He nodded. “I reckon. Give me a hand up, will ya?”
She hesitated. Every time she touched this man, her body reacted in alarming ways. Yet he looked so helpless sitting there. She knelt beside him and unbound his feet. She grabbed his arm and tugged with all her might. He lurched to his feet, then fell against her. His weight knocked her to the ground, and her breath left her in a giant swoosh of air. Stars sparkled before her eyes.
She felt his hands fumbling at her waistband. Why, he was going to— Then she felt him tugging at something. Her knife. He was after her knife.
“No,” she screamed and twisted away from him. The knife fell from its sheath at her waistband. She grabbed for the hilt, but he blocked her with his body. He put his shoulder down and pushed her backward. She fell on her backside. With a yell, she scrambled to her feet. Before he could get to the knife, she shoved him. He toppled over and cursed. She grabbed the knife, backed up and brandished the weapon at him. “You miserable polecat. You tried to trick me.”
He struggled to a seated position, glared at her, then shrugged his shoulders. “Can’t blame a guy for trying, can you?”
“And to think I was actually considering letting you go.” She stuck the knife back in its sheath. “I must be loco.”
His eyebrows rose. “Why the change of heart?”
“It doesn’t matter now. Get to your feet and get on your horse.”
“When I do get free, and I assure you I will, I’m going to turn you over my lap and spank you like the little girl you are. That’s a promise.” He rose to his feet and slowly walked over to his horse.
And waited.
Angel’s mouth pursed into a thin line. “You’ve got some nerve.” She stalked over and grabbed the horse’s reins, all the while trying to tamp down her anger. The horse skittered backward. With quiet words, she calmed the animal, then turned to Evan. “Just remember I have a gun, so don’t try anything else or I swear I’ll leave you out here for the wolves and coyotes.”
His mouth jerked down at the corners. Without another word, he put his foot in the stirrup and hoisted himself up, then swung his leg over the saddle. Angel led his horse over to where her mount waited. She climbed into the saddle and tapped her heels to the animal’s sides. “Giddup, Royal Flush.”
“What? What did you call her?” Evan yelled, his voice laced with indignation.
“You heard me.”
“Why the hell did you name her that?”
“To remind me that you can’t trust a man.” With a smug smile, she waved her rifle at him. “Now get going.”
A couple of hours later, she reined her mount to a halt. Nature’s call was too urgent to ignore any longer.
“What’s the matter? Why are we stopping?” Evan asked as he came alongside her.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just need a few minutes to…” Her voice trailed off as that knowing look appeared on his face. “Wipe that smirk off your face and get down.”
He grabbed the saddle horn with his bound hands, swung his leg over Buck’s broad back and slid to the ground. His dark brows furrowed together in a scowl. He winced as he rubbed his shoulder. “You know, Miss Devereaux, I’m getting awful tired of this.”
For a moment, compassion stirred, then she remembered he’d followed her—and why. She tightened her lips. “Too bad. You should have left me alone. You’re getting what you deserve.”
“You wronged me. You not only didn’t honor your bet, you had me beaten up and shot me, and you’re a thief as well.”
“And I’m tired of this too. I’m not a thief. I think you cheated. The odds of you pulling a royal flush were just too great. And, yes, I had you beaten up so as I could escape you and your plans for me, and, yes, I shot you because you sneaked up on my camp in the middle of the night, but I did not rob you.” She pulled her rifle from its boot and leveled it at him. “Now, are you going to do what I tell you or not?”
His gaze flicked to the rifle. “I guess so. For now.”
“Good.” She looked around. Her gaze met his, and his brows shot up as if asking what she was going to do now. She took the horses’ reins, as well as those of the pack mule, and headed off toward a small outcropping of boulders.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll escape? Run away?”
“Please do,” she yelled at him over her shoulder. “That way I’ll be rid of you. Once and for all.”
Without looking back, she marched across the prairie. When she was out of sight, she tied the reins to a small rock, then quickly took care of her business. Once done, she peeked over the rocks toward where she’d left Evan. He was there, seated on the ground, right where she’d left him. A smug smile teased her lips.
She retrieved the horses and the pack mule and led them back. As she approached him, he looked up at her. He didn’t speak, but his eyes spoke volumes.
“Get up.” She kicked at his boots.
Suddenly, his hand snaked out, grabbed her foot and flipped her backward. Caught by surprise, she crashed to the ground. She gasped and rolled sideways.
“Angel, don’t move.” Evan’s voice was little more than a whisper. “Stay still.”
Don’t move? Was he out of his mind? Had the sun robbed him of his senses?
Then she heard it. The deadly rattle.
Then she saw it. The flattened triangle of a head with elongated eyes that never left her face, and a forked tongue that flicked the air.
Every bone in her body froze. She’d heard somewhere that wild animals could smell a human’s fear. If that was the case, the snake should be getting a good whiff of her terror.
For a moment, she wondered what it would feel like if the snake’s fangs sank into her flesh, sending its deadly venom coursing through her body. How long before it struck her? The seconds ticked by, seeming like an eternity. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead and trickled down her cheeks. She bit her lip to hold back a whimper. How long? How long?
From somewhere to her right, a huge boulder crashed down on the snake. Then Evan lunged forward, another rock in his bound hands. He slammed the second rock onto the snake’s head, then put his whole weight on the rock and pushed down. The snake’s body thrashed helplessly, until finally it lay still in the dust.
She jumped to her feet and backed up, then tripped and fell, landing on her backside. Her hands shook. Try as she could, she couldn’t stop them from shaking.
“It’s all right, Angel,” Evan said as he knelt beside her. “You’re safe now. The snake’s dead.”
“You...you...you killed it.” She blinked, trying to force the tears back but failed. Big, fat tears coursed down her cheeks. She could taste their saltiness.
“Yeah, I killed it.” He reached out and gently wiped the tears away. “You’re safe.”
“I, I, I...”
He stroked her arm. “Shhhh. Just relax. It’s all over now.”
She grabbed his arm. “It was going to bite me, and then I’d have been….”
“But it didn’t bite you.”
“No, only because of you. I’m all right because of you.”
He reached out and ran a tanned finger down her cheek. She leaned into him, drawing on his strength. God knows, she had none left. She was tired of being strong. She wasn’t cut out for this type of life. She didn’t know how to deal with wild animals, men like Otis, the threat of Indians, or being self-sufficient.
She should’ve stayed home on the Delta Princess among people who loved her, who took care of her. It felt so good to be able to let down her guard—if just for a moment.
He looped his hands over her head and pulled her to his chest. Even though her brain furiously sent her a warning, she didn’t resist. In his arms, she felt safe. He smelled of horses and sweat—as she must. She placed her hand against his chest and felt the steady rhythm. The rough stubble of his beard scraped against her face.
Oh, God, what would she have done had he not been there? Would she even now be stretched out on the prairie, the venom paralyzing
her, her life ebbing away? She shuddered.
“You’re shaking,” he said. His voice rumbled low in her ear.
“I can’t help it. You were right. I don’t belong out here. I should never have come.”
“I was just blowing smoke,” he said. “You belong anywhere you want to be.”
The look in his eyes told her he was going to kiss her—and she wanted him to. Right now, she needed him to kiss her.
“I’d never let anything or anyone hurt you, my Lady Gambler,” he murmured so low she had to strain to hear his words.
She believed him.
He lowered his mouth to hers. His kiss chased her doubts away, and she surrendered to the moment. As his lips worked their magic, his hands stroked her arms and back. He whispered soothing noises into her ear.
But there was nothing soothing about his kiss. It stirred her blood to the boiling point. It made her forget everything that had happened—until now. His mouth urged her lips to part. She complied, allowing him access to the tender flesh of her mouth. As their tongues met and mated in a sensual duel, her hands circled his waist and up his back across the corded muscles of his shoulders. His fingers entwined themselves in her hair.
The hard pressure of his arousal through the rough fabric of his pants excited her. An answering need erupted inside her, and she strained against him.
She’d never wanted a man before as she wanted Evan Montgomery.
He shifted his weight, and she moaned in protest. His hands were at her waist. Pulling and tugging...
At her knife.
The realization hit her like a freight train. He hadn’t wanted her. He’d tricked her. Again.
Her body—and heart—turned cold. She rose to her knees and twisted out of his grasp. She gripped the handle of her knife to make sure it was still there.
“Angel, what’s the matter? Where are you going?” His eyes blazed with blue fire.
“You tricked me, you sidewinder. You’re just like that prairie rattler. You’re not to be trusted.”
“What do you mean? What are you talking about?”
“You were after my knife.”
“Yeah, to cut me free so I could—”
“So you could escape.”
“No, so I could make love to you.”
“I don’t believe you.” With a sob, she jumped to her feet, turned and ran to her horse. She grabbed the reins and vaulted into the saddle. At that moment, she didn’t really care if Evan Montgomery came with her, escaped or whatever. She just wanted away from him.
“Angel, wait. Come back. It’s the truth.”
She didn’t wait.
Chapter 6
That night Angel made camp early in a small clearing where spindly pine trees offered a measure of shade and a shallow stream meandered nearby. Exhaustion overwhelmed her. After she had stormed off, Evan had caught up to her. They hadn’t spoken the whole afternoon, and even though his hands were still tied, she knew he could have escaped at any time, but he hadn’t. Why?
After a supper of cold beans, she left him seated by the campfire and made her way to the river to wash off the trail dust. After placing her rifle against a bush, she took her clothes and boots off and waded into the stream. The cold water took her breath, and she shivered. She sucked in a breath and dove into the water.
When she surfaced, she floated on her back. An owl flew overhead, lit in the pine tree and watched her. A premonition of danger came with the bird, as it had before. Her pulse raced like a runaway locomotive. Angel swam toward the shallow end to make sure her rifle was where she’d left it. It was gone.
****
Slowly, Evan came up behind Angel. He couldn’t help but admire the picture she made. Her flame-colored hair trailed down her bare back in wet, fiery tresses. Her small waist flared into rounded hips in the thigh-high water. God, how he wanted this woman.
An owl’s hoot broke the stillness of the night. She whirled to face him, as bare as the day she was born. Her breasts were perfect, full and rounded, the coral-tipped peaks taut from the chilly water. His hands fairly itched to once again hold their perfection in his hands.
When she saw him, her lips formed a perfect ooooh, but no sound came from her mouth. She clasped her hands over her chest and sank to her knees in the water. He suppressed a sigh as her beauty disappeared from his view.
“You. How did you get loose?”
He grinned. “You did a good job on those knots. Sailor’s knots, I guess they are, but I worked them loose. I think you knew I would. You wanted me to get free, didn’t you?”
“No. That’s not true.” She shook her head. “What are you going to do?”
“I haven’t decided. What do you think I should do? After all, you’ve tricked me, had me beaten up, shot me and dragged me for days trussed up like a lamb for slaughter. What do you think would be fitting?” He shifted her rifle to his other hand.
“You would’ve done the same thing I did given the circumstances.” Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout.
“Maybe. Maybe not. Remember what I promised you?”
Her brows lifted.
“I think a good spanking is in order.”
She shook her fist at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, no? You want to make a bet on that?”
She hesitated, then lowered her eyelashes. “No.”
“Oh, come now, Mademoiselle Devereaux. You’re good at making wagers.” When she didn’t answer, he chuckled mirthlessly. “That’s what I thought. Come on, let’s get back to camp.”
She opened her eyes and stared at him. “I most certainly will not. Not until you leave.”
He pointed the rifle at the bundle of clothing at his feet. With the barrel, he picked up her shirt and waved it at her. Like a flag in front of a maddened bull. Her eyes sparked green fire—as he knew they would. “Come and get it.”
She shook her head. “You’ll pay dearly for this humiliation, Evan Montgomery.”
“Oh, not as much as you will, Angel Devereaux.” He dropped the shirt. “I don’t know why I’m doing this, but I’m going to back up to that tree then I’m going to turn my back. You’ve got three minutes to get your clothes on. Not a minute more. And I’m warning you, don’t try anything. There’s no one out here to help you. Understand?”
She nodded.
“I didn’t hear you.”
“Yes!”
“That’s better.”
“Where is my—?”
He pointed to her knife now tucked under his belt. “Oh, you mean this little old thing? I’ll just keep it for you...for safekeeping.” He backed up as he’d said he would, then turned his back to her. He heard the splash of water and then the rustle of clothing. He fought the urge to look at her.
The sound of someone running made him groan. Not again. This woman would be the death of him yet. He whirled and saw her, now fully dressed, running toward camp. He took off after her. If she got to camp before he did, she might get away. His pride couldn’t stand another beating.
In his weakened state, he had trouble catching her. He finally managed to close in on her. He tossed the rifle aside and made a diving leap toward her. He caught her by the heel of her boot, and she fell into the shallow water. She came up sputtering.
She rolled over on her back and kicked at him, her legs like powerful jabs. One foot caught him in the midsection and knocked the breath from his body. He blocked her blows with his forearm, then fell across her. Air swooshed from her body. Taking advantage of her loss of breath, he crawled on top of her, straddling her like he was riding a horse.
With the scream of an angry mountain lioness, she lashed out at him. Her fingernails clawed at his face. The skin of his cheek tore. He grabbed her hands and forced them backward over her head. Unable to move her hands, she twisted beneath him, trying to break free. Her struggles only served to awaken his body and stir the flames which had simmered there since the first moment he’d seen her. With her arms above her head, her breasts th
rust upward, as if in offering to his hungry mouth. Her wet shirt plastered to her body like a second skin revealed every delectable inch of those beautiful mounds.
She ceased struggling. “All right. You win.”
“I always do. Eventually.” He rolled slightly to one side to allow her to breathe. “It was only a matter of time.”
She sent him a murderous look.
“What am I going to do with you?” he mused aloud.
“Do what you want. I’m tired of running. I no longer care.”
“You don’t?” He leaned forward and brushed a kiss across her lips. “You don’t care if I do that?”
“It means nothing.”
“Then you won’t care if I do this?” He caught her ear lobe between his teeth and bit down ever so gently. Her body trembled beneath him.
“Or this?” With his free hand, he grazed his palm over the jutting peaks of her breasts through her wet shirt. She gasped for air and tried to twist away. He did it again, all the while watching her eyes.
“Stop it.”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
“I...I don’t. Your touch means nothing to me.” She turned her head, and he couldn’t see her eyes.
“Look at me, Angel.”
“No, I won’t.”
Evan grabbed her chin and forced her head back until he was looking into her eyes. “You want me, Lady Gambler, as much as I want you. You know it, and I know it. You may as well admit it.”
“I’ll admit no such thing because it isn’t true.”
“Liar. Your body says you’re a liar.” Once again, he caressed her breast. She writhed under him. His manhood hardened, and his breath became labored. He wanted her to admit her attraction to him. For some unexplained reason, that was important to him. Dammit, how had she gotten under his skin so quickly?
He leaned over and brushed her lips with his. The honey of her mouth intoxicated him. Her lips parted beneath his, allowing him into the sweet recesses. He flicked his tongue against hers. Her body shuddered, as did his. Lost in the kiss, he released her hands. Her hands entwined in his hair as she pulled him closer. Evan’s mouth plundered hers, and he realized he wanted this woman, more than just her body. He wanted her respect, her friendship, her heart? No, that was just lust he felt. He loved...Mary...his fiancée.
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