Games (Timeless Series)

by Loyd, Sandy

  “Not right now.”

  “Good, ’cause I wanna get back to my poker game. I’m on a winning streak.” He turned and started toward the bunkhouse.

  Simon said to his back, “I may have more questions later, so don’t go anywhere.”

  Black laughed. “Now where would I go? My plans don’t include more than playing a little poker.”

  Simon stayed rooted to the spot, watching him go inside. He then headed for the stables to talk with Hastings.

  He found his quarry in the tack room, and said as he walked up to him, “Are you Hastings?”

  The man turned around at the question and grinned affably. “That’s the name I go by. And you would be?”

  “Simon Harrington. I’m investigating a couple of incidents that have happened at several stud farms in the area. I’ve been told you go into town a lot.”

  “Yeah,” Hastings said, giving a half laugh. “I’ve been known to sow a few oats now and then in town. If I get up late because of it, Gus lets me work late in here. Is that a crime?”

  Simon shook his head. “No. I’m looking for someone and I’ve been told the gentleman I’m looking for also goes into town a lot. I was hoping you knew him.”

  “I might.” Hastings shrugged and went back to working on the leather he was softening. “What’s his name?”

  “Clint Mathers.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard of him. He’s a mean son of a bitch and not someone you want to tangle with. You might wanna speak with Black. The two are thick as thieves.”

  “Really?” Simon’s attention flew to Hastings’ face. “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “I don’t know. It’s been awhile.” He was silent for a few seconds. “Come to think of it, he was with Black the last time I saw him about three weeks ago.”

  “You’re sure it’s been three weeks?”

  “Yeah, I remember it well. Black was furious with him. It looked like they were going to fight, but then nothing happened. The last two times Black’s been in town, he’s been alone. Which was odd because the two were always together before then. I figured they had a falling-out. So, what’s Mathers done?”

  “Nothing that I know of,” Simon said. “I simply want to talk to the man.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t be more help.”

  Simon smiled and turned to go. “You’ve been a big help, believe me.”

  His thoughts on the way back to the house were now centered on his case. Information was starting to lead somewhere. What reason would Black have for denying knowing Mathers unless he was hiding something?

  When he entered his room, his train of thought was still on the details of the case, which absorbed his attention so that he missed the form sitting in the rocker. That is, until a feminine voice broke through his thoughts.

  “Hello, Simon. I have come to honor my debt.”

  Chapter 14

  Simon stopped his progression and glanced in the direction of the voice.

  “Giselle, I’m not in the mood for your games tonight.” He closed his eyes, trying for patience. “Will you please leave?”

  Giselle started rocking. “It is more than a game,” she said earnestly. “I am not leaving. Not until I acquire what I want.”

  “I’m getting ready for bed. When I come out, you’d better be gone,” he said, striding into the washroom without a backward glance.

  At the basin, he filled it with water. The mirror caught his reflection, but his face held none of the torment of the battle being waged in his mind right then. It was taking all of his willpower not to rush over, swoop the maddening creature up, and take her to bed, giving her exactly what he wanted to give her. God, what a nightmare! Giselle sat rocking, having no idea of her precarious position. The picture she presented—a goddess with her hair flowing around her shoulders to her waist, wearing some flimsy virginal nightgown that would take him seconds to tear off of her—was playing havoc on his senses.

  While washing his face, Simon prayed she would leave him in peace. As it was, it would be a long time before he’d get any sleep when all he could think about was the vivid image of her rocking naked in that chair, a picture too firmly planted in his brain for him to shake it. Since last night, desire for her had steadily eaten away at him.

  Unable to stall any longer, he left the washroom. A feeling of dread washed over him as he spotted Giselle at the small bar in the room, filling two crystal goblets with bourbon.

  Giselle picked up the glasses and walked over to him. A confident smile formed on her lips as she held one out. “Drink up. I have a feeling you are going to need the reinforcement.”

  Simon took the drink and kept his wary gaze on her. After taking a large gulp of the drink, he asked, working to hold his irritation at bay, “Why are you still here? I thought I told you to leave.”

  “You did. But you forgot the part where I told you I was staying.”

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? The game is over. I distinctly remember telling you I’m not playing any longer.” His annoyance was evident in his gesture when he pointed with the drink in his hand. “There’s the door. Now go!”

  “Non!” Her light laughter floated in the air around them, mocking him. “Face it, Simon. You are stuck with me for the night. Unless you want to concede defeat and let me help you with your case.”

  “I’ll concede nothing. I don’t want you here. You’re making a pest of yourself.”

  “You set the rules and you cannot change them midgame just because you do not like the way they are going. Since I lost the wager, I am here to pay, and will not leave until dawn.”

  She went over to sit in her previous position, took a swallow of her drink, and began rocking.

  Sighing, he squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing them. “Please, Giselle. Just go before we both do something we’ll regret.”

  “I cannot, Simon. I wish I could.” Her whispered words were just as fervent as his.

  Simon stood with his eyes closed. When he opened them, he could see from her stubborn demeanor she had no intention of leaving.

  His shoulders slumped in defeat as he took a different tack. “All right. Let’s just say I go along with your new bet. Before I do, we need to set some rules.”

  “What kind of rules?” She stopped rocking, glancing at him with interest.

  “I don’t want you coercing me or tempting me in any way. No getting naked and throwing yourself at me. Understand?”

  “I think I can resist the urge,” she said with a wry smile.

  He smiled back. “So we’re agreed?”

  “Oui.”

  “Good,” he stated firmly, his smile turning satisfied.

  He went over to the bed and sat. After taking off his boots, he fluffed some pillows behind him and leaned back, placing his feet on the bed. He reached to turn down the kerosene lamp before closing his eyes as his head hit the pillow.

  She stopped rocking a second time. “What are you doing?”

  He raised his head toward her, squinting. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to sleep.”

  “But you cannot,” she sputtered.

  He laid his head back down and closed his eyes. “Maybe not, but I’m going to try. I only have to lie here until dawn, right?”

  “You cannot just lie there the entire evening.”

  “Why not?” He chuckled at the pure dismay in her question. “Isn’t that the idea? I’m merely following your rules.”

  “But what about us? I want my chance at helping you.”

  “You should be happy I’m honoring the new rules. God only knows why I am. I should’ve gone ahead with my original plan.”

  “Fine, then,” Giselle replied haughtily. “We will just see how long you last.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I can last all night. It’s you I’m worried about,” Simon taunted.

  “Why would you worry about me?” Glowering, she glanced at him.

  “That chair is going to seem mighty uncomfortable in a f
ew hours.”

  “I will climb in next to you then.”

  “Oh, no. That’s not part of the bet,” Simon said, moving his arm around his head. He took a deep breath, keeping his eyes closed while one corner of his lips curled in a half smile. “You agreed you wouldn’t coerce or tempt me. Lying next to me would do both, providing an unfair advantage. If you expect me to play, you have to give me a sporting chance. I don’t expect you to throw yourself at me.”

  “How would I be throwing myself at you, if I just lie next to you?”

  “Why don’t you come over here and I’ll show you,” he said, raising his head and eyeing her intently. “Of course if you do, you’ll lose.”

  “Forget it. I will stay right here,” she huffed. She crossed her arms and began rocking again.

  “Fine. You do that.” He put his head back and chuckled.

  At some point in the next several hours, Simon must have dozed. When he woke, a chill permeated the room. The earlier blazing fire was now but a few embers. Looking over, he saw Giselle asleep in the rocker. He got up, padded to the fireplace, added more logs, and stoked. The fire flared hotter.

  Before climbing back in bed, he checked on Giselle and smiled. She didn’t look very comfortable. The firelight played on her face. Sleeping peacefully, she had the appearance of an angel—so innocent and young. He stood just watching her, taking in her beauty. Then he grabbed a blanket from the bottom of the bed and placed it over her. While tucking it in, her luminous brown eyes opened. His fascinated gaze met her sleepy one.

  The radiant, genuine smile she bestowed upon him made his heart lurch and his pulse quicken. Her inviting lips drew his focus.

  Just one kiss. What could it hurt?

  Once the thought was out, he couldn’t resist meeting her lips with his own.

  The minute he tasted her, he knew it had been a mistake. At first, he simply let his mouth wander. Soon his tongue slid along her lips, silently seeking entrance to her mouth. Elation surged through him when her lips opened, granting his request. Heat pooled in his groin as blood rushed to his head with the speed of a freight train, sounding just as loud. Her floral scent rose past his nose, adding to his senses. His tongue invaded farther even as his desire spiraled out of control. When he felt Giselle’s hands wrap tentatively around his neck bringing him closer, he went past the point of no return. Picking her up, he carried her to the bed. He laid her down, and sat next to her after taking off his trousers and shirt.

  “What are you doing?” Giselle’s sleepy, whispered voice wafted past his ears.

  He put his finger over her mouth. “Shush. I’m doing something I should have done hours ago. I’m getting comfortable. Come here.” He pulled her into his embrace and began kissing her again—slow, easy kisses intended to relax and soothe her ruffled edges.

  Giselle lifted her head, both confusion and concern etched on her face. “What about the wager, Simon?”

  “Damn the wager. I gave you plenty of opportunity to back out. You should never have come in here tonight. You knew what would happen if you crossed the threshold to my room, didn’t you?” His eyes gripped hers, demanding an honest answer. At her slow, solemn nod, he continued. “There’s no turning back now. I’m tired of fighting desire. I want you and I mean to have you. And since we’re bent on doing this, you need to be properly dressed, or undressed as the case may be.”

  He undid the ribbons of her nightgown, pushing it off her shoulders, but she modestly pulled it up.

  “Maybe we should wait,” she said nervously.

  “Too late.” He lowered his head and captured her soft, yielding mouth. In the next instant he had all the ribbons untied and the nightgown pushed down over her hips. His hands started stroking, languidly kneading her body, using the slow movements along with his mouth to ease and calm, rather than stimulate.

  Simon trailed kisses where the gown had been. “Do you know how lovely you are? I’ve thought of little else but doing this since that night I first saw you at the ball, holding court with all those fools. You were made for love, Giselle, and I aim to love you.”

  The rigid stiffness of her body relaxed as she sank into the down ticking. “I love your kisses,” she murmured, a soft smile on her face as she spread her fingers through his hair and pulled his head toward hers. “I want to see what happens next.”

  Simon wasted no time with her obvious invitation, capturing her lips with his. For long moments he did nothing but kiss and stroke, enjoying the sight of Giselle’s rising passion. When she moaned softly, he broke the kiss to discard the rest of his undergarments. With the same sense of urgency, he stripped her nightgown off her lovely body, sucking in a ragged breath at the sight of her lying naked with the firelight highlighting her curvaceous form to perfection.

  His erection grew when he caught her staring at his manhood in awe.

  “See what you do to me,” he whispered, lowering to seize her lips again. His tongue circled her mouth, then he sucked on her bottom lip while his hands moved over her luscious softness. When his fingers skimmed her stomach, she flinched beneath his feathered touch. She stiffened and tried to cover herself, using her hand as a shield.

  Simon chuckled softly and reached for her wrists. Lifting her arms over her head, he spent an extended amount of time tracing the outline of her face with his lips, bestowing kisses from forehead to neck to breast. With his free hand, he stroked.

  Giselle’s audible gasp and visible stiffening had him chuckling again.

  “Relax and enjoy it, sweetheart. Let me bring you pleasure,” he said, releasing his hold on her wrists and kissing from her breasts to her stomach. When her hands tried to stop him again, he lifted up and snared her attention, searing her luminous brown eyes with an intense stare. Her face darkened with the same embarrassment he spied in her gaze, but he wouldn’t let her look away. “Do you trust me?” he whispered.

  Her hands dropped to her side and she nodded, closing her eyes. Her total trust was the headiest aphrodisiac, sending white-hot desire through his system. He shut his eyelids tight, stilling the urge to plow into her center, working for enough control to give her pleasure for her first time. With a tight rein on his need, he lowered his lips, and using his tongue and mouth, he continued his slow journey toward her core. He ignored the pleasure coursing through his system her soft moans elicited. Blood pooled in his groin, filling him with more need as she writhed under his touch. When he found her center she tensed slightly, but allowed him to open her thighs. His head moved lower while he tasted her sweetness.

  “Simon, I need. Oh, please.” She moaned, slightly lifting and lowering her hips in rhythm with his mouth. He quelled his excitement, knowing she was close to release. But instead of giving it to her, he let his mouth trail back up her body.

  “Non. Do not stop,” she said. “I need…ooh…do not stop.”

  With his lips on her ears, kissing and sucking, his tongue circling the outer part and plunging inside as he’d done below, he whispered, “What, Giselle? What do you need? Tell me!”

  “Please,” she begged. “You are tormenting me. I do not know what I need.”

  “Yes, you do.” His murmured words were more fervent in their coaxing. “I need to hear you say it. Tell me.”

  “Mon Dieu, Simon! I need you. Please! You know what I need. I am burning for you.”

  Immense satisfaction washed over him. He couldn’t keep the elation out of his voice when he answered her. “Just as I am burning for you. But you need to be ready for me. Give yourself up to the feelings, Giselle.” He rose up, caught her gaze with his, and sucked in air at the desire he saw mirrored in her expression. “Don’t fight them. Let go and come for me, honey.”

  He smiled at the confusion he noted clouding her eyes. She’d find out soon enough what he meant.

  His hand stroked her body, kneading and working to bring her alive with more need. When his fingers slipped inside her, her bottom rose off the bed and a loud moan tore from her mouth. Her hips seemed
to move of their own volition. She was such a natural…such perfection…made for love. After a few more sure strokes, she came apart in his hand and her shudders were almost violent.

  Simon had held on to his restraint with a firm grip. Her strong release was like a matchstick lighting tinder. Relief swept through him. His wait was over. A split second later he entered her, wanting nothing more than to sink into her warmth. When he felt her barrier, he stopped, and mustering every bit of control he had, he looked into her closed eyes.

  “Giselle? Look at me, honey.”

  Her sensual gaze met his and Simon pushed farther into her. “This may hurt a bit and I’m sorry. I can’t go another moment without possessing you.” Then he plunged to the hilt, cleanly breaking through the thin barrier of her virginity.

  She stiffened. Simon could barely wait for her to become accustomed to his size. He had just enough will to keep his strokes leisurely, moving unhurriedly in and then slowly out. The pleasure was unendurable. She was so tight…so warm…so enticing. Gradually she began meeting his slow thrusts. Though he wanted to prolong this first time, his body had other ideas, responding to her increasingly frenzied and wild movements. When her legs wrapped around him, pulling him closer, all restraint snapped.

  Giselle’s wildness was more intoxicating than any drug. Already stretched to his limits, he let go, plunging inside of her, driving to her hilt, over and over. When her contractions grabbed him, yanking him in farther, he felt it to his soul. His loud, feral groan filled the air. He could only yield to the earth-shattering ecstasy as his seed poured out of him and into her.

  An eternity passed before Simon could think again, and even longer before he could actually bring his body to move. He lifted onto his elbows, taking his main weight off Giselle. As his gaze moved up her body to her face, a feeling of supreme satisfaction poured over him. Still, his contentment was joined by concern. He’d never lost control before. What was it about this slip of a girl that brought him to his knees like she did? Despite the fact that he had no intention of getting entangled with her, he couldn’t regret the act they’d just shared. He decided he might as well enjoy her while he could. Soon enough he’d be gone, and she’d be back to her flirting.