Blizzard Stranger

Belita Renn

Blizzard Stranger

By Belita Renn Venus Press LLC

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The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Blizzard Stranger Copyright © 2006 by Belita Renn ISBN: 1-59836-237-2 Cover art and design © 2006 by Jonathan Fasmire All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without permission, except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. Printed and bound in the United States of America. For information, you can find us on the web at www.VenusPress.com

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Author Note:

This is a work of fiction written for mature adult over age eighteen. It you will be offended by explicit material you should not read further. The persons, places, subject, and locations are written from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as true or fact. Any used material such as Creole dialect is in public domain. © Copyright Belita Renn

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Dedication:

To my Family and Friends

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Chapter One

1765, West Palestine, Texas Justus forced his mount to keep moving through the knee-deep snow. An ocean of white surrounded him, blinding him to the landmarks. Even the air that he sucked into his burning lungs was filled with the swirling flakes that the gusting wind wouldn’t allow to settle. There was so much snow in the air he no longer knew if it was still snowing, or if the blowing wind was merely swirling the flakes around. What he did know was that if they stopped moving his horse and he, they would die. He massaged his numb legs, arms and shoulders, while dusting snow from them. The lapels of his coat were pulled close around his throat and tied into place with a length of leather. His hat pulled low over his eyes he kept his chin tucked and his face buried behind a blanket he had wrapped around his shoulders. In spite of his efforts his limbs were numb and his breathing labored. His horse was suffering a similar fate, and there was nothing he could do to save them other than keep moving, and looking for a cave to shelter them. This area was not populated, so he dared not hope for salvation from that particular source. Searching through the white storm for areas of black, in hope of finding shelter where he could build a much-needed fire, he followed the dark specks. The cold was affecting his thinking for he had spotted several such caves only to discover nothing. When he urged his horse in the direction of the black area it would disappear as they advanced closer, not even finding a gully wall of dark dirt. At present Horace was his most faithful friend, so he talked and encouraged the animal onward, cajoling it as though it were a lady. At home his family awaited his return. They would have no way of knowing about this storm unless it reached far across the state. His parents and sister’s family wouldn’t know what happened if the storm took him. He wasn’t really worried about his family at present, if they received word or not of his death they would know he had been trying to make it back to them, and that something unexpected had happened. Before 6

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leaving he had sent a wired message so they would be expecting him not to arrive with a wife. He had ridden all the way to Kentucky to fetch his bride only to discover the twenty-year-old blonde had wed before he arrived. He could have understood it if he had been later arriving, but he had been a week early. Hard work had finally made his ranch profitable, and he had decided he could finally afford to support a wife in comfort. Justus was disappointed, but he hadn’t been in love. Although they hadn’t met, Daphine had been excited to be marrying a rich rancher, but a rich city banker had beaten him to the church. Justus wasn’t really rich, but Daphine was poor and lovely and willing to make a marriage for luxuries that he could afford to purchase, which made him rich in her eyes. None of that mattered now; in fact he was glad he didn’t have to worry about saving his wife in this storm. After rubbing the snow from his mount’s rump and mane, he rubbed the areas hard to keep the blood flowing and the cold skin stimulated. However hard he tried there was nothing he could do about the deep snow circling the horse’s legs. He made a constant repetition of dusting and massaging himself and Horace. He scanned for a cave, and then started over, all the time encouraging the horse to keep moving. After a time he grew tired of cajoling a dumb animal that didn’t appreciate his efforts. Cursing the beast, he demanded obedience and extra effort from the horse. Raging at the animal mostly in his mind, he thought of the trappers that hunted the mountains for furs to keep city dwellers warm. The fur buyers would pay twice, or even thrice as much if they realized what the poor trappers endured for a pelt. Scanning he spotted a yellow light flicker out and reappear between the falling snowflakes. His breathing too labored to speak he turned his horse in the direction of the light. The distance was great, and he was frightened for the first time. Knowing that possible salvation lay in the distance he finally feared they would not make it that far before collapsing. It was a definite possibility. Perhaps Horace saw the light as well and considered it a beacon of hope, for he continued to plod along. His breathing was labored to the point of desperation, and Justus feared the poor animal’s heart would give under the strain. Sliding from his saddle, he walked before Horace, and grabbed the bridal to lead the way. The dark shape of a house with a single flame flickering through a window slowly formed and grew in the swirling flakes as he drew closer. The light appeared to be a fire 7

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in the hearth. Snowdrifts had formed a blanket across the front of the building, with snow piled to the base of the windows. From his elevated position on the snowdrifts, he looked down into the room with the fire. Turning his gaze to the distant stables he decided that if he managed to get the horse there, he would need to struggle to rake the snow back from the door, before he could open it. Then he would be forced to cross the snow to the house. Also, if the house door opened outward he would be forced to dig again. By the time he finished this impressive list he feared he would be dead. He liked to think he would be welcomed at the house, but there was little hope of that occurrence happening. Few welcomed strangers even in the present life-threatening situation. He was a stranger, an unknown who could not be trusted, unless there was a need of an extra man’s hands or a horse. If he had what they needed people would pretend they welcomed an invasion. Deciding to skip the struggle at the stable door he climbed onto the saddle, and started Horace forward. If there were any steps, they were buried under the deep snow. Guiding his mount in the direction of the house, he rode straight to the door that was half buried behind snow. Turning his mount parallel to the doorway he swung out his stirrup and hit the door with his boot. He waited a moment, while removing his pistol from his coat pocket. He checked the load, and then slipped the pistol beneath the front of his coat for quick retrieval. Then he kicked the door again. Finally the door moved. A pretty girl pulled the door inward. She appeared to have the door against her shoulder to battle the wind. Not wasting time to inspect the girl he judged her to be in her early twenties. Leaning low over Horace’s neck, he urged the horse forward. Forcing the frightened girl backward the horse stepped down off the snow onto the house floor. Entering the house, he headed straight to the hearth where the fire was crackling. It was a large fire under normal conditions, but battling the deep chill it was a reasonable fire. Keeping the circle of air nearest the fireplace warm the rest of the room was still cold. Sliding from the saddle, he stood on weak legs that wobbled to remove the saddle. He did not know if there was any harm from receiving too much warmth too fast after being near frozen, his guess would be no. The faster they warmed the better. His frozen fingers were having difficulty with the tight knots of the leather straps. Removing the blanket from his shoulders, he dropped it across the saddle, before tackling the knotted leathers again.

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“What do you think you are doing? That animal cannot stay in here,” the girl said over her shoulder, shoving the door closed. Turning to face him she advanced halfway across the room in his direction, before she stopped. “You make the mistake, misere.” She was a young lady and she spoke with a Creole accent, he realized simultaneously. Looking over the horse’s back he settled his eyes on her, remembering that she could not see his face. It was not difficult to assume that she was frightened. She had a lovely face, but the gown she wore was last year’s style, and too small for her hourglass body. She was obviously a servant wearing her mistress’ cast off clothing. Returning his gaze to the saddle, he removed it from the horse’s back. The blanket lying over the horse’s back was dragged off, and then dropped to the floor beside the horse. “I am trying to keep him alive; this horse is as frozen as I am,” he explained in a normal tone, at least as normal as he could talk through burning lungs and frost-bitten lips. “Well, you can warm then you must be on your way.” Hands clasped behind her back, she strolled to the window with snow piled on the outside window sash and looked out. “In case you haven’t realized, that is no ordinary snow storm outside. It is a blizzard. It is not safe out there for man or beast. I tried to find a cave to wait the storm out, but I could not find one. I don’t care if I must sleep by this fire, if necessary- I plan to stay. Is this your place?” Removing his gun holster from the saddle, he wrapped it around his hips, and buckled it in place across his stomach. Sliding his gun in the holster he leaned down and lashed the leather strips around his thigh. Watching him with suspicious eyes, she minutely shook her head. Knowing he would notice any movement from her, he returned to his task. When he glanced up again she was scanning the view beyond the glass with a look of desperation. “Are you watching for someone?” Justus glanced at the snow blocking the view of the bottom panes and shook his head. “Yes I am, and it isn’t a blizzard. It is merely the wind that is making the storm look fierce.” She didn’t choose to enlighten him as to the identity of the person she was hoping would appear. He had to assume it was a father or husband. She didn’t look so young now that he had a better look at the lady. On closer inspection, he decided she was in her late

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twenties. His cock twitched, she was old enough to slip into her hot cunny. Standing in profile, she had her chin lifted to study the view. Only a man attempting to save his home would leave a cozy hearth and venture out in this storm. Moving to the side door, he opened it and looked inside the storage room. Crossing the room to the opposite door that led to the back of the house, he glanced down an empty hallway. There were several doorways, he noticed with relief. Then he frowned when another thought entered his mind. Each one of those doors could contain a man with a pistol. “What are you doing? You said you would stay by the fire.” Having turned her back to the window, her arms crossed over her waist, she eyed him with suspicion. Frowning, he turned to respond to her question. “If necessary, but I do not think it is necessary. This place must have a couple of bedchambers. How many people are here with you?” Closing the door he stood against the wall. His weak limbs were regaining life and throbbing with tiny needle pricks jabbing at him all over. “Why do you want to know?” Her tone suspicious, she backed a step again the wall, as though suddenly realizing that she could be in danger. “How many men?” he demanded in an authoritative timber. “None.” Her mouth flattened, revealing her irritation. She did not like the situation any more than he. “Women? Children?” He leaned his head against the wall and inhaled a healing breath of assurance. It would be nice to think there was no reason to worry. He would like to think a man would welcome him into his home, but it was doubtful that would happen. There were too many saddle tramps without food or money, too many strangers on the trail. “How many?” he repeated when she didn’t answer. She shook her head. So they were alone for now, but she was watching for someone. “Who are you expecting?” “A friend.” “Your lover?” A half grin pulled up the corner of his lips. What other reason would a young woman have to be out here alone? “Does he own this place?” “No, not my lover, a friend, and no he does not own this ranch,” she said in a defensive tone. 10

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She was a half-breed with a Louisiana accent. She had lovely tan skin, and wavy black hair that touched her shoulders. Her facial features were delicate, and black lashes naturally outlined her golden eyes. Her mouth was a lush bow that looked soft and inviting. Her full breasts pushed against her cotton blouse, while her nipples strained the material. Her ribs tapered to a narrow waist tied with a long cloth belt. A full pleated skirt that reached her ankles caressed the flare of her hips. Practical boots covered her small feet. She was a ripe, juicy peach ready for eating. Thinking of nibbling on her nipples made his mouth water and his cock swell and strain against his buckskins. “Where is your family?” What the hell was she doing traveling in Texas alone? Was she someone’s mistress, and he didn’t want to be seen traveling with her? Ah shit. He wanted her for himself. After waiting a moment, he realized she was not going to answer. He didn’t want to make her nervous, but he was worried about being caught unaware and unprepared. “How long have you been here?” “I haven’t been here long. I saw the house and stopped when the snow started. My friends are following, which is why I am watching. I don’t want them to pass this place and miss me.” “I doubt they will get this far, if they were a fair distance behind you. If your friends are wise they stopped at a house up the road.” “There are no houses. I rode ahead. Now, I wish I had waited.” Why was she traveling separate from her companions? “If you had you may have frozen to death. Hope your friends found somewhere to wait out the storm.” “I suppose you are right. Still, I don’t want to miss them.” “That is twice you have said them. Who is with your friend?” “The driver and my friend.” One woman and three men, it wasn’t a good combination. He hoped her friends stopped up the road. Still, he wondered what association she had with this friend. Moving to the wood box, he checked the log supply. “Did you bring this in?” Standing at an angle, he kept her in his line of vision. “No, it was here. I don’t think it is going to last long though.” “Do you know where the wood is stacked?” Shaking her head, she frowned. “I don’t know if there is one.” 11

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“After I warm awhile I will go out and check. We may end up burning the furniture.” She flinched, “I don’t know if there is enough furniture to burn for very long.” “Don’t worry over it, I haven’t even checked for a wood pile yet. There may be plenty of firewood. I am just glad this house was here to get us out of the storm. I don’t know how much longer we would have lasted, but I don’t think it was long.” Moving his horse away from the fire, he finished removing his gear. “I have some dried meat, if you are hungry.” “Oh, it is kind of you to offer, but there is food in the kitchen. I have soup on the stove, if you would like to join me?” He nodded. “I would. It will be a pleasant change from my dry food.” Patting his horse’s neck, he offered the animal some of the dried meat. “There is food for the horses in the stable. I put my mount there. Whoever deserted this place left it prepared.” “The barn is snowed in. They may not have intended to be gone long. The snow may have slowed their return.” “Do you think they will be angry that we have used their home?” she questioned anxiously, frowning. “Some folks don’t mind, some do.” He shrugged. “Nothing we can do if they're angered; we will offer to pay for the vittles, if they return. Either way I plan to leave them some money when we leave." “Are you talking to make me comfortable with your presence? You've been wasting your time, cowboy.” Her arms crossed beneath her breasts framed the round globes like a painting. She was an enticing woman to gaze upon, tempting his sexual appetites with her beauty and the sweet accent of her voice without realizing her power. “You ever had a painting of yourself done? I sure would like to see a painting of someone as pretty as you over my fireplace instead of a dad-blame horse, which is what I have now.” Her chin tilted as though he had finally gotten her attention. “You have a painting over your fire? Sounds like a fancy place. Why don’t you have a painting of your wife over your hearth?”

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“I’m proud of my ranch. I worked hard to make it profitable. I’m aiming to get a wife next.” Easing his bottom down on the stone hearth he rubbed his hands down the slick leather hide covering his limbs, dragging at the material. He needed some space in his crotch. The dammed pants were showing his cock was ready for action. He didn’t want her to become frightened by the randy stranger she was trapped and alone with in this house. “You raise boeuf or mouton?” “Beef or sheep?” When she nodded he smiled, “Mostly beef and some horses. Where are you heading?” She shrugged. “Dodge City, Jon likes to keep moving. Where is your place?” “You gonna come visit?” He flashed a smile. “I could get the painting done of you, if you did. My place is outside San Antonio. I know someone that paints. He can make a picture look almost alive.” He could see the painting in his mind. Her arms wrapped around her naked breasts and her pretty, little love box shaved so he could see her labia. Damn, it was a good vision. He would love to see her like that hanging over his bed every day. “Is there a saloon in San Antonio where Jon can gamble?” She looked as though she were definitely interest in visiting. It could be the idea of having her likeness painted, or it could be interest in him. At this point he wasn’t able to tell where her interests lay. He nodded. “Yes, a showy place. I hear you have those fancy riverboats in Louisiana. I would like to see one of those.” “My accent gave me away.” She smiled. “It does make it difficult to conceal my origin.” Turning to face him she ran her hand down the side of her neck. Then dropped it against her cleavage, and on down to dangle at her side. “Jon says I should learn to speak with a French accent. He said French women receive more respect than a southern Creole woman.” “Are you this Jon’s woman?” The fire was heating his back, and it felt as though the sun was beating down on him. It felt damned good after being out in the cold. “I told you, he is a friend.” Turning back to the window, she placed her hand on the cold pane, while looking out. “You know what I mean. Do you sleep with him?” pointedly he asked her back in an authoritative timbre. There was no need to conceal his desire. She had to have seen his engorged cock pushing against his buckskins. Since she was traveling alone with a 13

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man, she should not be surprised by his question. Not when the lady in question was this desirable. It sounded as though Jon objected to her tanned skin. Was that why they were traveling separately? Was Jon hiding their association? Personally, he thought her skin added to her allure. “That is not your concern.” Keeping her back to him her ass swayed as she moved to change her position. He drummed his fingers on his thigh, glad that the normal feeling had returned to his hands. “I would like to know if I have a chance.” Laying it on the line was his way. He played his cards straight, so there would be no misunderstanding. Casting a glance at him over her shoulder she scanned him quickly before turning away. “I’m not a whore.” She paused. “Do you really know someone that could paint my likeness?” The fire heating his back was beginning to grow too warm, while the front of him was still cold. Standing, he faced the fire. “I would have you painted nude. I would watch to make certain the artist didn’t do anything improper.” She chuckled. “You don’t think it’s improper to want me to sit nude before two men, while one painted my likeness for all the world to see.” “Real art is often nudes.” He shifted to the opposite side of the hearth to warm his cold side. “I suppose you know that for certain. Or are you basing your knowledge on the nudes over the saloon bars?” “You have got to be freezing over there. Come over to the fire. You are wasting your time watching. “My name is Justus Cole.”

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Chapter Two

“My name is Toney Remy. I’ll call you Justus if I may? It doesn’t appear we are going to have much need of formality.” “I’d like that ma’am. No reason we can’t be friendly.” Moving to the opposite side of the hearth, he tore off a piece of meat with strong white teeth. Chewing as though starved, he opened his coat and slid it from his broad shoulders. His clinging clothing revealed a narrow waist and tight rounded buttocks. The wide belt of his gun holster held the material tight across his pelvis and revealed the erection beneath his leather pants. He had a good-looking body. As for his face, the whiskers made him look grubby, and in need of a good scrubbing; still it appeared to be a strong masculine face. He had dark green eyes and light brown hair that brushed the bottom of his collar. “I could suggest going to your town.” She didn’t want to be rude. Jon might not come, and she would be stranded here. If Jon were dead in the snow somewhere, she would be alone in the world. Jon was the closest thing she had to a family. Her mother had been his mistress last year; she had taken up with Jon when rustlers had killed her father. Everything they had owned had been borrowed on at the bank to buy the cattle. The rustlers had taken the cattle, and the bank had taken the farm. Jon was supplying the food and paying the rent on the little house they had lived in at the edge of town; most of the time he won enough money to take care to them. When her mother died from lung fever Jon offered to care for her. She had agreed knowing that he expected her to sleep with him. He had been the first man she had ever shared her bed with, so to prevent her from forming an emotional attachment to him Jon had rented her out the next day. Since then it was only when he was losing that he'd bring home a man to share Toney's bed. Bedding men was the only way she had of supporting herself, and as long as she was with Jon she wasn’t a twenty-one year old with no future, working in a whorehouse. It was strange having different men poking into her female core and feeling her 15

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breasts. Not unpleasant, it was even exciting; still, it was strange. Would Jon want to share her with this man? Justus made it clear he wanted to fuck her. She imagined sitting in his fancy front room before the hearth, nude, while he watched her as another man painted her likeness. A shiver ran up her spine. Her breathing became heavy, continuing the fantasy all the way to him hanging the painting above his fireplace for the entire world to see. His ranch hands would enter the house and gaze at her naked painting, while receiving instruction on running the ranch. She would be sitting in the room, and the cowboy would look at her; his eyes would slide down to her breasts, knowing exactly what they looked like. Her sheath ached and pulsed, growing wet as she lived the fantasy in her mind. A thump on the door startled her out of the dream. Hurrying to the door she reached for the handle when Justus’ large hand settled on her arm. “Allow me.” He moved before the door, and she stepped aside. Dragging the door open Justus held it braced against the wind, while Jon and his driver Hank stumbled in. “Where is the horse?” Justus asked. “Couldn’t get in the barn,” Jon puffed. His arms hugging his body he hurried to the fireplace. “You cannot leave it outside.” “What do you propose I do with the animal? I am not going to die trying to dig out the barn door. Toney, did you get your horse in the barn? We can use it when we leave.” Justus stomped to his coat and dragged it on. “As you are gonna let it die, I will claim the animal.” He wrapped his head and shoved on leather gloves, before heading toward the door. “Toney, I need you to help me with the door.” Casting a glance at Jon when he turned his back on them and held his hands out to the fire, she knew he was going to let the horse die. Hurrying to the door, she stood to the side, while Justus opened the door and stepped into the cold. Using her body weight, she closed it behind him. “Jon, I think he is rich.” She planted the first seed. She knew now that she wanted to go to Justus’ ranch, even if it was only for a little while. Jon could gamble and earn their keep, and she could entertain the landowner. Perhaps even have her likeness painted. Moving to the window she watched him stomp through the blowing snow to the 16

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horse that looked near dead with its head drooped and its body covered in snow. Toney wasn’t normally vain, but his desire had made her feel beautiful. It was a delightful emotion, and if her fantasy had made her wet and excited and colored her decisions, she didn’t care. Rubbing his hands and legs before the fire Jon cast a quick glance at her. “He's been flirting and filling your head with the idea of gifts?” “No. He mentioned wanting to have my likeness painted to hang over his fireplace. He has a painting of a horse there now. That sounds like money to me. Plus, he said he raised boeuf and horses.” Justus removed the harness on the horse, and pulled it toward the house. “Did he mention gambling?” “He said there was an elegant saloon in his town for gambling.” She moved to the door and waited for Justus’ knock. When he thumped, she held the door and fought the wind, swinging it back from fear of it breaking the hinges. Pulling the horse in the door, he stopped it close to the door and raked the snow from its body. Then he briskly rubbed over the animal to circulate its blood and warm it slowly. Jon’s teeth were chattering, as he tossed more logs on the grate. Then he stirred the coals to perk the fire. Hank sat before the hearth and rocked, holding his frozen hands against his body. He was still too cold and in pain as he warmed. Grabbing up a handful of snow from the floor that the horse had raked in, Toney carried it over to him, and rubbed it over his hands to help warm them with the cold friction. “Thank you Miss Toney,” Hank murmured in a grateful tone. “You could do that for me,” Jon complained; he had a less noticeable Louisiana accent. Jon didn’t sound like a native. He sounded like a visitor who had picked up a tint of the accent. “Remove your boots,” she told Hank. Standing, she walked to Jon and rubbed his hands and arms, then down his thick legs. Jon was a husky man; he spent too many hours gambling, and few hours doing anything resembling physical work. He had long hair that touched his shoulders and blue eyes. He was a plain man, with unremarkable features. Toney believed his features helped with his gambling, 17

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because people didn’t notice his face. Moving back to Hank she rubbed his frozen feet. A small black man, Hank had large sad eyes that often watched her. She assumed he either felt sorry for her for being with Jon, or he wanted her and was too humble to approach her. Toney thought she would bed him if he were to ask, but pride prevented her from approaching him; she wasn’t a whore, and she didn’t want to appear to be one. When Jon rented her, she wasn’t being a whore - she was helping to provide for all of them, including Hank, in the only way she could. Hank understood what she was doing when she spread her legs for a stranger. Jon removed his boots, and she massaged his feet. Glancing up she met Justus’ gaze. Standing beside the horse, he was watching her. “Would you like me to rub your feet?” “I would.” She waved him over. Leading the horse closer to the fire, he sank onto the straw seat of a ladder-back chair and removed his boots. He had on thick wool socks, of a quality that she could only describe as new. The man may be subtle, but he had money. The money would attract Jon. She felt certain he would follow the money. As the men’s feet warmed, the smell of sweat and leather began drifting into the air. Pinching her nose, she waved her hand before her face. “I think it is time for you to replace your boots.” Justus laughed, revealing white teeth. Reaching for his boots, he pulled them on. Jon frowned, but he tugged his back on. Hank ducked his head as though embarrassed, but had a sheepish smile on his lips when he glanced up while pulling on his boots. “Oh, I need to check the stew. We have food, gentlemen.” Rising, she hurried to the door and slipped through to the kitchen. The stew was bubbling, but thankfully had not dried out during her absence. It smelled heavenly. Lifting a spoon to her mouth, she took a small taste of the smooth broth and confirmed the delicious aroma.

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Chapter Three

Justus leaned back against the chair, and lifted a cigar from his pocket. After biting off the end, he spit it into the fire. Leaning forward from the chair, he touched the cigar to the hot coal to light the tobacco. “Would you care for a cigar?” Straightening, he reached in his pocket, and held two out for the men. Both men accepted. Hank appeared to be a typical servant. Jon had the look of a slick gambler. He didn’t think it would take long before Jon challenged him to a game of cards. Leading back, he puffed his cigar and relaxed. Pushing his coat open, he smoothed his hand over his waistcoat to the pocket and lifted out his pocket watch. Spotting the timepiece, Jon’s eyes lit with greed. Now he was certain the gambler would be challenging him to a game of chance with hopes of winning his watch. “I do believe the darn thing is frozen.” Snapping the timepiece closed before Jon could see that the hands were indeed moving. “Not working?” Sounding resigned to the loss of the timepiece, Jon shook his head. “We lose so much in winter.” Flipping the timepiece into his palm, Justus shoved it back into his pocket. “Guess it is better to lose a watch than a horse.” Rising, he grasped the horse's bridle and led the animal into the storage room with his horse. “Are you really claiming my horse?” Jon asked between teeth clenched around his cigar, as he returned to the front room. “You would have let it die. So, in truth, your horse is dead. Of course I would be willing to trade it back to you.” “Oh yeah, what you wat, my coach?” “Your woman,” Justus admitted bluntly Justus. Jon’s mouth spread wide around his teeth clenching his cigar. “You want ashte, to buy?” He changed his wording for clarity. “She is worth more than a horse.” 19

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“No doubt.” Sauntering to the chair, he dropped carelessly onto the straw seat. Lifting one boot at a time, he placed them on the stone hearth. Relaxing, he inhaled a deep breath of smoke and the smooth aroma of stew. It appeared Toney knew how to cook, also. “It smells as though you would be losing a cook, if you lost Toney.” “Hank usually cooks. Toney can’t concentrate; she forgets and burns more food than not,” Jon complained removing his cigar to thump the ashes in the fireplace. “Toney tells me you invited us to your home.” “Did she?” Justus remarked facetiously. “Was she mistaken?” Imitating his relaxed stance, Jon tried, but failed to conceal the light of excitement in his eyes. “I invited her, not you,” bluntly he stated, uncaring of the man’s feelings concerning the girl. Justus had the impression that the only real feelings Jon had for Toney were centered at the monies she could bring in when the cards were not in his favor. If Jon played an honest game, he would have some bad days at the tables like everyone else. Jon chuckled. “I see.” “Do you? I doubt it.” “Your cock wants a dip.” He chuckled. “Toney isn’t a whore. She has on occasion helped out when times were lean, purely as a wife would. So you see I need her around.” “I imagine it costs more to provide for her upkeep than she earns,” Justus pointed out. Toney had said she wasn’t a whore, so he was playing a gamble that she had spoken the truth, and that Jon didn’t always prostitute her. Jon chuckled. “Oh yeah, I hadn’t considered it from that angle. Still, she provides me with compensations.” To drive home the point he grinned wickedly. “Consider it. The compensations can be found elsewhere.” Shifting his gaze pointedly to the driver, he made his thoughts clear. The gambler’s smile became weak and forced. “What makes you think so?” Justus shrugged, “Your delayed arrival. Why else would you send Toney ahead? You are obviously not ashamed of your association with her.” Smugly, Jon laughed. “You found me out. I do like to be sucked and fucked by Hank. However, I manage to find opportunities to be alone with him. Part of the fun is that Toney doesn’t know.” The door to the kitchen opened while Jon was admitting his lust for his servant. 20

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From his position, Justus was able to see Toney hesitating in the doorway and listening. She entered the front room without comment. Had she already known why Jon had sent her ahead? Why would she pretend ignorance of Jon’s affair with the driver? Justus nodded in her direction. “If she didn’t know, she does now.” He felt a moment of discomfort. He hadn’t wished or planned to upset Toney. “The food smells delicious.” “Indeed it does. Do join us, sweet lady. I understand that you now know of my peccadillo?” Jon recovered swiftly, obviously a shallow fellow in the emotion department. “Yes.” Her gaze shifted to Hank then moved to Jon’s face. “Our new friend here has asked for you to join him at his home, for proper compensation of course. I believe to have your likeness painted.” His gaze studying her face, Jon appeared to be admiring instead of worrying over her reaction to his revelations. Was he accustomed to bartering her? Of course he was; it was a foolish question. Her gaze shifted from Jon to him. Stopping on the far side of Jon, she studied Justus. He met her gaze boldly. His eyes clearly undressing her body and caressing her face, he made love to her with his eyes. If she didn’t see the desire, then she was clearly obtuse, and Justus didn’t believe the lady was dull-witted. “How long are we talking about?” Toney inquired. Her eyes drifting over Jon and Hank revealed she hadn’t known the two men were lovers. Shrugging a shoulder Justus flipped his cigar into the fire. “My plans haven’t reached that far into the future. I'm certain we could nurture the relationship along for some time. Certainly long enough for a master painter to paint your likeness.” Hoping to touch her vanity he made certain she knew only the best painter would be painting her portrait. It also dropped a clue as to the luxuries he could provide. In his care she would not be prostituted. “I shall consider it. Shall we eat?” Turning, she strode from the room. Justus flicked a glance at Jon to see his reaction. The man was smiling. He had a feeling Jon had just made a wrong decision. At least he hoped so. Rising, he followed Toney through the doorway. Following the aroma of stew, he found her easily. Strolling into the room, he walked up behind her and circled her body with his arms, cupping his hands over her full breasts. She stiffened, but didn’t attempt to pull away. His thumbs and fingers plucked her nipples through the soft material. “I’m offering to take care of 21

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you.” Jon entered the kitchen behind them, so Justus dropped his arms from her body. “Allow me to take that to the table for you.” Taking the potholder from her hand, he wrapped it around the handle of the cast iron pot, and then carried it to the table. Toney had found some wooden bowls and had arranged them around the table with spoons and scraps of linen. “The quilt pieces were all I could find to use as napkins.” “Personally, I cannot tell the difference.” Pulling out a chair for Toney to sit, Justus waved for her to take a seat. She moved beside the chair and gathered the material of her skirt in at her sides, molding it to her round buttocks. Justus felt his cock reawakening. Shifting his gaze to the smug expression on Jon’s face cured his growing problem. There was something greasy about the fellow. “You ever worked on a ranch, Jon?” Scooting the chair beneath the beautiful bottom, Justus made certain she was settled, before moving around the table to sit opposite Toney. Her two male traveling companions sat on the ends of the small table. Shaking his head, Jon reached for the pot of stew and filled his bowl. “Never; I had the privilege of making the acquaintance of an affluent companion at an early age.” Grasping the potholder he moved the stew to Toney’s bowl. “He taught me how to gamble to support myself. I must admit I much prefer it to working hard labor on a ranch.” “You should try it sometime. Cow punching can be an interesting job.” “I will take you word on the matter.” When Toney had filled her bowl, he moved the pot to Justus and released the handle. Justus filled his bowl and moved the pot to Hank. “As we appear to be snowed in for a few days we must find ways to amuse ourselves. Would you be interested in a few hands of poker?” Jon asked, lifting his spoon he blew on the stew to cool it, before taking a bite. Her stew was too salty. Toney had used salted meat without soaking the salt away. Pretending not to notice Justus complimented her on the delicious taste. A warm flush darkened her face to a rosy hue. Grunting, Jon smacked his lips. “A mite salty for my taste, not a bad effort though. Hank shall prepare the meals now that we have arrived.” The flush on Toney’s face darkened, and Justus winked at her. He didn’t care that 22

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she wasn’t a great cook; he had a cook. Besides, with a little training he figured she could hold her own in cooking. “I’ve been eating dried meat for a week, and I would choose this over it anytime.” That brought a smile to her lips, albeit a small one. “You interested in playing a few hands to pass the time?” the gambler pressed. “Not tonight. I am fatigued from struggling to stay alive. I guess that dried beef doesn’t give a man much strength.” Frowning, Jon returned to eating his stew. When the meal was finish, Hank and Justus cleaned the dishes, while Toney cleared the table. Jon wandered out of the kitchen. Justus’ opinion of the man was sinking lower with each situation. “I reckon we need to check out the sleeping situation. Hope there are some quilts to keep us warm.” “I hope there are some beds,” Hank supplied softly. Leading the way from the kitchen Toney started down the hall, with Hank and Justus following. They each took a door and walked inside. Justus found a bed with a blanket and quilt folded across the foot, one pillow and no bed linens. The cedar chest at the foot of the bed contained a frilly nightgown made of lace. Holding it up he imagined Toney’s dark golden skin revealed between the many holes in the white lace. His gut clenched with want, and his cock twitched to life. He rolled the nightshirt and stuffed it back inside the chest. When he left, he would be taking it with him. Leaving the room he strode to the front room and gathered up his gear. “Found where I am going to sleep,” he announced as he strode from the room. He passed Toney and Hank in the hall as he returned. “I’m taking the last room on the left.” “There are only three bedchambers. Someone is going to need to share,” Toney instructed. “All right, you can sleep with me. I have a surprise for you.” Turning from her he tipped his head at the servant, as he continued down the hall. Entering the chamber, he settled his saddle on the dresser and dropped his roll on the chest. With a smile twitching the edges of his mouth, he left the sleep-chamber. The wind continued to whistle outside. Gathering up an armload of wood Justus carried it to his room. He stacked the logs on the grate and shoved some splintered wood and some slivers beneath. Striking flint he carried in his pocket, he set the slivers on fire. 23

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He added more slivers, whittling them off a log with his pocketknife, until the splintered wood caught fire. He tossed the blanket over the bed and the single pillow, and then he spread the quilt on top and folded it down. Returning to the kitchen, he heated water. If the lady joined him he wasn’t going to smell of horse and sweat. He carried two buckets of hot water from the kitchen to the bedroom, and then he fetched a bucket of cold for diluting the steam to a bearable temperature. Toney was standing in the doorway of the front room, watching as he entered the hall with the bucket of cold water, and started toward the bedroom. “Good thing there was plenty of water stored inside. I sure am looking forward to a bath.” “You have soap?” she asked, trailing behind him. Glancing over his shoulder he smiled. “Yes ma’am, sweet smelling French soap I bought in Virginia.” He strolled into the room talking. “I figure a man’s got to smell nice when he can.” Tipping the bucket into the small tin tub he had found, he tested the water with his fingers. “Umm just right, want to join me before it gets cold?” Straightening, he began opening his shirt. Opening the laces, he drew the buckskin over his head. Arching an eyebrow in query, he reached for his gun belt and released the buckle. Walking around her he closed the door. “Draft,” he explained. Carrying his gun belt to the tub, he laid it within easy reach on a small table. Shucking his pants, he stood before her in red long johns. She watched as he removed his under-drawers and stood naked before her. Holding his arms out, he turned in a circle. Dropping his arms he stepped into the warm water. “Umm, that is heavenly.” The water only covered a few inches at the base of the tub, but his body lifted it higher. “Join me,” he offered again. “I don’t think there is room.” Her eyes hadn’t left him since he’d removed his drawers and revealed his throbbing erection. “Well, if you were to sit on my lap with your legs straddling me, it would make me happy. I believe we would fit perfectly.” Her gaze flickered to the water, and then skimmed up his legs to his engorged cock. Her hand moved to the shoulder of her blouse. “I’m only sharing the water, not my body.” “Yes ma’am, anything you want.” Lifting the soap, he dipped it in the water and began scrubbing his erection and scrotum. Rubbing up and down his shaft, he watched her peel away the clothing, and reveal luscious breasts ripe for suckling and firm round 24

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buttocks wanting to be squeezed. A small cluster of dark hair on her mound concealed her labia, and her long legs were smooth of hair. “Do you shave the hair from your legs?” Her chin lifted a notch. “Yes.” “Hey, I don’t object. I would like to see your mound shaved as well, so all your lovely flesh would be revealed.” He continued scrubbing, while drinking in her beauty with his eyes. Turning, she folded her clothing over the bed's footboard. She was giving him time to see all he wanted of her body. When she faced him and strolled toward the tub, she met his gaze. “Is the water still warm?” “It is.” “After I bathe I will consider allowing you to shave me, if the water is still warm.” She placed her foot in beside his leg. Turning her back to him, she sat on his thighs. “I would be happy to heat more water. I could go put it on now.” She chuckled. “No. We cannot waste water, which is why I am sharing your bath.” “Is it?” Cupping water in his palm, he scooped it over her shoulder, allowing it to pour down her back and over her breasts. A shiver shook her shoulders. She slashed water on her body, but did not ask for the soap. A grin tugging the corners of his mouth, he lathered his hand and began rubbing them over her back. When she didn’t object, he slid beneath her arms and around to cup her breasts. She leaned back against his chest and allowed him easy access to her full globes. He lathered her nipples, and then plucked the hard peaks. Rolling her head against his shoulder, she pressed her lips to his neck, a soft moan breaking from her parted lips. “You gonna let me shave you?” Speaking softly against her hair he caressed down her stomach to the patch of curls on her mound. “Umm, if the water is still warm,” she murmured. His fingers slipped over her labia stroking gently through the short hairs, and then he pushed his finger between her lips to caress her clit. Leaning forward, he bent her body and rubbed his finger around her tight sphincter, and then slid inside. “Hey.” “Tight. You ever been fucked in your ass?” “No.” Sounding embarrassed, she pushed back, forcing his finger from her tight 25

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canal. She took the soap from him and lathered her limbs. Rinsing the soap from her body, she grasped the sides of the tub to rise. Sighing, he watched her ass lift before his face. Surprising him, she turned in the water and presented her love box to his face. “You had better not cut me,” she warned. A pleasure smile tugged the corners of his mouth up. “No ma’am, I’ll treat you as my most treasured pussy." He lathered her, before reaching for the razor. Moving carefully he shaved the hair off. Touching the rim of the tub, he indicated for her to raise her leg. Obediently she set her foot on the rim and held onto the side table for support. Taking his time he removed the hair from her labia, making sure that his fingers stroked her clit often. She was panting heavily by the time he finished. “Sit and rinse.” She did as he wished, then rose from the water, and stepped out of the tub. “Thank you. I haven’t had a maid in a long time to help with my bath.” “Anytime you wish to join me you are welcome in my bath.” His cock was straining painfully in her direction. He wanted to grab her and toss her onto the bed, but she had said bath only, and he didn’t want to irritate her. She dried with the kitchen towel he had brought with the water then tossed him the linen, as he rose from the water. “You’re gonna leave me wanting you?” “I came for the bath. Thanks.” She dressed quickly in the skirt and blouse. She wore no undergarments, the knowledge only caused his erection to throb more. He was pulling on his shirt when she slipped from the room.

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Chapter Four

Hurrying across the cold hall to the opposite door, she opened the latch and swept inside. The sight of Jon standing naked before the hearth and Hank on his knees suckling his cock stopped her from advancing into the room. “Ah, Toney, glad you decided to join us. Now that you know about Hank, I see no reason to slip around. Have a seat.” Excited by the stroking she had received from Justus, the sight of Hank eagerly sucking Jon’s cock amazed her. Advancing without thinking, she sank onto the chair facing them. She had never done what Hank was doing, but Jon appeared too really like it. Holding Hank’s hair Jon pumped into the driver’s mouth. Jon’s moans of pleasure mingled with Hank’s suckling sounds. Finally, Jon pulled from his mouth, and she thought it was over, but the cock was still swollen and red. Pulling Hank to his feet, Jon spun him around and bent him over the table. Then spreading his cheeks he pushed into Hank’s ass. Justus’ question about being fucked in the ass returned to her mind. Hank’s groans of pleasure and encouraging words urging Jon to thrust harder and faster revealed it could be pleasurable. Wondering why Jon had never done that to her, she realized it was because he preferred doing it to Hank. Groaning loudly, Jon’s slammed into Hank’s buttocks and stopped. Leaning forward he kissed the servant’s naked back. “You are going to give me to the rich fellow, aren’t you?” she asked when Jon removed himself from Hank’s ass, limp and satisfied while she was sitting there aching from the arousal Justus had started in her body. Why had she taken it for granted that Jon was waiting for her? Anyway, I should have been ashamed; coming to Jon for satisfaction after being aroused by another was wrong. But, I had thought it was what I needed to do. Now she felt a fool. Jon had stood there and enjoyed Hank, while she watched. Didn’t that show that 27

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he didn’t really care for her? “I figure you were right. We could get a lot of money from the rich landowner.” Dropping to his knees, he took Hank’s erect cock into his mouth. She had seen enough. Rising, she hurried from the room. Closing the door behind her, she stared at the door across from them. The room next door was empty. She should go there, but if Jon was going to rent her to the landowner why not have one night when she wasn’t sold goods, one night when she could say “no,” if she wanted. Reaching between her legs, she pressed against her throbbing clit; she needed some attention. Crossing the hall, she smoothed her hands over her breast, stroking the hard buds of her nipples. She was ready for sex. Opening the door, she slipped inside and closed it behind her. Justus was lying on the bed with his head propped against the headboard, his gun belt hanging beside his head on the edge of the bed. He was naked above the covers, revealing dark hairs sprinkled across his chest. “Was your friend occupied elsewhere?” Flipping the cover back, he invited her to join him in the bed. She hesitated. It hadn’t occurred to her that he would realize why she had returned. “Yes, he was. However, I don’t think it proper to take my desire for your touch to his bed.” “Yet, you would have if he hadn’t been with his servant.” “Guilty. I would have out of loyalty.” Her breaths were short from excitement. “I had never desired a stranger, never gone to their bed voluntarily.” Should she be telling him? “After I had time to think, I realized I was wrong. Do you still want me?” Licking her dry lips, she realized she was panting between her lips. He patted the bed. “Take off your clothes and join me.” “All of them?” Hank and Jon had been naked, but she had never been naked with anyone except for the bath she had just shared with Justus. “I normally keep my clothes on.” “Not tonight. I want to see your body. Oh wait, I have something for you to try on.” Flipping the cover back, he slid from the bed naked as she had expected, his erection standing proudly before his body. “Is that thing always up?” She attempted to lighten her tension. “Since I met you it has been.” Opening the chest, he lifted out a roll of white lace 28

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and tossed it to her. “Stand before the hearth and put that on.” Unrolling the lace she discovered it to be a lovely lace nightrail, or undergarment. “It’s beautiful.” “I want to see you in it. You aren’t too cold are you?” Moving to the side of the bed, he settled on the covers. “No.” Stripping off her skirt and blouse, she slipped the lace over her head. It was a snug fit across her breasts and hugged her curves like a glove. “Stay there.” Rising, he advanced to her side. Moving slowly around her, he caressed her with his fingertips, thrilling her flesh. He stroked her nipples, and she shuddered. His fingers slipped into the apex of her thighs, cupping her mound and pulling the hand upward molding her flesh. The center finger dragging along the slit of her labia caused her sheath to pulsate. A questing finger ran down the crack of her buttocks and over the rounded butt cheek. Completing his circuit he had made every inch of her aware of his sensual skills. Breathing heavily she waited for him to continue the seductive assault on her untutored flesh. None had touched her with the intent to awaken her desires as this mysterious man. He knew a woman’s body, and how to pleasure it. Tonight she was going to learn what it was like to feel like a seductively desired woman by a masculine male. Knowing he had nothing to prove, he had the confidence to be gentle with her. Returning to face her he stroked the back of his fingers over her hard nipples. “You are beautiful. I would like to have you painted in this also,” he spoke softly. Sinking onto his knees he stroked up her trembling legs on the outer sides, lifting the gown up as his hands moved up to her waist, sliding back down the front of her hips. Her body jumped as warm, coarse fingers touched the sensitive skin that joined at the edge of her mound. Moving his hands down the front of her thighs, he slid them back to her waist, lifting her gown with his arms. Leaning forward his tongue stroked the front of her mound. Startled by the sudden sensation of his wet tongue touching her so intimately, she jumped. “I’m sorry, no one had ever done this before,” she admitted softly, feeling selfconscious by her sign of inexperience. Fisting her hands at her sides, she didn’t know what to do with them. Burying his face at her apex, his tongue delved between her labia and stroked her 29

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clit. Gasping she tried to pull back, but his hands were suddenly holding her hips in place. He licked her labia and probed to caress her clit. Her vagina throbbed. “Ah, I never knew a tongue could feel so boldly invasive, yet sweet.” Breathless, her voice was melting with her body. “I’m glad you like it.” Tipping his head back he looked up her body and slid his fingers up her sides and around to her nipples. “If you keep this up I think I’m going to come before we can start.” “We have started,” he murmured, dropping his hands down her stomach to her thighs. Spreading her legs wider, he burrowed his face against her cunny. His nose rubbed and nudged. The hot tip of his tongue licked, and his lips suckled. Her head falling back, her body shaking, Toney felt as though she could die from sheer pleasure. She climaxed, her legs folding she sank down onto his face. Taking her weight on his shoulders he drew her down with his hands holding her hips, keeping her labia against his mouth as he lay on the floor before the hearth. Reaching out with her hands, she caught her body as she fell forward. That she was lying on his face embarrassed her, so she tried to rise. Clinging to her hips Justus held her against him with determination, as he continued licking her throbbing clitoris. Although she had just climaxed her sheath still ached, feeling empty and wanting. “Ah, Justus, I still need you inside me.” His hand came up between her legs, his fingers stroked over the opening of her sheath, teasing her. “You need me here?” “Justus, stop teasing me. Let me up, so I can sit on your cock.” His fingers stroked up the crease of her ass to her sphincter. Licking her clit with his tongue, his fingers explored both her openings, tempting her. Groaning and unable to control her body’s reaction, she pushed her clit against Justus’ mouth. The door opened. Feeling unhurried she rolled her head in that direction. Panting between parted lips she observed Jon standing in the opening with Hank standing behind and looking over his shoulder. “Toney, what the hell are you doing? Are you trying to kill the poor man? What a way to die, with a cunt in the face. Are you trying to smother him? Get up from there this instant,” Jon ordered. Justus released her buttocks, and she slid to her side onto the floor. Heat burned 30

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her face, but she lifted it defiantly. She wanted to defend herself, but what could she say? “Did you need something Jon?” Justus practically snarled. “My lady isn’t available.” Advancing, he grabbed her arm, and pulled her from the floor. Grasping her gown, he lifted it over her head and tossed it on Justus’ erection. “I think you need the cover more than she does.” Standing naked before three men was not something she had planned to do. Attempting to pull away, Jon pulled her tightly against his body. He stroked his hand over her breast. “This is my woman; if you want to fuck her you come to me, and we talk.” Then he dragged her out the door and across the hall to his room. “What the hell was that about?” he snarled once they were inside the bedroom. “How am I to get any money from him, if you go giving it away?” “Jon, you have no right to control who I sleep with,” she challenged, her voice rising in anger. “You are supported by me. You are my responsibility to care for at all times. Therefore, you have a responsibility to me in return, and that cunt is the only thing you have of value. You don’t share it without my permission,” Jon’s voice rose as he firmly decreed. “I see.” Her jaw clenched tightly she turned her back on him. Moving to the ladder-back chair, she tugged on his shirt. Without a word, she climbed onto the bed with her back to him, and then pulled the cover to her shoulders. “Don’t pout; he wants to lay with you, he will be willing to pay. After that little sample you gave him tonight, he’ll be willing to fork over big for a chance to pump that cunt.” “That is all I am to you, another way to make money.” “Hey, you benefit too, and I have taken care of you.”

*** The following morning Toney was still mad and nude underneath Jon’s shirt. Sitting up in bed, she looked around the sparsely furnished bedchamber. Jon was finished dressing and sliding his foot into his boot. “Where are my clean clothes, Jon?” She didn’t see her trunk anywhere. Cursing, Jon left the door swinging as he stomped across the hall to Justus’ room to retrieve her clothes. When he returned, he threw them in her face, and then stomped from the room. She reached snapping point. 31

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When she entered the kitchen, Hank had the food from the night before prepared for breakfast. Jon patted the chair at his side, as though nothing had happened. “Join me at the tob. The mouton would be wasted if we didn’t eat it this morn,” he instructed, his Creole accent coming through clearly, as though he wanted to emphasis their connection through background. She sat at the opposite end of the table, stiff and unforgiving. She wasn’t going to pretend that nothing had changed. Her relationship with Jon was no longer the same. She didn’t even know if she wanted to be his friend any longer. One thing was certain - she was no longer sharing his bed. There were three bedchambers in the house, and she was going to sleep alone. Jon could share with Hank. She spent the day reading a book she had found on one of the kitchen shelves. It was a homemade cookbook; still, she needed to learn, so it was a productive day. She learned a lot. The men played a few hands of cards. Then Justus and Hank went out to gather wood and dig out the barn door. The two horses in the storage room were moved to the barn, and all the animals fed. Hank brought in two of their small bags from the coach. Toney carried her bags into the room Hank had used, and then tossed his things in the room with Jon’s. She stopped reading to eat, and then resumed reading. Jon made fun of her for attempting to improve, mocking her lack of cooking abilities. Ignoring him was getting on Jon’s nerves, and he was beginning to lash out. After the evening meal, she took the book and retired to the new chamber. Bracing a chair beneath the doorknob, she felt certain Jon wouldn’t be able to enter, if he tried. Although she was certain he wouldn’t attempt to approach her after the day of angry silence, she wasn’t taking any chances. The only problem was she wanted Justus to be in here with her. Still, she was somewhat angry with him. Jon had no real hold on her; if Justus really wanted, he could take her away from Jon. The next morning she continued to ignore Jon. “We should be able to leave after the soleil reaches its zenith. I think it will melt the snow enough to pack it down for travel.” When the sun reached its zenith, she intended to be safely locked in her chamber. She munched on a piece of salted pork Hank had fried for breakfast and ignored Jon’s comment. “We should reach the next inn before dark. Then we can have fresh bread, and 32

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perhaps some cakes and meat pies.” Jon spoke to the silent gathering around the table. Toney was thinking ahead seriously, for the first time considering what she planned to do with her future. There was food and shelter to consider. She couldn’t just walk away from Jon; he never gave her any money. Why hadn’t she realized before how dependent on him he had made her? “I would like some mulled wine also,” Jon said as he lifted his glass of warm water. Hank had boiled the water to make it drinkable; still, it tasted of minerals. “I thought we might tag along with Justus to San Antonio. Check out the gambling in his area.” Pretending that she didn’t hear a word he said, Toney ate in silence. When she finished eating, she carried the plate to the sink, washed it and placed it on the board to dry. Leaving the kitchen, she picked up a tin of biscuits, and then returned to the sleep chamber. After she had braced the chair beneath the doorknob, she returned to the bed and began reading again. She was a slow reader, and many of the words were unknown to her, which forced her to try to determine their meaning. It made an interesting puzzle. A couple of hours later Jon banged on her door. “Time courir, let’s load up.” She was accustomed to his use of the French word courir for to go, although she usually said coun. She ignored him. Rolling onto her side, Toney was determined to make him wait on her leisure for once. Approximately a half hour later Jon was pounding on the door again, “Let’s go Toney, we are wasting daylight.” She heard his footsteps stomp away from the door. Another half hour passed before Jon was pounding on the door again and rattling the knob. Hurrying to the door, she plopped onto the seat adding her weight to the brace against the door. Cursing her and her ancestors Jon shoved on the door. He pounded his fist a final time. “I am leaving in ten minutes, with or without you.” The advantage of a chamber pot was that she didn’t have a need to leave the bedroom until she grew hungry. The delicious aroma of cooking meat stirred her appetite, but she had the biscuits she'd taken from the kitchen to sustain her for a while. Moving the chair from the door when the delicious aroma of the evening meal teased her hunger beyond endurance, she admitted defeat. She straightened her clothing and stiffened her spine in preparation of her companion’s wrath, before stepping through the doorway. 33

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When she stepped into the doorway the kitchen was empty. A single tempting plate of food sat on the table. Snatching the plate, she hurried back to the chamber and barred the door. However, there did turn out to be another reason she was forced to leave the chamber. With the dying of the fire, the chill quickly grew in the bedchamber. She knew that even beneath the quilt she would freeze without the fire. Opening the door, and with her chin high, she walked the hall and entered the front room. To her surprise, it was empty. Had Jon really left her? Striding to the window, she looked in the direction where the coach had stood. It was gone! So, they had left her to fend for herself. Well, she would manage. At least she knew how much she had really meant to Jon. There was no reason now to remain locked in the bedroom. She carried a log to her chamber to battle the chill seeping into the room, and then returned to the front room. Her steps light, she sauntered into the front room and stopped abruptly. Justus sat in the chair before the fireplace. A fresh stack of wood was piled beside the hearth. “I thought everyone was gone,” she admitted. Relief at the sight of him flooded her emotions with pleasure. “You didn’t really believe I would leave you.” Twirling a twig between his fingers, he tossed it into the fire. She shrugged as though she didn’t care. “Why not? I am nothing to you.” “For one, I would not leave a woman stranded. For two, I still want those paintings. I am willing to pay you handsomely to sit for them.” Her head tilted. “And to be your mistress? Will you pay me for that as well?” He shook his head. “I’ll not pay you for sex. You are not a whore, and I’ll not treat you as one.” Pushing up from the chair he stood before the hearth. Leaning on the mantle, he watched her with a restrained expression. “True.” Pouting her lips, she nodded. “I would like you to be my mistress,” he verified. She bit her lower lip. Wanting to bed a man was different from commitment to an affair. Knowing him such a short time, she would be foolish to make binding promises. “I will pay you five dollars a day to sit for the paintings.” It was a good wage, more than most made in a month. However, she wanted to improve her situation in life. As Jon had pointed out, she didn’t have much to work with. “Ten.” 34

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His eyebrows arched. “After all, you will be keeping the paintings and have use of them for a long time after mo gain gone.” He stared at her so long she decided she had asked for too much. Perhaps, she should have said seven or eight. “Mo gain?” “I have gone. After I have gone,” she repeated to correct his understanding. “Ten, as long as you sit for the paintings I want, dressed and positioned how I want.” “As long as you don’t expect me to pose having sex; I’ll not be deliberately humiliated.” “As you already know I want you painted nude or partially nude. You cannot be including that as being humiliated, therefore I agree.” Smiling, she advanced to the chair at his side, and settled before the fire. “Now, I would like to discuss the sleeping arrangements.” He continued speaking, his gazed sliding down her body. There was a need to tread carefully before making a blanket agreement. She didn’t want to end up in a situation like, she had with Jon. Although it had been exciting to have sex with an occasional stranger, she did not want to be in a position where she had no choice. “What did you have in mind?” “Merely that you become my mistress while we are together. You will, of course, live with me at the ranch.” “I will not agree to be your mistress the whole time. I do not know what the future brings. I may decide I do not like you in a week or a month.” His eyebrows arched. “Indeed. You are correct. Shall we agree that we will be lovers as long as our desire is mutual?” He settled onto the chair at her side and reached for her hand. He was so serious it made her uncomfortable. “I might be able to agree to that after I have known you for a while,” she said hesitantly. Stroking his finger across her palm, sending tingles to her nipples, he gazed into her eyes. “Then can you agree to be my mistress for as long as you are posing for the paintings?” He pressed for a definite agreement. His persistence caused emotions to swell in her chest. Swallowing, she struggled to retain common sense. She couldn’t allow desire to influence her decisions. “Yes, as 35

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long as you don’t strike me and you treat me with respect. I’ll not be an object of ridicule or abuse, and as long as there is mutual desire.” Rising from the chair with a whoop of laughter, he grabbed her up from the chair, lifting her against his chest, and strode from the room. “Now?” “Yes.” “I want you to have a bath.” “Took one.” “Today?” “Yeah, while you were eating the meal you stole from the kitchen.” “Was it yours?” “No, it was yours.” “I would like to bathe.” “Would you?” Kicking the door to his chamber open he carried her to the tin tub sitting before the fire. Bending he dumped her into the warm water. Squealing in surprise, she splashed water into the air. “Watch your feet.” Lifting a bucket from before the hearth, he poured hot water into the tub. “Your bath, my lady.” Looking at her soaked clothing, she hissed. “What am I to wear now?” “Jon left your trunk.” “Well, don’t just stand there - help me out of these wet clothes.” She chuckled holding her hands up for his assistance. Laughing he grasped her wrists and pulled, while she gained her feet, her clothes dragging heavily on her body. “Allow me.” Grasping the hem of her blouse, he tugged it over her head then twisted the material to release the water into the tub. Tossing the blouse aside, he reached for the skirt. Dropping it to her feet he held her hand, as she stepped free of the material. She sank into the warm water, while he twisted the material and rain splashed around her legs. Tossing the blouse and skirt over a chair before the hearth, he returned to her side and sank onto his knees. “Allow me.” He held his hand out for the soap. “I believe we have done something like this before.” “I will attempt to make it different.” He proceeded to scrub with brisk strokes. 36

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“What are you trying to do, tear my skin off?” she complained in a petulant tone. “I’m in something of a hurry. Have I told you, I adore your accent?” He didn’t slow his speed as he impersonally worked his way down her body moving from the shoulders he washed her breasts, stomach, limbs, and thoroughly from end to end between her thighs. Scooping water up in a glass, he dumped it over her shoulders to rinse the soap away. “Up.” Taking her hands, he tugged her to her feet, and then lifted her from the water. “I have never felt less interested in having sex. I do believe we have reached the point of no mutual desire.” Sighing, he dropped her onto the bed and began removing his clothing. “Woman, you know I have been suffering because of my desire for you. Would you have me believe that one brisk bath could kill your desire for me?” “Yes.” As he peeled his clothing away, she admired the flesh that came into view. Perhaps she was being a little hasty. Removing his pants he stood naked before her, lean, firm, and very masculine, with an erection standing from a nest of brown curls. His lovely green eyes were dark with passion, and his facial features were tense. His hands landed on his lean hips. “Are you going to allow me the chance to change your mind?” Biting her lower lip her gaze swept his delicious torso. Smiling, she held up her arms. “I could use some body heat.” Covering her body with his hot flesh, he felt better then any blanket. She quickly warmed as he plundered her mouth with a deep probing kiss filled with passion. His masculine scent becoming a part of her breath, she felt he was becoming part of her. Thrilling as urgent hands moved over her body, cupping her breast, and sliding over her slick mound, his desire sent her emotions soaring. She luxuriated in his touch, her body arching up to meet his hands and molding to his frame. Ending the kiss he rose above her, lust burning in his dark green eyes. There was something totally seductive about him. She wanted to turn herself over to him completely. “I haven’t had an opportunity to admire your naked nest.” Sliding down her body, he paused to suck a nipple into his mouth. He flicked it with his tongue, and tugged with his lips. Then he moved to her other breast, and she knew her desire was nowhere near doused. His hand coming up to cover her wet nipple, he stroked it dry with coarse fingers. Her flesh was so receptive to his touch that it sang in bliss with every 37

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caress. His mouth moving down her ribs caused the muscles to clench and quiver in total adulation of everything he was doing. His touch made her clit ache. The muscles of her sheath clenched with want, while her flesh sang with jubilation. Moving his hand to her sheath, he dipped his finger into the juice wetting her opening and looked deep into her eyes, gauging her response. Bringing it to her mouth, he brushed the fluid over her lips. Then grazed his finger to her nipple and caressed it over the turgid flesh. Tilting his head his dark gazed admired his artwork. “Lick your lips for me.” Frowning, she didn’t know if she wanted to comply. His lustful gaze trained on her lips, he waited. His desire to watch her was potent. Sliding the tip of her tongue between her lips she licked the petal-soft flesh. Her juice didn’t have much of a taste, nothing objectionable. If it pleasured him to watch her lick a drop from her mouth, she was willing, as he had given her such intense pleasure. Smiling he moved to her nipple and licked the juice away. Aside from the exquisite feel of his tongue lapping her tender flesh the erotic view made her long to do exciting things to his body. Lifting his head, he blew warm breath onto her nipple to dry it. His hot breath on her areola chilled by the cold air made her breast feel intensely responsive. The pebbled nipple felt larger and more exposed than ever before. Covering the hard bud with his palm the warmth soothed her cool flesh, while the wrinkled skin of his palm stroked the tip of her nipple. Every touch was making her body more alert to the feelings he was invoking. Her heart swelled with affection. Returning to kiss her ribs, then moving slowly down the soft flesh of her stomach wrenched a moan of desire from her throat. Arching her back, she responded involuntarily to maintain contact with him. Taking her hand, he guided it to her clit and stroked it over the hard nub. Then he lifted it to her mouth. “Lick.” Smiling, she did. “What is this game you are playing?” “It’s called sex.” Sliding down her legs, he positioned himself between her thighs; spreading her labia wide, he gazed at her clit. “Touch yourself.” Chuckling, she felt self-conscious, however to please him she stroked her finger over her clit. Groaning he nudged her hand away with his cheek and claimed the 38

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susceptible clit with his tongue. She gasped and bucked from the shocking vibrations surging through her vagina. “Oh, Justus.” Rubbing the hard nub with his nose, he quickly replaced it with his tongue. Her fingers clawed into the quilt needing something to hold. Drifting closed her eyelids snapped open when his teeth scrapped over her labia, and then his mouth formed a circle around her clit and sucked while the tip of his tongue flicked across the inspired opening of her sheath. Toney screeched in reaction, her body bucking to get closer, while pulling away from the intense milieu.

*** Rising, Justus moved up Toney’s body and thrust into her shimmering sheath. Tight muscles surrounded and gripped his erection. He felt her body stretching to accommodate his engorged shaft. Justus didn’t know if he could last long, which was why he had wanted to bring her close to climax before entering her sheath. Pumping slowly he groaned as the muscles clamped around his throbbing contours. She wasn’t a virgin but Jon must have been a smaller man for she felt as tight as an inexperienced female. Her body moved urgently beneath him signaling that she was close to achieving climax. Pounding hard into her his scrotum slapped against her bottom. His pelvis bumping her clitoris, he tensed and held his satisfaction back until she cried out. Her muscles convulsed and constricted around his erection. Grimacing as the sudden explosive rush of his cum erupted forth, Justus felt pressure push up from his scrotum through his shaft and burst free of the head. Crying out in joyous affirmation he claimed her mouth and kissed her passionately through the climax. Sealing their first joining with the passion he felt shuddering through his being. Justus felt beguiled. As his muscles relaxed he fell limply upon her body. Her muscles were still clenching in after-waves of a devastating release. Smiling he lifted his head to gaze into her dark limpid eyes. “Your body is still loving me.” She chuckled. “Is that what that is?” “Yes ma’am,” he smiled, his country drawl more pronounced from emotion. “I’m beginning to believe that country talk of yours is assumed.” “I was born in Chicago, but my family moved south when I was a lad. I am a 39

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merging of the two, I reckon.” “What are your people going to think when you show up with a Creole?” “I reckon a few eyebrows will raise; that will be about it. Folks where I live are real protective of our women. We don’t have any to waste.” “Why do you not have a woman of your own, if you are rich? It doesn’t seem normal that some local lady hasn’t tied you down with babes.” “Never had the time, I was to busy getting the ranch productive.” He yawned wide covering his mouth with his hand and rolled over to the side. “I think staying awake all night with an erection has caught up with me.” Wrapping his arms around her he was soon snoring.

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Chapter Five

With her trunk situated on the horse before Justus’ saddle, they left the farmhouse around noon the next day. “I am surprised Jon didn’t take the horse.” Holding onto Justus’ waist she rocked on the horse’s back with the movement of his hips. Jon’s hadn’t had a saddle on the mount, so she was riding on a blanket Justus had found in the barn. He led his horse behind them like a packhorse. “He fussed, but I told him he couldn’t leave you stranded. Besides, his horse was basically dead. He’d left it out in the snow to die.” When she felt confident she could remain on the horse Justus switched to his mount. They rode side by side in easy companionship. “Is San Antonio a long way from here?” “No, home is a few days ride I think, if the weather doesn’t force us to hole up again.” They rode during the day talking of their lives. “How did you get with Jon?” “We had a small farm down in Louisiana outside Baton Rogue. We were barely getting by selling eggs to the local mercantile to buy material for clothes, growing our food and raising chickens and pigs. My mother was a beautiful woman, and Dad feared she would get tired of not having luxuries and leave. So, he borrowed money from the bank against everything we owned, and bought a small herd of cattle. He was going to become this big cattle rancher and provide us with everything rich folks had. Some were set aside for breeding more cattle. The other was to be sold to pay the mortgage. "Rustlers came in the night; Dad heard the noise, grabbed his rifle, and rushed out. A few moments later, we heard the gun shot. We didn’t own another gun, so we were trapped. They raped Mom and left us tied up when they went. Jon found us and was real kind. He made us feel safe. A couple of days later he returned with food and some money. He stayed for a meal, and then the night. He took care of us for a few 41

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years then Mom got sick and died. Jon decided it was time to move on, so he asked if I wanted to go with him and let him take care of me. I have been with him this past year.” She paused for a moment. “Now tell me about your life.” “My sister married the owner of a gun shop. Her husband loaned me the money to purchase the ranch next to my folks. I raise cattle mainly, and keep a few chickens and hogs for food. I worked hard and paid my brother-in-law back, while living in a oneroom cabin that was on the land when I bought it. Then I built my house,” he briefly told her. “That’s it? I told you all that personal stuff about my life, and you tell me you bought a ranch, raise cattle and built a house. You told me nothing personal. Do you have a special girl back home?” Chuckling, he removed his hat and brushed his hair from his forehead with a rake of his fingers. “No special girl. You knew that already ’cause I asked you to be my mistress.” “Some men have both.” “Not me.” Leaning down, he adjusted her coat over her thigh. Assuming his action had merely been an excuse to touch her she met his gaze when he straightened. Turning away, he straightened his hat and patted his mount’s neck. The warmth on his cheeks revealed that he was uncomfortable revealing his interest in her. “Do you have ranch hands?” She had never shared a real home with a man, and was excited over the idea. "Yes, I have ranch hands. My foreman’s name is Tom Cody. His wife Hattie does the cooking and cleaning for me. They take care of things when I’m away. You will like Hattie.” “Do they live with you?” Wives in general didn’t like unmarried women living with men, so it was doubtful this Hattie was going to be friendly. “They have rooms at the back of the house off the kitchen.” “Oh.” She didn’t want to dwell on the cold looks the woman was going to give her when he wasn’t looking. “Do you like fishing?” “Fishing is a relaxing way to pass the afternoon, but I prefer to hunt rabbit for a stew than eating fish. I’m partial to meat and potatoes." Justus was a considerate traveling companion. He stopped often, insisting that she had to rest. Her bottom also had to be massaged before they resumed. Justus insisted 42

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that it would keep the blood flowing and prevent discomfort. Toney had to admit that his ministrations were stimulating. Especially since he spread out the blanket and exposed her buttocks to his warm hands for the massage. His fingers strayed between her legs occasionally and stroked her female folds. Finding the mouth of a cave with no snow, Justus declared they would camp in the opening. Accustomed to camping he built a huge fire and prepared a light meal. Sitting on a blanket beneath the mouth of the cave Toney gazed up at the night sky. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders Justus drew her down onto her back on the blanket. As she suffered no discomfort from the long day of travel. she was more than willing to lie on his blanket beside a blazing fire. Lying under the canopy of the night sky and twinkling stars he caressed and stripped her body until she was lying naked beneath his exploring hands. The orange glow of the fire provided all the light needed to see the details of their bodies. His strong hands relaxed her muscles and filled her body with a humming excitement for more. When he finally decided to become serious Justus gathered her into his arms and held her on top of his hot body, while kissing her with enflaming desire. The hard meat of his erection rose between her thighs and rubbed against her labia, teasing her. If there had been thoughts in her mind Toney would have been amazed by his tender seduction, but her mind wasn’t working. She was all emotions and feeling. Each caress felt as though it were sinking deep into her flesh and caressing the wall of her soul. If electric sparks could fly between two spirits, she knew their sparks would have been a rain shower. Her emotions were wide open and available for him, and he was treating them with loving worship. Moving and reacting strictly on instinct she hungered, needing to merge with him. Never had she felt starved for a man in her body as she did tonight. Her vagina ached, and demanded with undeniable need. Spreading her legs, she impaled her aching sheath with his engorged erection. She had seen him naked before, but she felt different with him tonight. She thrilled as the heat and size of his aching flesh grew between her thighs. Deep in her mind she acknowledged that he had swollen larger from need than he had been the night before, the veins bulging around the shaft. Velvet-covered and hard, the red erection entered her throbbing sheath. Her clenching muscles vibrated in pleasure more scrumptious than Toney’s mind could contain. It overflowed into her body; her legs shook and her arms quivered. Her 43

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breast needing an outlet from the sensations was boldly thrust into his eager-to-please mouth. Locking her feet against his Toney rode the waves of desire sliding up and down on his satisfying cock. Justus’ urgency matched her own. His hands were everywhere stroking her desire. Suddenly they arched and cried out simultaneously, as climax shattered through the wall separating them, and their souls touched. Exhausted she slept wrapped in his arms beneath the blankets beside a crackling fire.

*** Awakened by the aroma of coffee, Toney brushed her hair from her face and sat up. Her body was stiff from lying on the hard ground. Groaning, she stretched her back. “I feel like I slept on a rock.” “You slept on me.” Squatting beside the fire Justus poured coffee into a cup and held it out to her. “Then I did sleep on a rock.” Grinning she accepted the cup and blew on the hot liquid before taking a drink. Standing, she walked around the opening of the cave, while stretching stiff limbs. Justus prepared the horses. “I could give you the saddle if you think it would make you more comfortable,” he suggested. “I prefer for you to handle the trunk. I will remain on the blanket.” Watching the movement of his buttocks beneath the snug buckskins, she snapped her eyes away when he turned to face her. “If you are ready.” He held his hand out for her. Leather gloves protected the hands that had caressed her body the night before. Drawing on her gloves, she placed her hand in his and stepped to the horse. Grasping her waist Justus lifted her onto the horse blanket. “Lifting me must strain your arms. I don’t even have stirrups to help.” “I’m accustomed to lifting strays onto my horse to return them to the herd. Your little body is no problem. We didn’t get as far as I wished yesterday because of the snow. We need to get going.” Swinging up and onto his saddle, Justus turned his mount toward the trail and urged it into motion. “If we skipped the massages today we would make better time,” she suggested. 44

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“That will not be necessary. I am perfectly willing to allow time for your comfort.” “Why not admit that it excites you?” “And you,” he countered. Two hours later, they stopped for a rest. Justus had her lie over his lap while he massaged her buttocks. His hand moved slowly as it glided up her legs beneath her gown. He took time to massage her thighs, before moving to her butt cheeks with his naked hands keeping her flesh stimulated. Before letting her rise his fingers slid down her labia, which was already tingling with awareness. Hefting her onto the horse Justus brushed a kiss across her lips. Patting her thigh, he then moved to his horse and tugged his gloves on before mounting. Several hours later, they stopped for dinner. Justus spread a blanket on the ground for them to sit upon while eating. After the meal he had her roll onto her stomach on the blanket, while he massaged her buttocks again. Toney was already feeling anxious for him to remove her clothing. After riding all day she felt deep-bone exhaustion, however the sporadic teasing had her concentration on things other than resting. After a few minutes he pulled her onto her knees and dipped a finger into her throbbing sheath. “I can smell your lust.” “I’m sorry.” Dropping her head Toney closed her eyes, as the pleasure of his finger filling her shook her body. “Don’t be, it excites me.” Moving behind her he held her hip and slid his cock into her slick sheath. “Ah honey, your sweet cavern feels like home.” “It certainly welcomes you with the excitement of finding a lost…child.” “Do you want children?” A twig snapped in the woods, and he jerked her gown down and then withdrew from her body. Reaching inside his coat he withdrew his pistol, and pointed it toward the trees. “Keep talking,” he whispered. “I hadn’t considered children. I suppose, I thought one day I would have some.” Standing Justus moved to the side and slipped into the tree line. “I don’t have brothers or sisters, so I really don’t know what it would be like to have a child around. I once saw the most adorable child at a town picnic. It toddled around waving its arms and giggling,” she rattled on hoping she was providing the distraction Justus needed. 45

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A man came walking out of the trees with his hands in the air, Justus following close behind. The stranger was a short man with glasses and a round stomach. “Mister.” He nodded to Toney. “I didn’t mean any harm. I was stopped for a rest over yonder. When I heard sounds, naturally I decided to check it out. When I happened on you wetting your whip, I knew you weren’t planning on attack me. I was leaving.” “I suppose I will find your horse then.” Justus nudged the man with his gun when he stopped. “Yes sir. Follow the road around the bend, and you will find my mount tethered there.” “Toney, can you handle a gun?” “I can.” Circling the man Justus stayed beyond reach. “Don’t let him rush you or get too close. If he even moves you shoot him.” Nodding she accepted the gun. “Sit,” Justus commanded. “If you are telling the truth you will be on your way soon.” Moving to his horse, Justus removed a pistol from his saddlebags and started toward the trees. The man sank onto a log and sat on the snow covering the bark. “I’m freezing on this ice. Mind if I stand and rake it away?” he queried innocently after Justus had disappeared. “Move and you die,” she warned, holding the gun steadily pointed at his chest. She didn’t just watch the man; she kept her eyes on the trees also. If he had a friend she didn’t want to be surprised. “You know, if you do have someone sneaking up on me with a gun, I promise I will shoot you the moment he or she appears.” The threat was serious, and the man must have understood, because he didn’t move until Justus reappeared with the horse. “I guess you were telling the truth, so you can leave. However, I do warn you to leave and not cross our path again. What direction are you traveling?” The man pointed in the direction they had come. “I have a place a day’s ride to the east. Can I stand now?” Toney lower the gun to her lap, but she kept it pointed in the direction of the stranger. “Do you have a family waiting on you?” “Yes indeed, a wife and three children.” Standing he dusted the ice from his pants 46

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and strolled toward the horse Justus had brought. She nodded. “Just wondering if yours was a farm we had passed that was empty.” Shifting her legs, she laid the gun beside her thigh and covered it with her skirt. Shifting slightly she kept it aimed at the stranger. “Could have been mine. My wife and children are staying with a neighbor until my return.” “Your wife got a white lacy nightrail?” Toney asked. “Yes. I gather you used my home during the storm. Glad it was there for you.” She didn’t know why, but Toney didn’t trust the man. He had a rough bearing, not at all the type she would expect to have a home and children. “There were a couple of big steers in the barn; you must be proud of them?” she asked innocently. “I am. I’m glad they didn’t get out during the storm.” Swinging up onto the saddle the man’s hand slipped behind the horse. “I hope I left enough food out.” “Oh, there was plenty.” Justus shoved his pistol in his holster and withdrew his hand. “You know I would like a fuck before I go.” Raising a gun from behind the horse the man pointed it at Justus. The gun in Toney's hand fired. The bullet slammed into the man's shoulder causing his gun to fire. Justus leapt to the side falling to the ground. Raising her hand Toney fired again. The man stared at her unblinking as the lead slammed into his chest. Jumping to her feet, she ran to Justus' side. “Are you hit?” Her heart pounding in her ears, she feared Justus hadn’t moved fast enough and that the man had hit his mark. “No, embarrassed.” Sitting up he dusted his stomach. “Got the wind knocked out of me,” he admitted disguste. “Doesn’t matter.” Breathlessly she reassured him, pressing a hand to her breast. Puffing between her lips Toney tried to catch her breath. “How did you know?” Gaining his feet Justus dusted down his front, as he walked toward the fallen stranger. “There were no steers. I got suspicious over how quickly he was certain we were at his place.” Justus checked the body for identification. He founded a wanted poster with the 47

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man’s face on it and held it up. “He was proud of being an outlaw.” “What do we do with the horse?” Justus shrugged. “Turn it loose, or change the brand.” “I don’t see a brand.” Walking around the horse she searched. Justus followed. “Well, I guess it belongs to you.” Catching the horse’s bridle he checked the saddle for markings. The leather was clean. “And the saddle too.” Removing the blanket he tossed it to the ground. Then he searched through the saddlebags, before tossing them to the ground. Standing with his hands on his hips he scanned the area. “I saw a small gully in the woods. I will take the body there. Would you bring the blanket and saddlebags?” He hefted the body onto his shoulder and carried it into the trees. Grabbing up the discarded items she hurried after him. Tossing the body into the gully, he waited until she tossed in the blanket and saddlebags; then scooping fallen leaves into his hands Justus tossed a drying brown shroud over the body. “No one is going to miss this man.” Feeling stunned she merely stared at the body with the leaves sprinkling down over it. When he was finished, Justus wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her to his body. “You saved my life.” “I’ll be hanged,” she murmured softly. “No one will ever know.” Reassuring her he lifted her chin and dropped a kiss onto her lips. “We’re in the middle of nowhere. No one will ever know. The body will probably never be found. Of course, I could take the body to town to discover if there is a reward, if you wish,” he suggested. “No!” Dropping her head against his shoulder, she felt foolish to be so fearful. She had saved his life and probably her own. A smile tugged her lips upward, as she lifted her face to meet his intense gaze. “Let’s avoid the sheriff.” Arms wrapped across each other’s back and leaves crunching beneath their feet, they made their way through the trees to the horses. As the day progressed the air grew progressively cooler. “I haven’t traveled this way before, but we seem to be traveling north instead of southwest.” Slightly his head nodded. A mint twig between his teeth, he cut his gaze across the short distance that separated their horses. “Need to go north if we are to get to Denton from here.” A frown wrinkled her brow. “Denton? You said San Antonio before.” 48

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“Did I, must have been a slip of the tongue.” Reining in the leathers she stopped her mount. “You said San Antonio,” she insisted. “Jon will look for me in San Antonio.” He shrugged. “I may have said San Antonio at first. I didn’t know if you were planning to rob my home. But, I am certain by the time your friend Jon departed I mentioned Denton.” “You swear?” “I vow Denton crossed my lips before he departed.” “You better have. He may have left ’cause he was mad with me, but Jon will come looking for me,” she assured him with confidence, kicking her horse into motion. Not that she cared if Jon came looking; she had decided their time together was finished. Still, she didn’t want Justus thinking she was abandoned. Thus far, he had treated her well, but if he thought she had nowhere to go things might change. “Yes ma’am.” By noon two days later, they reached his ranch. It was a big two-story log ranch house with a covered porch that was as long as the house and raised three steps high from the ground. Eaves circled the low-pitched roof with several extending chimneys and arched alcoves over the protruding second floor windows. The low-pitched roof would allow easy run-off for rain and melting snow. “It’s so big. How many people live here?" “In the house, four--us and the Cody's, but I am hoping to have a large family one day. There are four bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. The Cody's have three rooms in the back. “It appears you have thought of everything.” It wasn’t fancy like a saloon, but it was well made. Decorated with a masculine eye a stone hearth graced the large front room. Smooth furniture was made of strong sturdy wood that would withstand years of hard wear. Pausing beside a chair, she ran her fingers over the waxed wood; he room made her think of country elegance. “I figured on having sons in the future. They can be rough on furniture,” he explained, while lighting the fire logs stacked on the grate with wood chips. “Um, I imagine they could be.” Standing he dusted his hands on his thighs. He appeared nervous for the first time in her company. “Our bedroom is back here.” Gathering a few logs in his arms he led the 49

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way down a side hall to a large sleeping room. The bed was covered with a patchwork quilt. “The winters are cold but the summers are hot, so I kept my bedroom down here. It is hotter on the upper floor, and after a hard day working in the sun I need a cooler spot to sleep.” “But warmer in the winter. Why not sleep down here in summer and upstairs in winter?” “I’m too busy tending to the ranch to worry over sleeping arrangements.” “Do you want me to help with the cooking, Justus?” “No, Hattie Cody wouldn’t like you taking her job. Unless you want something late at night, then you are on your own. Hattie retires after dinner.” Sitting on the edge of the feather bed she moaned as the softness gave way beneath her. “Oh, this feels good.” “I could fix you a hot bath to ease your aches.” “I would really like a bath.” “Can I bathe you?” “Why are you acting so hesitant? What’s wrong?” Tilting her head Toney studied him. “Is it because of me? Do you suddenly fear what your ranch hands will think of their boss being with a Creole?” “No, it is odd having a woman in the house. My woman, yet you’re not mine, if you understand my meaning, makes a body uncomfortable, like I’m supposed to be on my best Sunday behavior.” A smile spread her lips. “Tell you what, cowboy--you treat me like you would your woman. How else am I gonna know if I like the position?” His dark gaze studied her face, and then slipped slowly down to her breast. “Remove your clothes. I will fetch some bathing water.” “Won’t that take awhile?” She chuckled. “I would freeze before the water is ready.” “You just undress. I will keep you warm.” Opening the bedroom door he bellowed. “Hattie, heat me some bathing water.” Closing the door, he dropped the bar to lock it. Tugging his shirt over his head, he faced her with a grin. “Wouldn’t you like to bathe first, so I will be clean and sweet smelling?” He advanced with a confident swagger. “We can knock the edge off our tension now. Later, after eating we will worry about how clean you are, and how I can get you 50

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dirty again.” Squealing as he pounced on her, Toney fell back onto the soft bed. “Justus, wait, what will Hattie think?” Pulling the blouse over her head he exposed her breasts to the cool air. “Who cares?” Eagerly his hands moved to the waistband of her skirt. His hot mouth covered a pebbled nipple. Suction pulled at her nipple, tugging her soul into her breast. Shocked at how quickly she was aroused by this lanky rancher she brushed over his head with her fingers, caressing the silken threads between her fingertips. “I think I’m going to like it here, cowboy.” With skilled urgency, he tugged her skirt to the floor and wedged his body between her thighs. His hand pushed down his pants and released the heat of his erect cock against her mound. The cool air surrounding their bodies outlined the heat emanating from him. She didn’t know if the cold made him feel hot next to her cool flesh, but he was a smoldering stove on an icy morn, and she was pleased to snuggle up to his warmth. “I do believe you are going to burn my insides with that thing,” she teased. “I plan to brand you as my property.” Claiming her mouth, he thrust into her wet sheath and proceeded to build friction and sparks between their flesh. Shudders raced through her bones as his forceful loving ignited an answering demand in her. Tugging at his shoulders, she tried to draw him closer. Questing fingers skated down the silken line of his muscular back, past the dip at his waist and up the rise of his buttocks. Touching the coarse material, she pulled at it. Her foot touched the material covering his calf and dragged on the leather to tug it down his body. Rising above her Justus stared at her with stark eyes that revealed his demand for her surrender. “Forget the pants.” Dropping her foot from his pant leg she asked, “Do you plan to dress me as a saloon girl for your painting?” “No. Why?” “Then don’t treat me like one. Remove the pants.” “What the devil do my pants have to do with anything?” Rising he shoved his pants down his legs. Tugging his boots off, he tossed them aside, and then yanked the pants off. “There, now are you happy?” 51

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“Oh yeah, now I am happy. Not bothering to remove your clothes made me feel used. Like you were going to take your pleasures then leave.” “That is the most ridiculous logic I have ever heard.” Crawling up her body he positioned his cock between her thighs and eased inside. “Ah Toney, I wish I could describe how wonderful that feels. If I could make you understand you would never feel used.” Flexing his buttocks he thrust slowly forward driving his cock deep into her sheath. Just as slowly he pulled back. He increased the speed building friction between their flesh. The juice in her body worked as a conductor for the electricity that flowed between them. It zapped them with sparks that rattled the soul. Tension built the urgency to move and developed more friction between their bodies, which drove them faster. Her muscles clenched locking down, and then the explosion burst free. The tension evaporated from her body, her limbs growing limp as the rolling waves of satisfaction flowed outward through her body. Before her clenching throbs had ceased he was roaring from his own satisfaction. After dressing, he took hold of her hand and led her from the bedroom and down a hall, then turned into the kitchen. A heavyset woman with a large bosom was turning from the iron stove. Wiping her hands on an apron, she smiled; her rosy complexion was friendly with brown eyes that sparkled with warmth. “I heard you was wanting some bathing water, Mr. Justus. It’s about ready. I see you brought me some company.” Toney stiffened and Justus squeezed her hand. “This is Toney. She will be staying with us for a while. I know you are thrilled to have a woman about the place, but you cannot monopolize her time. I plan to have Toney’s portrait painted.” “Well now that is fine. She shore is pretty as a picture. Pleased to have you with us Miss Toney; Mr. Justus is right, I am pleased to have a woman about. It can get lonely surrounded by a passel of men folk.” Smiling she thanked the housekeeper. “Are there no women here?” “None close enough to visit. Sundays when I go to church is about the only time I get to talk to the women. We stand around a spell after services, but then we need to get home for vittles.” Her brown hair tied in a tight bun on the back of her head, Hattie was a typical frontier woman of her generation. Hard working, with realistic expectations of those around her, Hattie wouldn’t be condemning Toney because of her mixed blood, or 52

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her position as mistress. If the cowhands were as accepting, it would be a first. Toney had always had someone around that resented her because of her heritage, something she had no control over. “Hattie, I am starved for some good food.” “Well, you go on in and have a seat. I’ll bring the food right out. I started cooking as soon as Tom saw you on the rise. With you taking time to mess around in your bedroom it gave me time to finish,” the housekeeper said bluntly. Chuckling, Justus led Toney from the kitchen to a dining room across the hall. “Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Pulling a chair from beneath the table, he held it for her to sit. “No, but I would have been happy if she hadn’t known what we were doing in the bedroom.” Settling on the chair, she glanced over her shoulder at his handsome face. Chuckling, Justus flashed an easy smile. “Today, tonight, what difference does it make? She was bound to know.” Settling on the chair at her side, he leaned on the arm of his chair to be able to drop a kiss on her cheek. She felt like a queen. Jon had never treated her with such tender respect. “I will send one of the men to see when Mr. Dade can start working on your portrait.” “Do you think we will have a long wait?” “Not likely, Denton is a growing town. However, I imagine there isn’t a large call for painters.” “Oh.” Her stay wouldn’t be as long as she had hoped. “How long does it take to paint a portrait?” “Depends, I imagine. You must remember that I want more than one pose.” Hattie entered and set two bowls on the table–one with chicken, one with potatoes. Then she hurried from the room. “I had forgotten. How many poses do you have in mind?” She needed to make enough funds to start a new life, so she was hoping these paintings were going to take at least a month. Hattie hurried in and placed plates and silverware before them. “Is she always in a rush like that? Perhaps you should consider a trolley.” “Like the restaurants have, that would be a good idea worth considering.” Justus 53

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began spooning potatoes onto her plate. She watched him feeling surprise. He is actually waiting on me. His large capable hand moved back to the bowl and released the spoon. Then he forked a piece of chicken onto her plate, before he began filling his own. Hattie returned with rolls in a basket draped with linen and a bowl of green beans. Tea was the last thing the housekeeper brought to the table. “Tell me about the towns you have been in? What were they like?” “In Baton Rogue when I was with Jon I lived on a busy, crowded street in the heart of town. There were always smells, rotting odors, baking aromas, and heavy perfumes in the air. I didn’t like living in the city. People were always yelling, children laughing and screaming in the streets, babies crying, and the carriages and horses going up and down. There was no peace, no silence.” “Did Jon treat you better in the beginning?” “Better? He has always treated me the same. If you mean did he treat me as you do, then no. He never wanted to be my lover. There was never awareness between us. I was just convenient.” After the meal, they returned to the bedchamber and talked of things in general that they liked and disliked, while bathing the travel dirt from their bodies. Allowing her to bathe first, Justus removed his shirt and sat beside the tub, while she bathed. His fingers dipping into the water, he would then dangle them over her nipple and watch the water drip down and roll off the puckered flesh. While he bathed, Toney dressed and then lay across the bed watching him. Once he was dried and dressed, he took her hand and led her from the bedroom. Holding her hand, they moved to the front porch and sat in rocking chairs drinking hot chocolate, while watching the setting sun. It was so peaceful and lovely she felt her heart ache with longing. "To be able to see that everyday must be wonderful." With awe in her tone, she leaned against his strong chest and gazed at the burst of colorful rays of the dying sun. They spread over the land and touched the mountaintops in the distance. “In winter it is totally different, but always beautiful,” quietly Justus agreed, his lips brushing her hair. There was a corral before the house and a barn off to the side. Farther away, beyond the barn was the bunkhouse where the work hands slept. They had their own cook, and only came to the house when they needed something. “I understand that you 54

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are uncomfortable about meeting them, but you needn’t be. “You’ll see them around the place, but I don’t think anyone will bother you. If someone should you must tell me straight away, and I will handle it. I don’t care if they are rude, forward or whatever, you mustn’t allow the behavior to go without a response. They should treat you with respect, but in case someone doesn’t I want you to know. I do not expect you to endure it. I’ll not stand for anyone abusing you.” As she was totally choking on emotions all Toney could do was nod her agreement. When the sunset and darkness surrounded them, she gazed at the stars for a moment drawing her shawl closer about her shoulders. Shivering she wrapped her arms around Justus and cuddled against his warm body. Still, the chilled air prevented her from enjoying the night by causing her to shiver. Kissing her forehead Justus helped her up from her chair and turned her toward the entrance. “Just as a child, you must be told when to go in from the cold,” he teased in an amused, yet caring timbre. They moved inside and sat before the hearth on the sturdy settee that he had made. Wrapping her in his strong arms, he held her on his lap, while sharing tender kisses. When the kisses grew passionate, Justus lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Lowering her onto the bed he removed her clothing caressing her body with coarse fingers that gently abraded her skin. The oil lamps cast a soft glow over the bed, and a flickering fire warmed the air. Justus took his time, following his caressing hands with his mouth. As she had already been excited by his kisses before entering the bedroom, his tender administrations were torturous bliss. “Justus please, I need you,” intensely she begged. “You have me. Don’t you feel me touching you?” Toney whimpered. “Yes, and it feels wonderful, but I ache for you to be inside me.” “Do you?” His mouth pressed to her stomach, she could hear the smile in his timbre. “You are mean.” Chuckling he rose over her, shoving his pants from his feet. Crawling between her legs, Justus gazed at her with eyes dark with passion and an indomitable expression 55

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on his face. Feeling his cock head stroking over her opening, she knew he was still teasing. Huffing she pulled at his arms, attempting to draw him closer. “Stop torturing me this instant. I want you in me.” “You’re so wet I think I may slip out and into the other hole.” “What? I’ve never…” In an affronted tone, she pulled her face back. Chuckling, he thrust into her tight sheath. “Aw.” Her body shuddered in reaction. Arching up to meet his thrusts all she could think of was the demands of her body. She needed, and therefore she was taking what she needed from his willing body. She wondered fleetingly if that was how men felt when bedding a woman. “Oh yes babe. I love a demanding woman.” “You do?” Gasping, she locked her legs around his buttocks to prevent him from escaping. She wouldn’t put it past him to pull away after all the teasing he had done. “Yes ma’am, a demanding woman is exactly what I want once I enter your body.” “Why?” “Explain later.” Thrusting against her rapidly, he gave her what she needed. She took until she could stand no more and joyously climaxed. As though sensing and merging with her timing, Justus arched and groaned reaching satisfaction simultaneously. Wrapped in his warm arms she snuggled closer to his heat. “All right, tell me why you like a demanding woman.” “I thought I told you? A perfect lover gives before, and takes once you begin.” “But why does that make them the perfect lover?” “Once you actually begin, ah, making love, if you are really involved, totally carried away, you are demanding.” “Oh.” Pleased with his answer she snuggled her cheek against his ribs. Held securely in his arms, she slept.

*** When she awoke, the bed was empty. Sliding from beneath the covers, she padded to the trunk containing her clothes. She pulled out a loose gown, slipped it over her head, and then tied the rope belt around her waist. Stepping into butter soft slippers she went in search of Justus and breakfast. Hattie was in the kitchen when she arrived. “Morning, Miss Toney.” 56

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“Good-day Hattie, have you seen Justus?” “Mr. Justus was up and gone at sun up. I imagine he couldn’t wait to see what was happening around the place. Ready for something to eat? I have coffee and biscuits made, got honey, sorghum syrup, and egg.” “Coffee, biscuits and syrup will be delicious. No need to cook anything else.” Settling at the breakfast table in the kitchen she looked out the window at the rolling hills. “It’s a beautiful ranch. Have you worked here long?” “Since Mr. Justus built the house. He weren’t much more than a lad.” “He isn’t old now.” “True.” Hattie looked at her with a considering expression, “You in love with Mr. Justus?” “Love? I like him a lot.” Pouring syrup into her plate Toney dabbed the biscuit into the thick liquid. “He seems to be a wonderful man,” softly she answered. “You won’t find a better man. If he asks, I recommend that you snap him up afore another lassie gets hold of him.” Pouring herself a cup of coffee Hattie sat opposite her. “He won’t ask. You have a husband working on the ranch, I understand?” “My Tom is one of the cowpunchers. He helps Mr. Justus take care of the running of the place. I am right proud that Mr. Justus trusts my Tom with the handling of things. Tom is a reliable hand. Most cowpunchers are. They have to be ’cause they protect each other on occasion. When your life depends on the other person doing their job they have to be a dependable person.” Nodding, Toney chewed, while Hattie rambled on. She stayed in the kitchen and helped Hattie with the noon meal. Hattie waited until the front door slammed before she began making the gravy. “That will be Mr. Justus now. He’ll wash up before coming to the table. You want to set the table?” Pulling plates from the cabinet Hattie sat them on the breakfast table. Lifting them, Toney gathered two glasses and then carried everything to the dining room. She was placing silverware beside the plates when Justus appeared in the doorway. “I see Hattie has domesticated you already. Are all women natural born homemakers?” “I wouldn’t know. I don’t think putting dishes on a table qualifies me as a homemaker. Any half wit can do this.” “Don’t go giving my job away, ya hear,” Hattie called from the kitchen. 57

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Leaning out the doorway Justus said loudly. “Snoopers never hear good news.” Smiling when he pulled his head back he swaggered to her side and circled her within his arms. Pulling her against his hard frame he ground his growing erection against her. “We could skip lunch. You may not be a homemaker, but I know you are good at making me come.” Swatting him on the chest, she smiled and pecked a kissed against his masculine mouth. “I have smelled this food for an hour or more, and I for one am starving. If you want to skip the meal you go right ahead. Hattie and I will enjoy it.” Dropping his arms he pulled out his chair and sat. “I cannot make hash without the potatoes.” “Ho, so now I am potatoes?” “And lovely potatoes you have too.” Leaning over he scratched across her breast with his fingertips. “Here now.” Hattie appeared in the doorway. “None of that before a meal, it will kill your hunger, and later when your body is needing the food, it won’t be there.” Fighting a smile Justus dropped his hand. “Yes ma’am.” Moving between them she settled the bowl of gravy on the table. “Toney, if you will fetch the biscuits,” Hattie suggested, so Toney departed to do her chore. After the meal Justus offered to show Toney the ranch. “Not that I don’t want to see it, I do, but can it wait a few days? I am sick of riding.” “Certainly.” Kissing her on the forehead, Justus raked his fingertips across her nipples. “Keep those warm for me. I need to ride out to the east pasture.” “Is something wrong?” “Beavers have built a dam on a creek that I want to check on. I’ll be back by supper.” Spending the day with Hattie, she helped with the cleaning, and the time went quickly. She was actually beginning to feel domesticated again. She hadn’t spent a day doing chores since she had left home with Jon. The front door opened and Justus strolled in. “I just talked to Tom; Mr. Dade will be here tomorrow to begin your painting,” he announced as he strode toward the stairs. Taking the stairs two at a time, he climbed out of view. Feeling curious Toney followed him up the flight of steps. Justus had stopped in the hall of the upper floor before a 58

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bedroom door. Reaching the top step Toney grasped the handrail and waited. She could see into the room past Justus’ legs. It was empty. “This room should be perfect for painting in. I will bring some comfortable chairs in from the other rooms. Dade will probably stay here during the week, until he has finished.” “I was hoping I wouldn’t be causing extra work for Hattie.” “Don’t you worry about Hattie; she is always complaining that there isn’t enough to do around here.” “That is an odd complaint.” “Umm, she says there should be children about the place for her to look after.” Crossing to the opposite door he swept it open and disappeared inside. “Come help me,” he called. He was dragging a chaise lounge toward the door when she entered. “I will need help getting it through the doorways.” They arranged the settee before the windows. Justus had her lay on the settee while he studied the angle, and then shifted the seat, until he was pleased.

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Chapter Six

When Dade arrived the following morning, Justus took him up to the room that he had chosen to have the painting done. Dade set up his paints on a small table, and then brought in a canvas and easel. Once everything was arranged to his satisfaction, the painter went to settle in his room. Watching from the base of the stairs Toney looked like a siren. Instead of allowing himself to be pulled down, Justus called her up. When she reached his side Justus indicated the spare room. “Go in and take off your clothes, and wait for me.” “You want me to pose nude!” she demanded. “No. I’ll be right back.” Shoving her inside, he closed the door and hurried down the stairs. In his bedchamber, he shifted through his clothes, until he found the white lace nightrail. It was what she had worn the first night they had made love, and he wanted to remember how lovely she looked, always. Clutching the nightrail in his hand, he quit his room and hurried up the stairs. Pausing, he tapped on the door. “It’s me.” Opening the door, he held the white lace out to her. “You want me to pose in this?” she asked in incredulous tone, looking at the scrap of lace. “Yes.” Stepping into the room, he closed the door. Watching the lace slide down her flesh, he wished he could have a painting of each slip of the material. She looked so vulnerable standing there in front of him that he smiled to reassure her. “You are too beautiful for words, and I want to immortalize you just as you are. Come over here and allow me to arrange you.” He positioned her in a seductive pose, lifting the gown’s hem to reveal her succulent thighs. “What other poses do you have in mind for me?” Suspiciously, she gazed up at him with big eyes. 60

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“Oh, I’m not certain. I think I would like one of you sitting on my lap. I’m sure by the time we finish the first two I will have made up my mind about the rest.” He didn’t want to reveal any ideas yet. He didn’t want to make her resistant, before he had a chance to discover if time might make her receptive. “I’ll fetch Mr. Dade. Are you comfortable?” “Embarrassed, but comfortable.” “Don’t be, Dade has done nudes before; this is nothing to him.” He hoped he wasn’t lying to her. In truth, he had no way of knowing if Dade had ever painted nudes. “All right,” she agreed without conviction, looking doubtful. Slipping from the room, he closed the door and then hurried across to Dade’s bedroom door. He knocked and waited for Dade to open the door. Shouldering his way into the older man’s room, he closed the door. Dade was in his forties, still young enough to be aroused by a beautiful woman. “You ever painted nudes?” His blonde eyebrows lifted. “You want me to paint her nude?” “Not yet, but she is scantily clad. I don’t want you making eyes, or acting shocked.” Waving his hand Dade reassured him, “Don’t worry, I know how to conduct myself professionally. I haven’t done a complete nude, but I have done breasts.” Justus breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, she would have killed me if you had been shocked. If you are ready, she is waiting?” “Of course, will you be staying with us to watch?” “I will pop in off and on, cannot stay the whole time. There is too much to do.” Leading the way across the hall, he opened the door and stepped inside ahead of Dade. Stopping in the doorway Dade stared at her with a stunned expression. “Dade, you are making her nervous.” “Oh, sorry.” He snapped out of his trance and bustled to his paints. “You are beautiful, my dear. It is not in me not to admire a beautiful subject. Don’t worry, I stare at flowers and trees the same way, while I determine in my mind the best way to paint them. You see, I form a picture of the finished work in my mind, before I begin.” “You must be very gifted.” “Not to brag, but I am. You will agree once I’m finished.” Lifting a paintbrush, he dabbed it in a flesh-colored paint and began sketching her outline. 61

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Sitting on the chair he had positioned in the corner for himself, Justus watched. His gaze shifting from Toney to the canvas, he offered her reassuring smiles and chatted to ease the two into conversation. “Toney is from Louisiana. She was traveling with a friend when we met. I talked her into coming here so that you could paint her.” Tilting his head Dade glanced over at him. “I suspect you had other reasons for bringing the lady home.” He flashed a grin. “Yeah, I’m human.”

*** It took the artist two weeks to complete the painting, most of the time Justus spent in the room with them. Even though he felt confident that Dade would not attack Toney, he enjoyed watching them work. Actually, he enjoyed watching Toney come to life on the canvas, and he just liked watching her. The first painting was set aside to dry, and they began the second. Justus had no idea how grueling a task it was to sit without moving for long periods of time. Toney had complained a little, but not enough to make him believe she had been in real discomfort. Now he knew that she had been tortured. Sitting at the end of the chaise lounge he held her in his lap with her legs lying on the cushion. He knew they looked good together. She was wearing the white lace gown from the farmhouse, and he was wearing a blue velvet bed jacket and black slacks. “I have to admit this is warmer than posing by myself,” she murmured. Glancing down he saw that her nipples were standing beneath the nightgown. “Why didn’t you say you were cold; I could add another log to the fire?” “Don’t you dare move–we have only gotten positioned,” she warned. “Mr. Dade, would you be so kind as to add a log to the fire.” While Dade rose to do her bidding, she glanced at Justus. “I didn’t notice that you were cold during the first painting. Did you have goosebumps?” “Sometimes; most of the time you kept the room warm enough. When we were alone I hated to disturb Mr. Dade’s concentration. He was always so intense. I think he doesn’t enjoy being alone with me.” “Poor man probably thought I would tear into him in a jealous rage, if I saw him out of his seat.” 62

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“Quite frankly I was,” Dade spoke up. “Sorry, I should have made it clear. I won’t think you have assaulted Toney unless she says you have. Do feel relaxed Mr. Dade, we mean you no harm. I only wish to have the paintings.” Justus spent most of the day with an erection. It was a relief when they finished for the day, and he could take Toney to the bedroom and release his lust.

*** By the end of the third week Justus noticed that Toney did an unusual amount of wiggling on his lap, which was keeping him aroused. “Would you please stop squirming?” “My bottom is going numb.” “It didn’t seem to give you a problem the first two weeks.” “Perhaps it is because this is the third week. Or it could be that I have a hard shaft pressing against my bottom all day.” Dade’s cheeks turned a ruddy shade of red. “Toney, you are embarrassing Dade.” “Well, you asked.” “Just be still and perhaps it will go away,” he murmured for her ears alone. That evening the ranch hands were shifting some horses from the corral into the pasture when they were sitting on the front porch. After holding Toney in his lap all day Justus allowed her to sit by his side. Still he held her close with the arm he had around her shoulders. “I want some time before we begin the next painting,” Toney said. “Not a problem.” He was more than willing to agree. It suited his plans perfectly. “Have you decided what you want in the next painting?” Her eyes watching the cowboys, she didn’t bother to look at him. “Umm, let’s discuss it later. Let’s get this one finished first,” he hedged. Sighing, she nodded in agreement. Over the weekend, he took her riding over the ranch with him. They spent comfortable time together, while Justus explained the plans he had for the ranch. She rode around the cattle with complete unconcern, as she was confident that he could protect her. She truly amazed him. Each day he waited for her to ask about Jon, but she hadn’t. Toney lived in the 63

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here and now, apparently not concerned with what tomorrow would bring. She had no plans for the future and when asked, she had no real dreams. “I mostly think of the near future, and what I intend to do, or go.”

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Chapter Seven

As the second week of the second painting progressed Toney became worried. She was too happy here with Justus. It was going to kill her when she had to leave. It would have been better if she had kept her mouth shut and finished the paintings straightaway. Instead, she had asked Justus to wait on the third painting. Now it was too late to change her mind. Mr. Dade had made plans to return to his home. He had even taken another commission to paint. So she couldn’t ask him to stay. She was trapped in a web of her own making. Toney feared she was in trouble. There wasn’t anything about Justus that was objectionable. Even when riled he was fair and handsome. It was no difficulty at all for him to make her smile. Teasing was a frequent game during their before-sex play. When he turned for a last glance before leaving, it filled her heart to overflowing with affection. She was falling in love with him. He was a kind, considerate man, and undeserving to being fleeced by Jon. Until now, with Jon’s absence she had managed to forget his plan concerning Justus. Now that she had been here nearly a month she feared she could no longer put it off. She had to warn Justus before Jon returned. For like any bad egg Jon would show up. Posing for the painting gave her too much time to think. Toney had considered her past life, and determined that she would not be returning to it. She would not go with Jon when he arrived. She would take the money she earned from Justus for the paintings and start a new life. Perhaps she could start a small business designing nightrails and such for women. Of course, she would need to go to a prosperous town. Justus said Denton was growing; if it had a theater she could make up costumes for the actors. If there was not a theater, she could go to one of the larger cities in the east. She might not be able to make a stitch better than anyone else, but she was good. More importantly she had a gift for inventing new designs and making the patterns. With patterns, she could always hire someone to help with the stitching. 65

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Posing was finished with the dying light. Justus and Dade quit the room to allow her to change for the evening meal. Buttoning the front of her gown Toney decided tonight she would warn Justus about Jon. Raking her fingers through her hair, she quit the chamber. Holding the handrail, she descended the steps to the ground floor. Rubbing her numb buttocks, she strolled to the kitchen and popped her head in the doorway. “Anything for me to do Hattie?” “I have it all under control. You could set the dishes on the table. Supper won’t be ready for a half hour or so.” Moving across the hall, she arranged three place settings on the table. Then she went in search of Justus. When she didn’t find him in the house, she went to the bedroom and lay across the bed on her stomach. The last thing she wanted to do was sit. Her buttocks were as sore as if she had taken a beating. She was awakened from a doze by firm hands massaging her buttocks. “That feels good.” “I noticed you were walking a little strange at lunch.” “Justus, I have something important I need to tell you concerning Jon.” His hands stilled for a moment then resumed massaging. “Go on, I’m listening.” “It’s my fault; I told Jon you were a wealthy landowner. He may never have thought of fleecing you if I hadn’t told him. Anyway, he plans to trick you into losing a large amount of money to him when he comes. I wanted to warn you so you would be prepared, and not be tricked into gambling with him.” “I thought you said Jon played a straight game?” he spoke in a deep, considering tone. “I did and he does normally; at least I think he does, but I don’t think that is his plan with you.” “I see.” “Are you angry?” “I’m not happy. You were planning to go along with his plan. What changed your mind?” “It’s wrong. I never liked the idea, but Jon said I had to.” “So that is why you came with me?” Biting her lips, she turned to face him with a troubled expression. “I may have, if 66

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Jon hadn’t left me. But I really had no choice, which was probably what he had in mind.” “I know what he had in mind.” His deep voice was harsh. “What I want to know is what you had in mind?” Lowering her eyes she admitted in a quite tone, “I hadn’t planned anything. I told you, I don’t usually plan ahead.” For the first time during their month together, Justus didn’t make love to her that night. In the morning, she started her menses, which put an end to sex play for the week. Toney hoped that by the time her cycle ended Justus would no longer be angry with her. It hurt her to watch him distance himself from her. He held her during the posing as usual. He even had an erection. However, when the posing ended he touched her no more. When they crawled into bed Justus turned his back to her and went to sleep. Toney waited until his breathing became regular, then she allowed the tears to flow from her eyes onto the pillowcase. The following morning she heard him rise from the bed, but when he moved to her side, she feigned sleep. After he slipped from the chamber, she rose and poured cold water on a linen and held it against her eyelids. She had no looking glass; however, her lids felt swollen. When she knew she could delay no longer she made her way to the kitchen. Justus was lingering over his meal, sipping coffee. Her mouth flattened when she spotted him. Toney had hoped he would be gone from the table and therefore would have an opportunity to speak to Hattie alone. “Good morning all,” she greeted generally as she pour herself a cup of coffee. Hattie and Dade returned her greeting, but Justus muttered something behind his cup. Settling on her chair she kept her head down to conceal her face. “Thank you,” she murmured as Hattie sat a plate of food before her. Appetite failed her, her stomach hurt from cramps, and her jaw felt tightly clenched from tension. Worse was the knowledge that Justus was disappointed with her and angry. Tears filled her eyes again, and she blinked them away. She didn’t want Justus to know how his anger affected her. But it did; her heart ached, she wanted to ask forgiveness–but what was the use? She had explained, and still he had rejected her. If she hadn’t told him, he would have had a real founded reason to hate her. Instead he condemned her for plans made by another. Sniffing to clear her nose so she could breathe, Toney grabbed up her napkin and placed it under her nose and over her mouth. It had a dual purpose, to catch any telling fluid 67

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from her nostrils, and to conceal her trembling lips. “You chose the wrong week, Mr. Justus. Tell the gal you are sorry for being an arse,” Hattie scolded. It was too much knowing that all of them knew she was feeling crushed; the tears flooded her eyes. Rising quickly from the tables, she hurried from the room. In the hall, she ran through the front room, out the door, off the porch, and across the yard. Running into the barn, she found the ladder to the hayloft and climbed up. Tears blinding her, Toney’s foot slipped on the top ladder rung. Crying out, she fell backward. The impact with solid earth knocked the breath from her lungs. Pain entered her body all down her torso. She heard a man yelling for Mr. Justus before she blacked out. When she regained consciousness, she was in Justus arms. Having him hold her wrenched her heart and started the tears flowing again. “Hold on, Toney. I didn’t find any broken bones, so I think you are okay. Still, I don’t know if you are hurt inside. Let me get you on the bed and we will let Hattie take care of you. We don’t have a real physician in town. I mean we have one, but I don’t trust him. Hattie can do more for you than him.” Carrying her into the house, he strode straight to the bedroom and laid her gently onto the bed. He stepped back and Hattie stepped forward. Justus slipped from the room and closed the door. “Tell me where you are hurting?” Hattie asked in a concerned tone. “Oh Hattie, I’m fine. I had the breath knocked out of me. I will be sore all over, but I think nothing is broken.” Pushing up on her elbows she rolled on her side to rub her stomach. "My cramps are the only real pain I have.” “Fine, you lie back and play sick. It will help your cramps, and we’ll make Mr. Justus suffer a little. Maybe stop him from taking you for granted.” “He is mad at me, Hattie, not taking me for granted,” quietly she admitted. Hattie frowned at her, placing her hands on her hips. “You want my help or no?” “Yes.” “Then lie down and look sickly,” Hattie ordered. Moving to the door, she slipped out. She returned after a time with a glass of wine and a hot towel. She placed the towel on Toney’s stomach and ordered her to drink the wine. Justus came in the door. “Out,” Hattie ordered. “This room is off limits. You’ll need to sleep in another room. I cannot have you bouncing around on this bed, until we know Toney is all right.” 68

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“Toney, do you feel all right?” Justus asked, ignoring Hattie. Hattie glared. “I hurt.” Well, it was the truth. Tears welled in her eyes as Justus blew her a kiss, and then turned toward the door. “You had better take good care of my girl, Hattie.” Opening the door, he slipped out. The tears fell onto her cheek. "You are in love with him, and I think he loves you too." “I doubt it.” Her voice cracked with tears. “You don’t fret; he never brought a gal here before you, and he just called you his gal. I say that is a good sign he is smitten. Now, how long you need to get over your menses?” Three days later Justus was allow back in the bedroom. Toney had spent the entire time in bed being pampered. Justus had been allowed to visit after the first day. He sat in the chair beside the bed and talked as though he had never been mad at her. With his return to the bedchamber Justus eased onto the bed. “Do you think it will be all right, if I hold you?” “Yes, I think that will be fine. I am feeling much better now.” He gathered her against his chest and kissed her gently. “Toney, you can call me Cole. I think considering that you are sleeping with me that there is no need for you to use my last name.” “Last?” Pulling away she gazed at his face. “You told me your name was Justus Cole?” “I told a stranger that was my name. Just as I told a stranger that I live in San Antonio.” “Jon doesn’t know where I am, does he?” She studied his reserved expression. “He doesn’t. You never told him.” “I figured if you want to join up with him you can find him in San Antonio.” “Then why were you mad over what I said about Jon when you knew he couldn’t find us?” Laying her head on his chest, she listened to the strong thump of his heart. “If he looked hard he could find us. I was mad because you had gone along with the plan, and you hadn’t told me for four weeks. But after the first night I knew you had your menses, and I stayed away so I could keep my hands off you for few days. It was really hard; you are quite a temptation.” 69

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“I am?” “I still want that nude of you. Do you think you could pose for it now that you know Dade?” “I don’t want to pose nude,” she admitted. “All right, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. But I insist that we have you painted when you are swollen with my child, and then again after the baby is born.” “What?” Pushing up from his chest again, she searched his face. “I insist that we have you painted when you are swollen with my child, and…I am asking you to marry me.” “Oh.” Lying down she snuggled against his chest. “I thought you were asking me to continue being your mistress.” A moment of silence passed and she smiled in anticipation. “Well?” “Hum?” “Will you? You know I love you, and I think you love me.” “Yes, I love you, and I’ll marry you.” Smiling she kissed his nipple, and then sucked it into her mouth. “Oh woman, I missed you.” Shifting her body, he lifted her up to his mouth.

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About the Author

Master Cosmetologist and licensee real-estate agent Belita Renn studies Psychology, reads, and does crafts as hobbies. As she enjoys everything, she has written in a variety of genres and the list continues to grow. Visit her website to learn more www.belitarenn.com

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