“I wasn’t. Don’t worry, Mrs. Dempsey, the sheriff got to me just in time.”
Mrs. Dempsey’s expression brightened after a moment or two, and she looked up at Garrett. “Why, that makes you a hero, Sheriff Butler.”
“Just doing my job, ma’am.” Leaving Annabel balanced on the saddle, Garrett swung one leg over and got off his horse. He reached for Annabel, and she made a point to grasp his neck with her arms in a tight hug and slide down his body before allowing her feet to touch the ground.
Once stable, she didn’t release him but held on to Garrett’s forearms, afraid to let go and never see him again. She stared into his beautiful, stormy gray eyes for several moments longer than propriety would normally allow. She didn’t even care if any repercussions were imminent. She wanted Garrett to understand her desire for him was strong, and if he’d only cooperate, they could have a lovely night together. And she’d be able to sleep without nightmares.
Unless Mrs. Dempsey didn’t leave.
When she turned her head, Annabel noted Mrs. Dempsey’s eyes were wide as saucers, and her mouth hung open. “Why are you wearing a man’s shirt?”
Annabel cleared her throat. “My dress was ruined by the bandits. Sheriff Butler was kind enough to let me borrow his shirt, so I could at least be presentable when we came to town.”
Miss Dempsey’s gaze slid back to Garrett. Annabel recognized the new admiration. “You’re a fine man, Sheriff. You should get a reward.”
“Not needed, Mrs. Dempsey, but thank you all the same.”
“Please call me Edna, no need to be so formal. Mrs. Dempsey is what they call my husband’s mother. God rest his soul.”
If Edna’s baby hadn’t started crying again, then she might have spent a longer time in conversation. Learning that the woman was a widow might make her a rival for the Sheriff’s attention. But if Annabel had anything to say about it, Edna wouldn’t get a chance to corner him. Likely as not, Edna simply appreciated his efforts on her behalf. However, it couldn’t have escaped her attention that he was very handsome, too.
Garrett stepped back and took her elbow. “Let’s go see about getting you a room.”
“And a bath?”
He nodded and one corner of his mouth quirked up. “And a bath.”
Tipping his hat once to Edna, Garrett led her into the hotel. Across the lobby was a desk very much resembling the one at the last hotel she’d stayed at where she’d been with Dane.
The clerk made a careful study of the man’s shirt she wore as she crossed the rug strewn space to the desk counter.
“Please don’t tell me you gave my room away because I got kidnapped off the stagecoach, and you didn’t expect me.” Annabel stared at the clerk waiting for bad news.
“Of course not. Your room is ready.” He ran another gaze from her collar to her hips. His expression said he didn’t care for her attire. “Will you require anything special?”
“Do you have bathing facilities on the premises?”
His practiced smile came into view. “Yes, it’s on the lower level at the back of the hotel. It costs an extra fifty cents. Shall I order the water heated for you?”
“Yes. Please.”
“Here is your key.” He handed her an elaborately decorated brass key with a number eight engraved on one side. “The stagecoach driver unloaded your bags a while back, and we stored them for you. We’re a little short staffed at the moment. Do you have someone to bring your bags to your room?” The clerk gave Garrett a once over glance.
Annabel turned to ask, but before she uttered a word, Garrett spoke. “I’ll take them up.”
“Thank you.” Annabel wondered how long before the hotel would have assigned her to the lost cause category, decided she wasn’t returning, and distributed her things to the needy. Ah, well, it didn’t matter. All water under the bridge.
Annabel was reluctant to let Garrett out of her sight for even a moment. He allowed her to climb the stairs ahead of him as they went to her room. An idea occurred that she thought had merit, and a plan formed to keep the sheriff close at hand for a little longer.
“I suddenly realize it’s terribly selfish of me to ask you to guard my door all night. You need your sleep, too. So instead, will you guard the door to the bathing facilities until I’m finished cleaning myself up?”
They had reached the second floor. She turned in time to see his shocked expression. “What?”
Annabel smiled. “I’d like for you to guard the door while I bathe. Then I can give your shirt back.”
“Ma’am, I’m not sure that would be a good idea.” He pointed to a door on their right. Her door. Damn. He’d likely deposit her bags and leave as quickly as possible.
Garrett unlocked the door, and his gaze drifted down her body. “After you.”
Annabel sighed and crossed the threshold into a brightly decorated room. The space was small but clean and well appointed. A lovely quilt-topped, brass bed rested against one wall. On the small night stand next to the bed was a pretty lace doily beneath a lantern with the flame turned up. Across the room stood a chest high dresser with another lace cover and a miniature Cheval mirror centered on top. She drifted forward into the room and placed a hand on one of the posts attached to the bed’s foot rail. The metal’s cold surface mirrored her heart at the thought of Garrett leaving her alone tonight.
The sound of the door closing with a click startled her, and she turned to face the man she wanted with all her soul.
He didn’t say anything but advanced until his boot tips slid beneath her skirt. He took her chin between two fingers and kissed her lips with careful attention.
Annabel threw her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer. His other arm surrounded her as the kiss deepened. His tongue parted her lips and stroked inside her mouth. He was so warm and tasted so wonderful, Annabel never wanted to leave his arms. The seductive kiss ended all too soon when he pulled his mouth away.
“I must be crazy,” he murmured against her lips. “But I’ll agree to guard the door and keep you safe while you bathe.”
He stepped back and his warmth seeped away.
“Gather your things, and I’ll meet you downstairs.” He opened the door and was gone before the tingle of his sensual kiss drifted from her lips.
Annabel opened her bag, checked her precious guns, and grabbed her bathing essentials along with a robe and slippers.
Now to see if she could persuade Garrett to wash her back and a few other places and follow by joining her in this room later on.
* * * *
Garrett hastened down the back stairs to where a hand painted sign posted on the wallpapered hallway directed bathers to go. He should not be contemplating all the delectable things he could do with a naked Annabel, but his mind spilled the possibilities across his brain with vivid clarity. He’d already seen a glimpse of her breasts. The visual memory of her perfect, creamy, smooth skin and the pert, rosy nipples made his cock stiffen.
Why in the world he offered to guard her bath time was beyond comprehension. He should have declined and run like hell in the opposite direction, but she was still under his safeguard. At least, that’s what he told himself.
She didn’t need his protection as she wasn’t a shrieking mess from her abduction. He’d been involved in a case quite a while back where a woman had been violated by a stranger. The woman had never recovered.
Garrett was grateful that he’d made it in time to save Annabel from that fate.
A stout woman with graying hair passed him in the first floor hallway carrying a pail of steaming water. He followed her to the bathing room.
“Is this bath for Annabel?”
She nodded and emptied the pail into an oval wooden bathtub. “Three more buckets should do it,” she said and exited the small room.
Garrett stared at the steam rising off the water already in the tub and easily pictured Annabel smoothing a bar of soap over her limbs. His cock thickened at the mere thought of watching her ba
the.
The stout woman came back twice more before Annabel arrived.
Wearing a soft robe in a shade of robin’s egg blue, Annabel was a vision. Cinnamon brunette hair piled on top of her head, she came into the room slowly, eyeing him until she was near enough to touch.
“Thank you for guarding me.”
Garrett wanted to help with her bath. “You’re welcome. I want you to feel safe.”
“I do.” She inched closer but paused when the woman carrying another bucket of water entered the space.
“Hello, ma’am. Here’s a pail for rinsing. Will you be needing anything else? A cake of soap?” She set the water bucket next to the tub.
“No. I have my own soap.”
The woman eyed Garrett and smiled. “Well, I’ll leave you alone, then. Ring the bell on the wall if you need something.”
“Thank you.”
The woman left them and even closed the door on her way out. Either she thought they were a married couple or didn’t care.
Annabel pressed herself against Garrett once more, and he didn’t attempt to pull her away. Resting his chin on the top of her head while she squeezed him, he pondered the extent he was willing to go.
“You’d better get into the bath while it’s still hot.”
Annabel moved away. “You’re right.” She untied the belt holding her robe closed and dropped the garment to the floor, revealing her beautiful, nude body.
Garrett looked at her bare breasts first, then he glanced down at the dark patch shielding her pussy. He wanted her. Wanted to protect her and wash away her fears. “You tempt me, Annabel. I’m not sure I can continue to be a gentleman.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be a gentleman.” She stepped into the bathtub and slipped her hips beneath the steamy waterline. The water only came to her narrow waist. He couldn’t seem to keep his gaze from her nipples.
She scooped water into her cupped hands and trickled the drops down her breasts. His cock throbbed. He wasn’t going to be able to hide his admiration for much longer.
“You’re traumatized by the abduction, and you want to feel safe, but the two of us getting involved might make it worse.”
“No. It won’t. The last man who touched me ripped my dress to my waist and told me he couldn’t wait to fuck me blind. Please don’t let that animal be my last memory of a man’s hands on my body.”
Her gaze tore through his defenses, and he suddenly understood her need.
Garrett nodded and approached the bath. He didn’t need much more encouragement, anyway. She handed him the cake of soap she’d brought, and the scent of sweet summer flowers wafted to his nose.
“All right.” He would soap her body completely and ensure pleasure was the last memory of a man’s hands she’d have until a new man entered her life.
Then he did his best not to scowl at the vision of another man touching her the way he was about to caress her luscious body.
Chapter Five
A heated rush of desire skated across Annabel’s skin the moment Garrett agreed to her sensual demands. Soap in hand, he turned away and walked to the door. He picked up a chair and secured it under the handle.
“Since the door doesn’t lock, I don’t want any surprise visitors.”
She smiled. “Good idea.” Annabel leaned forward, pushing her breasts into her bent knees.
Garrett knelt next to the tub and dipped the soap into the warm water’s surface. His gaze seemed to be everywhere but on her.
“Do you know what I’m going to do?” he asked in a whisper.
“I believe you’re going to wash every inch of my skin with that cake of soap.”
His gaze zeroed in on her eyes. The depth of passion in his serious expression made her heart flip over. “Yes. And I’d like to touch you. Have you ever been intimate with a man?” Dane’s face, contorted in pleasure as he entered her that first time, crossed her mind. Was it wrong to want two different men in the exact same way?
“If I say yes, will you think less of me?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Of course not. I just didn’t want to do anything you weren’t expecting.” He rolled up his sleeves slowly and carefully. She watched the muscles in his forearms bunch and release as he preformed the simple task. She couldn’t wait until he touched her.
Glancing into his beautiful gray eyes, she murmured, “I know what happens between a man and a woman. It can be very nice.”
“My intention is to make you call out my name in pleasure.” His hand came down on her back, and he rubbed slowly between her shoulder blades.
Annabel smiled. “That would be lovely.”
“But first, I’d like to wash your hair and perhaps massage your back to help you unwind.” His quite melodic voice lulled her into a sense of reassurance she hadn’t felt in years. He slid his fingers into the hair at the nape of her neck and gently rubbed her scalp.
“What you’re doing is wonderful.”
“I’m glad. Lie back, relax and enjoy it.”
The few pins holding her mass of locks on top of her head were no match for his large fingers working their way through her hair. One pin fell in the water and two more dropped to the floor. Her wavy hair slid around her shoulders and down her back in disarray. A few locks in front fell over her face and the tips dropped into the warm water.
Plunging her fingers into the water and feeling around the bottom of the tub, she retrieved the hairpin beneath the water and handed it to him. He gathered the others one handed and placed them all on the small table at the foot of the tub. He never released his hand from her head.
Once he settled himself on the stool, he burrowed both of his hands through the locks of her hair. He massaged her scalp and neck slowly and methodically. Annabel almost moaned out loud when he removed one hand to grab the ladle and scoop water over her head until her hair was saturated.
He grabbed the cake of soap and rubbed it slowly between his hands and then plunged his fingers back into her locks. There was something utterly sensuous about having him wash her hair. Every touch, every stroke of his fingers sent a sensation like a bolt of lightning arcing through her limbs.
Garrett washed her hair with luxurious strokes, massaged her neck and shoulders, and finally the space between her shoulder blades. When his hands strayed to her sides and slipped to cup her breasts, Annabel was so relaxed it was a wonder she didn’t sink all the way to the bottom of the small tub.
His fingertips squeezed her nipples and a warm feeling encompassed her core. She was more than ready to call out his name in pleasure.
Annabel put her hands over his as he massaged her breasts with delicate precision. She pushed one hand down to the anxious space between her legs.
Above her head, she heard him chuckle. He pulled his hands away from her body and quickly moved the stool to the side of the tub. The look in his eyes so gentle and yet so penetratingly blatant, she thought he could likely see to her very soul and the desire waiting there.
Garrett leaned forward, took her face in one hand and kissed her mouth hard. He pushed her back against the edge of the wooden tub, and the hand holding the cake of soap slid between her legs just as his tongue dipped into her mouth to take a deep taste.
The kiss seemed to last for an hour. He took his time. His hand beneath the water stroked her inner thighs, gently never touching where she wanted him to go. In her impatience, she shifted her hips in such a way that his fingers grazed her clit. She moaned into his mouth at the sudden contact.
“Please touch me,” she whispered. “I’m ready.”
Garrett claimed her mouth again in another soul searing kiss and placed his free hand closer to the entrance of her core. The inner walls of her pussy clenched in anticipation of his hopefully eventual penetration.
His fingers found the sensitive nub of her clitoris and stroked quickly. Annabel sucked in a breath as he rubbed her clit with light pressure. She didn’t doubt Garrett’s ability to make her scream his name. She’d be shrieking i
t in no time at all if he kept up the movement building wild pleasure between her pussy lips. The core of her body clenched in expectation.
Enveloped in the warm water, Annabel allowed the relaxing sensations of Garrett’s actions to penetrate her defenses. She wanted him and refused to feel guilty over her desires.
Annabel stared into Garrett’s eyes as he touched her intimately beneath the surface of the water. Each stroke of his fingers against her clit brought her closer and closer to the promise of a sublime release. She slipped her eyes shut to enjoy the moment. Garrett trailed kisses down her throat. She arched her back, pushing her breasts forward. Seemingly taking the hint, he licked his way to her nipple and clasped it between his lips. The suction he exerted sent a pulse of arousal straight to her pussy. Her inner muscles clenched as the onslaught of pleasure from his mouth and fingers continued. She was fast coming to a pinnacle of pleasure. Her breathing increased until she convulsed in what was a perfect orgasmic release.
“Garrett!” she called out in the sudden moment of supreme bliss.
Tongue still flicking her distended nipple, he merely chuckled and shot his fingers deeply into her clenching pussy. The awareness of his invasion amplified her pleasure up a notch. She wiggled against his hand, trying to get him to go deeper. She wished he was already undressed and piercing her pussy with his, no doubt, impressive cock.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. His deep voice so reassuring she would never get tired of hearing it.
Annie Gets Her Gunmen Page 6