I rinsed her hair, and then refilled the glass. "You've learned only two of the ways so far."
"You mean gentle one time and rough another."
"Yes," I agreed. "Also, one time you were on your back, the next up against a wall. There are many ways to fuck, many levels of intensity."
"Will you show them all to me?"
"Show them?" I put the glass down. "We'll do them all. Together."
I didn't let Piper leave the room until the sun had set; I even had our meals delivered to us instead of making our way to the restaurant. There was nothing outside the four walls of the room that I desired, my focus being solely on my new wife. I knew that keeping the door closed kept all of our marital challenges at bay for having her beneath me, above me, all around me we were in complete accord.
I had not wanted a wife but had been forced to wed. Piper was married to the man who'd killed one of her brothers and brought her family to justice. She, too, had married under duress. But instead of considering these things, I'd taken her to bed and showed her ways to fuck while allowing her sore pussy to heal. While my cock certainly liked being deep inside her, it had been assuaged by a myriad other carnal activities.
When she stirred from a nap after I'd made her come by my tongue and gentle fingers, I agreed to her plan.
"You may go to the brothel." The words came out bitter and with much effort.
She sat up in bed so surprised she forgot to cover herself with the sheet. I groaned at the sight of her pert breasts.
"I have rules, however."
She nodded her head in agreement. I assumed she would agree to anything I had to say at the moment considering.
"You may not go into a room alone with any man but me. I don't care if you run out of there screaming."
"Yes, Wiley."
"You will not flaunt yourself at any time, to anyone."
"Flaunt myself?" she placed her hand on my chest and swirled her finger through the smattering of hair. I stilled her hand.
"You will see. Lastly, and most importantly, when I claim you, you will do whatever I say, do you understand?"
"Yes, Wiley."
I didn't like this, but I didn't have much choice. If I wanted to capture not only Miss Carter, but also her new cohorts in crime, I needed Piper's help. She could assist me in ways another man could not. I doubted anyone would imagine a woman infiltrating a brothel to capture a criminal had ever been done before. If Piper wasn't my wife, I'd have to consider this tactic to be smart.
Instead, I gritted my teeth the entire way to the brothel. We walked in silence in the warm night until we stopped just down the block. I pulled her in for a kiss before releasing her. She was warm and pliant and her scent swirled around us.
I should just skip finding Miss Carter and whisk Piper back to the ranch, leave all the danger behind. I loosened my grip and let her go. It was one of the hardest things I'd ever had to do and as I watched her slip in through the back door, I knew I'd have to ensure her safety.
Walking around to the front of the establishment, I went in and ordered a whiskey, then waited. I'd be the fi
rst to claim her; there was no question.
CHAPTER SIX
PIPER
This was the third time I walked in the backdoor of a brothel. It was getting easier each time, perhaps because I knew that Wiley was around...somewhere to protect me. Perhaps it was because I was much more bold and daring than I'd ever been in my life. I'd been so sheltered on the ranch. Even with my family off doing terrible crimes, I had remained unaware and safe. Now, I was very aware and possibly not safe. I had to do this for Wiley, to let him have the revenge he deserved and the closure he so desperately sought. Only then could we get on with our lives, settle into his ranch and just...be.
The cook stood in the same place before the stove and looked at me, again with no expression or surprise. "Back, are you?"
I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm...I'm desperate."
She looked me over in an assessing way again, then nodded.
She went to a swinging door, pushed it open. "Regina!"