Page 43 of Return to Telegraph Creek

We gazed at each other with intense emotion until Trick let out a snort.

“Jimmy, you’d better get that kid upstairs.He looks like he’s about to explode.”

Oscar gave Trick a condescending glance.

“Well, wouldn’t you?”Oscar said, gesturing to me.“Look at him.”

Then Oscar stepped back and let his gaze drift down my body and back up, while I tried to control my reaction to that plain assessment.

“Hmph.He ain’t really my type,” Trick commented.

Oscar’s eyes flew wide.“Not your—”

I laughed.“See?Maybe you’re the only one that wants me.I guess I’m lucky I found you.”

“Well, you are lucky.But I ain’t even gonna believe what Trick says.I’ve caught her lookin’ at you.”

Trick snorted in a way that made me wonder if Oscar was right.She had offered her services to me when I’d first arrived at The Angel, when I’d been distracted with worry o’er Oscar’s injury.Then again, that was her job.

“I mean, I don’t normally go after men who prefer to bed other men.I ain’t much into sufferin’ the pains of rejection again and again.”She cocked her head, eying one of the men talking to Sally by the window.“Plus, I’ve got my hands full with the men who give me cash.I ain’t givin’ it away for free these days.”

Oscar laughed, and I smiled.

“Although, I’m enjoyin’ the break, to tell you the truth.’Tis nice to get out of corsets for a bit.”She straightened the fold of her sleeve where it rested below her elbow and brushed a bit of dirt off the knee of her trousers.

I liked seeing her in them things.They suited her, and since I had fallen for Oscar and met Clarence and Irene, I had an appreciation for people who didn’t stick to the normal ways of their sex.It made Trick more interesting to me.And when she dressed this way, it seemed to bring out all her grit and confidence.

“Jimmy?”Oscar said, pressing against my arm and gazing at me all mooney-eyed.

“Yeah?”

“I reckon I could use a bath.”

I looked Oscar o’er.His clothes were dark with dirt and sweat, and his hair was plastered to his forehead and neck from wearing his hat all day.He smelled funky, too, but I didn’t care much about that.Still, I made a face.

“I reckon that’s true.Why don’t you head on upstairs, and I’ll let Miss June know we’d like a tub of hot water brought up.”

“Would you, Jimmy?”

“For you?A course.”

“Well, ’tis more for you than me, you know.Since I’m gonna be all over you tonight, you’ll want me to be clean.”

* * * *

Sure enough, Miss June had two of the girls bring a tub of hot water up for Oscar.He stripped off his soiled clothes and stepped into it while I reclined on the bed and watched him.

“Oh, it feels so good.’Tis so warm.”Oscar groaned as he sank down into it.“Gosh, I’m gonna stay in this bath all night.”

I smiled, snaking my hand into my pants and wrapping my fingers around my cock.I was randy as a rooster, and I was hoping for some sweet relief.I was feeling good, and I needed to take care of my husband and look after myself in the process.

“You’ll get awful cold and lonely, then.”My breath hitched as I stroked back and forth and stared at Oscar’s bare back and shoulders.

He turned his head and fixed his gaze on my trousers where my hand was concealed.

“Are you—?Jimmy, are you playin’ with yourself?”

“Uh-huh.”