Page 55 of Wild Horses

And as much fun as fighting him was, having him treat her as if she were wanted left her dizzy. It was such a new sensation where he was concerned, she wondered if he’d do it again.

When he stopped her on his way to the camp fire his hand slid down her arm to embrace her hand. She wasn’t sure if he even realized he’d done it. That he stood there, his big hand holding hers as if she were really his. Or that he stood so close she could feel the heat from his skin and smell the spicy shaving tonic he used.

She sighed and rolled back over to stare at the flames leaping into the sky from the campfire. A few cowboys still lingered. She couldn’t see their faces, nor hear their voices. Was Jesse still there? Or had he lied to her and gone back out to watch the herd?

She debated going to find him until the pull of sleep dragged her under and she dozed off, the crackle and pop of firewood joining the murmur of voices she could hear. Movement behind her and the shuffling of feet drew her attention. She opened her eyes as she felt something touch her back. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened when she saw Jesse sliding under the wagon with her.

He didn’t say a word, just slid close, flipped to his back and laid down, then blew out a ragged breath. “Lord, it feels good to lay down.”

Alex propped up on one elbow and stared at him. It was dark under the wagon but enough light flickered under the canvas to make out his features. His eyes were closed, his hands crossed over his stomach. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He opened one eye and looked at her. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Preparing for burial.”

He laughed. “Not tonight.” He leaned toward her, his voice barely above a whisper as he said, “It’s my wedding night.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “So?”

He laid back down and closed his eyes. “You’re a bright girl, Alex. Figure it out. I’ll give you a few minutes to mentally prepare yourself.”

She didn’t know how long she laid there, propped up on one elbow staring at him over her shoulder but her arm started going to sleep by the time she realized he planned on bunking down with her. She snorted a laugh and shook her head. “You are out of your mind. You touch me and your voice will sound like a little girls for the rest of your life.”

He smiled, eyes still closed. “Now is that anyway to talk to your husband?”

Alex rolled her eyes and laid back down, bringing both feet back to push against his legs. “Get out of my bed, Jesse. I’m too tired to play any games tonight.”

“Can’t do it, darlin’. I’m staying right here tonight, and every night after until we get back home.”

She sat up so fast, her head slammed into the underside of the wagon. “Ouch, look what you made me do.”

His hand came into view, his fingers grazing her forehead. “You’re not bleeding. You’ll live.”

Alex gritted her teeth and glared at him. “I’m serious, Jesse. Get out. Go find somewhere else to sleep.”

The sound of footsteps could be heard nearing the wagon. “You need help taming that new bride of yours, boss?”

Alex peeked under the canvas. She didn’t see anything but a pair of boots. She didn’t recognize the voice either.

“I’ve got it under control,” Jesse said. “She’s just a bit skittish, is all.”

The men around the campfire laughed. Alex huffed out a breath and looked at Jesse. He was now propped up on one elbow grinning at her. “I can’t very well sleep somewhere else, now can I?”

His voice was a hushed whisper and Alex almost answered in the loudest voice she could find but followed his lead and kept her voice low. “Yes, you can and you will. This marriage isn’t real and there won’t be any kind of wedding night.”

He chuckled and laid back down and closed his eyes. “Ornery as the day is long.”

“You should have thought about that before forcing me into marrying you.”

“I didn’t force you into anything. You could have said no and you’re wrong about this marriage not being real. I have papers to prove it is.”

“You blackmailed me and now all those cowboys are sitting out there waiting for a show.”

He sighed, crossed his arms back over his stomach and said, “Lay down, Alex. I’ll not have my way with you in your sleep. I prefer my women willing.”

Picturing him with someone else caused a peculiar tightening in her chest. She wondered how many women he’d been with and would have asked, but assumed he’d think she actually cared. And she didn’t. No sir, she didn’t care at all.

She sat there staring at him, that twisting in her chest growing into a dull pain before she forced it away. She had other things to worry about and her feelings for Jesse weren’t the most important at the moment.