Under Wraps

by Patricia Green

  Alex blinked hard, suddenly realizing he was dreaming, must be dreaming. He could smell her perfume again. It was torture to be so close to her and yet so far, even in a dream.

  "Come to me, Magdalena." He sat up and held his arms out to her.

  She shook her dark head. "No, Alejandro. You know I do not like the things you make me feel in your arms."

  Alex frowned deeply and snapped. "Then why are you here?"

  "I brought you a surprise, darling!" She turned and went to the door. When she came back she had a long length of chain held in her hands. At the end of the chain was a woman: Glee. She was manacled and shackled, much as Alex had been. Her hair was loose, flowing around her like a shining red-gold silk scarf, and she wore only a white silk chemisette and white silk pantaloons, both with blue-green ribbons the color of her eyes.

  Her expression was defiant until she saw Alex in the bed. Surprise then warred with fury in her eyes.

  Magdalena stood nearby, grinning with pleasure.

  "What have you done, Magdalena?" Alex asked.

  She tugged on the chain and Glee took a few more steps into the room. "I've solved our problem, husband!"

  He shook his head. "I do not understand. Why have you brought her here?"

  "Oh, Alejandro, my darling! She is for you! I bought her from a Sultan in Constantinople for you. Do you like her?"

  "You bought her for me, Magdalena? Why?" He got up from the bed and walked to the place where the two women stood. He saw Glee's eyes open wide and then narrow to slits at his nakedness.

  Magdalena put her hand on his bare chest. It was soft, like a tiny bird alighting for a split second, and then it was gone. Withdrawn from physical contact with him.

  "Alejandro, you are being thick on purpose, aren't you?"

  He frowned.

  Magdalena sighed. "I bought her for your bed, darling. You are a man and have needs. I do not wish to deny them, though I do not wish to satisfy them myself. So..." She gestured to the tall woman at her side.

  Glee shifted and her chains clanked and echoed through the room.

  "You bought me a whore?"

  Magdalena frowned slightly and shook her head. "No, no. They assured me that she was not a whore. She is virginal, in fact."

  "What foolishness is this!" Alex shouted.

  His wife pouted. A gesture he had always found too sweet to deny. "You don't like her," she said.

  Alex felt his hand go to touch Magdalena's dark head, but he withdrew it feebly. "She is beautiful, my love. I am very surprised, that's all."

  Magdalena dropped the chain to clap her hands, a child-like smile lighting her face. "Wonderful! I had so hoped that you would think her pretty. Her name is Merry, or Happy, or Glee, or something..."

  "Glee," Alex supplied, looking at the turquoise eyes that watched him.

  "Mmhmm," Magdalena went on. "Glee. And she doesn't speak Spanish or English, just Turkish, and a little bit of French. I thought you could communicate with her in French, Alejandro. Is that all right?"

  He nodded.

  "Good, because I've had the devil of a time with her so far. But she is very pretty, isn't she?" Magdalena didn't seem to require an answer. "And, they told me she was well-trained in the harem. Trained to, well, you know... Please you."

  "But you said she was-"

  "I asked the same question, darling. She hasn't been used, but she has been trained. Books or some such." Alejandro's wife clapped her hands again and grinned. "And look, my love..." She moved to stand in front of the chained girl and untied three of the blue-green ribbons on the white silk chemisette. With a tug, Magdalena exposed a creamy white globe topped with pink.

  "Pink!" Magdalena exclaimed, gesturing toward a rapidly hardening nipple. "Have you ever seen pink nipples before?" she asked, ignoring the red flush that crept over her captive, and not waiting for Alex's comment. "Oh! How silly of me. Of course you must have, darling. I know you been with others before me."

  "Magdalena," he tried. This was becoming absurd and even cruel. Glee looked humiliated. Her jaw had a stubborn set.

  "Oh, and one more lovely thing!" Magdalena gushed. Swiftly, she untied the top of the girl's pantaloons. "Her hair is really red, my love. Really! See?" She looked smug. "I'll bet that's something you've never had before!"

  Alex smoothed his dark hair back from his face, and turned back toward the bed. "Don't show me anymore. I've seen enough."

  "But don't you want to unwrap her, Alejandro?"

  He heard the pout in her voice, though he had turned from the harshness of what she had done. He turned back.

  "Unwrap..." he began, then saw the brass key his wife was holding in the open palm of her hand. He took the key, and Magdalena smiled, gliding toward the door.

  "Enjoy your gift, darling," she said sweetly. "And if she isn't quite what you want, well then, I'll find you another. And another, and another, until you are happy. As many as you want or need, my love, as long as you never do those things to me again." She shuddered delicately. Her dark gaze went to the redhead sympathetically. "I hope that those books taught you to how to like it, dear. Otherwise..." She shrugged and left.

  Alex waited for the door to close, and then went to Glee and unlocked her hands and feet. She immediately tied her undergarments back in place and then stood rubbing her wrists.

  Alex told her that he wouldn't hurt her in English. She looked at him strangely. He tried again in French, and she snorted her disdain.

  "What I am here for, if not for you to hurt I?" she said in poor French.

  "My wife bought you to relieve her of her wifely duty to share my bed."

  Glee eyed him from head to toe and back again. "Why, if you no hurt?"

  Alex shrugged. "Does it matter?"

  "Stupid woman," she said.

  He couldn't help his smile. "She wouldn't like to hear you say that." Alex reached for a slim wrist and inspected it for damage. A little redness was all he found, and he knew that would pass. "You don't have to stay here, you know."

  She bit a full lower lip. "Where go I?"

  "I could send you back to the harem, if you'd like-"

  "No," she replied vehemently. "No."

  "No?" he asked, curious about her fear. "Were you mistreated?"

  She withdrew her hand and walked toward the bed, testing it with gentle pressure. "They just give I someone else. Maybe someone ugly or hurt I. I stay here, please."

  The impact of her turquoise gaze as she asked to stay was like a physical blow. Alex felt his breath catch. He couldn't respond to her request, he was too captivated by her eyes.

  She must have thought he was hesitant to keep her. A few steps brought her close enough for him to smell her spicy perfume. The girl went to her knees and took his hand, touching it to her forehead in supplication.

  "Please, no send I back." Her gaze met his again. "I give you happy. I try very hard."

  Again he only looked at her. His tongue just wouldn't move.

  "Oh, please!" she begged. "I learn many somethings in harem. I give you feel very good." Tears formed in her upturned eyes. She stood and desperately began pulling at the ties to her clothing, ripping ribbons when she couldn't untie them fast enough. Soon she was bare. Alex could only stare at her, feeling a quickening in his groin, a pulsing throb of desire.

  She pressed her smooth body against him, rubbing her hard-tipped breasts against his furry chest, standing on tip-toe to gyrate her hips against his. Glee was tall. Alex didn't have to bend so far as usual to kiss her.

  At first, she was clumsy, obviously not knowing how to respond to the pressure of his mouth, but she was smart as well. By the time their kiss ended, Alex felt as though his toes were curled.

  He backed her toward the bed and sank with her into its softness. With hands, lips, and tongue, he explored her. She was honey-sweet and soft as rose petals.

  When she captured his hot phallus in her cool hands, Alex gasped. "I dance you now," she whispered.

  He was puz
zled, but allowed her to push him onto his back. During the half-hour that followed, she brought Alex to the brink and then calmed him over and over again. Her mouth, hands, and teeth were everywhere. His skin tingled in every hidden place, and burned where she had lashed him with her tongue.

  When he could no longer stand to wait, he rolled her over. "Now," he said, smiling. "Let's dance together, querida."

  A flash of fear crossed her delicate features as she slowly opened her legs for him. "Slow, please. No hurt I."

  His thumb stroked the pink bud of pleasure hidden in her woman-flesh, and she gasped. The fear left her and he felt her relax again.

  Hot moisture enveloped him as he probed her tightness with gentle caution. Before the half-way point, he felt the barrier. He kissed her and trailed his lips to her ear.

  "It must hurt, sweetheart, for just a moment. But only once, and then never again."

  Tears formed in her eyes again. "I afraid. You too big. Hurt I."

  Alex frowned, not quite understanding. "Am I hurting you now?"

  She shook her head.

  He smiled. "Then you must trust me. The pain will go away quickly." Her expression was unfathomable, her turquoise eyes moist. "Hold me close, querida."

  Her arms tightened around his neck, and her legs wrapped around his hips. Alex lowered his mouth to hers and lunged forward with his hips. He felt Glee stiffen and a scream rose in her throat. ¡Dios! The barrier did not break. He lunged again, harder this time, and she pushed against him, sobbing. The membrane remained intact.

  Alex's breath was coming in gasps. "Forgive me, mi amor," he said, not really knowing what to do or say. He kissed her tears away, and held her tightly until her sobs abated somewhat. "I'll try something else."

  It made no sense. How could this be happening? Alex's heart was sinking and his panic was rising. He didn't want to hurt her, only to cherish her, to join with her in the ultimate caress. How ironic that she was so willing in spirit, and yet her body resisted so painfully.

  He lifted her hips, holding her round bottom in his hands. She gripped his forearms, bracing for another painful onslaught. Her eyes were squeezed shut.

  Alex said a silent prayer and thrust with all the might of his powerful thighs.

  * * * *

  "Alex!" Someone was shaking him, and his chains clanked against the wall. "Alex, wake!"

  One tawny eye opened, and Hakki smiled at him. Alex didn't know whether he was more grateful to be delivered from a nightmare or irritated to be interrupted during an erotic dream. It didn't matter, he was awake.

  He sat up on the army cot, pushing dark hair out of his eyes. Hakki sat down in the middle of the jail cell. Weak sunshine streamed in through the single high window. It was the only cell in Fort Bridger, and not nearly so uncomfortable as the one at Fort Kearny had been. But the food was sparse, and Alex's stomach rumbled.

  Hakki laughed and handed a small napkin-wrapped bundle over. "You are a big man, Alex Pacheco. I know they do not serve big meals, so I brought some food."

  Alex smiled and opened the blue and white cloth. "Biscuits!" He could smell the butter and honey that coated them. "Ah, amigo, I could kiss you."

  "Save your affection for someone who would appreciate it," Hakki returned. "I came to tell you that we stay here another night."

  Alex swallowed. "Another? Why? Is something wrong?"

  Hakki shrugged. "I do not know. Fletcher said there is Indian trouble, and we must be sure it is safe before we leave. Another night and the soldiers will have them subdued. Also, we exchange the pack mules for oxen, wagon and horses again."

  Alex nodded. "We've got another mountain range to cross before we are in Salt Lake City. The Wasatch."

  "Yes, but it is not so barren and difficult as the last. Fletcher says it is as 'easy as mounting a whore.'" He shrugged. "I only know it is another five days to the city."

  "And another five days until Fletcher turns me over to the officials there. I've got to get out of here," Alex mused aloud.

  "Will they not see that you are not Esteban Garcia? Surely they will know the difference."

  Alex remained skeptical. "You, yourself, said that picture on the poster was me. They can't convict me for looking like the man if I can prove I was somewhere else. But, unfortunately, I can't prove where I was. No amount of legal wisdom will keep me from hanging without proof."

  "I will see that you have a good legal advisor, Alex. Even though she is angry, my mistress is fair."

  "I don't need your help, Hakki. Gracias. I studied the law at University. I can represent myself. Besides," he pointed out bitterly, "Glee wouldn't give a bent pin to help me. If she'd had a gun, she'd have shot us when we caught her with Amina."

  "'Caught her?'" Hakki repeated.

  "At the hot pool." Alex shook his head, disillusionment twisting his mouth. "No one likes being interrupted."

  Hakki nodded. "True. But we left and she was able to finish. I am sure she harbors no resentment about that."

  It took a force of will for Alex to lose his mental image of Glee and Amina embracing in the pool, and further, to erase the lingering web of his cruel dream. His ego was aching. First his wife abhorred his touch, and now this fiery redhead. It was agonizing to think that Glee had used him for some damned intellectual exercise—probably comparing men lovers to women. It seemed that the women he was most drawn to emotionally were destined to stab him, one way or another.

  He refused to believe that he'd so misread Glee. She did react to his kisses, his touch. He was sure of it. He needed to prove to her that he was who he said he was; that would bring her back into his arms. That Glee was too stubborn to see reality was a problem, but if he could just break free of Fletcher, Alex knew things would be different. Her mind was so façile, so clever, surely she would come around in time. If only he had time.

  Damn! Why couldn't he just forget about her?

  Chapter 19

  Two more days passed before they left Fort Bridger. The leaders of the Indian raids had not been captured as early as hoped.

  Fletcher was still roaring drunk from the night before, and they had a half-day false start. It took the balance of that day to correct their route, and they were still off the trail. The sun set an hour before they stopped to make a camp. They'd have to rise extra early the next morning to go the rest of the way back to the trail. An entire day had been wasted. A day they couldn't afford. Winter gray was often in the sky, and everyone could taste more snow in the air.

  Glee was furious, threatening not to pay Fletcher, but he didn't seem to care.

  "Got me a $5,000 bill right here, lady," he said, gesturing to Alex. "I ain't got no need for yer money. Though you could pay me fer my trouble another way," he leered.

  Hakki rose to Glee's defense, even as Alex took advantage of the heightening altercation and reached for Fletcher's rifle. Alex pointed the weapon at the two men and spoke softly.

  "Argue another time, amigos. Right now, put your hands in the air."

  Glee gasped.

  "You too, bella," he directed at Glee. "And call Amina and Erdogan from their duties."

  "I won't help you," she said, hands on hips, eyes flashing defiantly.

  "I'll have to kill them if they run to your aid, Glee," Alex told her. "Surely you don't want that."

  Her face fell. "Amina! Erdogan!" she called. "I need you to help me here."

  Amina stuck her head out from the tent flap, and Erdogan crawled out of the wagon. Erdogan squealed when he noticed Alex pointing Fletcher's rifle.

  "Calm down, Erdogan," the big man snapped. Erdogan sobbed, but tried to be more quiet. "Bueno. Now go to Hakki and take the keys from his pocket. Front right."

  Erdogan did as instructed and then followed Alex’s gestures to release his feet from the shackles.

  "You won't get away with this," Glee threatened. "I'll send the army out to find you, you murdering dog! Just see if I don't!"

  Alex flexed his ankles carefully, and smiled at Glee
. "I know you won't, querida. Because you'll be with me."

  "Like hell I will!" she countered.

  Alex laughed. "Ah, Glee, I am pleased that you are talking to me again. It has been a long time since I heard your sweet voice."

  Glee's face darkened, and her hands knotted to fists. "I hate you! I hope you rot in hell, Alex Pacheco!"

  "Muchas gracias. You remembered my name." His tawny gaze went to Amina, who flinched. "I won't hurt you, Amina," he said. "But I want you to come and get these shackles, and fetch the manacles as well. I want to see how Fletcher likes wearing them for a while."