by Scott, Tarah
She clasped her hands behind her back. “If you leave something on,” she said, her cheeks turning pink. “Just take off your shirt or…something,” she stammered. “As long as you’re covered up, I’ll work the knots out of your back.”
He stood in front of her, meeting her apprehensive gaze, and undid the buttons of his shirt. Twisting, he slipped the shirt from his body.
Allison feasted on the finely chiseled contours of his suntanned chest covered by just the right amount of swirling, dark hair. His stomach, tight with muscles, rippled as if more than just her stare had touched him. A thin trail of hair bisected his abdominals, disappearing below his bellybutton into the waistband of his jeans. The bulge of his cock behind his jeans flexed.
She turned from him. “Cover up certain areas and I’ll come back.” She quickly left the room, closing the door.
Allison’s hand trembled, holding the doorknob. There was definitely no comparison between TJ and Joseph. Although both men had desirable qualities, TJ left Allison weak. Her legs liquefied. She ached to put her hands on his body. Now that she found a way, she wondered if it was a very good idea.
Water splashed as he slipped into the tub. Dear Lord, he’s naked. Joseph had never caused wetness between her legs as TJ did to her now.
“Allison, you can come in.”
She took a steadying breath and opened the door. He had been kind enough to turn the lamps low, leaving only enough of a flicker so not to extinguish the flame. She approached the tub with trepidation because she couldn’t tell whether he had covered up or not. She sighed in relief.
TJ had wrapped a towel around the lower half of his body. Under the water, it clung to the planes of his thighs.
“Lean forward,” she instructed. While she was filling the tub, she had placed a stool at one end. Rolling up her sleeves, she sat and picked up the bottle of liniment she’d left on the floor. After pouring a small amount in her hands, she vigorously rubbed them together to warm the oil. Hesitantly at first, she touched his shoulder.
The muscles just under the skin tightened under her fingers. “You have to relax.” She pushed her palm firmly against his shoulder blade and began to do circular motions. His muscles were hard beneath her fingertips. Heat from the water, or from the warmth of his skin, flowed up her arms. Steam created a moist cocoon. Her breath mingled with the herbal scent of the oil.
She’d never been with a naked man except for Mr. Clark at the Dusty Rose. She closed her eyes, imaging her hands on Mr. Clark rather than TJ.
It didn’t help her wayward meanderings of what it would be like to have their positions reversed. To have TJ’s hands roaming over her body, touching her breasts as he spread her thighs. Her nipples tightened and her sex grew hot and wet. Her own breathy pants sounded loud in her ears. Oh, how this man turned her into knots. Opening her eyes, she focused on the task rather than hard, muscular body she wanted pressed against hers.
Shifting to the side, she used all her strength to rub the tension from his shoulders.
TJ moaned, his head dropping forward. Allison glanced over his shoulder and her heart kicked into a rampant gallop. His cock, hard, thick and long, swelled beneath the towel molded to his groin. She chewed the corner of her lip and wondered how he’d feel in her hand. Marion had told her too many details. Now all Allison could think about was the wickedly devious acts a woman—a whore—could do for a man. Allison wanted TJ in those ways, in her mouth, in her body.
To get closer, Allison opened her legs straddling the back of the tub. The spread of her thighs sent shivers over her skin. She rocked on the stool, trying desperately to find a position to ease the ache between her legs. Alas, only TJ would appease the building need within her.
Taking a cup from the floor, she filled it with water and poured it over his neck and shoulders. He was finally relaxing. The muscles softened. She continued to rub and pour water over him. The drenched sides of her dress clung to her thighs and the front was soaked, molding to her body.
“Have you given many massages?” He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck from one side to the other.
“Actually, my mother thought ladies of society should be pampered, hence my experience. Although, I have never received one in a bathtub. This would be the first one I’ve ever given. Lean back,” she told him. As he reclined against the back of the tub, she realized the position would put his head into her lap. Her hands stilled in the air above him.
“This is better.” He rolled his head from side to side letting the folds of her dress wrap around his ears. He looked up into her face and smiled.
She looked at his position and hers, deciding she couldn’t massage his shoulders this way. If she leaned forward, her breasts would be in his face. “Um, I guess you have to sit up a little more.” She slipped her hands under his arms.
He chuckled, but sat up until his back rested against the tub and his neck supported his head. Reaching around, her hands worked the upper part of his chest, and across the top of his shoulders.
“Why did you leave home?”
Her fingers stilled for a moment and then continued to press into his chest.
“The whole story or the abridged version?” she asked.
“Details are good.” He leaned his head against her upper arm as she worked a particularly tense area. “Ouch! Too hard.” He flinched.
“Sorry.” She lightened her touch. “I lived in Boston. My father comes from an influential family with new money although he doesn’t much care. My mother on the other hand, lives for pampering and finery. She loves money. As far as I can tell, it’s the only qualification she needed for a husband.” Her hands weren’t working the muscles as much as they were running over the contours of his chest.
Allison thought of her parents and transported back. She imagined her father, with his cigars, and his jolly disposition. He changed around her mother. “It feels like a lifetime since I’ve seen them.” She grew quiet for a moment, then continued.
“My mother’s only aspiration in life is to see what she can get from people. She’s always looking for better than she has. My father can’t make her happy unless he’s giving in to her demands.” Her fingers stopped to touch the silky hair between his pectoral muscles. “It seems her ambitions extend to her children.” A tear filled her eye. She quickly blinked it away. “Henry Oakdale asked for my hand in marriage. I refused.” She plunged her hand into the tub and filled the small cup with water. She poured it across TJ’s chest. “She convinced my father it would be in my best interest to marry. He forced the engagement, so I left.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. The sting of her father’s betrayal as painful now as it was the night she left.
“That’s it.” At least, that was all she was willing to share. She stood from the stool, wiping her hands on her wet skirt.
Water splashed onto the floor when TJ grabbed her wrist. “Seems your leaving an awful lot unsaid. What about the man? Do you suppose he’s wondering what happened to his fiancée?”
“No. He’s well aware of my reasons for leaving.” She pulled her hand away.
“And he agreed? It seems unlikely if he asked for your hand.”
“He didn’t really ask. Therefore, he didn’t agree. That doesn’t suggest he’ll be surprised. We rarely saw eye to eye.” She put a towel next to him. “You’re turning into a prune and the water’s growing cold.” She stepped to the door, and then turned to him before leaving. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you, Allison.”
She smiled and closed the door.
* * * * *
A few days passed. TJ had taken his time with Allison. He didn’t want to push her, and he knew she was still struggling with her guilt over Train. But his emotions had only become clearer. Allison belonged with him. Now he just had to find a way to get through to her.
The morning was still dark. But the sun would be up in a couple of hours. “I’m going to Copper City. Train was going to join me and then changed his
mind. He said he isn’t up for trip.” He sipped his coffee, watching Allison’s reaction over the rim of his cup. “You know a reason why he wouldn’t want to go?”
“I wouldn’t have a clue.” She swung around and faced him. “It might be because every time you’re around, he seems to be busy riding the fences. At times you infuriate me.” She tossed the cloth she had been washing the counters with into the sink. “You act as if you’re jealous. You don’t want Joseph near me and don’t deny it. But you,” she said in a disgusted tone. “You want Sandy when I’ve all but thrown myself at you.” She slapped a hand to her forehead. “I can feel a headache coming on. Nothing new considering you tend to bring out the worst in me. I’ve always had a temper. Until I met you, I never had a difficult time controlling it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “This might come as a surprise, but the kiss we shared wasn’t that special. I want more than what you’ve offered.” She walked out of the kitchen.
A moment later, the front door slammed. He waited a few minutes before following. Finding Allison in the stable, crooning to her horse, he asked, “Will you go with me?”
“Where?” She didn’t look up, but kept her eyes glued to Sugar’s back.
“Copper City. You can visit with Marion, and Sandy can tell you I haven’t touched her since I kissed you.”
Allison put down the brush and sat on a pail next to Sugar’s stall.
TJ continued, “You’re right about some of what you were saying in the kitchen. I’m not one for talking. I assume my actions convey my intentions.” He dropped to his haunches beside her, resting his forearms on his thighs.
“You confuse me. I don’t know what to do. What do you want?”
He took her hands in his and spoke quietly. “The kiss was special.” He leaned in and pulled her close at the same time. He smelled roses just before he covered her mouth with his own. He let go of her hands and gently clasped her around the ribcage. He pulled her tighter when her arms wrapped around his neck. He growled, slipping his tongue into her moist mouth. Tasting her tongue, sealing their lips, he kissed her deeply.
Releasing her lips, he buried his face in her neck. “I’m not asking you to come with me to keep you away from Train. Go because you want to be with me.”
“I don’t know.” She weaved her fingers into his hair. He heard the hesitation in her voice.
“I’d like to leave in about an hour. You don’t have to worry. I’m not asking Train to take care of Sissy and Tiger. Betty wants to take the children.”
“You already asked her?” She pushed him a few inches away.
“I had to.” He paused a moment. “Look Allison, I don’t want to see Train hurt either. Tell him the only reason you’re going is to visit the friends you made in town. We need time away from the ranch. Together. Alone.”
“I would like to see Marion. I’ll go, but I won’t pretend to be something I’m not. I won’t play house.” She didn’t wait for a reply. She left him in the stables.
Allison wouldn’t say anything to TJ, but her heart pounded and her hands shook. A trip to Copper City sounded wonderful. As much as she enjoyed her place at the ranch, she missed the friends she’d made at the Dusty Rose. When she’d left Boston and come to Montana, she’d proved she could take care of herself even if that had meant working on her back in the brothel. Most people, she decided, had to work for the life they wanted.
TJ tapped on her bedroom door. “Ready?”
“Yes. I’ll be down in a minute.” She’d changed into comfortable traveling clothes. Instead of wearing her hair up in a bun, she braided it down her back. She grabbed her garment bag, tossed in a change of clothes, and went to the kitchen.
Breathing deeply, Allison sucked in the delicious smells of breakfast. “You cooked?” she asked, looking over TJ’s shoulder. In a pan, he had eggs and sizzling bacon.
“Yes, and I’ve already taken the children to Betty. I realize you need time away from Sissy and Michael. I haven’t given it to you.” He slid the eggs and bacon onto a plate. “Sit down. I’m going to serve you for a change.”
Allison did as he asked, and he set her breakfast in front of her.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He brought her a steaming cup. “It’s no wonder they call you mama. That’s exactly the role I put you in.” He sat across from her. “The way you’ve taken to them surprises me. A lot about you surprises me.”
“So you don’t regret hiring me?” She snapped into a crispy piece of bacon.
“I have more regrets than a man could count, but bringing you here isn’t one of them.” He glanced down then raised his gaze to hers again. “The children need you.”
She swallowed past the tightness in her throat. “Good.” She’d wanted to hear that he needed her. But some things weren’t meant to be.
After they finished eating, TJ loaded the wagon while Allison took care of the breakfast dishes. Finally, they were on their way.
The first part of the journey took place in the hour before dawn. Neither spoke much. The sound of the wagon creaking along the road seemed loud in the hollow canyon. The landscape changed after they left the open valley of the ranch. The road wound between two towering mountains. Jagged rocks protruded from the cliffs. A few had broken free and lay along the narrow path. The sun rose into the sky, and by late morning, sweat began to bead along Allison’s brow.
“You never did tell me why we’re going into town.”
TJ hesitated in answering. “Supplies,” he finally said. “There’s a clearing about a mile up the road. Are you ready for a break?”
“Yes,” she said, looking at him curiously. They continued in silence. A few minutes later, TJ pulled the rig off the worn road.
“TJ, we’ve argued an awful lot lately,” she said, taking food and water from the back of the wagon.
TJ put feedbags filled with oats over the horse’s heads. “We’ve argued since the day we met. I wasn’t exactly calm when you showed up on my ranch looking for work.”
Allison spread a blanket on the ground. “I remember. However, that wasn’t our first meeting.” She adjusted her skirts and dropped to the ground. “My heel stuck in a gap between two planks on the train platform the day I arrived in Copper City. Before I could make a spectacle of myself, you caught my fall.” She looked away from his blue eyes mirroring the Montana sky. A light breeze teased the hair on his forehead.
“I remember,” he said, smiling. “If I recall, you told me to get my hands off you.”
“Something like that, I’m sure.” She closed her eyes and turned her face to the sun.
“And if I touched you now?” he asked, moving closer and sitting next to her.
She opened her eyes. She caught a whiff of his scent—clean, woodsy. A smell that released butterflies in her belly—like the night of the fire when she buried her nose in his bed pillow. Her heart fluttered and started to race. Anticipation of his touch vibrated through her body. Tightening. Terrifying. She looked into his eyes. “I don’t want to fight anymore.”
He leaned in, and his breath fanned on her face. “I only want to fight if we can kiss and make up.”
She ground her teeth and clenched her fists. “That’s what I’m talking about,” she said, exasperated. “You’re never serious unless you’re angry. And then you explode. I want you to be open and honest with me when we’re not fighting!” On the verge of tears, she turned away. “When you’re out in the fields,” she said. “I wish you were with me at the house. But when you are there, most of the time I want you to go back out to the fields.” She paused. “I don’t enjoy our relationship.”
TJ leaned back against a tree and briefly closed his eyes. “I have a confession.” He picked up a rock and chucked it, hitting a nearby boulder. “I asked Train to stay away from you. Knowing how close you two had become made me crazy.”
Her head snapped up. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I know you love me.” TJ leaned acr
oss the blanket and gently kissed her lips.
“You’re supposed to tell me what you feel. I don’t have a problem expressing my emotions. Or verbalizing them.”
“You’re just not listening.”
“A woman wants to hear the words.”
The caress of his lips on her mouth set her aflame. Persuasive, and demanding, she moved against him as he slanted his mouth, applying pressure for her to open to him. Parting her lips, his tongue danced with hers. She tasted what she imagined when TJ was in her thoughts—the mountains, clean air, and the beauty of the ranch. Rugged and strong, and totally safe.
TJ pulled back and wrapped his hands around her neck resting his thumbs along her collarbone. “I know you care about me even if you don’t say the words.”
Moving close to her, his lips gently tugged on her ear.
“What do you feel for me?” she asked.
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I need you.” He kissed along her jaw. Her fingernails clung to his arm. He supported her back while he positioned her on the ground. Through the fabric of her blouse, he covered her breast.
He searched her face for traces of hesitation. Her fingers fumble with the bottom button of his shirt. Impatient to have her touching his flesh, he ripped the shirt from his body. She ran her hands along his stomach, tracing the trail of hair with her fingers. His muscles quivered under her touch. Bracing his upper body with his forearm, he rolled onto his side and stretched out beside her.
TJ never took his eyes off hers while he undid the buttons of her blouse. She wore a white, cotton camisole underneath. The creamy swell of her breast pressed against the fabric. He fingered the delicate lace at the neckline.
“You’re trembling.” He put his fingers where her pulse beat. Skimming lower, he brushed her nipple. Then he lowered his mouth and covered the raised peak. Wet from his tongue, the fabric clung to her skin revealing the dark, pink areola. He rolled the tight bud between his thumb and finger.
