Ana Leigh Page 16

  He took a gulp of the coffee, then shoved back his chair. “I’ve gotta go. See you fellas back at the Long Horn.”

  “Yeah,” Bull grunted, “you don’t want that gal of yours to cool off.”

  “That’s right, Bull,” Zach said, and headed for the door.

  Hoping Rose had left her window unlocked, he went to the rear of the boardinghouse. His luck was better than he expected: the window was open. After a glance around to make certain he wasn’t observed, Zach climbed into the room.

  He sucked in a breath when he saw her lying on the bed asleep, that gorgeous red hair fanned out on the pillow. She looked so peaceful. Somehow, in the course of their chaotic relationship, he’d always associated some tension with her. But last night he’d discovered another side to her nature that she’d kept disguised with all her talk about marrying for money. She had made love as if she was in love with him; she hadn’t even realized she’d cried it out once at the height of her passion.

  Seeing her now, deep in slumber, she looked so different—serene and utterly beautiful. The same way she’d looked last night in the moonlight. This was the Rose he wanted to know better. The kind of woman who would love a man as deeply and intensely as the passion she brought to the bed. That same kind of love his parents felt for each other.

  Rayburn was getting more woman than he deserved—more than any man deserved.

  He yearned to lie down beside her, slip her hand into his, and smell the sweet jasmine of her scent until he, too, fell asleep. But waking up to find him beside her would probably just anger her more.

  No, he’d let her sleep undisturbed. There’d be other times.

  Leaning over, he pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Next time, Rosie love.”

  Then he climbed back out the window.

  Chapter 18

  She cried aloud when she saw Zach lying in a bloody heap.

  Rose awoke with a start and sat up in bed. The nightmare had reminded her of the threat on his life, which last night’s lovemaking had shoved to the back of her mind. Glancing at the clock, she saw that she’d been sleeping for several hours and the luncheon train was due soon. Within minutes she was dressed in her uniform and headed for the Harvey House.

  “How are you feeling?” Kate asked as soon as Rose entered. The tables were all set and ready for the train’s arrival.

  “The nap really helped, Kate. Have you seen any of Stephen’s crew?”

  “Not since they left after breakfast.”

  “Did Jess Tait ever show up?”

  “No, thank goodness.”

  That was good to hear. At least if Tait wasn’t around, and Zach was in town, Rose felt he was safe. “What about Zach MacKenzie?”

  “He left before the other two did. I haven’t seen him since.” Her curiosity clearly piqued, Kate asked, “Is there a problem, Rose?”

  Rose pulled her aside and said in a low voice, “I must speak to Zach. If you see him, will you tell him that? But do it quietly; I don’t want anyone to know.”

  “All right. What’s going on, Rose?”

  “I don’t have time to tell you now. I’m going to see if I can find Zach in town.” Rose rushed out the door before Kate could question her further.

  She ventured a peek into the Long Horn and saw Bull and Joe, but no sign of Zach. Joe caught sight of her and she beckoned to him to come outside. Bull followed him.

  “Have you men seen Zach MacKenzie?”

  Rolling his eyes, Joe poked Bull. “Not for a couple hours.”

  The little weasel knew something, but it was obvious he wasn’t about to tell her. “Is Mr. Rayburn in town?”

  “No. He went back to the ranch last night,” Joe said.

  “What about Jess Tait? Is he still in jail?”

  “No, he sobered up and the sheriff released him. He went back to the ranch, too,” Bull replied.

  “Are you expecting them back?”

  “Reckon not,” Joe said, scratching his head. “Mr. Rayburn said it made no sense fer us to ride back to the ranch, so he gave us off till Monday. Don’t sound to me like he’ll be comin’ back too soon.”

  “Then why didn’t Tait stay with you fellows?” she asked.

  Bull frowned. “Yud have to ask Jess. Whatta ya want with him?”

  “I suppose it will have to wait until I see Mr. Rayburn. Thank you, boys.”

  Well, that hadn’t gotten her far, she thought on her way back to the restaurant. She didn’t dare attempt to try sneaking up to Zach’s room in broad daylight, but at least she’d found out that he was probably still in town.

  She helped serve lunch, and for the rest of the day, every time the bell tinkled over the door, she looked up hopefully.

  Where was Zach? Had something happened to him? What if Tait already had . . . No, she wouldn’t let herself believe anything had happened to him. Zach had been warned and could take care of himself.

  By closing time, there still was no sign of him. Since she’d be leaving town soon, she had nothing to lose. Throwing caution to the wind, she went into the Long Horn saloon, ignoring the surprised glances when she walked boldly up the stairs, and rapped on the door of his room.

  When there was no answer, she opened the door. Her gaze fell on the bed, remembering the glorious hours they had spent there. She forced aside the tender memory and looked around for a clue to explain his disappearance. But his clothes were all gone. The room was stripped of any sign that Zach MacKenzie had ever been there.

  Rose went downstairs to see what she could find out from the bartender. “Excuse me. Can you tell me if Mr. MacKenzie is still registered?”

  He looked perplexed. “Registered for what?”

  “Room Four at the end of the hallway. Has he checked out?”

  “Lady, this ain’t no fancy hotel,” he said. “Far as I know, he’s still got the room.”

  “But it’s empty; his saddlebags are gone.”

  His leer was insulting. “Tell you what, lady, why don’t you try lookin’ for him down the street at Rita’s. She runs the—”

  “I know what she runs,” Rose snapped. Zach had made a point of letting her know that fact when Stephen had gone there. “Thank you.”

  She returned to her room, more confused than ever as she undressed and put on her nightgown. She couldn’t believe he’d go to another woman so soon after making love to her. But what about those smirks and remarks on Bull and Joe’s faces that morning? It all must have been a joke to Zach—and his leering friends. And to think she had wasted a moment’s worry about him, when all the time he was with a whore!

  Rose squared her shoulders. She must stop this self-pity and get a grasp on her emotions. The worst was still ahead: saying good-bye to Stephen. This was no time to turn into a quivering heap of jelly.

  Moving to the dresser, she pulled the pins out of her hair and began to brush it vigorously, staring at her reflection in the mirror. “It’s all his fault, Rose. I keep telling you: Zach MacKenzie can only cause you pain.”

  “You always talk to yourself, Rosie?”

  Startled, she dropped the brush and turned her head. Zach climbed in the window. “Heard you’ve been asking around town for me.”

  She closed her eyes and thanked God Zach was okay. “What’s the matter, Rita kick you out?”

  “Rita? Rosie, my taste runs toward long-legged redheads.” He sauntered over to the bed and picked up a piece of the lingerie she had tossed there. “Hmmm. Seems like I’ve seen this before.”

  She snatched her underwear out of his hands. “If you weren’t with Rita, then where were you?”

  “If I’d known you were that concerned, I’d have hurried back.”

  “Oh, don’t sound so damn cocky, MacKenzie. And close those drapes before someone sees you in here. It’s bad enough I jeopardized my reputation chasing all over town looking for you.”

  He closed the drapes, then came back and reached for her.

  She slapped his arms away. “Answer me, Zach: where have you
been? I’ve been worried sick.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “What do you think? I warned you that Tait’s going to try to kill you.”

  He slid his hands up her back and drew her closer. “He can try,” he whispered, nibbling at her ear.

  He clearly wasn’t the least bit concerned, trailing kisses along the column of her neck. When he added his tongue the sensation became erotic, and she had to concentrate on her words.

  Pressing her hands against his chest, she held him away at arms’ length. “Dammit, MacKenzie, aren’t you the least bit worried?”

  “Rosie, I can handle Tait anytime I choose.”

  “All day, I’ve been worried sick, and now you come here—most likely from the bed of a whore—intending to get into mine. I want to know where you’ve been, Zach.”

  He stepped away and she dropped her arms. “Why is it so important to you? I wasn’t with Rita, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “Then why won’t you tell me?”

  “I guess I just don’t like to be prodded. I’m not the guy you’re engaged to, remember?”

  “You don’t have to remind me of that,” she lashed out angrily. “Knowing how I betrayed Stephen last night, I feel guilty enough as it is.”

  He stared at her as if she’d struck him in the face. “So that’s it. You’re feeling guilty that Stephen will find out about your indiscretion.” He reached out and picked up a thick strand of her hair. For a long moment he rolled it with his fingers, as though it were so fragile it’d break off.

  “You know, Rosie, when I first came in here, I thought you were actually worried about me.”

  The sadness in his voice wrenched at her heart. She looked up at him and felt the sting of salty tears.

  “I-I was worried,” she stammered. “It’s just . . . I mean, you disappeared so suddenly I feared that Tait had carried out his scheme. Then when I looked for you, the bartender said you were probably with Rita.”

  “And you resented the thought of me going from your arms to those of a whore.”

  “That, added to the lewd innuendos your friends made in the restaurant this morning—”

  “You thought I’d bragged to them about last night. Thank you for your high opinion of me. I’ve told you before, Rose, I don’t kiss and tell.”

  Though he spoke softly, his voice sounded like a roar in her head. She put her hands over her ears to shut out the sound, but he didn’t stop.

  “And whether you believe it or not, I thought last night was pretty special.”

  She had hurt him deeply. “Zach, please, don’t make this any harder than it is. I’m sorry I misjudged you. I swear I was worried about you, until I went to your room and your clothes were gone. I knew you hadn’t gone back to the ranch with Stephen and Tait, and when the bartender said you probably—” She wiped her eyes, then drew a shuddering breath. “You’re right. I resented it. It was a stupid, silly mistake on my part.”

  “So having said that and cleared your conscience, you now want a no-good bastard like me to get out of here and leave you alone to agonize about your guilt over Rayburn.”

  No, that wasn’t it at all. Her heart swelled with the aching realization that she was in love with Zach. Leaving him would be the most difficult trial she’d ever faced, because the memory of him would haunt her the rest of her life. She could never love any other man again—much less marry one. Her dream of marrying a rich man had dissolved the first time Zach kissed her. She’d tried to deny it, but it hadn’t worked. She would never be able to abide any other man’s kiss. And now, with the realization of this love, she also knew she could never actually face him and say good-bye.

  Common sense told her to tell him to leave, but her treacherous heart reminded her that she would never see him again—that this would be the last time they’d be together. Even though she was merely postponing the inevitable, she couldn’t let this moment pass. Moving closer, she slipped her arms around his neck.

  “No, I don’t want you to leave, Zach. I want you to make love to me.” She closed her eyes and parted her lips.

  The kiss was hot and passionate, deepening with every heartbeat. She had opened Pandora’s box, and there was no closing it now—as if she wanted to. No man’s kiss had the effect on her that Zach’s did, and she felt bereft when he broke it.

  “I’ve never known a woman like you, Rose,” he murmured, trailing kisses to her eyes and cheeks. The whispered words fueled a fire already raging out of control.

  “Am I so different?” She needed the feel of his hands on her, his flesh against hers, and she wanted him to take her now—the way he had the first time. She lifted the Stetson off his head and tossed it aside.

  Cupping her face between his hands, he stared into her eyes as if probing her soul.

  “What?” she asked, confused by this delay. Why wasn’t he as eager as she?

  “You’re so much woman, Rosie love. Wild. Uninhibited. Not ashamed to let a man know what you want from him. And you give what he wants right back.”

  “I’ve never been so with any other man,” she said softly.

  “I’m glad.” He traced her lips with his tongue. “And grateful you saved all that passion for me.”

  His mouth reclaimed hers, and their tongues dueled until she moaned with arousal—and anticipation. Now, she knew what lay ahead. She knew how the thrill of his kiss would make her head reel, how his tongue would make her flesh come alive. And she knew how his hands could play her body like a master musician—the scent of him, taste of him, warmth of him, all added notes to this passionate rhapsody.

  They undressed each other and at last they were on the bed, face-to-face, flesh on flesh—her soft curves molded to his hard angles in a perfect fit. They now breathed as one, their hearts beat as one, and their passion blended as the warmth of each body coursed into the other. They kissed, tasted, stroked, explored; dragging precious breaths into their lungs in gasps and exhaling it in sighs and moans. And when she could no longer stand it lest her body explode, it did—in ecstatic tremors that sent her whole being whirling in blinding, swirling sensation.

  They lay together side by side, as their ragged breathing slowed to an even rise and fall—until temptation became demand, and they reached out to touch each other. And then it began again. Entwined, they kissed, they caressed, they stroked, and once more ascended to that rapturous peak that only true lovers can scale.

  And it all felt new again.

  Throughout the night they made love over and over.

  Toward dawn, Zach fell asleep. Rose turned on her side, propped up an elbow, and cradled her head in her hand to gaze down at him, gently tracing his jaw with a finger as she memorized every line of his beloved face.

  I love you, my darling. I’ll never forget you.

  He opened his eyes and softly smiled. Her heart turned over. How could she leave him without her heart breaking into bits?

  He wove his fingers into her hair and pulled her head down to him. “I can’t get enough of you, Rosie.” Then he kissed her tenderly.

  It was a bittersweet moment: poignant with the tenderness of his lovemaking, but unbearably painful, knowing this would be the last time he’d ever hold her.

  Her heart shattered.

  Each time Zach saw her, it was harder to leave her. This time was the worst. Something just wasn’t right. She hadn’t disappointed him last night; she’d been all he remembered. She’d driven him wild. Yet he’d sensed she was holding something back.

  He kicked at a stone in his path. What in hell did it matter? Unless he told her everything, soon she’d be married to Rayburn. Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe it would be better to forget her.

  But that wouldn’t be easy, because the redhead was not that easy to forget.

  Truth was, he wanted to be with her out of bed as much as in. There was a damn sight more to Rose Dubois than just good sex. The defiant way she’d thrust up that pert little chin when she was toughing it out, even as he
r eyes filled with the tears she refused to shed. And he liked the sound of her laughter—that mellow throatiness when she was laughing with him. Nothing got to him as much as that sound. Well, maybe that perfume she wore, or those blue eyes smoking in anger at him. Lord, she excited him when she looked at him that way. That was probably why he’d deliberately baited her so much. Funny though, despite all their squabbling, they had spent a lot of time laughing together.

  He frowned, troubled by a nagging uneasiness—last night she hadn’t laughed. She was holding back something, all right—something she didn’t want to tell him.

  There were many puzzling parts to her, but he was running out of time before he had a chance to put all the pieces together. For her own good, he had to tell her some of what he’d discovered—or it would be too late.

  He headed for the livery. Rose’s warning indicated the gang might be on to him. He’d ridden out yesterday to warn Will, and now he’d return to the Lazy R. If Jess Tait planned on killing him, he’d make it convenient for the son of a bitch to try.

  Chapter 19

  After Zach left that morning, Rose knew she had to leave Brimstone immediately. She’d go back to Chicago to personally tell Fred Harvey that Brimstone was no place to bring in unprotected young ladies. And then she hoped he would reassign her somewhere as far from Texas as she could get. Maybe California: the Santa Fe had completed its line all the way to the Pacific Ocean. But she knew no matter where she went, Zach would haunt her forever.

  Her heart was heavy as she finished dressing. She had a lot to do before the eastbound train came through tonight—and she slinked away like a thief in the night.

  The first thing she must do was tell Billings she was leaving, and then ride out to the Lazy R ranch and tell Stephen Rayburn she couldn’t marry him. Then she’d leave Zach forever.

  When Rose informed Everett Billings of her intention to leave, he threw up his hands in frustration.

  “Why are you doing this to me, Miss Dubois?”

  “My decision to leave Brimstone has nothing to do with you, Mr. Billings.”