“Hmm?”
“If I let you wrap your arm around me willyou leave it at that? You won’t do more?”
“Of course. Is that what you want tonight?”He hesitated as if giving her a chance to change her mind. “My armaround you?”
Allison swallowed around the expanding lumpin her throat. “Yes. Hold me.”
George slowly lifted his arm and wrapped itloosely around her middle. Her body turned rigid and her stomachclenched, but the tightness eased after a moment. She took measuredbreaths. I can do this. He’s not Grier. His body heat warmedher and she felt on the verge of going to sleep.
Soft snoring alerted her George was alreadyin dreamland. Poor man worked as hard as she did. He snuggledcloser and she didn’t mind. For the first time since she was alittle girl, she closed her eyesat night feeling comfortable, safe.
Mrs. Brown was right. George was a goodman.
He was young, too. One morning anothercolored woman would catch his fancy and he’d forget all about her.She’d enjoy his company while it lasted and hopefully work throughher issues with men. Just being with George rubbed salve in herraw, open wounds. Once her heart healed it would be time for bothof them to move on.
* * * *
Allison stood on the main deck, the windwhipping her face. The sights were getting more familiar with eachpassing mile because she’d passed them on the way down the river.Free. I’m truly free. Heat bloomed in her chest andexcitement thrummed through her limbs. She loved traveling by boat.It almost seemed magical.
“Thank you for getting me this job, George.”It seemed all she did was thank him. When she got paid she’d beable to thank him properly.
“I wish it was a better job. I don’t like tosee you work such long hours. You’re so tired at night.”
She felt a yawn coming and clamped her mouthshut until she swallowed it. “I’m fine. I don’t mind the work.” Itwas much better than what she used to do.
TheQueen Beeplowed through the water headed back to St. Louis. Soon she’d seeMrs. Brown again. There was so much she needed to talk to the olderwoman about. The midwife eagerly filled Allison’s void, the void ofnot having a mama. Hopefully, each time they met the bond betweenthem would grow stronger.
“I enjoy having you with me,” George said,breaking through her thoughts.
She smiled and he smiled back.
“You know I was lonely before you joined thecrew. Without my brother working on the steamboat with me I didn’thave a friend.”
“I like having a friend, too.” She frownedand lowered her voice. “I’m sure my life was lonelier than yours.It has been lonely for years.”
“I’m sure it was. I’ll never know everythingyou endured. You’re a strong woman, Allison. I admire that aboutyou.” The warmth in his eyes aroused her desires. He steppedcloser, standing behind her, his chest brushing her back. “You’vealmost survived your first run.”
She loved the way his breath tickled herneck. “Yes.” Her heart skipped several beats and what she was goingto say escaped her. George mixed up all the thoughts in herbrain.
“I better get back to work,” she said,wishing she could spend the whole day with George instead.
“All right. I hope time passes quickly. Thesecond you’re up the stairs I’ll be missing you.”
Her chest fluttered. That was so sweet. Shecould return his feelings, but it terrified her to do so. Not yetready to encourage his attentions further, she said, I’ll missyou, too to herself.
George hesitated as if waiting for aresponse.
“At least weget to sneak moments together during the day.”
* * * *
Darkness enveloped the Mississippi River.Allison didn’t even bother checking the clock in the parlor beforeshe returned to the main deck. She didn’t want to know how manyhours she’d put in today. How had the other chambermaid managed tosee to every room before she’d been hired? It didn’t seem possible.One of these days she’d ask her. It felt like she had worked twodays straight.
Stepping into the cold, the heat seeped outof her bones and she blew into her cupped hands. Would it snowtonight? The lurking clouds suggested it was definitely apossibility. It was a good thing George laid close to her atnight.
“Are you ready to sleep?” George asked, hisbreath visible.
Allison nodded. She’d been ready to call it aday a long time ago.
George took her by the arm and escorted heracross the deck. Uneasiness sloshed in her stomach warring with thepitter-patter in her chest. She allowed him to guide her to wherethey would bed down. Along the way, Allison inhaled the breeze. Thefishy smell had turned from revolting to calming, especiallycombined with George’s sweaty, salty cologne.
For the first time, she lay next to him without her gut clenching. Hewrapped his arm around her, pulling her snug to his chest. Sheremained calm, and her eyes slowly closed.
Concentrating on her breathing, she was hyperaware of his every touch. The pads of his fingers brushedher cheek and then he ran his hand through her hair.
He rose, his tall frame leaning over her.
Her eyes shot open, and she stared at him,his face hovering close to hers. Afraid she’d be pinned her pulsebuilt up steam until it raced out of control. She fought the urgeto strike him and run away.
I shouldn’t be afraid of George.He’s not Grier. Holding as still as a corpse, she watchedhis lips come perilously close to hers. Only breath separated them,and then he closed the distance.
His lips were full and warm, and herresistance melted. Her body wanted him, even if her mind wasn’tcompletely convinced. He moved his hand down, cupping her cheek anddevoured her lips.
Grier had repulsed her. He had tasted asrotten as he was inside. But George was flavored by his restrainedpower and overwhelming care. Equal parts sweetness and spice, hewas delicious. She moaned into his mouth, her senses never beforestirred so much. Her skin seared where his lips touched. If thekiss lasted any longer she’d develop a fever.
When he pulled back his handsome eyes weremarred with concern. “Did thatmake you uncomfortable?”
Yes. But not because of you. Sheforced a smile she hoped he couldn’t see through.
