Suddenly he grasped her shift in both hands and tugged upward. "This has to go," he breathed raggedly.
With little effort he pulled the shift over her head and off. "And these are definitely in the way." With one quick motion he stripped off her drawers.
Lacey barely had time to register the fact that their nude bodies were molded together before Sam's hands began seeking out all those places that gave her the most pleasure. He caressed her breasts until they felt heavy and swollen, suckled her nipples into hard nubs, driving her nearly insane with need. Another moan slipped past her lips. She wanted this, needed this, but feared the consequence of her submission.
Sex without the elements of trust and love was just an act. Is that what Sam was wanted, to perform an act that meant little to him save for a moment of ecstasy? Oh, God, if only she felt like that, willing to sacrifice love and trust for pleasure. But Lacey wanted what Sam obviously wasn't willing to give her. She struggled for sanity.
"Sam, stop and think about what we're doing. Is it in Andy's best interest? Is it in our best interest?"
"You talk too much," Sam growled around the plump nipple he was suckling.
Lacey had tried, truly she did, but her body seemed to have a mind of its own. She felt hot all over, as if her nerve endings were on fire. Then Sam's mouth started a downward trek and all semblance of control fled. Her stomach contracted beneath the wet heat of his mouth. She grasped his head as he aimed lower, bringing him closer as his tongue slid along satiny smooth petals. When he spread her open with his thumbs and tasted her deeply, she nearly arched off the mat. She gave a ragged cry and tugged his hair, urging him upward. She wanted him inside her...now.
Sam raised his head and chuckled. "Easy, love. Pace yourself. I want to watch your face when you fly apart." Then he returned to his succulent feast, his mouth and tongue driving her to insane heights.
Lacey gasped, her body straining upward into his intimate caress while one of his hands charted the smooth roundness of her bottom and the other fondled her breasts. The taut feeling inside her grew tighter and tighter, tension built, until she felt as if she would explode.
Then she was there, poised on the brink. One final thrust of his tongue and she tumbled over, breaking into a thousand tiny pieces. Half sobbing, she clung to his shoulders. When the waves of shimmering pleasure finally receded, she opened her eyes and gazed up at him through a shimmering haze. He was smiling at her, his dark eyes glowing. She barely had time to recover before he crawled upward and impaled her.
"Put your arms around me," he whispered in her ear. She obeyed without hesitation, her hands sliding over his damp skin as he began to move forcefully between her legs, his body lifting and thrusting with strong, relentless strokes.
He kissed her again, roughly, his mouth fiercely possessive as he thrust and withdrew, and she cried out at the sweet, hot ecstasy of it.
Her response stunned her. She was sure she had already given everything she had to give but her body suddenly thrummed back to life. She gave herself up to it, to that feeling of flying without wings. She heard Sam's harsh breathing, felt his hands lift her bottom as his hips pumped, plunging in and out of her. Thunder burst in her head. No, it was Sam's voice crying out in the dark silence.
"Lacey...God!"
It was enough to send Lacey over the edge. She followed Sam into oblivion seconds after he explode inside her.
Lacey's wits returned slowly. She felt drained, utterly depleted. Apparently Sam suffered from the same malady for he rolled away and collapsed beside her, his lungs rising and falling as he took in great gulps of air.
Lacey couldn't speak, the effort was too great, but she could still think. Her response to Sam's loving overwhelmed her. Against her better judgment her love for Sam had been rekindled. She had recognized the danger but had refused to heed the warning. She knew Sam was wanted by the law, that their painful past prevented a future together, but love was blind.
She could still dream, Lacey thought wistfully. The reality was that Sam was an outlaw. How long could they be together before the law caught up with him? Oh, God, she was so confused, and a little bit crazy to want Sam as desperately as she did.
To love Sam.
Sam stared into the darkness, seeing nothing, hearing nothing but his own harsh breathing. What the hell was wrong with him? When he'd entered the tipi tonight he had no intention of making love to Lacey. He'd waited to return until he figured she'd fallen asleep. But the moment he'd entered the tent awareness of her struck him like a physical blow. He'd tried to control his reaction; he'd even spread out his sleeping mat and taken off his shirt, fully intending to lie down and turn his back on Lacey.
Then he made the mistake of watching Lacey sleep and all his good intentions fled. He had crept closer to her mat, staring at her with unquenchable longing.
What happened next had been destined by fate. He had grown hard just looking at her, and when he realized she was awake, nothing could have stopped destiny.
God, would he never learn? Would he still want her after she betrayed him a third time? And he knew she would, given another opportunity. Unfortunately that didn't stop him from wanting Lacey. Fate had played a dirty trick on him when it arranged their meeting after years spent convincing himself he cared nothing for her. After tonight, forgetting Lacey was going to be difficult...no, impossible. He rolled to his side and found Lacey staring at him.
"That was...words can't describe how I feel," he said on a gusty sigh. "I can't say I'm sorry it happened, but it's not what I intended when I returned to the tipi tonight."
"What was your intention? To humiliate me?"
Sam reared up on his elbows. "Is that what you think?"
"I don't know what to think anymore. I don't know you, Sam. I loved you once, and mourned your 'death' deeply. I knew I would never love again and was content to go through life lavishing all my love on Andy. Why did you have to come back into my life now, when my life had finally gotten back on track? All I ever wanted was security for Andy."
"You call engaging yourself to Cramer getting your life back on track?"
Lacey refused to meet his eyes. "I was wrong, I'll admit that much. Taylor wants something besides me. I just haven't figured out what."
Her gaze flew upward to meet his. "What happens now, Sam? We've already proved we want one another, but that's besides the point."
"What is the point?"
"Andy. We both want what's best for him. Whether or not you committed a crime, the law says you're an outlaw. You'll need to travel far and fast to escape jail. Is that what you want for Andy, a life of running from the law?"
"I can't think that far ahead. Not with your body pressed against mine and your lips so close I can almost taste them."
"Don't do this, Sam. You are my weaknesses, don't take advantage of me."
"Put your arms around me," he rasped.
"No, I..."
"Kiss me."
She sucked in a shuddering breath, blinked repeatedly, then let the air out of her lungs in surrender. Her arms went around him as their lips met and clung. Arms and legs entwined, they kissed and caressed until passion demanded that they join their bodies.
Sam rolled on his back and pulled Lacey on top of him. "Ride me, sweetheart, take me deep inside you. Forget the past, think only of now."
"I want to forget. Oh, God, make me forget," Lacey pleaded in a strangled voice.
Grasping her buttocks, Sam lifted and spread her. He slid deep inside, groaning in pleasure as she contracted snugly around him. Then she began to move, undulating against his loins in an erotic rhythm that made Sam forget his own name. It didn't take long. Completion burst upon them simultaneously. Sam's last thought before he succumbed to ecstasy was that he never wanted this to end. Lacey was his. She'd always be his.
Entwined in each other's arms, Lacey and Sam were unaware that morning had crept upon them as they slept. Nor did they know that Yellow Bird had ducked into the tent to bring the
m food and saw them intimately entwined upon the sleeping mat. She said nothing, but her expression held a wealth of emotions. Anger, hurt, disappointment. She regarded them through narrowed eyes, then she set the bowl down on the floor and spun away.
Sam awakened first. He disentangled himself from Lacey's arms and pulled on his clothes. The morning was cool so he built up the fire in the center of the tipi before he left to bathe in the river. One the way out he stumbled over the bowl of food that had been left near the tent flap. He frowned. It hadn't been there last night, which meant someone had left it this morning. Yellow Bird. He glanced over at Lacey, remembering how he and Lacey were intimately entwined in sleep and wondering if Yellow Bird had seen them. He shrugged off the thought and ducked outside.
As if his thoughts had conjured her up, Yellow Bird appeared beside him him. "Where are you going, Sam?"
"To the river," Sam said. "Soon it will be too cold to bathe in the river. I intend to enjoy it while I can."
"I will walk with you." A moment of silence ensued before she asked, "Did you enjoy your woman last night? Your anger must be easily appeased. I thought you did not like La-cey."
"I figured it was you who left food in the tipi this morning. There are things you don't understand about me and Lacey, Yellow Bird. There are things I don't understand myself."
"Will she return to her home?"
"I don't know. There are issues between us that need resolving before anything can be decided. Lacey refuses to leave without Andy."
"An-dy wishes to remain with you," Yellow Bird said fiercely. "You are safe here, Sam. The men who attacked us are cowards, they will not return. Besides, Running Buffalo will soon take our people south to our winter campground.
"I don't know if I really want to take Andy from Lacey," Sam said after lengthy consideration. "On the other hand, I don't see how I can let her have him knowing she will end up marrying Taylor Cramer or some man just like him. Andy deserves better than that."
"Send the bad woman home," Yellow Bird advised. "Come with us to our winter camp. I will take care of you, Sam Gentry."
They had reached the river, but Yellow Bird seemed in no hurry to leave. "Go back to camp, Yellow Bird, I'm going to bathe now."
"I have seen all of you, Sam Gentry."
She edged closer, so close their bodies were nearly touching. She twined her arms around Sam's neck. She swayed toward him and he placed his arms around her waist to steady her.
"I will treat you like a man should be treated," Yellow Bird promised. "Send the bad woman home."
Neither Sam nor Yellow Bird saw Lacey standing behind them. She had awakened moments after Sam left the tipi and arisen immediately. She had stepped out of the tipi just as Sam and Yellow Bird disappeared down the well-trod path leading toward the river. She had followed close on their heels, stopping abruptly when she saw Yellow Bird and Sam embrace. Stifling a cry, she spun around and fled. Sam must have heard her for he glanced up, catching a fleeting glimpse of her as she ran off.
Sam spit out a curse and removed Yellow Bird's arms from his neck, giving her a gentle shove. "Go back to camp, Yellow Bird. I don't want to hurt you, but there is no future for us." Yellow Bird stared at him for the space of a heartbeat. Her voice intense with emotion, she said, "La-cey will leave you, Sam. She is not the woman you need." Then she pivoted on her heel and hurried off.
Sam stripped and plunged into the cold water. How in the hell did he get himself into these predicaments? he wondered. His brothers had always teased him about his penchant for getting into trouble, and he supposed it was well deserved. Of the three brothers, he was the most unpredictable.
Yellow Bird had saved his life. He was indebted to her, but not enough to bed her. After loving Lacey last night, he couldn't imagine going through life without her. But without trust, how long could their relationship survive? Would having a son together compensate for the lack of trust?
Sam ducked beneath the water and came up sputtering. Then he waded ashore and pulled on his clothes, his mind whirling with options and choices that were painfully limited. He was still a wanted man...an outlaw. A man in his position had no business dragging a woman and innocent child all over hell while trying to evade the law. But he couldn't give up Andy, not now, not after growing to love the boy.
By the time Sam returned to camp he had come to a decision of sorts. He was keeping Andy. If Lacey refused to leave without her son, that was her problem. When he and Andy left for California she could accompany them or not, it was her choice.
Sam found Lacey inside the tipi with Andy and Yellow Bird. They were seated together, eating the food Yellow Bird had provided. Sam sat down beside Lacey. She stiffened and leaned away from him. He accepted a bowl from Yellow Bird and began to eat.
"Isn't it nice to have Mama with us, Papa?" Andy piped up. "She said she's not ready to go home yet. I don't want to return home unless we all go together."
"Is your mother prepared to travel to California with us?"
Andy looked hopefully at Lacey. "Are you, Mama?"
"We'll talk about it later, honey," Lacey replied, looking pointedly at Yellow Bird. "When we're alone."
"Can I go play with Sitting Bear now? Running Buffalo made me a bow and he's going to show me how to use it."
"A bow? I don't know..."
"Let him go, Lacey. Running Buffalo won't let any harm come to him."
"Very well. Be careful, honey."
Andy darted off. Silence reined, until Yellow Bird picked up the dirty bowls and left the tipi. Her manner toward Lacey was decidedly unfriendly, but Sam let it pass. The moment Yellow Bird was gone, Sam turned his full attention to Lacey.
"It's not what you think, Lacey. What you saw meant nothing."
Lacey bristled indignantly. "What makes you think I care?"
"Perhaps you don't, but I want to set the record straight. What you saw at the river was simply a display of Yellow Bird's affection. It wasn't reciprocated."
Lacey gazed down at her hands. "After last night I thought..." Her voice trailed off.
"What did you think?"
She lifted her eyes to his. "That you agreed to let Andy go home with me."
Sam's expression hardened. "Is that what you were doing last night when you surrendered to me? Were you taking advantage of my weakness for you to get your way in this? It won't work, Lacey. I won't deny that I want you, but I want my son more."
"No! It wasn't like that at all," Lacey insisted. "What happened between us was spontaneous. I couldn't have stopped it, we both know that."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Sam asked softly.
Her chin rose defiantly. "I'm taking Andy home. You can have your Indian squaw. Yellow Bird hates me. There might not be anything sexual between the two of you now but it's bound to happen."
"Yellow Bird wouldn't hurt you. She's a healer. She values life. Like I said before, you're free to leave whenever you please, but Andy stays with me." He hoped she'd agree to accompany him but would not stop her from leaving without Andy.
There was a flash of fire and her green eyes and Sam waited for her outburst.
"Damn you, Sam Gentry! I'm not leaving without my son. You and Yellow Bird can cavort all you please, just don't expect me to surrender to you again. Next time I'll be on my guard."
"Can I assume that to mean you're coming to California with us?"
"Assume anything you like, but know this, one way or another I'm leaving, and it won't be without Andy." Rising abruptly, she grabbed a water skin from the back of the tipi and stormed off.
Sam stared after her, a frown wrinkling his brow. He knew he was being obstinate, but he wasn't going to let Lacey win this time. If she wanted Andy, she could join them on their trek to California.
Lacey watched from afar as Andy and Sitting Bear played with their tiny bows. Their arrows didn't go far and Lacey was relieved to know she had nothing to worry about. She wandered down the path to the river to fill the water skin. She nee
ded a good wash and wanted to bathe in private. Unlike Sam, she was protective of her modesty.
Sam was gone when she returned to the tipi, much to Lacey's relief. She found an iron kettle and set water to heat over the fire. She heard a noise behind her and pivoted, not overly surprised to see Yellow Bird. This was her tipi, after all.
Yellow Bird wasted no time on preliminaries. "Why are you still here? You are no good for Sam."
Lacey minced no words. "I'm not leaving without Andy and Sam refuses to let me take him away."
"You have hurt Sam," Yellow Bird charged. "He does not care for you."
Anger surged through Lacey. "What did Sam tell you about me?"
"Very little, but I know he is not happy with you. I can take away his sadness. You will bring him nothing but trouble."
"You're welcome to Sam," Lacey retorted. "I've lived without him the six years I thought him dead and I don't need him now. Andy is all I require to make my life complete."
"You have another man," Yellow Bird charged. "One An-dy does not like."
"That man is no longer in my life or my future, not that it's any of your business. Look, Yellow Bird, I don't want you for an enemy. Take Sam, if he'll have you, but Andy is mine. "Please leave now so I may bathe in private."
Yellow Bird searched Lacey's face, as if trying to decide the veracity of her words, then she nodded and made a hasty exit.
Lacey truly didn't know what to make of Yellow Bird. She appeared sincerely fond of Andy, and it wasn't difficult to tell she was enamored of Sam. But, strangely, she perceived no real harm in the woman. Nothing threatening. She couldn't help feeling uneasy, however. She was, after all, an interloper in a world far different from her own. She feared that the Indians' good will toward her depended largely upon Sam's regard.
The following days passed with nothing resolved between Lacey and Sam. Lacey refused to allow Andy out of her sight. Though she worried about the ranch she made no attempt to leave, for Sam would stop her if she tried to take Andy away. She lived for the day when Sam would let his guard down, and when he did, she'd seize the moment.
The Outlaws: Sam Page 17
