by Sabine Starr
She slapped his hand away. “Life is not a dream. You do not get to be crude with me.”
“If I want crude, I get crude.”
“You get nothing except . . . I apologize. There. Is that what you came for? I’m sorry.”
“I like an apology on your lips, but it’s not what I came for.” He rubbed a thumb across her lower lip, massaging till he reached moisture. “Your lips are made for a lot better things than apologies.”
Chapter Four
Rune abandoned Angel’s luscious mouth to slide his hand down her long, smooth throat till his fingers enclosed her delicate neck. It’d be so easy to take total, final revenge. Too easy. He wanted much more than that.
Some things men take for granted, namely a woman’s love. Only when it’s gone do they take notice. Rune was one of those men and he’d paid a high price for his lack of attention. Only Angel could give him adequate return on his investment.
“You owe me,” he said, voice cool, body hot.
“I apologize again. There’s nothing more I can do.” She pushed against his chest. She hit him over his heart. She stomped his boot.
“Smart.” He ignored the pain. “You didn’t try to pull my hand away.”
“Jailhouse education?”
“You get two payback choices.” He stroked down her neck to her shoulder, eyeing the slope of her full breasts bound by a tight corset. He wanted to set those soft mounds free. He’d dreamed about doing just that for so long. He wanted to see if reality met fantasy. Instead, he grasped both her shoulders in his hands.
“Turn me loose right this moment, or you’ll be continuing to learn in prison.” She kicked his shin.
“One. I get you fired from your schoolteacher job by letting your employer know you rode with outlaws in Indian Territory. Plus, you have the nerve to write dime novels.”
Angel gasped and grew still.
“Two. You agree to do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“What’s it to be? One or two.” He shook her, but only slightly, to make his point.
“I don’t know how you even found me.”
“Beside the point.” He acted more Loki than Odin but doubted if she knew the difference. You could reason with one, but not the other.
“I’m not making a stupid choice like that. You let me go now and we’ll forget all about this nasty little incident.”
He squeezed her shoulders, hard this time. “Your choice. If you want to go, I’ll let you. But I’ll ride straight to Bonham and you’ll never get another teaching job.”
“You wouldn’t do that.”
“It’s what you did to me.”
“But—”
“I lost everything. You gave me no choice.” He stroked her shoulders, gentling her like he would a wild mare. “I’m giving you one.”
She shrugged half-heartedly to remove his hands.
“One or two.”
“I have a life. I can’t just run off with you.”
“You did once.”
“That was different. You rescued me from those outlaws.”
“Nobody to rescue you now.”
“Rune, listen to yourself. This makes no sense.”
“Guess you made your choice. One. He dropped his hands, tipped his hat, and turned to walk away.
“Wait!”
He headed toward the main street, but he moved like a turtle to give her time to change her mind.
“Rune!” She grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
“You can slow me down, but you can’t stop me.”
“I didn’t make a choice.”
“No?”
“I’m out of school for the summer. I have obligations, but I suppose I can make a little time for you.”
Rune shook his head. “One or two. No negotiations.”
Angel stamped her boot. “If you’re going to be that way . . . two!”
“Good choice.” He grinned. “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“That falls under whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want.”
“Don’t push your luck.” She pulled down his face, smacked his lips, and started to step back.
“Not good enough.”
He took off his hat and held it aside. With his other hand he drew her against the length of him, feeling her warmth, smelling her lavender toilet water, and tasting her sweetness as he planted a kiss on her cool mouth.
Nipping and nibbling her lips, he felt them heat and swell under his touch. She sighed, sounding as pent up as he felt, and he slipped his tongue into her honeyed depths. He growled with need, grasping the back of her head so he could control her body, if not her soul. He feasted on her, plunging deep into her mouth, stroking down her back with long fingers, pushing against her . . . hot and hard.
No world except Angel existed until he heard a man clear his throat several times at the entrance to the alley. Reality dashed him like cold water. He thrust her behind him for protection, put on his hat, and wheeled to confront the intruder.
A man with his feet wide apart, hand near his Peacemaker stood on the boardwalk watching them. Sunlight glinted off the marshal badge on his vest.
“Ladies at the Wolfpath got me out of the shade. You the troublemaker?”
Chapter Five
“Yes, he certainly is a troublemaker.” Angel stepped around Rune, adjusting her wig and hat with one hand. Rescue was here.
“Don’t forget our agreement,” Rune said, low enough for her ears only.
She hesitated, calculating the odds. This was her best opportunity to get Rune Wulfsson out of her life. Yet there was their bargain. . . and his threat. Her emotions warred with her intellect. And that didn’t begin to address her traitorous body.
Conscience or no conscience, she had too much to lose to turn him over to the law. For the moment, he held the winning hand.
She took a deep breath as she moved forward. “Marshal, my name is Angelica. I’m the author of Sweet Rescue in the Indian Territory. ”
“That’s what they tell me.”
She gave him a little flirty smile. “I’m reading to the Red River Book Club today.”
“Know it. The wife’s there. She’s been prattling on about your book for a month of Sundays.”
“How kind of her.”
“Last thing I want is some kind of worry over you.” He glared at Rune, hand still near his Peacemaker. “Does this troublemaker need to be put in jail so you can finish your reading?”
Angel forced an amused chuckle. “Not today. I thought the ladies would enjoy a demonstration of how real life invigorates the written word.”
“From what I could see, looked pretty invigorating to me.”
“Perhaps our demonstration got a little out of hand.”
“That mean you don’t want him arrested?”
“Correct.”
“And you’ll finish reading so my wife will cook that fried-chicken supper she promised me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay.” He gave Rune a hard stare. “A word of warning. Civilized citizens of Dennison, Sherman, and parts around here don’t cotton to such activity in public. You want to kiss, do it in private.”
“Please accept my apologies.” Rune stepped forward and clasped Angel’s hand. “In my ardor, I lost my senses.”
“Any more disturbances of the peace and you’ll lose your freedom. I’m being lenient here because of the wife.”
“Thank you.” Rune held out his elbow like a gentleman for Angel to grasp.
“We’ve learned our lesson.” Angel smiled, tucking her fingers around Rune’s arm. “If you’ll excuse us, we’ll go right back to Wolfpath Mercantile so I can finish reading to those lovely ladies.”
“See that you do.”
Rune tipped his hat to the marshal as he took long strides out of the alley and onto the boardwalk. Angel struggled to keep up with his fast pace.
“Will you sl
ow down?” she hissed. “I’m about to fall on my face.”
“Pardon me if I prefer not to be anywhere near the law.”
“If you hadn’t barged into my reading and—”
“I know what I did and you deserved it.”
“Let’s not have this argument now.” Angel shivered despite the heat. “I can feel that marshal’s eyes on us like a hawk on a mouse.”
“No doubt.”
“Why don’t you get a drink in the nearest saloon while I finish my reading?”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“I’d prefer the ladies weren’t distracted by your presence.”
“Like hell I’m letting you out of my sight.”
“Can you at least sit outside?” She pointed at the wooden bench in front of the store. “I’ll bring you some peppermint candy.”
“What would I do with it? Wear it?”
“Funny.” She stopped in front of the mercantile. “It’d give you a normal reason for sitting out here. Otherwise, folks might take one look at you and think you’re planning the next bank robbery.”
“Are you saying I look like an outlaw?”
“I’m saying you appear dangerous.”
“I am dangerous. Best you don’t forget it.”
Angel felt the impact of his words like a blow to her mind and her body. He was dangerous to her on so many levels that she couldn’t even count them all. Yet she didn’t know him, not anymore. Once, he had been kind and gentle. Now he was hard and merciless. Not a man to cross. She’d best remember that, too.
“If candy’s a bad idea, I’ll bring you a sour pickle.”
“Sweets for the sweet and sour for the sour. Are you trying to make a point?”
“Wouldn’t think of it. Not with a big, bad dangerous outlaw like you.” She bit her lower lip, wondering why she couldn’t keep her smart remarks to herself around him. She didn’t need to dig the hole she was in any deeper.
Rune squeezed her fingers. “Get on in there and finish up. I want to shake the dust of this town off my boots before it turns to mud and I get mired in it.”
She opened the door. “Are you going to—”
“I’ll wait out here, without the candy or the pickle.”
She let go of his arm and glanced up into his ice-blue eyes.
“Hurry up. I want us on the road before dark. The Verdigris Gang is waiting for us at the Bend.”
“For us? Outlaws?”
“Yes.”
“Are they as bad as the notorious Badger Gang?”
“They’re as dangerous, but small in number.”
“But why are they waiting for us?”
“The V Gang is expecting the best female cardsharp west of the Mississippi.”
“Do you know her?’
“Sure do.” He grinned, revealing strong, white teeth. “She’s called Angel the Ace.”
Chapter Six
Rune glanced at Angel as he flicked the reins against the back of a chestnut gelding. She sat stiffly beside him in the buggy he’d rented especially for her comfort. They’d left Dennison behind, but he could still hardly believe she’d come with him without a bigger fight. It spoke to his persuasiveness, threat if he wanted to be honest with himself, or her guilt. Maybe both. Either way, he had what he wanted. Now he could move on with his plans.
He watched the sun slowly sink in the west as he followed a rutted road that meandered south of the Red River. No time to make Delaware Bend before nightfall. Just as well. He needed to be alone with Angel to prepare her.
As he drove, he kept an eye out for a likely place to make camp before dark. Near the town of Cedar Mills, famous for its racetrack, he saw a thick clump of mesquite trees that looked good. He’d prefer to take Angel into town and stay in a hotel, but he didn’t want either of them to be seen.
He turned off the road, maneuvered around spreading tree limbs, and stopped so the horse and buggy were hidden from passersby.
“What are we doing here?”
“Good place to camp for the night.”
“Just the two of us?”
He caught the anxiety in her words. At twenty-nine, he had enough experience to understand it. She was alone with a desperate man who had nothing to lose. He gently took hold of her chin and turned her face so she could look into his eyes and see the truth. “For tonight, the only game I want you to play is poker.”
She jerked her chin loose. “I prefer not to handle cards.” She glanced down at her hands, clenching her fists.
“Is it your religion? Some people don’t hold with gambling.”
“I’d rather not play card games.”
“Your druthers don’t matter.” He didn’t have time for missish-ness. “I need you to play poker and play it well.”
She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “If I handle cards for you, whatever happens, it’s on your head.”
“I get it. You’re afraid of losing money. Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Angel glanced at him, eyes the color of deep water. “I’ve never played poker and I have no desire to learn.”
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” He caught her tantalizing scent of lavender. “If you hadn’t read so long to those ladies, I’d have more time to teach you.”
“They were most appreciative.”
“I can be as appreciative as you like.” He felt a sudden urge to forget poker and everything else except stripping off Angel’s clothes and melting all her reservations.
“Forget it! I’m here under duress. It’d be bad enough if the Bonham Female Academy Board of Directors ever found out I’m writing dime novels. But playing poker with outlaws? I’m an author and an educator. I have a certain reputation to maintain.”
“That’s right.” His frustration made him harsh. “Angel the Ace. Rumor has it guys beg for more even after you’ve taken their last dime.”
“Maybe you should write novels, too. You certainly have a talent for hyperbole.”
“No jokes. We’re going to deal with bad hombres. As long as you’re useful to them, you’ll stay alive. If you get out of line, I’ll only have so much control.”
“Rune, let’s stop this game right now. I apologized. You’re out of prison. I don’t have much money, but I can pay you back over time for what I cost you.”
“On a teacher’s salary? Dime novels? You won’t live so long. And I sure as hell won’t wait.” He reached out and ran the tip of one finger slowly down her face, taking pleasure in the soft warmth of her skin. Now that he had her in his power, he had to stoke his righteous anger against his damn fool desire to kiss and make up.
She tossed her head, dislodging his hand. “I remember when you were a gentleman.”
“That was a lifetime ago. I’m an outlaw now.”
He felt a surge of satisfaction when he saw the sympathy and guilt in her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t totally without honor. Threats worked, but empathy could turn a woman’s heart to your cause. He needed every trick in the book to win. Threats and manipulation didn’t come naturally to him, but he’d do what he had to do and live with the consequences.
“If you don’t want money, I’ll go to Judge Parker’s court in Fort Smith and say that I was mistaken about you and the horses. That’ll help clear your name, won’t it?”
He felt a raw surge of anger at her words and doubled his fists to keep from shaking some sense into her. “Too late. Those three horses were stolen, but not by me. Now I’ve served time. I’ve got a record. None of that disappears with the snap of your fingers.”
“Honestly, I didn’t know about those horses. I thought you’d spend an uncomfortable night in jail before they released you.”
“That’s what you say now.”
“I was confused. Zip Rankin scared the daylights out of me.”
“If I hadn’t rescued you from that outlaw, we wouldn’t be here now.”
“But we are. Let’s ask my brot
her Rafe, the Deputy U.S. Marshal, to help.”
“No. I’ve got other plans for you.” He grasped her shoulders, pulling her toward him, and heard her quick intake of breath. Fear, anger, passion? He felt it all, so why not her?
She pulled back. “I can’t learn to play poker so fast.”
“You’d better.” He saw her raise her chin in defiance and couldn’t help but admire her courage. “We’ll stay up all night if that’s what it takes.”
“I’m better with words than numbers.”
“How does a marked deck sound?”
She rubbed her forehead, as if in pain. “Not only do you want me to play poker, but you want me to cheat, too?”
“Every card sharp knows how to cheat so he can spot a cheater.”
“You’re not leaving me any choice, are you?”
“No. Let’s set up camp and get you in class.” He pointed toward a picnic basket. “Supper’s in there. Café in Dennison packed it.”
Rune stepped out of the buggy, turned, and held out his arms to help her down. She hesitated, her expression cautious, and then put her hands on his shoulders. It felt so right for her to touch him. But that was the damn fool part of him talking, the part that had lusted after her for so long. Trouble was, despite what she’d done to him, he still wanted her.
When he put his hands around her small waist, she felt like every steamy dream on his prison bed. He wanted to crush her to him and blot out the past. But that wouldn’t solve his problems. He carefully set her down and let go.
“Get the food and the quilt. I’ll get wood for a campfire.”
As he picked up mesquite branches, he thought about all the things he couldn’t tell Angel. First, he was a man on the run. When the Verdigris Gang had broken out of prison, he’d escaped with them. Second, he’d been an undercover detective when she’d met him and now he was deeper undercover.
He had to stay one step ahead of federal lawmen, but also the Anti–Horse Thief Association because he was listed in their black book as a rogue vigilante. Of the two, the highly respected AHTA with thousands of members across several states was more dangerous to his freedom.