by Cindy Stark
When she’d shimmied it into place, she reached behind her back and pulled on the laces, working them as much as she could to tighten the corset around her. No wonder women helped each other dress in the olden days. This thing was a beast. A beautiful beast, though.
She turned to look in Annabelle’s antique mirror, her breath catching in her throat. The corset’s boning forced her breasts upward until they nearly spilled over the lace-edged tops, enhancing her size while slimming down her waist. Damn. Why couldn’t she look this good all the time?
She removed her jeans because they messed with the look, stepping out of them before she turned back to the mirror.
The short lacy skirt hinted at what lie beneath without giving a full on view. Though the garment had been made to encourage promiscuous and even illegal behavior, it possessed a grace and exquisiteness beyond compare. That it had been so-well preserved from the past was astonishing.
A strange feeling washed through her, making her feel sexy and wanton, and she suddenly understood the incredible sexual power Rosa must have felt while wearing this. What man could resist this kind of package?
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. Not Rick.
She headed back to the trunk and bent down, her hair slipping over her shoulders, caressing her already-sensitized breasts. She carefully removed more items. A black feather boa. The red dress dear Annabelle had worn while playing poker with her friends. She hugged it close to her, desperately missing her aunt’s infectious smile.
A small black ornate box had been tucked to the side. Erin lifted the lid and peered inside. It contained an elegant golden hair comb encrusted with what looked like emeralds. Beneath that rested two velvet chokers. Erin removed the one that had a circle of gold attached to the middle. She fastened the clasp around her neck and took the hair comb with her.
Looking into the mirror, she pulled one side of her hair back with the comb, exposing her neck and ear. She found emerald earrings and a matching bracelet in Annabelle’s jewelry stash and put them on as well. The boa finished her look.
If she didn’t know better, she could easily have been back in the 1880s, a local prostitute preparing for an evening of wild sex with whichever untamed cowboy entered the black-listed establishment.
She didn’t have shoes or stockings to match the ensemble, but it made no difference. She’d been transformed into a brazen saloon girl.
And she liked it.
“Yes.” The whisper moved through the air from somewhere near her right shoulder. She glanced beyond her image in the mirror, but knew she wouldn’t find anyone in the room with her. No doubt, though, Rosa approved.
With her body tingling with anticipation and excitement, she headed out of the room and down the stairs. In her mind, she pictured gentlemen standing in the foyer or perhaps lounging in the small library with a crystal glass holding the finest whiskey. Rosa might have sold her body for money, but she had to have enjoyed at least some aspects of her occupation.
Erin moved down the hall, stopping in the doorway to the atrium. Rick still sat where she’d left him on the couch, his gaze trained on his computer screen. A slow smile crept across her lips.
“Look what I found,” she said.
He turned, and the expression on his face nearly sent her already-excited body into an orgasm.
“Damn.” His voice came out in a low whisper as his eyes grew wide with appreciation.
She moved into the room, and he slammed his laptop shut before he stood.
“I think it belonged to Rosa.” When she was close to him, she turned in a circle to give him the full effect.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so sexy.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“You’re beautiful.” He reached out for her, but she took a step back.
“Oh, no. If you want to touch, you’ll have to pay for the privilege.” She wasn’t sure what made her say that to him, but she enjoyed the look of surprise on his face.
His eyes sizzled with interest as he reached for his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. “How much for the pleasure of your company, madam?”
She ran a hand down his bicep as though sizing up what type of man she might be encountering. “Hmm…I don’t really know the going rate for an 1880s hooker. Two bucks? Is that where the term two-bit hooker came from?”
“Who cares?” He pulled a bill out of his wallet and held it out to her. “I have a twenty. Will that do?”
She snapped it from his fingers and tucked it between her breasts. Just like that, she’d become a paid prostitute. “That will do nicely.”
He wasted no time pulling her into his arms. Her heart slammed against her chest as he looked down at her, spending several seconds studying her eyes before he dropped his gaze lower.
“You’re so hot,” he whispered, trailing a finger across the swells of her breasts. “I get you all to myself? For the whole night?”
She nodded, her breasts threatening to escape their barely-restrained confines with each breath she took.
With heated seduction burning in his eyes, he wrapped his hand around her hair, tugging back her head until her face angled up toward him. His actions weren’t gentle, but he didn’t hurt her, either. In fact, his slight roughness sent her pulse racing. “So who am I? A local miner come down from the hills? A man who hasn’t tasted female flesh in a while, and I’m beyond hungry?”
“If that’s what you want,” she said, a little breathless. The raw male expectation in his eyes promised her a night of stolen pleasures. “I’m here to please you.”
He dipped his head, claiming her mouth with a possessiveness that left her weak. She put a hand to his chest to steady herself and ended up gripping his shirt.
“I like the way you think, madam,” he said when he pulled away.
She fought to catch her breath. “What would you like me to do?” she asked in a lowered voice.
“Stand there.” He circled behind her, his large hands spanning her waist as he pulled her against his chest. He leaned over her shoulder, his breath warm in her ear. “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to pay for sex.”
She shivered.
Slowly he moved his hands upward, cupping her breasts from beneath, running his thumbs along her bare mounds.
Heated moisture gathered between her legs. “Do you like what you see?”
“I do.” His deep voice rumbled through her. He turned her in his arms. With torturously slow movements, he slid a finger beneath her corset, cruising along the edge until he crested her nipple.
She gasped, loving the way his touch shot arrows of desire through her, making her ache for more.
“I think the lady likes that.” He tugged the edge of the fabric downward until her breast broke free from its restraint. The boning beneath still held her high, and her pebbled nipple jutted forward begging for attention.
“Nice,” he whispered as he dipped his head and sucked her into his mouth. She arched with overwhelming need.
Painful pleasure shot through her as he nipped her before releasing her. He slid his hand to the other breast, freeing it as well, and then moved behind her once again taking both mounds into his warm hands, alternating between massaging her and tugging on her nipples.
Darkness behind the large windows in the room reflected their images back to her, and she was reminded of the first night they’d danced in the atrium together. Never in a million years would she have pictured herself here like this.
He caught her gaze in the glass, a satisfied smile slipping across his lips.
“You’re beautiful, you know.”
She nodded, caught up in the whole seductive experience. With him, she felt beautiful.
He released her breasts, his hands moving to the short lace skirt attached to her corset. He lifted it, baring her to him with the exception of the tiny lace thong that she wore. She watched as he put his hands on the backs of her thighs and was surprised to find how sensitive her skin h
ad become. He moved his hands upward, digging his fingers into her ass before he slid them around to the front.
Her breath quickened as he buried his hand beneath the thin piece of black lace, slowly moving downward until he slipped between her eager folds. “Oh, yeah,” he groaned.
An unexpected orgasm ripped through her, and she gasped, her knees growing weak.
“God, you’ll make me come just watching you,” he whispered.
He nearly ripped her thong from her body before he shed his t-shirt and jeans. His thick member jutted toward her as he removed his underwear before returning to his jeans to pull a condom from his wallet.
She took the latex from his hands and slid it over him, reveling in the power pulsing beneath her shaking fingers.
He pulled her into his arms again, her naked breasts pressing against his chest. His hard cock teased her apex as he claimed her mouth with a rough kiss. “I want you so fucking bad right now,” he whispered between kisses.
Without clothes, she could picture him as a silver miner, his body hardened by work, with powerful needs that only a woman could ease.
God knew she wanted to be the one to bring his release.
She thought for a moment how Rosa might respond. “Fuck me, Rick. Fuck me like the whore that I am.”
He growled in approval.
Ironclad arms wrapped around her middle as he pulled her toward the couch and bent her over the arm. “I want you to watch me take you.”
A tremor rocked through her as she turned her gaze to the side, catching them in the reflective windows. He lifted the black lace once again, the round curves of her ass showing in the soft light. He cursed again as he caressed her skin, obviously enjoying the position he’d placed her in. Then he moved forward, gripping her hips as his cock disappeared between her legs.
“Oh god.” She thought she might die before he took her.
Then he was there, pressing into her highly sensitized folds. He angled her hips a little and then filled her with a powerful thrust.
She tried to breathe as a fierce lust consumed her.
“Fuck, yeah,” he groaned. He gripped her hard, holding her as he slammed into her. Again. And again. Her breasts bounced with each thrust, increasing her pleasure until she couldn’t think beyond where he joined with her.
Time seemed to stop as he filled her over and over with heated steel. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.
All she could do was feel.
An incredible pressure built inside her, and she reached for the exquisite pleasure that seemed so close. Her legs threatened to buckle, and then she cried out as a fierce orgasm ripped through her.
He didn’t stop. Didn’t give her a moment to collect her shattered soul.
He appeared obsessed by his goal, and he wouldn’t stop until he’d reached the pinnacle.
She dug her nails into the couch pillows trying to hold onto her sanity as tremor after tremor rocked her. He gave and gave until she thought she’d burst from pleasure.
Then suddenly he gripped her hips tighter as he slammed into her one last time and held. His groans sounded almost painful as he released his seed. She froze, giving him the time he needed.
A moment later, the frenzy was over, and all that was left was their labored breathing.
He stayed inside her for a moment as though he needed another minute to collect his bearings. Then he pulled from her, twisted her in his arms, before laying a very possessive kiss on her lips.
When he ended it, he tilted his head, gazing into her eyes. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No,” she whispered as a smile found her lips. “You did everything but hurt me.”
“Yeah? It was good?” His grin matched hers. “Cause I got a little…”
Warmth spread through her from their continued emotional connection. “Trust me. I know. But you were amazing.” She gave a small laugh, feeling better than she had in forever. She’d weathered his frenzied storm and come out exhilarated on the other side.
He chuckled as well, obviously pleased with himself. “I’m glad I could be of service, madam. And since I’ve paid for you for the entire night, I say we see if we can find an available bed upstairs where I can seek more pleasure from your willing body.”
Her smile turned into a full-on grin. “Whatever you wish. I’m yours for the taking.”
* * *
“I’m glad you’ve decided to stay in Argent Springs,” Rick whispered into Erin’s ear as he held her tightly to him, making her feel cherished. Midnight had disappeared several hours ago, whisked away by numerous rounds of wild and passionate lovemaking. She wondered if she’d ever get enough of him.
“I belong here.” She captured his face with her hands and kissed him. “I’ve been thinking about some minor renovations to the house. Maybe even adding another building out back where I could provide massage therapy and maybe another guest bedroom. Though it wouldn’t be as cool for guests as actually staying in the house. But maybe for overflow?”
“That sounds like a big project,” he mumbled against her hair.
“I was kind of hoping you’d be around to help me.” All of her newest plans included Rick. Maybe she was a fool for expecting that, but it just seemed right.
He hugged her to him. “I’d be happy to help.”
She lifted off his chest to see him better, loving the angles and shadows of his face in the moonlit room. “You don’t think Annabelle or Rosa would mind, do you?”
He laughed then, vibrations in his chest rumbling beneath her. She couldn’t imagine anything more perfect than lying in his arms, loving life.
“If they don’t like it, I’m sure they’ll let us know.”
“I’m sure they will,” she said with a smile before snuggling against him once again.
“There’s something else, you should know.”
She traced a finger over his chest. “What’s that?”
“I think I’m falling in love with you.”
She inhaled a quick breath. “Really?” She’d been so afraid to bring up the subject.
“Really.” He kissed her hair. “Is that okay with you?”
“More than okay.” She tugged his head toward hers, kissing him with all the intensity glowing in her heart. “I love you, too.”
He rolled her over, trapping her beneath his strong body as he kissed her back.
Nothing compared to the feeling of coming home. She couldn’t believe she’d made it this far in life before she’d discovered exactly where home was, but now that she was here, she’d never leave.
Chapter Twenty
Erin awoke with a start, certain she’d heard a loud noise coming from somewhere in the house. She’d fallen asleep on the couch in the early afternoon, cursed with a stupid headache. “Rick?” she called out.
No answer.
She glanced at her watch, noting the time was still a few hours before their guests were supposed to arrive. So what had woken her?
Maybe she’d dreamt it.
She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the couch. Her headache was still there, but not as bad as before. Thank God, because she had stuff to do.
She made her way through the house, surprised to find the scent of lavender wafting heavily through the air. She hadn’t smelled it once since Rick had more or less moved into her bedroom two weeks ago. “What?” she called out.
No answer. Not that she’d expected one.
Upstairs, she was surprised to find a book she’d left on the hallway table now lying on the floor. She was certain she hadn’t left it hovering on the edge where it might fall. Goosebumps raised on her forearms. Surely, Rosa couldn’t have done something like that.
Before Erin could think further on the subject, the doorbell rang. Perhaps her guests had arrived sooner than expected.
She retraced her steps downstairs and peeked through the keyhole in the front door. A young woman with long blond hair and bright red lipstick stood on the porch looking v
ery impatient.
Erin opened the door. “Hi,” she said to the woman.
The blonde gave her a momentary look of surprise before she glanced beyond Erin as though expecting someone else might be standing there. “I’m looking for Rick.”
Erin brought her brows together. “He’s working right now. Can I give him a message?”
“I already stopped at his garage, and he wasn’t there.” She looked past Erin again.
“Well, I promise he’s not here, either.” Though where he was, she had no idea.
The woman released a large, annoyed sigh. “Tell him Melinda stopped by. I’m staying with Janice. He can find me there.” Without a goodbye or anything, she turned, her high-heeled boots clicking on the sidewalk as she walked back to a sporty-looking black Eclipse and sat inside. It started with a roar, and like that, she was gone.
Erin shut the door, not quite sure what to feel. The woman who’d broken Rick’s heart and then left had come back to Argent Springs. What did that mean, if anything, for her new relationship with Rick?
She tried to reassure herself that she had nothing to worry about, but a niggling doubt dropped into the pit of her stomach and began to fester.
* * *
A rush of chilled air swirled into Rick’s garage not long after he’d returned from lunch, and he glanced up expecting to see Kellan.
Instead, Melinda stood just inside the door, a warm look of expectant happiness on her face. A feeling of appreciation pinged through him. She’d grown out her white-blond hair since he’d last seen her, and she seemed a lot thinner. But her blue eyes still sparkled with interest. “Rick.” She rushed toward him, acting like a person who’d endured a forced separation from her lover and threw her arms around his neck.
Not knowing what else to do, he hugged her back even as the shield around his heart deployed. “What are you doing here?”
She pulled back, smiling into his face. “I missed you. So much.” She took hold of his chin and leaned up to kiss him.
