His arousal instantly dwindled to a mere spark that completely extinguished as sleep drifted off and consciousness took its place. Opening his eyes, trying to push the fogginess away, he focused on his partner’s face. Complete disappointment.
Rubbing his eyes to erase the up-close image of his friend’s unshaven face, he sat up. “What time is it?”
James straightened, walked over to his bed, picked up a clean pair of socks and underwear he had lying there, and then strode to the door. “Three to seven. I’m going to get ready and then head down for breakfast. I suggest you get started, too, or you’ll miss it.”
Stretching, Trevor nodded. “I heard you. I’m getting up.”
Once James exited, closing the door behind him, Trevor stood and placed his ear to the wall separating their room from Belle’s. The dream had been so erotic. Dreaming of her in that wanton state had him still aroused. Tonight, while James would be busy searching her room for any leads and then heading back to the train station to test out the safe, he planned on seeing just how hot the real Belle could get when fully excited.
Chapter 4
Frustrated, Belle stared in her closet and sighed. She couldn’t decide what to wear this evening. It was already six forty-five. The entire day, thoughts of Trevor and James preoccupied her mind. Her instincts told her they were in Fort Smith for a reason other than work. Their auras screamed of this.
That inner voice that warned her that things weren’t always what they seemed hadn’t ever been wrong before, and she doubted it would be this time either. No, they were definitely up to something, and tonight she planned to get to the bottom of it, using all her charms as her aids in extracting the truth.
Once she decided on one of the most alluring dresses she had hanging in the closet, she huffed and drew courage from within. She slipped into it and tied the back bodice as tight as she could. It was low cut, and she feared if she took a very deep breath, she’d plum pop out of it. She dabbed on her favorite perfume and added some rouge to her lips and cheeks. She dampened her hair earlier, making her natural curls softer and more bouncy as they cascaded down her shoulders and back.
Normally, she wouldn’t dare to dress so provocatively, but desperate times called for desperate measures. And she direly yearned to know what Trevor and his partner were hiding. Locking her door behind her, she headed downstairs. Butterflies fluttered uncontrollably in her stomach as she descended the stairs and saw Trevor and James together. Gosh, they both were so handsome, each in his own distinct and charismatic way.
If given the choice of whom to date, she wouldn’t be able to decide. Both of them made her heartbeat speed up and her breathing shallower. If it had been James who had asked her on a date instead of Trevor, she would have accepted and been as delighted. But Trevor was the one who made the first move, and when his stare came to rest on her as she took another step on the stairs, her legs became weak.
The hungry look in his eyes as his gaze travelled from her face, down her body, and back up to her bosom had her swooning. Oh my, but this night would definitely be intense if the wayward look in his eyes were any indication.
Trevor barely heard anything James said in the past ten minutes. His mind hovered a million miles away. Thanks to last night’s bewitching dream, all he could think about was his date with Belle and how he’d charm her. The lady oozed charisma, innocence, beauty, and grace. Her shyness entranced him, and he ached to break through that coy, reserved barrier she built around herself and see the real her.
Checking his pocket watch once again, James remarked, “So the plan is clear?”
“Hmm, what, partner?”
James lifted his gaze in exasperation and sighed. “You haven’t been paying attention, have you?”
Trevor rubbed the back of his neck and squinted while giving him a sideways, guilty look. “Well, not really.”
“I knew it from that lovey-dovey look in your eyes that your mind was on something else.”
“Sorry, James, but I can’t help it.” Trevor shrugged.
James leaned on the wall. “I don’t blame you. I’d be acting the same way if I’d be spending time with Belle tonight.” He combed his fingers through his hair. “But don’t let her looks or seductive ways fool you, Trev. Remember who you are dealing with. Wild LaRue is unscrupulous and slyer than Jesse James. She’ll tear out your heart and serve it to the posse if you let her.”
Nodding, Trevor responded, “I still have my doubts about her being LaRue, but I admit she isn’t a simple saloon singer, either. There is much more to the lady than meets the eye.”
“Uh-huh.” James sighed.
“Okay, so what’s the plan again?” Trevor asked,
“While you’re distracting her, I’ll check out her room and see if I can come up with any leads. Once I’m finished there, I’ll head back to the train and check out the safe.” He poked Trevor’s chest lightly. “And you’ll try to get more information out of her about her past and when she came here. See if you can catch any holes in her story and then start digging deeper there.”
“Okay, partner.” Trevor sensed someone watched him. He turned around just in time to see Belle descend the staircase. He gulped as he took in every inch of her gorgeous body and stride as she got closer.
“Heaven, mercy!”
James’s gaze followed his and his mouth fell open. “I’ll second that.”
They both advanced to the foot of the winding staircase and took off their cowboy hats. James sported a huge grin, and Trevor wondered if he wore the same expression on his face.
When she got to the bottom, her smile widened. “Howdy, boys.”
James replied as he took her hand to kiss the back of it. “Good evening, Belle. You look so pretty.”
Trevor elbowed him. “Pretty is too mild a word.” He took her hand and kissed it, letting his lips linger a little longer on her sweet-smelling skin. “Belle, you’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You’re graceful,
