"So, cowboy, what do we do until bedtime?"
Her words sent heat rushing into his body. He had an idea what they could do until bedtime and beyond. Somehow, he didn't think she'd like the direction of his thoughts.
"We rest and then we go to sleep. Or you can turn in now, if you want."
"I always thought that cowboys sang songs around the fire or told stories."
"Some do."
"Well, show me what it's really like out on the range."
He contemplated her, studying how the firelight flickered across her face, chasing away the shadows of night. He'd like to show her something all right, but it wasn't what she had in mind.
"I'm not the singing-cowboy type."
"Why not?"
He took a deep breath and slowly released it. "Miss Severin, it's time to turn in for the night."
"But we just finished eating. It's still early."
Travis stood and went to his saddlebags. He pulled out two small pieces of rope and carried them over to the fire.
He knelt down at her ankles.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to tie you up, so you won't be foolish enough to take off in the middle of the night." He didn't have time to be chasing a silly woman roaming the hills without food or water. Yet he knew she'd be gone at the first chance.
"What?" Her hands grabbed his. "You are not going to tie me up like I'm some—some criminal!"
He glanced up at her touch, and his gaze met the liquid velvet of her green eyes. "In my mind, someone who steals is a criminal."
She looked at him as if she would have liked to carve him into small pieces and feed him to the buzzards.
"Okay, cowboy, what's it gonna take for you to believe me?"
"The truth."
"I've tried that and you didn't listen, you're so convinced of my guilt."
"There's no one else who could have taken the ring."
Rose stared hard at the handsome man, her frustration building. "You're right, cowboy. I took that wedding band." She leaned forward, close to him, and lowered her voice. "And I'm wearing it too. You want to know where?"
Travis tried to swallow the lump that appeared in his throat. Where would a woman hide a ring? Somehow he knew he was in trouble. "Where?"
She whispered seductively, "On my big toe."
She was lying. She was lying as sure as the day she was born, but still he had to disprove her. He had to show her not to tempt him.
His gaze held hers for a minute; then his hands slid down her ankle to her boot. Her feet were small enough to rest easily in the palm of his hand. He started untying her bootlaces.
Laughing, she threw her head back. "I'm lying. I thought maybe you were smart enough to see the difference." As he slid her boot off, he couldn't help but admire her dainty foot. "I knew you were lying."
He slid his hands up her dress, skimming her calves. She grabbed his hands beneath her dress.
"Whoa, cowboy, just what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm taking your stocking off so I can see your bare feet."
"Oh, no, you're not. Allow me." She reached under her dress to remove his hands. She slid her stocking down, but not before he got a quick glimpse of her trim leg from knee to ankle.
Travis moved, trying to hide his reaction to the smooth expanse of white limb he'd glimpsed beneath her skirt.
She held out her foot. "See? No ring."
Quickly she undid her other boot and rolled down that stocking. She gazed up at him defiantly. "See? No ring."
"I know." He shrugged his shoulder. "Thanks."
"For what?" she questioned.
"For helping me get your boots off without a fight. Now I know you're not going anywhere tonight." He snapped the piece of rope in his hands and brought it around her ankles. "I'm tying you up, just to make sure you don't slip away from me."
"Oh! You big bully. How am I to move around?"
"You'll manage."
He took her boots and stuffed her stockings down inside them, then moved the shoes out of her reach.
"I'll keep these safe for you."
"I just bet you will," she said, her eyes snapping with fire.
He took the second piece of rope, and after moving his saddle closer to his bedroll, tied her wrist to his.
They were tied together. Tied together by rope, bound by this hopeless sense of attraction.
The memory of her standing in her underwear sent the blood rushing through his body. Though she was fully clothed now, the image of her up-thrust breasts, slender waist, and shapely hips would haunt him for quite some time.
He lay on the ground next to her, his head resting on his saddle.
All he had to do was roll over and crawl on top of her, and he could have his way with her. She was little better than a thieving saloon girl, after all. Nonetheless, he knew she wouldn't be willing and he'd never forced himself on a woman before. He wasn't about to start now.
She tugged on the rope, pulling him until they were face to face, eye to eye. A stray lock of hair graced her cheek. The jasmine scent he was beginning to recognize as hers teased him. However, the look in her eyes was anything but pleasant.
"Just in case you're still thinking of trying anything," he warned, "I'm a light sleeper."
"Mr. Burnett, someday I hope I have the opportunity to pay you back for this humiliating experience."
He rolled over onto his back and pulled his hat over his eyes. "Good night, Miss Severin. Sleep well."
"Go to hell!"
***
Travis awoke feeling something warm and soft against him. For just a moment longer he clung to the dream world, knowing he didn't want to awaken.
That he wanted to continue experiencing the soft, sweet smell he lay curled around.
He opened one eye and peered into eyes the color of soft green moss. She lay curled in his arms.
"About time you woke up," she said.
"Morning," he said, trying to control his body's reaction to the soft scent of the woman he held in his arms, knowing he was doing a lousy job.
"Sleep well?"
"Yeah."
"Too bad. I dreamed you let me go last night. That you knew I was innocent."
"It was just a dream."
"I was afraid you'd say that. Do you ever get tired of being right?"
"Not when I know I am."
She shook her head. "So if I think I'm always right, and you think you're always right, where does that leave us?"
"You're wrong."
She rose up on her elbow and looked him in the eye. "Okay—hypothetical question. What if I were innocent? What would you do if you were me and I proved my innocence? Don't you think, cowboy, that you'd deserve some kind of punishment for kidnapping and dragging me to Fort Worth? For putting an innocent woman in jail?"
"Lady, I'd bet the Bar None that you aren't innocent. As for punishing me, just having to spend the entire day with you on horseback is punishment enough. It's not even daylight yet and already you're running your mouth off."
Rose tried to jump up, but the rope tied around her ankle and wrist held her in place. He pulled on the rope, hauling her against his body once more. She turned her face away from him.
"I'm tired, cowboy. I didn't sleep real well last night. So I'm warning you, go easy this morning."
Some of her spunk seemed to have disappeared. Gently he pulled her face around until their eyes met.
A man could forget she was a thief when he glanced into eyes the same color as the green hills of springtime. A man could forget she made her living cheating people out of their money when he gazed at her full, rosy lips. A man could forget about the number of other men who had probably had her, when he was surrounded by her rounded curves.
All night she'd invaded his thoughts, his sleep, his dreams, and now she lay beneath him, her soft body pressing into his.
Her eyes widened and she licked her lips nervously. That simple movement was his undoing. With a groan, his
mouth descended onto the velvety softness of her succulent lips. Though the sun barely tinged the eastern sky, her breath was as sweet as honey-suckle. In her surprise, she opened her mouth, giving him access, joining them together in the breath of life. He reached up and grasped her face, pulling her closer. He slanted his mouth over hers, wanting to consume her, as if he couldn't get close enough to her.
His fingers trailed down her face. The rope that joined them together rubbed against her delicate skin, breaking the sensual cocoon he had wrapped them in.
She pushed him with all her strength and brought her knee up at the same time. He jumped out of the way, breaking the kiss.
"Salaud! What do you think you're doing?"
Rose yanked on the ropes, pulling at the knots, tugging on him, causing him to bang into her.
"Slow down a minute," he commanded.
"For what? So you can finish what you've started? Is this the reason you tied me up?"
He grabbed both of her wrists in one hand. "Just what do you think I've started?"
She stopped trying to get away, her breathing harsh and her green eyes clouded with alarm. A fear he had put there. At this moment he didn't want to see her eyes, full of apprehension.
He wanted to see a passion that would overcome them both, giving him permission to do what he really wanted. But that was impossible, and he would do well to remember that Desirée Severin was no lady.
Still holding her wrists with his fingers, he reached over and untied the rope that had held them bound together. He reached down and untied her ankles. "Do your business while I saddle the horse. We're leaving."
She rubbed her wrist and glared at him. "Don't kiss me again, cowboy. I'm not some cheap saloon girl you can use and then run out of town. Keep your hands to yourself."
He watched as she walked away, her head held high, her back straight. God, where had that saucy spirit come from and what was he going to do with this woman once he got her home?
Chapter Five
Rose strolled away into the bushes, breathing slowly and willing her body to relax. She liked kissing Travis Burnett. She liked the warm sense of security she felt in his arms. As though nothing could ever harm her again when she was nestled in the asylum of his well- muscled embrace.
She enjoyed the touch of his lips on hers, enjoyed sparring with the arrogant man. Yet she didn't like his thinking she was a thief. He'd had her thrown in jail, for pity's sake! And still her body responded to his kisses, hungered for his touch.
Rose Severin was a lot of things, but she wasn't a common criminal who stole from people, nor was she an easy woman.
She walked deeper into the trees, leaves crunching beneath her boots. A flock of birds trilled at her invasion, swooping from the trees in a flurry. Why was she attracted to this man?
As she traveled from town to town, there had been very few men in her life. Flirtations, yes, but she never stayed in one place long enough for any serious involvement. No man had ever courted her, or ever bought her a trinket. So why had she suddenly taken an interest in a do-good cowboy who believed the worst of her?
Shaking her head, she shivered, but not from cold on this warm May morning. She didn't know why her pulse seemed to pound whenever he was around. She didn't know why the mere sight of him in his tight pants and filled-out shirts caused her breathing to quicken. She didn't understand how the touch of his lips could turn her muscles to liquid.
And even though she hadn't wanted to return to Fort Worth, even though she had no intention of staying long with Mr. Burnett, she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit curious as to where these feelings were leading.
Yes, she'd told him to never kiss her again, but Lord, she hoped he ignored her pleas. Because she wanted his kisses, feared his kisses, trembled at the reaction his lips seemed to create.
Maybe she'd stick around for a little while to figure out what made this cowboy different from the rest of the hatted and gunned men she'd met. Maybe, just maybe, she'd figure out what made this man different.
***
Eugenia heard the dogs barking a greeting and knew it could only be Travis. She glanced out the kitchen window and watched Travis's Appaloosa come clopping into the yard. Desirée sat encompassed in the safety of her son's arms, the two of them nestled together upon the animal's back.
The sight of the young woman with Travis made her smile. It was a pleasant surprise that left Eugenia happy and anxious. Happy because the girl was here, anxious about the lie she'd told her son. Still, at this distance they appeared cozy together, and that did her heart good.
But what was she going to say now that he had brought the young woman back? What were Travis's plans for Desirée, and how long could Eugenia let this farce go on before she spoke up and told the truth?
She untied her apron, tossed it onto a kitchen chair, and hurried through the parlor and out the front door, letting the wooden door slam behind her. She stood waiting for the pair as they rode up to the front porch. She tried not to wring her hands, tried to keep a welcoming smile on her face. But the closer they came, the more anxious she became at the scowls on their faces. The perfect picture they presented needed a few strokes to the canvas just yet.
"Hello, son. Desirée, it's good to see you again. I trust your trip was successful?"
Travis glared at her as though she was out of her mind. "A Sunday school picnic, Mother. Desirée hasn't returned your ring." He glanced down at her. "Yet."
Their looks were like steel hitting flint. Desirée glared up at Travis, and Eugenia couldn't help but think what a handsome couple they would make. Their children—her grandchildren—would be beautiful. She was doing the right thing.
You haven't found it yet, cowboy." Desirée issued the challenge, a smile on her face.
"Get down and come in, children. You must be tired and hungry." Tense, Eugenia felt as if her insides were going to be wrung out Travis was clearly frustrated, and Desirée seemed to be enjoying his agitation.
"Mrs. Burnett, you know I didn't take your ring."
Travis made a sound of disbelief. He swung his leg over his horse and climbed out of the saddle.
Eugenia took a deep breath. No, the girl hadn't taken her ring, but she couldn't admit to her fabrication just yet. "Well, dear, come on in and rest from your journey. We'll talk about the ring later."
Desirée swung a leg over the top of the saddle and slid down the horse. She stepped away quickly, almost falling, her legs apparently numb from the ride. Travis reached out a hand to balance her. His eyes flashed for just a moment with what looked like desire.
Eugenia felt a surge of relief. So her son wasn't totally immune to the delectable Miss Severin. The lie Eugenia had told wasn't totally irresponsible.
"Detestable animal," Desirée spat.
Travis smiled and hooked his thumbs in his belt. "She didn't throw you now, did she? You deserved to be thrown for talking bad about Belle."
Desirée glanced at the horse and then at Travis. "She wasn't going to throw me. She knew I would call upon the spirits to haunt her if she did."
Travis rolled his eyes. "Why don't you call upon them to find my mother's ring? Or have the spirits deserted you since you left Fort Worth?"
The two squared off like gunfighters. All they needed was six-shooters. Once the shots were fired and after the smoke cleared, they would be forever entwined. And Eugenia would be a grandmother.
Eugenia watched as Desirée reached out and poked Travis in the chest. "The spirits have been protecting me from you. They know I would never steal, but they're watching you."
The air fairly sparked between the two of them; the tension swirled around them tighter than a whirlwind. Eugenia almost laughed out loud. It was working. The attraction was there just as she knew it would be.
All they needed was a shove in the right direction and they would fall wildly in love. But first they had to get past this bickering stage. Somehow she had to help them by giving them a little nudge. One that would leave them h
ot enough to be searching for a preacher.
Travis grinned. "Kind of them to watch over me. Tell them there's work to be done, though, and I'd rather they helped out than just stand around and watch."
Eugenia felt the urge to separate the two of them. "See your horse to the barn, Travis, while I take Desirée inside."
Desirée walked up the wooden stairs to the front porch, her calico dress rustling with her movements. She stopped just inches from Eugenia and looked her straight in the eyes.
"You know I didn't take your ring. I don't even know what it looks like."
Taking the young woman by the arm, Eugenia strolled toward the door. "Let's not worry about the ring right now. We'll have time later."
Desirée gave a quick glance behind her to see if Travis followed. But he stood talking to a man who had walked up and looked completely absorbed in the young man's words.
Eugenia led her inside the parlor and through the kitchen door. "Don't mind my son. Sometimes he can be like any other man, obstinate as they come. But once he smells the stew Cook has prepared, he'll come running. He always does."
"Mrs. Burnett, he brought me here against my will," the girl said wistfully, twisting Eugenia's heart.
"Yes. Well, dear, he's just trying to get to the bottom of our little disagreement. Think of it this way—you'll get a few days of rest while you're visiting our ranch."
Eugenia hoped the young woman would never leave again, but that was yet to be determined.
"Now then, you sit right down here in this chair and rest while I serve you some of this stew."
"Frankly, Mrs. Burnett, I'd like a moment to freshen up."
Eugenia stopped. "Oh dear, you can tell how long it's been since I've had guests. You're absolutely right. Let me show you to your room."
She took Desirée up the stairs, purposely taking her to the guest room across the hall from Travis's room. They would be so close that each of them could almost hear the other's next breath. But her son was a good man, and she wasn't concerned about any improprieties.
"I'll give you some time to rest and clean up. We'll eat, say in an hour?"
"That's fine." Desirée stood in the middle of the room, staring at the pink curtains and matching spread.
"I won't be staying long."
"Well, we won't worry about that right now. I'll send Travis up with your bag just as soon as I can. Rest, dear, and then we'll have supper."