "What do you mean?" Jace didn't have to ask, their doubled fists and big frowns told him he was in for a licking.

  "We think we need to learn you some manners." Doug said.

  Slim was with them and he was frowning too. There were five of them and he knew he couldn't take them all on. "You think we are going to let you romance her out from under the place and take what you want mister? Others have tried the same thing. A lot of others."

  "Now look boys."

  "We'll just have to learn him boys. He ain't got no better sense than to mess with married woman." Doug sneered.

  "She's not very married to me!" Jace chuckled.

  But he didn't get another word in edgewise.

  Doug clipped him in the stomach hard, then another commenced to hitting him on the chin. The pounding and hitting he took went on for what felt like hours. Strangely it made him feel better to get whipped. They were so right; he had been pretty evil about this. He'd gotten in a few blows himself, but there were too many and they knocked him totally out.

  He lay there in the hay for what seemed like an hour and then Kate ran up to him long after the men left.

  "Darling, what have they done to you!" She took him in her arms and cradled him. She kissed his forehead and held him against her, kissing his brow.

  "Your men got a hold of me." He finally managed, his lip bleeding all over her dress. "You better go get that dress soaked, I got to get back home."

  "I will not leave you like this! Who did it?"

  "It doesn't matter…"

  "Yes, tell me, I'll fire them…"

  "You'd fire your own brother?" He asked looking up at her.

  "She would if I would let her" Her husband wheeled his wheel chair about so he could see them both. "Who is this man?"

  "He works for Noah." She gritted her teeth to answer.

  "Fine, he'll be all right. You go on up to the house, Kate. We'll talk about this later." The man said, staring at Jace. "Now, want to tell me what happened here?" The man asked.

  Jace stood up slowly and looked at the man in the chair. He was fiftyish, with graying black hair and blue eyes. He was fair looking too, to Jace's surprise.

  "Her men worked me over. I guess they thought I was stealing the stallion. I came to bring him back for Noah." Jace explained.

  Kate stood close to the door.

  "Kate go in the house." Her husband demanded.

  "B-but…"

  "Go now."

  She stalked off, her frown speaking for her. But she turned to look at Jace. "I hope you are all right."

  "Thanks." Jace nodded.

  The man in the chair was staring at him now. "So young man, why don't you tell me the truth. My men wouldn't jump you like that for no reason."

  "I told you…"

  "No, you lied. You and Kate messing around?" He asked.

  "Not exactly." Jace answered facing the man now.

  "Then tell me exactly how it is. My name is Sam Williams; in case you don't know it. I'm her husband."

  "I know that. At least I assumed it."

  "Now that we have that out of the way, I want the truth."

  Jace stared at the man for a long moment. His gaze narrowed on the man. "Can you handle the truth?"

  "Yes, I can! All of it, and don't leave anything out."

  After sizing him up, Jace decided to level with this man because he already trusted him. "All right. Indians have been attacking Noah's place."

  "So?" His face held surprise not anger. He hadn't expected to hear this obviously.

  "So, one of them had a rifle."

  The man seemed to consider this information. "And what does that have to do with you romancing my wife?"

  "Everything!" Jace admitted. He never had been a good liar.

  "Go on, what's your name by the way?"

  "Jace Harrison." He told him.

  "Fine, go on…"

  "I think your wife is sending the Indians over there to terrorize Noah into selling his place. I think she's also giving the Indians guns, which if I'm not mistaken it's against the law." Jace held his jaw for a moment.

  "Have you any proof of this?" The man studied him.

  "Only what she admitted to me. She has been giving them a limited amount of guns. She admitted that, but that wasn't rock hard proof like I needed."

  "And how did you procure this confession?" He asked.

  "I romanced her, like you said, kissed her."

  "And exactly what do you plan on doing with this information?" He asked.

  "I'm going to let the Sheriff know."

  "I see. And…why are you confessing your sins to me now?"

  Jace stared at him squarely. "Because I think you deserve better, that's why."

  The man almost chuckled. "Well, I must say I've never met a more honest man than you sir. But, you don't even know me."

  "I've heard about you from others. I've heard about her too. Honestly, all I did was kiss her…"

  "You know I believe you. But I didn't know about the Indians and the guns. I didn't think she'd go that far." He seemed to study the situation. "S
he's wanted Noah's land for some time. I just didn't think she'd sink this low to get it."

  "I can't prove it, there was no one else to hear her. Noah Hawkes is a good man. He wouldn't hurt a fly unless he had to. That land has been in his family forever. I don't want to see her take it from him." Jace told him frankly.

  "What's your interest in this. Why does that matter to you; you are a stranger in these parts. Aren't you?"

  "No, I'm not. I used to live in these parts long ago. I had land taken from my folks a long time ago. I don't like seeing it happen to good people. I've been nursing a hate for ten years and found out recently it wasn't even necessary. Now it's happening to Noah, and I can't rest until it stops. I won't rest until it stops. Noah is my friend."

  The man eyed him. "By God! You're telling the truth, aren't you?

  "Yes sir, every bit of it."

  "Who are you?"

  "I'd rather not say. Not because of you or her, but because it could cause problems for someone that needs no more problems. But what I just told you is the truth."

  "Did my wife seduce you?"

  "Pretty much."

  "Are you in love with her?"

  "She's a beautiful woman. But, no sir. I'm in love with little Jen Carter." He said proudly.

  "Jen Carter…I've heard that name."

  "All of this has caused Jen a lot of heartache that I wanted to avoid, but I have to catch your wife and turn her over to the authorities. I need proof to do anything legal."

  Sam shook his head. "No, that won't be necessary."

  The man waited for that statement to sink in. "You see, they might put her in jail and keep her a while. But when she got out, she'd just keep on hurting others. No. I'll take care of this now. Myself. And thank you for telling me."

  "May I ask, what you're going to do?" Jace frowned at him.

  "I'm going to send her away, and about half my men who have fallen into her trap. I dare say that the ones that beat you up were the good guys. Doug will run this place, with my management. And I'll explain the circumstances you're involved in. He'll understand that. I've let her lose too long. She's hurting others now. I can't allow that. I've spoiled her. Given her everything. I'm sending her back to her folks, that don't want her either. She can live with them or find another sucker there." He smiled sardonically. "But it won't be me, or here."