“Now?” he asked, his hoarse voice holding both a demand and surprise.
“Yes, now,” she whispered and cried out with pleasure as he lowered her down on him, the feel of him entering her enough to bring on a blinding release of her mindless desire. She was faintly aware of how quickly he joined her in the sweet depths of passion.
Ella murmured with a lingering pleasure as Harrigan laid her down in the soft grass and held her close. They were both still breathing heavily and she smiled with a mixture of delight and surprise. She rubbed her cheek against his smooth damp chest and trailed her fingers up and down his thigh. There had to be something in the air of the little glade, for she was still feeling very hungry for him, and very daring. Hot, fast, and furious was very nice, but now she wanted slow, gentle, and lingering.
She sat up, picked up her camisole, and used it to lightly rub dry her hair. Her nudity only bothered her for a second. Harrigan had made it very clear that he enjoyed looking at her, and tonight she felt inclined to let him look his fill. She idly wondered if it was the soft touch of moonlight that made her feel beautiful enough to be so brazen.
He sat up behind her and gently covered her breasts with his hands. Ella leaned back against him and watched as he used his fingers to tease the tips of her breasts until they were taut and aching. She offered no resistance as he turned her to face him. When he lowered his mouth to lathe and suckle her breasts, she curled her fingers in his thick, damp hair and held him there, wishing she had the strength to linger at that precise stage of her passion. It felt so good she wanted to enjoy it for hours, but knew that was impossible.
When he started to trail kisses down to her midriff, she knew what he was planning to do. Scandalous though it was, she liked it, and it was an effort to gently stop him, tugging his face up to hers so that she could kiss him. He had given her that pleasure several times and she decided it was time she returned the favor.
The moment she ended the kiss, she began to move her mouth down his body. She licked and nipped her way down his chest, the taste of him, the feel of his warm skin beneath her lips, heating her blood. He threaded his hands in her hair as she moved to kneel in front of him, caressing every inch of his strong thighs with her mouth and her hands. When she touched her mouth to the tip of his erection the groan that escaped him startled her. Fearing she had erred, she started to pull away, but he pulled her back.
Harrigan closed his eyes and shuddered as her tongue stroked him. He sought the strength to enjoy the pleasure she was giving him, but it was so intense he knew he could not last for long. When she enclosed him in the moist heat of her mouth, he doubted he could last longer than a heartbeat or two.
Knowing he had to cool his blood a little or he would not be able to give her any return for the delight she had gifted him with, he pulled her away even as he fell back onto the grass. He tugged her on top of him, gritting his teeth when she straddled him and lightly rubbed herself against him. With her passionate nature running wild and free, Ella was almost more than he could handle.
Harrigan felt his competitive nature flicker to life a small voice in his head scolding him for letting her rule in passion’s game. It was obvious that Ella was taking great pleasure in driving him mad, and he decided to steal a little of that for himself. Slowly he eased her further up his body until he had free access to her firm, ivory breasts.
Delicious,“ he murmured as he licked each hardened tip.
Ella shivered and tried to move against him, but he held her by her hips, keeping a little distance between their bodies. “Harrigan, I thought—”
He nuzzled his face against her breasts. “God, you even smell like roses. And I begin to believe that you have been doing a little too much thinking.”
“I have?” She gasped when he drew the tip of her breast deep into his mouth and pulled on it in a slow, rhythmic manner as if they had all the time in the world. “Maybe I have, but I don’t think I can do much more of this.”
“Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we.”
Her soft gasp of pleasure as he turned his attention to her other breast was like a caress to his ears. He took his time and savored the freedom she was allowing him, using his hands and his mouth to stir her, pausing between each leisurely caress to view the results of his handiwork. His body began to protest his meandering, and he edged her up a little further, turning his attentions to the smooth skin of her stomach.
It was not until he touched a kiss to her navel that he felt the first hint of resistance. He ignored it, pulling her that last inch forward. She tried to pull back, to close herself to his look and his touch, but he would not allow it.
The feel of Harrigan’s mouth on the inside of her thigh stole away Ella’s hesitancy. The only tension she felt was her body’s anticipation of what he would do next, its aching eagerness for the intimate kiss he was about to give her. She breathed her acceptance when his lips touched her, opening to him in eager welcome at the first slow stroke of his tongue. Ella allowed him complete freedom, not caring what he did so long as the exquisite feelings racing through her body continued.
He kept her teetering on the edge of release and she both cursed and blessed him. Finally, she knew even his skill could not forestall the need of her body any longer and she called to him. He suddenly pulled her down his body, sitting up as he did so. Ella gasped with the sharp pleasure that tore through her as he joined their bodies. He leaned her back and slowly took one nipple deep into his mouth even as he began to move her body against his. Ella felt her insides explode as wave after wave of delight ripped through her. Even as she sank beneath the weight of her own desires, she felt him press her down tightly against him as he cried out her name and greedily accepted the warmth of his release as it poured into her body.
When Harrigan finally eased out of her arms, Ella shivered from the chill of his absence. She hurried to the edge of the water, cleaned up, and began to put her clothes on. A quick glance at Harrigan revealed that he was also getting dressed. It was as if they had both decided at the same time that the magic of the glade had fled.
“Rose and Willie will wonder what’s happened to us,” she said as she finished buttoning her gown and began to pin up her hair.
“I think they know exactly what this place can do to a person,” Harrigan said, and smiled faintly. “Willie had a little grin on his face when he told me how to get here.” He laughed when she frowned, then blushed. “Don’t look so concerned. They’ll be asleep by the time we return. We can sneak into the bedroom by the window. I opened it before we left, thinking to let some of the cool night air in.”
“Creeping to bed like sneaky children,” she murmured as he took her by the hand and started to walk toward the house.
“I would prefer to curl up on that soft grass and sleep right there, but I don’t think it’d be good for you. And you need your rest, because we have to get an early start in the morning.” He inwardly cursed when he felt her steps falter slightly, knowing he had destroyed the last lingering pleasure of the glade, and wishing he had found another way to tell her they would be leaving in the morning.
“Back on the trail to Philadelphia?”
“Yes.”
Ella took a deep breath and fought down the urge to rail at him. He had never faltered in his determination to do the job he’d been hired to do. A few special moments in a moonlit glade could not change his mind. She told herself to savor those moments, that they would make a very pleasurable memory, and then inwardly sighed. Memories were nice, but she knew she was going to spend many a night wishing she had the man instead.
Chapter Thirteen
“Please say there’s a town just up ahead and that you intend to stop in this one,” Ella said, afraid she had not kept all hint of a whine out of her voice.
Although Harrigan had been taking it very slow since leaving the Lindons, stopping for plenty of rest periods, it had been three long days on horseback and she wanted a few extra comforts. If nothing else,
it would break the monotony. Riding mile after mile after mile had to be the most boring thing she had ever done. Since they were not racing across the country like pony express riders, they were crossing a certain area for a couple of days at a time, which meant she saw far too much monotonous scenery.
The only change there had been in day after day of grasslands was the sighting of the mountains that loomed just ahead of them. They made a change, but they were not a welcome sight. She knew they were the last barrier to Philadelphia.
She and Harrigan still did not talk about Harold and Philadelphia, but that little game was getting harder and harder to play now that they could see the mountains. At times she had the urge to shake him until his teeth rattled, but even if she found the strength to do it, it would not change his mind. What annoyed and hurt her more now was that he also knew their time together was severely limited, yet he said and did nothing. There was still no hint of anything more than passion from the man. She knew that, if it was not a case of cutting off her own nose to spite her face, she would stop giving in to her desires and let him finish the ride to Philadelphia gaining nothing more than cold silence from her. Ella knew that the minute he handed her to Harold she would have more cold silence than she wanted and it would last for the rest of her life.
“We should ride into a town by evening,” he answered, breaking into her dark thoughts. “I did think I would try one last time to spend a comfortable night in a hotel.”
“There should be a fairly good one in the next town because we’re getting closer and closer to established areas of settlement, older towns with far more amenities.”
She watched him closely to see if he had any reaction to her reminder that they drew near to their final destination. There was only a faint tightening of his features. It was not an easy expression to read. He could be feeling as downcast as she was or simply fearing that she was about to break her promise and start to plague him about Harold again. She sighed and firmly told herself to stop trying to guess what he was feeling. It was impossible.
They approached the town cautiously and Ella knew Harrigan was looking for her aunt. She was able to find a small touch of amusement in the fact that a big, strong man like Harrigan was going in fear of her tiny aunt. It also showed her that he feared she could succeed in rescuing Ella and that raised Ella’s hopes a little. After all, if Harrigan believed it was possible, why shouldn’t she?
They stabled their horses, but Harrigan did not begin to relax until they were secured in their hotel room. He ordered her a bath and then left to go to the barber’s for a bath and a shave. Even though she knew it was a waste of time, Ella checked the door and window before she settled down to the business of enjoying a nice, hot, relaxing bath. Once she discovered that she was securely locked in her room, she knew there would also be a boy or two watching the hotel from the outside and she saw no point in wasting valuable time and energy trying to find an escape route that did not exist.
While her bath was being prepared, she stared out the window. To her utter dismay, the mountains were clearly visible. For the duration of their stay in the hotel she would be reminded of how close they were to the end of her journey, and, whether Harrigan chose to believe it or not, the possible end of her life. She shook away a sudden chill and hastily climbed into her bath the moment the maid left the room. If she had to, she would close the curtains. Harrigan and she did not have many nights left together and she did not want a view of the mountains to spoil them.
Harrigan took one last check of his face, decided the barber had done an excellent job, and paid the man more than he had asked. A hot bath, clean clothes, and a good shave had put him in a very good humor. He strolled back to the hotel, paid the boy who had been standing guard, and then lit a cigar.
As he slowly breathed out the rich smoke of the cigar, he caught himself carefully surveying the street again and cursed. He was beginning to see Ella’s aunt around every corner. If anyone found out how hard he was trying to elude one tiny woman, how constantly he watched for her, and how fast he ran from her, he could easily become the object of ridicule. The woman had the distressing habit of popping up where and when one least expected her.
Harrigan found himself wondering what George’s fascination with Louise stemmed from. George was a quiet, controlled, steady, level-headed man. Louise seemed to be all emotion. George always spoke precisely and softly. Louise said whatever popped into her head and often said it very loudly. If he had been presented with a dozen young women, including Louise, and told to pick a match for George, Harrigan would never have chosen Louise Carson. George, however, had been immediately and forcefully struck by the woman, unable to get her out of his mind from the moment he saw her. Harrigan could not see how it could work out for George, but he did wish the man the best of luck.
He rather envied George, even though the man might not get the future he craved with Louise. George knew what he wanted and had no doubts, no fears, no complications. In fact, the only hindrance George suffered from was the one created by Harrigan. As he ground the cigar butt beneath the heel of his boot, Harrigan dearly wished that his life was so simple.
“There he is,” Joshua whispered as he peered around the corner of the saloon and watched Harrigan put out his cigar. “You have some luck, Louise. You find the fool every time you step off the train.”
“But I don’t catch him, do I?” Louise frowned when George peered around her to look at Harrigan. “You better not warn him. I still have that gag.”
“I gave my word that I would not help him,” George said.
“No need to puff up with insult. I was just reminding you.” She frowned again, lightly rubbing her hand over her chin as she watched Harrigan enter the hotel. “At least he hasn’t seen us this time. I was starting to fret about that. Thought I had lost my touch.” She grinned when Joshua laughed softly.
“Never, m’dear,” Joshua drawled. “No one can be as sneaky as you are.”
“I suppose I’m to take that as a compliment. The best way to go about this may be to seek Harrigan out in his hotel room. We’ll just go to his door, knock on it, and grab him when he opens it.”
“That’s your best idea?” Joshua shook his head. “Why, that’s almost as clever as sticking your foot in front of a train.”
“It could work.”
“There are a few dozen people in that hotel. We’ll be seen and they’ll probably call in the law. You know they always think me and the boys are just coming to steal things or cause trouble. I doubt they’ll even let us start up the stairs before someone begins screaming for the sheriff.”
“I know it may be tricky.” She ignored Joshua’s scornful laugh. “I do, however, believe it holds the best chance for success. Every time we’ve tried to grab him out in the open, he’s gotten away. This time, if we can catch him inside of that room, we can corner him. Where can he go? Out the window?”
“How do we find out what room he is in?” asked Manuel, standing behind the much shorter George and peering over the man’s head.
“I already know,” replied Louise, pointing to the middle window on the second floor. “I’ve seen Ella in the window several times already. She was probably trying to see just how trapped she was.”
“She could just be looking for Harrigan to return,” George murmured, smiling faintly when Louise whirled around to glare at him. “It was just a thought.”
“You’re treading on dangerous ground, George,” Louise warned him.
He shrugged. “Merely a suggestion.”
“Well, keep that kind of suggestion to yourself. Now, Manuel, you can stay here with this fool.”
“I’ve said that I will neither help nor warn Harrigan.”
“Yes, for as long as you’re my prisoner. If I leave you alone, you could easily desert our little camp. Once you’re back with Harrigan, you don’t have to hold to that promise any longer.”
“I would never desert you, Louise,” George said softly, smiling briefly when
the four young men laughed.
Louise blushed, glared at all five men, and turned back toward the hotel. “It seems I’ve finally found a use for you, George. We failed in trying to make a trade of you for Ella. But, by keeping you with us, we deprive Harrigan of your assistance. It’s a lot easier to corral one stallion than two.”
“You’ve not had much success in corralling that particular stallion.”
“Oh, shut your mouth.”
“When are we going in?” asked Edward. “We might as well do it now, don’t you think?”
“No. Harrigan will be getting them a dinner soon. Let the poor girl have something decent to eat first. When I think they have had enough time to eat, I’ll go in and charm the room number out of the desk clerk. Joshua, while I have him distracted, you, Edward, and Thomas slip up the stairs. I’ll join you as soon as I can and then we’ll finally get that scoundrel.”
“You dismissed the boy early tonight,” Ella said as Harrigan entered their room and locked the door.
Harrigan eyed her a little warily. “So you know about the boys, huh?”
“Of course I do. You didn’t think I would just sit here all sweet and complacent when you left me alone, did you? I checked and rechecked every possible means of escape. I noticed the boys the first time you hired them.”
“I thought it would give me and George a little rest from time to time. Now that George is gone, it’s a necessity.”
“This little trip is costing you a lot of money.”
He cast her a mildly disgusted look as he hung up his hat and coat. “No need to look so pleased with that. I was given money before I left to defray my expenses. At the time I thought it was far too much, but saw no point in correcting the man’s assumption about travel expenses. The rich travel differently. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to benefit from that a little.”
Wild Roses Page 16