Arizona Caress: She Feels The Heat Of His Hot Embrace

by Bobbi Smith

"All right. Well, sit down and tell me what's troubling you. You look worried about something."

  "I am, Mrs. Prescott. I'm worried about Evan Strickland."

  "Evan? Why should you be worried about him?"

  "I've heard that he's been seeing Rori, and I thought you should know what kind of a man he is."

  "Go on," she encouraged. Charlotte wondered if he was going to confirm the suspicions she'd harbored about the far-too-nice Evan.

  "I've known him for years. He's nothing but an opportunist, a fortune-hunter, and I don't want to see Rori hurt," Chance told her earnestly.

  "What happens to Aurora matters to you, doesn't it?" she asked pointedly.

  "It matters very much," he answered, their gazes meeting and locking in complete understanding.

  "I'll see what I can do, Chance."

  "Thanks. That's all I can ask."

  Chapter Thirty-five

  "Evan!"

  The hushed call of his name shocked Evan as he descended from his own carriage and started inside his house late that evening after seeing Aurora. He looked around cautiously, finding it difficult to believe that anyone would be outside his house at this time of night calling him.

  "Evan!"

  He realized then that the voice was coming from a carriage parked across the street, and he recognized the vehicle as Bethany's.

  "Bethany?"

  "Yes! Come here, I have to talk to you."

  She sounded so distraught, he went to her immediately. "What is it?"

  "Get in here so we can speak privately." When he was seated opposite her inside the plush conveyance, she went on. "We have to do something and we have to do it now!"

  "Are you talking about Chance?"

  "Yes. I swear the man is maddening. You and I both know he hasn't been out socially for weeks now. Tonight, he finally shows up, and he's still as hard to reach as ever. We were dancing and . . ."

  "That's something." He tried to sound encouraging.

  "Ha!" she scoffed. "The minute I brought up Aurora's name he changed."

  "Why did you mention her?"

  "Because I had to know the truth, and now I do. He still cares about her."

  "So? I'm the only man she's seeing. We've become quite a couple, don't you think?"

  "I think we'd better implement our little plan if you want to remain a couple."

  "Your worries have no bearing on my relationship with Aurora," he began slowly, and at her sharp intake of breath, he smiled. "But I have no objection to speeding up my 'courtship.' If a compromising situation will lead to a quicker marriage between us, then why not?"

  "How soon can we do it?"

  "As a matter of fact, we've made plans to go on a picnic tomorrow."

  "How about taking her out to your family's hunting lodge?" she suggested, knowing it would be the perfect place for an illicit tryst. "If she's . . . accidentally discovered there with you, alone and in a state of . . . dishabille. Well." Bethany shrugged expressively, her eyes sparkling with malicious venom.

  Evan smiled. "It just might work."

  "Might?" Bethany scoffed. "It's perfect! Here's what we'll do . . ."

  They plotted their actions in detail so each would know exactly what to do and at what time.

  "Then I'll show up with several good friends, and we'll 'accidentally' witness everything!"

  "And I'll have a rich, beautiful bride within the week," Evan concluded with a smug smile. "It sounds as if it could work."

  "It will work, my friend," Bethany told him fiercely. "Then, with Aurora really out of my way, Chance will be mine."

  Evan wondered if Bethany honestly believed Chance would automatically fall into her arms, but he didn't argue the point. This little scenario they'd come up with would give him exactly what he wanted from life—wealth and a gorgeous wife, in that order. He certainly wasn't about to say anything to upset the plan, not when he was going to come out the winner.

  Morning couldn't come quickly enough for Evan, and he headed for the Prescott mansion, eagerly anticipating the coming day. The butler admitted him to the house, and he found Aurora dressed and ready for her day in the country with him.

  "We're going up to my family's hunting lodge, but I'll have Aurora home long before dark, Mrs. Prescott," Evan assured her.

  "You do that, Evan," Charlotte remarked.

  Evan glanced at her curiously because her tone was unusually stern. "There are others going along, if that concerns you. Robert Hamlett is going with his fiancée Midge. Diane will be there with Peter. Nancy and Sandra are supposed to come, and I think even Regina and Bethany may show up. It should be a fine outing. The weather certainly promises to be nice."

  "Well have a good time, and we'll see you later then." Charlotte kissed Rori good-bye as they started from the house. Ever since her conversation with Chance, she'd been having second thoughts about this picnic. She didn't like the idea, but Aurora had been so excited at the prospect of a day out-of-doors, she hadn't had the heart to revoke her consent. Charlotte watched them ride off now, ignoring the instincts that were screaming at her that she was wrong to let Aurora go.

  Rori was excited at the thought of spending a day outside. As much as she was enjoying being pampered and spoiled by her aunt and uncle, she missed the life she and Burr had led and the open wildness of the desert. Sometimes, it seemed to her that there were too many people in too small a space here in Boston. She longed for the vastness of the territory where they could ride for miles and never see anyone. Rori doubted that this picnic was going to be anything like a day riding in Arizona, but at least she would be outside in the sunshine, enjoying herself.

  Rori gave Evan a sidelong glance as they rode from the city, and she smiled to herself. He had turned out to be the entertaining companion she'd hoped he'd be, and she was glad that they spent a lot of time together. He had kissed her several times, but his embrace held none of the torrid, soul-shattering excitement Chance's had. He was just a nice friend, and the thought of making love to him had never entered her mind.

  Evan was beside himself with excitement. He'd been wanting to make love to Aurora for some time now, and he could hardly wait to set his and Bethany's plan into action. He knew that Aurora trusted him completely and that pleased him. When they got to the lodge, things would go perfectly. She might be a little put out to find that there was no one else there, but he felt certain he would be able to change her mind. The thought sent a shaft of desire racing through him. Soon, very soon, all his wishes would be fulfilled.

  Charlotte left the house to go shopping a short time after Rori and Evan departed. She was in her carriage heading for the shopping area when she happened to look out the window to see Midge and Diane strolling leisurely into one of the dress shops. Charlotte went still as she eavesdropped on what they were saying before they disappeared inside the store.

  "Let's look here, Diane, and then we'll meet Nancy and have lunch," Midge said.

  What were they doing here, if they were supposed to be meeting Evan and Aurora in the country? Charlotte worried. Suddenly, everything Chance had told her echoed through her mind, and she knew her niece was headed for trouble. She rapped on the top of the carriage to get her driver's attention.

  "Take me to the Broderick house at once!" she ordered, and he hurried to do as he was told.

  When they arrived, Charlotte climbed quickly out of the carriage and hurried up to knock on the front door. When Agatha answered it herself, she was relieved.

  "Agatha, dear, I must speak with Chance at once."

  "Of course, Charlotte, come in. What is it? Has something happened to Aurora?" she worried.

  "Not yet, and with Chance's help, it won't."

  "Chancellor!" his mother called.

  Chance heard the commotion in the hall and came out of the study where he'd been working. "Yes, Mother, what is—Mrs. Prescott, is something wrong?"

  "I'm not sure, dear boy, but you're the only one who can find out."

  "What do you mea
n?"

  "Aurora went on a picnic today with Evan Strickland." She paused as he saw Chance's expression grow grim. "Yes, well, he had assured me when they left about an hour ago that there would be a group of others meeting them at the lodge."

  "Lodge? What lodge?"

  "Strickland's family lodge."

  Chance gave a terse nod, for he knew exactly where the secluded cabin was located. "Go on."

  "Well, he clearly told me that Diane and Midge would be there, but I just saw them shopping. Now, they could hardly be meeting Aurora and Evan in the country if they're in the shopping district, planning to have lunch out. And, if Diane and Midge aren't at the lodge, how many of the others he told me would be in attendance actually are?" She gave Chance an imploring look as she touched his arm. "Chance, I need your help. If you love Aurora, you must save her now."

  "Mother, have one of the servants saddle a horse for me," he ordered tersely as he strode back into the study to get a gun. He didn't know what Strickland was up to, but if he'd hurt Rori in any way . . .

  Charlotte and Agatha exchanged relieved looks.

  "Wait for me in the parlor. I won't be long," Agatha said before hurrying off to see that a horse was saddled and brought around front for Chance. When Chance had ridden off to find Rori just a few minutes later, Agatha and Charlotte faced each other in the sitting room.

  "In a way, I'm glad this happened," Charlotte told Agatha, her eyes twinkling with good humor.

  "Why?"

  "Because those two young people are in love with each other, and they're just too stubborn to admit it," she declared firmly.

  "I've always suspected as much, but I couldn't understand what happened."

  "Evidently they had some kind of misunderstanding, but hopefully, today will clear it all up. I know she's refused to see Chance ever since she came to live with us. It's almost as if she was hiding from him."

  "Well, I hope you're right, Charlotte. There's nothing that would make me happier than a match between them. Aurora's the only woman who's ever stood up to Chance, and I'm quite proud of her."

  "She is one special young lady . . . stubborn, but special. If she'd just taken the time to talk to him sooner, I'll wager none of this would have happened."

  "You're probably right," Agatha agreed with a soft laugh. "But since when do lovers ever do anything the easy way."

  The two matrons exchanged delighted, knowing glances as they settled in to await Chance's return.

  At that particular moment, that special young lady was facing Evan across the main room of the lodge, her hands on her hips, her temper flaring dangerously.

  "What do you mean 'no one is meeting us here'?" Rori demanded, wanting to know why he'd felt the necessity to lie to her aunt.

  "Don't be angry, darling," Evan told her, moving to take her in his arms in spite of her initial resistance. "I just wanted to be alone with you. We never have the opportunity to really be by ourselves."

  "I don't like it, Evan."

  "Why not?" he asked innocently, still not trying to seduce her, only trying to calm her.

  "Because you lied to my Aunt Charlotte . . . and to me."

  "I had to. Do you think for one minute that she would have let you come here with me unchaperoned? I had to convince her that there would be others around or she would have kept you at home."

  "That might not have been such a bad idea," Rori responded a bit stubbornly, trying to get away from his hold.

  Evan held her fast, though. "Ah, Aurora, you're so lovely. Don't fight me, darling," he murmured, lowering his head to kiss her.

  Rori did not refuse him at first. She accepted his kiss as she had all his others—with a remarkable lack of enthusiasm. It annoyed Evan that the romantic country setting and the fact that they were alone did not arouse any passion in her, and he boldly stroked the side of her breast, hoping to stir her emotions a little.

  "Evan! Don't!" Rori suddenly began to push against his chest in an effort to break free. No man but Chance had touched her intimately, and she wanted to keep it that way. Evan's caress had felt alien—uncomfortable—and she didn't want him near her.

  "Aurora, come on," Evan coaxed, still not letting her go. "Relax. This can be beautiful for the both of us." He bent to try to kiss her again, but she turned her head.

  "No, Evan. I don't want you to do this."

  "Aurora . . ." He was beginning to lose patience with her. He hadn't expected her to resist him. "We've kissed before. What are you afraid of? It's just you and me, all alone . . . "

  "I'm not afraid of anything," Rori said confidently. "I just don't like liars."

  That stung, and Evan reacted angrily, pulling her more tightly to him and capturing her lips in a dominating kiss. "I love you, Aurora. I want you."

  But Rori was not about to be forced into anything. She gave a fierce shove just as she bit down on his lip. With a yelp of pain he let her go, but in the effort, her blouse was torn, baring one shoulder.

  "I don't care if you do want me. I don't like being manhandled, Evan. Take me home."

  Evan wiped at his bottom lip with the back of his hand and was startled to find that it was bleeding. He was furious, but he knew he had only a short time left to get her in what appeared to be a willingly engaged in, compromising position.

  "I'm sorry," he apologized abjectly. "I shouldn't have been so forward with you, but I've loved you and desired you for so long now that I just lost control for a minute. Forgive me?"

  He sounded earnest, and she eyed him cautiously, no longer fully trusting him. "If you'll take me home."

  "As soon as we do something about your blouse." Evan came toward her, looking to all intents and purposes to be sorry for what he did. But the moment he got close enough, he tried once again to take her in his arms. "Aurora . . . just one last kiss before we have to leave."

  Rori hoped one more kiss would satisfy him, and she allowed him that. To her dismay, he grew more amorous, deepening the exchange as he pressed himself erotically against her, and she had had enough. She tried to turn her head, but he tangled one hand in her hair to hold her still, murmuring her name seductively.

  Rori remembered another time, another place, and another man and knew that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Evan. Chance was the man she loved, and if she couldn't have him, she didn't want anybody.

  "No!" Rori was almost shouting.

  Evan paid no heed to her command, touching her boldly in hopes that he could make her feel some desire for him. Rori couldn't stand the feel of his hands upon her. She remembered her encounter with the outlaws all too vividly. She continued to try to elude his pawing.

  "Let yourself enjoy this," he urged.

  At that, Rori exploded in rage at his refusal to leave her alone. With all the power she could muster, she brought her knee up between his legs. Though she was hampered by her skirts, she still managed to make contact. Evan was shocked as jarring pain jolted through him, and in that moment of surprise, Rori managed to pull free.

  "Why you little . . ." Evan's anger was out in the open now, and he came at her, meaning to force her to his will.

  His first attempt to grab her failed as she danced out of his reach. When he tried to lunge at her again, the real Rori was ready. She drew back her fist and punched him with all the force she could muster.

  "I warned you to keep away from me!" she told him, panting.

  Evan stood back for a moment nursing his aching eye. His rage soon consumed him, though, and he made a fierce grab for Rori, yanking her to him.

  Chance had made the ride cross-country to make better time. Now, he reined in before the cabin, his gaze narrowing suspiciously as he looked around the quiet setting. He wondered, almost fearfully, what he would find if he went inside. The thought of Rori making love to Strickland drove him from his horse, and he dismounted quickly, charging up the path to the house.

  "Rori!" he thundered, pounding on the door. "Rori! Are you in there?!"

  "Chance . . ." Rori
managed to call out his name in a frightened voice as Evan struggled to control her.

  Chance heard her cry, and in a fit of fury kicked the door in. He stood there staring in outrage at the scene before him. Rori was pinned in Strickland's arms, her hair in disarray and her blouse torn. He reacted instantly, launching himself across the room at the other man.

  Evan released Rori and turned to defend himself, but he was no match for Chance. Chance pummeled him ferociously, landing blow after punishing blow. Evan tried to block his assault, but met with little success. There was a wild primitiveness about Chance's attack that sent the cowardly Evan scurrying for the door at the first opportunity. In desperation, he fled the lodge.

  Chance started to go after him, but Rori's breathless, nervous call stopped him.

  "Chance . . . no . . . "

  He shuddered as he brought his raging temper under control, and he turned slowly to Rori. "Are you all right?" he asked, his gaze hot upon her.

  "Yes. I'm fine."

  "Thank God," Chance breathed.

  Rori was so completely startled by his unexpected appearance here and the resulting fight that she could only stand and stare at him.

  "Rori, did he hurt you?"

  "No," she finally managed to say, finding it difficult to believe the fierceness of his actions. Why was he so concerned with what she was doing? He'd made it perfectly clear that he didn't care about her. After all, he was the one who'd kissed up a storm on the porch with good old Bethany and then stayed out all night!

  He gave her a scathing look. "Why did you trust him? Did you want this? Did you want to be up here alone with him at this secluded lover's hideaway?"

  "Not that it's any of your business, but I didn't believe he'd get so . . . violent." Rori bristled at his insinuation. "You don't need to protect me if it's so much bother and makes you so mad. I got even with him on my own."

  Chance stopped, finally beginning to listen to her. "You did?"

  "Yep. Evan's sore in a real delicate, very male place, and I think he'll be sporting a nice shiner tomorrow," Rori related proudly, still mystified that Chance even cared. "I guess you could say it's a good thing I didn't bring my knife with me." Rori grinned at him.