Wanton Desire Read online

  Her bedroom looked much as it had when she’d left. It was a comfort that her father hadn’t changed anything. A little sad too, knowing that he’d looked forward to her return.

  Bed, dresser, wardrobe, desk. Very simple, very cozy. The lone window caught her eye. Joe used to climb through that window to see her. Their secret meetings had always set her heart to racing. And his effect on her hadn’t changed.

  Pushing away those thoughts, she headed back down the stairs. Layers of dust covered everything. She sneezed and rubbed her nose. The whole place needed a good cleaning.

  She pulled the shades and locked the front door before making her way into the kitchen. Still as she remembered. Warm and comforting. She’d heat some water and take a nice soak. Her muscles needed it.

  An old tin tub sat under a long table against the wall. After draping her robe over the back of a chair, she pulled the tub into the center of the kitchen and wiped it out. Then she pumped water from the sink into some kettles and put them on the stove to heat up. The coal and matches were exactly where they’d always been, so she had no problems lighting a fire. She’d fill the tub partway with cool water and use the heated water to bring it up to the perfect temperature.

  While the water was heating, she retrieved some soap and towels. She dragged the chair with her robe closer to the tub and laid the other items on the seat. Then she locked the back door and drew the kitchen shades. With luck, nobody would disturb her or even realize that she was here, other than Joe. And she didn’t expect him back anytime soon. Not after the way she’d dismissed him.

  Even doing something as mundane as preparing a bath helped her thoughts from wandering too much. If she could stay focused and busy, time would pass quickly and she’d be better able to deal with things. She had a lot of decisions to make in the next few days.

  She lit a lantern on the table then pumped some more water at the sink and poured the cool liquid into the tub, filling it not quite halfway. She checked the heating water. One kettle at a time, she mixed the hot water into the tub.

  Taking her time, she pulled off her clothing and neatly draped each piece over the back of the chair, careful not to cover up her robe. She stepped into the tub and sank down into the water. “Ahh…”

  * * * * *

  After rousing Willie and sending her on her way with a warning that they’d talk later, Joe strolled back to the clinic to tell Emma that he’d taken care of the telegram. Until they received an answer, he’d have no good reason to see her again. But that wouldn’t stop him from finding one, despite her earlier dismissal of him.

  Tomorrow he needed to go to Cal’s place to make sure everything was all right out there. Then he’d ride over to Wade’s. That would keep him occupied for a while. He needed to bide his time and not appear like some hound dog sniffing around a female, hoping to find her in heat.

  By the time a day or two passed, Emma would become lonely and more receptive to him. None of her close friends lived in town anymore. Only Beth still resided in the area and she wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

  A pang of concern hit him. He prayed little Josie would be all right. If not, he feared that Beth and Cal would never be the same. That little girl was their life.

  He shook off his negative thoughts and feelings. Best to concentrate on other matters instead of a situation that he couldn’t do anything about. And his other matter of choice right now was Emma. A sense of excitement he hadn’t felt in a long while swept over him now that he’d decided to seduce her, have a good time for the duration of her stay, and not involve his heart.

  When he approached the clinic, he noticed the shades were drawn. He turned the knob on the front entrance. It stuck a little but then opened. Everything seemed quiet. Maybe she was napping. He gently closed the door behind him. He didn’t want to wake her by calling out or slamming the door. The thought of her laid out in bed caused sensual images in his head and he started up the stairs.

  Sloshing water drew his attention and he turned. When he heard a small splash, he stepped back down to the bottom floor. It sounded as if she was in the kitchen. Maybe she’d decided to wash some of her clothing after the trip. He turned the corner just as she stood up in the tub.

  Joe froze at the sight of Emma’s naked body in the lantern light. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t even swallow.

  Water rolled down her pale flesh. Her dark hair hung loose, partially wet and down to the middle of her back. Her bottom was nicely rounded and looked perfectly squeezable. And spankable. At the thought, he had to hold back a groan.

  From her angle, she hadn’t noticed him. And from his angle, he could only see one breast. One very full breast. A water droplet hung off the plump rosy nipple. He longed to suck that drop into his mouth, right along with that delicious-looking bud and tug on the thick bit of flesh until she came apart in ecstasy.

  Her knee was slightly bent, so he couldn’t see between her legs. Good thing or he might have come just standing there, as he watched her hands glide over her bare flesh.

  With every ounce of willpower inside him, he stepped back around the corner and leaned against the wall. He rubbed his crotch in discomfort, taking in several ragged breaths as he tried to tame his cock.

  Emma made a soft whimper.

  He peeked around the kitchen entrance once more. Just for a quick look to make sure that she was all right.

  Hellfire. Her fingers looked to be in her pussy. Was that possible? Yes! She was pleasuring herself, trying to come. He couldn’t look away from the erotic sight. If she turned, even slightly, he’d be able to actually see her touching herself. Now, her movements were still hidden by her leg. But her actions were unmistakable.

  He never would have expected that from Emma. Had someone taught her how to make herself come or had she discovered it herself through self-exploration?

  Another possibility filled his head. One that disturbed him but was more likely. She had probably been with a man since she’d been gone. Fierce jealousy and possessiveness gripped him. Damn his feelings. He shouldn’t care but he did.

  Her hand moved faster and again she whimpered.

  Oh, how his cock ached for her. He wondered what or who she was thinking about. Him? His hand moved to his crotch and he rubbed hard. He felt ready to burst right through his pants.

  “Ah…”

  Her soft voice, and the look on the part of her face that he could see, captivated him. She was truly enjoying herself. This obviously wasn’t the first time she’d done this. She was too sure in her movements. Hers were not the tentative touches of an innocent.

  “Ah, oh…”

  She looked close to climaxing now. She reached across with her other hand and tweaked her nipple—the same one he’d fantasized about sucking. She moaned and the sound hardened his cock even more. She definitely enjoyed that sort of stimulation. He’d remember that and give her nipples special attention when he seduced her.

  He wanted to stay and watch her come. Craved to see her. But if he did, he knew he’d stalk right in there and fuck her where she stood. Though that was exactly what he intended to do before she left town, this was not the right time or the place.

  She had to be willing. Actually, more than willing. He wanted her eager, even desperate, for his cock to be inside her. Then he’d give her the fucking of a lifetime—one she’d never forget.

  With difficulty, he turned away and somehow got himself under control. Quietly he left the clinic, locking the door behind him and making certain it was locked, so nobody else would happen upon her.

  Emma looked toward the door. She froze. She thought she’d heard a slight rattle and a click. She grabbed a towel and covered herself. “Hello?”

  Nothing.

  She continued to listen, her heart beating heavily. But all seemed quiet. “Now I’m hearing things.” Or maybe she’d just been feeling guilty about her actions. Standing up and exposing herself, while touching her body, had seemed so much more exciting and decadent than hiding her mo
vements beneath the water. And she’d felt the need for decadence.

  Something wanton deep inside her had always warred with her chaste side. She’d done her best to hide those desires over the years but lately she’d felt an overwhelming need to indulge some of her cravings.

  She laid down the towel then she slipped back into the water to rinse the soap from her body. She’d thought pleasuring herself would ease her stress but she’d been unable to climax. Probably because she’d been fighting the images in her head—images of Joe.

  Somehow the forbidden fantasies she’d enjoyed of him and that had kept her warm at night for the last two years seemed much more complex and filled with conflicting emotions now. Maybe she should just confront Joe and ask him how he felt about her.

  “If only I were that brave.” Since she wasn’t even sure how she felt about him, asking him might be a bit unfair. If she expected the truth from him, then she owed him her feelings in return.

  She still cared about him. She knew that. But distance and time had a vicious way of messing with one’s perceptions and emotions.

  “I’m so confused.” She sighed and laid her head back on the rim of the tub.

  She’d better figure out her feelings soon, before she left Elk Valley, and before Joe moved on with another woman. Her thoughts returned to the woman in the jail. “If he hasn’t moved on already.”

  * * * * *

  Still distracted by the memory of Emma’s gorgeous body, Joe slammed the door to the sheriff’s office. He stopped short when he saw Cora sitting in his chair with her legs propped on the desk.

  “What are you doing here?” he grumbled. She was the last person he wanted to see right now.

  She spread her thighs so he could see beneath her full, calf-length skirt. She tugged her bodice low, almost exposing her breasts. “I figured Miss Fancy-Pants would be gone now.”

  “I’m busy.”

  She swung her legs off the desk and stood up. “Too busy for me?”

  Joe frowned. She’d meant “too busy to fuck?” and they both knew it. Cora never got enough. He used to like that. Today it irritated him.

  She strolled across the room, swaying her hips. She stopped in front of him and slid her hand across his crotch. “Ooo, you’re hard. Is that big gun for me?”

  He grabbed her hand. “I think we should put our meetings to an end for a while.” He couldn’t see her while Emma was in town. He’d feel too guilty.

  Cora’s eyes narrowed and she took a step backward, pulling her hand out of his grasp. “Because of her? I asked around. I know who that lady is. You think someone like her is going to let you fuck her?” She lowered her voice. “You think she’ll let you do to her all the nasty things you like to do to a woman?”

  “You’re the one who can’t come unless you get it that way, Cora.” Joe stepped aside, trying to keep his temper in check. “Now get out. I’ve got things to do.” He didn’t need or want her opinions regarding Emma.

  She grabbed his arm. “Why? You’re suddenly better than me now because she’s here?” When he looked down at her hand, she released him. But she tipped up her chin and a defiant look entered her eyes. “Fine, Joe Jackson. But once she leaves—and she will—don’t try to come crawling back between my legs. You’ll be on your own. You best get real friendly with that hand of yours.”

  His temper shot to the surface and he couldn’t hold his tongue. “Like there aren’t any other whores in the Crooked Trail to fuck?”

  She sucked in a sharp breath then smacked him hard across the cheek. She turned and stormed out of the office, slamming the door after her.

  Joe hung his head. He pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. Damn, she had a mean whack. He shouldn’t have said what he had. It was cruel. Cora could be a real bitch at times but he’d enjoyed her body often and she rarely charged him unless they met upstairs at the saloon.

  As he raised his head and stared out the window, his turbulent life played through his head. What had happened to him? Somewhere down the line he’d lost part of his humanity. Years ago. Young and stupid, he’d been in need of redemption. Being around Skylar, Beth and then Emma had restored him. His faith in women. His faith in a better life. When Emma had left, he’d allowed himself to backslide. He’d been hurt and now he was the one who couldn’t stop himself from hurting others.

  The door to the office swung open and Willie stepped inside. Her stringy blonde hair stuck out from under her hat and the young boys’ clothing she wore hung loosely on her small frame. Though she was sixteen years old—so she’d said anyhow—she looked a little older to him. Sometimes he wondered what the truth really was.

  Willie stomped some dirt off one of her boots. Her eyes widened when she looked at him. “What happened to your cheek?”

  He brushed the skin with his fingers, feeling the heat. “Nothing.”

  She looked at him oddly for a long moment. But when he didn’t say anything more, she moved on. “What’s wrong with Cora? I saw her storm out. She almost knocked me on my hind end when we passed each other.”

  “She’s mad. I don’t think she wants anything to do with me anymore.” Though he could probably change her mind if he really wanted. He knew how to make Cora happy.

  “Well, hell, that’s finally some good news.” Willie planted her hands on her hips and smiled widely.

  “Good?” Ever since Willie had shown up in town, she hadn’t made a lick of sense to him. “Why would you say that? And watch your language. A lady doesn’t curse.”

  “I’m not a lady. I’m me. And I don’t like Cora. She’s bossy, sneaky and only really cares about herself. You can do better. You know it.”

  “It’s not as if I plan to marry her.” Far from it. She was a fun time and that was it. He had made sure that she’d understood that from the beginning.

  “Well, at least you’re not completely touched in the head.” She leaned against the door frame. “Who’s that fancy woman everyone in town is going on about? The one that just arrived supposedly. Folks are saying she’s a doctor. There’s no such thing as a lady doctor, is there?”

  “She’s almost a doctor and an old friend.” Word got around fast about Emma’s return.

  “Really? Is she staying? I heard she’s real pretty.”

  “No, she’s not staying.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s just here to see to her father’s things. It’s Emma Bray.”

  “Yeah, I heard the name.” She scratched her head, pushing her hat back at the same time, revealing her big brown eyes. “It sounds familiar.”

  “Dr. Bray’s daughter.” Willie hadn’t arrived in town until after Emma’s father passed away, so she’d never known anything about him other than what folks said from time to time.

  “Oh right. The girl you were sweet on.” When he just stared at her, she shrugged. “People talk.”

  Apparently. Too much. “Mind your business and don’t listen to gossip. You’ll be better off.” He walked over to his desk and pulled out a small box. He opened it with a key from his vest pocket and took out some money. “Here.”

  She pushed away from the door and walked over to the desk. She stared at his outstretched hand. “What’s that for?”

  “I want you to get yourself a room at the boarding house. They’ll give you a good rate.”

  She visibly stiffened and then a wary look entered her eyes. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll use that money to buy moonshine instead?”

  Something deep in his heart went out to her. “You’re better than that, Willie.” Her face flushed and she said something under her breath that he didn’t catch.

  “We’ve been through all this before.” She shook her head. “I don’t want your charity.”

  “It’s not charity. I don’t want you passed out and sleeping just anywhere. It’s not safe. My job will be a lot easier if I don’t have to worry about you.”

  “I never asked you to worry. I never asked you for anything.”

  “W
illie—”

  “I take care of myself. I always have.” She turned and hurried out the door, tossing some choice words over her shoulder as she left.

  Joe plopped down in his chair. “These women are going to be the death of me yet.”

  Chapter Three

  Slim tossed a shot of whiskey down his throat. His third in a row. The alcohol burned all the way to his stomach. Damn-assed good. He wiped his mouth as he stared out the grimy saloon window at nothing in particular, going over plans in his head. He picked up the whiskey bottle that he fully intended to empty tonight and poured himself a fourth.

  The sun had set an hour ago and the Crooked Trail was hopping but the rest of the town seemed deserted. At least he hadn’t seen any passersby in a while. That was actually good news. In his experience, a quiet town made it easier to rob. The townsfolk were less likely to form a posse to go in pursuit.

  For now, he sat alone in the corner of the saloon, enjoying himself. Montana was over at the Mule Deer Inn, catching up on his sleep. As most of Elk Valley, Montana had no sense of fun or adventure.

  Not that he cared. His life was going to be good from here on out. He’d already gotten lucky in a game of poker with some cowboys passing through town and now he had even more money in his pocket, which he intended to put to good use.

  He glanced up as an enticing sight passed close to his arm. “Hold up.” He pulled the pretty saloon girl into his lap. “Howdy, darlin’.”

  “Oh!” When he flashed a wad of bills at her, she relaxed and smiled. “Hey there, handsome. You’re new in town.”

  “That’s right. I’m looking for someone.”

  “I’m someone.” She rubbed his chest. “I’ll show you a real good time.”

  “I’ll just bet. I’m looking for Joe Jackson. You know him?”

  “Well, yeah. He’s the sheriff.”

  “Where’s he stay at? He wasn’t in his office when I stopped by earlier.” He’d rather confront Joe at home and in private rather than in town, just in case Montana was right and Joe wasn’t happy to see him.