Chapter 11
Lucky could’ve kicked himself. First, he’d said ladylove, and then he might as well have said he wanted to seduce her. Of course, he did, but she didn’t need to know it and get ideas.
She gave him a sidelong look with her beautiful violet eyes, and pursed her plump lips.
“If you think you can toy with me and get your way like you do with other men, think again. I need you for one thing and one thing only.” Big words from a man who was about to lie down and roll over, but maybe somebody would believe him.
She lifted her shoulders in an elegant shrug. “I bet there are a lot of ladies who’d like to see more of you, at least in a painting.”
A lot of ladies had seen plenty of him, but she didn’t need to know it.
“I bet Mama Lou’d be happy to place a painting of you above her pastry shelf. I’m thinking you could be reclining on a bearskin rug.”
“Fully clothed?”
She cocked her head to one side, considering him. “Maybe you could be holding your hat.”
He laughed, imagining the strategic placement of his hat. “I don’t think what you’ve got in mind belongs in a café.”
“Bordello?”
“Where’d you hear that word?”
She shrugged again. “If the Bend wants a painting of me, why not get one of you, too?” Mischief danced in her eyes.
“Men are paying for it, for one thing.” Lustful images of her flitted across his mind. “What about one of us together?” He’d pay the artist plenty for those types of sketches. He wouldn’t be the only one, either. In New Orleans, there’d be a bidding war. With her need for money, he’d better never let her know. But once the job was done and the artist found, he just might consider the possibilities.
“The two of us? That’d be highly inappropriate and you know it.”
“That’s only the lady in you talking. What about the jezebel?”
“Jezebel?” She put a hand over her heart while her eyes widened in surprise. “Are you suggesting we pose in the—”
“That’s right. Naked.”
He watched her blush a tantalizing shade of pink. He’d like to follow that blush down to the rosy tips of her breasts. He could almost taste the sweetness and feel the heat on his tongue. He’d torment her sensitive flesh until she writhed and begged him to go lower to the scorching heart of her.
“You’re teasing me because you think I’m just an innocent little lady, aren’t you?”
“You set a man to thinking thoughts best left in the dark.”
“I bet you set free a few women’s thoughts, too.”
He chuckled, and she joined his laughter. “If you’re trying to distract me,” he said, “you’re doing a fine job.”
Despite their banter, he felt male satisfaction that she’d admitted she liked his looks and would like to see more. It had a powerful effect on his cock. Now he wanted to prove that she was more jezebel than lady, but he had more important matters that demanded his attention.
A sound downstairs reminded him that they were standing in the hall. Somebody could walk up the stairs at any time. “Best get our minds on business. We need to leave soon.”
“I’m ready.” She turned away from him.
“I’ll pack my saddlebags, and then we can be on our way.” He realized that she’d withdrawn, maybe put up barriers after their banter. He wanted to reach out to her, but perhaps it was for the best. He led them where it was best they didn’t go.
He ushered her into his room, grabbed his saddlebags, and tossed in the few things he’d taken out. He shrugged into his leather vest, pulled his gold watch from a front pocket where it was attached by a short chain to a button for security. He checked the time. Eight o’clock. He glanced out the window. Sunny morning in early September. It’d still be hot during the day, but cooler at night.
“That’s a nice watch,” she said. “It looks like a family piece.”
He nodded. “Like your chatelaine?”
“Yes. I borrowed it from my grandmother.”
“I see pieces like these more in the South.”
“It could be part of the heritage.”
“And money. Folks come out here to make their fortune, not inherit it.”
“Guess I’ll need to buy myself something pretty, so I can hand it down in my family.”
He thought how good she’d look in pricey baubles. “I’ll get you something.”
“You’re already paying me.”
“It ought to be something to go with that red dress.”
“I’m never going to hear the last of that, am I?”
“Doubt it.”
He put on his beige Stetson, glanced around to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind, and then walked over to the door. “Ready to go?”
“That’s all you’re taking?”
“I’m traveling light. You’ll need to do the same.”
She nodded, looking about the area, as if reluctant to leave. “This is not so different from my room.”
“No table and chairs.” He chuckled as a new thought struck him. “No telling what Saul will add to the Temperance Tempest Room.”
“None of this seems real.”
“It’s happened fast.”
“Why me?”
He looked at her, trying to see her as if for the first time. “You’re beautiful. You’re a lady. And there’s innocence about you. These are rare qualities out here where land and life ages you fast. Add an independent woman who dares invade male domains and you’ve got Temperance Tempest.”
“It’s fantasy. None of those qualities are me. I’m just a woman past her prime with a major affliction that’s caused a lot of problems.”
He crossed the room in two strides and wrapped her in his arms. He held her tight, molding her to the length of him. He felt her tremble, but didn’t know if it was from anger, despair, or passion. He wanted her like he’d never wanted another woman. He wanted to heal her, teach her, love her till she believed in herself. But that wasn’t his mission, not right now.
Stepping back, he lifted her chin with his fingertips, not daring to touch more or risk losing control. “In time, you’ll learn that you are the fantasy, not the reality that you’ve come to believe.”
She shook her head, smiling slightly. “I do think you’d say about anything to get me to work for you.”
He started to protest, but she held up her hand.
“Not that I don’t appreciate your lovely words, but there’s no need. I’m committed. Let’s go pick up supplies and be on our way.”
He couldn’t argue with her reality, but he had every intention of changing it. He put his saddlebags over one shoulder and held out his elbow. “Allow me to escort you to Adler Emporium.”
She clasped his arm. “Lead onward, kind sir.”