«I don’t think thinking had much to do with it,» she said, remembering her headlong abandon yesterday, when Reno had bathed her in the hidden pool.
Reno laughed and nibbled lightly at her mouth.
«You’re so sweet to tease,» he said. «It’s a burning wonder I didn’t wake you up this morning the way I wanted to.»
«How was that?»
«From the inside out.»
The color deepened in Eve’s cheeks, but she couldn’t help laughing.
Reno had been so different with her today, almost as though he were courting her. Then Eve remembered what he once had said about courting, and her laughter faded.
Courting is for a woman you want to make your wife. That was a little rolling around before breakfast with a saloon girl.
«But I decided it was too soon,» Reno continued. «You’re such a tender little bud. I don’t want to bruise you.»
Though Reno’s words were teasing, his eyes weren’t. Eve knew that he still blamed himself for hurting her the one time he had taken her.
«I’m fine,» she said.
And it was true. She had awakened this morning determined to enjoy what she had rather than crying after what she didn’t have. Life had taught her that tomorrow would come soon enough, and with it all the regrets for yesterdays that were forever beyond her reach — her dead mother, her gentle and helpless father, the offhanded cruelty of life to the very children who were least able to defend themselves.
Whatever comes with Reno, I won’t regret it. Whether he believes it or not, love exists. I know. I feel it.
For him.
And maybe, just maybe, he can feel it for me. He loved once, foolishly. He can love again, wisely. He can love me.
Maybe…
«You certain?» Reno asked.
Eve looked startled, then realized he hadn’t somehow guessed her thoughts. He was simply pursuing the subject of how she felt today.
«Yes,» she said. «I’m fine.»
«Even after all these hours in the saddle?» he pressed.
She looked away from the crystal clarity of Reno’s eyes, trying to conceal the depth of her feelings at his concern. He didn’t love her, but he did care if he hurt her. That was something.
It was the world. No one who was stronger than Eve was had ever cared about her like that.
After a moment Eve touched Reno’s cheek with her fingertips and tried to reassure him that he hadn’t hurt her yesterday, when he had torn the veil of her innocence and replaced it with a sensual knowledge that permeated her blood like champagne.
«The only thing wrong with me,» she said, «is that I get all shivery and have trouble breathing when I think about what we…about what you…about what I…»
Eve made an exasperated sound and wished her hat were big enough to cover her flaming face. It didn’t help that she sensed Reno’s silent amusement as clearly as if he had thrown back his head and laughed to the clouds.
«You’re laughing at me,» she muttered.
The back of Reno’s fingers smoothed down Eve’s cheek in a gentle caress.
«No, sugar girl. I’m laughing because you go to my head like straight whiskey,» he said. «I like knowing you’re as aware of me as I am of you. It makes me want to pull you off your horse and take you right here, right now, sitting up and watching you.»
«Sitting up on a horse?» Eve asked, too startled to be embarrassed. «Is it possible?»
«Damned if I know. I’m real tempted to find out, though. I’ve been aching for you since about ten minutes after I first had you.»
Reno pulled lightly on the reins. Darlin’ backed up quickly, removing her rider from temptation.
«Come on,» he said to Eve. «The shaman and I have a surprise for you.»
«What?»
«If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?»
Smiling, Eve reined the dun around to follow Reno. His new ease with her made her happy. He hadn’t been so quick to smile since his sister’s ranch, where he had been able to let down his guard among friends and family.
That was how he was treating Eve now. As though he trusted her. The heady combination of teasing and frank sensuality kept her senses fully alert, her body quickened in anticipation of the next caress, the next instant of laughter. She couldn’t remember ever having smiled so much in her life.
Eve was still smiling when her horse came alongside Reno’s. He smiled in return, wondering at the resilience of the girl who was fresh and eager to venture into new country after having barely escaped with her life from the twin hazards of outlaws and a forced exploration of uncharted land.
Not to mention the hazards of innocence and a gunfighter who had wanted her for so long he was having a hell of a time keeping his hands off her now.
«Close your eyes,» Reno said huskily.
Eve gave him a sideways look.
«Uh-oh. The dark velvet voice again,» she teased. «Is this where you snatch me from the saddle and attempt dubious things while riding a bad-tempered mustang?»
Reno threw back his head and laughed with delight.
«Sugar girl, you do tempt a man. But you’re right about Darlin’s disposition. She’d unload both of us into the nearest pile of rocks. So close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you. You’re safe …for now.»
Laughing quietly, Eve closed her eyes, knowing that her horse would follow Darlin’ without guidance.
For a few minutes, all Eve was aware of was the subtle creak of leather, the lazy rhythms of the lineback dun, the warmth of the sun, and the unique smell of sage and evergreen permeating the dry air.
«Can I peek yet?»
«Uh-uh.»
«Sure?» she teased.
«I sure am.»
Eve heard the smile in Reno’s voice and wanted to laugh out loud with her own soaring pleasure. She loved the lazy teasing that had grown between them since yesterday. She loved being able to turn around and find Reno watching her with warmth in his eyes instead of anger or raw desire. She loved hearing pleasure in his voice and knowing that he was enjoying just being with her. She loved…
Reno.
«No peeking,» he warned.
Reno tugged Eve’s hat brim down over her eyes and ran the back of his fingers along her jawline.
«I wasn’t going to cheat,» she said quietly. «No matter what you think, I’m not a cheater by nature.»
Reno felt her hurt as though it were his own. Leaning over, he lifted Eve from her horse and settled her sideways across his lap, holding her like a child.
«Hush. I wasn’t thinking about anything when I pulled on your hat but an excuse to touch you.»
Eve turned her face in to Reno’s chest, knocking her hat aside. It dangled from its chin strings until he pushed it over her shoulder and stroked her hair.
«I didn’t mean to hurt you,» he said after a time.
Eyes still closed, she nodded.
«Eve?»
«I’m sorry,» she whispered. «I know I shouldn’t be so touchy. But…I am.»
He tipped up her face and gave her the lightest of kisses. Then his arms tightened around her, holding her close when Darlin’ shied at the shadow of a soaring hawk.
