Glee's eyes widened. She was supposed to get up on that?
He laughed at her look. "I assure you this works."
The deep sound of his voice sent a thrill into her belly. She rose up then carefully lowered herself, enjoying the increasing sense of fullness as she let herself down.
"Ah, si," he said. "Now, imagine I am your stallion and ride me, mi corazón."
Tentatively, she rocked her hips, and the pleasure was intense. "Oh, Alex," she sighed. "I might just die."
He directed her hips as she rocked again and again, rising slightly then coming down again on each stroke. His hands found her breasts and kneaded, teasing her ruched nipples unmercifully.
The magical fullness crept up Glee's body like a flower blooming open, and she moaned for there were no words for how she felt. When she was sure she could stand it no more, when the sensation was too bright, the sparks burst into flame and she was engulfed with hot satisfaction.
"Yes, querida! My beautiful Glee," Alex whispered, watching her arch her back as she pulsed around him. He encouraged her to ride faster, harder, his own pleasure so near, so near. Soon, his hips rose from the bed as a growl of fulfillment left his lips, and once again Glee marveled at the way she could feel him spill his love inside of her. She folded over him and rested her head on his softly furred chest.
He held her tight. How he would mourn when they parted! It didn't bear thinking. He would enjoy each moment they had together and then return to his many responsibilities. It was obvious that she enjoyed him as much as he enjoyed her; perhaps she would agree to become his mistress after all. She deserved more, but there was no more he could give. The guilt ate at him.
"I must see to our provisions for the ride to my rancho."
"Oh, merde," she pouted. "You make such a fine pillow, too."
He laughed. "I'll be back shortly, and then you may use me again."
She popped her head up. "Any way I want?"
He nodded with a cat's grin. "I am your servant, Miss Montrose."
"In that case," she pushed herself off of him regretfully. "I'll make a list."
Alex laughed deeply. What a delight!
"Would you like me to send the seamstress while I'm out? I do not think you'll be wearing that filthy sack again."
She bit her lip. "Yes. Maybe she'll have some ready-mades she can fit me with." Her eyes twinkled as she caught his yellow-gold gaze. "Loose ones."
Alex snorted. "Mujer obstinada." Obstinate woman.
Her smile was entirely unrepentant.
* * * *
He dressed and left soon after. Glee rummaged around in the one trunk left to her—her "princess" trunk—and found some incredibly decadent, translucent pink silk underclothes and a clingy embroidered lavender gauze robe to throw over them. The caress of the slinky fabrics on her skin made her tremble. How different things were when one had a lover! Every tender touch seemed that much more intimate.
When two servants came to remove the bath tub and clean up the floor, she protected her modesty by directing the enterprise from behind a navy blue bed curtain. It was awkward, but it worked.
Not long after they left there was another knock on the door. Assuming it was the seamstress, Glee opened the door wide then shrieked and fetched the comforter from the bed to hold in front of her.
"Pardon, Señora Pacheco," the portly older man said, smiling in the doorway. "I am Diego Vasquez, physician to the Pacheco family for many years. I did not mean to frighten you."
Had Alex sent a physician? "Come in, Don Vasquez," she offered. “I was just expecting the seamstress. I’m afraid I’m not exactly decent.”
"I will not take much of your time, Señora," he said, leaving the door ajar behind him as was appropriate. "I came to offer my felicitations on Don Alejandro's marriage." He smiled. "But I see he is not here!"
"He's gone out to g-"
"But no matter! I am so pleased to meet his new wife!" He scratched his gray beard as he rattled on quickly. "I thought the wedding was not until next week, but I am an old man and too forgetful."
Glee blushed to her roots. Then realized what Vasquez had said. Wedding?
“Next week,” she repeated dully.
“Ah well… Your secret is safe with me, Señora. I have been a physician for so long, I believe I have seen everything,” he said with a wink.
Glee was stunned. Alex planning a wedding? That batârd! Not a wedding to her, that was for sure! The incredible nerve of him to use her while all the time his wedding was being planned! Fury made her whole body hot. "Well, thank you, Doctor, but-"
"Now what is your name, Señora? It was on the invitation… Linda, Laura…"
"My name is Glee, but-"
"Glee? No, that's not right." He frowned with frustration. "But of course, you would know." He laughed. "So you and Alex eloped, eh? Just could not wait for the formalities."
"Actually, Doctor-"
"My wife and I wanted to elope as well," he told her. "We did not, but that did not stop us!" He laughed again.
Frustrated at not being able to get in a word, Glee tried a little more forcefully this time. "But I'm not-"
"Of course not!" He expounded. "Not yet! But children will come, chica. You will see."
Oh really, she thought, giving up. Let the old coot think what he wants. It won't change anything.
"Well, I saw Alejandro pulling things off a wagon in the street a hour ago, and thought I'd come up and see him. Then when the clerk told me it was Mister and Missus Pacheco, well, what a surprise! I am on my way out to Asuymas for a visit and to stay for the wedding. You will still be having the fiesta, no?"
"It seems-"
He nodded. "Of course you will! Donna Lucia, Alejandro's mama, will stand for no less. And the priest can say the vows properly." He reached for Glee's hand and patted it paternally. "I will tell them I saw you here."
Alex's real marriage plans would be ruined if his family heard of him eloping with a new intended. Glee had to think fast. Alex was going to kill her, but there really was no decision to make. After his perfidy, he deserved whatever mayhem she could dish out.
"Wait!" Glee said quickly. She ran to her chest and pulled out a fine, hand-painted silk scarf in crimson, white, and gold, folding it neatly as she hurried back over to Doctor Vasquez.
For once he was quiet. "Please, Doctor, will you give this to Donna Lucia with my good wishes? I think she might be a little miffed at Alex and me for jumping the gun." She smiled sweetly.
Vasquez laughed. "Of course! And do not worry. She knows Alejandro well. She will understand why you two could not wait."
Glee blushed slightly, but thanked the little man.
"You are leaving right away, Doctor?" she asked, scheming. If Vasquez got to Alex's rancho before she and Alex could, the wedding plans were sure to be in shambles by the time they arrived.
"Si, Señora. I am on my way out of town right now."
"Have a good-"
"Good wishes to you, too, Señora! I will see you at Asuymas!" He laughed.
Glee shut the door behind him and then leaned on it, breathless. Vasquez would reach Alex's rancho at least a day ahead of them. Time enough for everything to percolate.
29 -December 15, 1852
"A h, I see the seamstress has come and gone." Alex himself was burdened with parcels and wearing new clothes. His white shirt was crisp, his black pants tightly fitting over his long thighs, and sporting traditional conchas along the outer seam. His black jacket fit his broad shoulders snuggly, over a brocaded vest of silver and black. Dressed like the gentleman he was, Glee found him breathtaking and wondered once again how she could have ever thought him a murdering criminal.
She twirled in her new peach day dress, the full crinolines she'd consented to making a papery sound as she spun for his inspection.
"Very modest," he noted as he eyed the high collar and long sleeves. "But do not wear the scarf over your beautiful hair, querida." He reached for the wrapped tur
ban and took it off her. Glee's silky hair fell down to her waist in a shining wave.
"Alex, it's what I'm used to," she said as he turned her toward their reflection in the mirror.
"No," he insisted. "This is the fiery woman of my bed. This is my little tiger. This is what I want to see."
She went red at the reference to his bed. "You don't find it… too flamboyant?"
He smiled. "If you mean will it draw other men's attention, yes. I suppose it will. But you are mine and I will kill the man who tries to take you away."
She turned away from the mirror and kissed him deeply.
When they broke for air, Alex directed her hand down to the thick bulge in his pants. "See what you do to me, mujer?" he said with mock irritation.
She kissed his chin and headed for the door. "Poor baby. Shouldn't we eat supper? I'm starved."
Alex cursed in Spanish the whole way down the stairs and into the hotel restaurant.
Glee tried to gauge the right time to tell him about Doctor Vasquez's visit. Finally, as they sipped coffee after dessert, she decided to take the plunge.
"Alex, a man named Doctor Vasquez came to the room while you were out today."
His eyebrows rose. "Oh?"
She stirred her coffee. "Aha. And he thought I was your wife."
Alex cringed a bit. "Well, I will clear that up when we are done here. He is an old friend of the family and will look the other way at this."
"Oh, but you can't, Alex. He's gone."
This time he frowned. "Gone?"
"Yes. He was on his way to your wedding at Asuymas." She looked up at him with the full force of her hurt and irritation. "Your wedding."
Alex's lips tightened into a hard line. "I am sorry, Glee. I told you you'd get hurt." He reached for her hand on the table. "I was going to tell you myself."
"You were? When, pray tell? Would that be by letter perhaps, after you'd dropped me in Monterey?"
"No." He said stiffly. "I was going to tell you while we traveled tomorrow."
"Well, it's too late. Vasquez thinks you've eloped. Eloped with me. I couldn't get a word in edgewise."
"He what?" Alex's face was dark with fury.
"I tried to tell him otherwise, but he kept interrupting me. Until just before he left the room, I had no idea he was hurrying off to your rancho."
Spanish curses flowed. "This is going to make things very difficult!"
Glee sat back in her chair and looked at him across the table. "Yes. I'd imagine your fiancé will be quite irritated being confronted with a 'wife'."
"Ah!" He growled as he stood. He grabbed Glee's wrist and practically dragged her back to their room, slamming the door behind them. "We must devise an appropriate story to deal with this mess."
Glee sat on the edge of the bed, her arms crossed over her breasts. "She's that wonderful, is she?"
"Who?"
Glee's eyebrows arched. "Your fiancé, of course."
He was pacing. "Oh. She is suitable."
"My goodness, Alex," Glee scoffed. "'Suitable' is a word one uses to describe one's shoes."
He stopped and caught Glee's stormy blue eyes. "Linnet is not something I wish to discuss with you, Glee. She was my fiancé before I met you and that is all you need to know."
Glee's chin went up a notch as she fought tears. "Well, I hope she's damned understanding, Alex! Because you're not going to be able to keep you and I a secret after this."
The look on his face went from anger to miserable acceptance in a heartbeat. "No, niña, our relationship will no longer be a secret." He took a seat in one of the chintz chairs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I do not know what I was thinking with you, Glee. I knew of my commitment to Linnet and yet I could not help wanting you. Could not help seeking your touch."
Glee knew that wanting very well. "Alex, you can't marry her," she said softly.
"Can't I?" His expression was tortured. "The plans are laid; she is expecting me to honor our commitment."
"And will she want you in spite of what we've been, what we've done?"
"Por Dios," he murmured. "She is so innocent. She will be devastated."
Glee felt bitterness building in her heart. "But she'll take you anyway, won't she. She'll chalk all this up to 'a man's needs'." She wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "And maybe that's what this has all been. A man's needs."
Alex moved to sit beside her on the bed, taking her in his arms. "No, no, mi corazón. No. I do not wish to be without you. I cannot think of life without you. I wish you would consent to be mine in spite of this unfortunate circumstance."
Glee sobbed into his jacket. "I love you, Alex. I don't want to, but I do. But I can't become your mistress. I can't imagine being second to another woman. I have more self-respect than that. I wouldn't do it in Constantinople, and I won't do it here."
He tilted her head up to look into her liquid blue-green eyes. "I would not be the man you love if I dishonored my commitments, niña. Is that what you want?"
"Yes!" she sobbed, then shook her head. "No." She bit her lip. "Oh, I don't know what I want." She snuggled into him. "Hold me, Alex. Just hold me."
He held her for a time, then kissed her tears away gently. Soon those kisses became caresses, and they made love slowly, full of need, as though they could not get close enough to each other.
* * * *
Alex woke at dawn and turned to the woman curled beside him. He imagined what life would be like on the rancho without her. Every day he would wake to Linnet. He would make love to the girl, without love; knowing that another held his heart. The idea was distasteful. The alternate scenario, waking to Glee each morning like today, tenderly exploring her body and feeling her explore his… that was a sweet life. He could imagine Glee round with his child, and the joy of that new life. With Linnet it would be like the birth of a new colt, fine and pleasant, but empty of emotion.
He loved Glee Montrose, and there was no denying it. What could he possibly do?
Glee's soft bottom against him took his mind to other things. He woke her with tiny nibbles along the back of her swan-graceful neck, and she turned in his arms to return his attentions without hesitation. They made love desperately, hard and ruthless, pulling every ounce of sensation they could from the act and each other.
When she reached joy's pinnacle, Glee called out Alex's name, the sound he knew he would never, ever forget.
* * * *
The ride to Asuymas y San Felipe was scenic. Hillsides were brown with winter's chill, but the rocks were red, gray, white, and small shrubs dotted the landscape with verdant green. Animals were not shy, and Glee saw many deer and squirrels, even a few of the big brown rodents called marmots, along the way.
The rancho fences were a depressing marker. Only a few miles more to the ranch house and the end of their idyll.
Alex pulled up at a little copse on a rise. "My family is big, niña. You might feel a little overwhelmed."
She nodded, miserable but determined not to show it. "Just be glad you never have to meet mine."
He smiled, though the expression was stilted.
They shared one last long kiss, then moved onward, and there before them, the large ranch house and outbuildings came into view. Built only one story tall, the huge, flat, house was pink stucco, topped with curved Spanish tile. A square opening in the center was for the fountains and gardens, Alex explained.
A remuda of horses grazed nearby, and barns and other outbuildings dotted the wide, level pasture.
"Don Alejandro!" Vaqueros greeted them as they neared the house.
"¡Hogar agradable!” Welcome home, they called.
A smiling vaquero immediately began unhitching the tired horses as Glee and Alex brushed off the dust on their clothes and came down off the wagon. Casting a reassuring glance at Glee, Alex headed for the front door of the hacienda. His mother rushed out to greet him, followed by a younger woman carrying a baby, another younger woman, a teenage boy, and finally by a
very little boy who shouldered his way through the adults and came running into Alex's arms.
"Papa! Papa!"
"Rudy!" Alex whirled the boy up and onto his shoulders, smiling from ear to ear. "How big you've grown!"
"Tia Connie says I'm gonna be bigger'n you, Papa!" Rudy was holding on to Alex's hair with little chubby dirty fingers.
"Down now. Let me give hugs to your grandmother and your aunts and uncle."
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