A Run for Love (7 page)

She jerked, and he bent his head close to her ear. “Don’t be afraid, trust me.”

Her heart sped up at his words. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. But before she could voice her concern, his warm lips covered hers as he thrust his hips forward and entered her, breaking through the barrier. He swallowed her yelp as she tried to scoot back to get away from the pain.

“The worst is over, darlin’.” He burrowed his face into her neck, then ran his tongue around the soft shell of her ear. “Relax, it’s all pleasure from here.” He stilled as her body adjusted. As if sensing her fear, he caressed her shoulders and whispered more encouraging words. Gradually, her muscles relaxed. Jesse was right. The pain had been brief.

She felt a strange fullness that brought new pleasurable sensations as he moved inside her. She ran her hands along Jesse’s back, loving the play of muscles under the smooth skin as he moved.

He slipped his hand between them and used his finger to slide over the little nub again. Tori groaned with pleasure at the sensations. Jesse continued his attentions with his lips, tongue, and hips.

She reached for that something again, tossing her head. Her muscles clenched and unclenched. “Jesse, please.”

“Relax honey, just let it come.” His deep voice was raspy.

Let what come? Whatever he referred to, she could feel it draw nearer. Jesse’s thrusts came harder and faster, his panting filled the room. He slid his hand down and squeezed his fingers together over her swollen bud. She flew apart.

Her muscles clenched, and waves of pleasure washed over her. Her breath caught and she moaned, arching her neck against the pillow. Jesse’s pace quickened, and throwing his head back, they both stiffened as his seed poured into her. He collapsed, murmuring her name over and over and feathering kisses over her moist neck.

She lay in the cocoon of his sheltering arms until the chill from the night air cooled her skin. Soft waves of air billowed in through the starched white curtains by the window above their bed.

Jesse covered their bodies with the sheet. He pushed damp curls from her face as he hovered over her, questioning with his eyes. Then he kissed her on the forehead before settling her on his shoulder. Comfortable, they fell into a deep sleep.

The pungent odors of bacon and coffee wafted on the air. Tori slowly awoke, the sounds of pans rattling and muted conversation drifted through the closed door to her ears. Something warm, hard, and foreign pressed against her back.

Oh my God.

Memories of last night washed over her, along with shame and embarrassment.
Dear God, what have I done?
She allowed Jesse to make love to her, that’s what she’d done. She eased herself away from him. His strong arm pulled her back.

“Where you going?” Jesse’s sleep filled voice jolted her heart to a rapid rhythm.

“Jesse Cochran, you’re in my bed!”

Jesse turned her onto her back, then propped himself on his elbow, his face towering over her, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes, if I remember correctly, by invitation.” He had the nerve to grin.

“We’re naked!” she whispered, pulling the sheet up to her neck.

He wrestled the sheet from her hands, raised it, and glanced down. “So it seems.”

“Get up.” She shoved him with her foot.

Jesse grunted and frowned. “Ow! What’s the matter with you?”

“I can’t believe what you did.” Tori sat up, the sheet wrapped firmly around her.

“Honey, I hate to throw stones at your virginal righteousness, but what happened a few hours ago
we
did. Together. Both of us.”

“Oh, you would say that.” She fisted her hands. “You took advantage of me.” What a stretch that was. Not only wouldn’t he believe that, she didn’t believe she’d actually said it.

Jesse shook his head and sat up. “Wait a minute. I remember asking you if you were sure, and you said yes.”

“I wasn’t thinking properly. You should have known that. Also, my spectacles were on the table.”

He stared at her, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. “What’s that supposed to mean? You didn’t recognize me?”

She looked down her nose at him. “Oh, you would try to confuse the argument.”

“How? With logic? Something you are not at all familiar with, it appears.” He jumped out of the bed and pulled his pants on. “You know, lady, I always thought you were crazy.” His fingers worked frantically at the buttons. He reached for his shirt. “Now I know you are.”

“I am not crazy, and what about Rachel?” Tori said, getting out of the other side of the bed and dragging the sheet with her.

“What has Rachel got to do with this?”

“Exactly!” She raised her finger in the air. “You were so full of lust, you forgot why we’re even here.”

He stopped putting on his shoe and stared at her. “Full of lust? Did you just say full of lust?”

“Yes. Full of lust. A poor, helpless young girl is out there.” She threw one arm toward the window, her other hand clutching the sheet. “All you can think about is
this
.” She motioned toward the bed.

“Mr. Cochran, breakfast is ready if you and your wife would like to eat before you leave.” Catherine’s voice came from the other side of the door.

“Isn’t this just wonderful?” Tori whispered furiously as she bent to scoop the nightgown from the floor. “I’ll bet they heard your lust right through this door last night. In fact, I’ll bet you woke the animals in the barn.”

Jesse tightened his belt buckle, then pointed his finger at her. “You should be locked up for your own safety.”

Picking up his boots and socks, he left the room. His greeting to the Coles grated on her nerves. She plopped on the bed and fought the tears threatening to fall. How could she have let that happen? What had seemed like such a good idea at the time, now triggered feelings of disgust and anxiety. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking, that’s what. And while she’d engaged in immoral behavior, her niece hadn’t been found.

She put her head in her hands and groaned. So much for her promise to never get involved with a charming man again. Now see what she’d done. She mentally pulled herself up. It would end right here. She hadn’t put her heart on the market, and if she had, Jesse Cochran would be the last man she’d offer it to. Charm had gotten her the humiliation of a broken engagement, and now charm had gotten her into even more trouble.

Tori eased the bedroom door closed and settled at the breakfast table.

“You look much better this morning, Mrs. Cochran.” Catherine rested her hands on her belly. “I have hotcakes and bacon.”

Tori winced at the use of the fictitious name, and shook her head. “Just some coffee or tea, please.”

“
Honey
.” Jesse glared at her and spoke through gritted teeth. “You need to eat something. We may have a long morning.”

“I said I’m not hungry,
sweetheart
.” Tori shot back, returning his glare.

Catherine and Stephen glanced at each other, a look passing between them that said, ‘Oh dear.’

Tori sipped at her tea and nibbled the light brown toast. Anxious to get started, she kept glancing at Jesse as he made small talk with Stephen.

“Mrs. Cochran, your husband told us you’re searching for you niece.” Catherine turned her attention to Tori.

“Yes, we believe she’s in Maple Grove, staying with a friend.”

“I can’t imagine riding all this way in a dress.” Catherine studied her. “My parents left several pairs of my brother’s pants and some shirts here when they visited. He no longer fits in them, and they thought I could wear them around the farm once the baby comes.”

Tori smiled slightly, not sure where the conversation headed.

“If you like, you can have one of them, which would make your riding easier.”

So I’m not the only woman who prefers the comfort of men’s pants.
“That’s very generous of you. Pants would make it easier.”

Catherine rose and beckoned her. The pants she gave her fit her hips and legs, but were too big in the waist. The well-worn shirt, though, stretched tightly over her chest, challenging the buttons. After finding a short piece of rope to hold the pants in place, Tori was ready to go, her dress rolled to be stuffed in her saddle bag.

When the two women returned to the kitchen, Jesse hopped up and grabbed Stephen’s hand. “Well, thank you both so much. I really appreciate your allowing my
wife
,”—he threw a challenging glare at Tori—“to recover here.”

“Yes, thank you very much.” Tori accepted Catherine’s hug, and smiled in Stephen’s direction. Jesse nodded at them both as Tori swept past, then followed her out the door.

“Where did you get that outfit?” Jesse growled as they swung into their saddles.

“Catherine gave them to me. They belonged to her brother. They don’t fit him anymore.”

His eyes fixed firmly on her breasts where the shirt gaped. “That shirt doesn’t fit you either.”

She looked where the buttons stretched, then tugged at the material.

Jesse groaned.

“As soon as we’re away from here, I want you to take that thing off and wear one of my shirts.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Why?”

“Don’t ask.”

They reached Arkansas City a couple hours later. Tori hadn’t uttered a word, and Jesse followed her lead. The silence had a voice of its own.

Jesse spent most of the ride talking to himself, trying to deal with the annoying fact that he still wanted that stubborn, totally irrational woman. Since they’d made love, his feelings had grown, but from the tight lipped look of his traveling companion, she didn’t return the sentiment. He grimaced. Already the desire for the feel of her softness under his hands wreaked havoc with his blood flow. But based on her reaction this morning, it appeared he wouldn’t have the opportunity for a repeat performance any time soon.

And why the hell did Catherine give her those pants to wear? With her hips and legs outlined, pure luck kept him from riding his horse into a tree.

“Tori, I suggest we call a truce while we’re hunting for Rachel.” He rode alongside her. No longer did he intend to watch her backside sway back and forth in her saddle.

“Fine.” Tori sighed, chewing on her lip. “I’m nervous about where to start searching for her.”

“Didn’t she say she went to her friend’s house?”

“Yes, she did. But we know she took the train here. And it’s a ride from Arkansas City to Maple Grove, where Mary Jane lives. I’m not sure how she could get all the way out there. She may still be at the hotel.”

Jesse nodded. “We’ll leave the horses at the livery, then check with the hotel first.”

“What will we do if she’s not there?” Tori’s hollow eyes and pale cheeks worried him. Her illness and concern over Rachel had taken a toll.

“Let’s take one thing at a time.” He reached between the horses and patted her hand.

They entered the small two-story hotel. Not luxurious, but clean and bright. A large window brought in the warm sunshine that lit the lobby. Someone had gone through the trouble of placing plants on the tables, but some had wilted. A few men sat in comfortable chairs talking with each other or reading.

They approached a thin man sitting behind the desk. He rustled his newspaper and shifted the cigar in his mouth back and forth, not paying any attention to them.

“Excuse me, sir,” Tori said. Silence. No movement of the newspaper greeted her. “Excuse me.” This time she spoke in a louder voice. Still no response.

Jesse reached over and grabbed the newspaper out of the man’s hands. He crumbled it and tossed it behind the desk.

“The lady is speaking to you.” His harsh tone drew several pairs of eyes in their direction.

Tori glared at him. She turned to the man and gave him a sweet smile. “I’m sorry for my companion’s rude behavior, sir. We’re looking for a young girl who may have checked in within the last few days. Her name is Rachel Henderson.”

The older man continued to stare at Jesse during Tori’s speech. “You just tossed away my newspaper, mister.”

“As I said.” Tori leaned over and glared. She interrupted their locked eyes by blocking their path. “I’m sorry for his behavior, but it’s very important that we find Miss Rachel Henderson. Has she been here, or is she here now?”

“Do you plan on buying me another newspaper?” The man ignored her and continued to stare at Jesse.

Jesse flipped a coin on the desk. “Here, now answer the lady’s question.”

“That’s a coin, mister, not a newspaper. Can’t read that.”

“Buy another one.”

“No. I had a perfectly good one a couple of minutes ago. They sell newspapers over at the mercantile.” He took the cigar out of his mouth and used it to point to the store across the street.

Tori placed her hands on the desk and raised her voice. “I’ll get you another one in a minute, if you please tell me if Miss Rachel Henderson has been in this hotel.”

“Don’t want to tell you anything until I get my newspaper.”

Tori grabbed Jesse’s arm. “Please? We’re never going to get anywhere. Can you just go get another newspaper?”

He regarded her tear filled eyes, and his heart twisted. “Damnation!” He stalked away from the desk, yanked the door open, and strode across the busy street to the mercantile.

Jesse returned, with a newspaper tucked securely under his arm, to find the hotel clerk staring at his fingernails and Tori pacing in front of the desk.

He slammed the newspaper down. “Now answer the lady’s question,” he growled.

“Don’t remember the question.” The man began opening the newspaper.

“Has a Miss Rachel Henderson registered here in the last few days?” Tori snapped.
“Nope.” He wet his thumb and forefinger and turned the page.

Jesse’s fist connected with the clerk’s jaw and he went down on his backside, the newspaper landing on top of his face. Tori grabbed Jesse’s arm and dragged him out of the hotel.

“Well, you certainly are an expert at getting information out of people. I hope you’re better in court.” Tori sniffed and looked up and down the boardwalk.

“Are you kidding me? The man is an idiot. He had no intention of giving us any more information, no matter what.” He took her by the elbow. “Let’s get some lunch. Rachel had to eat, even if she didn’t stay at the hotel.”

Tori pulled her elbow out of his grip and walked ahead of him to the small restaurant a few doors from the hotel. Jesse shook his head and followed her, trying hard not to notice how the snug pants hugged her curved backside.

Tori was pleased to note quite a few tables in the restaurant were filled. Always a good sign. They took a small one near the back of the room. After a couple minutes, while Jesse ignored her and she returned the favor, a young waitress with wheat colored hair and a slight limp came over and plopped down two glasses of water.

“What can I get ya?”

Jesse smiled at her. “What’s the special today?”

“Chicken with dumplings.”

“Okay, we’ll each have one. And coffee for me. Tori?” He met her gaze with a lifted brow.

“Make that one chicken with dumplings, for him. I will have a cup of tea and toast.” She closed her menu and handed it to the waitress.

“Are you crazy? You skipped breakfast. I’m not dragging a woman fainting from hunger around with me all afternoon.”

The waitress gazed around the room with a bored expression.

“Two chicken with dumplings, with two pieces of apple pie. And two coffees.” Jesse slapped his menu closed, and the waitress left.

“I can’t afford to eat big meals.” She glanced around and lowered her voice. “For your information, Mr. Cochran, I don’t have a lot of money with me.”

“I’m paying.” He leaned back in his chair.

“No, you’re not.” She brushed trail dust from her pants.

He rolled his eyes. “You can pay me back.”

“Good. I will. Be sure to let me see the check before you pay it.” She smiled cheerfully.

He moved the salt, pepper, and sugar bowl into a line. “Goddamn.”

“Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.” Her chin lifted in defiance.

The first bit of hope arrived with their meals. A brief conversation with the waitress revealed Rachel had been in the restaurant the day she took the train. No, she claimed, she hadn’t seen the young girl since. Cheered with the news that Rachel had at least made it this far, Tori turned her attention to her food.

She ate her meal with gusto. For hours her stomach had reminded her how stupid it had been to pass up breakfast with the Coles. Truth be known, it hadn’t been a problem to eat the large meal. Of course, she could have done without the grin on Jesse’s face as she ate.

Who cared what he thought anyway? An overbearing, arrogant man. As soon as they found Rachel and returned home, she would have no more to do with him. Ever.

I bet you even believe that.

She studied Jesse from beneath her lashes. He might be arrogant and exude that fake charm, but she couldn’t fool herself into believing she had no attraction to him. Especially when he looked at her a certain way and gave her that lopsided grin.

Every time her memories drifted to last night, her temperature rose. As much as she hated to admit it, she’d enjoyed their improper behavior. Hopefully, God being busy solving world problems, He didn’t hear that thought. In fact, since they pretended to be married, maybe God didn’t care.

Jesse looked at her and smirked. Annoyed at being caught almost salivating, she scowled and said, “Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

“Hold on there.” Jesse grabbed her hand as she jumped up from the table. “Exactly where are you headed?”

“We know Rachel made it this far since the waitress remembered her, so I think we should ride to Maple Grove to Mary Jane McRae’s house. That must be where she is.”

“Fine.” Jesse stood and studied the check. He reached into his pocket and threw money on the table. “Just stay away from the snakes.”

The sun made its exit in a blaze of glory. Despite the beauty of the orange, lavender, and deep red of an Oklahoma sunset, Tori agonized over another day gone without reaching her niece.

They’d spent a couple of hours purchasing food for the rest of the trip, and settling the bill with the livery. Then Jesse’s horse threw a shoe, adding to the delay since the blacksmith didn’t understand the word hurry.

Jesse tipped his hat back with one finger, eyeballing the darkening sky. “I think we should stay at the hotel tonight and set out first thing in the morning.”

Tori shook her head. “No. I can’t afford a hotel room. We can leave now and spend the night on the road.”

“I’ll pay for the room.” He raised one hand, palm facing her, before she could speak. “Before you say it, I know. You can pay me back.”

“I can’t afford a room, and I can’t afford to pay you back.”

He closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped. With thumb and forefinger, he rubbed his temples. “We’ll stay in the same room so you won’t have to pay me back.”

“Absolutely not. That’s asking for trouble.”

Their gazes locked.

“All right, then, let’s go.” He picked her up by her waist as if she weighed nothing and dropped her in the saddle.

“Ouch.” She glared at him.

Ignoring her complaint, he sauntered to his horse and mounted.

They left Arkansas City with dusky shadows and early evening lights flickering in homes as families settled in for the night. The roads being much better, it was an easier and safer ride.

Side by side they cantered, the sounds of horses’ hoofs eating up the miles. Bats flew overhead, hunting insects they would pick off trees for their nocturnal meal. They rode for a long while in silence, each occupied with their own thoughts.

The white shirt he’d lent her glowed in the moonlight. Her breasts jiggled under the soft material. Jesse tried to distract himself so he could get some blood back to his brain. “Explain to me again why we’re planning on arriving at Mary Jane’s house in the middle of the night like a couple of outlaws.”

“I think we’ve had enough delays in getting to Rachel. I just didn’t want to stay the night in Arkansas City.”

He frowned. “So we’re going to do, what? Bang on their door at three in the morning?”

“No, we have our bedrolls. We’ll camp outside the house until morning.”

“Wonderful, and we’ll get a backside full of buckshot when Mary Jane’s father sees two strangers lying in wait in his front yard.”

“Mr. McRae knows me.” Tori bristled.

“In the dark? Outside his house? Wrapped in a blanket in his front yard?”

She clenched her jaw. “Why must you make everything an argument? There’s a wooded area a couple miles from their house. We can camp there.”

One brow arched as he regarded her intently. “Oh, that’s much better. I’m sure you would prefer small animals skittering over you in the woods to a warm comfortable bed in a hotel.”

She scowled at him.

He stared straight ahead and ground his teeth. Making love to Tori had been a major mistake. She set him on fire, but could he handle the burn? If anything, their intimacy had driven her even further away. He shook his head. Women were hard to understand, but this one topped them all. Best to get this niece rescued and return to Guthrie. Block this whole damn trip from his mind before he got sucked into something he’d regret. The last thing he needed was to fall for a cantankerous woman with four kids.