by Paty Jager
“N-n-next to him.” Darcy looked up to see if he was still the man who professed his love to her. “You’re going to put me on the train in a seat next to Craven?” She stopped and stared at him. This was a trick to get her to stay behind. “You don’t want me along. Are you trying to scare me off?”
“No. You’re going to work your charms on the old coot and get his confidence. Then you are going to ask him to join you at the back of the train to watch the sunset or something like that. Jeremy and I’ll jump him, and we’ll take him back to Galena all trussed up like a calf to be branded.” Gil smiled like there wasn’t a flaw to his plan.
“How are we going to get him back to Galena? We won’t have any horses.” She tapped her foot on the ground and waited for a response. His idea was not setting well with her. He’d left too many things undone.
Gil scratched his head and watched her. “We’ll wait in the last car until we get to the next town. Then we’ll rent a wagon and head back to Galena.”
Darcy thought about his idea. It could work, as long as no one discovered them with Craven all trussed up.
“I wish he hadn’t taken my badge. Then we would have looked official and not have to worry about someone trying to help him.”
Gil took her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right there in the car with you. When you get him to go with you to the back of the train, I’ll follow.”
“How are we getting me all fancied up?” Darcy asked when they joined Jeremy and the horses.
“Clay told me about a couple of ladies in town. I’ll tell them who we are and what we need. They’ll take care of things.”
Darcy looked at him. “What kind of ladies?”
“You’ll like them.”
*****
Darcy spent the remainder of the day being bathed, pampered, and primped by the ladies. She’d nearly dropped her chin to the ground when Gil hauled her and Jeremy up the steps of a whorehouse.
He’d walked in as if he’d done that sort of thing every day of his life. She’d been introduced to two giggling women who immediately striped her and plopped her in a big tub full of bubbles and smelly soap.
She didn’t mind trying on the different dresses for Gil. It was fun the way he sat sprawled in the large wooden chair and watched her step out from behind a screen. His gaze sought her face before skimming down the dress all the way to the floor. His eyes glinted with desire, and she knew his thoughts were about what lie under all the layers of cloth, making her cheeks burn.
“This one.” Gil stood and extended his hand to her. Darcy put her hand in his, and he pulled her to him. He’d cleaned up and shaved while she was pampered. A sniff rewarded her with the smell of soap and bay rum. His new black suit accented his wide shoulders and slender hips. She thought of his taut muscle and smooth skin under the garment and itched to touch it. The women in the room twittered and backed out, closing the door quietly behind them.
Her body moved against him. She wanted to feel every contour. “Where’s Jeremy?” she asked, sliding the jacket from his shoulders.
“At a friend’s house.” Gil unbuttoned the bodice of her dress.
Darcy pulled back. “A relation of the women here?”
“No. An old friend who moved cattle with me until he married.”
“Oh. Good.” His teeth scraped her neck. A shiver ran down her back and started a fire glowing in her center.
“Can we? Here?” she asked, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling the shirttail from his Levis.
“Yeah, I paid for the room for the night.” He pushed the dress to the floor. The layers of linen and lace piled at her feet. She bent to pick it up. An arm caught her around the waist, lifting her off her feet.
“It’ll keep.” Gil carried her across to the bed, placing her on the silk cover.
Darcy moved her hand over the slippery surface. “I’ve never touched anything so fine.”
“You deserve only the best. You look like an angel in the clouds.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “You are beautiful.” He choked on the words as his lips softly touched hers.
Tears crept into her eyes; his gentleness and kind words overwhelmed her.
She opened her lips, encouraging him to take all he wanted. The kiss deepened as their hands roamed, memorizing the curves and rises of their bodies.
Gil pulled back. “I don’t like this thing,” he said, thumping the corset the giggling twins had trussed her into. He smiled wickedly. “Though I do like the way it pushes you up.” He kissed the mound of breast above the garment.
Darcy turned over, and he untied the contraption, sliding it down her hips and off the end of the bed. It landed with a thunk, and they both laughed.
“Much better,” he said, taking a breast in each hand and kneading.
His touch vibrated her body with a need so blinding, her hips arched, and she battled with the fastenings on his Levi’s.
“Whoa. I’m not going anywhere.” He grabbed her hands, holding them over her head. She struggled to touch him, but gave in when he untied her chemise with his teeth. He pushed the cloth down with his face and nuzzled her breasts and belly.
“This isn’t fair,” she huffed in between pants of pleasure. His knee drew up between her legs. He rubbed against the juncture of her legs as he kissed her senseless one-minute and suckled her breasts the next.
“I like watching you take pleasure from me.” He let her arms go and pulled her drawers down. She lay naked on the sensuous silk cover. The hair on his chest tickled her breasts as he slid his pants down and off. Her hands roamed over his muscular back and down to his tight bottom. He moaned as she squeezed the handful cheeks.
Giggling, she rolled him to his back and sat atop his stomach. His erection bumped her buttocks. Leaning forward, her breasts pressed into his hard chest as she kissed his chin and lips, and rubbed against his manhood.
He groaned and pushed her to her back, entering her with one quick movement. Darcy smiled slyly. This was what she wanted—him to take her like a man winning a prize, not like a porcelain doll.
She grabbed his bottom, pulling him deep as he thrust hard and kissed her with a fervor he hadn’t shown before. The sensations came hard and fast just as their coupling. Wave after wave of light and scorching heat filled her body. Until a force, so strong it made her scream, sucked every ounce of life out of her when he thrust deep and let his seed spill.
Gil shook his head to clear the fog. He looked down at Darcy. Her dark hair splayed around her head and soft white shoulders like a halo. Heat radiated from her shimmering skin. A seductive smile played on her lips.
He reluctantly lifted his body from hers. In the brief moment air whisked between them, he grieved the loss of contact. Gil balanced on his forearms, his hands twined in her hair. The dark locks smelled of flowers and a spring day. He sniffed, and her eyes opened.
“That’s what I’ve been waiting for,” she said, smiling and licking her lips like a cat full of cream.
“What have you been waiting for?” He played with her hair and nipped at a pert nipple.
“You to take me like a woman and not a breakable object.”
“Have I been?”
“Yes. I won’t break. Lord knows I’ve had enough accidents to prove it.” She put her arms around his neck and pulled her face up to his. “I want you to take me however and whenever you want. I am yours. Always.”
“You are making us very happy.”
“Us?”
Gil looked down at the erection that had grown with her words of commitment. Darcy looked down and laughed.
“I’m glad I could make you two happy.”
A knock at the door stopped her laughter.
“Yes?” Gil called.
“There’s a tray out here for the two of you.” A giggle. “Sounds like you’re gonna need some energy.”
The footsteps departed, and he rolled out of bed. Gil crossed the room and opened the door. He grabbed the tray quickly, then closed and locked
the door.
“What did they leave us? I forgot how hungry I was.” Darcy sat up cross-legged on the bed. Her dark hair hung over her shoulder, curling around a breast. The flush on her cheeks and her swollen lips begged for more loving.
Gil’s heart squeezed at the sight of her. He’d never thought loving someone could fill a person with such pride and fierce loyalty.
He cleared his throat and continued to the bed. “Looks like cold beef, rolls, strawberry preserves.” He set the tray on the bed in front of her and sat on the opposite side.
Darcy took a piece of meat and bit into it. “Mmmm. Not bad.” The lines of worry furrowing her brow meant she thought of something other than another round in the bed.
“What do I say to Craven tomorrow?” Her worried eyes searched his face.
“Just sit by him and flirt a little. Ask him questions about himself. See if you can find out where he’s headed.” He took her hand. “I’ll be in the same car watching everything. I won’t let him touch you.” He kissed her hand. “I promise.”
“How will he not notice you?” She turned her hand entwining their fingers.
“I’ll be dressed in business clothes. He’s only seen me in my trail clothes. He won’t think a gunslinger would be all dandied up.” He smiled trying to make light of the situation. Craven was too self-centered to connect two well-dressed adults with either he or Darcy. But there was still the slight chance the man was brighter than he’d shown so far.
Darcy picked up a roll and smeared it with preserves. Gil shifted, bumping the cold tray into her legs. Darcy jumped, tossing the roll with preserves on Gil.
The look on her face as the roll slid down his chest told him she’d put tomorrow out of her thoughts. She giggled and covered her mouth. Gil arched his eyebrow and plucked the roll from his body.
Darcy leaned over the tray and ran her tongue up his chest, licking the preserves. He shoved the tray to the side, allowing her closer. Her small, soft tongue across his skin lit a bonfire in his belly. By the time she’d cleaned his chest, he was hard and hungry. Not for food. She lowered her head, giving his maleness the same attention she’d shown his torso.
Gil groaned and leaned back, allowing her all the freedom she wanted.
When Darcy pushed her hair back from her face and looked at him, he knew she wanted more. She smiled wickedly and slithered up his body, making sure every inch of her touched his heated appendage.
Gil moaned in ecstasy as her small body slid over his. He’d bedded women before, but none had cared to make him crave them.
He wanted to throw her on her back and thrust so hard he touched her heart, but he could play her game. He would make her squirm and squeal with pleasure before he let himself go. His hands trailed over her body, kneading her here, barely touching there. His fingers danced across the hair at the juncture of her legs. Her breath sucked in. The curly hair grasped his fingers, urging him deeper. He found the nub he sought. Her body came alive under his knowledgeable fingers. She squirmed and arched. He lowered his head and tasted her.
Her breath became ragged as he tasted and kneaded her breasts.
“Oh! I can’t take anymore. Please, do something.” Her breathless plea nearly sent him over the edge. Spreading her legs wide, he knelt between them and raised her to him. With one thrust, he found the embrace he craved. He started slow, gradually thrusting harder and faster until her climax squeezed and pulled him deeper. He thrust once more, sending his love into her depths. Spent and filled with an aching tenderness for the woman beneath him, Gil pulled her limp body to his.
He had to find a way to keep her safe even at the risk of making her mad.
Chapter 19
In the morning, they dressed hurriedly. Gil tightened Darcy’s corset and for a moment thought about using the strings to tie her to the bedpost. A large part of this depended on her, but he worried about her safety. He took her face in his hands and looked down at the small nose dusted with freckles.
“Promise me if I tell you to run you will run. Don’t look back.”
She turned her head and kissed his palm. “Only if I know you’re safe.”
“No!” She had to listen to reason. Her life could depend on it. “If I tell you and Jeremy to ‘get’, you have to go. And know I will do whatever necessary to get back to you. I couldn’t bear to think you would be hurt trying to help me.” He embraced her to his beating heart. She wound her arms around his neck. If only they could head to the ranch and forget about Craven and the stolen goods. They couldn’t return to the ranch until he rounded up Pete.
He held her away and stared into her trusting, gray eyes before crushing his lips down on hers in a need to taste and feel her. There’d never be another woman move him as this accident-prone hell cat.
He pulled away from her lips and rested his forehead on hers. “Promise, you will do everything I tell you today. It could make the difference in how our lives turn out.”
“I will.” Her big eyes searched his face.
He tipped his head to kiss her, and she pulled back.
“You have to promise to be careful. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Nothing he’d ever heard sounded so sweet. “I promise.” He held her in his arms and savored her sweet lips. Once they were at the train station they had to appear as strangers.
“We have to go,” she said, pulling out of his arms. Gil rubbed a hand over his face and stared down at her. She was so strong and looked so fragile.
“You’re right.” He helped button her dress. As Darcy pinned a small hat with a large ribbon and three feathers onto her hair at a jaunty angle, Gil slipped his arms into a black, wool suit coat. He caught their reflection in the mirror as he took her arm. They looked like a young couple fresh from the pages of Sears and Roebuck. He smiled, plopped a bowler on his freshly cut hair, and escorted her out the door.
They had only a short amount of time to get Jeremy and get on the train before Craven showed up. Gil bought rolls at the bakery on their way to the station. He handed one to Jeremy and one to Darcy. He kissed her cheek and strolled up to the train and boarded. From a seat at the back of the car, he watched Jeremy climb up the steps of the last car.
The train whistle blew, and Craven hurried to the station lugging a carpetbag. When the porter tried to take it from him, he yelled at the man and climbed on board the train, dragging the bag up the stairs. Craven sat down, maneuvered the bag between his feet, and wiped the sweat from his brow.
The train moved slightly. Gil looked around for Darcy. She hadn’t boarded. He started to get out of his seat when she bustled through the door, chattering like a magpie with the porter. He smiled as her voice bounced off the walls in a nasally twang.
“I never had such good service on a train before,” Darcy found Gil in the last seat and winked at him as she patted the porter on the arm. “You just run the tidiest little operation.” She smiled sweetly and batted her lashes. She’d spent the time alone on the station platform remembering some of the women she’d been around in the past. Eliza Hopkins was a woman in Portland who befriended her and Jeremy. It didn’t take Darcy long to figure out the woman could out talk Jeremy, and that men, while finding her fetching to look at, would after a short period of time tune her out. She was hoping to have that effect on Craven.
She swished her skirts up the aisle and stopped by Craven.
“Sir, may I have the honor of sitting beside you?” She didn’t wait for an answer. Smoothing her skirt behind her bottom, she sat gracefully on the seat and situated her skirt. She looked over at him and smiled, batting her eyelashes just a bit, but not too much. Too much made you look like a ninny.
The train jerked, shushed steam along the sides, and moved forward.
“Is this your first trip on a train?” she asked, placing a hand on Craven’s arm.
He looked down at the hand then back up at her smiling face. He smoothed his yellowed mustache with a plump hand and smiled back salaciously.
“My, that is exciting!” she squealed and patted his arm again. “Did you go back to visit family? I have family in Atlanta and Saratoga.” She hoped he didn’t know those towns since she just threw them out there. She’d heard them mentioned in her travels, but didn’t even know for sure what state or states they were in.
He smiled apologetically. “No. I’ve never had the pleasure of traveling in the south.”
“That’s too bad,” she cooed and breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn’t have to lie her way through a conversation about the cities since he hadn’t been there. “So tell me about Boston and what you do?” She leaned toward him just enough her bosoms peeked out at him. A sick feeling swirled in her stomach when he looked down and licked his lips. The lecherous gleam in his eyes had her wondering about Gil’s idea. She didn’t want the vulgar man to jump her, and Gil run to the rescue before they got Craven to the back of the train.
Craven cleared his throat and began a tale of his travels and how he was a large landowner in the growing town of Galena.
She listened intently over the chunk-a-chunk-a of the metal wheels on the iron rails as the train rolled along at a good speed and wondered what was in the bag he’d stashed between his feet. He had a hold of the strap with one hand as though he thought someone would snatch it from him.
When he stopped for air, she asked, “Where are you headed today?”
He looked at her suspiciously then pulled a cigar out of his pocket and bit off the end. She sat beside him demurely, acting as though the question a mere formality and he needn’t answer if he didn’t want to.
Lighting the cigar, he sucked in and puffed out a rancid stream of smoke. She refrained from waving the putrid smoke away with a gloved hand.
“I’m headed to Portland to find some financial backing for a stamp mill.” He puffed on his cigar and smiled wickedly.
“Oh my, that sounds exciting. What is a stamp mill?” Darcy leaned closer, shifting enough to give him an eyeful and hope he would soon give her a lead-in to get him to the back of the train.