wanted to taste her breasts, drawing each deep into his mouth. He wanted to caress her until she was ready and would welcome him inside with a cry of pleasure and not pain. But she’d said they’d wait until they both were ready. She’d said not until the bruises healed.
Suddenly the truth dawned on him, shaking him full awake. This was her revenge. Why scream and cry and kick him out when she could torture him like this? She wasn’t his, he was hers. She’d drawn every need he’d ever felt out until all he could think of was her. He wanted to pull away and tell her to go to hell, that no woman would ever own or control him. But her soft arm was a chain, her body a magnet he couldn’t pull free of.
This small woman with her soft ways and gentle voice would take her revenge all night, and Winter knew he would do nothing but endure the torture.
TWENTY-ONE
KORA AWOKE SLOWLY WITH FIRST LIGHT. SHE COULD feel Winter’s body along the length of her, keeping her warm. His arm rested across her waist and his slow steady breathing brushed the nape of her neck. She thought of what a fool she’d made of herself over the storm. It seemed she’d spent a month convincing him she wasn’t some frightened child who was intimidated by him, and now she’d acted like one.
But, she smiled, he hadn’t seemed to mind. She liked the way he’d lifted her in his arms and carried her back to the chair. Sometimes this strong man reminded her of a little boy. Since almost the first he seemed to be expecting her to pull away from him. He didn’t want her to matter to him, but she could see the cracks in the wall between them.
Kora slipped from the bed and moved to her dressing area. She’d found the undergarments wrapped in brown paper yesterday but hadn’t put them away. At first she told herself that maybe they weren’t hers or that Win would mention them. But he hadn’t said a word. It only made sense that he’d bought them for her, then probably forgotten to say anything.
Unfolding the camisole, she slipped it on, loving the soft silk against her skin. She’d never owned anything so grand with lace and ribbons no one would even see. Laughter bubbled from her. He was a strange husband, buying such things for her and never saying anything. Almost as if he didn’t want his kindness to show. As always, it was the things he didn’t say that told her so much.
Covering the new garments with her worn dress, Kora ran her hand down to her waist remembering the way he’d touched her. Win was a good man, strong and fair. In time, if she stayed long enough, she’d learn to take his bedding. It was a small price to pay. The world might see him as a bear, but she saw another side. A side that was full of longing and sadness. A side she wanted to hold and understand.
The thought of Andrew Adams crossed her mind. Kora flinched. She couldn’t imagine allowing Adams to touch her, and the thought of kissing him made her almost gag. He’d given her up for a few dollars, something Win would never do. For the first time, Kora was valued, and that one thought mattered more than the house or the ranch or all the money in all the banks in Texas. She could see it in the hunger of Win’s eyes when he looked at her.
Maybe the world had settled and her bad luck had passed. Maybe she could stay here and make a home for Dan and Jamie.
She hurried down the stairs knowing there was much to be done before the rest of the house awakened. Both of the wounded cowhands would return to the bunkhouse today. She had to clean the rooms and be ready. Everyone spoke of trouble as though they could already see the storm coming. They spoke of ‘‘when,’’ not ‘‘if.’’ But she’d seen no sign of anything happening.
‘‘It won’t come this time,’’ she whispered, trying to convince herself as she worked. ‘‘I won’t let it.’’
Jamie stumbled into the kitchen about the time the coffee boiled. She hadn’t bothered to wash or comb her hair. She grumbled about how Wyatt hadn’t returned from the game even to say good night.
Before Kora could offer any excuse for the gambler, Winter walked through the kitchen looking as out of sorts as always. He stepped out onto the porch and turned the icy pitcher of water over his head. The women could hear him swearing when the water hit him.
Jamie griped about the wild man her sister married, but Kora only touched the lace of her camisole. He could be as moody as he liked; he wasn’t going to frighten her away by growling. She acted as if she didn’t notice him as he reached in and took one of her new kitchen towels to dry his hair without saying a word to her.
‘‘Men!’’ Jamie snorted. ‘‘They’re a plague on this earth, that’s what they are! Worse than the curse and more irritating than fleas. I’m finished with the lot.’’
‘‘I thought you liked Wyatt.’’ Kora readied the stove.
‘‘I hate him. He talks real pretty, but he hardly notices me. I’ll probably be married and have four younguns before it dawns on him to wonder what happened to me.’’
Winter stormed back through the kitchen.
‘‘Morning, cowboy,’’ Jamie chimed. ‘‘Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? That is if you ever found your bed last night.’’
‘‘Quiet,’’ he mumbled, rubbing his forehead.
‘‘Don’t try to boss me around.’’ Jamie grew louder. ‘‘I’m not the one who gets up in such a foul mood every morning. You know, cowboy, I’m starting to think I’m worrying about the wrong person in this marriage of yours. Kora gets up all dressed and ready for life every morning, and you look like you’ve been cactus-drug all night.’’
Winter stormed out of the room without a word.
Jamie jumped from her chair and crossed to Kora. ‘‘I’m right.’’ She stared at Kora. ‘‘You
‘‘Stop it, Jamie.’’ Kora didn’t meet her sister’s gaze. ‘‘He just doesn’t wake up in a good mood, that’s all.’’ She handed Jamie Dan’s tray. ‘‘Take your brother his breakfast.’’
Jamie left, promising she’d learn Kora’s secret about how to torment men. As soon as she’d gone, Kora filled a mug.
Winter was pulling on a clean shirt when she appeared on the stairs. ‘‘Thanks,’’ he said, taking the coffee from her hand.
‘‘Is something wrong?’’ Kora watched him closely while he drank. ‘‘Am I somehow torturing you, as Jamie said?’’
Winter took a step closer as he sipped his coffee. With his free hand he touched her throat. She didn’t move when his fingers slid along her shoulder and arm, finally resting on her waist.
‘‘You come so easy to me,’’ he whispered. ‘‘I never expected that. If that’s torture, it’s sweet indeed.’’
Kora didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure his words were praise. Surely he didn’t expect his wife to protest?
‘‘Unbutton your collar,’’ he ordered, watching her closely over the rim of his cup.
Straightening slightly, she slipped the first few buttons free. She saw no reason to deny his request.
‘‘Another,’’ he said.
Kora felt her cheeks warm beneath his gaze, but she slipped the next button free. When he waited, she moved to the next and the next until the top of her new camisole showed.
He opened her collar, exposing her throat. ‘‘The bruises look lighter today,’’ he whispered as his fingers slid over her skin.
Kora relaxed when his touch continued to brush her throat. Despite his rough talk, he was only worried about her. If only Jamie could see him now, she’d think him kind, not hard.
She closed her eyes and sighed as he lowered his lips to the bruises. His mouth was warm and he smelled of soap and coffee.
His hand worked another button free. Then another until the front of her blouse was open.
Kora didn’t move. She knew all she had to do was take a step back and she’d be free. No arms bound her.
