“I do love you, so much,” she whispered hoarsely. “I need to know that you love me back, Sin. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. But I need you to tell me.”
“Isn’t this enough?”
“No.” She unbuttoned his shirt and slipped her hand inside. “I love the feel of your skin,” she whispered.
“You fight dirty,” he muttered.
“This isn’t fighting.”
Ah, but it was. This was the battle of a lifetime; a fight he couldn’t win. A war he’d lost long ago. “I want you,” he whispered.
She boldly laid her hand over his denims, over his erection. “I know you want me.” She opened a button, stroked once, opened another button. “I also know that you love me.”
His resolve deteriorated. “Even if I do, it doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me.”
He lifted her skirt and reached beneath to untie the tapes at her waist. Her drawers dropped to the floor and she kicked them away. When he touched her intimately she gasped. When he slipped a finger inside her, she closed her eyes and melted against him.
“Sin,” she whispered, “what if someone comes in?”
“They won’t.” He stroked her until she gave over completely, until she forgot that there was no latch on the door to this small room. She pressed her body to his and held on with all her might, tender and strong.
She didn’t ask him again to say that he loved her. She threaded her fingers through his hair and held on tight. She touched him, teased him, caressed and kissed him, and opened one button of his denims at a time. Her body rocked against his as he touched her, stroking her wet entrance.
The moment passed when she had no more words. He knew the exact moment, savored it the way he savored the feel of her. There was simply her body and his, raw pleasure, unbridled need. He lifted her into his arms and spun her around, placing her back against the wall. She was so light, so tiny, so beautiful. He didn’t deserve her, and he certainly didn’t deserve her love.
But he did love her.
She wrapped her legs around him, searching for the joining she craved as he did. He touched her, barely began to enter her, but he held her up and back.
“Look at me,” he whispered.
She opened her eyes. No one had ever looked at him this way before—hungry, open, loving, wanting, and vulnerable.
“I want you so bad I ache with it. I need you like I’ve never needed anything else.” With that he plunged inside her, stretching and filling, wrapping her body around his. She held on to his neck and lifted her body, then moved down and against him so that he filled her completely, so that he was buried deep inside her.
He wasn’t gentle, and she didn’t ask for gentleness from him. This coming together was built on need and lust and promise. It was a fierce mating, an uncontrollable force. When Eden climaxed she cried out, and as she milked him with her inner muscles Sullivan again pumped his seed, his soul, into her waiting body.
She melted, with her legs still around him and her head resting against his shoulder.
“We never made it to the tub,” she said breathlessly.
“Not enough room.”
They sank to the floor, still entwined.
“We really must put a latch on the door,” Eden said, a touch of humor in her breathless voice as she reached out to brush her fingers against the rough wood of the door.
Sullivan mumbled his assent.
“You do need me, you know,” she said sweetly. “And I need you. I don’t want to go back to Georgia, no matter what the two of you have to say about the matter.” With a deep, satisfied sigh she adjusted her position, cuddling against him. “So what do we do next?” she asked. “Do we tell Jedidiah that we’re married and that’s that, or do we pretend to hate each other until he’s had time to get used to the idea of us together?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to think about it.”
As much as she wanted to hear it, he couldn’t tell Eden that he loved her. Even though it was, unfortunately, true, he wasn’t yet convinced that the love would last—or that it would be enough.
* * *
It was difficult to lie, especially to her brother, so Eden decided the best course of action was simply to ignore Sin when Jedidiah was present. The plan was amazingly successful. By nightfall everyone had noticed the change. Over supper in the hotel dining room Jedidiah was pleased with himself, Nate shook his head in disapproval, and Cash almost celebrated.
She had an idea that Rico wasn’t fooled, but at least he had the decency to keep his suspicions to himself.
What she really wanted to do was go to Jedidiah and tell him the truth, that she loved Sin and he needed her and they were married. End of discussion. Unfortunately Jedidiah was not likely to take the defeat well, and with so much else going on, now was not the time to create more turmoil.
Eden ate supper at a table with Millie and Teddy. Sin was all the way on the opposite side of the room, eating dinner with Rico and Nate. Jedidiah shared a table with Cash and his twittering, giggling dinner companion, a busty blonde in a low-cut red dress. Ethel.
After this afternoon, Eden had no doubts that Rock Creek was her home and always would be. She was going to have to make an effort to meet other women in town, women besides those who made their livings in the saloon across the street. She needed to invite Mary Reese and Rose Sutton to lunch, when she was settled and the hotel was in better shape. They could introduce her to the other women in town.
“Mama,” Teddy said in a low voice, capturing her attention with little more than a whisper.
Eden smiled down at him. “Yes?”
“Why are you mad at... at Mr. Sullivan?” He turned those big brown eyes up, and Eden’s heart melted.
Millie put her fork down and waited expectantly for a response. When she didn’t get one immediately, she spoke up. “Yeah. I thought he was going to be our papa. You said he might be, and now he’s not even talking to us.”
Oh dear. “Well,” Eden said in a calm voice, “it’s a very complicated story. I’m not really mad at Mr. Sullivan.”
“You looked mad at him when you put his plate down so hard his chicken jumped,” Millie said, lowering her own voice.
Eden looked around the room. While the men were close enough, no one was listening. Still, she whispered. “It’s a kind of game, like the one we played on the way to Rock Creek. And like the other game, it’s a secret.”
“Okay,” Millie whispered conspiratorially. “I won’t tell. Do I have to be mad at him, too?”
“No.”
Teddy frowned and pushed at the peas on his plate with his fork. “Why isn’t he eating with us? Did I do something wrong? Did I make him mad?”
Eden placed her hand over his. “Of course not. Just a game, remember.”
It was clear Teddy didn’t like this particular game. “How long is it going to last?”
Eden glanced across the room, just as Sin lifted his head and looked at her. Her heart leaped, and she had to work much too hard to contain her smile. “Not very long,” she said. “I promise.”
When she jumped up and began to gather the dirty dishes, Rico left his seat and headed for the kitchen. As had become the custom, the room would be thoroughly inspected before she entered it. Since two of the notes, and the scorpions, had been left there, it was clear someone was finding their way through the back door, which was almost always latched, or the window.
A few minutes later Rico emerged from the kitchen and gave her a nod, acknowledging that all was clear, and Eden carried a stack of plates to the counter. When she turned around, she was surprised to see Ethel standing in the doorway with another stack of dirty dishes.
“You look like you could use a hand,” the saloon girl said almost shyly.
Eden prided herself on being fair, always. Had she been fair to Ethel and the other girls from the saloon? Of course not. She’d condemned them from the beginning without even attempting to get to know them. Like she wanted to
get to know the woman who’d had the audacity to sit on Sin’s lap!
“That’s very nice of you,” she said. “But you shouldn’t have. Cash paid for your meal and his. I really shouldn’t put paying customers to work.”
Ethel answered with a wide smile. “I grew up in a house with six sisters. Sitting there and watching one woman do all the work while I do nothing just doesn’t feel natural.”
Taking the plates from Ethel, Eden said, “I do have an awful lot of work on my hands. I need to find a replacement for Lydia. She left after Grady died, and I could use her right about now. I suppose I could advertise in the weekly paper for someone to help out around the place, but I have no idea what kind of response I might get to such an ad. I’m not sure that more than half a dozen people read that sad little newspaper.” She studied Ethel with a critical eye. Bless her heart, beneath all that face paint, the saloon girl was just a woman making her way in the world, much as Eden was trying to do.
She had a wonderful idea, a stroke of pure genius. “I can’t afford to pay much at the moment, but free room and board would be part of the package, and as soon as I turn this hotel into a profitable venture the salary would be raised.”
Ethel’s bright smile faded and she looked away. “That sounds very nice. I’m sure you’ll find someone.”
“Do you like your job?” Eden asked, wondering even as the words left her mouth if she was going too far. “What I mean to say is, if you wanted to work here I’d be happy to have you.” Ethel smiled and laughed a lot and looked as if her life was easy and carefree, but Eden couldn’t imagine that making yourself available for any man with enough money was a pleasant way to make a living.
“You don’t want me here,” Ethel said in a low voice, as if someone might be listening. “People will talk...”
“Goodness gracious, I don’t care one whit about gossip,” Eden said adamantly. “If you want the job, it’s yours.” She handed the dirty dishes back to Ethel. “Starting immediately, if you’re willing.”
Ethel took the dirty dishes with a smile and headed for the counter.
Chapter 17
“This time she’s gone too far,” Cash seethed. “Can you imagine Ethel cooking and changing sheets and doing laundry? What a waste!”
Sullivan tried not to smile, but he couldn’t help himself. Taking in one of the saloon girls and effectively reforming her was so like Eden, he shouldn’t be surprised.
Four of them sat in the hotel lobby—Rico, Jed, Cash, and himself. Nate was already in position on the third floor, outside Eden’s room. Thank goodness Rico wasn’t taking the evening watch. Sullivan knew he’d have no trouble sneaking past Nate, when the time came. Rico was another matter.
“That woman of yours...” Cash began, his finger shaking in Sullivan’s direction.
“She’s not my woman.”
Rico muttered something in Spanish, his voice so low no one would have a prayer of hearing the words. Since Sullivan had an idea what was being said, he didn’t ask the kid to speak up. Or to speak English.
“Well, you brought her here,” Cash accused.
Sullivan raised his hands in surrender. “Fine. Blame me if you want, but I can’t see that Ethel’s retirement is such a catastrophe. There are still two girls working in the saloon, and you can’t tell me you won’t be able to find a new woman to take Ethel’s place.”
The idea seemed to sooth Cash. “Someone new would be nice. Ethel was getting a little clingy. Maybe when this is all over I can make a trip to San Antonio to see about bringing someone else in. But I still say that woman of yours, that... that Eden, is nothing but trouble.”
“That’s my sister you’re talking about,” Jed snapped.
“Senora Sullivan...” Rico began. When Jed and Sullivan glared at him, he nodded in silent apology and began again. “Eden is a sweet girl,” he said, flashing a wicked grin. “And she is also very pretty. We do not see enough of the beautiful senoritas in Rock Creek. Since Sullivan does not want her anymore and claims so convincingly that she is not his woman, maybe I will ask her to walk with me one evening, or if she will allow me to escort her to the next town social....”
“Not you, too.” Cash groaned in dismay.
“That’s my sister you’re talking about,” Jed said again, his voice rumbling. “And she’s too good for any one of us, I can tell you that. You keep your fancy ideas to yourself, Kid.”
Rico gave Sullivan a quick glance. His dark eyes danced, and his mouth worked into a crooked grin. Hell, the kid knew everything.
Eventually everyone would know. Jed wouldn’t like it, but at the moment Sullivan didn’t care what the surly man thought. He’d likely have to fight for Eden; he’d likely lose one of his closest friends. And since he didn’t have many friends left, that would be a real sacrifice.
But right now all he could think about was Eden. She was upstairs in her bed, right this minute. Had she fallen asleep yet? Did she know he would go to her tonight?
“I’m going to take the early morning watch,” he said, standing slowly, “so I’d better get to bed.”
Rico grinned. “The man needs his rest.”
Sullivan cut a sharp glance to the kid. No one else seemed to notice.
* * *
Eden burrowed into the pillow. She needed to sleep. She needed rest to prepare herself for the day to come.
But her mind was spinning with thoughts of the children, and Ethel, and plans for the hotel, and Sin. Mostly she thought of Sin.
She lay on her side and faced the window. Soft moonlight lit wafting clouds in the sky. They needed rain, and it looked like they might get it, soon. Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day...
“Are you asleep?” The whisper startled her, made her jump, but a smile quickly crossed her face. She knew that voice.
“No.” She rolled onto her back and looked up at the figure by the bed. “How on earth did you get in here without me hearing you? I didn’t even hear the door open and close!”
“It’s what I do.”
She smiled and scooted to the side, making room for him on the bed.
He sat down and reached out to touch her, his hand on her neck and in her hair. “Are you sure about this? About us?”
“Very,” she whispered. “Aren’t you?”
He rocked his fingers gently and hesitated before answering. “No. Sometimes I think your brother’s right. None of us is good enough for you.”
The very notion irritated her. Not good enough? How could he think that? “So, how should I fall in love? Tell me what’s required. Perhaps I should ask Jedidiah to compile a list of suitable candidates, and then the three of us can decide together. We can draw up a list of pros and cons and debate the worthiness of each candidate as if we were choosing a horse.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Sin said lowly. “I just want you to be safe and happy.”
She sat up and moved closer to him. “Let’s not argue, please,” she said, reaching out to touch his cheek. “I don’t even like pretending to argue. Do you really think I could be happy in Georgia now? Do you think I could ever walk away from you? Lock me in the safest house in the world away from the ones I love, and I’ll wither and die.” She came to her knees and faced him, feeling his body heat mingle with hers. “I love you most of all.”
Sin kissed her, hungry and deep, and slowly worked her nightgown up and over her head. He tossed the nightgown aside and laid his hands on her breasts, around her waist, on her bare bottom. He pulled her tight against him and held her closely as they kissed.
He’d come to her room on bare feet, so all they had to do was remove his shirt and denims. Eden sighed as he held her, his bare chest against her breasts, his arms around her.
“I never knew I could feel like this,” she said breathlessly.
“Me, either.”
“Do you think it will always be so wonderful for us?”
Sin hesitated, pressing his lips to the side of her neck, kissing her there while he pondere
d the question. Eden held her breath.
“Yes,” he finally answered. “I do.”
There was no rush tonight, no urgency. They kissed and touched and whispered, first sitting on the bed, then lying side by side, face-to-face, and as close as humanly possible.
“I want to touch you,” she whispered. Without waiting for his response, she wrapped her hand around his manhood. He moaned as she raked her exploring fingers along the hot, velvety length.
He rolled her onto her back and hovered above her, blocking out the moonlight as he lowered his mouth to hers. She spread her legs to bring him closer, arched her back to press herself to him.
Sin lowered his mouth to her breasts, suckling as he placed his hand between her legs. She quivered as he drew a taut nipple into his mouth and slipped a finger inside her. Ribbons of pleasure fluttered through her body.
She would be content to touch and kiss all night, to give up sleep completely and pass each and every night just this way.
Sin’s head moved lower to kiss her belly, his tongue circling her navel. Everything Eden was and wanted were wrapped up in this man and the way he made her feel. It was everything they talked about, lust, love, need. His hands reached beneath her and grasped her hips. “I want to taste you,” he whispered, and then he moved lower to lay his tongue on her in an intimate way that sent her soaring, her back lifting off the bed.
He held her hips and made love to her with his mouth, gently at first and then insistently. She grabbed the sheet and balled her hands into fists as she shattered, arching off the bed, crying out softly as the intense pleasure shot through her body like a bolt of lightning.
Sin worked his way back up her length slowly, kissing and touching as he worked his way up her body. Her heart beat so hard she was afraid it would come through her chest. She couldn’t breathe, and her legs quivered.
Sin seemed not to be in a hurry. He took his time, beginning again as if he’d just come to her bed. She didn’t think it was possible, but soon she felt the beginning waves of passion, of need, flitting through her body again. She reached for him with her hands and her mouth, her entire body. She craved this and more.
Sullivan (The Rock Creek Six Book 2) Page 19
