Beauty and the Beasts [Bride Train 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Reece Butler

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” said Sophie. “Are you all right?”

  “Sheldrake. He keeps staring at me. I don’t like it.”

  “You’re right to avoid him. He’s known as a hired gun. One of these days he’ll go too far and the Vigilantes will hang him.” Sophie pursed her lips. “I saw him watching you, especially after you talked to Gabe. I think it’s best you leave now, so he can’t follow you home. If he goes after you, Gabe will try to stop him. That won’t be good for anyone.”

  “Gabe…Mr. Downey warned me about him. That’s why he spoke with me.”

  “Did you kiss Gabe’s cheek for saving you, or for warning you?” Sophie shook her head and sighed. “It wasn’t much of a kiss for saving your life, not like the one you gave Oz.”

  Sarah’s ears burned once more. She thought no one had seen her with Gabe.

  “Or is there more to that story, Sarah Unsworth?”

  “Sophie, I—”

  The hotel owner held up her hand. “I approve. Gabe is a good man, and gentle. Oz is a fine man, and so is Luke. Now take the back way out and lock the doors when you get there. Billy will knock when he comes in for bed. I’ll let Gabe know where you’ve gone, and why. He’s concerned.”

  “I told him I can take care of myself. I was just shocked for a moment. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

  Sophie shook her head. “You’ve been on your feet enough in the last few days. The worst is over, so go home. Tomorrow’s Monday and your first day of business. You need rest.”

  Sarah certainly was tired. That must be why she was so upset. Otherwise, why would she have kissed Gabe’s cheek after promising herself not to?

  It was still raining, so she rushed across the field to her bakery. She wiped her boots and shook out her rain-dampened skirts and shawl before stepping into the kitchen. She shivered as warmth enveloped her.

  Oliver looked up from the padded chair by the stove. He yawned hugely and stretched, pushing his white paws out in front while his black back end stayed high. When he decided he had her complete attention, he jumped down and trotted over.

  “I should have known you’d be safe and comfortable.” She picked up the purring cat. “And on my softest cushion.” She rubbed her forehead against his furry one. “You’re the only male in my life, and the only one I’ll ever need.”

  She sighed into his fur. He was the only male creature she knew would never, ever, betray her. He struggled to get down. When she let him go he went to the door and stared at it, tail flicking in impatience.

  “Typical male. Get the loving you demand and then you’re eager to leave.” She opened the door. He stepped out, shook a wet paw, glaring up at her as if the rain was her fault. “Don’t climb any more trees unless you can figure out how to get down!” A final tail flick and he was gone, leaving her alone once more.

  “Get used to it,” she told herself. “No man is worth losing control over your life.”

  Gabe came to her mind and her nipples puckered. There was one form of control that she wouldn’t mind losing. She craved orgasms with an ache that centered between her legs. But if she let a man into her life, he would think he owned her.

  Kisses, hugs, and orgasms? Or freedom?

  Chapter Nine

  Monday, June 3rd, Tanner’s Ford Bakery

  Sarah pulled another batch of fruit turnovers from her new bakery oven. These were dried apple and cinnamon, with a touch of lemon peel. Two dozen more, canned peach and shaved ginger, cooled on the wooden counter in the front room. Ten minutes later she set the last of the pastries on her tray. Frank Chambers stood on one side of the door, and Sarah on the other. Frank was no longer the sheriff, but though he’d complained about leaving as soon as possible, he stayed for the triple wedding. Owen Barstow, his replacement, had made him a deputy while he hung around. With Frank there to back him up, Barstow had taken his family to visit the Elliotts’ Bitterroot ranch. His wife, Mary, met Florence Elliott on the Bride Train the previous fall.

  “Are you ready?” asked Frank. “There’s a few Elliotts out there, and Gillis MacDougal, of course. He’s fit to be tied that you said the first thirty would get a free little pie, and he’s number thirty-two. I told him you might have made a couple of extra.” Frank chortled. “Gillis is chomping on his beard, he’s so eager for a sweet treat.”

  “I made four dozen, though I also put some aside for you, Nora, and Billy.”

  Frank winked in appreciation before opening the door. He was an old man, but he was still the law. When he stepped out, silence descended.

  “I want a single line right down the edge of the sidewalk. Anyone who pushes or shoves gets thrown to the back of the line.”

  Sarah, standing right behind Frank, saw them shuffle and nudge, but soon a fairly straight line emerged.

  “Any questions?”

  “How many pies are there?”

  The worried voice came from near the back of the line.

  “Count yourselves off.” Frank pointed to the first bleary eyed man. “You start with one, you’re two, and the rest of you keep it going.”

  It took a few minutes as some of the men needed help once they got past twenty. The last man yelled out, “Thirty-nine, dammit.”

  “You there at the back! No cussing in front of ladies.”

  “Pardon me, ma’am. It’s just that I been hungering for pie all winter.”

  “Hold your horses, I counted at least forty in the kitchen,” said Frank. The man whooped, his glum face now big smiles. The rest of the men shuffled forward eagerly.

  Sarah made sure to smile as she filled each man’s palm. Some hands were dirty, some clean, but all were callused. Many men shyly said how much it meant to them to have something sweet given to them by a pretty lady. For some, it had been a year or more since they’d had something other than bacon, beans, bread, and beer. They had coffee too, and whiskey of course, but little else. Certainly nothing sweet made by a woman’s hands.

  Oz and Gabe said hello when she gave them their turnovers, but Luke only nodded. Oz disappeared but the other two stood near, looming over anyone who looked like they might pay attention to her.

  She recognized the other bachelor ranchers from the recent wedding party, so smiled at them. Cole Taylor of the Flying X tried to chat with her but took the hint and moved away when Luke cleared his throat. She had three tarts, plus the six in the back room, when the last man thanked her and headed toward Baldy’s Saloon.

  “I’d say you made yourself a lot of friends,” said Frank. He took the last three pastries, nodded at Luke and Gabe, and strolled down the boardwalk.

  Luke cleared his throat. “Did you make anything other than those small pies this morning? One of them, no matter how good, won’t keep me working all day. Gabe and I are hoping to buy something more filling.” At the mention of his name, Gabe strolled toward her.

  “Yes, I baked bread, full-size meat pasties, and cinnamon rolls.”

  “Are those cinnamon rolls like Miss Rosa’s?” asked Gabe. He licked his lips.

  Sarah nodded and the men grinned at each other.

  “We’ll buy three of each,” said Luke. “Please and thank you.”

  She walked inside and pointed to the wide counter to her right. Luke and Gabe followed. They kept their hands behind their backs like little boys in a candy shop, warned not to touch anything.

  “Forget about Oz,” muttered Luke. “He went to the saddle shop, and he’s likely to be there half the day. For two bits we can each get two pastries and a roll, as well as a loaf of bread to take home. Oz doesn’t have to know we bought anything but bread.”

  She bit her lip to keep in a snicker, but wasn’t totally successful. Gabe must have heard, as he turned to her. He winked and gave her a slow, sensual smile. That, along with her joy at the success of the morning, rolled a tingle of awareness over her from head to toes. Was he really as innocent as she thought? He was certainly giving her the suggestion that he could be interested in solvin
g her problem about a lack of orgasms. Not that anyone knew about that, thank goodness.

  “Oz can take care of himself. We’ll keep some bread for him,” said Gabe.

  “We can try, but there’s no guarantee,” answered Luke. He flicked his eyes around the room, empty except for the three of them. He ended up by looking her over. “You want to try another kiss, Miss Sarah?”

  “Not from you!”

  “And why not?” He pulled himself to full attention in a caricature of a gravely insulted man. He brushed each side of an imaginary moustache, like a villain on the stage. “I’ve been known to make ladies swoon from my kisses.” He winced and rubbed his nose. “However, that was some years ago. Perhaps I should practice with you to see if I still have my skill?”

  “You want a wife. I’m not going to give you any encouragement.”

  She caught a flicker of unease before his expression changed from affronted to sly.

  “What about Gabe? He said you didn’t give him a kiss like you did Oz. Gabe thinks you don’t like him.”

  Gabe growled a curse and smacked Luke on the back of the head with his palm. Luke staggered three steps before he caught his balance. “Hey, I was just trying to help!” He scowled at Gabe and rubbed the sore spot.

  She knew Luke’s theatrics were only partly put on, but he did have a point. She’d kissed Oz quite thoroughly as a room full of eager men watched. She’d only pecked Gabe’s cheek, and that was done in a dim corner. She’d thought about that tiny kiss a lot, wishing she’d had a chance to taste him like she had Oz.

  Half the time she wanted to avoid everything to do with men and the potential of sex. The rest of the time she wanted to do sinful things like nibble every inch of the man. Gabe was so big, it could take most of the night! Her nipples hardened at the thought. She tried to stop her body’s reaction to the man, but when he stood near her, all her good intentions went out the window.

  “You’re right,” she said, her heart pounding. “I do owe Gabe an apology.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  Gabe said the words, but his eyes begged for more. He held his body stiff, his fists tight at his sides. Was he trying to stop himself from reaching for her?

  “Yes, I do. I enjoyed Oz’s kiss, but then I convinced myself it was wrong. Since I won’t marry, I didn’t want to falsely encourage you. That’s why I just pecked your cheek.”

  “Oz? Marry?” Luke shook his head. “That man has good reasons to stay clear of marriage, so don’t hold yourself back.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Oz seemed quite enthusiastic about receiving more of your ‘encouragement.’”

  Did Luke mean that Oz would be interested in a discreet liaison? No, Oz was not the type to be discreet. Luke didn’t say whether Gabe wished to avoid marriage. And if Luke wanted to marry her, why did he encourage her to kiss his partners? Did he think they would wear her down until she was so needy she’d marry him just to get fulfillment? If so, he had another think coming. She had personal experience that a woman didn’t need a ring on her finger before a man could send her into orgasmic bliss. She looked at Gabe. Even in the dim light she could see his flushed cheeks.

  “I should have thanked you just as sincerely,” she said. Gabe stared at the floor, his chest rising and falling quickly, almost as fast as her own. Finally, he looked at her.

  “You don’t have to, Sarah,” he said quietly. “I don’t need your pity.”

  “Pity? Is that what you think this is about?”

  She stomped across the floor until her nose was only a few inches from his chest. She inhaled the same wonderful scent she remembered from that night. She could feel his heat radiating toward her. If she slept with Gabe, she would never be cold on a winter’s night.

  Heat rose from between her legs, all the way to her forehead. If they shared a bed, his body heat wouldn’t be the only thing that would keep her warm. And a good part of the night would be spent doing anything but sleeping. She looked in his eyes, sixteen inches above her, and crooked her finger at him.

  “You really want to kiss me?”

  His nostrils flared when she nodded

  “Bring your mouth down here so I can reach your lips, big guy.”

  “You’re a bossy woman.”

  She nodded. “Especially when I know what I want.”

  A smile pulled at one side of his mouth. “I have a better idea.” Warm hands circled her waist. He easily lifted her until they were eye to eye. “How’s this?”

  He held her so their bodies were inches apart. She had to do something about that. She rested her hands on his shoulders. They were so wide that she put her elbows on them with her fingers near his neck. His lips looked so kissable that she leaned forward and brushed hers against them. He didn’t react.

  She pulled back her head. He blinked at her, and then smiled. His dark-brown eyes looked like they were melting in arousal. Her breasts reacted to the invitation, swelling in need. Her pussy did the same.

  This time he was the one who brushed his lips against hers. She accepted the gentle gesture, then opened her mouth and darted her tongue into his. His eyes widened for a moment before narrowing to accept her challenge. He nipped her bottom lip and then slid his tongue over it when she gasped.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close.

  * * * *

  Gabe shuddered when the tiny, hot woman pressed her breasts against his chest. He held her around the waist and his thumbs and fingers almost touched. Telling himself that he didn’t want her to fall, he walked forward until her back rested against the wall. Then he pressed his body against hers, tilting his hips to hold her up. She responded by lifting her legs and rubbing her pelvis against his cock.

  “Sarah,” he gasped, “I’m just using the wall to hold you, so you don’t fall. I don’t mean to do anything else—”

  “I do,” she whispered, and rubbed her breasts against him. “Now kiss me again.”

  If he kissed her again, he would do something like carry her into the back room, raise her skirts, and sink into her heat. That would be despicable.

  He backed away and set her feet on the floor. When he was sure she wouldn’t fall, he released her and took another three steps back. He shuddered, barely able to stop the explosion that threatened to embarrass him.

  “Oz was right about one thing.”

  Luke’s voice came from behind him. He barely heard it over the rush of blood pounding through his veins. Sarah was still leaning against the wall, breasts heaving as she pouted up at him. She caught his eyes and, arching her back like a cat, rubbed her palms over the hard nubs that had almost been his undoing. He groaned and turned to Luke. The man was laughing at him!

  “Luke, I swear this time I’m going to pound you into pemmican and—”

  “The lady sure can kiss, but I don’t think she’s an angel,” said Luke. “She’s got too much devilry in her.” He put his hand over his heart and sighed dramatically. “Too bad she won’t let me show her how much better I kiss than either of you louts.”

  After twenty-five years of experience, Gabe could see through Luke’s melodramatic posing. He covered up what he felt, wrapping a false front around him like a cape. From birth, he’d been taught to hide what he really felt. It was the way of the upper class, and Luke’s family had enjoyed wealth, respect, and prestige for generations. The war changed all that, but Luke still had the inborn arrogance of a man on top of his world.

  Knocking that arrogance out of Luke was one of Gabe’s missions in life. It was even more important now, as Sarah wouldn’t accept Luke the way he was. After that kiss, he was desperate for Sarah to marry his friend, and share their bed. But Luke had to change his attitude for that to happen.

  “Now you know how it feels to be part of the furniture while a woman kisses your partner in front of you.” Gabe forced himself to speak quietly. “How many years did I guard you, standing against the wall while you danced and kissed the women who curled their lips at me? You’d
do whatever the hell you wanted, knowing I had your back if anything happened.”

  Luke’s smile dropped, his face turning white except for the red slash across his face. “I never thought…”

  “Exactly,” replied Gabe. His cock, though still hard, was no longer at the bursting point. He could look at Sarah and not need to do things he’d dreamed about but never tried. Just thinking about it made him stiffen again. He had to get away.

  “Luke, give Sarah her two bits so we can get home. There’s a lot of work to be done.”

  Luke dug in his pocket and produced a silver coin. He laid it on the counter. “I’ll meet you at Stumpy’s,” he said, and walked out.

  Gabe kept his eyes down, but he was fully aware of Sarah. What did she think of him pushing her away? Was she insulted?

  He heard her skirts brushing against her ankles as she walked over to pick up the coin. He counted every step of her boots as she went to the connecting door into the kitchen. She hesitated there.

  “Help yourself to whatever you want from the display counters,” she said quietly.

  “Sarah, if I hadn’t stepped back, I don’t know what I would have done. But it would have been something you didn’t want.”

  He waited, heart pounding, for her reaction to his apology. She didn’t reply for what felt like ages.

  “None of you know what I want,” she whispered into the near-empty room. “How could you, when I don’t even know myself.”

  She quietly closed the door behind her, leaving him alone with her offerings. He inhaled, hauling air deep into his lungs. He’d barely breathed while he waited for her to speak, in case he missed her soft voice.

  What the hell did she mean?

  He’d talk to Oz. The man knew a lot about women. He also noticed things about them that he, and especially Luke, didn’t. It was one of the things that made the ladies crowd around. Oz would tell them how their dress matched their lovely eyes.

  Gabe would know how many men were in the room, what weapons they carried, and where the likely threats and escape routes were. He might notice the color of the women’s dresses, but he was too shy to meet their bold eyes.