It wasn’t enough, he decided. Maybe it would never be, he realized, shaking his head as his mouth descended for a second time, ignoring her pleas for mercy and lifting her bottom from the bed as he ravished her.
It wasn’t the rouge. It was her, her scent, her taste, her essence. She had sweet flavor, everywhere and he couldn’t seem to get enough. Finally, when his cock was screaming for release and his balls felt like rocks between his legs, he took her fully, fucking her, loving her, rocking into her with everything he had. Her spasms felt much different surrounding his cock than they had his finger. Stronger, wilder, a pulsing hot grasp that took everything from him, his strength, his mind, his seed.
It was easily the most powerful orgasm he’d ever experienced and he collapsed, gathering a rag doll of a girl into his arms, feeling her soft body seeking strength from his that he didn’t have to give. He had no breath left, no words and he was surprised when she pushed the hair away from his face and cupped his cheek.
“When will you take me from behind?” she asked with a hoarse whisper. “I want to know it all,” she explained, letting her head drop to his chest and nestle over his heart.
For once Jasper Montgomery was speechless. He gave her a half-hearted swat on her ass and pulled the cover over them. Reaching out a shaky hand, he turned out the lamp.
Chapter Five
Six women, dressed in black and heavily veiled, stood together at the gravesite of Clyde McKay the next morning.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” Mr. Thurgood intoned flatly before walking away from the gaping hole in the ground. “I didn’t know Mr. McKay was such a favorite at The Red Petticoat,” the rotund undertaker remarked casually as he assisted each of the women into the carriage provided.
“Yes, well we like to offer our patrons as much privacy as possible. You understand, Mr. Thurgood,” she softly replied. Being a regular patron himself he should understand.
“Yes, I do, Miss Jewel. Exactly as it should be, yes in-deedy,” he agreed, mopping the sweat from his brow. “I’m surprised McKay’s boy isn’t here. When he came in and paid me yesterday he said nothing about leaving town.”
“I’m sure I have no idea. I’ve never met the young man myself. Driver,” she called out. “We’re ready. Good day to you, Mr. Thurgood,” Jewel said with a nod as the carriage moved forward.
“He’s a nosy old cuss isn’t he?” Dottie said patting Clem’s hand.
“How did it go last night, Crystal?” Della asked, trying to change the subject.
“Ladies, let’s give Crystal time to adjust. After all she’s just buried her father,” Jewel suggested sympathetically. “I advise you to get some rest today, dear,” she added as the carriage pulled up in front of the saloon. “I’ll send someone up with a tray since you missed breakfast.”
“Thank you, Miss Jewel. The last few days have been difficult. I’ll appreciate the solitude.”
“All right,” Amy said as she was helped down from the carriage by John. “But don’t think you’re going to get away without sharing all the details of last night. I’ve been trying to get Jasper Montgomery in my bed for the longest time.”
“He is attractive,” Opal agreed, dodging a swat from John when her turn came to be helped from the carriage.
“Mind what you say, missy,” he scolded while she grinned at him. “I’ll be headed back to the mine soon, but I get word about everything that happens around here. A customer is a customer, but don’t go getting too attached, you hear me?”
Opal stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
“I’ll bring up a tray soon,” Della offered.
“Thank you all for coming with me today. I’ve never had many friends and well… it meant a great deal to me,” Crystal said softly.
“It was our pleasure,” Jewel replied as they entered the building, but Crystal was already running up the stairs.
Taking off her hat and veil, she tossed them on the bed and stood before the mirror. She didn’t look any different. She still had the same brown eyes and neat blonde hair and there was surprisingly little pleasure from having the hundred-dollar gold piece Jasper Montgomery left on her dresser.
Ironically this morning when she’d crawled out of bed, she looked exactly like the whore she now was. Her hair was a wild mass of tangles, there were several small bruises on her neck where Mr. Montgomery had fastened his lips and sucked, driving her nearly insane. Her cleft was sticky, coated with substances she didn’t even want to think about, and her bottom was still quite sore when she plopped onto the bed in shock after seeing her reflection.
Her thighs ached, as though she’d ridden a long distance and she guessed in essence she had. At one time, she was astride him hanging onto his shoulders for dear life as he bucked beneath her. If she recalled correctly he’d repeatedly slapped her ass, urging her on. Holy hell, it was incredible and surely not how normal men and women behaved. He was insatiable, and if truth be told, she’d howled with pleasure far more times than he. Just thinking about his sculptured body, glistening in the lamp light had her growing damp between her legs.
She wondered what he would have said and done if she’d agreed to marry him. Had he been serious? It was an intriguing thought, living with a man like that, crawling into his bed every night. Well, there was no sense in thinking about it. She’d made her decision and refused him. In her mind she had bigger fish to fry, such as finding the man who murdered her poor father.
Tonight there would be other men. It was entirely possible her one night with Jasper Montgomery might be her only night with him. He didn’t seem like a man who would be happy with leftovers.
Tears rolled down her cheeks remembering the expression on her father’s face the first time he’d found something golden and shiny in his pan. He about burst from the pure joy of it, promising to buy her the prettiest dresses and the fanciest house in Culpepper Cove once he struck it big.
Now he’d never see her married, or any of his grandchildren. Hell, if she managed to find and kill his murderer, at least he wouldn’t see her hang, and that was a distinct possibility given the law in the west.
Citrine’s soft knock on her door forced her to stow her maudlin thoughts away and dry her cheeks. Opening the door, she thanked her friend, but refused any further assistance, telling her she’d rather spend the afternoon alone reflecting on her life with her father. Thankfully, the other woman seemed to understand and left her to it.
The tea was hot, sweet and just what Crystal needed to restore her resolve. She undressed and hung up the black gown before digging through a drawer and pulling out her own clothes. In a very short time, she was dressed as she had been when she’d ridden into town. Stuffing a couple of cookies into her pocket, she checked her gun and tucked it into the back of her pants. Carefully she opened her door and scanned the hall. All was quiet. She could barely make out the sounds of talking in the dining room and figured the others were having refreshments too.
Moving quickly, she opened the door that led to the back stairway and cautiously crept down the stairs, noting the ones that squeaked. The kitchen was empty and she was out the back door with no one the wiser. Stopping in the yard, she reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt, coating her cheeks and hands. Avoiding the street, she made her way to the back of Bo Magnusson’s livery, saying a prayer the big, blond Swede was busy elsewhere and that getting back into The Red Petticoat undetected would be as easy as getting out had been.
Head down, she saddled her horse and rode out. Mercifully she’d had the good sense to pay for board when she left Trooper there, so the owner had no reason to stop and question her even if he was around. It was difficult to ride out of town at a normal pace when all she wanted to do was get to her mine and see what was going on. Instead, she kept her head down and eyes on the road until she was well out of town before whipping her horse into a full gallop.
Clem followed the river until she was about half a mile from the mine her father named Eliza’s Dream and dismounted. Leading the
horse, she stopped a couple hundred yards away and ground tied him before proceeding to a slight rise and lying on her belly.
Already it looked different. All traces of her and her father’s presence were gone. Instead of a tent, a rickety shack now stood, an old man sitting on a crate in front of it. She could hear the snap of wood burning in the small campfire, and see the coffee pot off to one side. The man whistled from time to time as he waited with a rifle balanced on his lap, but no one was working the mine.
Where were the others? Why was no one working a mine that was precious enough to kill for? Clem studied the man for a long time. In her mind, she referred to him as Whiskers, as he seemed to have very little actual face that wasn’t obscured by his long, bushy beard. He never budged from his spot and she watched him for more than two hours, her back and neck stiffening from holding her position. Just as she was about to crawl backward, she heard a loud whistle and an answering one from Whiskers. Momentarily, another man rode down to the shack and dismounted.
“Any trouble?” he asked.
“Nope, don’t see why there would be,” Whiskers replied, spitting a stream of tobacco juice at the ground. “This here’s about the stupidest job you ever got us, Henry. We take turns watching a mine no one works and don’t see hide nor hair of another soul. We tain’t miners, we are trappers and I’m about sick of cooling my heels here when we could be headed north where the beaver are.”
“I know, but it’s money, ain’t it? We didn’t do so well last year if you recall. Damn near starved to death. I figured this was easy money and we could be better stocked, have a bigger poke to start out with.”
“I guess, but it sure is boring. When we gettin’ paid anyway? How do you know that joker is even coming back? Maybe this is some kind of trickery.”
“He’s coming back and bringing a crew with him. Something about havin’ to go to San Francisco for a few days. Just do your time minding this place and I’ll do mine,” Henry snapped.
“Fine,” Whiskers replied. “You can sit out here and watch the grass grow for a while. I’m goin’ to take me a lie down for a spell. Tonight’s your watch and I’m heading into town for some decent vittles and a whiskey or two.”
“So quit your bellyaching and go lie down. Lord, all you do is complain.”
“I don’t care. There’s something about this place that don’t set right with me, for all its peaceful appearance. I’ll be glad to see the last of it.”
Quietly, Crystal slithered down the slope until she was sure she was out of sight and earshot. She hadn’t found out much, but she now knew the mine was being guarded and whoever was taking over would be back in a few days. Whether that man was the same one who killed her father remained to be seen, but at least it was some information. If Whiskers or Henry came into The Red Petticoat, perhaps she could get more details out of them. Maybe Henry knew more than he was telling his partner.
The ride back to town was uneventful and she returned her horse to the livery, giving him a good rub down and brushing. It soothed her to tend to Trooper. After all, he was all she had left in the world.
Sneaking back into The Red Petticoat was easy as pie and she was mighty proud of her skills until she opened her door to find Jasper Montgomery lying on her bed, reading one of her precious books. He had a decidedly peeved look in his eye. Snatching her robe off the back of her door, she nearly succeeded in escaping to the bathing room before he rose, snagged her by the back of her britches and locked the door.
This wasn’t going to be good she realized, her shoulders slumping, and as far as she was concerned, whatever he had to say wasn’t nearly as important as dumping some of Citrine’s lavender bath salts into the tub.
“How’d you get in here anyway?” she demanded. Wiggling out of his grasp, she turned to face him with her hands on her hips.
“Jewel let me come up. I told her we had an understanding and that I wanted to offer my condolences on the death of your father,” he explained, lounging against her bureau, his own arms crossed against his chest. “Where have you been? You’re filthy.”
Peeking around his shoulder, Clem saw her reflection in the mirror and grinned.
“I am, aren’t I,” she said wryly.
“Disgustingly so. You should be in satins and silks. I know what you’re up to, Clementine; at least I have a good idea. Come with me now and you’ll never have to get dirty again.”
“I’d miss it,” she replied honestly, looking closely at her appearance in the mirror. “Never getting dirty, I mean,” she continued. “I’d miss the feeling of soaking in a tub, scraping the last of the dirt from beneath my fingernails. Miss the scent of the soap, the feeling of a fresh start, being reborn all shiny and new, like a baptism. I went for a ride and got dirty, so what?”
“You’re a contrary woman,” Jasper breathed, wiping a streak of dust from her cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For calling you contrary?” he asked with a short laugh.
“No, for admitting I’m a woman and not a child.” Looking up at him, she watched a surprising blush rise from his neck as he noted her reference to last night.
“You are now, because I have made it so,” he snapped back.
Was it embarrassment or regret she saw in his eyes? Clem wasn’t sure. In any case, it no longer mattered and she snorted turning away.
“I’m going to take a bath, which should please your offended sensibilities,” she informed him with a haughty sniff. “Thank you for stopping by to offer your condolences and kindly keep the fact I was not in my room between us. I often ride when I’m unsettled.”
“The fact that you’re unsettled is of your own choosing. I meant what I said last night. Marry me.”
“No, but I appreciate the offer, Mr. Montgomery, as well as the generous payment for my services. I hope others are so inclined.”
“Others?” he demanded. “You can’t be serious. You still intend to go through with…”
“Of course I do. Once I make up my mind to something, I rarely change it. You’ve helped me a great deal and I thank you for that. Last night was not only informative, but also um… unexpectedly pleasurable. I have a much clearer understanding of what’s required of me, and an appreciation for why some women would chose this profession.
“Oh I admit the initial act was quite painful, but afterward, you more than made up for that discomfort. I imagine I’ll get along quite well now that I know what I’m doing,” she smiled, retrieving her robe.
“Oh you do, do you?” he growled. “Well let me enlighten you further, Miss McKay. What we did last night was not in any way, shape or form what you can expect from the average customer. We made love last night, using our bodies to pleasure each other in very intimate ways. The men you bring to your room will be interested in their pleasure, not yours,” he ground out, his body stiff with anger.
“How was it making love? I don’t love you,” she continued thoughtfully, her head cocked to one side as she mulled this over.
“I’m fully aware of that fact and I don’t love you either. However, I am attracted to you and somewhat surprised at the um… enthusiasm you brought to our encounter. In fact, I find I don’t want to share you with other men,” he continued, seeming to force the words out of a constricted throat. “If you won’t marry me, I must insist our relationship be exclusive.”
“Meaning?”
“You may continue to work at The Red Petticoat, live here if you must, but under no circumstance are you to bring another man to your room. Have I made myself clear?” he asked sternly, standing stiffly over her.
“Crystal,” she quipped while nervously taking a step back. “I’m very much afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Montgomery. You see, I’m a whore now. It’s my job to bring men to my room and I hope to be paid handsomely for my services. I can’t do that if I somehow belong to you, now can I?” she asked kindly. “There are things you don’t understand… things I am not at liberty to discuss…”
“Then explain them to me, Miss McKay. It’s the least you can do under the circumstances.”
“I’ll think about it while I’m bathing,” she agreed, softened by his tone which had suddenly become conciliatory. He was a decent sort, she determined. Generous, concerned, and it would not hurt to have an ally should things become more complicated.
Montgomery had a good head on his shoulders. She could do worse for a friend. He didn’t try to stop her when she slipped out the door.
Chapter Six
Jasper paced her room. Twice he went to the door, determined to leave her to her own devices, but somehow he couldn’t turn the knob. As much as it galled him to admit it, he felt something for her, something unfamiliar and strangely alarming.
Taking her virginity had been intended as a kindness. There was an endearing quality about her that brought all his protective instincts to the surface. He wasn’t particularly comfortable with these new and unwelcome emotions. While she appeared delicate and fragile on the outside, she obviously had a will of iron and a stubborn streak a mile wide.
It also surprised him she hadn’t jumped at the chance to become his legal bride. Hell, women had been chasing him long before he’d inherited a fortune. Wise investments and careful planning made him a very wealthy man indeed. He gambled because he enjoyed it and could afford to, it was as simple as that. Many times he’d folded a winning hand after sensing a man’s desperation. For him it was a hobby, a pastime.
Occasionally he thought of himself as a bit jaded. As a young man he’d traveled the world, sown a good deal of his wild oats and found nothing that in any way surpassed the beauty of his home. While not ostentatious, it was comfortable and that’s all he needed. He raised horses, ran a few head of cattle and enjoyed a day spent in the saddle now and then. If the need for adventure struck him, he traveled, returning home when it suited him. There was no one in his life who couldn’t survive without him, and no one he pined for while he was away. All in all, his life was exactly the way he liked it, or it had been until a dirty little half pint of a girl wandered into The Red Petticoat a few days ago.
Crystal's Calamity (The Red Petticoat Saloon) Page 5