Wild Hearts (4 page)

And then he was gone. Alethea stared after him, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment and her soul burn with regret.

Guilt was an unfamiliar emotion, and one Alethea didn't like. She'd always believed in being fair, to listening to both sides of an argument. After Zeke had gotten so angry about her assumptions, she'd decided to talk to Daisy.

“Zeke's been very careful,” her friend reassured her. “Even before he came to terms with the town, he never got involved with married women.”

“I'm not sure if that's better or worse,” Alethea murmured as they sorted through the wool shipment that had arrived. Spring meant time to start new knitting projects to be finished in time for cool fall nights.

“He has given a lot to people,” Daisy went on. “Much is done quietly.” She glanced around, as if making sure they were alone in the back of the store, then spoke in a lowered voice. “Whenever a woman loses a husband, we always send over a big box of supplies. Dry goods, fabric, whatever we know they need. Zeke helps pay for that. He slaughters a handful of cows every year and gives the meat away. He's the one who paid for your new schoolhouse.”

Which made him sound like a leading citizen. “But what about the gambling?”

“That wasn't good,” Daisy admitted. “He stopped years ago, but while he was playing, there were bad times in town. I guess he grew up. Accepted his responsibilities.”

“Except when it comes to the schoolteachers,” Alethea said, then pressed her lips together.

Her friend laughed. “Don't worry about your reputation. The more we get to know you, the more we're convinced you're the one woman who can stand up to Zeke Titan.”

Alethea hoped that was true. “The other women he was with, the ones who were sent away. Were there…” She cleared her throat. “There were children involved, were there not?”

Daisy shook her head. “Not that I know of. Zeke was real careful that way.” She put down the box of wool. “I know he's wild and flouts the rules. Still, there's something about him we all like.”

“He's prideful.”

Daisy grinned. “Show me a man who isn't.” Her gaze sharpened. “You're not going to give in to Zeke, are you? We're counting on you to defeat him.”

Alethea thought about her last encounter with Zeke. There seemed to be little chance of his pursuing her now.

“No. I won't be giving in. Fear not.”

“But he is a charming devil. I can tell you that more than one lady in town had hoped to be the one to change his ways. He'll settle down eventually and whoever he chooses will be a lucky woman.” Daisy leaned close. “I've heard stories from the young women who were with him. They were forever changed. Apparently Zeke knows things about a woman's body.”

“Immoral things,” Alethea said quickly, even as she wondered what they could be. Her intimate time with her husband had always been pleasant. A warm joining of bodies and spirit. She'd looked forward to him holding her and kissing her. The actual act itself was less appealing, although there had been one time when he'd spent long minutes touching her between her legs. She'd felt something amazing, a rush of pleasure that had taken her breath away.

It had been dark and she'd done her best to make sure Wesley hadn't known how she'd had to scream into her pillow to keep him from hearing. He'd never touched her that way again and she hadn't had the courage to ask.

Did Zeke do that? Did he touch a woman between her legs until she had to scream into a pillow? Were there other things?

Not the point, she thought, wondering why it was suddenly so warm in the storeroom. It appeared she had misjudged him. The fact that he was seducing her so that she had to leave was beside the point. She'd been wrong about him. Had assumed the worst. She owed him an apology and he would have it.

 

Alethea sent Zeke a carefully worded note, inviting him to dinner. The note was sent back with an equally polite refusal. She used Daisy's oven to bake a cake and sent it to him. It was sent back uneaten. The next day, he passed her on the street and politely tipped his hat, but in no other way acknowledged her.

Alethea didn't like feeling that she was in the wrong, and if Zeke wouldn't even allow her to apologize, she wasn't sure how she was supposed to fix things. As a last resort, she slipped a single piece of paper under his door at the hotel.

“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” Alexander Pope.

Later than evening, she noticed the paper had been returned. Under her line, Zeke had written one of his own.

“It is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend.” William Blake.

Meaning what? They were friends? Or did he prefer to think of her as an enemy?

She spent most of the night coming up with a suitable response.

“Action is eloquence.” William Shakespeare. Underneath she carefully wrote, “I am truly sorry.” She slipped the note under his door on her way to breakfast.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Alethea had promised herself she would clean out the schoolhouse, but the warm, sunny day tempted. Maybe just a couple of hours of cleaning, she told herself. Then she would be free to enjoy the rest of the day.

She dressed in her oldest blouse and tied a scarf around her hair. Armed with a bucket, rags and a broom, she went to the school and began dusting every surface. She used wet rags to wipe down desks and windowsills.

In a month, when school was out for the summer, the building would be emptied and painted, repairs done. But until then, her morning of cleaning would have to do.

She swept the hardwood floor, coughing at the dust, then put a damp rag on her broom and used it to get up the worst of the dirt and marks. Close to noon, hot and flushed and damp from her labor, she assembled her supplies, prepared to walk back to town. As she closed and locked the door behind her, she noticed someone sitting on the bench by the window. The man was sprawled in his seat, his long legs stretched in front of him, his hat covering most of his face.

Even without seeing his face, she recognized Zeke. Aware she was not at her best, she thought about slipping away while he slept. But the need to speak to him, to apologize, was too great. She moved toward him.

Before she could reach him, he straightened and pushed his hat back in place.

“You about done in there?” he asked.

“You watched me work?”

“You sweep with vigor, Mrs. Harbaugh.”

“I try to apply myself to all my tasks,” she said, staring into his dark eyes. “Including apologizing to you…” She hesitated, then added, “Zeke.”

“I got your notes,” he said, studying her, his gaze moving over her face, then down her dress.

“And the cake.”

“Yes, that, too. You're determined. I'll give you that.” He stood and gave her a slow smile that made her insides go all shaky. “And I forgive you, Alethea.”

Relief tasted sweet. “It was an understandable mistake to make,” she pointed out.

“Now there you go, ruining a perfectly good apology.” He nodded toward town. “I'll let it go, however, if you take a walk with me.”

She thought about the dust on her clothes and the possible smudges on her face. “I must look a sight.”

“I could do without the rag in your hair,” he admitted.

“Oh.” She'd forgotten about that. She pulled it free before realizing she'd forgotten to pin up her hair that morning. The long, loose curls tumbled over her shoulders and down her back. She tried to smooth her hair.

“I look like a schoolgirl,” she said self-consciously.

When he responded with “You look beautiful,” she couldn't help her flush. He pointed to a grove of trees up a ways. “Let's go there.”

She set her cleaning supplies by the bench and walked with him toward the trees. He stopped by the water pump.

“You must be thirsty after all your cleaning. Have some water.”

He reached out and worked the pump. Water gushed into the bucket below.

Alethea cupped her hands to catch the liquid, but her hair fell forward, getting in her way. Before she could figure out what to do, Zeke had stopped pumping. He ran his hands down the length of her hair, which meant touching her shoulders and back, before collecting it in one hand and pumping with the other.

It was an intimate act, she thought, a little flustered. She gulped water too quickly, then nearly choked. When she straightened, he released her hair, although she had a feeling they were standing much too close.

“Better?” he asked.

She nodded.

He leaned in and lightly brushed her cheek. “You have a bit of dirt there.”

His touch was warm and gentle. She found herself leaning into him. His eyes were dark in color but bright with a light she couldn't explain. Seeing it made her feel a little flustered.

“You enjoy thinking the worst of me,” he murmured.

“I don't enjoy it,” she corrected. “I find it easy to believe. Because of your reputation.”

“With schoolteachers.”

She nodded. “That a town would allow such debauchery, condone it, is appalling.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. “You will be pleased to know that I have been informed you are not to be tampered with, my dear Alethea. You have many friends in town and they are demanding I behave.”

They were standing so close, she could feel his breath on her face. The sweet scent of mint mingled with coffee.

“Will you listen to their demands?” she asked.

“They have assured me if I do not, the consequences will be severe, to say the least.”

“Not anything you would fear.”

He raised his eyebrows. “One could almost believe you wanted me to ignore them.”

“I assure you, sir, I have no interested in being trifled with. My work means everything to me. I care for my students and have no desire to leave them.”

“Would you leave?”

“I would have to, as you well know. Should my reputation be compromised, I would be forced to return to Baltimore.” The words were more for herself than for him. Zeke tempted her in a way she'd never experienced before. Her heart pounded so hard in her chest, she thought it might break loose and fly away. Everything but the man in front of her blurred and was of no consequence. She longed for something…for…

He leaned forward that last inch and kissed her. A soft, gentle brush of his mouth on hers. She felt the contact all the way down to her toes. Every part of her body surged toward him, and without knowing what she was doing, she wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips.

He obliged her by deepening the kiss, even as he pulled her hard against him. Her breasts were flat against his chest, her belly rubbing his. Their legs touched. But none of that compared to the sweet dance of his tongue.

Zeke kissed with the easy confidence of a man comfortable with a woman in his arms. There were no tentative stops and starts, no apologies. Just a heart-stirring, tingle-producing kiss.

She wanted more, she thought hazily, giving herself up to the sensations flooding her. She wanted to know what it was like to be with him the way she'd been with…

Alethea did not allow herself to complete the thought. Not only was it dangerous, it was foolish. She wrenched herself from the pleasure that was Zeke's arms and stared at him.

This man was not trying to win her. Quite the contrary. His carefully designed plan was to disgrace her so she would be forced to leave town. He wasn't her friend or her lover. He was her adversary.

How unfortunate, she thought as she turned and ran toward town. How unfortunate that she seemed to be falling for him.

Zeke shuffled the cards with familiar ease. He'd spent hours practicing every day as a kid, had learned to know which cards were most likely to come up next in a well-shuffled deck. He'd taught himself to read people's eyes, their affectations, to understand when the bet was based on what his opponent had in his hand and when it was a bluff.

Now as he waited for his friends to join him for a friendly game, he found himself wishing he were having dinner with Alethea rather than spending time with Billy, Big John and Evan. She would make him laugh with her views on everything from literature to the weather. She would challenge him and later, when he kissed her, he would feel the pull of an irresistible desire.

There was something about her, he admitted to himself. Something…unique. He'd known a lot of women in his life—he enjoyed women. But none like her. Just thinking about her in his bed was enough to—

His fingers slipped and the cards went flying. Conversation in the saloon stilled as everyone stared at him. He shrugged, then bent down to retrieve the cards.

“Damned society,” one of the men muttered. “Soon the river will start flowing backward.”

Zeke picked up the last card just as his friends approached the table. Billy settled next to him while John and Ethan moved toward the bar.

“I almost didn't make it,” Billy grumbled. “She wanted me to stay home and read to the children. Read to them!” He sounded outraged. “I told her that raisin' our boys was woman's work.” He lowered his voice and leaned toward Zeke. “You know what she said to me?”

Zeke shook his head.

“That if I wanted them to grow into men, I'd better start payin' attention to them.”

“Is she wrong?”

“What?” Billy's eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”

“Can your boys grow into men without your influence?”

“Hell if I know and that's not the point. She's talkin' back to me, Zeke. Tellin' me what she thinks all the time. Like she's in charge. I'm the man. I'm in charge.”

“Why do men think they should be in charge?”

Billy's mouth dropped open. “It says so in the Bible.”

“It says a lot of things in the Bible you don't pay any attention to.”

“Is she gettin' to you?” Billy asked warily. “Is she crawlin' inside your head and changin' who you are?”

“No, I'm just asking what's so bad about your wife telling you what she thinks? Does her
not
telling you make things better?”

“It sure doesn't make 'em worse. I don't want to know what she's thinkin'.”

“Then why did you marry her?”

“It was the only way to bed her.”

Zeke shook his head. “You never loved her?”

Billy shifted on his chair. “Maybe a little. Then.”

“So you don't love her anymore?”

“Why are you askin' all these questions? Are you gonna to get rid of that schoolteacher or not?”

Zeke leaned back in his chair and looked at his friend. “That's a good question,” he admitted.

“And?”

“I don't know.”

“What?” Billy came to his feet. “You promised. We had a deal.”

Zeke nodded slowly. “I guess we did. You willing to challenge me, Billy?”

Billy swallowed. “No. Of course not.” He sank back into his chair. “It's just that I thought she'd be leavin' town soon. Things was better before she came.”

“I'm not sure I agree with that. I kind of like things the way they are now.”

 

The following Saturday Alethea found herself again walking toward the schoolhouse, but this time she wasn't alone. She and Zeke went past the building toward the grove of trees that provided shade on the warm, sunny day. They both carried baskets. His was larger, holding their lunch, while hers contained the cake she had baked just for the occasion.

“Most men don't like picnics,” she told Zeke as he spread out a blanket on the spring grass. “I suspect they're concerned about having to make too much conversation.”

He took her hand as she seated herself, then settled next to her. “I'm not most men.”

That was true. He was funny and intelligent and charming. She found herself thinking about him at odd times during the day. She would remember something he'd said and catch herself smiling. And the memory of his kiss made her feel all hot and uncomfortable at the most inopportune times. But more than anything, she found herself wishing he was spending time with her because he wanted to and not because of a bet.

At times she thought he had to like her, at least a little. No one could pretend that well. But then she thought of all the other schoolteachers before her and knew that if she tried to convince herself he was sincere, she was likely to find herself heartbroken. In addition, she would have behaved foolishly, and what could be worse than that?

As they sat in the shade, Zeke looked out at the town spread before them.

“I missed this,” he admitted. “I was away too long.”

“Do you go east often?”

“Every couple of years. I have business interests there.”

“I've been to New York,” she said, then wondered if she shouldn't have.

Zeke stretched out, leaning back on his elbows. “With Wesley?”

She nodded, not wanting to say it had been on their honeymoon. “Baltimore is large and growing, but it is nothing compared to New York. Still, I prefer Titanville.”

“Why? I would think you would enjoy the culture and entertainments available in a big city.”

“I have plenty here to keep me entertained. Have you seen when one of the horses gets away from Big John and races through the center of town? Or how the children run home on Friday, eager to be done with school?” She smiled. “I don't take their enthusiasm personally. I know they enjoy their time with me.”

She drew in a breath. “The storms are so much more exciting than any I'd seen in Baltimore. The wind blows and the thunder is so loud, but everyone is home safe and cozy. I like that I know nearly everyone's name and a baby's birth is a celebration for all. I belong here. I've never belonged anywhere before.”

She smiled at him. Until that moment, Zeke hadn't realized how beautiful she was. He'd known she was pretty and appealing, but he hadn't felt her beauty down to his soul. Now, as he took in the curve of her cheek, the shape of her mouth, he found himself wondering what she would look like large with child. Or in fifteen or twenty years, with a touch of gray in her hair.

He wanted to sit across from her, in front of a fire, reading and then talking about their books. He wanted to go to sleep with her in his arms and then wake up next to her in the morning.

“I'm too enthusiastic,” she said, glancing away.

“Why? Shouldn't you enjoy where you live?”

She leaned toward him. “It is more than that. There is so much potential here. So many possibilities. I've made friends here that I never expected to have. And they value my opinions. It's…inspiring to be around children and adults who seem to enjoy learning.”

“I'm not sure we need more educated members of your sex.”

“Are you afraid of the challenge?” she asked with a smile.

“Me and every other man.”

“I won't even pretend surprise.”

He captured her hand in his, noticing how easily her fingers slid between his.

“I'm thinking of building a house,” he said abruptly, not sure where the words had come from.

She studied him with interest. “For yourself?”

He nodded. “A big house with a wide porch and cattle.”

“I'm not sure cattle in a house are a good idea.”

He grinned. “They'll be outside.”

“Are you sure? Because that's not what you said. You said you wanted a wide porch and cattle. I must say, Mr. Titan, you should speak more clearly.”

Her green eyes danced with amusement.

“Are you laughing at me?” he demanded.

“No. Why would you ask such a question? A mere woman finding humor in a man such as yourself? So powerful and well traveled? I find myself trembling in your presence.”

Now she was laughing. He turned quickly, reaching for her. She tried to scramble away, but he was too quick. He caught her around the waist and pulled her against him. Then he was above her, staring into her wide eyes, knowing this was the best view in the world.

“Alethea,” he murmured right before he kissed her.

Alethea didn't even pretend to resist. She gave herself over to the feel of Zeke's mouth on her own. His lips were firm yet gentle, moving slowly as if giving her time to get used to his attentions. She raised her arms to wrap them around his neck, then let her eyes sink closed.

He kissed her deliberately, as if they had all the time in the world. When his tongue touched her lower lip, she parted for him. Perhaps she should have resisted, but she longed to feel the heat filling her body, the ache that she remembered from her time in the marriage bed. Even telling herself that Zeke was doing his best to seduce her didn't make her want to turn away.

He swept into her mouth, claiming her. She lay on the blanket, the ground hard beneath her, yet she didn't want to move. Not when his tongue moved against hers so deliciously.

He put his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him. Her hips were against his belly and that part lower. She longed to know if he was aroused, but couldn't tell through the layers of her skirt and petticoats.

He moved his hand from her waist to her rib cage, then higher still. The path was deliberate and she found herself catching her breath in anticipation.

He settled on her breast, his palm a light weight, his fingers moving back and forth, teasing her nipple into a tight knot. With each stroke, she felt a distinct tug between her legs, a powerful need that made her squirm to get closer.

She told herself to stop, that he was doing this on purpose. That if she let him continue he would win and she would be forced to leave town. But she couldn't seem to resist, not even when he moved his hand back down her body, toward her most secret place.

He continued to kiss her, as if distracting her, but she was aware of him pulling up her skirts. He slipped his hand under the yards of fabric and settled it on her thigh. There was only the thinnest layer of delicate cotton between his skin and hers. Between his fingers and her very center.

She had to know. That was her weakness, the need to discover if what had happened that single night so long ago had been real or merely a trick of her imagination. Was her body truly capable of the erotic pleasure that had made her scream into her pillow? If anyone could help her find the answer, it was Zeke.

His fingers drifted across her thigh, then slowly, oh, so slowly, moved between her legs. Still kissing her, he dipped in deeper, as if searching for something. As if—

He brushed against a place that sent fire burning all through her. Her breath caught as he rubbed that spot again, then circled it.

Wanting poured through her. Her clothes were too tight and there were too many of them. She longed to rip herself free and be bare before him. To feel more, to spread her legs wide.

Instead, she kept her eyes closed and continued to kiss him as if he wasn't really touching her
there
and pushing her closer and closer toward a place she didn't understand.

Zeke touched her with a sureness that allowed her to relax into all he was doing. He moved faster, taking control of her until she had to drop her head back and concentrate only on what he was doing.

Around and around until she was flung off the edge of the earth and falling into a surging, wonderful world of sensation. She clung to him, not sure exactly what was happening but never wanting it to stop.

And then everything righted itself. She was back on the blanket, in Zeke's arms, his hand smoothing down her skirts. Blushing, she forced herself to open her eyes.

She'd thought he would be smiling or giving her that look of male superiority that she found so annoying. Instead, his expression was serious and maybe a little tender.

“My Alethea,” he whispered.

She swallowed. “I don't know what to say.”

“Then we will be quiet together.”

“But we…you…”

“Shh.” He brushed her hair off her forehead. “Nothing happened. You are as you were.”

She supposed that was true. They hadn't lain together as married people did. But what'd he'd done to her had been so intimate. So perfect.

Why had he done it? Because he had wanted to? Could she trust him?

Did it matter? If she'd already given her heart to him, then it was a little late to be worried about something like trust.