One Texas Night

CHAPTER 9

Cozette pretended to sleep the rest of the night. Until he’d told her he wanted her she’d thought they were simply playing a game. He was touching her, she was enjoying it. When he’d said he wanted her, she knew he was no longer playing. He hadn’t said he loved her or wanted to stay forever. He simply wanted her, and she’d already had one man in her life who’d simply wanted her.

She felt him slip from her bed long before dawn. He hadn’t touched her since he’d rolled away from her, so she had no warmth to miss.

Maybe she should have said she wanted him, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever want a man in that way again. It hadn’t been a pleasant experience. In fact, the mating had hurt when she’d been forced down without warning.

Michael might be gentle and kind, but she wasn’t sure the act wouldn’t still hurt.

She had loved his kisses, though, and the way his hands touched her as if they were worshipping her. She’d even thought of asking him to touch her again, but she didn’t know how. That kind of honesty had never circled so near before.

She slipped from the bed and crossed the bathing room to his bedroom. He’d pulled on clean trousers and was sitting by the open windows tugging on his old boots. The cold air blew her gown as if pushing her back, but she tiptoed toward him.

He didn’t look up but she had a feeling he knew she was there.

“Your new boots should fit far better,” she said calmly.

When he didn’t look up, she took one step more. “Are you mad at me?”

“No,” he answered too quickly.

“Good,” she played along as she moved closer. “Then, you’d have no objection to a good-morning kiss.”

“It’s a long time until morning,” he mumbled before looking up at her, and a moment later she was running into his arms. He was her only friend. The only one she could trust. She couldn’t stand to see hurt in his wonderful blue eyes and know that she’d caused it.

“You promised you’d never be cruel to me,” she whispered. “Don’t turn away from me now.”

He buried his head in her chest and let out a long sigh, then kissed her wildly as if a hunger for her had almost killed him.

She laughed as he stood, holding her in his arms, and walked over to his bed. He tossed her atop the covers and stared down at her for a long moment before joining her. “It’s cold in here. You should be under the covers, dear.”

As the first light shone through the open windows, he tugged the front of her gown open. “If you just want to be touched and nothing more, then touch you I will.”

His fingers shoved the cotton aside a moment before his warm hands covered her breasts. “But I plan to do so all over.”

When she gasped, he kissed her deep as his hands made his promise true.

After awhile, he rose his head to look into her eyes. The pain she’d seen was gone, and passion had taken its place. She whispered between gulps for air. “Again, Michael. Touch me again.”

He pushed the gown off and lowered his mouth to her peak.

Crying out from the pleasure, she rocked back and forth. He moved back to her mouth, holding her face in his hands as he kissed her.

“Is this what you want, my love?” His words whispered against her mouth.

“Yes,” she answered.

Slowly, he gentled as he removed her gown and lightly brushed over her body with his fingertips. When she shivered, he rolled her onto her stomach and stroked her back, dipping lower until his hand covered her bottom.

He didn’t say anything as he explored her body with bold strokes that warmed her skin.

Part of her couldn’t believe she was letting him. Knowing he wanted her wasn’t the same as loving her, but it was close. Reason told her she never wanted another man, but emotions warring in her wouldn’t allow her to stop him. Just seeing the pleasure in his face made her happy. He was a good man who’d had very little pleasure in his life, and it pleased her greatly to know that she could offer him something in return for all he’d given her.

She finally curled next to him and he pulled a blanket over them both. They fell asleep with her head on his shoulder and his hand spread across her stomach.

When the household began to wake, Cozette stirred, loving the warmth of him near.

He opened one eye and looked at her.

“Can I have my good-morning kiss, please?” she pouted.

“Of course,” he said, “but only one.”

He kissed her soundly and pulled away. “Tonight I think maybe you should forget the gown. It will only get ripped. I plan to repeat our early morning activity.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she smiled.

“Don’t worry. If you forget, we might have to do it twice.”

She blushed. “Oh, I see. I should probably warn you my memory’s never been good.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here to help.”

They both laughed, but she didn’t miss the warm fire in his stormy blue-gray eyes.

She tugged the covers around her as she watched him dress. She wanted to ask him if he’d be happy just touching her and nothing more, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer. When he left she’d keep the memories of their nights together close to her heart. She might not have a real husband, but she’d know that once, for a few short nights, she’d been touched completely and lovingly.

After he strapped on his gun belt and lifted his hat, he crossed to the bed and kissed her on the head. “All day, I’ll think of you here like this and long for the night.”

He was gone before she could answer. Without giving any thought of what was proper, she curled back under the covers and went to sleep in his bed.

Her day could wait a little longer to begin.