Sundown (14 page)

“What’s the matter, Rosie?”  He jeered.  “Don’t tell me the Parson’s not good enough for you anymore?”

Rosanna
swallowed. 

“I’m sure he’d forgive you.”

Luke studied her sullen face. 

Still a grand beauty though he noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes, and the distant gaze in which she guarded. 

“You still love him.”  Luke coughed up a bitter laugh.  “Son-of-a-bitch still has you lock, stock and barrel.  Doesn’t he?”

“This is none of your concern.”

“He knows you’re here?”

“I wouldn’t know.”  She said with an edge of
sullenness.  “He doesn’t exactly frequent these types of establishments anymore, does he?”

“You’re right about that.”  Luke replied, falling into an uncomfortable silence.  He carefully watched her from the corner of his eye as she darted a nervous glance toward the balcony overhead, which led to the parlor’s backrooms.  When she caught him staring at her with what seemed like reminiscent pleasure, she smiled and then suddenly made him an offer.

“Come with me, just this once.” 
Rosanna
purred.  Reaching out, she slowly slid her hand down his arm until her fingers rested against his crotch.  “Why not, for old time’s sake?” 

Luke considered her request. 

Once long ago, perhaps he might have taken the woman up on her tempting offer.  No matter how drawn he felt to exact revenge on his brother, his desperate need for the sheriff’s lovely daughter dampened the lure.

“Sorry sweetheart, but those days are long since gone.”  He
replied, pulling back from her touch. “I’ve got more important matters to attend.”

A few hours later,
Rosanna
sat in her boudoir looking at her vanity mirror with her hand resting over an ample breast in a protective fashion.  She took notice her face was a mask of cool reticence as she stared at her intruder’s unwanted reflection.  She hated him with every fiber of her being.  Even so, she had no other choice but to deal with the irritating man.

“What do you mean he wouldn’t come up?”

“He refused me.”

Rosanna
crossed her arms.  The look in the man’s glare made her shiver.  Cold and calculating, he stared back with black piercing eyes.  She hated him.  Since that day, he rode into Denver, showing up in her saloon and threatening to turn her over if she did not help him get what he wanted.  Like a puppet, he had forced her to play the part of a sporting woman so he could lure Luke Shelton and his gang into his trap.

She tossed her chin to one side, while turning in her seat and haughtily shrugged her shoulder.  “What did you expect?  The man’s in love with another woman.”

“Are you sure?”

“I have my suspicion.”

“I thought you said he was in love with you.”

“Obviously not, besides it was a longtime ago.”

“Dammit!”  He barked.  Storming to her side, he grabbed her arm, and gave a cruel twist.  “Why didn’t you try harder?”

“Did you seriously expect him to grovel for my affections after I left him for another man?”

“Who’s the other man?” 

Rosanna
thought for a moment.  Shrugging her shoulders, she jutted a careless moue and crinkled her nose.  “He was just some drifter, a fickle cowhand who played me for a fool, while he dallied with one of the other girls.”

“One faithless turn deserves another.”  He returned.  Turning away, he crossed the room, and paused at the door.  With a sideways glance, he looked her up and down before finishing.  “You have one more chance.”

Rosanna
stared back at him. 

Though she remained in a stalwart position, her heart turned cold with fear.  If she did not do as the he instructed she knew she would never see her daughter again. 

She was running out of time.

A soft, rippling breeze rustled the lace curtains, which hung in her bedroom window.  Arabella closed her eyes and listened to the distant sound of a piano floating into her room.  Though she thought the sound lively, the nuance failed to alter the emotional upheaval she felt. 

Damn Bray Hanly for taking her by complete surprise!  He had nearly knocked the breath from her with such an unexpected and ardent kiss. 

No one had ever shown her so much passion, not like that, not even her outlaw lover, which she hated to admit.  What bothered her most was she enjoyed his kiss, so much she had hastily driven away in the wagon without even thanking Jenny for her hospitality.  She would have to apologize to her new friend, but how was she going to explain her brother-in-law had stolen a kiss from her?

The sound of a sudden creak at the window and a swish of air made Arabella open her eyes.  Adjusting her
sight, she sucked in a deep breath just as a stealth hand clamped over her mouth.

“Hello sweetheart.”

Arabella fearfully strained her eyes, peering into the darkness at a tall man with a bandanna covering his face.  Though it took a moment before she finally registered the identity of her
intruder, all at once, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions coursed through her body.  She felt shock Luke Shelton stood above her and a wave of desire ever since he had left her but most of all guilt because she had entertained unforgivable thoughts of another man. 

He slowly withdrew his hand from her mouth.  Placing a soft kiss on her lips, he withdrew and motioned for her to follow.  More than willing, Arabella slid from her bed.  She did not care about her unseemly appearance.  Clad in a sheer white lace nightgown, she took his hand, tiptoeing to the window. 

Luke climbed out the window first.  Plummeting to the ground, he looked up and held out his hand.  With a wistful smile, she sighed at his lithe prowess.  He certainly made it look so easy.  Following his lead, she slid her bare leg through the window.  While she maneuvered to a sitting position and then rolled to her, belly and slowly eased from the window.  Dangling by her hands, she double-checked his position before dropping into the safety of his arms. 

He did not waste a moment of time.  Taking her by the hand, he led her through the darkness.  Not far-off, a copse of trees concealed his mount.  She watched as he saddled his stallion with expert ease.  Grabbing her forearm, he hoisted her up, while she straddled his backside.  With an arm behind her back, he kneed his mount, which then took off with a fierce stride.  Clutching his middle, she felt the ripple of his muscles beneath her nails. 

Luke Shelton was not a figment of her imagination. 

Nor was he a vivid night’s dream, or a lover’s waning memory.  He was live, flesh and blood, and his very near maleness made her churn with
yearning. 

Already, he slowed his mount.  When the animal came to a standstill, she waited for him to dismount.  He slid from the saddle, and with one arm lowered her to the ground.  Resting his hands on her shoulders, she leaned back until his chest melded with the curve of her back.

“You have made me sick with wanting.”

Before Arabella could respond, his calloused hand cupped her chin as he slipped an extra blindfold over her eyes.  Ever so lightly, she felt his lips skim the rim of her mouth, the heady sweet scent of him tasted of spirits, pungent tobacco and a hint of mint, which intoxicated her senses.

“How did you find me?”

“Very carefully.”  He replied.  She could almost hear the smile in his voice as he caressed her lower lip with the butt of his thumb.  “Did you miss me?”

“Yes.”

“Show me.”  He whispered, pulling her into a fierce embrace. 
The sensation of his masterful lips, hot and pressi
ng against the small of her nape
quickened her pulse as he gently scoured the rest of her neck.
  Touching his chest, she ran her hand along the swell of a rising muscle, taut with eager anticipation.  Slowly she traced downward across his abdomen until she rested her hand over his bulging prowess.

She soon felt his hands grasp her arms and then pull her gently down to the ground upon a thick spread of grass.  She felt the length of his chiseled body slide up along hers, and then his manly weight, melding with her own.  The delicious bond of their bodies sent her mind reeling, making her gasp listless little breaths of pleasure as he lifted her skirts and slowly caressed her inner thighs.  His need was so great she felt him quickly thrust before she had a chance to recognize his intent.  Hot and throbbing, the intensity ignited her core as he began to move inside her.

“My God.”  He whispered.  “I have missed you.”

Just the sound of his raspy voice sent her hips hurtling upward, matching his feverish rhythm until a tiny explosion rattled her beyond the point of return.  Somewhere in the netherworld, she heard his matching cry spun with waves of wanton ecstasy.  

After a long moment of breathless silence, she felt his lips seal her mouth with a tender kiss.  “I love you.”

Arabella held her breath.  The words were simple but felt branded forever upon her heart.  Swallowing back the ache, which seized her throat, she responded likewise.

“And I, you.”  She whispered.  “I thought I’d never see you again, yet here you are.”

“I’m sorry for leaving you the way I did, but I had no choice, and once more I feared for your reputation and safety.”

“My father.”  Arabella paused, wincing at the sound of her own voice.  “He’s the Sheriff of Sundown.”

“I know.”  He returned.  There was a hard edge to his voice and then he sighed.  “I’m glad you chose not to tell me.”

“Why?”

“Had I known your father was a lawman I would’ve dropped you off at first chance.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Luke chuckled.  “A man cannot help when he is blindsided.”

“Nor can a woman being held hostage.”  She replied with the same
wit.

He quickly sobered. 

“It will always be like this.”

“You’re wrong.”  She shook her head.  “You can give it up and settle down where no one knows you.”

“Is that what you want?”  He asked.  “You would never see your father again.”

Arabella knew he was right. 

She would have to give up everything just to be with him.  Was she really willing to do it?  A sudden pang gnawed at her chest at the thought.  Feeling distraught, she quickly changed the subject.

“I had a dream.”

“A dream?”  His voice lifted as if curious.

“You were holding up a stage.  There was a man inside but I could not see his face.  I called out to you and then you paused as if you heard me.  You could not see me, and then he shot you. 
I could
even
smel
l the smoke from the gunfire.  Luke, it all seemed so very real.”

“It was only a dream.”  Luke murmured, caressing her forehead.  “My sweet, I think your fear is getting the best of you … think nothing of it.”

Arabella wisely held her tongue.  Since a small child, she had always experienced dreams of premonition.  Fear or not, she stood wary.

“Will I see you again?”

“Yes, but not for a while.”  He answered, his voice strained.  “I’ve business to take care of.”

“Another hold up?”

“I have to go now.”  He replied, ignoring her inquiry.

Her voice became incredulous.  “Now?”

“The last thing I need is the Sheriff of Sundown, riding hot on my tail.”  He replied.  “Promise me something?”

“What?”

“There’s a Pinkerton agent …”

“Jack Rafferty.

His voice turned suspicious.  “You know him?” 

“He interrogated me after the hold-up.”

“What did you tell him?”

“You all looked the same blindfolded.”

“Careful Bella.”  Luke warned.  “The man is guiled and he will stop at nothing to put a noose around my neck, and with good reason.”

“Wh-what did you do?”  She stammered.

“Years ago my brother shot and killed his partner.”