Page 7 of That Fateful Ride

R ebecca made her way to the station, moving slow as she tried not to wince. Even the ride back here had been one of discomfort. Not that she regretted what had transpired between them, for she didn’t. For the first time in her life she’d felt something deeper.

She opened the door and walked in, Cy sat in a chair to her left. Dark hazel eyes speared her and her breath left her in a rush.

“You wished to see me?”

He dropped the paper from his hand to the small table beside him and pushed to his feet.

“Oh yeah,” he growled.

Lord, he was big. She wanted the opportunity to explore his hard physique in the light of day. The recollection of his hands upon her skin caused a hitch in her breathing. Strong callused hands skimming over her waist, breasts and every ache she’d experienced previously vanished. She wanted more and could feel herself ready for him.

“What?” she asked. Hopefully he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart. It was so loud to her.

“You left me there. Not only that, you didn’t tell me you’d been injured.”

“We’re men who work together. I didn’t think I needed to wait for you. Moreover, the cut is just a cut. Hank did a good job.”

He narrowed his eyes. “We’re not men. I am. You…are a woman.” She blew an exasperated breath. “He put a needle in you.”

“Like he would do any other man who got hurt. Should I have gone to see the doc? Pray he didn’t ask me to remove my shirt?”

“Damn it!”

Anger began to rear. “Am I suddenly not able to do the job?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Good because I refuse to lose this job.”

He clenched his fists and swore. She crossed her arms and looked at him, unwilling to budge.

“I could force you.”

“You could.” A shrug. “You won’t.”

“So confident?”

Not really no. “Yes.”

“And why is that?”

Please don’t let me be wrong here. “Because you gave your word.”

“And you trust me?”

“Yes. I never would have slept with you had I not.”

The door opened behind her, shattering the moment. Hank stood there.

“Sorry Boss, am I interrupting?”

Cy moved an impersonal gaze over her. “Not at all. We’re done here.”

At her dismissal, she pivoted and walked out. It wasn’t supposed to work like that. Was it? Confliction warred within her as she tried to sort out her feelings. In the bunkhouse, she sat on her bed and lay back.

What were you expecting?

She had no answer for her brain’s question. She hadn’t thought of anything but the moment. Being intimate with him had been the right thing to do. Both times. For such a large man he could be exceedingly gentle.

It no longer mattered. She had to stay focused on work and not slip up. She drifted into an uneasy sleep and woke with a jerk. The place was quiet, broken by the occasional grunt or snore.

Awake, she made her way to the door and outside. The moon was almost full and bathed the area in silver light. She walked to the corral and released a low whistle.

Polaris trotted up, greeting her with a whicker. “Hey boy.” She rubbed his head beneath his forelock. “Thank you for keeping me alive, today.” He whickered again and nudged her.

When his ear twitched to the left, she tensed and dropped her right hand to the butt of her gun. The shadows parted and Cy approached.

“Where’d you get him?” he asked settling by her on the fence and patting Polaris as well. “Your brother said from some Indians when he was young.”

“Yes.” She didn’t embellish further.

“How’d you get your hands on one? I mean, why did they give him to you?”

“A gift.”

“Are things going to be difficult between us?”

She tipped her head to the side momentarily thrown by the change in conversation. “Are you going to treat me differently?” He sighed and shifted. She wanted to lean against him. Inhale his masculine scent.

“You know this is hard for me.”

“Why? It’s no different than before.”

“Bullshit!” His response fell harshly.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I knew you were a woman, but everything has changed now.”

A bit of fear penetrated. “How?”

“Because,” he said his voice all deep and graveled. “We’ve slept together. I took your virginity, for God’s sake.”

Ignoring the flutter of passion within her, she narrowed her eyes. “Doesn’t change my capabilities, I’m riding the trail.”

“Damn it, Rebecca! I want to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection. And you already told me if I was caught I was on my own.”

“I will kill them if they hurt you.” His tone was dagger sharp.

“Kill who?” Bigger question was why did the thought of his protection make her smile so?

“Whoever.”

So much for being on her own if they found out. “Don’t ruin this for me. Please.”

He whirled and left abruptly. She noticed his limp and realized that was probably had him up at this time. She blew out a breath, which Polaris echoed with a snort.

“Who understands men,” she muttered before patting him a final time then leaving.

Things between her and Cy remained tense. She ensured they weren’t alone and went out of her way to avoid him without appearing she’d done so. Three weeks after they’d made love in the old building and she still couldn’t forget how it had been.

Today blistered. She’d come in from her ride and was looking after her horse. Content he had sufficiently cooled down, she walked him to the corral where the others stood lazily beneath a lean-to, tails flicking indolently at buzzing flies.

She sent him off with a pat and trudged back into the barn. With a groan, she hefted the saddle and put it on the rack where it would stay until her next ride. She turned the saddle blanket upside down on it to dry out.

Running the back of her hand across her brow, she sighed. She bent to grab her saddlebags and swung them over her shoulder when she turned; she froze at the sight. Cy leaned against a stall, arms crossed and legs hooked at the ankles.

She dragged her tongue over dry lips and tried to slow the beating of her heart. He looked so good. His pants were snug, as was his shirt. Touch. Touch. Touch. Her body cried.

“Something I can do for you, Mr. Spencer?”

“Cy.” He strode toward her.

She held her ground and watched his approach. Raw power. His hair hung over one eye and she clenched a fist to keep from reaching for it. He glanced around before gripping her wrist and tugging her back into the room she’d just vacated. Her saddlebags fell to the floor as he shut the door behind them.

“What are—”

“Shh!”

He kissed her. Dominating her mouth, his tongue swept through with broad strokes. Flames licked at her skin. She arched into him, embracing the wondrous feeling of being in his arms again.

“I can’t keep away from you,” he rasped. “I want you, Rebecca.”

The length digging into her side confirmed his words. She should refuse. She should demand he leave her alone.

“Yes,” she murmured as his hand squeezed her ass.

“Tonight. Come to me at midnight.”

His touch was making her crazy with need. “Yes.”

Another hard kiss and he vanished before she could ever recover. What had she just agreed to? Right. More amazing sex.

The rest of her day passed all too slowly. The anticipation continually built until she almost hummed with need. She skipped eating with the others needing some time to herself. She kept still as the others fell asleep. Belly in tight knots, she stepped to the door. One destination in mind. Passion awaited her. Cy waited.

Cy paced his room. Midnight was too far away. Hell, he wasn’t even sure she would show up. She’d missed dinner. He’d almost gone out to find her but stopped himself.

One candle burned in his room. It was on the other side from the bunkhouse. He paused and ran a hand through his shaggy hair. Where was she? He made his way to the tall wingback in the corner by his bed and sat with a sigh.

He rested his head back and closed his eyes. A slight tingle ran up his spine and he opened his eyes to find he was no longer alone in the room. He rose, eyes on her.

Rebecca stood there, resting against the door. Heat shot straight through to his loins. She’d removed her hat and kerchief, holding them in front of her.

“You came.”

She didn’t respond. Her brown eyes glinted courtesy of the candlelight. She moved toward him and despite her male attire, he didn’t believe he’d ever seen anything so sexy. Rebecca paused before him, her hat falling to the floor. She tipped her head back, dampened her lips with the tip of her tongue, and he felt the jolt in his groin.

“I shouldn’t be here.”

He had no desire to hear what shouldn’t be. There were so many excuses. He didn’t care. Her skin color wasn’t an issue for him. Her spirit had drawn him. Dissuading any further comment, he reached for her, curving one hand around her arm. She was softness and strength fused into one.

Cy drew her close and kissed her. He swallowed her moan and held her tighter, thinking he wouldn’t ever get enough of her. She tasted of lemon and he knew it was from those little lemon candies she liked so much.

She fit perfectly against him. Mouths locked on one another, he moved his hands to her shirt and began unbuttoning it. He cursed the binding she wore as he tore his mouth from hers.

“I hate these.”

“Try wearing them.” Her words were soft yet matter-of-fact.

Soon the bindings were in a heap along with her shirt. He drew back and stared at her. The smooth dark skin teased him as it called to him to touch and caress.

She rolled her lower lip between white teeth before she reached for his chest and undid his buttons. He barely breathed as she opened his shirt and pushed it free of his shoulders. Her touch was light but sure.

“My turn,” he muttered his fingers going to her belt.

Soon she stood naked before him and his cock pulsed at the sight. Small and petite, she brought out some protective instincts as well as some definite sexual thoughts. Vivid thoughts. All consuming.

“Beautiful.”

He stepped close and kissed her as he lifted her and carried her to his bed. Laying her back, he allowed one hand to trail over her figure. Head braced on one hand, he watched facial expressions when his fingertips moved over different parts of her body.

Her eyes remained locked on his, wide, innocent, and trusting. Over her ribs, past her small waist and hips, he dragged his touch. Her breathing quickened and she shifted only to still.

“Why are you still dressed?”

“I want to make this good for you, Rebecca. Like your first time should have been.”

She watched him before reaching up to touch him. “My first time was perfect. I want to explore you as well.”

“I don’t have that much control,” he rasped.

Her hand drifted lower to the waistband of his pants. He inhaled sharply when she grazed against his length. Christ, if she did that again he would embarrass himself.

“My turn to explore right now.” He captured her hand and put it by her side. “My turn to do this,” he murmured, lowering his head. He captured one nipple in his mouth and sucked hard as she arched with a cry.

“Shh.” He moved to this other and did the same thing. Back and forth until she writhed beneath his administrations. Her nipples were taut and from her reactions, very sensitive.

Lower and lower, he moved until he settled between her legs, widening them. Inhaling deeply he closed his eyes in ecstasy at the scent of her arousal. Heady. Spicy. Addictive.

She moved a bit away so he rested an arm across her midsection, immobilizing her. “Cy, no,” she began.

He cut her off by placing his mouth over her core. He swept up between the lips with his tongue and her essence coated it. Lord, she was wet and ready. Her taste drove him crazy and with a rumble, he went for more.

He feasted. She undulated against him, riding his tongue as she had his cock. Her fingers dug into his scalp as he continued to lap away. With his free hand, he slipped in two fingers, groaning at her tightness. In and out, he drove them as his tongue flicked over her clit. Her thighs clamped along his head as her hands pulled him closer still.

Her back bowed and internal muscles clenched around his fingers as she came. He replaced the digits with his tongue and lapped all her cream.

“Cy,” she moaned. Her body still trembled.

Backing away, he divested himself of all remaining attire. Her eyes were slightly unfocused but unwavering as she stared at his length. He fisted himself and stroked twice as he repositioned himself between her legs. Eyes on one another he pushed into her. Instantly her tight wet sheath gripped him.

“Damn, you’re so tight.”

She watched him. “Move.”

Thank God, she said that because he didn’t believe he could have withheld any longer. Starting slow, he withdrew and flexed forward until he had a nice rhythm. Rebecca met him thrust for thrust and with each stroke he delivered he witnessed her hunger grow.

“Legs around my waist,” he ordered.

She complied and he lifted her up a bit, allowing deeper penetration. Her eyes darkened as she gasped.

“Uh…uh…uh,” she mewled, head tossing on his pillow.

He watched her in the candlelight. Her small breasts bounced with each forward motion, lips swollen from his kisses and wet from her licking them. Her hands were on his forearms, nails digging into his flesh then moved up to his shoulders.

Damn, she was beautiful.

“More,” she begged. “More please.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” He wasn’t a small man.

“Cy…please…I….need…Cy…”

To hear her calling him Cy with that breathless quality of voice pushed away the remnants of his control. A growl, almost savage in nature, rolled from his lips. Harder he drove. The bed frame slammed into the wall and he moved faster. Needing more. Wanting it all. She rode his pace as if she’d been doing it forever, not asking for quarter. No, she encouraged him on with her cries and pants.

She came in a rush with a wordless scream, hips rising to meet his furious thrusts. The velvet walls rippled around him and he erupted with a low roar.

Shit! His body trembled as he lowered it onto her. His heart pounded out of control. He’d never felt like this before.

Not true, his brain reminded. You felt this with her before.

Shoving that thought away, he brushed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Are you okay?”

Her affirmative was more of a purr and he grinned. Soon they were under his blankets and he held her close. The silence between them not at all strained. He’d begun to doze when her fingers moved from his waist down his leg. He flinched as if shot when she met his scar.

“Don’t,” he snapped, grabbing her wrist and it removing it from the puckered skin.

“What happened?”

“None of your business.”

The moment the words were out, he knew they were a mistake. She stiffened, then moved. Like a wraith, she escaped the bed and was at her clothing.

“Rebecca,” he said sitting up. “Come back to bed.”

She didn’t say a word. She drew on her undergarments and pants. Blanket around his hips, he moved to her side. She wouldn’t even look at him. Each movement precise and effective, she had soon dressed fully.

“Rebecca.” He caught her hand as she shoved into her boots. Finally, she met his gaze. He was shocked and more than a bit disturbed by the lack of emotion in her eyes.

“I need to go.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged. “You were right, it’s none of my business.” She pulled free and slipped from his room, leaving him alone and wearing naught but a blanket.

“Great job, Cyrus,” he admonished himself. He couldn’t go after her. Therefore, he snuffed out the candle and crawled back in his bed. Rebecca’s faint smell escorted him to the land of slumber.

The next morning she didn’t show for breakfast. When the rider headed in, he hastened outside and frowned at the sight of the powerful dun waiting.

“Rider up!”

She ran from the bunkhouse and swung onto her horse with ease. Polaris knew what was expected and tossed his head, showing his readiness.

The approaching horse came to a halt in a large cloud of dust. Cy worked quickly transferring the mochila between horses. As he attached it to her mount’s saddle, he tried to talk to her.

“I didn’t mean to be so gruff.”

He stepped back to look at her. She glanced down double-checking it was secure then wheeled Polaris around and rode off without a single word. He hated it. He was scared for her. Wanted her with him. Wanted to be out there too.

“Sorry you can’t ride?” Jesse the newly arrived rider, asked.

“Why do you ask?”

“The longing on your face.”

Shit. He had to be careful with that. “Yes. There’re times I really wish I could.” He tore his attention from the shrinking visual of Rebecca and put it on Jesse. “Grab some chow, I’ll see to your horse.”

The young man nodded and trudged off. Cy headed to the stable allowing himself one more look to where she’d gone. Had he just ruined something, which could very well have been the best thing in his life?