Blake and McCrory's daughter on way to Tucson Stop Intercept and take ledger from them Stop You know what to do Stop
* * * *
Scattered clouds scudded past the dull glow from the moon, casting eerie shadows through the basement window into the already gloomy jail cell where Caleb Lamp lay. The night was chilly and the blankets he had been given by Briggs were as thin as the hen skins he handed out on the reservation. Maybe, Barker had a contract with the Yavapai County Sheriff's office, too.
Lamp was too worried to sleep anyway. Once Blake took that ledger to McCrory, all hell would break loose and he would be caught square in the middle. Bad enough that the truth about his deal using reservation Apaches to work the coal mines was out, but once the chain of graft unraveled from White Mountain down to Tucson, he was going to have some very powerful enemies. Win Barker had hired Judd Lazlo to kill McCrory, and when that failed, he had sent others. How much easier would it be for them to kill him, trapped like a rat in this jail cell? He rolled off the hard, lumpy mattress and began to pace back and forth.
The sheriff had gone home for the night to his soft bed, leaving his old geezer of a deputy to guard the office. What a joke. Clement was dead drunk, snoring away in the swivel chair behind Briggs's desk with his feet propped up. “Probably sleep through Fourth of July fireworks,” he muttered to himself.
Then the steady cadence of Clement's snores was broken when the hall door screeched softly. The hairs on the back of Lamp's neck began to prickle in warning as he strained to see what had caused the noise. The wick had burned out on the kerosene lamp by the desk and the office was lit only by briefly passing shafts of moonlight. Then, a shadow materialized out of the blackness and its owner said, “Clement will be sleeping through some fireworks.”
The dark figure raised his pistol and cracked the deputy on the skull, knocking him from his rickety perch. Lamp stood clutching the bars of the cell, too frozen with terror to move. His throat had collapsed like a mine-shaft cave-in, feeling every bit as clogged with dust and debris when he tried to yell. But he knew it was no use, even if he could have cried for help.
The shadow man raised the gun, and moonlight glinted off the barrel as the clouds cleared, driven away by a sudden gust of wind. When he stepped forward and leveled his weapon at Lamp's chest, his face was clearly visible beneath the brim of his hat.
“You!” the agent said in such amazement that he did not even feel the impact of the slug that knocked him across the cell. His lifeless body hit the cold stone wall below the narrow window and slid slowly to the floor.
With the shot still echoing in the small room, the killer walked silently out the door and up the steps. No one would find Lamp's body until morning. By then he would be well on his way to Tucson.
* * * *
The sun was gilding the eastern sky, casting the low peaks of the Superstition Mountains in deep shades of lavender on the distant horizon. Fuchsia and orange light gripped the skyline with jagged fingers as the two riders held a steady pace. Already the heat hit the desert floor of the vast low basin known as the Valley of the Sun. They had not pushed the horses too hard yesterday; and by late afternoon, Wolf had insisted they stop, not only to rest his big roan and her mare, but also to keep his fragile-looking woman from pushing herself until she fell from Sunglow's back.
“We should take another rest in an hour or so,” he said, eyeing a jackrabbit making a dash across an open rocky stretch above which a sharp-eyed hawk soared, looking for breakfast.
“I'm fine, Wolf. You don't have to stop for me. I may be small, but Dr. Torres told you I'm tough as an old Army boot.”
His liquid black eyes glided appreciatively over her body. “I'm glad to say you sure don't look like one.” When her cheeks flushed, he smiled, reveling in the sheer pleasure of having her here by his side. “We don't have to burn up the road. Lamp's cooling his heels in jail, and your father knows we're on our way with the evidence to finish Barker.”
“We have ridden since moonrise...and the valley will get awfully hot,” she said, then added with a shy grin, “I seem to recall a place a few miles to the south where the stage stops. The Salt River runs above ground through there. When I was a girl, Father and I would stop by some secluded pools we found in the rocks. That's where I learned to swim.”
“You did, did you?” His thoughts flashed back to the first time he had seen her in the water. “When we were in Sonora, I caught that scum Beau Price spying on you while you bathed.”
Eden met his eyes, but could not stop the flush that rose to color her cheeks. “I know—that is, Maggie figured out that was why you beat him so.” She shivered in revulsion. “Price was awful.”
“So was I,” he confessed. “Before I dragged him away to thrash him, I saw you, too. You were the most beautiful sight I'd ever imagined, Eden, all pink and pale gold.”
She felt the heat pooling deeply in her belly as she listened to the sensuous tone of his voice. “I'm glad my body pleased you. I always want to please you, Wolf.”
He reached out and clasped her hand, squeezing it. “You do. My God, when I think what Lamp could've done to you—or those Coyotero police of his—”
“But you saved me. Anyway, the danger's over now and all we have to do is convince my father to give us his blessing.”
Wolf chuckled softly. “Knowing Colin McCrory, I wouldn't say that means the danger's over. You're his only child and he won't give you over to a man like me all that easily.”
“Yes, he will—or I'd go without his permission, but Maggie will convince him to see reason. That's why she went after him to Tucson.”
“She always was my friend,” Wolf said thoughtfully.
“I only hope Father realizes what a treasure he has in her.”
“I know I have one in you,” he replied warmly. “How far did you say those pools are?”
Her face split in a dazzling smile. “I'll race you!” With that she kicked Sunglow and took off across the flat, dusty yellow earth, neatly dodging between two big saguaro cacti.
The pools were ice cold for the river ran for miles deep beneath the surface of the earth before bubbling up to rush swift and shallow across the valley floor. Situated between piles of big red and yellow boulders liberally sprinkled with the rich green of spruce and pine, the water was deep blue, the scene breathtakingly tranquil.
“Last one in has to rub down the horses!” Eden squealed as she leaped from Sunglow, who was already drinking at the water's edge. She began to strip off her clothes.
Wolf slung one long leg across the pommel of his saddle and watched his beautiful woman. My woman. A fine white lady with silver-gilt hair and pale soft skin. In his wildest fantasies he would never have dreamed that one day a creature so perfect would be his. Hell, even the pain of facing his father would be worth it, just to have Eden for his wife.
She tugged the last of her clothes off and leaped into the water, shrieking as the icy cold made goose bumps rise on her skin. Then, she looked back up the bank to Wolf. “What's the matter? Aren't you hot? Don't you want to cool off?” she asked, studying the bemused expression on his face.
“Oh, I'm hot, all right, but water isn't what will cool me off,” he replied in a low, silky growl as he dismounted and began to strip with smooth economic movements. In a minute he walked into the pool as she splashed water at him, laughing and teasing. When he splashed back, she let out a yelp and dove, disappearing beneath the surface.
She swam like a sleek little otter, with her hair flowing behind her in waves. He clasped his hands around her hips and raised her high up out of the water, as if offering her body to sun and sky for their worship. She shook her head and sent her hair flying in a bright cloud, spraying them both with iridescent droplets.
Eden put her hands on Wolf's shoulders. Her fingers glided across his flexing muscles, then moved up to run through his straight inky hair. Their eyes met and she whispered, “Make love to me, please.”
Wolf let her b
ody slide slowly back into the water as her belly and breasts rubbed against him. His hands found every slick, sleek curve of her flesh, caressing with infinite patience and wonder. “You are so perfect it frightens me—I fear you'll disappear like a fairy from a storybook.”
“I'm no fairy. I'm a woman, Wolf—your woman.” She wrapped her knees around his hips as he held her by her buttocks. She could feel his erection, so hot even in the cold water, pressing between her legs, seeking the answering heat deep inside her softness.
Wolf positioned her hips and thrust into her as she dug her nails into the bunched muscles of his shoulders. A look of startled pleasure washed over her face. She writhed against him and they rocked back and forth in the waist-deep water.
“I...I never knew you could do this standing up,” she whispered breathlessly.
“I suspect there are all sorts of things you don't know...yet,” he replied as he bent his head down and suckled one hard pink nipple, then the other.
Eden threw her head back, holding onto his biceps with her hands as her body arched and bucked. She could feel the vortex of heat building up inside her, surging so swiftly it robbed her of breath.
Wolf watched her hair spill across the surface of the water like silver satin while her eyes closed in the bliss of the moment. He felt her body grow rigid as she neared her crest, and he braced his feet wide apart in the water, thrusting faster and deeper inside of her until he felt her sweet flesh clench around his staff, sending him spiraling off into paradise with her.
Eden felt the sudden rush of completion swamping her senses. Pulling Wolf's head closer to hers, she leaned into his kiss just as he stiffened, his thrusting phallus exploding in shuddering waves while their lips met, fiercely sealing the moment of love.
He gently carried her from the water as she clung to him. When they reached the shallows, he set her on her feet and reached up to cup her chin and kiss her softly. The sun blazed down on their bare flesh, greedily absorbing the droplets of water from their skin as they leaned against one another, struggling to regain their breath.
“That...that was so fast...so intense... I didn't know I could...we could...” Her words faded away.
“You did. We did,” he said softly. “But it was too fast—if very, very good. Why don't you take a quick swim—or float for a few minutes. I have some things to do.”
She looked at him with a puzzled expression, then waded back into the deeper water and lay back, floating as she watched Wolf's splendid bronzed body. He moved over to the horses, totally unconcerned by his nakedness as he unsaddled them and began to rub them down. His every movement was graceful. Powerful muscles bunched and stretched over sleek dark skin while he worked. His broad back narrowed to a pair of hard, small buttocks and long, powerful thighs. Remembering the feel of his hips thrusting against her made Eden begin to feel the recently appeased heat rise in her again.
As if reading her thoughts, he turned from the second horse, giving him an affectionate pat. A blinding smile slashed across his handsome face as he said, “You said last one in the water had to do the chores.” Then he began to unfasten his bedroll from his saddle.
She watched as he strolled leisurely around the edge of the pool to where a tall ponderosa pine cast its looming shadow over a small patch of ground that was clear of stones. He spread the blanket, then stood by it with his hand outstretched in invitation. “Come to me, Eden, and make this place paradise again.”
She stood up in the water and began to make her way slowly to shore. As she felt the water inch lower and lower, revealing more and more of her body to him, she could see his staff once more growing rigid with desire. A heady sense of power and a wild surge of love filled her at the same time. She splashed through the last bit of water and ran into his arms.
Wolf knelt and pulled her down with him, then lay her back on the blanket. The cool shade, combined with the rapidly evaporating water on her skin, began to raise gooseflesh. “Let me warm you,” he whispered as he covered her body with his, letting his heat seep into her. They kissed slowly, languorously, tasting and exploring each other. The mad passionate imperative of earlier now gave way to timeless communion.
Eden rolled up and placed one hand on his chest, saying, “I want to look at you. Every beautiful male inch of you.”
He smiled at her and lay back. “I'm yours,” he said simply. His breath caught as her hands traced the patterns of hair from his chest down over his belly, to lightly caress his rigid, aching staff. After a moment's consideration, she skittered her fingers down one leg and back up the other, marveling at the sinuous muscles, the crisp, rough texture of the hair. Her hands slid over his narrow hips and up his sides to glide over the powerful arms that had held her so firmly against him. Finally, her fingertips traced the outline of his chiseled features, the inky slash of his eyebrows, the high prominent cheekbones and straight nose, settling at last over his lips, those magic lips that she yearned to kiss. She dipped her head down, curtaining him with her silvery hair and kissed him.
“You are so lovely...everywhere,” he breathed after they broke off the kiss. He nuzzled against her ear and his tongue curled inside it. He rolled up and pushed her back onto the blanket to begin an exploration of his own. His kisses moved down her throat and over her breasts. He took one in his hand, cupping the small perfect globe as she moaned with pleasure. His tongue traced slow, lazy circles around the pale pink bud, then moved to the other.
When she began to arch and writhe, he gently took her delicate wrist bones and held her hands at her sides, sliding down as his kisses covered her ribs and belly. He flicked his tongue inside her navel and elicited a cry of delight; but when he moved to the pale triangle of curls below, he could feel her begin to stiffen in resistance.
Raising his head, he whispered hoarsely, “I told you there were all sorts of things you didn't know about making love, but I'm going to teach you. Don't be afraid.” His black eyes studied her earnestly.
“How could I be afraid with you, my love?”
He nuzzled the silky curls at her mound, then took one hand and slid it between her thighs, letting his callused fingertips graze lightly over the milk white skin. Of their own volition, her legs parted, allowing him access to the delicate pink petals, now moist and musky, swollen with want.
“You are beautiful everywhere,” he whispered as his mouth brushed her softness. He heard her sharp gasp of pleasure and persevered, letting his tongue swirl, his lips suckle until she grew mindless with the pleasure he was giving her.
When he sent the tip of his tongue plunging inside her she almost came up off the blanket. Her hands, balled in fists at her sides, opened and she buried her fingers in his hair, pressing his head closer to her, letting him work this incredible, blistering magic on her. She felt the slow gradual ascent begin, new and yet the same, hard yet ever so tender, until the sweetness engulfed her.
Wolf felt the rhythmic spasms of her release and tasted the nectar of her body's ecstasy. Never had he taken such pleasure from giving to a woman. And he knew in his heart that this was the woman he would love forever.
When he finally raised his head and met her eyes, she looked awed and bemused. “I take it that look means you're pleased?” He drew up and took her in his arms.
Eden nestled against his chest with a contented sigh. “Pleased scarcely seems an adequate word...Wolf...”
“Yes?”
“You were right. There are things I never understood... I knew women could do that for men...” She shuddered, remembering the degrading way Lazlo had forced her, then banished the image forever, secure in her lover's arms.
“You don't ever again have to think of what he did to you, Eden,” he said, kissing her temple softly.
“You know...you understand.” She felt at peace, holding him, stroking his broad shoulders, feeling his heart beat. “When you made love to me that way I loved it because I love you...and that's what makes all the difference,” she said as her hand reached between t
hem, capturing the hardness of his phallus and stroking it until he gasped aloud.
“No, Eden,” he said as she slid down his body, never relinquishing her hold on his aching erection. “You don't have to—”
“I know. But I want to. Don't you see, my beloved? It's so different now...different and wonderful.”
She took her time examining the wonders of the male anatomy, this time with exquisite attention, cupping him with her small hand, letting her nails rake softly over the head of his staff, then down its length until it twitched with excitement.
“What a glorious toy,” she whispered in surprise. Then, she took him into her mouth and tasted his heady male essence, hard yet velvety, pulsing with life as her lips and tongue teased and suckled.
Wolf was totally out of control as Eden's hesitant, experimental caresses drove him mad with excitement. He willed himself to relax, to let her derive the same pleasure from having him in her power that he had experienced loving her this way. But he had waited too long, taking his time when he made love to her. Now, he felt himself go up in a blaze of glory.
Eden held onto his hips, letting him buck and thrust as his seed, sweet and hot, pulsed into her. When he was spent, she raised her head and looked at him. “I said this was different, wonderful...but it's more. Oh, Wolf, it's so very much more. There are no words...”
“Yes, there are,” he whispered, taking her in his arms. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
* * * *
They dressed and ate a quick lunch of beef jerky and hardtack, then began to pack up. As he was putting the bedroll on his saddle, Wolf reached to touch her tousled hair.
“Like spun moonbeams gilded with sunlight,” he murmured.
Eden caressed his jaw and tiptoed up to place a soft kiss on his lips.
“How touching. Looks as if I missed the best part, though. Too bad. But I have some real creative ideas about using this water hole myself, Eden.”
McCrory's Lady Page 31