Arizona Temptress

by Smith, Bobbi

  Climbing beneath her blankets, Carrie lay unmoving, her thoughts dwelling on the time she’d had alone with Todd during the storm and the heated remembrance of his body pressed to hers. She had just fallen asleep when the warmth of Todd’s hand on her shoulder woke her.

  “Carrie? I’m sorry, I didn’t think you were asleep yet.”

  “That’s all right. What’s wrong?” Carrie was instantly alert, fearing trouble.

  “Nothing’s wrong,” he told her quickly. “I just wanted to make sure you were feeling all right. That was quite a fall you took this afternoon. How’s the cut on your forehead?” Todd had a great desire to brush back the sweep of blond hair that covered her injury, but he refrained.

  Carrie’s hand immediately went to the sore spot on her brow. “Fine, I think. It’s hard to tell without a mirror, but I know it’s not bleeding or anything.”

  “Shall I take a look?” he asked.

  “Please.” Her tone was soft and seductive, but Todd seemed not to notice as he gently examined her injury.

  “You’re right. It does look much better. There won’t even be a scar.”

  “Good.” She grinned up at him, her eyes filled with longing.

  Todd stared down at her for a long moment, realizing that Carrie couldn’t possibly know how beautiful she looked, lying before him so fragile and seemingly helpless. Shaking himself mentally, he moved slightly away.

  “Well, get some sleep. We’ll be heading out at dawn again tomorrow.” He stood up and started off to his own bedroll across the campsite from hers.

  “Todd?” she called softly, not wanting anyone else to witness their exchange, and he turned to look back questioningly. “Thank you.”

  He flashed her a quick smile and then went on to bed, himself.

  The next two hours passed in slow motion for Carrie as she dwelled on the tenderness of Todd’s touch on her forehead. He cared! He had to or he wouldn’t have bothered to check on her.

  Tossing fitfully on the thin comfort of her bedroll, Carrie finally gave up the struggle to rest. Glancing around she found that everyone was asleep, save the lookout who was posted at the vulnerable side of their campsite. Getting up, she wandered in the opposite direction of the guard, wanting to be alone with her thoughts so that she could plan on how to further attract Todd. Carrie didn’t notice that Steve came awake as she moved about the encampment, and his eyes followed her avidly as she disappeared into the surrounding shadows.

  Steve was glad that he’d placed his bedroll away from the tight confines of the inner circle of men around the fire. He had hoped for just such an opportunity to be with Carrie, and he rose from his bed to follow her, his body eagerly anticipating her embrace.

  “Carrie?” He spoke quietly as he came upon her, some distance from the others.

  Startled by his unexpected appearance, she jumped at the sound of his voice. “Steve?” she croaked nervously as she hurriedly turned to face him.

  “Weren’t you expecting me?” he asked, leering at her with the look of a man who knows exactly what he wants and intends to get it.

  “Uh—no, actually.” Carrie answered quickly. She had meant to tell him that what had happened between them had been a mistake, but she hadn’t quite prepared herself yet for the confrontation. She had hoped to put it off as long as possible.

  “Come on, Carrie, You know you’ve been wanting me all day, just like I’ve been wanting you.” He took her by the upper arm and turned her to face him. “C’mon, baby. I’ve been needing this since morning.”

  His mouth swooped down on hers, crushing her lips beneath his in a passionate assault. When he felt the resistance in her, he pulled her closer to him and moved suggestively against her body.

  “Steve!” she gasped when he released her mouth briefly. “Steve! Don’t!”

  Suddenly the touch of his hands upon her caused her to recoil, and she wanted nothing more than to be free of his embrace. But Steve was single-minded in his purpose, and he began to caress her, ignoring her protests.

  “You know you like this. Last night you couldn’t wait for me,” he growled, not paying any attention even as her struggles became real.

  “Stop it, right now! I don’t want this!” Carrie was careful to keep her voice low for she was worried about what her father would do if he found her in this compromising situation.

  Finally, as Steve began to fondle her intimately, Carrie lost her temper and kicked out at him with all her might.

  “Damn you, you little—” he started to say as her foot connected with his shin, but he never got to finish his sentence for suddenly Todd was looming over them both, his gun drawn, his face set.

  Struggling to catch her breath, she staggered as Steve released her, her eyes filling with tears of mortification.

  “Carrie, are you all right? I thought I heard trouble.” Todd’s expression was wooden as his gaze swung from Carrie’s flushed face to Steve’s livid one.

  “I am now, Todd.” She was breathing heavily as she stepped closer to his protective strength.

  “Steve? Is there some kind of problem?” Todd asked, holstering his gun.

  For a moment Carrie knew real fear as she waited to hear Steve’s comment for she was terrified that he would reveal all to Todd, but he only shrugged as he turned to walk away.

  “No. No problem. Just a little misunderstanding.”

  Carrie watched him go, her relief obvious. “Oh, Todd. I don’t know how to thank you—”

  “You can thank me by never putting yourself in such a compromising position again,” he said, his tone a curious mixture of censor and concern.

  Hastening to convince him of her innocence, she told him, “But I only came out here to think. I was so worried about everything that I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Men don’t always understand why women do the things they do,” he said gently. “No telling what Steve thought when he saw that you were out here all alone.”

  “I won’t do it again,” Carrie said.

  “Good. Now let’s get on back and get some sleep.” He started to turn back to camp.

  “I’m so upset, I just don’t know if I can yet.” Carrie hoped that her tone sounded helpless and confused. “What if Steve’s angry with me or—”

  “If you’re worried about Steve, why don’t you just bring you bedroll over near me. I don’t think he’ll cause you any more trouble, but just in case.”

  “Do you mean it? You wouldn’t mind?” She brightened at the possibilities sleeping next to him.

  “No. I wouldn’t mind.” Todd smiled at her. “Come on, let’s go.”

  With a guiding hand at her waist, he directed her back toward the encampment, glad that Mac and Jake were asleep and had not witnessed Carrie’s latest escapade. Picking up her blankets for her, he spread them out next to his own, his movements stiff as he favored his wounded shoulder.

  “There. Now try to get some rest.” He sat down awkwardly on his own pallet.

  “Todd—Are you all right? Your shoulder—?”

  “I’m fine. I just need to lie down for a while. Go to sleep, Carrie.” He dismissed her interest quickly.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Good night, Carrie.” And his words were spoken with such finality as he rolled over away from her that she hurriedly lay down and pulled the blanket over her shoulder.

  Stretched out so close to Todd, she could feel his body heat, and she thought once more of their kiss that afternoon during the storm. It had been so perfect, even under such adverse conditions, and she could just imagine how wonderful it would be to know the full extent of his love and passion. Someday, she promised herself, she would be the woman he wanted above all others.

  Todd lay stiffly at Carrie’s side, his back to her. He didn’t know what was wrong, but his shoulder had suddenly started to throb. Trying to ease the ache, he changed position a little, but there was no lessening of the pain. He knew he should probably have her take a look at it, but he didn’t trust himself
to let her touch him. The embrace they had shared earlier had been more than enough to convince him of her womanhood, and seeing her just now with Steve—It had taken all of his will power not to knock Steve down. Carrie was such a trusting young woman. She needed someone to look after her and keep her out of trouble. Todd sighed, wondering why he was even concerning himself with her, for after all, Jennie was the woman he loved; the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Wasn’t she?

  Shifting his weight onto his back, Todd threw a forearm across his eyes and had to grit his teeth as the piercing pain stabbed through his shoulder again. Breathing deeply, he forced himself to relax, and then he reached quietly for his saddlebags, taking out the small bottle of whiskey he kept there. Unscrewing the top, he levered himself up on his uninjured arm and drank deeply of the potent liquor. As he felt the heat of it burn through him, he hoped that its powerful pain-killing effect would soon relieve his discomfort for he intended to be ready to ride out first thing in the morning with the rest of the men. Determined that there was nothing wrong with him that a few hours’ sleep wouldn’t cure, he took another big swig and then lay back and closed his eyes, waiting impatiently for the rest that wouldn’t come.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Stained red, as if it had survived some bloody conflict, the eastern horizon yielded to the dawn’s first light. Only a few benign white clouds dotted the deep blue expanse of the morning sky, and the bright blooming of desert flowers was the sole reminder of the previous day’s tempest.

  Lucia awoke. Her first thoughts were of Cazador and how glorious he’d looked when he’d stepped naked from the pool last night. Stretching sensuously, she imagined how exciting it would be to know his passion, and once again the desire she felt for him stirred to life. Unable to stop herself, she glanced in his direction, longing to gaze at him unobserved, but the sight of Cazador, sound asleep, with Jennie held close in his arms, upset her. Jealous fury seized Lucia as she stared at them: the blanket twisted sinuously about their hips, their limbs intimately intertwined. Swearing angrily to herself, she quickly got up and went outside, needing to be away from the sight of the other woman in his embrace.

  Lucia’s movements through the camp roused Chica and, curious as to her friend’s activities, she followed her from the cave.

  “Why are you up so early?” Chica asked as she caught up with Lucia.

  “I couldn’t sleep any longer.” Lucia’s shrug was expressive. “And I was thinking about Cazador.”

  “You know that’s useless, don’t you? Did you see how he was sleeping with her?” she chided.

  “I saw,” she admitted sullenly. “But it won’t last forever. One day, when she’s gone—”

  “Gone? Where would she go? Obviously, she wants to be here with him and I can’t blame her.” Chica sighed, thinking of how handsome Cazador was.

  “Chica.” Lucia faced her friend, her tone almost desperate. “I want him so badly—I’ve never felt this way before. Will you help me? There’s got to be something I can do to attract him.”

  “I don’t think so, not while Jennie’s around.” Chica paused. “And what about Malo?”

  “After last night, do you really think he’s going to care what I do?”

  “Maybe he will go easy on you. After all, I was the one talking about him and I think I paid the price for that mistake last night. I am still sore.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish there had been more I could do for you, but—”

  “No, don’t worry. You helped all you could and I appreciate it. That’s why I will try to help you with Cazador, but I’m not sure what we can do.”

  “I’ve a few ideas,” Lucia began hopefully.

  “Like what?”

  “First, I could try to make her jealous.”

  “I don’t know that it’s possible. The man doesn’t even look at us the same way he looks at her.”

  “What if we just dropped hints suggesting that something was happening between him and me? Do you suppose she’d believe it?”

  “There’s always a chance,” Chica answered. “But so what if she does believe it? What’s she going to do? Take another man? There is no one else here who even comes close to being like him.”

  “No, but I think if we made her life miserable enough, she might change her mind about going home to her father. Surely, we’d be able to find her a horse and help her to get away.”

  “All we can do is try, but if Jennie is as crazy about him as I think she is, she may not fall for it.”

  “If that doesn’t work, I’ll just try to think of something else. And who knows? Maybe he’ll grow tired of her in the meantime and give her to the other men like he said last night.” Her lips curved in a sneering smile at the thought of all the men in camp having their way with Jennie.

  Chica nodded and they headed back inside to begin cooking breakfast. They knew that Malo was eager to be on his way this day, so they were determined not to give him any reason to find further fault with them.

  Jennie came awake slowly, feeling decidedly warm and oddly comforted after her long, tormented hours of sleeplessness and it was only when she opened her eyes that she discovered why she was so content. There she was pressed closely to Cazador as if it were the most natural thing in the world for them to sleep together. Upset that her body would betray her and seek his, even during her much needed slumber, she tried to move away from him but as she slid her leg from between his, he stirred.

  Though Rick had not fallen asleep until an hour before dawn, he was instantly alert at Jennie’s slight movement. “Good morning,” he murmured, smiling as his legs entrapped hers once more, and he bent to kiss her lightly.

  Jennie held herself stiffly as his lips moved warmly over hers, and Rick assumed it was just because there were others present.

  “I trust you slept well?”

  “Yes, Did you?” Jennie blurted out, wondering how he could even think of making small talk when he’d been with Lucia last night.

  “What little I got,” he replied, loving the feel of her pressed so sweetly to him.

  “I know,” she said sharply.

  Rick frowned as he wondered at her mood. “Did I disturb you?”

  “No, not in the least,” she replied with a bit of haughtiness, unwilling to let him know how much his nocturnal visit with the other woman had hurt her. “Lucia and Chica are already up,” she said. She had heard their voices by the fire and wanted to see what his reaction would be at the mention of her name.

  But Rick didn’t react and that left Jennie puzzled.

  “What about Malo?” he asked, as he released her to look over in his direction.

  “I think he’s still sleeping.”

  Glancing to where Juan had spent the night, Rick was surprised to find his bed deserted and asked worriedly, “Where’s the old man?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You go help the women cook. I’ll be back,” he said thinking that this would be his opportunity to speak with Juan alone for a few minutes.

  “Where are you going?” she demanded as he stood up and checked his gun.

  Glancing down at her impatiently, he responded, “I don’t owe you any explanations for my actions, Jennie. Somehow, you keep forgetting that.” And without further discussion, he strode off out of the cave, leaving Jennie behind, angrily watching him go.

  Stepping from the shelter of the cavern, Rick caught sight of Juan, his hands still bound, waiting as his guard spoke with the lookout.

  “Mornin’,” Rick called out as he approached.

  Both guards turned quickly toward him. “Mornin’.”

  “Any sign of a posse yet?” he asked, letting his gaze sweep the canyon floor.

  “No. It’s still quiet. Just the way Malo likes it.”

  “There is a posse?” Juan asked excitedly, playing along with Rick.

  “Shut up, old man.” His guard jabbed him in the ribs with his rifle butt, doubling him over.

  But the lookout
only chuckled lasciviously. “Yeah, there’s a posse, but they’re not coming after you, Peralta. They’re after Cazador’s woman, but from what I can see, it seems to me that she doesn’t want to be rescued. Eh, Cazador?”

  “She’s happy riding with me.” Rick smiled widely, wanting them to believe that he was, indeed, one of them. “But even if she wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter. I want her, so I’ll keep her.”

  “And we all know why.” They agreed with pure male enthusiasm.

  “So, the great El Cazador can’t even get himself a woman? He has to kidnap one?” Juan taunted, unable to resist the opportunity.

  And Rick grabbed him by the shirt front and dragged him threateningly nearer. “How I get my women is none of you concern, old man, and if you weren’t taking us to the gold—”

  Juan met his eyes steadily. “Ah, but until I lead you to the mine, you will not dare to lay a hand on me!”

  Rick released him viciously and turned back to Malo’s men. “So there’s been no sign of the posse.” He paused and then grinned easily. “That’s good news. There’ll be enough excitement when we get to the gold mine, without having them hot on our tail.”

  “That’s for sure.” The guards smiled greedily at the thought of the riches they would soon possess.

  “The women have started breakfast. You want me to take him back in with me?” Rick offered, hoping they’d jump at the chance to relax from their watch for a few minutes.

  “Yeah, thanks. Go on, old man.” They waved Juan away and, holding his side as best he could, Juan followed Rick back toward the cave.

  “Is it bad?” Rick asked when he knew they were out of earshot.

  “Not too. I’ve had worse.” He grunted. “I am so glad you are alive—”

  “Alive? I was never in any danger.” He looked puzzled at his grandfather’s words.