"I want you to take this." Ezra pressed the small gun into Mary's hands. "It will take me at least two hours to get there and back. It could be longer because of the extra stealth I will need to show once I get out into the open.""You might need this." She tried to hand the derringer back to him. "As long as I stay inside everything should be fine."
"I am not as concerned with you being found by the gunmen, as I am with you being found by hunters of the four-legged variety."
"I though you said they wouldn't come in here if they could smell us here."
Ezra paused and then decided to be completely honest with her. "Usually they won't venture in where humans are, but an old or injured predator will sometimes take the easy way of getting its prey. When I checked earlier to ascertain if it was dark enough to embark on this trek, I saw wolf tracks near the front of the cave. They had made their way several feet inside." He busied himself finding her a long, heavy branch, that he quickly stripped the smaller branches off, creating a very intimidating club. "If the derringer does not deter them, strike them with this as hard as you can. A wise wolf will decide to back off." He tried to sound confident, but he wasn't really. What if this wolf would not back off, or if it was a pack and not just one?
After seeing that Mary had as much protection as he could give her, he led Chaucer outside and mounted up. He didn't like the idea of leaving her here alone for that long, with him so much farther away than usual, but there was no way he could dare to take her along. He could end up delivering her right to the kidnappers. "Mrs. Travis…."
"Yes?"
"I know you don't want to consider this possibility; however, I have prepared directions for you to find your way home, should the need arise. They are in your saddlebag. If I do not return by dawn, something has gone wrong."
"I would rather take my chances going with you than sit here not knowing." Mary told him.
"That may be, but I can travel faster and quieter alone. Never fear, I do plan to return." He tipped his hat, and then settled more comfortably in his saddle. With one last glance at her, he said. "Stay inside."
Reaching the contact site would be so simple if it was daylight, and he didn't have to move at such a slow pace. The farther he got from the cave the more uneasy he became. 'Get your mind back on what you are doing!' he admonished himself.
Finally, he could see the outline of the old abandoned homestead in the weak moonlight. He tethered Chaucer to a low branch and slipped in the rest of they way on foot. After checking the run down buildings for any sign of life and finding none, he relaxed slightly.
The door to the old barn creaked softly as he opened it just enough to slip inside. There was no light inside and he had to rely on groping with his hands to find what he was looking for. Vin had said there was a large wooden box to the right of the door. His hand contacted something solid; it took him only a moment to determine that it was the box. Carefully, he slid his hands around the lid far enough to lift it and prop it against the wall. Now, for just a moment, he had to risk striking a match to see.
Ezra sighed audibly when he looked into the box. Vin had been true to his word and had been there that day. He reached in and took out the saddlebags full of supplies. Mary would be so disappointed to find out that they couldn't go back yet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Ezra left, Mary tried to find something to occupy her time. She checked her saddlebag for the directions he had left and read through them several times to commit them to memory. If she had to leave without her packs for some reason, she would be hard pressed to find her way back otherwise.
She paced, sat a while, and then paced some more, before she finally had to check the entrance to the cave or go crazy. 'The club!' she reminded herself, and retraced her steps to pick it up. As she neared the entrance, something didn't seem right, but she couldn't see anything unusual. There was no chance now that she would be able to go back to the fire, not with her nerves on edge like they were. She seated herself on a low boulder slightly back from the entrance and waited.
Mary didn't realize she had dozed until the sounds outside the cave startled her awake. Something was definitely out there. Shouldering the club like a ball bat she eased herself closer to the entrance. Her heart had taken up residence in her throat, where she was sure it would choke her. Sweat beaded her forehead and the palms of her hands as she readied herself for whatever she was about to encounter. Leaves crunched and rustled outside and she cried out when the form was suddenly silhouetted in the opening. Mary sagged heavily against the cave wall, clutching her chest as she tried to still her breathing. 'A deer… it was just a deer,' she kept telling herself, but she couldn't stop the violent shaking.
She had turned away from the entrance and was trying to convince herself to go back to the fire when she heard the noise. This time she knew it wasn’t a deer. The steps were deliberately cautious. Mary willed herself to wait until she could hear the steps close behind her, and she prayed that the darkness she was in hid her completely. She gripped her club with both hands and with a burst of power she didn't know she had, she swung it around at her stalker.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ezra sensed the movement before he saw it and threw his hands up to deflect the blow. In the same movement he grabbed the rough club and pulled it out of Mary's hands, pulling her to him in the process. "Mary! Stop it! It's me." She stopped struggling when she heard the familiar voice and sagged against him. "Ssshhhhh…it's okay. It's okay. What happened?" He hugged her to his chest, stroking her hair as he soothed her.
"I thought I heard something. It was just a deer but then I heard footsteps…" She was shaking again as she told what happened. "Oh!" She pulled away and began to feel his hands and arms in the dark. "Did I hurt you?"
"Nothing more than a bruise, I assure you. I have no doubt that after such a fright, the last thing you want to do is venture out, but we need to gather more wood, and see that the horses are fed. Are you up to it?" He hated to have to take her out after that scare, but he honestly didn't think she would consider waiting here alone again.
"Yes." As they went with him to gather the blankets and her horse, she asked. "What did you find out? Can we go back?"
Ezra shook his head, wishing he didn't have to disappoint her. "No, we can't go back yet." He held out the saddlebags that he had picked back up after he dropped them to fend off her club. "They left supplies. If we were going back, it would just be a message."
"Is there anything about Billy? Please, tell me there is some news about Billy!" She grabbed for the bags but Ezra held her off.
"Mrs. Travis, I know how much you want to check now, but we have little time to care for the horses and gather the wood…."
"Please, Ezra. It won't take long to look."
The pleading he saw in her eyes was his undoing. "Alright, a few minutes."
She practically dove on the saddlebags and began digging through them. After a minute she pulled the sheet of paper out and sat next to the fire trying to see the writing. Suddenly, there was more light and she glanced up to see that Ezra had lit one of the torches, and she smiled her gratitude.
"Would you care to verbalize the contents to me as you read it? It would be a more efficient use of this time."
"Of course." She went back to the letter, which was very short and to the point.
We haven't caught them yet, but we have information we think is going to lead us to them. Sorry, but you'll have to stay there a little longer. Tell Mary that Billy is fine. He is still with the Judge and will be staying there until these men are caught. Watch your back. Chris
Ezra watched the emotions play over Mary's face and he was glad he had let her take this time to read the message. After a short pause to let her consider the news, he grinned.
Mary looked puzzled when she saw the huge smile. "What?"
"Mrs. Travis, I do believe you owe me a home-cooked dinner. "
"Yes. I guess I do, and I don't mind losing that bet one bit. He's okay. Thank God, he's okay. As long as I know he's safe, I can stay here as long as it takes."
"Really? Well then might I suggest that we apply ourselves to taking care of…"
Before he could finish she jumped to her feet and started toward the front of the cave. She glanced back at him and smiled. "Well, are you coming?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They developed a routine over the next several days. They each had chores that they were responsible for, and they did them without fail or complaint. Ezra continued to be surprised by how capable Mary had turned out to be under such rough conditions.
He watched her now as she picked the bark out of the blankets after they used them to bring in wood. He settled the animals back into their makeshift stall, and when he came back to the fire he could smell the scent of the simple meal she had ready. When she saw Ezra return, she finished the last blanket and laid it aside with the others before dishing up his food.
"Thank you! It smells good." He found his mouth watering in anticipation of the first bite. He was undeniably hungry, but he also knew that the food would be good. They ate in a comfortable silence and Ezra helped her clean up their utensils.
"Tonight is the night, isn't it?" she asked as they prepared to go to sleep.
"Yes. Will you be alright waiting here again this time?" He was very concerned about leaving her alone while he went for their weekly message after her reaction last time.
"I'll be fine. We have been here long enough now for me to be a lot more comfortable than I was then. I am afraid to hope that we can go home after tomorrow," she confessed.
Ezra waited for her to take her place on the pallet they had made to sleep on and then took his place beside her before he responded. "I understand. It is better not to hope and then have your hopes dashed if the news is not what you prefer. Then on the other hand, if the news is good, you can be overjoyed."
After a couple minutes of silence, Mary turned on her side to face him in the dim light of the fire. "Ezra? May I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Have you ever been in love? I mean seriously in love."
There was a long pause before he decided how to answer. "Yes, I have." The sadness in his voice was apparent even to his own ears.
"What happened?" Mary knew he was a very private person, but these close quarters with him made her feel a real need to know more about him.
"Mary. . . There are some things I have not told anyone here. My romantic encounters have no bearing on my ability to perform my duties."
Mary laid her hand lightly on his shoulder causing him to turn to look at her. "I won't tell anyone. I give you my word. It's just that sometimes it helps to talk about things, and I ... I know I could use someone to talk to."
Ezra turned over to face her. He was surprised to see the openness in her expression. He slid his hand up to gently cover hers that still rested on the blanket between them. "You may always feel free to talk to me about anything, Mary."
She hesitated a moment and sighed heavily when she saw the sincerity in those incredible green eyes, eyes that were now only inches from her own and that looked at her with a mixture of concern and tenderness. "I miss him," she said in a whisper. Ezra squeezed her fingers slightly but didn't speak. He wanted her to say what she needed to, uninterrupted.
"Ezra, I didn't even get to say good-bye to him. It all happened while I was out. Some days, it's so hard to keep going, but I have to for Billy." Her voice cracked slightly with the emotion that was welling up inside. "Sometimes I wake up in the night and I feel like he is there with me, but then I turn over and I am still alone." She drew a deep shuddering breath. "I had started to get beyond it, but these past days I have awakened and you were there . . . all that loneliness came flooding back."
With a touch so gentle it was barely there, Ezra caressed her cheek. "Mary, if my being here this close is causing you difficulties, perhaps I should. . ."
"No, it isn't that," she said hastily. "I. . . liked feeling. . ." She faltered for a moment. "You will think..."
"Don't concern yourself with what I might think. Please just tell me what it is you want to say." He allowed his hand to linger against her face to cradle her cheek.
She leaned into his touch and sighed when he lightly traced his thumb over her lower lip. "I have liked waking up in someone's arms again." Blue eyes watched green eyes for a reaction, and Ezra was sure she was holding her breath while she waited for him to respond.
In one smooth motion, Ezra drew her to him and cradled her in his arms. "So have I," he murmured softly. Mary snuggled closer, and let her head rest on his shoulder. Neither spoke for several minutes, but simply enjoyed the feel of being close to each other.
"She was my wife. I haven't spoken of her since I lost her." He fought to keep his voice from betraying the grief he still felt after four years.
"What happened?" Mary asked softly and reached up a trembling finger to wipe away a tear that had managed to escape and trickle from the corner of his eye.
"I loved her with all my heart. Mother had set up a con that involved the two of us getting married and then when her dowry was signed to me, the marriage would be annulled on some trumped up accusations. We hadn't counted on me falling in love with her, and I refused to follow through."
"Your mother was furious, wasn't she?"
"Well you know the saying, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'? Well it goes double for a con-woman," he said with an attempt at a laugh.
"Tell me about her, please."
"Her name was Julia." His voice took on a dreamlike tone. "She had the most beautiful hair. It was so dark it was almost black, and it glistened in the sun like it was sprinkled with jewels, and her skin was as fair as fine porcelain. I remember her eyes most of all. They were eyes that you could fall into and lose yourself forever." He paused, a slight smile curling the corners of his mouth. "She was as sweet as my mother is poisonous."
"She sounds delightful."
"She was."
"Is that the ring you wear?"
Ezra nodded and glanced at the gold band on his right hand. "I couldn't bear to leave it off after she died."
"How did she die?" Mary whispered, for fear that if she spoke too loud he would stop talking.
"The doctor said that she had some kind of growth inside. It took months and I watched her wither away right in front of me. The end was . . ." He choked on the words and couldn’t bring himself to say anymore about her, the pain was just too much. "I know that loneliness too."
Mary slipped her arms around him and hugged him closer. "I guess we are a lot more alike than we ever thought," she commented. "I am so tired of the loneliness."
"So am I," he said whispered next to her ear. The feel of her breath, warm and moist against his neck caused an unexpected shiver of desire to race through his body. "Mary?" He felt his heart pound faster when she pulled back enough to look at him. The look in her eyes was his undoing. It was as if he could see deep into her soul when he looked into those pale blue orbs, and what he saw was an echo of the same need he felt. It wasn't love, but a sharing more intimate than mere friendship.
Their lips met in a feather-light kiss that left a tingle behind that begged for something more. When she didn't protest, he pressed his lips to hers with more confidence, moaning softly deep in his throat when he felt her respond. It took all of his control to keep from crushing her mouth with his, but he did allow his need to take the kiss deeper. He played his lips over hers and gently nipped at her bottom lip with his teeth. The sound that rose from her was more of a soft growl than a moan and it encouraged him to press for more. Again their lips met, and Ezra trailed the tip of his tongue over the lip he had just nibbled. Her lips parted at the touch and they moaned in unison as his tongue slipped inside to explore the warm depths of her mouth. Gentleness was forgotten when he felt Mary press more firmly into his kiss, and he let his desire take control. The kiss took on a life of its own, leading the two participants in the direction it wanted them to go. He felt slim fingers slide up his neck to entwine themselves into his hair. When the need for air was impossible to ignore they pulled away slightly, both panting for breath. He gasped in surprise when he felt Mary's lips against his neck as she placed teasing kisses from his ear down to his collar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mary thought her heart would break as she listened to Ezra's story. She had no doubt that he was telling her the truth, there was just too much pain in his voice and eyes for it not to be. Losing her husband so suddenly had been the most devastating thing in her life, but to watch someone you love with all your heart wither away a little more everyday had to be almost unbearable.
When he turned to her there was such a profound sadness and loneliness in his eyes, and she knew that same loneliness was mirrored in her own. When he spoke her name she found herself mesmerized by his lips and felt drawn to them. The first touch of his lips to hers was so light and hesitant, almost as if he were asking permission. She gave it to him when she returned the kiss and offered more.
Mary could feel the heat radiating from the man in her arms, as the kiss became more intense. Deep in the back of her mind she knew she shouldn't be allowing this to happen, but she needed this. She needed to feel the touch of a man again, to feel the buildup of desire, and to feel its ultimate completion. It had been so long. When their lips parted, she followed her instincts. Starting just below his ear, she placed tender wet kisses down his neck, allowing her tongue to flick out and tease at the soft, warm skin. His arousal pressed against her thigh, and she shifted slightly putting more pressure against the sensitive area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ezra groaned loudly when he felt her shift against him. With a force of will that he was surprised he had, he pulled back and searched her eyes for any hint of regret for their actions. "Mary. . . we should stop this now, or I fear I won't be able to stop later should you wish it."
She looked at him through eyes clouded with desire and leaned in to whisper into his ear as she wrapped her arms tighter around him. "Please, don't stop."
Her breath caressed his ear as she spoke, sending a surge of heat straight to his groin. He couldn't stop the moan that escaped when he felt her tease his ear with the tip of her tongue. In one fluid motion he rolled over onto his back, carrying her with him against his chest. She let her legs slip open to straddle his hips, while the weight of her body pressed his against the thin pallet, and her mouth found the pulse in the hollow at the base of his throat. Ezra gasped at the sensations her soft lips and warm, wet tongue sent coursing through him. For the first time he allowed his hands to explore the woman he was holding, and he reveled in the feel of her supple body beneath the heavy fabric of the men's clothes she wore.
He was sure Mary must be able feel his heart pounding against her chest where they were pressed so firmly together. He resisted the urge to help when she slipped a hand up to unbutton the top few buttons of his shirt. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile that had him wondering just what she was thinking. Of course, he had noticed Mary before; he had even had a few sexual fantasies. But, he never really believed there would ever be a time when he would be lying with her, feeling her trailing kisses over his face and neck, and anticipating the moment he could take her.
Ezra slid his hands down her back and on farther to massage her bottom through the tight denim of her pants. She sighed against his chest as she continued her explorations, and the vibration left his skin tingling in the wake of her touch. He couldn't stand it; he had to touch her. His hands shook slightly as he tugged the tail of her shirt out of the back waistband of the jeans. It was barely free of its confines, when he slid his hands under it to feel soft, warm flesh against his hands as he rubbed lazy circles over her back. Her lips sought his and both mouths opened in mutual invitation; their tongues teased at each other until Ezra managed to capture hers and sucked it gently into his mouth.
Ezra could feel her heart racing at the touch of his hands against her bare skin. He forced himself to release her mouth, and he pushed her up into a sitting position. "Let me see you," he said, and he slid his hands up her thighs to wrap them around her hips.
Mary tugged the front of her shirt out of her jeans and started with the top button, taking her time as she slipped each one through the hole. Little by little, more of her pale flesh was exposed to the man who lay beneath her. When the last button was opened, the shirt gapped wide enough to give him a glimpse of the treasures that waited within. She started to reach up to slip the shirt open, but he stopped her with a hand over hers.
His smooth hands slid over her shoulders and pushed the fabric down to slide off of her arms and pool across his lap behind her. "Breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking." Ezra slid his hands up over her ribs and stopped short of his ultimate goal. Instead, he slipped warm fingers around her to pull her down over him, and he raised up slightly in order to reach her throat. The kisses were light and teasing as they worked their way down and paused at the curve of her neck and shoulder. She shivered under his touch, but it wasn't from the cold. His lips left a trail of heat in their wake, heat that burst into flames of desire when his mouth closed over her right nipple.
She cried out at the contact with this sensitive bud and arched her back to give him easier access. Her breath caught in her throat when she felt his fingers gently knead at the second soft mound, his thumb and forefinger teasing the nipple to a hardness equal to its twin. Ezra suckled tenderly at the taut nub. Her moans of pleasure and the weight of her pressing down against his groin had him rock hard and needing relief, but he forced himself to take it slowly. He was determined to make this a perfect memory for them both, and to be sure Mary had no reason to regret the gift she was giving him.
Reluctantly, he released her nipple, only to lavish the same attention on the second one, while his deft fingers worked at the belt at her waist. With little effort he had it unfastened and the buttons of the jeans open. He let his hands slip into the back of the tight pants to caress her cheeks while his mouth paid homage to her breast.
Mary lost herself in the sensations he created with his lips and hands. She needed him. She felt the loss of his lips at her breast. "Oh, Ezra!" Her eyes locked with his and they both knew that they couldn't wait much longer.
With one arm still around her, he sat up enough to try to shrug his free arm out of his shirt. Mary was quick to help him out of the one obstacle that kept them from feeling flesh on flesh. Her fingers shook as she tried to unbutton his pants, and he finally had to take over and open the last couple buttons himself. He sighed deeply as some of the pressure eased over his straining erection.
It was obvious to Ezra that there was no way he could get either of them out of their pants while they were in this position. Without words, he urged her to stand, and he shifted to his knees in front of her. The smooth, flat expanse of her belly was barely a few inches from his face, and it seemed to beg to be kissed. He nuzzled his face into the soft flesh, kissing and licking his way closer to her belly button. She shivered when she felt his tongue delve into the shallow cleft and laced her fingers through his hair. Ezra hooked his thumbs over the waistband of her jeans and slid them and her undergarments down together to pool around her feet. Before she could bend to pull them off, he reached down and lifted one foot, while she balanced herself against him to pull her foot free of the pants, and then he repeated his actions for the other foot. For the first time, he saw her as only one man had seen her before.
Even with the buttons of his pants open, the fabric pressed painfully against his swollen member. He eased the confining clothing down off his narrow hips, and with a little maneuvering he managed to slip them off without standing up. He glanced up to see Mary looking at him by the dim glow of the dying fire. The desire he saw in her eyes matched that in his own as he ran his hands up and down her shapely legs. With one hand he nudged her legs apart, and cupped his hand over soft nest of blonde curls. A soft moan greeted him when he began to rub his hand over the fleshy mound and allowed his middle finger to slip inside the warm, moist folds.
Ezra found the small bud he sought and very gently brushed over it. He felt Mary buck against his hand at that light touch and twist her fingers through his hair. He tipped his head back and his eyes trailed up her body beyond the twin mounds of her breasts. He could see her head thrown back as she gasped and let herself go to the sensations he was creating. Again he rubbed over that sensitive nub and found himself supporting her as her legs threatened to buckle under her. With one arm wrapped around her hips to hold her up, he caressed her womanhood allowing his fingers to slip inside. Moisture flowed over him, releasing the unmistakable scent of her arousal. Ezra inhaled deeply and moaned as his erection twitched in response.
"Ezra….Ohhhh!" She managed a shaky whisper as his hand continued to caress and arouse her. Her whole body trembled from his intimate touch, and she cried out softly each time he stroked her.
He was rapidly being consumed by his own need for release, but still he held back. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, hearing her groan at the loss of contact. It was awkward but he managed to shift so he could kiss her inner thighs. He kissed, licked and nibbled his way higher until he could kiss the nest of soft curls between her thighs. With a little urging from him, she opened herself as far as she could and remain standing. Ezra couldn't get the angle he wanted, but he still managed to gently tease her with the tip of his tongue and reveled in the sounds of arousal she could not begin to control.
He needed more but he couldn't reach her like this. Reluctantly, he pulled away and moved so he could lie back, while urging her to her knees over him. She leaned forward enough that she could brace her hands against the stone wall. She hesitated only a moment until she apparently realized what he wanted and lowered herself until his mouth was on her again.
"Ezra!"
The sound of her calling out his name was nearly his undoing, but 'not yet…not yet,' he told himself. He wrapped one hand around her thigh to pull her down closer as he used the other hand to open her to his questing mouth. Ezra groaned in satisfaction when he finally closed his lips over that pulsing button, sucking gently and teasing it with light flicks of his tongue. Mary's hips bucked at the contact, and she writhed above him as his tongue delved deep to lap up the tangy juices that flowed freely from her. He could feel her trembling and hear her shuddering gasps as she responded; all reactions that fueled his own need.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the first touch of his mouth on her nipple Mary groaned. She couldn't have stopped the sound if her life had depended on it. His tongue teased and aroused, but it was the gentle nip of his teeth that sent the fire racing down low into her belly. She could feel herself getting wetter as her arousal built more with each scrape of his teeth against her sensitive nipple.
Mary felt his hand slip over her mound and the intrusion into the folds of her womanhood. Her last bit of coherent thought was the memory that only one other had known her this intimately, but she couldn't bring herself to be ashamed of her reactions to this man. It had been so long, too long, and she needed desperately to feel desired again. She needed to let go and let herself be a woman. She gasped when she felt that first touch to her most sensitive spot and she lost herself in the exquisite sensations that flooded her body. Head thrown back, gasping through slightly parted lips, her eyelids closed slightly as she rode each wave of passion his fingers created.
Mary thought she would go mad with frustration when he pulled his hand away, but his lips felt so good on her flesh as he kissed his way upward. The light flick of the tip of his tongue against her rocked her with sensations more intense than even his expert fingers could, and she craved more.
A moment of shock held her back when he urged her down onto her knees over him. Her mind reeled from the onslaught of physical sensations, but it took only a moment for her to decide she would do anything he wanted as long as the growing ache of her own need was satisfied in the process. When he pulled her down farther, allowing his mouth to claim her fully, nothing short of being struck dead could have kept her quiet. This was new to her, but instead of feeling wanton, she soared to new heights as he loved her with his mouth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ezra ran his hands up her legs as she straddled him and slipped them around her to knead the soft flesh of her bottom. His own arousal had him dripping in anticipation of finally burying himself deep within her and feeling her warmth envelop him. The very thought had his manhood twitching with unfulfilled need. Under other circumstances, he would have enjoyed bringing her to her own climax with only the attention of his mouth, so he could drink the juices that flowed from her, but these weren't those circumstances. With great effort he pulled his mouth away, and spoke in a voice thick with desire. "Mary...I need you." When it seemed she was too lost to have heard him, he tried again in a more urgent tone. "Mary! I need you now!"
He saw her look down at him with passion-glazed eyes, and as he locked eyes with hers he gently pressed her to move back. She inched her way back to where she straddled his hips, never breaking eye contact, as she seemed to try to read in their depths what he wanted her to do. Ezra saw the conflict in her eyes. Uncertainty and inexperience warred with a physical passion so strong that she could never deny it. His hands shook as he reached up to caress her face and draw her down tight to his chest. An anguished moan escaped him when their mouths met, their tongues dancing together, as he still breathed in the scent of her.
Her voice was barely a whisper when she pulled away from the kiss. "Ezra...please...please," she begged. Ezra's heart swelled as he held her to him. This was Mary, and she was giving herself to him.
In a quick move, he turned them over with him on top as his mouth claimed hers again before following up with light kisses to her face and neck. There was no need to nudge her legs apart since she had already been straddling his hips when he turned them. Ezra noticed Mary watching him as he positioned himself to enter her. He didn't know if he could stop now if she asked him to, but he had to give her one last chance to change her mind. With one hand he tipped her head up so she was looking him in the eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked huskily.
He was surprised when Mary answered with action rather than words. She locked her legs around him and drew him swiftly into her, wringing a guttural groan from him at the sudden sensation of being buried inside her. She was so ready for him, and that combined with his own juices that glistened on the head of his engorged shaft, let him slip in easily. Her sigh of pleasure was all the encouragement he needed.
Sounds of their lovemaking echoed back off the stone walls of the cave. Hearing their own passions reflected back to them was a bit strange at first, but soon the echo only served to fuel their loving. She met him halfway on every thrust, drawing him deeply inside. He struggled to hold out, to wait for her, as the very movements that drew him into her threatened to take him over the edge. Each time she met him as he entered her, she tightened around him, applying a pressure that was both torture and ecstasy at the same time.
Ezra watched her as their bodies took over the rhythm, a rhythm as old as mankind itself. She was beautiful. The sight of her as she gave herself to the passion would be burned into his mind for an eternity. Pale, smooth skin glistened with a light sheen of sweat as they moved ever closer to completion. Her full breasts bobbed slightly each time she rocked her body up to meet him, and her breath caught in short, ragged gasps. But as enticing as that all was, once he settled his gaze on her face, that was all he could see. She arched her back and her head lolled back as she got closer. Even in the dim light of the fire he could see the flush to her checks, and the pink tip of her tongue as it flicked out to moisten dry lips. He moaned as he watched the tip of that tongue trail sensuously from one side of her mouth to the other. The things he could imagine her doing with that tongue sent a shiver through him that only added to the heat that raced through his groin. She was so close her eyes were rolled back beneath half-closed lids that quivered slightly as he felt her begin to shake uncontrollably just before she cried out. His own cry joined hers when she clenched tightly around him sending him over the edge along with her at the moment of her release. He thrust a few more times riding out the waves of his orgasm and easing them both back to earth.
Their mingled cries still echoed through the cave when Ezra slumped over her, and it took every last shred of his strength to keep from collapsing on her. He tried to withdraw so he could move to her side, but she locked her legs even more firmly around his narrow hips. "Mary, I don't want to crush you." His voice trembled as he spoke.
"You won't," she whispered.
"I don't think I can support myself much. . ." His words were cut off as Mary wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down until he rested fully on top of her. "Mary, I am too h…" Her lips closing on his finally stopping his protests, and she held him tightly.
"No you are not," she told him when the kiss ended. "Ezra, I just want…I don't want to lose this so fast."
Ezra kissed her lightly before responding. "Neither do I." He stayed there, softening within her, for the few minutes it took her to drift into sleep. When her hold on him eased, he gently turned them both so she lay stretched out on top of him. He managed to spread the top blankets over them without waking her up and then drifted off to sleep with a contented smile on his lips.
The first things Ezra noticed when he woke up were the feel of skin on skin, and the warmth of the soft body curled up in his arms. He smiled as the memories came flooding back, and he drew her closer in the darkness. What he wouldn't give to be able to see her now as he had seen her only hours ago. She had been so beautiful in the flickering firelight as she lost herself in their lovemaking.
'Stop it!' he gave himself a mental shake. 'You'll get nowhere thinking those thoughts.' He tensed slightly as he felt Mary shift against him, but she didn't wake up. 'Ezra, what have you done to yourself? This shouldn’t have happened.' He turned his head to rest his cheek against the top of her head. 'Shouldn't have happened…but it did.'
Thoughts and questions tumbled around in his mind faster than he could find answers. He had no regrets, but would she? What if Chris found out? He had been trusted to keep her safe, not to take advantage of her during a moment of vulnerability. But, whose vulnerability, his or hers? Both… they had both needed this comfort they found in each other. What now? What is she going to expect when she wakes up?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mary shifted slightly and noticed a dull ache in her thighs. She was puzzled at first and then the feel of the warm bare skin of the body lying with her brought it all back in vivid detail. She could feel the heat of the blush that she knew colored her cheeks and was grateful for the darkness so he couldn't see her embarrassment.
Questions slipped over each other in a constant turmoil, as she feigned sleep to buy some time to collect her thoughts. What have I done? How could I have let this happen? What if Chris finds out, or someone else in town? But, it was so good not to feel alone. A slight smile touched her lips as she remembered. He had been so good… so very good. But, what now? What is he going to expect when he wakes up?
Even though she didn't want to move, she couldn't lie there any longer. Her legs were trying to cramp, and if she didn't move, they surely would. She shifted again to where she could stretch out her legs, groaning softly as the overtaxed muscles hurt from the forced motion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ezra loosened his hold on her when he felt her move. This time there was no doubt that she was awake, and he couldn't put off facing whatever Mary had in store for him. He couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind at this moment; but then again, he might not want to know. "Mary?" He broke the silence between them. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she said after a moment. "I'm fine," and then was silent again.
His heart sank at the silence. "I am sorry…" he started, but stopped when she started to speak.
"Ezra, we need to talk about this." Her mouth went suddenly dry.
"I agree. Ladies first." His voice faltered, betraying his nervousness.
Mary took a long, deep breath and faced him, even though they couldn't see anything in this total darkness. Her head still rested on his shoulder, and his arm still hugged her loosely to him. He wasn't sure what he had expected her to say, but it wasn't what he heard. "I don't know what you're thinking right now, but don't be sorry…I'm not." He relaxed when he heard her confession. "Ezra…about this…I don't know what you expect now, but I…I…"
"You don't love me," he finished for her.
"No, I don't. Not in that way."
"Nor do I, you." The last of the tension drained away with those words. "Mary, I didn't intend for things to get so far out of hand." His fingers drifted idly up her side and back down, but he stopped immediately when he realized what he was doing.
"Ezra," she turned her head to kiss him on the shoulder. "I have no regrets. What happened was just as much my doing as it was yours. We were two lonely people who reached out to each other and chased that loneliness away for a few hours."
"I do care for you, Mary. But, it just isn't there… that fire that burns deep inside when you are with the one you love."
"I have given you such a hard time from the day you came to town." She chuckled softly, and couldn't resist one last chance to touch him. She spread her hand out on his belly and slowly moved it upward to pass over his chest before coming to rest on his opposite shoulder, leaving her with her arm draped across him. "If anyone had told me that I would find myself here, like this, I would have called them a liar. It is strange how things turn out sometimes. Ezra, that fire…it isn't there for me either, but I am not sorry."
He tightened his arm around her again and kissed the top of her head where it still rested on his shoulder. "No regrets." It was a statement not a question, acknowledging that they understood each other. "When we get back to town…how…?"
"Just act like nothing happened, I guess," Mary answered.
"Don't you think that will be just a tad difficult under the circumstances?"
"I suppose it will be, but it would be natural for us to end up on more friendly terms after two weeks together." She laughed, "that or be ready to kill each other. It is possible for us to just be friends, you know."
"Indeed it is, and I consider it a privilege to be your friend." He planted one last kiss on her forehead as he moved to get up. "As much as I would like to stay right here, like this indefinitely, I think it would be wise to check and see if it is dark outside. I don't want to be too late getting started."
"Owww!" he hissed when he stubbed his bare toe on a rather large rock. He fumbled slightly when he tried to light the torch that he had made sure was nearby when they went to bed. "Watch your eyes," he warned. The light of the match flared up in the darkness, hurting their eyes as they tried to let them adjust. Then the torch sputtered and blazed into life.
When Ezra turned back to look for his clothes, Mary was watching him. "I hope that I meet with your approval," he teased.
She blushed and looked away self-consciously, carefully keeping the blankets pulled up to cover herself. He noticed a smile curl the corners of her mouth, just before she nodded in response.
"Well, I am relieved to know that." He found his clothes in a pile at the side of the pallet, but before he started to dress he dropped to his knees beside her and cupped her face between his hand. "Now, I want you to listen to me…you are a very beautiful woman…an absolutely amazing woman. Any man would be lucky to have you as his wife. I hope you find the right man, the man who can bring back the fire in you." One last time he pressed his lips to hers, sealing a bond between them. A bond of friendship between two people who understood each other like few others ever would.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once again, Mary got restless and ended up pacing near the entrance to the cave. Ezra had gotten a late start. They both had been startled to see it was fully dark when they woke up, and they had no idea how long it had been that way. The night sounds were beginning to give way to those of early morning when she finally heard him coming back. "Thank heaven! It is starting to sound like it is almost dawn," she stammered and tried to cover up her rattled nerves by rubbing Chaucer's neck as they made their way back into the cave.
"You are quite correct in that assessment; however, we no longer have to fear the light of day." The firelight glinted off of his gold tooth when he broke into a huge grin.
Mary was momentarily stunned as she let the meaning of the words soak in. "YES!" she launched herself at Ezra and threw her arms around his neck. "We're going home?!"
"We are going home. How fast do you think we can break camp?"
"We'll still be waiting for the sun to come up when we're ready to go." Mary felt almost lightheaded from the news. But, she refused to give into that fuzzy feeling, because she was going home to her son.
While Ezra got both horses ready, she gathered their remaining supplies and rolled the bedrolls. She had just finished packing their saddlebags as he led the horses out for the last time. She looked around to make sure she had everything or that everything was where it should be. It hadn't occurred to her until now, but now she wondered how it was that there were torches here, and how Ezra knew there would be. That would be a good question for the long ride home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About three hours after dawn, two black-clad figures rode into town, drawing the stares of all those they passed. Ezra felt the eyes on them and put on his best poker face. He had no doubt that there would be rumors. There always were in these small towns, and he hoped that Mary was up to handling them. A glance at her gave him his answer. She sat straight in her saddle, her expression giving nothing away, until…
"Mamma!"
"Billy!" Mary was running when her feet hit the ground as she raced to her son. She dropped to her knees in front of him and hugged him tightly to her chest. At last she let go and held him out at arm's length. "Are you okay?" Seeing no obvious injury, she hugged him tightly again, silent tears leaving their marks as they rolled down her cheeks.
A familiar voice broke the spell. "Might be a good idea to move out of the middle of the street," he teased. Chris Larabee held out a hand to help her to her feet. "Billy, why don't you take your mother home. Mary, I'll be there to fill you in on things shortly."
The gunslinger watched the boy lead his mother home, before he turned to where Ezra had stopped nearby. He took the reins of Mary's horse to lead it on to the stable, but paused to look back up at the gambler. "Ezra…Thank you."
If Chris had been looking closely enough, he would have seen the hint of a smile that touched the corners of Ezra's mouth. "It was my pleasure, Mr. Larabee."
The End
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