“You lie still,” she whispered.
“Maddie,” he growled. “You’re torturing me.”
She giggled. “No, I’m not.”
Yes, she was. Her hands roamed up his legs, over his knees, along his thighs, teasing his very being to agonizing heights. When she wrapped her fingers around him, his breath locked in his lungs. She played him like a gambler does a full house, until Cole swore at his own desperation and grabbed her arms, pulling her onto him.
Cracked ribs didn’t stifle his stamina as much as she did, and when she slid over him, her velvet channel taking him fully, he tensed every muscle to simply relish in the sweetest pleasure imaginable.
Cole had no choice but to accept the steady and even course Maddie set. It was pure perfection and propelled them forward steadily, sweetly. The flawless union suited him beyond all other sailing he’d experienced. Her thighs, parting and joining as she hoisted upward and glided downward, set loose an imaginable force he could no longer resist. When her head flung backward, her breasts arched into the air as her fulfillment neared, Cole grabbed her hips, holding her to him as his own completion hit.
Her lips were clamped together, muffling her cries of victory into whimpers, and Cole grasped her neck, tugging her down to kiss away the groan bubbling in the back of his throat.
Afterward, as she slowly moved off him, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled the covers over both of them with his other hand. “I do believe, Maddie, girl, finding gold is only one of the things you’re tremendously good at.”
She giggled, nestling her head on his shoulder. “Go back to sleep,” she whispered. “You need your rest.”
Thoroughly sated, he kissed the top of her head. “That was more healing than sleep.”
“Go to sleep,” she demanded sweetly.
Despite what they’d just shared, how he’d witnessed her body was unharmed, Cole’s thoughts shot to Mad Dog. How the man had laid his soiled and cruel hands on her, and that he was still out there, somewhere.
Cole kissed the top of her head again. It was going to be hell, but it was what he had to do. Leave. He didn’t want to, but getting her to safety meant more to him than anything else. She’d changed that about him. Putting someone else’s needs before his.
Tilting her head back, she looked up at him with those star-filled eyes, and half-afraid she’d say something, he pressed his lips to hers. “Go to sleep, darling, and dream about that big houseful of servants you’re going to build.”
She stiffened slightly. Cole kissed her again and then pressed a finger to her lips, and kept it there until her body had relaxed enough to know that she was sleeping once again. He, on the other hand, lay awake for hours.
Chapter Fifteen
Maddie was torn again the following day when Lucky insisted they board a ship heading for Nome. She’d assumed they’d stay in Bittersweet, at least long enough for him to heal; yet at the same time, she wanted to get as far away from Mad Dog as possible.
After meeting with the banker and signing papers along with Albert, they returned to Truman’s, where she grew heavyhearted again while saying goodbye to the shopkeeper and Gunther. Albert helped transport their possessions on board a ship smaller than the Mary Jane, but equipped to haul passengers, which meant she and Lucky had a private cabin. So did Jack and Homer.
Maddie stood near the railing, waving goodbye to Albert as the boat set sail, and once again she questioned all that had changed inside her since arriving in Alaska. Mainly her perceptions. Not all men were untrustworthy.
Lucky, standing at her side, took her hand and led her toward their cabin as Bittersweet disappeared. There, he warmed her, inside and out, until she completely forgot about everything except him.
* * *
The weather turned colder, and the day they arrived in Nome, snowflakes danced in the wind. The town was larger than Bittersweet, but to her surprise, the buildings were similar, built of rough lumber and tents. Lucky insisted upon purchasing things for their ocean voyage. Maddie shook her head at the armloads of items he hauled onto the much larger ship they were now passengers on.
Their cabin was much larger, too. Thank goodness. “I certainly don’t need all these clothes,” she declared, running her hands over the softness of a remarkable blue velvet dress he’d bought for her.
“It’ll be a long voyage,” he said. “We won’t be able to wash clothes until we get to Seattle.”
He was right, of course, and Maddie had worn all of the half-dozen dresses he’d purchased as well as all the underthings by the time the boat docked in Seattle the first part of December.
All her life Christmases had come and gone with little notice, so seeing an entire town decorated from end to end for the approaching holiday was fascinating. Lucky learned the Mary Jane was due to arrive after the New Year and acquired accommodations in a fancy hotel in the heart of the city. Jack found separate lodging in a simple boardinghouse closer to the shoreline that welcomed Homer.
“We could have stayed at the boardinghouse, too,” Maddie said after they’d seen Jack settled and returned to their suite. It not only had a huge bed, but a separate bedroom, complete with an attached bathing room, and a sitting room with two sofas.
“Yes, we could have,” Lucky answered, removing his tie. He’d purchased himself several suits, which he looked extraordinarily handsome in. “But I like this place better.” He caught her waist and pulled her up against him. “We have a lot more privacy.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “I like that, but the prices here are outrageous.”
“You are worth every dime,” he insisted, kissing her.
Ever since that night back in Bittersweet, the only disruptions in their lovemaking had been due to her monthlies. Sometimes he loved her slowly, sweetly, and other times it was so swift and wild she was left in a dizzy, spiraling world. His kiss right now said this would be one of those encounters, and her heart leaped into her throat, ready for the adventure to sweep her away.
Maddie was swept away, and enjoyed every caress, every moment they spent in the big fancy bed. It was afterward that hurt. When another part of her heart broke off, knowing as soon as Trig arrived she and Lucky would go their separate ways. He’d go south to New Orleans to help his grandmother. She’d been at the bank with him the first day they’d arrived, where he wired money and sent messages saying he’d be home as soon as possible. He hadn’t asked her to go with him, and she hoped he wouldn’t, for she didn’t know how she’d tell him no.
She would have to, though. If needed, she’d ask Trig to help her, even offer him his 50 percent to take Lucky to New Orleans.
She’d go to Wyoming then. That was what she figured, to the judge who wanted Mad Dog. The outlaw would follow her, and she hoped the judge would help set a trap for him. Wyoming was the opposite direction from New Orleans, and that was the most important thing. To keep Mad Dog as far off Lucky’s trail as possible.
Part of her wished Trig would never arrive, and another part wished he’d hurry up and get here, so she could get on with things. There wasn’t much she liked about Seattle. The vast number of people was overwhelming and made keeping her vigil, of watching for Mad Dog, more difficult than ever.
Word had spread of their mining success, and people flocked to them, right to their hotel room, wanting to sell things or buy shares in the Big Bonanza. Maddie gladly let Lucky talk to the visitors, but unfortunately he also accepted invitations from them. To an array of parties and dinners, things she’d never attended before. It was frightening at first, since she had no idea how to act or what to say, but Lucky told her not to worry, to just follow his lead.
She had, and soon knew exactly what fork to use when, and how to pretend she was having a wonderful time when she clearly wasn’t. By the second week, she wished she’d never learned such things so she
’d have an excuse not to attend any of the lavish gatherings.
She continued to go, though, because Lucky wanted her to. He’d hired men, too, who followed her every step. He, too, knew Mad Dog was out there. Word had arrived by a ship that Wyman had tracked Mad Dog clear to Dabbler, but lost him there.
From across the room, Lucky’s statement penetrated her deep musing. Turning, she frowned. “I thought we were going to spend Christmas with Jack and Homer at the boardinghouse,” she said.
“We will,” he said, tying his tie. “Tomorrow. Christmas Day. Tonight we’ll attend a party at the mayor’s home. Jack will be there, too.”
“A party,” she repeated drily. That was not what she called them. So far none of them had been close to the happy celebrations they’d had back in Alaska, with Albert cooking venison and everyone chatting endlessly. Happily. People talked here, but only about money. Either how much they had or how much they wanted.
She’d discovered something else, too—something she’d always known. Men didn’t have to be outlaws to be treacherous. The rich ones they kept encountering would rob a man blind while looking at them. At least an outlaw did it on the sly.
The women here were just as bad. And, to her way of thinking, rather mindless. She wouldn’t trust a one even on a lead rope. To her face they were kind enough, asking where she’d gotten the dress she wore or some other article of clothing, such as the never-ending jewelry or shawls Lucky kept buying her, but that was where their eyes always were. On Lucky. Leaving her with a great desire to draw her gun and force them to keep their distance.
She didn’t draw her gun, but did keep it handy—a little derringer Lucky had bought that she could keep hidden most anywhere.
“Yes, a party,” Lucky said, picking up a fur shawl he’d purchased for her a few days prior. “Are you ready?”
She turned, letting him drape the garment over her shoulders, and picked up the matching muff. The fur was luxurious and she felt pretty wearing them, which left her sickened, knowing she was as bad as all the women she detested. “Where are we going now?”
“To buy you a dress for this evening.”
Stopping midstep, Maddie shook her head. “I have dresses. Lots of them. Some I’ve only worn once.”
Lucky propelled her toward the door. “A rich woman never wears the same dress to a party.”
“That’s a waste of money, if I’ve ever heard it.”
“Maybe,” he said. “But it’s how high society works.” He opened the door. “That’s what you wanted. To be a rich woman with a big house and servants.” Leading her along the hallway, he continued, “The mayor’s house is the largest in town. Many of the other people we’ve met will be there tonight, and they’ll remember what you were wearing last night and last week.”
Maddie frowned but quickly hid it. Lucky did seem to enjoy escorting her about and acted as if each event excited him as much as the one before. Deep down, she had her own reason for continuously accompanying him. They’d soon be parted, and she wanted to spend every moment possible with him.
The day was surprisingly warm and sunny—a rarity. Before Lucky had a chance to direct the man near the front door of the hotel to find them a carriage, she asked, “Can we walk? I feel as if I haven’t done anything except sit for months.”
“All right,” he said. “It’s not far.”
“What isn’t?”
“The dress shop. I’m told Agatha Foster’s gowns are the most popular and highly sought after.”
For a moment, she’d forgotten where they were going. Once again his excitement prevented her from commenting, but two hours later, after having tried on several gowns, Maddie couldn’t maintain her silence. “Don’t you have anything that buttons up the front?”
The shop owner, Agatha Foster, had bright red hair and a crooked nose she looked down even while kneeling to check a hem or seam. It was her haughtiness that had rubbed Maddie the wrong way from the moment she’d stepped into the shop full of gowns covered with ribbons and lace. The shop owner had two young assistants, and rather than talk to them, Agatha Foster clapped her hands toward the girls to send them scurrying after whatever she wanted.
“Surely you have a dressing maid to assist you,” Agatha Foster said.
“No.” Even without the woman’s obvious scorn, Maddie didn’t feel like furthering her explanation. Once she and Lucky were parted, she wouldn’t have anyone to fasten any of the lavish gowns he’d already purchased.
“To answer your question,” the woman added snootily, “no. Fashionable gowns do not fasten down the front.”
Maddie turned and glanced in the long mirror. “Well, then, this one will do.” The gown was rather lovely. The shiny material was dark green, and rows of gold stitching formed decorative swirls on the cuffs, hem and at the waist. A heavy sigh escaped. She hardly recognized herself, and wasn’t sure she liked that.
“Very well.” The woman glanced toward the heavy curtain separating this room from where they’d left Lucky. “Mr. DuMont said you will need a few other gowns.”
“He was mistaken,” Maddie said, done dress shopping. She disrobed and retrieved the blue velvet gown—her favorite—that she’d put on this morning.
“How about undergarments?” the woman asked.
“I have plenty of those, too.” Maddie wasted no time in buttoning her gown, which did fasten up the front. “There is nothing else we need here.”
“Very well. I’ll make the slight alterations needed and have the gown delivered to the hotel, if that is to your liking, Mrs. DuMont.” There was definite disappointment and a hint of reprimand in the woman’s tone.
“That will be fine,” Maddie said, parting the curtain. She waited impatiently while Lucky settled the bill, something he always insisted upon doing, and practically ran out the door when he opened it.
Once on the boardwalk, he took her elbow. “I secured us a coach. I want to show you something.”
Holding in a tremendous sigh, she asked, “What is it?”
“I’ve arranged for us to tour a couple of homes,” he said. “To give you some ideas for the house you want to build.”
“I don’t want to build a house here,” she said.
Cole did his best to keep a smile on his face. This was the life she wanted, and he was trying his best, but it all reminded him of the things he didn’t miss. Gran had hosted lavish balls and galas, and as the eldest son, it had been his duty to escort his mother after his father had died. He was using that, his experience, to make them fit in now. Had to. He had an ulterior motive. Mad Dog was still on the loose, and Cole wanted the outlaw to know where to look for Maddie.
Not find her, but look for. He was using their mining success to make them the most popular people in town and wanted word spread that they were building a house—the house she always wanted. “I’m not suggesting we build one here,” he said. “It’ll just give you an idea for when you choose where you want to live.”
She nodded and allowed him to escort her into the carriage, but the smile on her face looked as strained as his felt. He couldn’t share his plan with her, but hopefully afterward, when all was settled, she’d understand why and forgive him.
He’d sent messages to both his grandmother and mother, saying he’d be home as soon as possible. That was part of his ploy, for everyone to know they planned on sailing south when Trig arrived. Whereas, in reality, it was all to set a trap for Mad Dog.
He was setting a lot of hope into the plan, as well as what happened after apprehending Mad Dog. If the scenarios that rolled in his head played out, Maddie would never have to worry about the outlaw again. Then they could truly start their life together. It was now what he wanted. He couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life without her. If that meant building a big house and setting down roots, so be it. The happiest days of his life ha
d included her, and something deep down and foreign had convinced him that that would be enough.
He’d just have to be sure to never tell her what to do. Cole almost cracked a grin. Not telling Maddie, the stubborn woman she could be at times, might prove to be more fun than Lucky had originally expected. He’d figured out a lot of things, many of them concerning women, since meeting her. She wasn’t so different from his mother and Rachel, not when it came right down to it. The number one thing women wanted was to have things their way. Unlike Rachel and his mother, when it came to Maddie, he wanted her to have things her way. Even if it wasn’t what he wanted. That was what happens when a man loves a woman above all else.
He did. Love her above all else. Cole wasn’t sure exactly when that realization had happened, but had come to accept it, and in truth, he liked loving her.
She was gazing out the side window and turned, sensing him watching her, no doubt. She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’ve never seen such decorations. There are even red bows on the lampposts.”
He kissed the top of her head. “My mother and grandmother decorate their homes for the holidays,” he said. “And we always had a huge tree full of candles.” He’d taken to talking about his home a lot lately, just so she’d be convinced he was missing it and wanting to return soon.
“You did?”
The sadness of her tone wrestled inside him. He wouldn’t mind seeing his family again, but in truth, if Maddie didn’t want to go to New Orleans, they wouldn’t go. Not telling her that stung. “Yes, we did,” he answered. He now understood why she wanted that big house. The security it would provide. Having grown up as she had, the daughter of an outlaw, being pursued by a killer, left her with no one to trust. No one to shelter her from all the evils of the world. He wanted to promise he’d give her that more than he wanted anything else, but he couldn’t—not just yet.
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