Her breath caught. He sat on the bed beside her, the feather mattress dipping at his greater weight, tilting her toward him.
"I want you. More than I've ever wanted anyone or anything in this whole wide world." He laid his hand against her jaw.
It was a tender touch that made her heart flutter. She wanted his touch.
She wanted so much.
He loosened her buttons and slid the dress away from her shoulders and the sleeves down her arms.
She was bared to him.
He leaned on one elbow, gazing down at her, not at her breasts but at her face.
And into her eyes.
She reached up and unbuttoned his shirt. She wanted to see him.
She wanted to touch him.
The fabric parted to reveal his muscled chest. She drew in a breath. Wow.
Then his large hands smoothed over her breasts.
And she shivered.
His touch set her on fire. He kissed her and she burned.
He cupped her breasts, shaping her, caressing her. He took one peaked nipple into his mouth.
What pleasure. She gasped.
Sensation coiled low in her abdomen. Leo nibbled one breast and then the other, tugging deliciously on the aroused peaks.
"Oh, Leo." She closed her eyes and basked in the pleasure.
Affection overwhelmed her. She felt restless.
She wanted him and she simply did not want to wait.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and arched her breast into his mouth.
Groaning, he suckled harder.
Sharp shafts of pleasure speared through her.
She throbbed down low, where hot dampness collected between her thighs.
She couldn't wait much longer. She shifted her hips, but the throbbing between her thighs increased.
He reached out to touch her there, where she was moist from wanting him.
Oh, God. She closed her eyes.
His fingers grazed her like the wind, light.
Teasing.
His touch skimmed the length of her inner thigh and then moved higher.
Wherever his fingers went, she burned.
Oh, my God. Her entire body felt on fire.
This pleasure was overwhelming. Restless, she shifted on the bed, opening for him.
Leo laid his knee against her thighs. His jutting hardness nudged her swollen softness.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him enter her.
He was going too slowly. Frustrated, she arched her hips and brought them together as one.
They were nearly lip to lip. He kissed her, and emotion filled her.
She could feel the swell of him, the beat of him. She could not take much more as his hot hardness filled her.
She felt as if there were too much of him, so very much of him. Pure heavenly sensation.
The best, most wonderful experience ever.
He moved, setting a rhythm that left her breathless and weak. She could only hold onto him, and hang on for the ride.
Nothing could stop this spiral of pleasure that rolled through her. Higher, harder, hotter.
She gasped, and her body exploded into tight, searing spasms. She undulated, her pleasure so sharp it was nearly unbearable.
Nearly.
It rolled over her with a force she couldn't stop. Not even when he stiffened above her.
He came with a groan and a hard, deep, fast thrust. She felt the warm throb as he spilled his seed, and her own rippling pleasure did not stop.
Even when he relaxed over her, she kept moving against his thickness.
Goodness, it felt so good she just couldn't let it end.
Leo started to laugh. She saw his affection and acceptance and a whole lot of good humor.
"Don't wear yourself out." He kissed her forehead. "We can do this again."
"Good thing we have all night," she agreed, leaning back in his arms. "I'm gonna need all night to get my money's worth out of you."
They laughed together and started to make love all over again.
* * *
She awoke tucked against the heat of Leo's body. Warm, wonderful and deliciously male.
Contentment felt like sugar in her veins. Why wouldn't she feel so relaxed?
They'd made love several times last night.
Leo mumbled in his sleep. Then he reached out and drew her back against him.
Goodness, the things she'd done with him ought to embarrass her in the light of day, but they didn't.
She eased away from him and crept out from beneath the covers. She met the new day shivering.
It was cold. Was it still snowing outside?
Her shirt and trousers had dried overnight, so she put them on. Much more practical in case she had to ride today.
But she spent extra time with her hair, left it down and tied it back with a length of lace.
"You decided to get dressed. I'm so disappointed." He sat up in bed, the covers at his waist, showing off his bare chest. "I was hoping to see you naked again soon."
"You just never know what might happen."
The only thing she could think about was last night. The pleasure he'd given her.
The intimacies they'd shared.
Her blood heated just remembering.
She did not want to admit it was all she could do not to jump back into bed with him.
"If I'm going to have to let you get me naked between those sheets, I'm going to need breakfast first." She waggled her eyebrows.
He chuckled. "There's another deal I can't say no to. You get breakfast first, then more time spent with you right here on this comfortable bed. It's almost as comfortable as the one I have at home."
"You have a home? I didn't know that about you."
"I rent a place. You don't know a lot of things about me. Keep hanging around me, and you never know what you might find out."
"Promises, promises." Oh, she wanted to make love to him before settling downstairs in the dining room for eggs and bacon.
He looked a whole lot more delectable than any fine cooked meal she could imagine.
But she also knew time was precious. They had come here to Helena for a reason.
Her heart was heavy, thinking of her uncle. He hadn't come to the gambling hall last night. Where could he be?
Leo's bare feet padded on the carpet behind her. His hand fell on her shoulder.
So tender.
He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.
She shivered. She burned. "Hey, what do you think you're doing, mister?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he murmured in her ear.
Her top button popped open.
Then another.
"Oops," she said, and undid all the rest.
It looked like breakfast would have to wait.
* * *
Leo watched Millie sleep for a moment before buttoning his shirt. It was still early. He pulled the curtain aside.
At least the snow had stopped. But the hard blowing wind looked mean.
And colder than hell frozen over.
But his morning meeting could not be missed. He pulled the note from his pocket, the same note Rory had passed to him after playing poker.
Meet me at seven in the morning. Sharp. The last building on your way out of town. I'll find you.
It was Fitzhugh's handwriting, that was for sure. But one thing could not be overlooked.
There was serious danger. Someone wanted Fitzhugh dead.
And there is something you need to know, Leo continued to read. Watch out for a man named Richard Lee.
Protection would be necessary. So he buckled on his gun belt.
What about Millie? He didn't want to leave her.
She was out like a light. Sound asleep.
He couldn't blame her. He'd worn her out.
His body overheated just looking at her lying there covered with the sheet.
She was everything good and gentle.
What were the chances she would want a
rough, tough gunman like him?
It was a question for another time, but it left his heart aching. He grabbed his jacket and hat and headed out.
But it wasn't easy leaving her behind.
The hotel lobby was busy, full of people heading toward the dining room.
The hard gusting wind was letting up, but everything was frozen. He picked his way along the icy boardwalk and down the alley.
At least he knew Fitzhugh was alive. That was something.
He just knew what he needed to keep the man safe. After all, Fitzhugh had been a good friend to Leo and to his father.
Good men like that were hard to find.
"Leo, is that you?" A familiar voice broke the stillness.
"Fitzhugh? Hell, it's great to see you alive and well. You have no idea."
"That's the same exact way I feel too."
"What can I do to help you? I can't believe your part-time employee is the one who's in your grave. But I know exactly who did this to you. We both know."
"Richard Lee. The pipsqueak little worthless bastard." Fitzhugh flushed with anger. "And I rarely ever judge anyone, and never that harsh."
"But he deserves it, trust me. I know. Now let's get you back to the hotel. I know their security guards there. The Helena Grand Hotel has a high faulting clientele and you and I know no one is going to get past those sharp-eyed guards."
"Okay, let's go. I just don't know what I can do to repay you for bailing me out when I needed the cash money after that asshole stole from me. He just held me up."
"And then chased the sheriff and deputies out of town. Just so he could impress the outlaw gang's leader and get in good with him."
"He's going to get what he deserves, and every single piece of shit loser asshole who helped him to destroy, hurt and murder too many innocent lives in Willow Glen."
"It used to be such a nice place to live. I think my fiancée won't want to come back from Chicago. I had to send her back home. Richard Lee got awful jealous of the expensive home I was building for her."
"He'll be lucky to get life in prison. I'd rather put a bullet in his gut myself, but I'm a lawman. I'll leave it to a court of law to judge and convict him. He belongs behind bars, and I'll make sure he gets there."
"Leo, I don't know what I would do without you. You are the only man I could ever trust with my life. You're the best goddamned United Stated Marshal around."
"I'm glad you think so. I'm gonna get the town sheriff involved. He's a good man with a fine deputy force. You could have gone to him for help, you know."
"I didn't want Richard Lee to threaten him or his family. Or his deputies and their families either."
"I understand. I'll take care of it, Fitzhugh. You just come with me." He patted his revolver. "Now, let's get you to the hotel. You look like a man who could use a good hot breakfast. And guess what? You will have a reunion with your niece."
"Millie?" Fitzhugh missed a step he was so startled. "What do you mean? That she's here? In this part of the wilderness?"
"She inherited your store. Remember, your will?"
"I guess I hadn't given it much thought. Oh, sweet Millie. She could have been killed. Shot up by Richard Lee and his outlaw associates."
"That's why I'm keeping a close eye on her. C'mon. It's time for a family reunion."
Chapter 14
Millie woke up in a lonely room.
Leo was nowhere in sight, but a merry fire crackled in the hearth and a note crinkled on the pillow beside her.
She sat up to read it.
Had to meet a man. Be back soon, sweetheart.
She ran her fingers over the bold scrawl of his writing. Powerful, just like he was.
And regardless of the fact that he was a drifter and a prospector who had no home of his own, he was deeply concerned about her happiness.
And look at all he'd done for her uncle Fitzhugh. He'd lent the older man money.
And let's face it. Leo Ryder didn't appear to have too much of that.
Aside from his few windfalls at gambling.
Which was why she was falling for him.
She pulled on her clothes, remembering Leo had been the one to undress her.
Smiling, warm and content from starting the day with multiple orgasms, she grabbed her coat.
Her stomach rumbled. But with Leo gone, maybe she would check on how Beauregard was doing before getting breakfast.
Poor Beauregard. He wasn't used to being alone without her in the morning.
She liked to spend as much time out of her day as she could with him. He was quite a finely bred and pedigreed Arabian.
And she did not wish to trust him alone in the care of a complete stranger. Not without checking up on him.
She simply did not mind making the effort. When you had a good friend who was a horse, you went the extra distance it took to make sure he was happy and safe in his stable environment.
No one would ever be able to take her precious Beauregard from her.
She charged out into the hallway, down the staircase and across the lobby. She stepped out into the crisp, cold morning and marched down the alley.
Whatever should she do about Leo? If her uncle was alive, then the store was still his.
It had never truly been hers.
Which meant she would have to return home. After having spent nearly every last dime of her savings to get here.
Well, at least she had her poker winnings. She did not know how much they were worth, Leo hadn't said what denomination each color poker chip represented.
But maybe it would be enough for her to recoup her expenses.
Or to at least get her home.
Her heart sank. She did not want to go home. She wanted to stay here.
A shadow slipped out from against the building.
"I can't stand the sight of a stunningly beautiful woman like yourself." A stranger trudged through the snow, holding a revolver.
Pointed straight at her face.
She gasped. "Who are you?"
"You mean, you don't know who I am? I'm the biggest, baddest son of a bitch this side of Denver. I'm the outlaw who is gonna blow your brains out."
"Why do you want to hurt me?"
"Because you have the best goddamn store in the whole damn town. And the big new house being built too."
"What? The attorney mentioned a home. I figured he meant the apartment over the store."
"Dumb bitch. You mean, didn't you know about that fancy big house?"
"No" Her knees nearly buckled. "How do you know all of this?"
"Because I killed your insufferable, piece of sniveling shit uncle. Fitzhugh Conway got on my last nerve. Give me both properties and leave, I'll let you live. Maybe."
A voice boomed down the alley. "Drop the gun, Richard Lee."
Leo. Millie's heart stopped. There he was, stepping out of the shadows like a western hero, with his revolver drawn, fearless.
Mighty.
Standing tall for her, proud to protect and serve.
Leo stepped out of the shadows. "Let her go."
"You can't tell me what to do. No one does." Richard Lee's gun didn't lower.
Millie gulped. It was pointed straight at her face. Right in the center of her nose.
Who was this man, and why did he want both of her uncle's properties?
"Throw down your weapon and give me what I want, or I'll kill you all in cold blood." Richard Lee growled like a junkyard dog. "Do it now. I'm not kidding around here, Marshal."
"So, we meet again, Richard Lee. I hear you paid off a deputy marshal and you got yourself free. Evidence seems to disappear around you. But not this time."
"Don't count on it, Marshal."
Marshal. Millie realized the truth. Leo wasn't a drifter or a man too untamed to settle down.
He was a lawman. And a damned good one too judging by the way he didn't bat an eye.
"I won't tell you again, Richard Lee. Put the gun down, or this won't end peaceably. I won't l
et you hurt my wife."
"Wife?" Uncle Fitzhugh stepped into sight, looking disheveled, stressed and befuddled. "Millie, little Millie all grown up. When did you marry Leo?"
It was one of those impulsive, split-second decisions I've come to regret. That's what she wanted to say.
In her mind, she was casual, bold.
Brave.
Instead, she opened her mouth and only air sputtered out.
That's what outright terror could do to a girl.
"You've made a grave error, Marshal." Richard Lee's ugly face twisted with pure jealousy. "This pretty little wife of yours ain't gonna have a face. I've got all the power here."
Richard Lee's finger moved on the trigger and jammed his gun right between her eyes.
Millie went rigid with fear. She was going to die. She knew it.
Then Leo pulled the trigger.
Richard Lee went limp and tumbled to the ground.
Millie gasped, realizing the criminal was still alive. Blood poured from a wound in his chest, but she didn't care that he was hurt. Maybe dying.
All that mattered was that she was alive. That Leo was all right.
And that he was right there, his arms wrapping around her, hauling her against his chest.
Holding her safe and sound.
"I guess it's true. One good thing came from this." Uncle Fitzhugh picked up Richard Lee's gun. "You two found each other."
Sadness crept into Millie's heart.
It was true. She'd finally found the one man she could love for the rest of her life.
And she didn't know him.
Not at all.
Chapter 15
Leo shook the local sheriff's hand. Well, that was one thing taken care of.
His mission was done.
Fitzhugh was alive. Richard Lee was finally arrested and would never live out his life behind bars.
He was a wanted man for more than one unsolved murder. It seems there were other warrants out for his arrest under a different name.
So, it was satisfying to see him sitting alone and broke, no longer free, caged in the steel barred transport wagon.
"I don't know what I would have done without you, Marshal Ryder." The local sheriff tipped his hat as a show of respect. "I should have done more, but I didn't know there was a problem."
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