They hadn't talked about what happened in town, and Jordan wasn't sure if she really wanted to. Some things were better left forgotten and this was definitely one of them.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, rolling to his side, pulling her against him.
I'm thinking how much I love you, and how much I want us to be together forever. She wanted so desperately to say the words out loud, but instead she kissed his chest, and lay her head on his shoulder. "I'm just so glad to have you back."
"I was never gone."
"You know what I mean."
He kissed her forehead. "Yes, I do."
As his fingers moved down her back, she wondered if they could ever truly be happy. When she lived with him and his people, she'd never been at peace, and now things had come full circle. Now it was he who was going through the same thing. People's reaction to him surprised her, and most of all, disappointed her. How could he ever be happy living with such bigotry?
And now they didn't only torment him, they tormented her. The man's harsh words came back to haunt her. Never in her life could she imagine that anyone could be so cruel. Now that she had been branded a whore by the entire town, she knew the humiliation Gray Hawk suffered firsthand. She hated every last one of those spiteful people for what they had said and done.
His hands moved to her skirt, and with one quick motion, he yanked it up around her hips. She smiled against his mouth as his fingers moved over that part of her that was already wet and hot with desire. How she had missed him.
Gray Hawk needed her desperately. For the last few weeks he'd seen the look on her face, the expressions of uncertainty. Did she doubt what they shared? Would she tell him to leave now that he had ruined her life?
Pushing the thoughts away, his fingers played along the dewy folds of her womanhood, against the tiny nub of pleasure. His lips kissed a path from her forehead to her breasts that were straining against the thin material of her blouse.
She quickly unbuttoned her shirt, then instantly freed him of his. Her head fell back as he kissed her collarbone, then took a nipple into his mouth, his teeth grazing it, sucking it as she writhed beneath him. A moment later he felt the flutter of her climax as her hips pressed against him.
Jordan's fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him close to her breasts as he suckled each while his fingers did delicious things to her. Feeling the sensations growing within her, Jordan cried out as he brought her to orgasm. And still he didn't stop. Again he brought her to climax using his fingers and tongue, but still she wanted desperately to feel his length inside her...only then would she have total release.
"Gray Hawk," she whispered. "Please."
Opening her eyes, he was gazing down at her, his gray eyes full of passion and wanting.
He pulled her hips up against him and slowly entered her from behind. Jordan's breath left her in a rush as the sensations washed over her. She felt him so completely, every hard inch of his erection stretching her.
His hands moved to her breasts, taking them within his palms, he rocked against her. It had been so long since the last time. Jordan had only dreamed that they would have another moment like this and as they climaxed simultaneously, she hoped that this was just the beginning of their days together.
KARI'S NAILS dug into her palms as the sheriff walked through the door of the dress shop.
"Miss Hoffman," he said, taking off his hat and running his hand through his thinning hair. "I've missed seeing your beautiful face since being away these last couple of weeks."
She smiled tightly. "Can I help you?"
His brow lifted. "I get the feeling you're mad at me." He leaned a hip against the counter. "Now, why would that be?"
How she wished Mrs. Craven was back from lunch. She didn't want to be alone, or even be having a conversation with this man. He was not to be trusted, and now as he watched her with those piercing eyes, she realized she was truly afraid of him.
"Mr. Kincaide, I have work to do. Did you wish to purchase something?"
"What I was wanting was a lunch date, like we planned before this...unfortunate accident occurred."
"An unfortunate accident?" she repeated. "Mr. Kincaide, you shot a man. A man who hasn't done a single thing to you."
He had the audacity to look shocked. "I didn't shoot no one. It was an accident, that's all. And to be honest, the breed had it coming. He would have killed ol' Curly if he hadn't been stopped."
"I refuse to argue about it, and I have no desire to have lunch with you today, or any other day for that matter." Thrusting her trembling hands in her skirt pockets, she lifted her chin. "Good day, Mr. Kincaide."
He shook his head in disgust. "What's going on with all of you out there at the Triple T? What is that breed to you and your cousin? Your lover? Do you take turns servicing him, or do the three of you--"
Kari slapped him soundly, her hand stinging from the contact. His expression was lethal as he grabbed her wrist, a vein standing out on his forehead. "Don't touch me, whore." Dropping her wrist as though it burnt his skin, he walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
Kari trembled, afraid that she had just made a grave mistake.
GERALD KINCAIDE opened and closed his jaw a couple of times, surprised that a slap could hurt so much. He was disappointed and angry with Kari Hoffman. He wouldn't have thought the woman would be loyal to a breed--but apparently she was. The question was why?
He grabbed the bottle of whiskey out of the bottom drawer of the nearby cabinet. Taking a deep swallow, he propped his feet on his desk and glanced at the wanted posters on his desk that had arrived earlier in the day. He skimmed through each, recognizing the same familiar faces of criminals who'd yet to be caught, while trying to memorize the new ones. He was ready to throw them back on his desk when a familiar depiction caught his eye. It was unusual, not because of the name, but because it was of a woman, and one he'd seen before.
Putting the bottle down, he leaned forward, squinting down at the poster. "Wanted for kidnapping, Jordan Lee McGuire, age 18. Armed and dangerous..." His voice leveled off as a smile came to his lips. "Why if it aint' the breed's whore." The word reward literally jumped off the page. "Ten thousand dollars if returned alive."
He whistled through his teeth. Ten thousand dollars! He'd be a rich man. He skimmed through the other images, but found none of Kari. Kidnapping? He'd always thought it was odd that all the sudden the two women and child had come into Catalono's life at the same time. He knew Shane Catalono's brother and wife had been killed in an ambush, and knew that Shane was out searching for the daughter. But that didn't explain Jordan and Kari's appearance. Sure, it was said they were Hank's nieces, but was that true? The women looked too much alike not to be related. He would just love to see the look on that little tease's face when he arrested her cousin. She wouldn't think she was so high follutin' then.
Even one better, he could finally have his revenge on Shane Catalono for harboring a fugitive of the law. He grinned having heard that the same day he'd shot Gray Hawk, the rancher had come busting into his office with his gun drawn. Well, that Indian lover would get his just rewards--the whole lot of them would.
Taking another long swig from the bottle, he leered at the picture. "You little whore, your days are numbered, and your breeds along with it."
Chapter 20
JORDAN LOOKED up from where she stood at the washtub and watched a dust plume rise on the horizon. Whoever it was, they were certainly in a hurry.
A sense of foreboding washed over her as five riders crested the hill within minutes. Shane came out of the stables, his hand resting casually on his hip, close to his Colt 45. As they came closer, Jordan recognized the sheriff, and several of the men from town.
Shane didn't move as the men reined in just a few feet from him. "Sheriff?" he said, trying to look at ease. But Jordan knew better. She recognized the hard edge to Shane's jaw, and the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
The sheriff moved his hat back on his
head, his gaze roving over his surroundings. When he looked in her direction, she could clearly see the disdain in his eyes. "I'm here to talk to the breed."
Jordan's heart dropped to her feet at his words. Her first instinct was to cry out, to warn Gray Hawk.
"Kincaide, if you have a problem with Gray, I suggest you talk to me about it," Shane said, lighting a cigarette and blowing the smoke directly at the sheriff.
The sheriff sat forward in the saddle and crossed his arms over the saddle horn. "The Karlson's are missing some cattle. Some of the men are saying they saw that breed of yours in the vicinity."
Shane lifted a brow. "The only thing that separates my land from Karlson's is a fence, and Gray has been out fixing those fences, so it makes sense they've seen him. As far as stealing cattle, well, sorry boys, but I'm afraid you have the wrong man."
"He saw him last night, not long after dark."
Jordan flinched at the sheriff's words. Last night she and Gray Hawk had been together in their usual spot, which was close to Karlson's land.
"Gray was here last night, sleeping in the bunkhouse with the rest of the men," Shane replied, his voice clearly agitated.
"Do you know that for sure?"
Jordan was horrified at what was happening, but could do no more than stare numbly as Shane motioned one of the hands to get Gray Hawk.
Several of the men with the sheriff looked in her direction, and one man sneered, then spit on the ground not far from her feet. She recalled the man now. He'd been in town the first day she'd gone to Brogan with Kari and Shane to get dresses. Back then he'd been friendly, waving and smiling. Now he was letting her know he thought she was beneath them because of her relationship with Gray Hawk. He said something to the man beside him, and they both looked at her and laughed.
Though she felt like crying, she instead lifted her chin and met their cruel stares without blinking. She would not let them see her pain. After all, who were they to judge her?
Just then Gray Hawk stepped out of the stable, and all the attention was directed on him.
"Gray, were you here last night?" Shane asked.
"Yes," Gray Hawk replied, his gaze shifting from Shane to the sheriff.
"See, he was here all night," Shane said, his voice dangerously low. "Sheriff, you've wasted enough of my time. You've already shot this man as it is. If you've come looking to stir-up trouble, you can just turn around and head right back to town. Leave my property now, or you can get off that horse of yours and we can finish it right here."
Jordan's eyes widened in alarm, sure she was about to witness another brawl. The hands who were around the ranch came in, each one of them holding a rifle at the ready. Shane motioned he was all right, but few relaxed. "Well, what's it gonna be. I've been aching to have it out with you, and I can see no better time or place."
"You trust the breed's word?" the sheriff asked. It was obvious to everyone he wasn't about to get off his horse.
Shane's face was as unreadable as stone as he crushed his cigarette beneath his heel and his hand covered the butt of his gun. "I sure do."
The sheriff's Adam's-apple bobbed as he swallowed. "Well, I'll be doing some checking on my own, and if I find out different, I'll be coming back."
He glanced in her direction and smiled sardonically. His eyes sparkled, as though he knew something...Jordan's pulse leaped. Dear Lord, it couldn't be possible, could it? It had been months since they'd left Virginia. Her uncle probably hadn't even bothered to look for her...but what about Kari? Unable to meet his gaze for fear she was right, she quickly turned away.
GRAY HAWK listened to Shane as he tried his best to reassure him that everything was fine, when he knew that was not at all the case. Unfortunately, by coming to the Triple T, he'd brought trouble, not only for Jordan, but Shane Catalono as well.
He hated the sheriff and his men. It was all he could do not to snap the man's neck when he'd spit on the ground at Jordan's feet as though she were less of a person for loving him. Though she put on a brave front, Gray Hawk hadn't missed the horrified expression on Jordan's face.
He could handle the men. What enraged him more than anything was what they were doing to Jordan. He knew now his dream of their making a life together was unrealistic. Their cultures were too unforgiving of them to ever be together, and neither one of them wanted to give up their way of life.
The best thing he could do now would be to leave. To go back where he belonged, and leave Jordan here, where she belonged. Soon the people of Brogan would forget about this. Perhaps she'd find a husband, have her children, and her ranch.
But the thought of her with another man tore at his insides. She had given him her gift of purity. He had been the first, and he wanted to be the last. A blind hatred filled him at the thought of someone else's hands on her beautiful body.
"She'll be all right."
He turned to find Shane watching him. "She's a strong woman, Gray. She also loves you, and I think she'd like to see you." With a reassuring smile he continued toward the house.
Gray Hawk knew he had to leave. It was plain and simple.
He would tell her now, and whether she accepted it or not, he would leave by nightfall.
She stood over the wash bin, her hands vigorously scrubbing the shirt as she blew a tendril of hair out of her eyes. He stared, memorizing everything about her, her delicate features, her firm breasts, her tiny waist, her narrow hips. Her spirit, her love.
His heart already ached from the loss.
He was standing beside her before she noticed he was there. Looking up at him with a start, he could see the tears that stained her cheeks. She tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Come with me," he said, holding his hand out to her.
She looked around the yard. "I have work--"
"It's all right. Shane knows."
He pulled her along with him, down a trail, past some berry bushes to a secluded spot enclosed in the trees where they could talk privately.
He sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. Patting the ground beside him, she took a seat, her eyes wide in question. If only he could tell her that he would stay forever. That they would marry, have children, and share the ranch she'd always dreamed of. He'd give anything for that, pay any price to see the sweet smile on her face.
His fingers moved to the wayward curl that fluttered in the
breeze. Rubbing the silky tresses between his fingers, he smiled sadly when her eyes darkened with passion. She was so innocent, and so easy to please. They could have been so happy.
He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "Jordan...I have to leave."
Her mouth dropped open. "What?"
"If I stay, I'll only cause more trouble for Shane and neither one of you deserves what's happening. Let's face it, I don't belong here."
"No," she said shaking her head adamantly. "Don't you see, this is exactly what they want? I don't want you to leave. They don't know anything about you. We want you here. We're the ones who should count, not them."
He pulled her into his arms, wanting to soothe the pain he was causing her, but she pushed against his chest and scrambled to her feet. He let her go, knowing nothing he could say would ease the hurt.
"I thought you cared for me."
"I do, Jordan."
"Then why would you leave?"
He wanted her in his arms, to feel her heart pumping against his own. He wanted to take her beneath him, to have her, to show her how much she meant to him. But it was not the time or the place, and it wouldn't change the outcome. "I know you don't realize it now, but I'm doing it for your own good. You were doing fine here until I came. Now they call you names, spit at your feet, treat you like--"
"They treat me the way they treat you." She lifted her chin. "Gray Hawk, I can handle it. I don't care what they think. I want you. I need you here."
He shook his head. "Jordan, I can't stay. I see the hurt in your eyes, the pain it's causing you--even if you won't admit it.
"
Closing her eyes, she let out an unsteady breath. "You would stay if you loved me."
He wanted to tell her just how much he loved her, but how could he? If he gave her his soul, he'd have no defense and it would only make their parting more difficult. "You have no idea how much I care for you. I'm leaving because you mean so much to me. One day you'll come to understand how much."
"What will you be going back to, Gray Hawk? You wanted to come, but now that you're here and have what you want, you're leaving. Will you go back to Running Deer?" She shook her head. "I don't understand you. I never thought you were a man who would run when trouble started, but that's exactly what you're doing. You don't care that you leave me here to pick up all the pieces, just as long as you have someone to keep your bed warm at night."
"I told you before that I haven't been with another woman since I met you."
He could tell by the expression on her face that she still didn't believe him.
She straightened her spine and lifted her chin. "I suppose this is goodbye then."
There was an awful finality in her words. She was resigning herself to the fact that they were to be apart forever. In that moment he wished he could take back his words. He wished that he could go on like they had been, not caring about what the town thought or felt, but he knew that he was being far too selfish. He could handle any kind of ridicule directed at him, but could she? Or would she in time begin to resent him for making her an outcast and learn to hate him? He couldn't bear it.
"When will you go?" she asked, her voice void of any emotion.
"Tonight."
Her response was a sharp intake of breath. And when he looked into her eyes, he was nearly undone by the agony he saw there.
Jordan stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment. This isn't happening, her mind kept screaming over and over again. Yet all she had to do was look into his eyes to know he spoke the truth. He was leaving tonight...forever.
She wavered on her feet and when he stood to steady her, she slapped his hand away. "Don't," she said, shaking her head, not wanting to do anything but feel the pain and anguish so she would forget that she even loved him.
Surrender to Love Page 17
