Runaway

A groan he could not stifle rose to his lips. Could she help? The one thing that would be guaranteed to solve his immediate problem was not an option, he admitted to himself ruefully. That this young woman would so innocently offer compassion, unknowing of his instinctive desire for her, was the crowning touch.

“Just let me hang on to you for a minute, Cassie.” The words were muffled as he turned his mouth against her forehead.

She nodded, and his lips brushed her skin in an automatic caress. Probably the only clean spot on her face, he thought, his mouth twisting in an unwilling grin. And even that fact did not deter him. Beneath the smudges, the evidence of her hours on the trail, was the face of a girl…no, the face of a woman who had survived a hard night of riding without complaint. Whose small, compact body was pressed against his, whose lips were temptingly close.

He brushed his lips against her mouth and felt an eager trembling there as she responded, bringing to life a renewed surge of desire rising within him. Casting aside the good intentions he’d vowed to observe, he slid one hand up her back to hold her head in place for his kiss. She murmured beneath her breath, a soft, acquiescent whimper, and his jaw tightened, a sense of male triumph invading his very being.

Against her lower back his hand spread, fingers splayed widely, his palm pressing her firmly against his belly. His arousal met her there and he held her tightly in place, easing the tension of his needy flesh against her groin.

His mouth opening over hers, he delved deep, past the soft lips that parted for his entry, teasing the length of her tongue as it evaded his pursuit. She whimpered, almost a protest Then, inhaling sharply through her nostrils, she joined the game he had begun. Their mouths met with seamless measure, hers opening to match the outline of his lips. Their tongues stroked, languidly touching, lavishly tasting.

Her flavor was like the fine wine he’d tasted once in a fancy place in San Antone, like bubbles and sweetness with a tartness overlaying the whole. He relished the flavor of her, inhaling the scent of her skin, his fingers twisting in her hair, his other hand almost brutal in his strength as he pressed her close. His body surged against her in a primitive motion, muscles taut, his need a barely controlled entity.

And then, with a shudder, he lifted his head, his eyelids heavy as he forced them open, anxious lest he find Cassie’s face a frightened mask. That she had kissed him with fervor was a fact. That she would be fearful of her own actions was a possibility.

Her blue eyes were unfocused, as if she saw him with blurred vision, her cheeks flushed, her mouth open, lips shiny with the residue of their passion. She blinked, peering at him like a newborn baby he’d seen once in a hovel outside Amarillo. Such innocence was not to be believed. Not from the woman who had just met his kiss with impassioned fervor.

“Will? Is kissing supposed to be like that?” Her voice filled with wonder, she blinked again, as if awakening from a particularly delightful dream.

And this was no dream, he decided. More like a nightmare, what with him coaxing her into a seduction he had no intention of pursuing. “It is if the right two people are doin’ the kissin’,” he said, inhaling deeply, tamping down the desire he had allowed full sway for these few moments.

“I feel…” She hesitated, her tongue touching her lips with a tentative gesture. “I’m sort of woozy,” she said finally. “Maybe I’m just hungry.”

“Yeah.” Hungry was the word, all right. He grinned at that thought, easing his body from the contact it craved. He stretched his neck and stiffened his spine, his hands once more at her waist, lifting her to one side.

If the rising wind and the rain that was beginning to fall in earnest would tamp down his urges, he’d edge her from the doorway and do his own wood gathering. The only issue was getting past her without his randy hands taking hold of the temptation she offered.

“I’ll be back directly. You stay inside,” he said gruffly, bending to pick up his hat from the wooden floor. He who was so careful of the wide-brimmed hat that had perched atop his head for the past two years could not even remember it falling from its place.

Her face lit with a relief she made no attempt to hide. “I’ll sort out something for supper,” she offered.

He nodded, hunching his shoulders as he bent into the slanting raindrops. His steps were quick, his hands reaching for dead wood beneath the trees. It was barely dampened by the rain, protected by the trees towering overhead, and he found a double armful within minutes. Probably enough to last the night, if they were careful.

Beneath the small porch he caught a glimpse of more firewood, apparently gathered by an earlier occupant, and he welcomed the discovery with a satisfied grin. Dumping his heavy load just inside the door, he stepped back out to gather up the heavier chunks from under the porch. His shirt clung to his back, thoroughly soaked, and he thought longingly of the warm fire inside.

The small blaze welcomed him as he staggered through the doorway with his burden. Cassie knelt as closely as she dared to the fire, tending the small pot she’d placed in the coals.

“I opened a can of beans from your pack,” she said, glancing at him over her shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat, her hair gleaming in the firelight.

This was not going to be an easy night, Will decided, carrying the heavy pieces of firewood closer. He bent, stacking them quickly next to the hearth, then squatted beside Cassie, his fingers working at the buttons of his shirt.

“Can you find me something dry to put on?” His hands were stiff, his movements slow, and he closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in the welcome warmth of the fire.

He heard her murmur of assent as she crossed the room to close the door against the rain. His every nerve attuned to her presence, he flinched at the click of her boot heels as they touched the wooden floor. The swollen wood of the door protested loudly as she dragged it across the uneven floorboards, and then she knelt by his saddlebag. The rustle of her movements had him gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, the better to visualize her as she handled his clothing, sorted through his belongings.

His hands tightened into fists, and he bent his head, aware only of her presence. Her clothing brushed the floor as she rose to her feet, and then he sensed her approach. His heartbeat slowed, his breathing deepened and once more he lifted his hands to undo his shirt buttons.

He stripped the shirt from his body, and unseen hands took it from him. Never had a fire felt so welcome. Grunting his thanks, he stretched out his hands to the crackling flames.

“Your undershirt is pretty well soaked, too,” Cassie said from behind him.

He nodded agreement, his fingers once more working at buttons and buttonholes. He made quicker work of it this time and eased his way from the wet fabric. From behind him, Cassie enclosed his shoulders in the blanket from his pack and he basked in the warmth it captured from the flames as she draped it around his body.

She knelt next to him and reached to stir the beans. “They’re almost hot,” she offered. “We can put them on the biscuits left from breakfast if you want to.”

“That’s fine.” He’d be willing to eat most anything she put in front of him right now, he decided. Between the sound of rain on the roof and the fire crackling in front of him, he was pretty near ready to doze off. If it weren’t for the empty spot in his middle, he’d be content to drop his chin on his chest and spend the night where he sat.

“Here.” Cassie’s hand touched his and his fingers curled around the biscuit she held. Warm beans oozed from its depths and he licked one from his finger, then took a mouthful of the simple meal. He blinked, his eyes gritty with the need for sleep, and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.

“I never knew beans could taste so good,” Cassie said.

“Hmm.” It was about as much conversation as he could manage. The night without sleep had caught up with him. It was hard telling what time it was, what with the early dark coming on, with the storm overhead. He suspected Cassie was about wiped out, too, even though she’d managed to doze in the saddle a few times throughout the night.

Will swallowed the last of the biscuit. “How many more of those you got?”

“Enough,” she answered, her fingers deft as she split another, scooping on a generous helping of beans from the pot. She handed it to him and he muttered his thanks before he took a bite. Grasping the pot handle gingerly, she turned it toward him, handing him the spoon.

“Here, eat the rest. I’ve had enough.” Settling her bottom on the floor, she folded her legs as she leaned toward the heat.

“You sure?” Will cast her a doubtful glance. She nodded, her gaze captured by the flames. “Here, have a bite,” he offered, holding the spoon in front of her lips.

Her mouth opened obediently and he watched as her lips closed on the spoon. He eased it from her mouth and filled it again, feeding himself the next bite. There was about the small ritual a strange bonding, and he filled the spoon again, lifting it, watching as she ate from his hand. Scraping the last bite atop his final bit of biscuit, he popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly, savoring the flavor.

“Can we sleep now?” Cassie asked, not bothering to cover the yawn that accompanied her question.

Will cast a look around the small cabin. Against the far wall a rudely constructed bunk offered dubious comfort. “Seems to me we’d be just as well off right here by the fire,” he said. “That bed doesn’t look like much, and we’ll be warmer here.”

“I’ll put some more wood on,” Cassie said, rising. “Here’s your shirt, Will.” She dropped it into his lap, then found several chunks of wood to stack over the coals.

He watched as she worked, then, shedding the blanket, he hastily pulled his shirt in place. The fire would dry his trousers, he figured. Taking them off would likely scare the bejabbers out of Cassie.

“Are you pretty well dried out?” he asked, pulling his pack closer, shoving the contents about as he sought a soft spot for his head.

She watched him, her eyes wary. “I’m all right. I’m warm, anyway.” She tugged at her boots, placing them to one side of the wide fireplace. “These should dry out pretty well by tomorrow.” As if she had done all she could to put off the inevitable, she turned to him.

“I’ll roll up in the other blanket. You can sleep closer to the fire.”

He shook his head. “No, we’ll sleep together, right here.” His hand motioned to the space they occupied and he stretched out, the blanket over his shoulders once more. “Bring the other blanket here,” he told her, patting the floor in front of him.

She obeyed, moving silently on stocking feet as she gathered up the dark woolen square from his pack. Lowering herself to the floor, she spread the covering over them both, then settled down in the space he had indicated, just next to the hearth.

He moved to curl his body around her back, arranging the blankets to form a double layer over them as he slid his arm under her head, easing it from the floor. His other hand scooped her closely to his chest and she stiffened for a moment.

“Ease up, Cassie,” he ordered in a rusty growl. “I need to get warm.”

Getting warm wasn’t the issue, Will thought, even as he muttered the words against the crown of her head. He was managing to generate enough inner heat to keep them both going all evening and half the night. He’d be better off if he kept his hands to himself and stayed six feet away from the bundle of temptation he held tucked so neatly against his needy body.

His sigh was deep. He was a glutton for punishment, sure enough. Here he was with a softly curving female in his grasp, his arm fitted around her waist and his thighs cradling her tight little rump. It was a damn good thing he was as tired as he was, or this would be a miserable night.

His arm tightened, eliciting a grumble of protest from the woman he held. “Don’t wiggle, Cassie,” he said, his voice muffled in her hair.

And then his eyes closed, the flames before him rising anew, bathing him with the comfort of their warmth.

Chapter Five

“What’s wrong, Will?” Not for the first time, she asked the question, and once more he shrugged it off.

“Nothin’ much, Cass. Just makin’ sure we’re on the right track. I’ve come through Oklahoma Territory before, but it’s been a while.” His grin was sudden and all the more welcome for its recent absence. “I wouldn’t want to get us lost before we get to Missouri.”

Cassie felt a great relief at his attempt to soothe her worries. That such a small thing as a smile from Will Tolliver would absorb her unease so readily was a wonder. That his touch, one finger against her cheek, would send a shiver of anticipation down her back was another marvel to behold.

His nearness at night was a comfort, and his tender regard for her well-being was a panacea for all the wounds of her soul. And yet, there was within her an aching, a dreadful need for more than Will had given thus far. And that makes me foolish and greedy, she thought with a twinge of conscience.

Will had already done so much in her behalf. The guilt that hung over her head like a lowering thundercloud plagued her as she considered his kindness. And how had she repaid him? Her deceit, the blatant lie she had told him, the blood she had shed…she bowed her head. And now she wanted what he had not offered, whatever that might be. How could she yearn for more, especially when she herself was not even sure what that more consisted of?

Now, on the third day out since they had stopped at that cabin, since Will had kissed her and held her with such a needy embrace, she found herself watching him closely. He’d been quiet, almost angry, as he’d ridden out last evening after setting up their camp.

He’d been narrow eyed and somber when he returned, evading her questions and soothing her concerns as they bedded down for the night. His hand had held his gun throughout the night. She’d peeked more than once, restlessly turning over on the hard ground, aware of his quiet watchfulness as she sought sleep.

Now she watched as he approached, her awareness of him heightened as he shot her a measuring look. His hand pulled at the brim of his hat, tugging it over his forehead as if he would anchor it there.

“Keep ridin’, Cassie.” He circled her, his stallion taking mincing steps as Will reined him tightly. “See that smoke on the horizon?” Will’s hand swept up, his index finger pointing to the north and east. “I want you to head in that direction, hear me?”

Cassie nodded, perplexed once more by his somber look. He’d been quiet again this morning, and then, with no warning, issued his orders. “What’s wrong, Will?” she asked, only to find herself talking to his back as his horse pivoted in place.

He handed her the lead rope for the mule and watched as she wound it around the saddle horn, nodding his approval. “Just do as I say, Cassie.” His words gave her no choice, drifting back over his shoulder as he left her. Doubling back on their trail, he headed off to the south, even as she watched.

“Behave yourself, girl,” she muttered beneath her breath, eyeing the twitching ears of the mount she rode. The mare was about as reluctant to keep moving as she was, Cassie decided. “He’ll be back,” she murmured. “Before you know it,” she assured the animal, reaching one hand to pat at the horse’s dark mane.

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