Women, Whiskey & Gold

by Dawn, Autumn

“I have enough of that, too. That’s not what I’m after.” His gaze smoldered with a slow heat as it moved slowly over her. Appreciation for a lovely view softened his expression. “My intentions are honorable.”

  That made her blink. It was the first time he’d hinted of such. “You’ve an odd way of courting, then.”

  A tiny smile curved his mouth. “Your grandfather threatened to geld me when I spoke to him.”

  She snorted. “Don’t doubt he would have.”

  “You would never accept my invitations. Regardless of what you thought, I did not raid your cows in punishment.”

  Suspicion clouded her eyes. She didn’t believe him.

  “I think my messengers took on more authority than they should have, and I am looking into the matter. My honor is at stake. Even if you accept Dakota Eagle, I’d like the chance to prove my innocence to you.”

  A rider came into view, but kept his distance. Anger radiated from him even at this range.

  “Dakota doesn’t look happy,” Tochtli said wryly.

  Suddenly Charlie was furious with Dakota. How dare he act so possessive? How dare he come into her life and flip it upside down? She hadn’t had a breath in days that wasn’t full of him. “I’ll go to your party.”

  Tochtli’s head whipped back to her. “You will? Of course. I look forward to it.” He stayed by her side as Dakota rode slowly toward them. Dakota’s expression was hard as he looked between them.

  “Good day, Eagle. Until we meet again,” Tochtli said with a rakish grin. He tipped his hat to Charlie, who calmly watched him ride away.

  “That was foolish, Charlie.” Low and cold, Dakota’s voice vibrated with anger. “Why are you encouraging him?”

  She studied him. “As he said, we’re going to be neighbors for a long time. Why shouldn’t we bury the hatchet?”

  “What, in his back?”

  “He claims he’s not behind the rustling.”

  “And you believe him? Convenient that it’ll stop now that you have more men patrolling the place.”

  She contemplated his horse’s shoulder. “Interesting thought.” My, didn’t she feel better knowing he’d be around to protect her. Her lip curled.

  “And you agreed to attend Mr. Interesting’s fiesta.”

  She shrugged. “It’s been a little dull around here. Why shouldn’t I? You were invited, if you’re worried about my virtue.”

  A muscle jumped in his jaw.

  “We’re not married yet, cowboy,” she said softly, moving her horse into a walk. “Buying the ranch is within your means; controlling me isn’t. Don’t forget the difference.”

  He had the sense to remain quiet.

  Charlie and her sisters sat on their horses on a quiet rise above the ranch, watching the activity. The situation called for a family meeting, though Harmon was not invited.

  “At least someone else is working around here for a change,” Alex said thoughtfully. She was trying to be fair, though she was still angry.

  “He could have warned us,” Charlie said grimly. “We had the right to know.”

  “It will be safer, though,” Sydney said quietly. “I feel safer.”

  Charlie grunted.

  “I don’t care if they build ten barns,” Gabe said flatly, “If it means I never have to chase another bawling cow, I’ll die happy.”

  “Yeah.” Max laughed. “I like them in steak form, well done and on my plate.”

  “Half burnt, you mean.” Gabe retorted.

  “Just because you like yours still kicking…”

  “You’re missing the fact that they’re taking over,” Charlie broke in. “We can’t let Dakota get away with flashing his money, building things, doing stuff his way.”

  “I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Gabe said impatiently. “Don’t you get it? This means no more cows. We’re free.”

  Charlie looked at her. “No, you don’t get it. Those men out there are Eagle’s cowboys. They don’t owe us any loyalty. We own most of the ranch, but if we stop working it, the Eagles will end up owning it in all but name. Harmon gave us a piece of the business, but it’s not a ticket to laziness.”

  They were silent for a moment, absorbing that. “It’ll be easier though, won’t it? We don’t have to worry as much,” Sydney insisted. The security was very important to her.

  Charlie smiled sourly. “Sure. In fact, you should know that we’ve been invited to a party at Tochtli’s. I think we should use our new free time to go.”

  Sydney’s eyes widened. “But he’s a bad man!”

  Alex studied Charlie and shrugged. “All the local families are invited. He won’t try anything in a crowd. It would be fun to dance.” For someone who didn’t get much practice, she was a good dancer.

  “Sure. We could buy new dresses, too,” Charlie said, knowing it would capture their attention. “How would you ladies like to ride to town today?”

  Max’s eyes widened. “Today? Show the way, sis!”

  Alex laughed. “Playing hooky; I like it.”

  Charlie smirked. Let Dakota and Harmon scheme; they were going to regret it.

  The younger girls got traditional party dresses. Charlie and Alex were more practical.

  “That’s a dress?” Max said skeptically as she looked Charlie over that Saturday. The wagon was already in front of the house and they were putting the last touches on their outfits.

  Charlie smoothed her hands over her brown leather obi. It was adorned with buckles and a red sash. “I like it.” She had a close fitting sleeveless black dress with side slits in the skirt and loose cotton pants underneath. Her new boots were polished to a high sheen and her cocoa duster had the lovely smell of new leather. It was an outfit built for movement, and her gun looked natural at her waist.

  “At least we can move,” Alex observed. Her dress was similar, though she’d opted for a leather corset and her dress was dark red. “I’d like to see you gunfight in that fru-fru getup you picked.”

  Max smoothed her skirts. “I am a girl. You can pack the guns; I want to look pretty for a change.”

  “We’re hardly dog meat,” Alex said tartly.

  If Dakota’s arrested expression was any indication, they were looking pretty good. He was waiting for them on the porch, dressed in his best, and he looked at Charlie like a thirsty man sighting water. While he hadn’t asked to join their party, no one was surprised to see him.

  Charlie ignored the thrill of his silent appreciation and headed for the wagon. She was the driver, and Alex was riding her own horse. Somehow she wasn’t surprised to see Levi ride up to join them. “Looks like the boys are here, so now we can party,” she said with mock enthusiasm.

  Levi wasn’t shy about checking Alex out. “Bet Harmon was thrilled with your party clothes,” he said mildly. “Where is he, anyway?”

  “Recovering from our party clothes,” Alex said with satisfaction. “Shall we?”

  Chapter 5

  Lord Tochtli’s calli was a sprawling, a two story adobe fortress blazing with light. Laid out in the shape of a horseshoe, it boasted manicured gardens and servants aplenty. Stable boys took their horses and Tochtli met them at the door. His beautiful almond eyes flared as he took in Charlie’s unusual attire. “Ah, cuacualti, you never disappoint.” He kissed her hand and smiled cordially at Dakota, who’d positioned himself at Charlie’s side, stoically ignoring her annoyed elbows. “Eagle.” His gaze included Levi in the spare greeting.

  “Tochtli.”

  “Please, enjoy yourself.” Tochtli kissed Alex’s hand, showing her the same appreciation, and gallantly greeted their sisters. “You’ll find games on the back lawn if the dancing doesn’t suit you,” he said conspiratorially. “We have lemonade and croquet-by-torchlight, and there’s to be a piñata later.” Gabe and Sydney exchanged excited glances and Max tried desperately to appear too old to be interested.

  He flashed Max a charming smile. “Perhaps you would save me a dance? It seems wise to ask before the young men take th
em all.”

  Charlie studied Max’s blush and gave Tochtli points. He was a clever man, buttering up her sisters. He knew what he was doing.

  Dakota murmured as they moved away from the reception line, “Sneaky. I almost like him.”

  She smirked. “A bit subtle for your taste?”

  He smiled, his eyes soft. “You know exactly where I stand. I won’t make you guess, even if it would be more sophisticated.”

  Now she was the one blushing. Ugh.

  They moved through the house to the tiled courtyard where the musicians were warming up. A mild breeze stirred the stained glass lanterns strung around the arbor, sending the multicolored fey lights swinging. Stone Aztec golems waited on the guests. Three feet tall, broad and blocky, they reminded her of granite dwarfs. She was careful to watch her toes when they were around, just in case.

  The first strains of music began.

  “Dance with me,” Dakota said as the younger girls scattered. He wrapped an arm around her waist and swung her into a salsa before she could protest.

  It was hard to glare at him while swishing her hips. “You have a bad habit of not asking.” She tried to ignore how handsome he looked.

  His white teeth flashed. “You’re so beautiful, you make me forget my manners.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “That’ll only work once.”

  “Maybe I’m territorial and I don’t want anyone else near you,” he said shamelessly. “I’d say dancing was an excuse to keep you close, but I happen to enjoy it, too.”

  A reluctantly smile curved her lips. “At least you’re honest.”

  He drew her close, their hips nearly brushing. “I won’t hide from you. I want you for my mate.”

  She missed a step, but he steadied her. “Your mate?” she choked. “What, no courtship, no build up, nothing?” She’d known what he wanted, but to hear him bluntly say it was new. “I realize Tochtli has you sweating, but most men would take the time to court me, maybe offer flowers or something.”

  He studied her thoughtfully. “I offered you flowers last year, and you didn’t seem impressed.”

  She frowned. He’d given her three dozen roses in as many colors. She hadn’t thought he was…what, sincere? Maybe she hadn’t known what to think. It was easier to blow him off as usual.

  “I’ve invited you to dinner many times, but you always refuse. You won’t go to dances with me; tonight doesn’t count, I invited myself; and you won’t take a walk after church. You’re a hard woman to romance.”

  She cleared her throat. There was little she could say. “The music is ending.”

  He smiled at her. “Run all you like, sweetheart. I’ve decided the best thing is to sweep you off your feet; it suits my nature.”

  She was afraid he was being literal. Native American history was full of kidnapped brides, and shifters were a breed apart. If his coyote had decided she was his mate…

  “Your mother wouldn’t be happy if you misbehaved,” she warned.

  He grinned.

  The younger girls had scattered to the back yard, even Max. Charlie left the dangerous dance floor behind in the guise of checking on them. She found them squealing joyfully as they tapped croquet balls through wickets on a vast lawn illuminated with torches. A pool rippled with light, and a servant stood discreetly by, keeping the little ones from testing the water. Alex kept watch, her expression mild.

  “Satisfied?” Dakota murmured in her ear. “They’re having fun.”

  She scrunched her shoulder. “You seemed to think it was so dangerous to come here; maybe you should guard them, too.”

  He sighed and placed his hands on her waist to whirl her back into a dance. “I wasn’t worried about your life.”

  Dancing with him was so easy, automatic. It was difficult to remain churlish. “You should dance with Alex; she rarely gets the chance.”

  “I would, but Levi might hurt me,” he said amiably.

  She laughed. “Him? He hates white women.”

  His gaze was somber. “She’s his mate.” She stumbled, and he carefully guided her to the perimeter.

  “Are you sure?” she demanded in a harsh whisper. “He’s never once acted like she could be.” It was a serious matter if Dakota was right. Shifters were tenacious, and Levi would be a serious dog-in-the-manger if he had feelings for her sister.

  He drew her deeper into the shadows. “He doesn’t like it, so he stays away. I think it’s getting harder, though. Watch.” He nodded toward Levi, who was leaning on a wall near Alex. They were clearly not together, but he gave off a definite sense of hostility. His eyes glowed with soft menace from the shadows, promising a gruesome death to rivals. There was no indication that Alex was aware of the way he stared any man down who approached her.

  Unsure if she should be alarmed, she looked at Dakota. “You don’t act like that!”

  His brows rose.

  She drew back, shocked. Did he behave like that when she wasn’t looking? “You said you wanted to be my mate, not that you were.” It was an important difference, for shifters could sometimes choose.

  He looked at her from under his lashes, and his eyes gleamed. “You frighten too easily.”

  She looked around, desperate for a distraction. She was actually relieved to meet Tochtli’s gaze as he glided up to them. He nodded at Dakota and offered his hand to her. “Would you care to dance?”

  Would she! She was quick to accept, stepping smartly onto the dance floor. She refused to look at Dakota.

  “Your escort doesn’t seem to be enjoying himself,” Tochtli commented with a glace behind her.

  She wasn’t going to look… Ugh. Dakota’s eyes were glowing. She sighed. “Ignore him.”

  “My pleasure,” Tochtli smiled and whirled her into a spin. “I’d hoped you’d enjoy yourself tonight.”

  “I like dancing,” she said noncommittally. “Your house is lovely.”

  “Would you like a tour? Perhaps Alex could accompany us.”

  She sent a glance toward her sister, still alone on the sidelines, thanks to Levi. Her eyes narrowed. “Dance with her a couple of times and then ask.”

  He looked thoughtful as he took in the scene. “Does she require rescue?”

  Indignant for Alex’s sake, she said, “Dakota says Levi is her mate, but doesn’t want to be. He shouldn’t be allowed to treat her like that.”

  “Ah. Does she know what he thinks?”

  “Tonight was the first I heard anything, so I doubt she knows. He should press his suit or leave her alone. I know it’s not easy, but if she did choose someone else, the mate bond would dissolve.”

  “It’s not so easy,” Tochtli murmured. “He doesn’t look capable of allowing her to choose another. I have no fear of dancing with her, however.” He smiled brilliantly, momentarily stealing her breath. He was a handsome man; too bad she didn’t entirely trust him.

  The song ended and he escorted her to Alex’s side. “Would you care to dance?” He asked Alex with a charming smile, ignoring Levi’s silent snarl.

  Alex glanced at Charlie’s firm nod questioningly, but accepted easily enough. Charlie waited until she was busy on the dance floor before she marched up to Levi, who watched Alex’s partner with murderous intent. Deliberately blocking his view, she demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”

  He raked her with a cold look. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you need a mirror? Your eyes are glowing as you stare down every man who even looks at my sister.”

  He looked startled. “What? I didn’t mean…” He looked around like a man waking from reverie.

  “Then why are you standing here? If you’re not going to socialize, you may as well stay in the stable.”

  He looked over her shoulder at the dancers and stared, arrested. His eyes flared and he started forward.

  Charlie planted a hand on his chest. “Don’t make me shoot you. You don’t even want her.”

  “Want the woman,” he growled, and the beast glowed in hi
s eyes.

  Dakota walked casually up to them. “Down,” he said simply.

  Levi looked at his alpha. “My mate,” he sounded desperate now.

  “Not yet. You have to fight Levi for her.”

  A complex series of emotions flashed in his face, and Levi whirled around and ran off, disappearing in the darkness beyond the torchlight.

  “What happened?” Charlie asked, bewildered. “How can Levi fight himself?”

  “The beast fights him.” Dakota saw she didn’t comprehend and offered his arm to escort her around the lawn. She hesitated, but accepted when it became clear he wouldn’t speak until she did.

  He waited until they were on the perimeter of the lawn, following a darkened path, before speaking. “The beast lives within us, but is not always in accord. We learn early how to gain control of the animal, but it’s difficult to fight the instincts at times. Mating is one of the most powerful, but Levi is a stubborn man.”

  “I don’t want my sister hitched to someone who doesn’t want her.”

  He smiled without humor. “Wanting is hardly the problem. Levi desires her more than you can imagine, but he’s afraid of getting hurt again.

  “The beast doesn’t care about the past; it’s a creature of now. Because both man and beast desire Alex, the beast will use that to his advantage. It’s very cunning. The problem will be controlling it once it wins. It’s going to be very aggressive.”

  She stopped. “I’ll shoot him before I let him hurt my sister.”

  He regarded her thoughtfully. “It’s not up to you.” Before she could object, he backed her into a tree and planted his hands on either side of her. Too late, she saw his eyes were glowing. “I didn’t like your dancing with him.”

  Instinct made her cautious. “It was only a dance.”

  “He needs to know you’re mine,” he breathed and nipped her neck.

  She should have been scared and she was, but a traitorous thrill spiked her nerves. “I’m not.”

  Wrong thing to say. His kiss was rough and made her sizzle. She tore her mouth away, desperate for air, and his lips traced a line down her neck. Her moan brought him back to her lips and he kissed her with voracious hunger. When she bowed into him, unconsciously eager, he stroked her back, slid his palm over her bottom. He hauled her close, making her gasp…