by Dee Burks
“You saw it?”
“Yes.” She paused, waiting for an explanation. The quiet pressed in on them as the minutes ticked by, but she waited.
Finally, Taos cleared his throat. “I just wanted to be sure someone didn’t send you here for some other reason, that’s all.”
“You didn’t send it. Why?”
He hesitated. “It was right at first, and I didn’t know what to make of you showing up here so suddenly, is all.”
She weighed his answer in her mind. He seemed sincere, and really who could blame him for being a little suspicious with her showing up unannounced like she had.
“Maybe you should send another.” She took a deep breath. “If this is what it takes for you to finally believe me.”
“I don’t think that's necessary.” Juices rolled in his empty stomach as he watched her slip around the side of the desk. The white robe covered her from neck to ankles, but glowed with an almost angelic light in the growing darkness. Dry cotton filled his mouth, and the air seemed suddenly thick and heavy, like the calm before the first thunderclap. She leaned back on the desk and smiled at him. To Taos she looked like ice cream on the hottest day of the year. Her scent floated toward him, an enticing blend of rose petals and summer breeze.
His eyes followed her every move. The robe molded to her graceful form as she crossed her arms over her waist.
Ice cream with curves. Would she melt in his mouth? He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to will his mind into self-control, but the mutiny was already well underway.
“I talked to Tommy. He said you told him about his sister.”
Taos stared at her lips as she spoke. They drew him in, mesmerized his heart, stirred his soul. He couldn’t seem to resist the urge to touch her. Their fight this afternoon probably put any chance of that on hold for a while. He clasped his hands to his knees to keep them away from her, but he couldn’t help staring.
“Taos?”
“Oh, yeah. I thought it was time he knew.”
“Did you say anything about his mother?”
He shrugged. “Not really.”
“He’s been hearing things in town.”
“Things?”
“He said Nate told him that she left because she didn’t want you or Tommy.”
Taos stared at her.
“You might want to talk to him.”
“And tell him what? That what he heard was the truth?”
Samantha shrugged and turned to leave.
He didn’t want her to go. “I’m sorry about your clothes.” He tried once again to drag his gaze away, but couldn’t. “I’ll replace any that are ruined.”
Silence. Her unreadable expression offered few clues.
“Anything you want. Really.”
“Are you alright?” She reached out and placed her hand on his forehead. “You’re warm.”
If he had been standing, her caress would have buckled his knees. The need to touch her was so intense, he laid his hand over hers and silently begged for one more minute of heaven. If he was just warm, then the sun was made of snow.
Samantha’s eyes softened and her lips parted. He didn’t need any more of a hint. Taos turned her hand over and pressed his lips to her palm. Her fingers cupped his cheek and trailed down his jaw over his slight whiskers making a run for dawn. He opened his mouth slightly and she leaned in, accepting the invitation.
Their lips touched, then melded together. He tugged her waist gently and she slipped onto his lap, the chair squeaking like a tattletale with a secret. Growing darkness was the only indicator that the world still turned.
A ripple of pleasure followed his fingertips as he traced the slim column of her throat. His lips caressed and nipped at her earlobe.
Sudden movement startled Taos as she swiveled and straddled his lap. His world moved slowly, like a beautiful dream. This was one area he was glad not to control. With most women it was a guessing game as to what they liked or didn’t like in bed. But there was something about Samantha’s sexual advances that made him feel wanted, needed.
Samantha wriggled on his lap and trailed kisses along his temple. She brushed her hand down his shirt front and slid her fingers between the buttons, popping them open one by one. She seemed to know how she wanted this to go and wasn’t shy about taking the lead. He was more than glad to hand her the reins and hang on for the ride.
His hands traveled up both her bare legs and under her robe. She moaned slightly and leaned into him as his fingers rounded her hips. Taos lifted her with him and laid her across the top of the desk.
A shadow of light from the rising moon filled the room. Taos swiftly pulled the robe and gown over Samantha’s head and tossed it aside. The breath caught in his throat at the sight of her cream-colored skin in the moonlight. He would never get enough of feasting his eyes on what he could only compare to a sculpture of Venus: perfection, beauty, and passion all rolled into one. It was as if he had to touch her to make sure she was real. The palm of his hand traveled down her chest and across her quivering stomach.
Warmth flowed through his hand from her body, calling to him. No stone sculpture could cause a storm like the one she ignited within in him. He leaned down and trailed feather light kisses down her stomach. Soft willowy fingers ran through his hair as he tugged off his shirt. Taos’s lips burned their way across her stomach and hips, slowly teasing, tempting as they went. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and he swore a silent oath to himself. This would be over in two seconds if she made him any hotter.
Even though Samantha anticipated it, the feel of his mouth between her legs shocked and amazed him at the same time. He teased and taunted until she clawed his hair and moaned like a woman possessed. He stopped and she opened her eyes, dazed and disappointed at the loss. His gaze met her eyes and trapped them as his lips traveled up her body. She watched his tongue dart out and circle one nipple. He drew the stiff peak into his mouth and pleasure washed over her. She arched her back as his lips placed kisses across her chest until her other nipple was captured.
Their mouths entwined once again and Samantha’s need blossomed into heated desperation. “Oh please, I want you now,” she whispered, her breath ragged. Taos paused and quickly shed the rest of his clothes. As he met her lips once again, Samantha gloried in the feel of his naked skin, running her fingernails gently down his back. She welcomed the pressure as he entered her slowly, carefully. He gathered her into his arms and she clung to him, her body closing around his, grasping him with all she had. He kissed her gently and pleasure swirled into the center of her body. She let out a sigh as the dance began.
He set a steady rhythm, and she followed, giving and taking in perfect harmony. Their bodies merged together in raw emotion, leaving doubt and inhibition far behind. The whiskey bottle on the desk swayed as they strained to a fevered pitch. It finally clattered to the floor and the noise competed with the music of sweet release.
Taos dropped his forehead onto her chest as he tried to force his breathing to slow to a normal rate. He hesitated, then raised his head to peek at her. Her eyes were still closed, but the smile on her face was nothing less than angelic. He could go his entire life and never see anything so beautiful again.
Samantha’s eyes fluttered open.
“I’m hungry.” Taos said.
She stretched like a lazy cat. “For food?”
Taos grinned and stepped back to pull her to her feet. They both dressed in silence, sharing the same smile, the same look, the same desire. Taos took her hand and led her down the hall and toward the stairs.
She started toward the kitchen, but he refused to release her hand.
“I’d rather starve.” He saw the heat flare in her eyes as he pulled her to him.
“Me too,” she whispered and followed him upstairs.
Chapter 17
The wagon swayed a steady rhythm as they rolled toward town. Taos watched Samantha breathe the morning air deep into her lungs. She was so beautiful. H
er face glowed, and her golden hair caught the morning light, holding it hostage. How had he missed that this whole time?
When he had lit the lamp in the parlor on that first night, he thought she looked like Jimbo after a good roll in the creek. Even the next morning she was just passable, kind of pretty maybe. Now the sun dimmed in comparison. He forced his gaze back toward the road and insisted his attention follow though his thoughts refused to budge.
What was the matter with her? Women weren’t attracted to him as a general rule. Most saw him as a hulking beast and scattered quickly out of the way when he came near. Especially once they heard the rumors about him being a wife-beater.
Unless they wanted something.
Somebody should have warned her off, told her how bad he really was at making women happy. She had loved him last night like there was no tomorrow. If he had died in her arms before dawn, he would have gone a happy man.
The semi-lie he told about the letter weighed heavy on his mind this morning. He should have been honest with her, but still he held back. He needed to tell her now, even though he was bound to get a tongue lashing. She would demand to know why he hadn’t said something. He didn’t have a good reason, or any reason really.
It made him feel even worse that she was ready to take him as he was. Which, as far as she knew, was simply a poor cowhand who worked sunup to sundown. The least he could have done was be honest. Maybe the fact that he could provide for her would help smooth things over.
His eyes gravitated back to the new center of his universe. He had no idea what she saw in him, but he hoped she kept seeing it. Samantha’s eyes closed again as she enjoyed the wind on her face. Taos thought her expression nothing short of heavenly.
How did that Bible verse go? Some have entertained angels unawares? The thought made him duck his head and glance toward the skies. The type of entertaining they engaged in last night might get them both struck by lightning if they didn’t do something about it, and fast.
Samantha opened her eyes and looked over at him, the same dreamy expression on her face.
“What are you thinking?” She cocked her head and studied him.
Thinking? He had been thinking, but she jolted him right out of his thoughts. His mind went blank. Taos looked at her expectant face. Nothing came to his vacant brain as he struggled for something she might accept. Oh yeah, lightning. He had been thinking something about lightning.
He cleared his throat. “I was thinking that it looks like we might get some rain.”
Samantha scanned the cloudless horizon and raised her eyebrows skeptically.
“Um, later. I mean, a storm can blow up out here in no time.”
She shrugged but didn’t look convinced.
He wouldn’t have bought that one either, so why should she? He heaved a sigh as his eyes flitted across the clear blue sky. The only storm that might be coming was between his ears, provided he could figure out how to string two thoughts together.
Taos slumped down and kept his gaze on the road, mentally kicking himself. No use trying to be smooth, it just came out like he was wearing two left boots, one of which was firmly planted between his lips.
He started to assemble a mental list of logical, practical reasons he could use to convince her she needed to stay. Here. With them. With him. His eyes darted her direction and were met by her slow smile, which made him want to stop this wagon and hold her in his arms the rest of the day. Okay that’s one. The wagon dipped into a deep rut and his attention snapped back to the road. He didn’t seem able to look at her and do anything else at the same time.
How would he phrase that argument anyway? You’re beautiful and I can’t keep my hands off you. Who would be swayed by that? No, he needed a better reason. Something concrete. Something practical, that a woman would want.
There were the two ranches. Combining them would solve a number of problems. The water rights would no longer be in question, which would be great for him. Samantha would be taken care of and protected, which would work for her. He could provide her a good life, and he would, too.
He nodded to himself. It was logical, sensible, and offered a solution to a number of problems for them both. He just might have her convinced by the time they reached town. He sighed. Time to screw up his courage and just say it.
He could feel her watching him out of the corner of her eye. He knew she had something on her mind. Suddenly she frowned.
What if she thought last night was a mistake? A cold shiver ran along his spine. It was wonderful. How could she think it was a mistake now? He glanced over at her again. She was staring at the road, but clearly not seeing any of the ruts they bounced across. Taos looked back into the wagon bed where Tommy was sleeping. He didn’t stir.
Samantha took a deep breath and said, “I suppose we should talk.”
He immediately felt the electric charge leap through the air between them. He prepared himself for what could be bad news. Better to know what the problems were than guess at them.
“About last night?” Taos rubbed the reins with his thumb. Maybe she was thinking the same thing he was. This was not the time to guess wrong.
“What about last night?” She turned slightly and her knees banged into his thigh.
He cleared his throat. “I wasn't completely honest with you last night.”
“About what?”
“The letter.”
Confusion skipped across her face. “In what way?”
“I sent one.” He watched her closely. “The one you read was the first draft.” His voice trailed off as her eyes narrowed.
Her shoulders sagged, “Why didn’t you tell me that last night?”
“I didn’t want to start another argument.” He shrugged, “You told me last night to send another one.”
“And you said you hadn’t.”
“I said I didn’t think it was necessary to send another,” he added quickly, “And I don’t, now.” She swung an incredulous expression his direction, “Splitting hairs aren’t we?”
“No. I just don’t see why it matters. I just did what you suggested.”
Samantha sighed and glanced at him. “I wouldn’t have been upset last night. And I’m not mad, just disappointed.”
He preferred mad. They rode in silence for a ways until he broke the stalemate. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Why have you been pretending like you don’t have money?”
He inhaled sharply, pulling dust into his lungs. He coughed loudly. She knew. She knew last night. “What?”
“Didn’t you see the ledger?” She asked
“What ledger?”
She huffed impatiently. “The one I put all the accounts in.”
“I’ve been working. When was I supposed to look at some ledger?”
Silence descended between them as Samantha gazed at the countryside and he stared at the back of her head.
“So what was last night?” he asked.
She didn’t say a word.
Taos reined the horses to a stop under a large tree and set the brake. He climbed down and lifted her effortlessly off the seat. He checked on his son, who was still sound asleep, and took her hand.
“Let’s walk.” He motioned toward a stand of trees, which would be just out of hearing distance if Tommy woke up. He could tell she had to almost run to keep up with him, but he was tired of these stupid games. Just as they reached the trees, he spun around.
“What is going through that mind of yours?” He was as breathless as she was from their short, angry march in the mountain sun.
“Why are you so certain everyone wants something from you?”
He met her stare, “Because they do, including you. You’ve been lying since you got here.”
“Me?” she spat. “Who lied about being a poor cowhand? Who lied about sending a letter, not once but twice?”
“I had my reasons.”
“And I didn’t? How come if you lie and have a reason its fine, but if someone else doe
s the same thing they are trying to pull one over on you?”
He stepped toward her as she backed up. “Why can’t we just have one completely honest conversation?”
Samantha’s dress clung to her. It was distracting as hell.
She swatted at an insect buzzing around her ear. “Fine,” she said.
Now was his chance. He pinned her with a stare, “What was last night?”
She pressed her lips together and looked away.
“Sammy?” He put a hand on her arm, forcing her gaze to his.
She hesitated, “It was about not having any regrets.”
“And?”
She held his gaze, “And that’s it. I know this is coming to an end. You said yourself you sent the letter telling Mattie there was no place for me here.”
He sighed, “That was a while back.”
“And now?”
There was not going to be any time for smooth talk, which was probably a good thing since he didn’t seem to be able to say the right thing.
He stared intently at her. “Now I think that we need to get married.” The statement hung there between them.
“Why?”
Was she kidding? It seemed obvious to him that two people who spent a great deal of time rolling around in the sheets should get married at some point, but she seemed confused. Taos didn’t immediately answer simply because the obvious answers were apparently not flying with her today.
“Thinking again?”
“As a matter of fact I was.” His voice rose as fast as the temperature.
“Surely you’ve had time to come up with a reason to marry me.”
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” he blurted out
Silence descended between them.
Samantha’s expression was unreadable. He shifted his weight, waiting on her to say something. True, it was one of the reasons. Most of the others he hadn’t quite sorted out yet.
“Wrong answer.” She started back toward the wagon and he fell into step.
“Wrong answer?” He easily matched her strides. “It happens to be the right answer, not to mention a damn good reason for two people to get married.”
