Gold Fever

Hearing her beg for him to take her would be music to his ears. Her golden hair spilled over her shoulders and he ran his fingers through it, letting the strands slip back down to her skin. Having her curves beneath him as she submitted to him, would be a pleasure he wasn't sure he could wait for. After all, he was giving up a lot to play this game with her.

He wouldn't be able to visit his favorite stop this trip to town because she was joining him.

The ladies at the whorehouse would probably be disappointed, but he could make it up to them on his next trip, he thought with a rueful smile.

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Chapter Seven

"I saddled up the horses and have them ready to go. You finally ready, darling?” He announced his entrance with a knock and a smile.

"Of course, but I am not your darling.” Barbara snapped the small-mirrored case shut that she used to apply her make up, and stuck it in her purse. It was a simple drawstring purse that she could hang from her wrist, but it matched the outfit and she wanted to make a good impression on the townsfolk here. You had only one chance to make a first impression.

He grinned mischievously and gave a low whistle, running his gaze over her generous curves. Her lacy dress had an open bodice that pushed her breasts up, making them appear even more round and full. “Well, you certainly clean up nice, sweetheart."

"You clean up pretty good yourself, even if you do insist on calling me those pesky little nicknames,” she grudgingly admitted. She didn't need to get on familiar terms with him. It did something to her insides when he talked to her that way. Using those irritating endearing nicknames on her, it was something that complicated how she felt about him and she didn't need those kinds of feelings for him. As it was, she had to fight butterflies in her stomach when he spoke with her. But was it any wonder? He was a devilishly handsome man, roughened by the western frontier. His golden skin should be rough from the harsh environment, but she knew first hand that he was soft and warm, and those calloused fingers held the gentlest of touches. His chin was smooth after his morning shave, his cologne tickled her nose as she walked by him, a scent she had smelled before, but lighter. Today it was clean and fresh as if he had just bathed.

Wait a minute. His hair was wet and clean, swept to the side freshly combed. He had a bath? When did he have the opportunity to bathe? Barbara had looked for a tub large enough to take a bath and still had not found one in her search of the cabin.

"I didn't know you had a washtub."

"We don't, darling. I used the river this morning. It's cold, but it's a good way to wake up in the morning. You are welcome to come with me one morning if you would like.” There was something very sexual about the way he was looking at her just then. A tingling sensation tightened in her chest and stretched clear to her loins.

He didn't need to know what he did to her on a regular basis. She clenched her teeth and snapped at him, “In your dreams, Vincent."

"Just being neighborly, darling. It's always nice to have someone to scrub those hard to reach places.” He grinned at her playfully, a dimple forming in his smile. “I wouldn't mind a little help with a bath now and then."

"You are a grown man, and you certainly don't need any help in the bath. Especially from me."

"It's true, I don't need any help, but it makes bath time a lot more fun to have company.” His expression turned wolf-like and hungry as thought he imagined her next to him in the cool waters. Her creamy skin naked to his touch, covered in soapsuds.

She pretended not to understand his look and, turning on her heel, she walked by him and left to go outside and see which horse she would be riding. “I can't swim, so I certainly won't be joining you in any rivers anytime soon. I would appreciate having a bath tub here in the house, so I don't have to worry about drowning.” The concern was apparent in her voice as she made her way out the door.

"If it would make you happy, consider it done,” he said, shutting the door behind them.

* * * *

She had not complained for the week they had been together, and he imagined a lady such as herself wasn't used to roughing it. He wasn't sure why he had this tender desire to take care of her needs and protect her, but where Barbara Lane was concerned, she had invaded more than his house.

He wasn't entirely sure how much longer he could hold off this strong pull of desire for her. Or how long he would be able to stay off her side of the bed.

It may be weeks, it may be months, but he knew he would bed her one day soon. She wouldn't be able to hold out forever, and he was not as much of a gentleman as he should be. Perhaps if he went to visit the saloon in town, one of the women upstairs could make some of these urges go away. Since Barbara had come into his home, everything had been chaotic, and it seemed like he was constantly walking around hard as steel.

He blamed it on her far too generous chest. He always had been a breast man, and he imagined playing with them, letting those creamy orbs spring free of her restricting clothes. He would play with her nipples until they hardened for him into firm, round peaks, and take them into his mouth. And Miss Lane, who was always a lady, would be biting her lip to suppress the urge to scream as she came in his hands, shuddering under his touch.

There he went again. His cock went hard as nails thinking of her.

It was getting damn uncomfortable.

His denim pants hugged his thighs, and if she knew what to look for she would see the front of his pants tenting over his hard cock, straining against the seam of his britches.

Good thing she was fairly innocent.

He smiled to himself. Her innocence was a small flaw, which Vincent planned to correct. All in good time.

* * * *

"I hope you don't mind if I go take a walk by myself. I would like to look at the town a little more.” Hopefully there would be some interest in half of a gold mine somewhere in this town, she thought darkly.

His dark brown eyes narrowed speculatively. “I think you may need some guidance in case you have any trouble."

"Nonsense. Who would give me trouble? It's not as if I am wandering into some dark alleyways, looking for thugs, Mr. Waverly. I am going to go do a little window shopping, and I am sure a man like yourself would only get bored."

"I think I must insist, darling. I can't leave you to wander the streets without a chaperone. It would be a disappointment to lose my partner just days after I learn I have one.” His features hardened and his body stiffened, preparing for a fight that he wasn't about to lose.

Barbara wasn't prepared to have him follow her around like a puppy this whole trip. She needed time alone if she wanted to try and sell off her share of the mine, or even find a buyer. Having Vincent follow her everywhere would ruin her plans. “Honestly, Mr. Waverly, I won't be wandering the streets alone. I just wanted to shop in the dress shop and if I was to get fitted, I would appreciate a little privacy."

His stance relaxed, and his voice was calmer. He gave her a wink, knowing it would infuriate her. “You sure? I could offer a lot of good advice for a fitting. I think we could find a dress that would show off your features quite nicely and maybe even improve a few."

"Ooooh! You know better than that. I can't have a man there. What will people think? You know what they will think. They will think that I am your mistress, that's what!” Her cheeks grew hot, thinking about her mother and how she was ostracized from good society for having a child out of wedlock. Barbara didn't want to be shunned, and certainly not for something she didn't do.

He came unbearably close, to within inches of her, and a devilish look entered his eyes as he touched her golden hair and let it spill back onto her shoulders. “Let them say whatever they want.” He tilted her head up, his thumb caressing her cheek, and she looked at him, aching for his kiss. His lips were so close and he was so close, she could feel his body heat with the close contact. Her own skin was on fire. “We are the only ones who know the truth. Right, sweetheart?"

Her eyes w

idened in alarm at his words. She could never allow herself to become his lover, and what had she almost done? She felt like throwing herself at him with just the briefest of touches. Roughly, she thrust him away from her, and said, “There is nothing between us and never will be, Mr. Waverly."

He retreated, stepping away from her, making his way towards the saloon, laughing to himself. He yelled out to her as he was leaving, “Now what did I tell you about saying never? Meet me at the saloon when you are done, darling."

Barbara growled something unintelligible. That man rankled her nerves, irritating her with every other word. He was cocky and arrogant, so sure that she was attracted to him, that Barbara found she had a hard time denying it. She just wasn't sure how much longer she could last in such close proximity to Vincent. When he gave her invitations for private moments such as a bath together or to join him on his side of the bed, she was tempted to do it, and she knew better.

A man like him wasn't going to settle down and marry.

A man like him was dangerous to a woman like her.

It would invite disaster and she vowed she would not follow the same path as her mother. She would not give up everything in the name of love. She would not give up her body and her life for some man that had no intention of taking care of her or her child if there ever was one.

All the more reason to make sure a child was never an issue. She could never sleep with that man.