by KyAnn Waters
* * *
After breakfast, TJ and Allison went to the Dusty Rose. Entering the brothel was like hitting a wall of stale smoke and heavy perfume. Allison closed her eyes for a moment as a wave of nostalgia crashed over her. With most of the girls asleep, the quiet parlor was empty of patrons. A few months ago, Allison would be making coffee, and running hot baths. “Are you going to find Sandy?” she asked, wincing at the thread of trepidation in her voice.
“Yes, why don’t you go to Marion’s room and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
“Maybe I should go with you.” He’d be alone with Sandy. Would he tell Sandy what she’d done…what they’d done? TJ was Sandy’s lover. Allison didn’t want to be competition. She wanted TJ for herself.
TJ smiled. “Are you worried?”
“Of course not. I want to visit with Sandy, too. That’s all I meant.”
TJ wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. She rose up on her tiptoes to meet his tongue with her own.
“You give me everything I need,” he said when they parted. “Go, before I have to take you back to the hotel room. You’re distracting enough with your clothes on. If I kiss you again, I’m going to need you naked.”
Allison hurried up the stairs. She knocked once, paused, and knocked again twice. She heard Marion fall out of bed. Allison laughed as Marion pulled open the door, hair in disarray and barely dressed.
“Dear Lord, girl! I thought I was dreaming. No one has knocked on my door like that since you left.” She laughed, holding Allison tight. They rocked back and forth in the hallway.
Cassie poked her head out of the door next to Marion’s rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Alli’s back,” she hollered. “It might be eight o’clock in the morning, but I think it’s time for a party.” She squealed and wrapped Allison in a hug again. “Get in here.” Marion pulled Allison into her room and closed the door behind them. She dragged her onto the bed. “I got your letter. Tell me details. I want to know everything about life on the ranch. Mr. Cowboy is the quiet type when he comes in. He’d never tell us anything about you. Just told Sandy you were fine.”
Allison fell back against the pillows. “He might seem quiet to you, but with me, he yells a lot.”
“Oh hell!” Marion covered her mouth. “Have you fallen for him?”
Allison nodded. “I’ve done more than fall,” she said ominously.
Marion held her sides laughing. “I can’t believe she did it.” She reached out and took Allison’s hand in hers. “I won’t ask for the details because I know you won’t give them to me.” She sat up. “It does explain why Sandy’s been such a bitch the last couple of months.”
TJ had told the truth. Maybe he wasn’t still seeing Sandy.
“Don’t say anything to anyone. I want to enjoy our visit and figure out the rest later.”
“Our visit? Is he downstairs?”
Allison nodded.
“What are we doing up here? Come on.”
They hurried downstairs to find TJ and Sandy sitting at the kitchen table. Marion stood behind Allison as they stopped in the doorway. TJ’s eyes locked on Allison.
“I don’t need to say anything,” Marion whispered in her ear. “He gives himself away.”
Allison’s head snapped around. Marion raised her arched eyebrow, gave Allison an imperceptible nod, and then shoved her into the room.
TJ stood and pulled out a chair. Allison sat and Marion stood next to Sandy. Allison didn’t like the knowing glances passing between Marion and Sandy. Marion whispered something and Sandy nodded.
“Do you want a cup of coffee?” TJ asked Allison.
“Please.” He poured Allison a cup. Then he sat next to her.
“We should tell them,” he whispered.
“No.” She shook her head, and he nodded.
Marion giggled, and Sandy snorted.
“We have a request.”
“TJ, no.” She put her arm on his to stop him.
“I have a request,” he corrected. “I have asked Allison to marry me. She said no.”
“I say a lot of things, but you never listen.”
“I do listen, but you’re being stubborn.” He turned to Sandy. “If I could convince her to say yes, I’d like to get married today with the two of you as witnesses.”
Marion whooped. “Love a take charge man.”
Sandy laughed. “You two are perfect for each other,” Sandy said. “I knew that right away. After all, this is what I’d hoped for.”
Allison snapped her gaze to Sandy. She’d wanted them to get married? Emotions tightened her throat and squeezed her chest. But that didn’t change her relationship with TJ. When he said the words, he hadn’t meant them. Like usual, they were in an argument. TJ had made it clear, Janelle would remain in his heart. Allison understood and accepted that, but she wouldn’t marry a man who still loved another.
“TJ.” Her chair grated against the floor when she stood. “You can’t bully me into marring you. I don’t care what anyone thinks, I’m not getting married.” She left the room.
“I don’t get it,” TJ said, running his hands through his hair. “Doesn’t she know I can give her anything she wants?”
Marion rolled her eyes and went to the cupboard for a cup. She poured herself coffee. “Tell me he’s not that stupid,” she said to Sandy.
TJ was confused.
“If she gave a damn about money, do you think she would’ve left Boston? That girl wants a real man, not a jackass.”
“She’s right,” Sandy said. “It was always about loyalty, commitment, and love with Allison. I know you, TJ. You wouldn’t have asked her to marry you if you didn’t love her. Have you told her?”
“She knows.”
“That ain’t telling, TJ. That’s called showing.” Marion winked.
TJ stepped away from the table and went after Allison. He found her sitting in the empty parlor. Curled up in the velvet loveseat in the back of the room, she stared out the narrow window.
“We need to talk.” He slid his hands into the front pockets of his trousers.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.” He crossed the room and stood beside her. “I just got a lecture from mother hen and big sister,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been a fool, Allison. It isn’t easy for me to let down my guard. I know I can force a man’s hand because I’m TJ Bester and not many people would dare cross me. Those who try, regret it.” His jaw clenched and looked up at the ceiling. “I have my reasons for wanting to marry you.”
“What are those reasons, TJ?”
Muscles in his arms tensed and he curled his fingers in a tight fist. Admitting weakness, even for a woman wasn’t easy for him. But weakness for Allison made him strong. He sat next to her. “I don’t want you to stay at the house because you’re working for me. I want you there because you love me.”
“My loving you doesn’t automatically make a good marriage. It has to be more. I’m not going to be yours or anyone else’s wife unless that man swears to be my husband. I don’t think you can. I wasn’t the one who said they would never love another. I’m not angry. I know Janelle will always be your wife.”
“I can never completely say goodbye. Sissy and Michael deserve her memory.”
“Maybe you still need her memory, too.” She placed her hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry TJ, but I can’t marry you.” Tears filled her eyes.
TJ sat rigid, letting her words sink in. As a man, Allison suited him. He had let go of Janelle. Allison was all he needed. He only had to convince her. “You are the one in my heart, in my head. I do love you.”
Allison signed. “The words don’t come from the heart when they have to be pried from your lips.”
“You are stubborn.” TJ wanted to punch the nearest wall and drag her by the hair to the justice of the peace. No. He shook his head. He’d try to be patient. Eventually she would believe him.
“TJ,” she said
softly. “You decided you wanted me and thought no farther. In my heart, I know I love you and I believe you care for me. What we have is not enough for marriage, but it’s enough for me.”
“You just want me to fuck you. You want to be my whore?” For as much as she claimed not to be one, she seemed to be determined to take that roll.
She smiled. “Just yours.”
TJ growled and put his hand over hers. “No. I want you…as my wife. You think I need more time; I can accept that even though you’re wrong.” He leaned in to kiss her lips.
She returned the kiss then broke apart. “You’re the one who is stubborn. I don’t want you to say anything you don’t mean. I don’t want to live as my parents did. My father loved my mother. I think she loved him. They were miserable most of the time because she didn’t know how to show it. Words aren’t enough, but neither is action. A marriage needs both.”
“We have both.”
“No, we don’t. We fight and we…” She’d almost said the word.
TJ laughed.
“You don’t like losing an argument.” She folded her arms across her chest. “What kind of marriage would that be for me? The more I consider your offer, the more reservations I have.”
“Then, for now, stop considering. Visit with your friends. We’ll leave for the ranch in a couple hours.” He stood. “Check with the hotel if you need to find me.”
“I can take care of myself. And I’m sure the employees of the hotel have better things to do than keep track of you.”
“They’ll do what I say if they want to keep their jobs.”
“Oh, I see.” She smirked. “Once again the reputation of TJ Bester precedes you.”
“My reputation is well deserved.” He put his hat on. “But that isn’t why they’ll do what I say. I guess I neglected to tell you, I own the hotel.” He kissed her pursed lips and left the room.
The parlor door closed as she assimilated the information. Sandy had to have known. Of all the sneaky…she deserved the truth. Her skirts billowed around her legs as she marched back into the kitchen.
“You look flushed,” Sandy said. “He didn’t try to seduce you in my parlor, did he?”
“Isn’t that why you asked him to take me to the ranch?”
Marion giggled and leaned into Sandy. “If you did, it worked. He’s already sampled our little Allison.”
“Marion! You were supposed to keep it a secret.”
“Hmmph. You girls never cease to amaze me. Allison, when a man wants to marry, you are to exchange vows before you share your bed. Not that I have any experience with marriage.” She clapped her hands together. “Now that I have your full admission, I expect you to do the right thing. I didn’t send you to the ranch to become his whore. You could have done that right here.”
Allison braced her fists against her hips. “I’ll do exactly what I want. And for the record, I am going to marry him.” She yanked out a chair and sat at the table with a smile across her face. “Until he walked out the door just now, I didn’t think I would.”
“Did he tell you he loves you?” Marion asked, her eyes as wide as the saucers holding their coffee cups.
“Yes and no.” She looked at Sandy. “You understand, don’t you?”
Sandy nodded.
“I knew the butterflies I felt the first time I met TJ were special. No matter how hard I tried not to think about him, he found a way into my heart. He knew it, too.” She took a deep breath. When she exhaled, she let go of her reservations. “He could have gotten me out of the brothel by putting me to work at the hotel where we’re staying. He let me believe I was a burden. Evidently, I’m a burden he wants. He just wouldn’t admit to it.”
“Fate.” Marion rested her chin in her palm. A dreamy look clouded her eyes.
Sandy snorted. “I all but orchestrated it.” Sandy refilled her coffee cup. “I’d be dead before the two of you figured out you’d be perfect together on your own.”
“I know I’m asking a lot, but will you please attend my wedding next weekend at the ranch?”
Both Sandy and Marion rolled their eyes. “Of course.”
Allison left the brothel with a promise from Marion and Sandy. They would be at the ranch in a week’s time.
Chapter Twelve
Allison remained strangely quiet on the way back to the ranch. TJ wondered where her thoughts drifted. He had pushed hard. A woman like Allison would rather deny herself what she truly wanted than give someone the satisfaction of being right. The last time she had been backed into a corner, she’d run. He vowed this time would be different. She’d left Boston. He wouldn’t let her leave the Montana Territory.
Crickets welcomed them home. The ranch wouldn’t be awake for a few hours. They climbed the porch steps and entered the deserted house.
At the top of the stairs, Allison turned toward her room. “Where are you going?” TJ asked, slipping his hand into hers.
“To my room.” Her voice echoed in the empty hall.
“Not tonight.” TJ lead her into his room. Allison stepped near the window as TJ pulled the door closed. He turned down the lantern and watched Allison from across the room.
Silky hair draped down her back. Thinking about how it fanned across his chest while they were naked in the canyon, caused a stirring in his heart. Married or not, he intended to have her in his bed. Forever.
“The night of the fire,” he said, pulling his shirttails from the waistband of his trousers and then stripping out of his shirt. “I thought we’d lose the house. I imagined it burning to the ground. I came up here to grab papers from the safe.” He came up behind her. Outside, the blackness of the night obscured the barn. Not a star twinkled in the sky and the moon vanished. He bent his head and kissed the soft skin of her neck. “I could smell you on the bed. Since then, not a night has gone by that I haven’t dreamed about you.”
“I have a confession.” Turning around, she sat on the edge of the open window. “I slept in your bed while you were gone.” She hesitantly touched his abdominals, her fingertips tracing the grooves made from hard ranch work. He sucked in a breath and his muscles tensed. “Everything I know, I learned in the whore house.” She slipped the button of his trousers open. The fabric gaped and his cock unfurled, stretching toward his navel. She closed her hand around the shaft.
TJ moaned and threaded his fingers through her hair. He tipped her face to his, bent down and kissed her lips. “My virgin whore.” He straightened.
Allison smiled, opened her mouth and touched her tongue to the sensitive head of his cock. TJ said her name as if it were profane. He braced his hands against the wall on either side of her. Without offering any instruction or criticism, he let her explore every detail of his cock. She licked the tip, curled her tongue around the head and, taking as much of the stalk as she could, she rolled her lips down the length.
Allison’s mouth was a warm wet cave. As she tasted, lashing her tongue over the taut flesh, she mewled her pleasure. TJ’s balls tingled and tightened, but he didn’t want to come like this. He wanted buried in her sweet heat.
“Sugar, not like this.” He slipped his cock from her mouth. Taking her hands, he pulled her to her feet and backed her toward the bed. “I need to be inside you.” More than he needed air, he burned to drive his cock deep into her silken core.
TJ lifted her hair and traced the curve of her neck with his lips. “Take off your skirt.”
She unhooked the side clasp and it fell to the floor.
“Take off everything.” He tasted the shell of her ear as she worked her underclothes down her legs. Slipping the buttons free, she opened her blouse. Her fingers trembled. The blouse dropped from her shoulder, slipped down her arms, and fluttered to the floor. TJ turned her, his chest to her back, and trailed his fingers along her skin until he held the heavy weight of her breasts in his hands, stroking the hard, cherry peaks with his thumbs. Aligning his hips to hers, he cradled his erection in the cleft of her ass.
Allison angl
ed her head, looking over her shoulder. TJ captured her lips, thrusting his tongue into her mouth, desperate to do the same to her body. He eased her onto the bed until she lay on her back.
“Spread your legs.”
She hesitantly widened her thighs. Moisture glistened on her nether lips. TJ groaned as he shucked his pants, climbed onto the bed with her, and positioned between her thighs. He had to be inside her, now. Fiery heat licked his loins. Poised at the opening to her drenched core, he wrapped his fingers around his cock and moistened the head with her slippery cream. Then he plunged hard and fast, filling her completely, savoring the sweet tightness.
“Tell me how you feel,” he whispered, pulling out and filling her again.
Allison’s chest rose and fell with each word she spoke. “I see stars when I close my eyes.” She moaned and arched off the bed. “I’m coming apart.” Her body sought TJ’s heat. The intensity built inside of her. “I can’t get close enough.” She held him tight, digging her fingernails into the hard, muscle of his shoulders. She wrapped her legs around his hips. Her body bucked. Bright light blinded behind closed eyelids. She cried out her pleasure, breaking into a million little pieces.
TJ growled, tensed, and followed her orgasm with his own. His cock pulsed deep inside her. He continued to thrust, penetrating deep. Her womb contracted. She shivered and melted, dissolving into a quivering release. She held to the pleasure until the final spasms ebbed.
TJ collapsed beside her. Allison curled into his contours, a contented sigh slipping from her lips.
* * *
Rain pelted the window when Allison woke a few hours later. TJ wrapped an arm possessively around her waist. They touched from shoulder to toes. When she tried to move away from him, he tightened his hold.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Coffee, breakfast, get ready for the children to return.”
“No one knows were back. I think we should stay in bed all day and listen to the rain.” He kissed her neck.
“No one knows we’re home, yet. As soon as someone checks the horses they will.”