Charles grabbed his oldest friend in a mighty bear hug. “It seems I’m always getting you out of trouble, old man,” Charles chided.
Seth smiled weakly, but didn’t miss a beat. “Celia?”
“Don’t worry. She’s safe and waiting on us. By the way – Brannon’s missing four of his men at last count.”
Seth nodded in understanding, “Brannon?”
With a negative shake, Charles turned more serious. “He’s fortifying himself with opium at the moment in a tent they have set for the purpose. The only reason he’s still alive is because he’s so well-guarded, must be twenty or thirty in there. There’s only five of us. I didn’t figure you wanted to take a chance on a repeat of this little dance-with-the-devil, so we decided on escape and regrouping as a better plan.” Seth nodded again, allowing Charles to help him to the horses.
Unable to help the groan deep in his throat as he slid into the saddle behind her, Seth buried his head in her hair and his hands encircled her holding on tight. He silently thanked whatever gods there were that she was there.
Charles grinned at Seth as he rode up. “You’ve got your sister to thank for this little rescue,” Charles told him. He winked at Celia. “Casey can’t keep secrets, just so you know.” He jerked his head behind him. His lopsided grin flashed. “It’ll be a while before Brannon is clear-headed enough to realize what’s happened. Once he does, Ty and Hawk will be ready with a little present of their own. According to Ty, Joseph sent some ‘Chinese fireworks’ with him.” Charles gave a snort of laughter. “Brannon will find his world going up in smoke when he finally comes to. By then, maybe Cole or the cavalry will have showed up. In the meantime, we’ll be long gone.”
Seth nodded and tightened his hold on Celia. He didn’t understand half of what Charles had just said, nor did he care. She’d said nothing, but leaned into his chest, gripping the arms around her tight. His hand came up and feathered along the angle of her face. So soft and smooth, Seth thought. If Brannon had touched her, he would make sure the man’s days came to an abrupt end. Didn’t matter to him if he was a Texas Ranger or not.
The sun began to rise as the men from Shooter Creek headed for safety. They said goodbye to the canyon leading to Brannon’s stronghold as the brilliant yellow orb peeked over the hilltops
“Best put as many miles between us and the bastard as we can.” Earl spit tobacco juice and wiped his mouth with a sleeve. Closer we are to Shooter Creek land the better off we’ll be.”
They rode all day and only stopped when the sun disappeared and the shadows grew long. With the darkness, only the animals were bold enough to prowl the woods. Rattlers and lizards were everywhere and a smart man didn’t travel in the dark.
Seth threw up a small tent Charles had thought to bring.
“I appreciate Charles thinking of the tent. I could have slept under the stars though.” Celia shrugged. “Don’t you have plans you need to discuss with he and Jake?” she asked. “I don’t mean to keep you from what you need to do.” She pointed toward the tent opening. I’ll be fine.
“Trying to get rid of me?” Seth’s mouth creased at the corner in a careful grin. He turned from her toward the tent entrance. “If they need me, they know where to find me. Besides, the view in here is much more to my liking than the one out there.”
“I’ll take a look at that burn.” Celia rose in the tight confine of their little world and leaned into Seth, examining the burn running along his neck. “The salve appears to be working.” Looking for signs of infection, she breathed out the one word near his ear, “Healing.” Still watching him as he shifted into the light from the fire outside the tent, she noticed his brooding expression. “What is it, Seth?”
His jaw worked with tension, but he remained silent.
Patiently, she waited. She had watched him check that opening time and again all night and would have been angered by his preoccupation with whatever was beyond the canvas slit except he’d cocked his rifle and laid it next to the entrance. Several times, she’s witnessed him rubbing the hilt of his gun still strapped at his side. He expected trouble and she couldn’t find the words to sooth his dilemma.
Reaching a hand out, Celia stroked his arm and gently offered the suggestion, “Talk to me, Seth. We’re in this together.”
Turning, Seth peered into her face with more something akin to pain. “I told you not to follow me. Did he hurt you? Did he force you?” he asked in voice gone edgy and pained.
A moment past before Celia could catch her breath. The concern in his voice brought goose bumps to her flesh. “No.”
Her one simple word reply opened a floodgate of emotion in both of them.
“I’d planned on killing him just because he wanted you.” Seth extended a shaky hand and traced the outline of her face where the bruises shone in the firelight. “Now I will kill him for hurting you. But if he’d forced you, I’d made up my mind. There wouldn’t have been enough of him left to feed the buzzards.” Seth slid closer in the tiny makeshift room. “Celia…” He traced the curve of her bruised cheek before trailing his hand along her collarbone and lower to her chest. “You hold my heart.”
Closing her eyes in pleasure, Celia soaked up the feelings he invoked and relished in the need igniting inside. “You hold mine, Dark Wolf.”
“I’ve been thinking,” he finally said. Flicking a glance in her direction, he let his elbows rest atop his knees. They faced each other like pilgrims in a sweat lodge. Wearily, he dropped his head over his bent knees. “I’ve been selfish.”
Brow furrowing, Celia wondered at his next words. “I don’t understand.” Cocking her head she gave him a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been so consumed with you staying here in Texas, that I didn’t see the danger I was forcing on you.” His eyes now full of remorse locked on hers.
Shaking her head gently, she let out a weak laugh, “In case you missed it, I can take care of myself.” Her wry humor did nothing to stir his mood.
Seth only nodded and then shook his head. “I’m not saying you can’t. I’m saying my demands that you remain here proves I’m no better than Brannon.”
When he looked at her, she saw the raw pain of what he said on his face. “No,” She shook her head vehemently. “You could never be like him.” Reaching out, she gently took his swollen and battered face in her hands. “I’ve been watching you.” When she drew his attention away from his perceived shortcomings, Celia smiled. “I’ve been watching you ever since I got back. You’ve grown into an honorable man, Seth. A man a woman can be proud to call her husband. I know you’re stubborn, but that’s what makes you good. You have convictions. You stand up for what’s right. You protect what’s important.” She waited a beat and looked him square in the eye when she said it though her heart was hammering in her chest. “I know you care deeply about me, though we’ve never talked about it.”
Seth didn’t speak for a minute and only stared at her.
Turning his hands over, he gave her a bewildered look that struck Celia square in the heart.
Seth took her hands in his and released a heavy breath. “I’ve done a piss-poor job of protecting you, but you’re right. I do care about you. It may not seem so now, but I’ve loved you from the first day I laid eyes on you at the stage. I just didn’t know you.” He dropped his head once more before he continued. “Since then, I’ve realized you’re nothing like the memories I had of you. At first that gave me some bad moments and I wanted to…” He glanced off searching for the words. “To make you into that girl I knew and understood all those years ago.” He looked into her eyes beseechingly. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Celia nodded. “Yes, Seth, I do.”
He let out a half laugh. “Good, because I still don’t, not really.” Shaking his head, he glanced back and caught her chin in his fingers. “You got to know, I had my reasons for the agreement.”
She started to pull back, but he held her fast.
“No
wait, listen.” Seth shook his head woefully. “I’ve made a real mess of this marriage thing. Thought, I knew exactly what to do to keep you here. Turns out, I put you right in the middle of the biggest mess possible, right in the middle of possibly losing your life.” Gripping her hands tighter now, he searched her face. “Celia, I’m so sorry. I thought if I could get you to stay, then I could keep you for my own. I didn’t want to consider what was best for you.” He relaxed his hold on her once more and dropped her hands. Scrubbing his face with those big, determined hands, Seth spoke softly then. “I understand if you decide you have to go. But I want you to know how much I want you to stay. Can we give this marriage thing a try?”
She sat stunned and very still until the meaning his words settled. Like a silly schoolgirl, she grinned and with a small squeal, she flung her arms around him. “Oh, Seth.” The only words she could get out of her constricted throat came out on a sob. As quickly as she did, she remembered his injuries and slowed her exuberance. “Did I hurt you?” she asked with concern.
The lopsided grin she remembered so well, appeared as Seth encircled her, drawing her into his warmth. “Don’t worry, I won’t break,” he reassured her.
“I…I know. Still, I don’t want to hurt you. You’ve been through so much,” She grinned and kissed his one good cheek. “Yes, Mr. Loflin, I would like to give this ‘marriage thing’ a try.”
The smile he sent her was full of love. Celia was certain of it. “Can we start now?”
Shooting her a bewildered expression, Seth shook his head. “Here?” He glanced around the tent as he made his point.
Her eyes twinkled as she nodded.
Without further hesitation, Seth pulled her close and ran his fingers through her hair. “You know you’re my addiction, don’t you? I never got over you.” He sighed into her hair as he drew her closer.
“Me either.” Celia admitted breathlessly as she stroked a finger along his cheekbone where the bluing marred his skin.
His hands were on her then and she could feel the cotton of her man’s shirt slid from her skin. Turning her into his arms, he gently continued his onslaught with warm, hungry kisses trailing down the tender flesh of her neck to the swell of her breasts. His fingers worked at the thin ribbons of her abbreviated chemise. With the fabric loose and exposing the satin of her warm bronze skin for him to view he lowered his mouth and plied her nipples for a response. “Celia…” He whispered as he worked each tiny crest into a hard bud. Making his way further down toward her belly, he whispered, “You undo me.” Taking her in his arms and cradling her to the soft quilt, he hovered above her.
She went liquid as his gaze roamed over her. Fabric fell away and the warmth of his touch caressed her skin. His hands were speaking for him as he ran his fingers over her hip gently and then to the inside of her thighs.
Celia couldn’t think. Her heart flew with his mouth and hands on her. His fingers set her flesh to quivering and on a wonderful spasm, she came.
So burying her fingers deep in his hair, she leaned in and took his mouth with hers, mating their tongues and tasting his flavor. She reveled in the treasure she’d been given. Seth stirred under her touch and she understood his arousal as he pressed himself against her. Slanting and parting his lips, she thoroughly explored the inside of his mouth. She feathered soft whispers of desire along his bruised lip and with gentle fingers caressed angered flesh as she sought out all there was to find. Without invitation, her hands moved to remove his shirt so she could slide ever-increasingly urgent fingers over slick skin gone lax with desire. While her tongue trailed slowly down his chest to his stomach, her body responded in kind. Seth found her damp and with a low moan drove his fingers inside her. She throbbed with the need to be sated and yearned for him to be inside her.
Seth started to unbuckle and shove out of his pants, but Celia stilled his hands. He was hard as a rock and it would have been so easy to take what he offered. But the need to share as much pleasure as she could with him had her trailing fingers low and deep into the dark hair surrounding his shaft. Seth watched, cloudy eyed, as she worked the denim free from his hips. Gently at first, she closed around him and watched as his eyes went to slits on a groan of pleasure. Then stroking him, she massaged and enticed the breath from his lungs before tasting him. With her hand fisted around him, she heard him suck air in through his teeth and tense before giving in to the rhythm she set.
His sharp intake of breath told her she was on the right track, when she lowered her head and took him in her mouth once more. He arched to meet her advances and sent natural sensations burned deep in Celia’s belly. Slow sensuous strokes gave way to long, deep glides as she pleasured him.
She rose up over him and sheathed him slowly, completely. His head fell back and his breath released and then caught on a moan of pure ecstasy. Fisting around him, she began to ride the wave after wave of desire that flooded her. She rode him to the brink. Pleasure and pain became one as the orgasm sent her reeling out of control. Still vibrating with the convulsive tremors of completion, she opened her eyes.
Seth lifted her and rolling, cradled her to the matted ground. Then like a vision out of her dreams, Seth rose up over her and slid inside her with one smooth stroke.
“Mine,” he whispered. “Tah cunna.”
Celia blinked open her eyes and smiled blissfully as she recognized the words of her native tongue – ‘heart of fire.’ Without preamble, she wrapped her arm around his shoulder and matched his strokes with her own. On the brink of release as Seth drove her beyond the bounds of earthly mortals, she watched him, her protector, her deliverance and yes, her lover when he threw back his head and followed her silently over the edge yet again.
***
Nestled in Seth’s arms, Celia watched the sky began to lighten on the horizon. A new day was dawning and as if from a vision, Celia awoke. Hers was a new world full of promise and hope. She released the last of her fears. Nothing could move forward until the trust they’d lost so long ago was reestablished. Why hadn’t she realized that before? Perhaps it was as her father had told her so long ago, time would answer all her questions. Strength rose up in her she hadn’t known existed. There would be no more running. Whatever the outcome of what she was about to do, Celia was home.
Seth stirred bringing her out of her musings. Celia drew back and set him from her. “There’s something I have to tell you.” She watched his face carefully. “I wasn’t completely honest with you about why I left all those years ago, Seth. And when I’m done, if you still want me, then, well, we’ll see…”
His brow furrowed deeply and his face tightened. “There’s nothing to explain. The past is behind us. Don’t dredge up old pain, darlin’.” Seth big hands ran up and down her naked flesh and sent the chill of the morning running.
Her heart gave a little stutter. Was she doing the right thing? “No, I don’t want to doubt you. I don’t doubt you. You’ve proven yourself to me time and again. It’s me who’s had something to hide.” She lowered her head momentarily before she began. “Seth, you asked me once who had forced me to leave Texas.”
Nodding, Seth concentrated on her.
Carefully examining her hands in her lap, she took a deep breath. “I told you it was settlers, but I never told you exactly who.”
“I remember.” Seth’s blue eyes followed her with concern.
“It was your father, Seth.” She could see the quick stab of pain before he tamped it down. “There was a massacre at the ranch west of Shooter Creek. Jake and Shorty said it looked like Apache, but the horses wore shoes and that was wrong. No one knew what to make of it, but we were all on guard.” She wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. “It wasn’t long before your father came out to our camp. He brought a large group of men with him.” Celia gave her head a gentle shake. “A show of force, I guess. He even had the Sheriff. They spoke with Lone Eagle alone in our teepee. Broken Horse translated and told me later what they’d said.” She took a deep breath.
“When they left, Lone Eagle sent for me. He told me I would have to return to my mother’s people. I wasn’t safe in Texas any longer.” She shook her head. “I can remember it like it was yesterday. I remember begging him to tell me why. All he would say is that ‘Time would answer all my questions’.”
Seth reached out and took her hand in his. “How did you escape?”
“I packed my belongings and with Jake and Shorty’s help, Broken Horse put me on a stage headed east.” Her smile was tremulous. “I was so scared.”
Seth cursed low under his breath and glanced outside.
“Broken Horse told me that Earl had threatened Lone Eagle with killing me if I stayed. He banished the tribe from his land as well. Broken Horse swore our tribe had nothing to do with the massacre, but Earl wouldn’t relent.” She dropped her head once more. “Broken Horse believed there was more to his reason. Only I knew the complete truth.” She reached out and ran a single finger along his jaw. “Your father knew we were lovers.” She couldn’t stop the one tear that escaped down her face.
Seth reached out and caught it on his finger. Then pulling her close, he wrapped her in his arms, holding her against him without saying anything. Finally, on a slow release of breath, Seth growled low in his throat, “So much time wasted.”
***
It took several days to clear Oklahoma and travel within a day’s ride of Shooter Creek. Tension was high, as each hill became a hiding place and every clump of trees a danger. When Ty and Hawk arrived with word, the group took their first semi-easy breath.
“Brannon’s a day’s ride behind us. If we keep going, we’ll make Shooter Creek well ahead of him. He’s missing several of his men.” Ty slid from his horse and dusted his Stetson against his knee. With a flicker of surprise and then a smile, he noted the arm Seth gathered Celia with as he explained the situation. The look he shot Seth was quick but telling and then he moved to the fire and snagged a cup of coffee. “I recon you’ll be glad to know, Sheriff Cole’s got a wanted poster up for Brannon now,” he told Seth as his brother approached the fire and stood beside him. “The Marshall for the territory had a visit with Cole. Seeing as how Brannon’s a renegade ranger, it shouldn’t be long before he’s caught.”
Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) Page 31
