Cowboys and Highlanders (47 page)

He grinned as she growled, digging her nails into his back as she took him with the same ferocious intensity.

“It’s happening again.” Allison cried out as her body crested the illusive peak, her contracting sheath milking him.

Pressure pooled at the base of his spine. Heat surged into his cock and balls. TJ couldn’t hold on. Losing the edge, he erupted.

Allison held tightly, riding the wave of his release. TJ released a heavy exhale and rested his head against her shoulder. For a moment, neither moved.

Finally, TJ rolled onto his back and stared at the sky. Fluffy, white clouds towered above the highest peak.

Deafening silence stretched out between them. “Please, say something.” Because he had no idea what to say.

She sat up and covered her breasts. “We should get going.”

He handed over the tie of her camisole. “Allison,” he began.

“I’m fine,” she interrupted, clutching her top together. She turned away from him and rethreaded the loops. After righting her blouse, she tried to stand. She flinched, and her knees buckled.

“Sugar, let me help.”

“Only if you promise never to call me Sugar again.” He wrapped his arm around her waist so she could lean on him for support. “You might think it’s sweet to name me after a horse. I don’t.” She tried to laugh.

TJ put a thick blanket on the buckboard before helping her to sit. “The ride’s going to be a bit bumpy. Let me know if you need me to stop.”

“I’m shaky, but fine. Honestly.”

“Woman, you’ll be the death of me.” He smiled as he climbed onto the buckboard, but fear had his heart in a vise. He hated not knowing what thoughts swirled in her overly analytical mind. He clenched his jaw and flicked the reins. God, he hoped it wasn’t regret.

Chapter Eleven

The sun dipped low on the horizon when they arrived in Copper City. Allison compared town life to the ranch. Men shouted on the streets and loud music drifted out of the many saloons along the boardwalk. If there were crickets to hear, one wouldn’t know it. The only wildlife drank at the bar and patronized the rooms above.

TJ drove the team to the livery. “We’ll get a room before we get something to eat.”

“I need to freshen up.” Allison held to his shoulders while he lifted her off the buckboard.

“Take as long as you need.”

“Feels like forever since I was here.” She wrapped her arm around his. Then he escorted her to the hotel. “I know this building,” she said as they entered the lobby. “It was still under construction when I first arrived.”

Chandeliers hung overhead while plush rugs lines the floors. Copper statuary sat upon glass-topped tables and beautiful leather furniture surrounded a large fireplace with a marble mantle. Allison hadn’t seen a hotel like this since she’d left Boston.

TJ lead her to the front desk. “Good evening, Travers.”

“Mr. Bester, it’s nice to see you.” The man bowed his head. “Your usual suite?”

TJ nodded. “My wife and I are on our honeymoon.”

“Congratulations.” He beamed. “Mrs. Bester, how nice it is to meet you.” His grin stretched across his face. “Sam,” he called to the porter while ringing a bell. “Please take Mr. and Mrs. Bester’s bags to his suite.” He leaned forward. “If you should like anything special,” he said in a low voice. “I will see it is brought to your room.”

“Nothing now. It has been a long day. My wife would like to rest a spell.” He possessively wrapped his arm around her shoulders, escorted her across the lobby, and to their room.

Once in private, she asked, “Why did you tell them we were married?”

“Because my dear Allison, we will be.” He cupped her face in his hands and brought their lips together.

She wedged her hands between them. “TJ, I didn’t make love to you to get a proposal. I knew the consequences.” And she hadn’t cared.

He smiled. “As did I. I
am
going to marry you.” He kissed her quickly and then went into a separate bathing room. “I’ll make a bath ready for you.”

A few minutes later, steaming water and lavender scented bubbles filled the tub. TJ left her alone to undress.

She stripped out of her clothing and sank into the water. Her muscles were sore, but the delicious ache between her legs reminded her of what she’d done and how much she wanted TJ again.

A soft knock sounded on the door a second before it opened. “I had them bring up a cup of tea,” he said, entering the room.

“Have you ever seen such a thing?” She laughed as she blew a handful of bubbles at him.

“Never, you’re beautiful.” He turned and set the cup of tea on the vanity.

Their eyes met in the large mirror hanging on the wall. The moment grew heavy and intimate. TJ stripped out of his shirt and then began to remove his trousers.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Exactly what it looks like.” Dropping his drawers, he stood in front of her—fully aroused. His erection jutted forward, thick and pulsing, from a thatch of dark curly hair. His balls hung heavy between his legs. As she stared, his abdominals tightened. Two muscles carved a vee into his groin. “Can I join you?”

She nodded, her mouth too dry to speak. The rest of her was wet and twitching for his touch. Her heart didn’t beat, but seemed to flutter in her chest. Heat bloomed within her, yet she shivered. TJ stalked closer. She froze.

“Slide forward,” he said, and climbed in behind her. He linked their legs together and pulled her against him. “Do you still hurt?”

“A little tender.” But she wanted him again, deep. His weight, heavy against her chest, and his hips spreading her thighs. She glanced at his face just inches from hers.

“I’m sorry.” He tightened his hold as his eyes closed, and he leaned his head back.

“Don’t be. I’m not.” She sank a little deeper, her skin sliding along his.

TJ wrapped his arms around her waist. Several minutes passed as TJ’s hands roamed over her body. Allison’s eyes closed and she reveled in the touch, the intimacy, but she wanted more. She wanted him penetrating her body with his. She shifted, feeling the hardness of his erection press against her back.

“Will you marry me?” He waited for her reply, but she remained quiet. “Tomorrow.”

Water sloshed out of the tub as she sat up. “We can’t get married tomorrow!” She stood and stepped out of the tub. Water pooled on the floor as she wrapped up in a thick, purple towel. The dark gleam in his eyes expressed what she needed to know of his thoughts.

TJ leaned back, and stretched his arms out along the sides of the tub. “Why not? You can ask Marion to stand with you as your maid of honor.”

“You wouldn’t care that a whore stood beside me?” She put her hands on her hips.

“Hell, no. I’ll ask Sandy to be my best man. I owe her.”

Allison rolled her eyes. “I love Sandy too, but that doesn’t mean I want your mistress at my wedding.”

“I don’t keep a mistress anymore.” He stood and stepped out of the bath with no regard for modesty. Water dripped onto the floor around him.

“Well, I’m not getting married tomorrow.”

“When? Because let me tell you, we are getting married.”

“You must think because I spread my legs for you, that you own me. We already determined I’m not a whore. You can’t buy me with a bubble bath.” Allison turned and walked out of the room.

TJ followed her. “What do you want, for me to stand on the street and profess my love for you? I will if that is what it’ll take for you to say yes.”

She dropped the towel and put on a clean dress. “No, that isn’t what I need. And if you really believe that, then I guess our fighting is going to continue.” She growled and stomped her foot. “You’re a jackass.” The stupid, stubborn, irrational jackass she’d given both her heart and body to.

“Where are you going?” TJ wrapped a towel around his waist.

“None of your business,” she said. “I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to.”

“I want to marry you!”

“I’m not marrying someone who doesn’t love me.”

“I do love you.”

“I don’t believe you.” Twisting her hair on top of her head, she secured it in place with an abalone and silver clip. She stood at the room door. “I am not one of your ranch hands. I don’t follow orders or respond to demands.” She slammed it closed.

Figuring TJ would follow, she nearly sprinted through the lobby of the hotel. Someone reached out and grabbed her by the arm. She let out a scream. Thinking TJ had beaten her to the lobby, she whirled around. And choked on the word, “Henry.”

“I thought I saw you checking in earlier. How are you, Allison?”

She couldn’t respond, didn’t know what to say. Blood drained from her head. Darkness closed in around her. She struggled to focus. She had to get out of the hotel before TJ caught up with her. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

The arrogant smirk she had grown to hate, leered back at her. “What makes you think I’d be looking for you? I happen to be on a wedding trip to California.”

Allison stiffened her shoulders and shrugged off his touch. “Poor girl.” She snapped a glance over her shoulder. As much as she’d like to drill Henry about her family—her father—she had to get out of the hotel. “I’m in a hurry. Have a nice life.” Perhaps once, Henry could have powered over her, but not anymore. She’d met a real man—a Montana man and he was a far greater threat. And he would be looking for her.

“I need a drink or at least, a cup of coffee.” She didn’t wait for a response from Henry. His reasons for being in Copper City held no relevance to her. Turning from him, she hurried out of the lobby, and onto the street. Henry jogged to keep up with her quick step.

“Slow down, Allison.” He took hold of her arm and brought her to a stop on the street. “What is the matter with you? Are you in some kind of trouble? I could be persuaded to be of assistance, for a price.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure that would satisfy you to no end. I, on the other hand, would be sick.” She looked around wildly for a place to hide. “Yes.” Across the street, a restaurant advertised meatloaf. Although windows ran the entire length of the building, it would have to do. Let TJ wonder where she went. His first stop would be the brothel…and she wouldn’t be there. A smile curled her lips. “I have to go.” She walked away from Henry.

“We need to talk.” He followed her.

“No, we don’t.” She entered the diner and found a booth seat next to the front window.

Henry sat across from her as the waitress approached. “Coffee, actually, make it a beer with the chicken special.”

“Alcohol,” Henry said with pursed lips. “Allison, the West has changed you.”

“More than you know.”

Henry perused the menu before deciding on chopped steak and glass of red wine. “What are you looking for?”

Allison hadn’t taken her eyes off the street. “Nothing,” she said, folding her arms on top of the table. “How is my family?”

“I wouldn’t think you cared after the way you humiliated them.”

“I was the one humiliated. And we both know how.”

Red crawled up his next and his lips thinned. Then the Henry Oakdale mask fell into place. She nearly laughed when she remembered how she once feared him. After knowing men like TJ and Joseph, she recognized Henry as a coward.

“My God, what have you been doing to yourself? You look like hell.” His lips turned up in a snarl.

“My appearance is not your concern. My father, Henry, how is he?”

“Dead, I’m afraid.” A flash of amusement lit his features. “Shortly after you ran off. Your mother has remarried, a younger man, I believe. A widower with two small children. I suppose you can consider yourself cut out of the will. It appears as though everyone finds you easy to replace.”

Allison lowered her head and folded the napkin in her lap. “She destroyed Papa just as she would have me if I’d stayed.”

“Are you going to introduce us?” TJ slid in next to her.

Allison’s head snapped up, and her body stiffened as his hip bumped hers.

“Excuse me, Sir, but you are interrupting our supper,” Henry said.

The waitress arrived then with Allison’s beer and Henry’s wine. She asked if she could get TJ something to drink before continuing to another table.

“I’d like the name of the man having supper with my wife.” He took a swallow of Allison’s beer and kept his hand wrapped around the glass.

“I’m not your wife,” Allison spat.

“We have something in common.” Henry leaned back and swirled the wine in his glass.

“Henry Oakdale, TJ Bester.” Allison wanted to crawl underneath the nearest rock. “I’m sure you have plenty to talk about so if you’ll excuse me.”

TJ gripped her arm with the strength of a charging bull. Tension rolled off him waves like heat on a piece of steel in the hot, summer sun.

“Sit down, Sugar,” he said, his voice like syrup, far too sweet. “We haven’t had supper.”

Allison couldn’t eat the food if she’d wanted to.

“So how do you and Allison know each other?” TJ popped a piece of Allison’s chicken into his mouth.

Allison snorted. TJ was well aware of her acquaintance with Henry. Just this afternoon, she’d opened her heart when she told him about the engagement. He wasn’t entitled to any more information. She had purposefully kept the details vague. No doubt, whatever Henry said, he’d slant in his favor.

Allison asked the waitress for another beer. Hopefully, by the time she drank it, she wouldn’t care what either one of them said about her.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned me considering we were engaged.”

“Oh yes,” she said, seething. “You were engaged in something, but it wasn’t with me.” Impatient with the waitress, she took TJ’s beer and guzzled.

“I wouldn’t diminish what happened between us.” His lecherous leer soured her stomach.

“You soiled my name once. I’ll have your tongue before I allow you to do so again. Shall I remind you of your own words? I have nothing left to lose, but perhaps you do. Should we ask your bride to join us?”

“Do not threaten me!”

“Then let me,” TJ interrupted.

“No, TJ.” She put her hand on his arm. “I no longer need to justify myself to anyone.” She finished his beer. “Believe what you want.” She wiped her mouth on a napkin. “It’s time for me to say goodnight. Henry, I would say it’s been nice seeing you, but we both know the truth. I appreciate the information about my family. If you see either of my brothers, please let them know I’m fine. I’m tired and I’m leaving.” She pushed on TJ until he moved out of her way.

“This will take care of the meal,” TJ said, tossing a couple bills on the table.

Henry lifted his glass of wine. “It’s always exciting with Allison. But then, I can tell you already know.”

TJ leaned down. “If I see you again in Copper City, I’ll see you’re buried here.”