by Paty Jager
The look of disbelief on Gil’s face challenged her apprehension.
“You don’t want to take up gold mining.” His statement was firm and final.
“Why not? From what I’ve seen the miners bring in, Jeremy and I’d be living a life we’ve not had since our parents passed.”
“Mining is hard, relentless work to get anything.” The look on his face told her he’d had experience.
“Have you mined for gold?” She touched his arm when his expression turned hard and blank.
“I didn’t bring you up here to talk about gold mining.” He grasped her arms, pulling her to him, and capturing her mouth with his demanding lips. The strength of his embrace, urgency of the kiss, and quickening beat of his heart under her hand, whisked away all thoughts.
Gil held her head in his hands and kissed her. He wanted to keep it soft and light, but her foolhardiness about staying here and panning for gold, upset him. He didn’t want her wasting her life for illusive treasure and the possibility of being killed for a few nuggets.
He shifted his thoughts to the present and breathed in the floral scent on her skin before deepening the kiss. His hands slid through her hair, knocking hairpins to the floor. The soft strands of her silky hair sifted through his fingers, curling around his wrist. Her body pressed against him as she stood on her toes. He seduced her full lips, enticing them to part and let him enter.
When she moaned and opened, his body responded with a surge of heat and need. She tasted sweeter than he’d dreamed. Wrapping his arms around her, Gil picked her up off the ground. He kissed her slender neck and bare chest sprinkled with freckles above the frilly neckline. A throaty sigh slid through her lips as he pushed a dress strap over her shoulder, dropping kisses behind the path of the strap.
Her small hands roamed over his shoulders and down his back. Fever started where her hands touched and built into a raging blaze in his nether regions. He wanted her delicate hands to caress his skin.
“Unbutton my shirt.” His voice sounded deeper and huskier as her touch battered at the wall of his self-restraint.
Her eyes twinkled with excitement, and a smile played at the corners of her luscious lips. Her large gray eyes stared into his as her dainty fingers one-by-one unfastened the bone buttons down the front of his shirt.
When the buttons were loose, she pushed the shirt off his shoulders. With reverence, her fingers traced the contours of his muscles, gliding over his skin, tormenting his restraint.
Before he could gather her into an embrace, she leaned in, pressing her breasts against his chest. Her hands roamed over his back, moving as though she memorized every part of him.
Gil couldn’t control his need to touch her as she stroked him. He shoved her dress from her shoulders, exposing her breasts. His hands cupped each one, rubbing his thumbs back and forth over taut peaks. Darcy moaned and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, drawing his lips to hers as she pressed against him.
Her bold response to his needs made his body throb. Gil picked her up, kissing her neck and breasts with wet, sweet kisses. The sound she emitted reminded him of a purring cat. She would not leave his arms this night unsoiled. He had to make her his.
Capturing her mouth with his, he laid her on the bed beneath him. He rose up on an elbow to see the emotions on her face. Her grey eyes darkened with desire.
“Darcy, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone before.”
She shivered and smiled. “Me, too.”
He touched her lips with a finger and trailed it down her neck and over each breast, stopping at each nipple to circle it several times. She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and tried to pull his lips to hers.
“No. No more kisses until you fully understand what I want.”
She watched him with questioning eyes. Her body wiggled, and a mischievous smile curved her tempting lips. Lost in her beauty, he didn’t notice her hands until he felt a finger skim his skin as she worked at the buttons on his Levis.
“No,” Gil said through clenched teeth as he pulled her hands from the task. “You’re not touching me there unless you understand once we start again I won’t be able to stop until we’re done.” He looked down at her alabaster skin gleaming in the moonlight. It was so soft and smelled of a spring day. He wanted to take her in his arms and love her until they were both old. But he wasn’t going to start something until he was sure she wanted it as well. Her kisses told him she did, but he had a notion she didn’t really know what was about to happen.
“Please, touch me more.” She looked at him from under lowered lashes. Her cheeks flushed. “I like it.”
“Oh, baby, I know you do, but do you know what I’m asking?”
Her eyes opened wide, and she exhaled in a breathy voice, “Yes.” She looked up at him. “You. We’re loving one another.”
“Yes.” He kissed her firmly on the lips and let his hands stray to her firm breasts. They were the perfect size for his hands to fondle and caress. “I want to show you how I feel about you.”
“Do, please, do.” Her hips arched up to him, and he couldn’t control himself any longer.
Gil grasped her dress, pulling it down over her hips and revealing her corset, chemise, and drawers. He untied the corset, watching the pushed up breasts take their normal pert shape. The pointed peaks beckoned under the thin fabric of her chemise. He untied the chemise and pushed it down, exposing her nipples. The look in Darcy’s eyes as he slowly lowered his mouth nearly burst the buttons on his Levis.
He savored the taste of her as he flicked the nipple with his tongue, causing her to moan and wriggle under him. He untied her pantaloons and pushed the chemise and drawers, sliding them down her body as he rained kisses over her soft skin. From the bottom of the bed, he watched her eyelashes flutter on her cheeks while he removed her shoes and stockings.
“Look at me.” He unbuttoned his Levis and dropped his pants and drawers to the floor.
Her eyes widened as his member popped straight out at her. He could tell by the look on her face she’d never seen a naked man before, but the sight didn’t repulse her. She crawled across the bed and took him in her hands. He nearly spilled his seed with her curious, innocent touch.
He pulled her up, kissing her until she melted in his arms. He should take it slow. This was her first time. His body didn’t listen to his head. He wanted to ravage the small body beckoning him like a butterfly to a beautiful flower. Restraint had never been one of his finer qualities, but he’d take things slow for the woman in his arms.
Darcy wanted him to kiss her and caress her all night. She’d never dreamed being touched this way by a man could be so warm and shocking. His hands burned paths of desire up and down her skin. She’d felt his manhood with her hands and knew when he slipped it in she wouldn’t be afraid. Nothing about this man frightened her.
Explosions of white lights went off in her head as his fingers massaged the juncture of her legs, touching the spot that throbbed. She moaned and pulled his head from her breasts to kiss him.
His knee slid her legs apart. She concentrated on the sensations that flowed through her body, pumping her blood and making her breathe in short pants.
He held her breasts in his hands, licking and nibbling on her sensitive nipples. His earnest attention sent vibrations through her body, intensifying the pulse between her legs. Her hips rose toward him of their own accord.
Cradling her head in his hands, he touched her lips with his tongue. Opening to him, she welcomed his kiss. Her body vibrated and pressed toward him. She wanted everything he had to give her. With gentleness, he slid his member between her legs and inside.
She stiffened as her body stretched to accommodate him. He deepened the kiss, reviving the sensations that moments before had her vision blurring. He pressed deeper, rubbing her throbbing core. Her body hummed and warmed.
“Darcy, look at me,” his horse voice commanded.
She shook her head, clearing away the haze of eu
phoria and looked at him.
“This means more…but I don’t…” the desire in his eyes and his furrowed brow reflected her thoughts. Their actions, if her father were alive would lead to marriage.
“I know. I won’t hold you to anything.” She knew what they were doing made her a soiled woman, just like Sylvie and Rose. But she wouldn’t have wanted anyone other than Gil to have deflowered her. She still didn’t know his secrets. And until they were out in the open with one another, there could never be a future for them. However, she would forever have this night.
Darcy arched her hips, drawing him deeper. The sensation made her dizzy and a clap of thunder roared through her body. She sucked in her breath, holding onto the feeling for as long as she could. He moved faster and faster inside of her, sending aftershocks of heat and light through her body.
Strong arms banded around her as he thrust deep, pulsed, and stopped. His body went lax, covering her in a warm blanket of male. She grinned, breathed in his scent, and hugged him. Her hands roamed over his small round backside and up his muscular back.
His breathing hitched, and he rose up on his elbows. Kissing her nose, he said, “That was one thing I never dreamed of when I first laid eyes on you.”
“What?” She moved her hands around to his front, sliding up his chest and clasping them behind his neck.
“That I would end up in bed with you and live to tell it.”
She looked into his eyes and saw the hint of mischief she’d known lurked behind the somber front he showed most people.
“You could still be in danger.” She pulled him down and nipped at his lips. “I’m feeling so good, I may need more.”
He smiled rakishly, and his eyes lit up, before he frowned.
“We need to talk.” He rolled to his side and pulled her into his arms.
“I said this didn’t mean we have to get hitched.” Darcy didn’t like the look in his eyes. He was about to say something she didn’t want to hear.
“You need to back off from Craven.” The hardness in his voice and direct stare made her cringe. “He’s been talking to a band of thieves. They’re up to something, and it can’t be good. I saw him talking to one of them today when Jeremy hid in the outhouse.” He smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head, completely acting the opposite of his tone. “Did Jeremy tell you what they said?”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” She slid her hands down his torso, taking his member in her small hands. As a quick learner, she knew how to take his mind off matters she didn’t intend to talk about.
“We need to—” He sucked in his breath as she handled his magnificent manhood.
“We need to make love,” she said, nipping at his bottom lip and rubbing her body against his. A glint of challenge lit his eyes, before he pushed her onto the mattress. He covered her body with his, kissing her until she struggled for air.
His kisses made her lightheaded. She shivered with delight as he slid down her body kissing every inch as he went. His gentle hands fluttered over her inner thighs just before his tongue touched the spot between her legs that throbbed uncontrollably.
“Oh,” she gasped as another volley of sensations shot through her body. “How?” She grabbed Gil by the hair, pulling his face up to hers as she spread her legs inviting him to enter. “Please?” she begged as he touched her then retreated.
“I want to know what Jeremy overheard.” He hovered over her, a glint to his eyes as he teased her with his stiff appendage.
She looked at him. How could he stoop so low? Her body quivered with need, and he held back.
She shook her head defiantly.
His hand slid between them and gently kneaded the hair above her throbbing point. She grit her teeth to keep from begging, and his fingers slid in. Her hips rose and he pulled away.
“Tell me, and you can take me,” Gil whispered, caressing the rim of her ear with his tongue. She wiggled, raising her hips.
She wound her hands in his hair, dragging his mouth to hers. Two could play the seduction game. She ran her tongue in and out of his mouth, tempting him. She rubbed her breasts against his smooth, hard chest. Her body ached with need, but she continued her seduction until he was worked into such a frenzy he slammed into her, frantically pumping and breathing like a man who’d ran a mile.
Darcy smiled and lifted her hips so he could plunge deeper and deeper, until a roar in her head and a flash of heat scorched her body, leaving her blank and lethargic. She closed her eyes as Gil turned her, embracing her with one arm, his body pressed against her back.
*****
Darcy opened her eyes. The moon was descending in the dark sky. She smiled. Gil lay on his back beside her, breathing in and out; the heavy monotone tempo of deep sleep.
She slid quietly from the bed and retrieved her clothing, all but the corset. There was no way she could get the thing on by herself. She left it on the chair by the door. Gil wouldn’t be happy when he woke and found her gone, but Craven had something planned for tonight and from what she could tell the night wasn’t over yet. Plus, she couldn’t have Jeremy looking for her in the morning and find her curled up in bed with Gil. She’d promised she wouldn’t leave the dance with a miner. Grinning, she looked down at Gil. She didn’t break her promise. He definitely wasn’t a miner.
When she was dressed, all but her shoes, she silently unlocked the door and slipped out into the hallway. She turned the key in the lock and dropped it in her pocket. Gathering her bearings in the dark, she headed to the outside door. At the top of the stairs, she listened to music and laughter drifting down the street from the dance hall.
She looked up at the moon. Its position meant morning was creeping closer. She sat on the top step and put her shoes on, wishing she could go barefoot. But it wouldn’t look right her sitting on the walkway below putting on her shoes.
Tiptoeing down the stairs, she made it to the bottom without making a sound or stumbling. She settled her skirt and headed down the street to the jail.
Darcy smiled. Her body tingled all over thinking about what she and Gil had done only hours before. She stopped, ran her hands through her hair, and twirled. Her skirt wrapped around her legs, tipping her forward. She grasped the stirrup of a horse beside a hitching post. She leaned against the horse, one hand on the stirrup, the other patting the warm neck of the animal.
“Do you know what it feels like to be in love?” she asked the horse.
He rubbed his head against her shoulder and stamped a foot.
“It’s more complicated than that, I think,” she said, lazily rubbing her hand over his warm neck. “This must be what people feel like when they’re drunk.” Her head spun and a light, carefree attitude she couldn’t afford to have the last few years filled her with joy.
She looked up and down the quiet street. The evening had a bit of a chill. The stars faded as the sky began to lighten for the new day. She wanted to shout to the world how she felt, but didn’t think anyone would hear. Worse the sound might wake up Gil. She smiled, remembering how he looked sprawled across the bed as she snuck out the door.
Bang!
The window of the building in front of her shattered. Darcy and the horse both jumped as a puff of smoke stung her eyes and halted her breathing.
Chapter 12
Darcy’s hand slid through the stirrup when the horse jumped. Her skirt tangled around her legs as her body twisted with the movement of the animal. Clinging to the stirrup, she worked to release her hand and untangle her legs. The horse dragged her out into the street before she could get her feet back under her.
The long-legged animal sidestepped to get away from her as she tried to free her arm from the stirrup. It was like dancing with a drunk who didn’t know the steps to the music. The horse didn’t respond to her pulling on the stirrup to stop it, and she couldn’t keep her feet under her long enough to dig in and give the horse any resistance.
A man ran out of the building and whistled. The horse jerked his head aro
und, and Darcy glanced up. The big-eared man she’d witnessed talking to Craven dashed toward them. She looked at the building and groaned.
The bank loomed in front of her.
He robbed the bank, and she was attached to his getaway horse.
The outlaw grabbed the horse’s reins and swung his foot up to leap in the saddle. He nearly fell over when his foot just missed kicking Darcy in the head. He dropped his foot to the ground and glared at her arm sticking through the stirrup.
The robber leaned forward and sniffed her breath. She didn’t know whether to say something or just stand there like a frightened animal. She backed away from the man and her arm slide out of the stirrup easy as you please. Darcy scowled at the horse and saddle as running footsteps echoed on the board walkway behind them.
Before she could even mutter an excuse, the man grabbed her around the waist. He mounted his horse, hauling her up into the saddle with him. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as he tightened his grip and jabbed the animal with his heels. They set off out of town at a lope.
Blazes, her clumsiness got her in a pickle this time. She thought about screaming, but knew the direction they headed no one would even hear. Struggling was out of the question. Her feet dangled alongside the horse as the man’s vise-like arm circled her middle, making it hard for her to breathe. Even if she could get the man to let go, there was no way she’d fall from a horse running like its tail was on fire.
Straining to listen beyond the creak of the saddle and snorting of the horse, she heard rapidly approaching horses. The lump, lodged in her throat since her capture, eased as she willed whoever followed to catch up and help. She squeezed her eyes shut and held onto the arm that kept her from dropping into the bushes rushing by in a blur. Mentally, she crossed her fingers and hoped he’d let her go when he’d gone a good distance from town.