And more damp.
She moved away, restless, wanting.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll keep you safe. Count on me."
"I will."
She could trust Leo. With her life.
With everything, except her heart.
Chapter 10
Millie could see the booming gold town of Helena in the dark.
The place was nothing more than not-too distant buildings with their windows gleaming gold in the night.
"I can't believe we made it." She shifted in the saddle, aching from the unfamiliar position.
She'd never rode astride before. And it had been a two-hour journey along a narrow trail.
Leo had refused to take the road.
And every muscle in her body ached because of the rough ride.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were attempting to kill me." She gave her Stetson a tug.
Leo grinned. He rode beside her on his rented horse. "Don't count on it. If I wanted you dead, you would be."
"There's a comforting thought."
"I thought so. It's what's got me through this evening. I'm not in the habit of spending so much time with a female."
"Clearly. Or you would have shaved. Combed your hair. Spruced yourself up."
"No, that would only mean I'd made a good impression. I don't want that. I'm a badass. I need an image to match."
"Apparently you've been here before. Your reputation proceeds you."
"Hell, yes it does. I've done pretty well at the tables here."
"Gambling. So I heard back at the livery stable."
"You don't approve of gambling?"
"I don't approve of a lot of things when it comes to you."
He cracked a smile. "Look. It's starting to snow."
"So I see. Even this time of year?"
"A bad storm can move in anytime in this part of the country. We didn't even take the time to stop and get you a coat. Are you cold?"
"I'm all right."
That might be a lie, but with her growing desire for him, she did not wish to start a conversation about her body heat.
Which could melt the falling snowflakes, by the way.
Best to concentrate on the task ahead and not on the man riding at her side. "I'm glad you know where to start searching for my uncle. Is this town safer than Willow Glen?"
"Not by much on a bad day. On a good day, it's much better. They've got a good sheriff in this town."
"Shouldn't a man like you keep his distance from the lawmen in any town?"
"True. Don't you worry, I know Helena like the back of my hand." Mischief sparkled in his eyes. "Trust me. It won't be too hard to find Fitzhugh in this town."
"You sound awfully confident." She tightened her hold on the reins. "You sure must get around for an outlaw."
"We outlaws like to stay on the move."
"Is that right? Then why did you need to pose as my husband?"
"I'm not done yet. If I need to, I'll have to resort to wearing Fitzhugh's clothes. Or maybe buying some here in Helena. That should keep trouble off my tail."
"Trouble. Do you have trouble with the law, or with other outlaws? You sure wanted to avoid that outlaw gang back in Willow Glen."
"No comment. I'm trying to concentrate. Thinking isn't so easy when you're a criminal."
"Funny. You know, I don't think you're a criminal at all."
"Then what do you think I am?"
"I'm much too polite to say."
"Well, you would know. You married me."
"I didn't marry you. Honestly. You aren't going to go around Helena telling people that, are you?"
"If I need to. And don't forget. My reputation is going to take a blow if I'm married to a woman who wears pants."
"I don't even know what to say to that. If I were married, I'd want a man who knew how to shave."
"I'm rough and tough, sweetheart. No amount of insults can hurt me."
"Is that right? Well, how's this for an insult. There are parts of your anatomy I don't want to see."
"That's an insult?" He chuckled.
"You bet it is. We are not carrying this married pretense of yours one step farther. You seem to be doing it against my will."
"Hey, I don't need your cooperation."
She refused to be charmed by the twinkle in his eyes. "You most certainly do need my permission. For instance, otherwise you will be having to explain why your wife refuses to share a hotel room with you."
"That's easy. Women are hard to live with. I tell you. One little innocent comment about their hair, and you are out the door and sleeping in the hallway."
"Did you just wink at me? Are you making fun of this? Because I see plenty of hotels. Look around. None of them look run down enough for you. Maybe on the next street over."
"That insult wasn't even a glancing blow. You know I can afford any hotel room in this place. I just need to get a good winning hand at the poker tables, and I'll show you."
"Show me? I may need to gamble. I didn't have time to bring my handbag. I don't have any money on me."
"Don't worry, sweetheart, I'll take care of you."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not sure you are up to my standards. But I would appreciate being able to borrow enough starter money to get a good game of poker going."
"You are one funny woman. Sure. I'll lend you twenty bucks."
Millie shivered. A bitter breeze cut through her clothes like a knife. Snow collected on the brim of her Stetson.
"Are you cold?" Leo twisted around in his saddle.
"I'm perfectly fine," she lied.
She might be soaked through to the skin and her teeth were chattering, but that wasn't her real problem.
It was the fact that she wanted to snuggle up to the hard warmth of his chest.
Not gonna happen, Millie. She shook her head, scattering snowflakes off the brim of her hat.
He chuckled. "After we've found your uncle, we'll get you in a hot bath and you can soak the cold away."
"Sure, go ahead and tempt me. I want one right now."
They laughed together.
The wind gusted, driving the icy snow hard into her face. She had never felt so cold.
"This is mighty disagreeable country," she said over the gusty wind.
"You haven't seen nothing yet. Wait until you see a full-fledged Montana blizzard."
With any luck, she thought. If her uncle's store survived the outlaw gang's shooting rampage.
Not that a shooting rampage couldn't happen around her right now at any minute.
"Are you sure this is a safe place?" she asked.
"Just stick with me. I'll keep you safe."
That was some comfort. Millie eyed the busy street.
This was worse than Willow Glen, times two.
Everywhere she looked were gunslingers. Outlaws. Scar-faced men wearing guns. Men flocked from one saloon to another.
The streets were jammed with people, horses and excitement. Merchants on corners, men in the streets and Millie felt out of place, a lone woman on the dangerous street of this wild mining town.
But excited too. Montana Territory was everything she'd never imagined it could be. She cut her eyes to Leo riding beside her.
She loved his capable manner, his steely strength, and his lethal gaze scared off any trouble.
They dismounted in the livery. Leo caught hold of her elbow to steady her.
She was exhausted from the long ride, and her legs ached. Her fanny hurt even worse!
Riding astride on that saddle was not easy on the body. But she bet, after she'd gotten used to it she would want to ride everywhere that way.
She would buy a saddle. Definitely. No doubt about it now.
She rather liked the idea of imagining herself riding through town, astride Beauregard, with her Stetson at a jaunty angle and still wearing her trousers.
Maybe she would wear them all the time. They were comfortable, and very practical for the Wild West.
Maybe she would even have to start designing men's hats too. It was something to consider as she gave her Stetson's brim a brush.
"Let's get going," Leo spoke in her ear.
She shivered. "What about the horses?"
"I'll tip well." He hauled a twenty out of his pocket, pressed it into the livery worker's hand and took her by the shoulder. "C'mon. I need to know Fitzhugh is safe."
"Me, too. I want to see it with my own eyes. Do you think we're in danger too?"
"Sweetheart, if you stick with me, you will always be in danger."
"I have absolutely no doubt about that. Are you sure you aren't a wanted man?"
"Not by the law. The gang outside of Willow Glen is another matter. C'mon, we're in this together. What do you say?"
He reached out his hand, so big and gentle.
She stared at it and considered the friendship he was offering.
"Oh, why the hell not." Millie placed her hand in his.
His skin felt cold from the snow, but his touch warmed her to the core.
Not to mention the unmentionables.
She tried to pretend that wasn't really her reaction to him, but that was an outright lie. She was just glad he had no idea.
Not one at all.
"Don't worry." Leo tucked her against his side, drawing her closer. "You won't regret trusting me."
"You seen awfully sure of yourself. Do you know you could be considered delusional?"
"I've been called worse."
"You sure know your way around here. You must do a lot of gambling here."
"Some. Mostly I worked as a deputy here."
"I don't believe it," she teased. "Not for a moment."
"That's what I get for living on the bad side of the law."
"You quit a steady-paying job to go panning for gold in this wilderness, didn't you?"
"Something like that. And it was going pretty good too, until I had to rescue a woman in men's clothes at the side of the road."
"I was about to get robbed of my horse. Thank you for saving him."
"Not a problem. After all, if we're married, he's community property."
"Your property, you mean?"
"Yep. I say getting a horse is a better prospect than getting a wife any day."
"I suppose that depends on the horse."
They laughed together.
She watched a pair of men fall out of a saloon's open doors and tumble onto the boardwalk, fighting and cussing. It was a rough town. "Willow Glen is like this at night?"
"As long as the gang keeps chasing out the law, then yes. Good luck to the new sheriff coming to town."
"Maybe you could lend him a hand. Maybe there's a stable job as a deputy for you."
"As long as no one finds out about my wanted poster."
"You're kidding, right? You've got to be kidding."
"Hey, don't go around trying to improve my reputation. Big and bad, that's me."
She rolled her eyes.
Leo led her through the door and into the grandest establishment Millie had ever seen.
Chandeliers winked overhead, catching and throwing light. Decanters glistened from their places behind the bar, set on the fancy shelves.
Wow. She looked around. Fine wood tables and chairs were occupied with nicely dressed men, who gambled in low voices.
"I'll be right back." He let go of Millie's hand. "Stay right here for two minutes, and try to not get into any trouble. If you can manage it."
"I'll do my best."
She watched Leo walk away from her. He greeted an elegant woman in bright silks, who stepped out to greet him.
The two spoke warmly like old friends reunited.
Millie bit her lip. What was this hard, hot, sharp stabbing emotion in the pit of her stomach?
It was jealousy, that's what it was. And she wasn't proud of it.
Not one bit.
Leo wove back toward her. She did not like that his eyes were brighter and his smile wider than they had been before.
"No sign of Fitzhugh." Leo reached out and covered her hand with his bigger one. "Not one. Kathryn hasn't seen him or heard one word of him, but it's not a bad sign."
"Are you sure?"
"At least that's what I'm telling myself. He would want me to settle down, get a room and wait for him. You look like someone who could use a little taking care of."
Leo's touch soothed her in the way nothing could. "I know just the thing. You're about to get hot. Don't worry. I'll be good. Or I'll try to be."
Chapter 11
Hot. Millie couldn't get Leo's words out of her brain. It was about to get hot, was it?
She was already there.
She waited while Leo booked her a room in the nicest hotel in the whole darn place. Then he asked that a bath be filled for her.
A hot bath, just as he had promised.
She couldn't help being a little disappointed. She knew it was what he was going to do.
But sometimes a girl just wanted a little bit more.
Okay, fine, to be honest, she wanted a whole lot more.
And he'd probably never respect her in the morning, but desire was desire. And passion could not be helped.
His gaze unreadable as she followed him upstairs. This was no cheap hotel, she realized when she stepped into the room.
Talk about comfort. The carpet was luxurious and elegant. The bed was extra wide and looked extremely inviting.
A steaming tub sat in the corner of the room, and white fluffy linens were stacked on a nearby bureau. Now, that was heaven.
She couldn't wait to slip into that steaming, lavender scented water.
"I'll give you some privacy." Leo stepped back into the hall. "Take your time, enjoy your bath. We'll have supper when you're done."
"But what about your room?"
"Don't you worry. I'll be back in a while to get you." He closed the door and his boots tapped away down the hall.
But somehow, a piece of his heart seemed to remain.
Well, maybe she was just being fanciful.
She stripped out of her wet clothes and slid into the deep steaming water.
Wow. She sank down to her chin. The heat drove away the cold in her bones and eased away her worries.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. Slowly the soreness eased from her muscles.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but a light knock on her door woke her.
"It's me." Leo's voice mumbled through the thick plane of wood. "I picked up some things for you."
"What things?"
"New clothes. I had to guess at the size. Let me in."
"Hold on." She reached for a towel and stood. "I need a moment to cover up."
"Here I thought you might open the door naked. That would be a fine sight."
"You're a man bound for disappointment. Just a minute." She stepped out of the tub with a splash.
She dried herself as fast as she could before wrapping the luxurious towel around her.
She padded to the door. "I don't think I should let you in. I'm standing here in a towel."
"Too bad, sweetheart. You'd better let me in if you want to wear dry drawers tonight."
"Now you're resorting to bribery."
"I do what I have to." Trouble rang in his voice.
The sort of trouble she was starting to like. "I'll open the door."
She did. He towered above her in the hallway, all dark eyes and smile.
Her heart missed a beat.
"Here. This is for you."
She took the bag. "I suppose you can come in if you promise to behave."
"I make no promises." He stepped into the room. "I wasted my hard earned money buying you clothes. You look scrumptious in that towel."
She blushed. "I've never shown any man so much skin before. Oops!"
The towel began to slip. It was coming loose!
She caught the towel just as it slid open. She looked into Leo's laughing eyes.
"I
saw more than I should have," he confessed.
"Forget whatever it was you saw."
"That is an impossible request." He swept off his battered hat and crossed the room.
He knelt before the fireplace. What was wrong with her? She was so busy admiring him that she nearly let her towel slip loose.
Again.
"Aren't you going to see what I bought you?" His gaze met hers.
He winked. Clearly he'd seen more than she'd suspected.
She tugged the towel up higher on her breasts. If he looked at her that way again, she was going to never stop blushing.
She set down the bag and looked inside.
"Leo. I—" She simply forgot to breathe at the sight of the red dress. It had real pearl buttons and fine lace trimming. "I've never held such a such fine garment. I can't accept this. It's way too expensive."
"Too bad. You have no choice. It's either wear that or show up naked for dinner. Kathryn's other customers might enjoy that as much as I would, but you would be awfully cold. It's still snowing outside."
His footsteps padded on the floorboards. As he approached, her body quivered beneath the towel.
His hands cupped her bare shoulders.
She melted at his touch.
"I want to see you in it. But first I want to do this." His voice caressed the back of her neck.
She forgot how to breathe. Her body ached for more of his heated touch.
And that was the last thing she could allow.
She cleared her throat. "So, we'll be having a late supper at the establishment you took me to?"
"Yep. Kathryn's place has great food and it's the safest spot in town. No gun-fighting allowed."
"Darn. And here I am without my revolver. I was looking forward to a little gun-fighting."
"Is that right? Then just stick with me, sweetheart." He stepped closer. "I've never seen a more beautiful woman than you, Millie."
"Now you're just outright lying."
"Not even close."
He closed the distance between them. When he found her mouth with his, she met his kiss willingly.
That was all he needed to know. He took her into his arms and kissed her the right way. With all-out tender heat and velvet caresses.
He wanted her. He cupped her chin with one hand just to touch her.
Just to hold her while his lips tasted hers.
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