Steam Me Up, Rawley

by Angela Quarles

  She shifted against him, wanting to be closer, and something hard pressed into her belly. Instinct told her to move against it. So she did.

  It was like she’d pressed a magic button. His whole body tensed, he shuddered, and his kisses became more urgent, more demanding. An electrifying sense of power sparked through her veins.

  His fingers scraped into her hair, tilting her head. Experimentally, she danced her tongue along and around his. He groaned, and his fingers kneaded her head, her neck. Pins loosened, fell, and her hair uncoiled in wet clumps against her neck and back. Emboldened, she stroked the inside of his mouth.

  One of his hands trailed down her neck, over her collarbone, and tugged the top of her corset. The upper swell of her breast edged free, the cool water caressing bared skin. His fingers touched, touched, then brushed along the curve, pushing down her corset with his thumb. Chills shook her, and she gasped. The sensations he was creating!

  He broke the kiss, and she felt a sense of loss until he peppered kisses down her neck. He stopped. She opened her eyes, curious.

  He was looking down, eyes hooded. Below the water’s surface, her pale breast floated. He moaned, pulled her upward, fastened his mouth onto her nipple, and sucked.

  A bolt of desire shot straight through her, radiating from where his warm mouth tugged and tasted, such a contrast to the cool water. She trembled. His arms circled her, shifting her so she floated on her back, his mouth still suckling her breast.

  Oh, my. An urgency built, starting a beat, a pulse, down there. Where he’d pleasured her before. Lord in heaven above, this was exciting. Heady. Something she wanted more of.

  One of his hands smoothed down her side and cupped her there through her petticoats and pantaloons. Yes. She bucked against his hand.

  She flung her arms wide in the water, letting them float. The same with her legs. He groaned and pressed his fingers down, the wet cotton of her petticoats rubbing against her intimate parts.

  Yes. Oh, yes. He was going to pleasure her again. She wanted—

  A seagull cried, and a splash sounded to her left.

  Rawley stiffened and glanced up, catching her gaze, his eyes glazed and dark. As she stared, afraid to move and thus finish breaking the spell, his eyes cleared. Drat. He shook his head and looked around.

  His eyes widened. “Hell’s teeth. What was I thinking? Anyone could have happened upon us.”

  His gaze swung back to hers, and he let go. Disappointment settled inside. That incredible feeling he’d given once before in his office, she’d wanted it again. Badly. And she’d been so close, she just knew it.

  “Yes,” her voice coming out deeper. “Part of what made it so exhilarating, don’t you think?” She smiled, hoping he’d continue.

  He stared, eyes wide. A broad grin claimed his face, and her heart thumped. She’d never seen such a carefree smile on him. It suited him.

  “You may be right, my dear. However, the sun is setting. We need to return home.”

  “Poor Loki! He’s been missing me for sure.”

  “Yes, poor Loki.” If she didn’t know better, it sounded a little like a grumble. “Find a spot onshore where you can dry off, and I will retrieve your other set of clothes from the boat.”

  She trudged through the water, heavy skirts pushing against her legs, the silt squishing juicily between her toes. Onshore, she stepped carefully across the riverbank and found a clump of loblolly-bay saplings that sheltered her on all sides. She shivered as she waited for Rawley.

  Soon his confident tread clipped along the dock and scrunched across the short stretch of sand. His voice came from the other side of the loblolly. “I’m handing your things over the top. I also have a towel.”

  “I appreciate your gentlemanly concern, but I’ll need help with this.”

  He groaned.

  “Buck up. As you said, we need to return quickly, do we not? Think of me as one of your patients.”

  “I do not undress my patients, Miss de la Pointe.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “No. I don’t.”

  She growled in frustration. “Just get over here and help me loosen my corset strings. I promise not to tempt you.”

  “A promise you have no ability to keep, I assure you.”

  “Just get over here, Rawley.”

  She turned her back to him. Bushes rattled, and his fingers tugged her corset strings. One spot gave him trouble. “Damn and blast.” Finally, the pressure around her rib cage lessened.

  “Will that be sufficient?”

  “Yes. But do not stray far. I’ll need your help lacing its replacement shortly.”

  He groaned again, but the bushes rustled, and she could hear his movements nearby.

  She quickly shed her wet clothes and rubbed the towel over her skin to get dry.

  Naked. She was naked outside. How risqué. And Rawley had given her this experience. She smiled at the thrill.

  Finally dry, she pulled on the fresh chemise and pantaloons. She got her corset in place. “Okay, Rawley. Your assistance is required.”

  After he laced her up, it was quick work to don two petticoats, and another day dress. With much grumbling, Rawley helped button up the back.

  She emerged to find him in dry clothes as well. “I believe we are ready to return,” she said.

  “Indeed.”

  He held out his elbow. She took it and let him escort her down the dock to the little boat.

  By now the sun was near the horizon. They needed to cross quickly. Rawley stepped into the boat first, turned, and assisted her inside.

  They were halfway across the river before the reality of what they were doing hit. She was on the river, in a boat, and she was enjoying it!

  She smiled wide as she picked up her shoes and stockings to don them. “Thank you, Rawley.” She felt reborn, ready to tackle whatever came her way.

  His eyes, inscrutable in the setting sun behind him, sought hers. “For what?”

  “For giving me back my love of water.”

  A corner of his mouth quirked up. “It was my pleasure.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Blast All Interfering Menfolk, And That Includes You, Mr. Killer

  “I absolutely forbid you to go.” Adele’s father loomed behind his desk, his horn-rimmed glasses sliding down his nose as he spoke. Rawley remained on the other side of the door, Adele thinking it prudent to speak with Father alone at first. They’d finished supper, and Molly waited in the parlor.

  “But this is important for my career.”

  “Forget about your career. You know how I feel about that.”

  Resentment so strong it churned and swirled through her, Adele worked on keeping her breathing controlled, measured. It felt so unfair to be battling him too. It made her look on his past benign neglect with nostalgia. She put a staying hand on Loki, not needing him to act out at this critical time. “Father. We had an agreement. This job is what I want and what will make me happy. Isn’t that important to you?”

  He opened and closed his mouth. Opened it again. Looked away and shut it. He rolled his shoulders and returned his determined gaze to her. “Of course it is. So much so, I’m wondering why I was not informed earlier about the danger you face.”

  “You were so busy, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

  He came around the desk, leveling a glare at her. “Next time, disturb me. You take priority over my patients.”

  “I do?” That was a new one. She’d never ranked high on his priority list.

  “What nonsense are you saying? Of course you do. I’m your father, for God’s sake. I don’t care how busy I am.” He took a deep breath. “But this doesn’t affect my decision. And since you brought it up, how does this affect our agreement? Tell me that? By going on this excursion, won’t you be missing the deadline for the new position?”

  Criminy.

  “Yes, but when I return, I have hopes I can change Mr. Tonti’s mind. I don’t understand your refusal. This is w
hat will make me happy.”

  His eyes narrowed at that. “Tell Rawley to come in here.”

  She returned shortly with Rawley and stayed in the office because Father hadn’t said any different.

  “Rawley, my daughter has been filling me in on the happenings of the past few days. Thank you for assisting her, but I wish you’d informed me sooner about the situation.”

  He gave a slight nod. “I apologize, sir. Things transpired rather quickly, and I had to act.”

  “As well you should. We must look after our lady folk, after all.”

  Rawley’s eyebrow and a corner of his mouth tilted up, but he remained quiet.

  “However,” he continued into the silence, “I can’t allow her to go on this assignment. I don’t want her working at all. You know that.”

  Rawley stepped forward. “Don’t you think it would be wiser to have her leave town, considering? Her discovery of the plans cannot be announced yet in the papers, so she’s at risk. There’s a chance he discovered Jenny gave her the plans when he tortured the madam.”

  “Good God.” Father sank into his leather chair.

  Rawley stole a glance at her. “If I may also add, sir, this assignment is important to her.”

  Gratitude swelled through Adele, puffing up her veins.

  Father glanced at her and back to Rawley, a calculating look creeping into his eyes. “Ah. I see. Well played.” He tapped his lip. “All right, you may go. You will take your great-aunt. She is remarkably spry and will make an excellent chaperone.”

  Relief buoyed her, but she agreed with Rawley—he needed to come along as protection, just in case. At least that was what she was telling herself. After all, both she and Rawley had been sure someone followed them on their way back from the river, and the knowledge unnerved her.

  “Thank you. Can Rawley accompany me, though?”

  Father leaned back, face relaxing into satisfied lines. “Quite right. You do need protection.” He shifted his attention to Rawley. “Can you secure passage on this Neptune contraption?”

  “I hope so, sir. Apparently, tickets are scarce, but there’s always a chance of a cancellation.”

  “Do you have anything else to ask me?” Father glanced at her and returned his gaze to Rawley.

  Rawley looked at her, a speculative gleam in his eyes. “I hope to soon, sir.”

  Her heart turned over. They still had this marriage scheme in mind. The realization stunned her—and she cursed herself for a fool. She’d relied overmuch on his disparagement of her on the telephone, letting it cloud her interactions with him. She’d been playing the role of modern woman, while he’d been slowly wooing her.

  The times he’d helped, the times he’d seemed to see the real her, it had all been calculated to win her over?

  A sharp sense of betrayal knifed through her.

  This would not do.

  She lifted her chin. The victory of the moment was hers. Going on this trip would give her seven days to regroup and impress Mr. Tonti, as well as to figure out how to deal with the Rawley issue.

  Adele cursed as she threw petticoats, corsets, and dresses into her open steamer trunks.

  Of course they still had marriage in mind. Anger—at herself—bubbled up so hard within, it crowded all else. She’d let her guard down with him and forgot this salient fact. Obviously, he must have overcome his reservations about her unsuitability.

  Molly was sorting her jewelry and packing Loki’s things into his smaller trunk. “Would it be so bad to be married to him? He’s mighty handsome.”

  “Then you can marry him,” she shot back, though something about the idea niggled at her.

  “Don’t be silly,” her friend replied. “It’s obvious he fancies you. Good Lord, Adele, what is this?”

  Adele threw the pantaloons into the trunk and glanced over. “Oh, an aetheric compass. Airship captains use it to navigate on cloudy days.”

  “And this?” Molly stepped to the floor-to-ceiling bookcase and picked up another object.

  “Hmm? Oh, a grappling hook.”

  As Molly peppered her with more questions about various pieces of equipment, Adele snatched the last from her friend’s hand, a pair of brass goggles, and smacked it back onto the shelf. “Molly, I need to pack. You’re distracting me.”

  “Sorry, I haven’t spent much time in here since grade school. You really have a lot of...things.”

  “Yeah, well, I’ve had a lot of hobbies.”

  Molly whistled. “I’ll say. So what are you going to do when you get back? Can any of those hobbies be a career? Or are you remaining as a society reporter?”

  “I could always go back to wanting to captain an airship.”

  “Be serious.”

  “I am.” Adele huffed an exasperated sigh. Staying busy had always been her salvation. If she married, she’d not only lose that ability, but she’d be stuck in one role. “I don’t know. It seems so unfair one has to pick one path. Why can’t we do it all?”

  “We don’t live long enough, for one, especially not for all your interests. Besides, can you truly enjoy your pursuits if you don’t stick with them for long?”

  “Now you’re sounding like my great-aunt.”

  Molly shrugged, back to packing Loki’s things.

  Adele flopped down on her bed. “I worry I’ll pick a path and go down it too far, only to realize my real self should be on a different path, one that branched off a ways back and I missed it, missed seeing it, and I’ll be stuck.”

  Adele gazed over the Mobile River from Waterman Wharf, Loki fidgeting on her shoulder, her trunks like dead weights at her feet, and Great-Aunt Linette beside her. Dreary morning mist hugged the water, a mirror to the lumps of water-logged clouds above blocking the early morning sun. The fog coated her tongue, acrid and stifling.

  “I got one,” came Rawley’s voice behind her, slightly out of breath. Hearing his voice like that reminded her of their recent intimate encounters. Goose bumps prickled across her skin, an unwelcome counterpoint to her mood.

  “No first-class cabins were available,” he continued, reaching her side, a lock of black hair falling across his forehead and flirting with one of his annoying eyebrows. “I thought I would have to make do in steerage, but they received a last-minute cancellation in second class.”

  “I’m glad you were successful.” If he hadn’t, their alternative had been to have him take one of their rooms, and she’d share a room with her great-aunt. She took a deep breath and faced the giant vessel she’d been studiously avoiding heretofore. “All right. Let’s embark.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right with this?” Great-Aunt Linette placed a fragile hand on Adele’s arm. “I know how you are with water and submarines after...”

  A trickle of fear joined other swirling emotions to percolate, but she beat it down with the newfound confidence she’d gained yesterday afternoon. “I’ll be fine. I regained my old memories and pleasure of the water...and formed new ones.” She caught Rawley’s gaze and he flushed a deep red. She loved flustering him, but she chided herself at her instinctive reaction. She needed to initiate Project Marriage Extraction and Diversion.

  “Well, that’s good to hear, dear,” said her great-aunt.

  Adele forced herself to take in The Neptune. It was massive, easily one hundred yards long, and resembled a large ship. Three tiers of decks rose above the waterline, bisected in the center by a large open space, giving the appearance of two step pyramids atop. Overarching all, however, stretched a gridwork of brass struts, with glass filling the intervening spaces.

  Rawley signaled for a porter, who raced up with several others and hefted their trunks. Adele trailed behind, and as they approached, the ship loomed larger and larger, the faint sunlight gleaming off the glass and metal. Within the fog swirling against its sides, it appeared like an animated jewel snuggling in a plush gray cloth.

  Rawley whistled. “Impressive.”

  A gangway led from the pier’s end into a circu
lar hole in the solid metal portion directly below where the metal siding met the glass and brass dome. Next to the hole, a huge metal door rested, presumably swinging shut to seal them all inside.

  Small figures walked or ran across the decks, their shapes distorted into ghastly under- and over-sized shapes by the glass’s refraction. Gas lamps in small brass cups pockmarked the ship’s sides and colored the mist dispelling around it in a circular pattern.

  Shouts behind and ahead infused the endeavor with urgency and excitement. As her steps clicked along the pier, her mood gradually became infected, rising through her by degrees as the fog began to burn away by a break in the clouds. They were about to be part of something tremendous, and the knowledge intoxicated everyone and the surrounding air. Adele breathed it in, let it tingle through her, animating her movements. Yes.

  Though irked at her boss for pulling her from the murder investigation, and at herself for forgetting what was at stake with Rawley, she drew herself up, determined to make the most of this trip.

  Yes. She’d outdo herself and compose an article on The Neptune so captivating, Mr. Tonti would relent and give her another chance. And she had seven days to figure out how to get out of this marriage scheme.

  She gave Loki a quick pat. She’d had to do some fast talking earlier, to allow him to accompany her. Last night, she’d sewed him a miniature life jacket. She also practiced tying her pantaloons and, in the process, discovered garters made excellent ties.

  Their footfalls changed in tone as they left the pier and trod the metal gangway, each ting-ting-ting a promise waiting to be fulfilled once inside. At the entrance, she handed over her filigreed ticket, as well as the company manager’s letter of permission for Loki.

  She glanced over her shoulder, taking in downtown Mobile snuggled against the shore, so innocent looking this early. And somewhere within dwelled the killer. He’d thwarted her temporarily, but when she returned, if the police hadn’t found him, she would.