She wanted it to go on forever but knew she would die if he didn't release her soon. It was too much and not enough. It was both glorious and frightening.
It was love. Pure and simple and terrifying.
Drowning in sensation, Lacey cried out, her muscles clenching as Sam's forceful thrusts escalated. The urgency was building, tension heightening. Sam's lips burned an open-mouthed path down her neck, her throat. He kissed her shoulders, the tender spot where her pulse was racing, nuzzled the full curves of her breasts. His warm breath teased her nipples into aching points, drawing them one at a time into his mouth, tugging and releasing, then lashing his tongue across the hardened tips.
Lacey's cries grew frantic, her insides clenching with every tug of Sam's lips. Awash in pleasure honed to exquisite sharpness, the storm inside her unleashed its fury. Her senses fragmented beneath his sensual onslaught. Sam soon joined her in that delicious upheaval. Too quickly it was over.
Sam buried his head between her breasts. She barely heard him say, "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to take you so quickly. I'll go more slowly next time."
His eyes were dark pools of renewed desire as he lifted her and gently placed her on the bed. His piercing gaze mesmerized her; she couldn't look away. Without him inside her she felt hollow inside. It was a feeling she knew she'd have to live with the rest of her life. He undressed her quickly, shed his own clothes in record time, and joined her.
"I've missed you," he whispered against her lips.
"What about Yellow Bird? She said..."
"She lied. We were never lovers. Before I left, she confessed that she'd lied to you and asked to be forgiven. I think she finally realized that she would never be more than a friend to me."
"Did you forgive her?"
Distracted by the sudden rise and fall of her breasts, Sam didn't answer right away.
"Sam, did you forgive her?" Lacey repeated.
"Hmmm?" He lifted his glittering gaze from her breasts. "Oh, that. She saved my life. Despite the anguish her lie caused, I couldn't find it in my heart to withhold forgiveness."
Lacey lost her train of thought as his hands began a slow journey over the contours of her body.
He kissed the tip of her nose, then brushed his lips over her mouth. "I almost didn't stop at the ranch before heading up to Dodge. I can't believe it's over at last, that my brothers and I are free men. No I can be the kind of father Andy can be proud of."
Lacey went still. Andy was the last person she wanted to discuss with Sam. Telling Sam the truth would not be in Andy's best interest. As long as Andy was Taylor's prisoner, it was imperative that she keep Sam away from Taylor. The only way to do that was to keep Sam too occupied to ask questions.
"You talk too much, Sam," Lacey said.
She started to rise. "Where are you going?"
"You'll see."
She went as far as the washstand. She felt his eyes on her as she poured water into the bowl and dipped the cloth into it. Then she proceeded to wash all trace of Sam's seed from her body. She rinsed the cloth and carried it back with her to the bed. She felt Sam go rigid when she gently plied the cloth to his sex. After cleansing him thoroughly, she lay back on the bed and smiled.
She raised her knee invitingly. He gently cupped it and slid his fingers down the inside of her thigh, "See what your teasing has done?"
His fingers found her, spread her, pierced her. He bent to taste her mouth. There was no urgency to the kiss as his lips moved slowly, teasingly over hers. He seemed in no hurry to end the sweet torment as he found another, more intimate place for his mouth and tongue. He continued to ply his magic upon her vulnerable body until she was twisting on the sheets and chanting his name in harsh, broken gasps. In desperation she caught his head between her hands and tugged him upward, urging him over her. If he didn't fill her now, this instant, she'd die.
He shifted upward and pushed himself inside her. Her hips arched to meet his driving thrusts, matching her movements to his until they moved together in perfect harmony.
Everything was right in her world now, but she dared not think about tomorrow, not with Sam holding her so fiercely close. Tomorrow he would hate her. Even if he'd forgiven her for leaving the Indian camp after promising not to, she knew he would never forgive her for marrying Taylor.
Her thoughts halted as Sam's movements increased, and suddenly she was flying. Then dimly, as if from a great distance, she heard Sam's harsh cry, felt him stiffen, and then slowly relax on top of her.
Lacey lay quietly as her heart gradually slowed to a normal beat. She felt bereft when Sam softened and slid out of her. The feeling increased when he rolled away and settled beside her. She thought he'd fallen asleep until he rose up on his elbow and stared down at her. Her gut clenched, anticipating his next words.
"Rusty must have been mistaken."
Lacey pretended not to understand. "He should have told you immediately that the charges against the Gentry brothers had been dropped."
The accusation in his eyes pierced through to her soul. "That's not what I meant, Lacey. Rusty said you were going to marry Taylor Cramer. I rushed up to the house in a rage, ready to wring your beautiful neck. The good news you gave me, combined with the urgent need to make love to you, made me forget my anger. I could think of nothing except finding the nearest bed and putting myself inside you. But that's not the point I'm trying to make here. Why did Rusty think you were going to marry Cramer?"
Thank God he didn't know she was getting married tomorrow. "Because it's true. Can we talk about this later? You're exhausted. I can see it in your face."
"I'm glad you changed your mind. You're not going to marry Cramer. But make no mistake. If you disregard my wishes and marry Cramer, I'm taking Andy away from you. Andy is my son. The law will be on my side."
Lacey hadn't changed her mind. She bit her lip to keep from blurting out the terrible secret that was eating her alive. Only Rusty and Rita knew the truth. The hands were told that Andy was safe and would return home soon. Lacey knew they had questions, but Rusty had warned them against prying.
"Lacey, has our marriage been annulled?"
After a lengthy pause, Lacey said, "We're no longer married, Sam."
"You care about me, I know you do. How can you still want to marry Cramer, knowing the kind of man he is?"
"Please, Sam, try to understand. I thought you were gone for good," she hedged. "I'm about to lose my home. Andy and I would be out in the cold with no where to go and no money for food or shelter. I was desperate."
"I'm here, now," Sam said. "Don't worry, I'll find a way to save the ranch. We'll remarry tomorrow and apply for a loan together. You'll get your loan and Andy will have his father back. A boy needs both parents."
I'd never see Andy again if that were to happen, Lacey silently lamented. "Is that the reason you want to marry me? Because of Andy?"
"Dammit, Lacey, don't put words in my mouth. Haven't you realized by now that I want you for yourself? I never thought I'd say those words but I've never meant anything more."
"Please, Sam, don't say anything else." She couldn't bear to have him bare his soul when she had no intention of abandoning her plans to marry Taylor. Andy's life was at stake. And perhaps Sam's, if he learned why she must do this thing.
Sam frowned. "Something is wrong, I can feel it. You can't still hate me. You couldn't make love with such feeling if you didn't care for me. I know I've wronged you in the past, but I'm hoping you will forgive me. Now that I'm a free man, we can plan a future, we can be a family." He stared at her. "Do you love me, Lacey."
Under any other circumstances Lacey would have shouted her love to the heavens, but what Sam wanted was impossible now. Turning away, she refused to meet his gaze. Undaunted, he grasped her face between his hands and forced her to look at him.
"Tell me you don't love me."
A sob burst from her throat. "I love you, dammit, are you happy now?"
Sam nodded. "It's settled then. No more talk
about marrying Cramer. I'll go out to his place tomorrow and put an end to it. By nightfall tomorrow you'll be my wife and Andy will have two parents who love him."
Lacey said nothing. Let him think what he wanted. At least he didn't insist on seeing Andy tonight.
As if his decision solved everything, Sam snuggled Lacey into the curve of his body. "Go to sleep, love. I'm so tired I could sleep the clock around, so be sure and awaken me at dawn. We've got a busy day ahead of us."
Lacey had other ideas. She'd be gone long before Sam awakened. Gone before the hands stirred from the bunkhouse. In order to avoid a confrontation between Sam and Taylor, she knew she couldn't wait until Taylor came to the house for her in his buggy. She made a hasty decision to ride out to Taylor's place before his scheduled arrival. She couldn't defy Taylor as long as he had Andy.
Lacey scarcely slept a wink for fear of oversleeping. Sam was still sleeping soundly when she carefully disentangled herself from his arms and eased out of bed. He didn't move a muscle as she washed and dressed and let herself out of the room and closed the door silently behind her. The bunkhouse was silent as she crept past it to the barn. Tense minutes later she rode her mare away from the B&G, to a fate not of her choosing.
The sun was peeping from behind a cloud when she reached the Cramer spread. She dismounted before the house and rapped sharply on the door. It took a few minutes to rouse Cramer, and when he finally appeared, his chest was bare and he was tugging on his trousers. His surprise was genuine.
"Lacey! What are you doing here at this hour? I wasn't to pick you up for hours yet."
"I...I couldn't sleep so thought I'd save you the trip."
An arrogant grin curved his thin lips. "An eager bride, how refreshing. I'm pleased you've resigned yourself to our marriage. Come in, come in. My housekeeper will cook breakfast for us. Wait for me in the parlor while I speak to her. Breakfast will be ready by the time I finish dressing."
Lacey waited until Taylor had spoken to the housekeeper and disappeared up the staircase before heading to the kitchen for a private word with the woman. She found the housekeeper busy over the stove. She had met Mrs. Beaver before and addressed her by name.
"Good morning, Mrs. Beaver, I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."
The dour housekeeper banged a skillet on the stove. "Too early for guests. No decent woman pay calls on gentlemen this time of morning."
Lacey let her hurtful remark pass. "I wonder if you could answer a question. It would mean a great deal to me."
"You can ask, but I can't promise an answer," she replied in a surly tone.
"You remember my son, don't you?"
"You mean that pesky young'un of yours? What's he done?"
"He hasn't done anything. I was wondering if you've seen him here recently."
Mrs. Beaver sent her a sullen look. "Ain't seen him. Not since the last time he was here with you."
"Are you sure?"
"Are you calling me a liar?"
"Of course not. Thank you, I'll wait in the parlor for Taylor."
"Don't think you're gonna change things around here after you marry Mr. Cramer," Mrs. Beaver called after her. "I'm in charge here and that ain't gonna change."
Lacey didn't dignify her words with a response. She had no intention of taking over Taylor's household, or becoming the kind of wife he expected.
Cramer appeared in the parlor a short time later, dressed in appropriate wedding attire. Lacey stared at him with disdain. Though he looked dapper in black suit, string tie and white shirt, she found nothing commendable about him. Her own attire left much to be desired. Since she never wanted this wedding, she hadn't bothered donning wedding finery, not that she had anything fine enough for a wedding.
"Shall we go into the breakfast room?" Taylor said. "I'm sure Mrs. Beaver has prepared a festive breakfast for us."
Lacey accompanied him to the breakfast room, her spine stiff and unforgiving. "I want to see Andy before the wedding."
"I'm afraid that's impossible, my dear. In good time. In good time."
He pulled out a chair for her. Lacey stared at it, then sat down. "Is he well? You haven't hurt him, have you?"
"He's fine, that's all you need to know for now."
Mrs. Beaver entered the room with a platter of eggs and another of bacon. She placed them before Cramer, then left and returned moments later with biscuits and freshly churned butter.
"A breakfast fit for a king and his queen," Cramer crowed. "I hope the coffee is strong and black, Mrs. Beaver. I don't want my bride falling asleep during the ceremony. Don't bother with a wedding supper, I'm taking my bride to a hotel."
"I wasn't planning on fixing a wedding supper," the dour woman replied.
Cramer chuckled as Mrs. Beaver marched back into the kitchen. "I'm afraid taking a wife has put my housekeeper's nose out of joint. She's become rather possessive of me over the years. I'm sure you can work things out with her, however."
Cramer dug into his food with good appetite while Lacey merely shoved hers around on her plate. She'd had no appetite since Andy had turned up missing. Thanks to Taylor Cramer. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do about it except marry the bastard and hope he'd return Andy unharmed.
Lacey sipped coffee and tried not to think about Sam. She hoped he was still sleeping soundly, for she knew that when he awakened and found her missing he'd go to Rusty for answers. Poor Rusty didn't have a chance against Sam's determination. She wanted to be married before all hell broke loose.
"Can we leave for town now?" Lacey asked when Taylor had scraped his plate clean.
"That anxious, are you? You surprise me, Lacey. I thought you'd be a reluctant bride."
"If you think I'm anxious to become your wife, you're badly mistaken. The sooner we get this over with the sooner you'll return Andy to me." She pushed her chair back.
"Very well, we can leave as soon as the buggy is hitched. But I warn you, don't expect to see your son until after the wedding night."
Taylor's words careened through Lacey's head all the way to town. The wedding night. Sam was the only man she'd ever made love with, how could she let another man touch her? A shiver raced down her spine. Could she do it for Andy? The answer was illusive, for she had no idea what she would do until the time came. The thought of bedding Taylor was abhorrent to her, but losing Andy was unbearable.
God help me, she silently implored.
They reached town all too soon. Taylor drove directly to the church. The hour was early, but Lacey hoped the preacher would accommodate them. She had to be married before Sam arrived. And he would arrive, of that Lacey had little doubt. Not only would he arrive, but he'd be in a murderous rage.
Sam rolled over in bed and reached for Lacey. His hand closed on emptiness. He cranked his eyes open. Sunlight streamed through the window. My God, how long had he slept? Where was Lacey? A gut-wrenching premonition took hold and refused to let loose.
She didn't... She wouldn't... Not today... Leaping from bed, he dragged on his clothes and raced down the stairs, calling Lacey's name. Rita appeared from the kitchen, her expression mirroring her shock.
Senor Sam! I didn't know you were here. We all thought you had gone to California."
"Yeah, that was my intention," Sam said impatiently. "Is Lacey in the kitchen?"
Rita looked ready to burst into tears. "No, Senor, I...I'm sorry..."
"I'll find her."
"Would you like something to eat first?"
Sam was already halfway out the door. "No time, Rita."
Sam ran to the barn, expecting to find Lacey inside. The barn was empty and her mare was missing. Nevertheless, he checked the henhouse, tack room and corral. He ran into Rusty outside the cookhouse.
"Sam! You're still here. Were you able to talk some sense into Miz Lacey?"
"You mean about marrying Cramer?" Rusty shrugged. "I thought it was all settled last night, but now I'm not so sure. Lacey is missing, so is her mare. When was she supposed to marry
Cramer?"
Rusty stared at Sam. "My God, didn't she tell you?"
The foreboding Sam felt earlier turned into raw panic. "Tell me what?"
Rusty refused to meet Sam's eyes. "I promised I wouldn't say anything."
"Where's Andy? Maybe he'll tell me. What in the hell is going on, Rusty?"
Rusty looked torn, as if he wanted to confide in Sam but feared to out of loyalty to Lacey.
"If Lacey is in danger, I want to know. Have you seen Andy this morning? He wasn't in the house and I don't think he's sleeping."
"Dang it, Sam, you weren't supposed to know."
Icy fingers crawled up Sam's spine. "What's that supposed to mean? Has something happened to Andy? Spit it out, Rusty."
After a lengthy pause, Rusty said, "You're the boy's pa, you got a right to know. Andy turned up missing three days ago. He packed some duds and ran away. He had a few hours head start but we shoulda found him. All we found was pillowcase holding his belongings. Later I discovered signs indicating that he had met up with someone. Hoof prints were all over the place."
Sam's eyes narrowed. "Go on. Met up with who?"
"You ain't gonna like this, Sam. Taylor Cramer has Andy. He told Lacey he wouldn't return the lad unless Lacey married him. The wedding is supposed to take place today."
"Today! Son-of-a-bitch! Lacey didn't tell me the wedding was set for today. Why didn't Lacey go to the law?"
"She did. The sheriff went out to Taylor's place and searched it from top to bottom. Andy wasn't there. Of course Cramer denied taking the boy, and Sheriff Hale believed him. Lacey felt she had no choice but to marry the bastard."
"Why didn't she tell me this last night?"
"I reckon she knew you'd go gunning for Taylor."
"Damn right, I would. He kidnapped my son."
"A confrontation between you and Cramer is what Miz Lacey was trying to avoid. You're a free man, Sam, I reckon she wanted you to remain that way. Killing Taylor won't bring Andy back. No one knows where Taylor has taken the boy so killing him will serve no purpose."
His expression grim, Sam turned abruptly and strode to the barn, checking his guns on the way.
The Outlaws: Sam Page 23