Arizona Caress: She Feels The Heat Of His Hot Embrace

by Bobbi Smith

  Rori sat up quickly at his steely touch, struggling to get free as she glared at him. Then she saw the rope in his hand, and she began to tremble. "What are you doing now?" she squeaked.

  "I told you, Rori. Unless you promise me that you aren't going to run away, I'm going to have to make sure you don't get the opportunity," Chance explained in a cool, logical tone as he made short order of expertly tying their wrists together.

  Big Jake merely lay there between them unconcerned.

  "You're out of your mind!"

  "Can you think of a better way for me to keep track of you? I need my rest, Rori. This way, if I keep you bound to me, if you so much as move a muscle during the course of the night, I'll know it."

  Rori was furious. She felt like a horse on a tether. She flopped down on her back, her left wrist tied firmly to Chance's right, and tried to sleep. But even with Jake between them her awareness of him was more potent now that it had been before. Memories of his lovemaking assailed her. She grew flushed and feverish. Her body was betraying her, and there was nothing she could do about it.

  Rori knew she shouldn't want Chance, but she did. Rori knew she should hate Chance, but she didn't. Every inch of her flesh was tingling with an excited need for him, yet, he lay beside her seemingly unaffected. He was as relaxed as her damned dog! Chance's breathing was easy and steady, and he gave no indication whatsoever that he was even aware she was near.

  Rori was in misery. She would have tossed and turned, but the restraint effectively prevented such free movement. Finally, she closed her eyes and prayed desperately for sleep to release her from the erotic prison her body had become.

  Even though Chance gave the outward impression of being unaffected by Rori slumbering beside him, he was in total discomfort. He'd told himself over and over again that it was no good to want Rori, but as he lay next to her, he could almost taste the sweetness of her kiss and feel the heaven of her embrace as her body had sheathed his. Passion suddenly shot through him as he envisioned the last time they'd made love.

  Chance silently cursed his own weakness in dredging up those memories. He was her guardian now, he berated himself. He was responsible for her and couldn't violate that trust no matter how much he physically desired her. She had been entrusted to his care, and he would not take advantage of her.

  Chance had always prided himself on being in control of his emotions. Though it took considerable effort on his part, he finally managed to bring his surging need under rigid domination. He lay there, fighting to maintain an outward appearance of calm, and wondered how long it would be before Rori finally gave up on her pride and promised not to give him any trouble. Chance hoped it would be soon, for he didn't know how long he could go on having her so close beside him. He knew he could control his desires when he was awake, but he wasn't sure he wouldn't reach out for her unconsciously in his sleep, and he knew that wouldn't do at all. Stifling a sigh, Chance lay beside her, feigning sleep and remembering . . .

  That night, Chance had no idea how stubborn Rori really was. Oh, he knew she had a nasty temper and that she could be obstinate to the point of aggravating, but he had no idea as to her staying power. As the nights and days passed in unparalleled misery for the both of them, neither one was prepared to back down. If anything, they each became more and more determined to stick to their guns.

  Though neither Rori nor Chance would admit it, the whole ordeal was pure torture. Neither slept well and, as a result, tempers ran short during the day.

  At first, Doug looked on without comment. He didn't understand exactly what they were trying to prove by their self-imposed torture. After about a week, he could no longer restrain himself from bringing it up. He and Chance were riding quietly along while Rori rode out ahead with Big Jake keeping a goodly distance between them.

  "I don't understand something," he remarked in an almost casual tone that warned Chance immediately that something was coming.

  "What?" he asked curtly.

  "What are you trying to prove with Rori?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean, why are you forcing her to sleep with you every night?"

  Chance's good humor was frayed already, and when Doug made it sound like he was forcing Rori to meet his sexual demands, he exploded. "I'm not 'sleeping' with her!" He let his brother know in no uncertain terms that he had not made love to her.

  "I know that," Doug told him disparagingly. Chance's fury with him for even suggesting such a thing only reinforced his belief that his brother was denying himself that which he wanted most. Had Chance and Rori been sharing love's passion and not fighting against it so hard, Chance would not have been so short-tempered or looked so haggard.

  Doug found the entire situation just short of hysterically funny. Back in Boston, Chance had been a carefree bachelor. He'd had any woman he'd wanted. They'd thrown themselves at him with gusto, for he was Chance Broderick—rich, handsome, and single. Chance had cut a wide swath through the social circle, never promising anything beyond momentary satisfaction, and yet the women had flocked to him. Now, here he was trapped by a guileless virgin, and Doug knew his brother had no idea how to handle it. It was interesting . . . most interesting.

  "Don't you think this has gone on long enough?" They both knew he was talking about tying her to him every night.

  "I don't trust Rori. I don't trust her one bit. She's headstrong and impulsive."

  "Yeah, so?"

  "So until she promises me she won't run away, I'm keeping track of her every movement."

  "Why would she, and where the hell would she go?" Doug asked.

  "Ask her," Chance returned. "She's the one who threatened to do it back in the village."

  "She did? I thought you told me she'd agreed to go along with you without any argument."

  "Look, Doug, I told Burr I'd do what was best for her, and I firmly believe that she'll have a better chance at life back in Boston. What's she got here? Nothing . . . nobody . . . At home, I'll see to it that she has the best of everything, meets the right people, attends the right functions . . . "

  "But what if that's not what's best for Rori in her own mind?"

  Chance, too, had been troubled by that thought, but he was so firm in his conviction to have her with him that he refused to worry about it too much. "I'll make sure she's happy."

  Doug wanted to tell Chance that he couldn't force Rori to his way of thinking, that he couldn't force her to enjoy what she didn't want to enjoy, but he remained silent. He'd seen his brother in determined moods like this before, and he knew there was no arguing with him or convincing him differently. When Chance decided to do something, he did it. Doug supposed that was why he'd been such a success in his business endeavors. He only hoped that his bulldoggedness would work for him now with Rori. Doug decided he would watch and wait and smile a lot when neither one of them was looking.

  Rori deliberately rode out as far ahead of the men as she thought she could get away with. The greater distance she put between her and Chance, the better. Her defenses against him were weakening, and she hated herself for it. She was almost to the point of giving in to him just so she could escape the agony of bedding down next to him.

  Rori hadn't gotten a good night's sleep during the entire trip. Every night, her wrist bound to Chance's, she lay awake for hours, staring up at the stars and wondering how she'd gotten herself into this. When she finally did fall asleep, usually just a short time before dawn, hers was not a restful slumber, but one filled with tortured memories of Burr entwined with sensual images of Chance. Still, despite the torment of her predicament, Rori couldn't bring herself to admit to Chance that he'd won. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that sleeping beside him disturbed her in the least.

  When they made camp that night, Chance considered what Doug had said. In a way, he realized his brother was right, but there was no way he could end the situation between him and Rori without losing face, and he wasn't about to let her get the upper hand on anyth
ing. Chance didn't stop to ask himself why it was so important to him that he keep her under his control. He just knew he had to do it.

  Rori was exhausted as she checked on Patch one last time that night after they'd eaten dinner. She knew she should stay up and try to avoid all contact with Chance, but the hope of getting some sleep drove her to her own blankets. Long before either of the men even thought about retiring, Rori had fallen sound asleep.

  Much later, Chance and Doug said their own good nights and bedded down. Doug, too, was tired, and he fell asleep almost immediately. Not Chance, though. He was determined to bind her to him even though she was sleeping, but as he reached for her arm, he found himself mesmerized as he watched her sleep.

  Jake was slowly making his way to join them.

  "Not tonight, Jakie boy," Chance told the hound in a low voice.

  The dog looked from his blissfully sleeping mistress to Chance and obediently moved off to lie down nearer the fire.

  Chance remained braced up on one elbow, studying Rori in repose. There was no doubt she was a beautiful woman, and he could feel the stirring of desire deep within him. Chance did not understand this need he felt for Rori.

  Chance had always considered himself a man who knew his own mind. He also considered himself a man of action. He met all of life's problems head on and could usually solve any dilemma to his own satisfaction, but Rori left him stymied. Not that she was a problem, exactly, but the emotions he felt for her were conflicting and confusing. One minute he would find himself ready to throttle her, and the next he'd be longing to hold her and comfort her and ease all of her sorrows and fears. Chance grinned wryly to himself. If nothing else, since he'd met her his life had not been dull.

  Chance was overwhelmed with a sense of tenderness for her. Things had been so rough for her lately. He knew he was being hard on her, but he had to show her that he was the boss. He had to teach her to listen to him and do things his way when he knew he was right. He reached for her hand so he could tie the rope to her wrist, and when he grasped it easily in his, she murmured something softly in her sleep.

  The sound of her sleep-husky voice sent a shiver of sensual recognition through Chance, and he gritted his teeth against it. He waited a bit nervously for her to come awake, and when she didn't, he breathed a deep sigh of relief. He was in no mood for an angry confrontation with her tonight. He needed some rest, too.

  Chance stared down at her, marveling at the freshness of her loveliness. As much as he wanted her, Chance knew he would not take advantage of her. She was his ward. He was her guardian. He couldn't let it be anything more. Still . . .

  He glanced down at the rope in his hand and threw it aside in disgust. There would be no need for that kind of restraint tonight. The only restraint he was going to need was on his own raging desire.

  The temptation to bend down and kiss her was overwhelming, but he refrained. Instead, he slipped an arm around her and drew her gently to his side being careful not to awaken her. Still fast asleep, she murmured softly as she curled instinctively against him.

  The innocent sensuality of her move sent shock waves of passion surging through Chance. He shuddered as he fought for control. Closing his eyes against the excited torment, he asked himself why he'd been so stupid as to think that he'd be able to hold Rori close without wanting her. It had been this way between them since the first moment he'd discovered her true identity, and he was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to end.

  Chance's jaw clinched as he struggled to remain passive with her in his arms. The temptation was great to make love to her right then and there. He knew she might fight him for a minute, but he knew how to make her want him. It would be a simple matter to . . . Chance stopped himself before he even really began to plan her seduction. He was on his honor to care for her, and if he made love to her now, he would be betraying his word to Burr.

  Chance was tense and downright miserable holding Rori, yet it never occurred to him to even think of letting her go. Rori lay nestled comfortably against him as he stared up at the night sky asking himself how many endless hours were between now and the sanctuary of daylight.

  Rori awoke slowly feeling greatly contented, although she wasn't sure why. She felt warm and protected and safe, almost like she was in a heavenly haven. Why, she thought dreamily, it's almost like before Burr died . . .

  The last thought jerked her painfully back from her dream world to the harshness of reality. Her mind was foggy, and it took her a moment to focus on where she was and what she was doing. Burr . . . Chance . . . going back East . . . It all came flooding back in on her then, and she realized that she must have gotten her first real night's sleep since the tragedy. She was glad, for she felt more rested than she had for a long time. Rori sighed and opened her eyes.

  Rori didn't know what she expected to see, but it wasn't Chance's chin. She stiffened in horror. What the hell had happened here? What was she doing sleeping in Chance's arms with her head resting intimately on his shoulder? Thankful that he was still asleep, Rori shifted positions a bit and carefully looked around. To her absolute dismay, she discovered that she was lying curved against his body as naturally as if it happened every night, and there was no sign of Jakie. Where was that damned dog? He was supposed to sleep in between them!

  It was then that Rori realized that he hadn't tied her wrist to his the night before, and that confused her. Had she been so sound asleep that her resistance to him was weakened, and she'd gone into his arms willingly? The possibility distressed her. She didn't want to show any weakness around Chance. She couldn't afford to.

  Rori was worried about what might happen between them in the future if she'd gone willingly into his arms last night while she was asleep. At the realization that she couldn't trust herself when she was sleeping, Rori made up her mind then and there to put an end to the situation. She knew she really had no choice where her future was concerned. Chance Broderick was a formidable foe. If she ran, he would come after her. There would be no defeating or escaping him. He intended to take her back to Boston with him, and she was going.

  Resigned to her fate, Rori moved gingerly away from him and began to fix breakfast. When he awoke, she would make the promise he'd been waiting for. She would promise not to try to get away. She would go with him without a fight. Her heart cried out to her that she was being foolish, that she would only be hurt, but Rori knew there was nothing else she could do.

  Chance had not fallen asleep until just before dawn. When he awoke a short time later, he realized immediately that Rori was gone from his side. Her jerked up into a sitting position, expecting the worst, expecting to find that she had fled the camp while he'd slept. Instead, he discovered that she was busily tending the breakfast fire. Relief flowed through him, and he gave a ragged sigh. He ran a hand through his hair as he got to his feet and stretched.

  "Good morning, Rori," he greeted her.

  Rori had had her back to Chance as he'd awakened, and at the sound of his greeting she went still. "Chance," she responded curtly, glancing around at him. She thought it embarrassing that she'd slept so intimately with him last night, and she hoped he wouldn't bring it up this morning.

  "I'm surprised you're still here," he broached the subject immediately.

  "There was no point in runnin'," she said, her resentment obvious in her tone.

  "You realize that now?" He was surprised.

  "You have your promise, Chance. I won't run," Rori told him flatly, knowing that she had to escape his nearness.

  His elation over having won the showdown with her was less than he'd expected, because now he knew that he had to keep his promise to her. He had to let her sleep alone. Logically, he told himself that it was for the best, but that didn't stop him from wanting her badly and resenting the fact that he was a man of honor.

  "And you have yours. Tonight I'll move my bedroll," he answered, mystified by the honor in him that drove him to keep his word. Why couldn't he be an unprincipled scoundrel l
ike some of his contemporaries back in Boston? Annoyed, Chance realized with grim amusement that his mother must have raised him right. He decided then and there that he would have to talk to her about that the next time he saw her.

  Rori nodded in response. From now on she would be sleeping alone. Yet, even as the idea pleased her, she wondered why she suddenly felt so terribly lonely again.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Rori was tense, her mood strained, as she reined in beside Chance and Doug in front of the hotel in Phoenix. This was her first trip back without Burr and memories of him haunted her as she looked around. She had tried not to think of him too much during the trek from the village, but now there was no denying how much she missed him. She loved him dearly and would always mourn him.

  As Rori dismounted, she cast a sidelong glance at Chance. He was paying no attention to her whatsoever, but was locked deep in conversation with Doug. She remained standing by Patch, the uncertainty of her position leaving her nervous and unsure of what to do next. They had barely spoken since the morning she'd made her promise to him. He hadn't told her anything of his plans, and she wasn't sure what was expected of her now.

  "Rori, let's go inside," Chance directed as he and Doug tied up their own mounts and, taking their saddlebags along, started inside the hotel.

  "Chance . . . wait . . ." Rori called out to him, distressed. She remembered the last time she'd entered the lobby and how the owner had tried to prevent her from going up to Chance's room, telling her that they didn't let "her kind" in there.

  "What is it?" Chance walked slowly to where she was standing with Jake, wondered what was bothering her, since she'd had very little to say to him over the course of the last week or so.

  "You plannin' on us stayin' here?" The tilt of her chin was stubborn as she looked up at him.

  "Yes, why?"

  "Well, you and Doug can, but I ain't." Her pride dictated that she not go where she wasn't welcome.

  "And may I ask where you plan to stay?" Chance did not understand her reason for balking at the accommodations.