Chapter Twenty-One
After her bath, Josephine slipped into a nightgown and crawled into bed. She felt like such an idiot. She had offered to be her husband’s whore and instead of accepting he had taken off for who knows where. Was she that unattractive? Had he said all those dirty things to her just for the hell of it?
She glanced toward the window. It was pitch dark outside and Logan still hadn’t returned home. Her heart constricted. Maybe he went to the saloon to fulfil his needs.
She rolled over and pressed her nose to his pillow, breathing in his own unique scent.
The door slammed and she shot up in bed. “Logan?” She turned up the flame on the lamp. “Is that you?”
He suddenly appeared in the doorway.
“Logan, where have you been? I was worried.”
He raised his brows. “Really, you could have fooled me.” He removed his hat and sat in the chair next to the door. He didn’t say a word as he yanked off his boots and socks. Leaning forward, he whipped his shirt over his head.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing worth arguing over anymore.” He folded his arms behind his head and stretched out his long legs crossing them at the ankles. “Take off your clothes, Josephine. I want to see you strip.”
Her heart slammed against her chest. “You’re acting strange. What’s this all about, Logan?”
“You offered to be my whore. I’m taking you up on it.”
His expression was void of all emotion. This wasn’t the man she had been living with these past two weeks. He’d been the perfect gentleman. Exactly what she had asked him to be.
So why did her body respond so sweetly at this other side of the man? The rough side she thought she wanted to change?
Josephine cleared her throat. “If you don’t mind I’d like to continue the conversation we were having on the porch before you left.”
“Oh, but I do mind. As far as I’m concerned the time for talking is over. Now take off your clothes before I rip them off.”
Josephine cast the covers aside and slid to the edge of the bed. Her fingers shook as she began to unhook her gown.
“Stand up.”
She stood on trembling legs and removed her gown. Suddenly shy, her hands immediately flew to cover her lady parts.
“Hands at your sides or I’ll tie you to the bed.”
“This is crazy, Logan. Why are you being such an ass?” His vacant expression was enough to convey to her that he had no intention of answering her question. Well, she’d play his little game.
Josephine threw her shoulders back, keeping her arms at her sides.
He got up from the chair and sauntered toward her.
* * *
So beautiful. So damn defiant. Logan fought down the urge to put her across his knee and spank her ass red. He should do the decent thing and send her on her way untouched but he never claimed to be a decent man.
Before she left, his cock would be the first to plunge deep inside her sweet body.
He made a circular motion with his finger. Her blue eyes sparked with a fire, but being a good little girl, she spun slowly around. She may snap at him, deny the fact that she craved his dominance, but her body betrayed her.
He admired her curvy ass, imaging that dark forbidden hole flowering open to accommodate his cock. Too bad he wouldn’t be the one to teach her the joys of anal sex.
Logan closed the distance between them. They stood toe to toe. She raised her head and, upon seeing the confusion and hurt on her face, he almost took her in his arms and begged her to stay.
“Lie on the bed.” He unbuckled his belt and did his best to remain immune to the expression of alarm that crossed over her features. Right this minute he had no intention of relieving her fears.
“Spread your legs.” She did as ordered.
The sooner he fucked her, the quicker she could leave and he could get on with his life. Earlier, on his way to the saloon, he swore he’d take her without mercy. Show her how raw things could be between a man and a whore. Ram his cock inside her, not caring if she found no pleasure in the act.
Now, as she lay on the bed trembling, he wanted to assure her that everything would be okay.
He bent his head and took one pink nipple into his mouth. She moaned and arched her back, clearly giving him more access to her breast.
“Beautiful.” He suckled like a hungry babe pulling at her flesh. He released her nipple, pleased at how his sucking had turned the hardened tip to a deep red.
Satisfied that he had successfully tormented one breast, Logan ravaged its twin in much the same fashion. He then switched his attention to the soft skin of her belly, trailing his tongue to her belly button. Fuck, she smelled so sweet. He went further, dropping feather-light kisses on her hipbones, but when he slipped his tongue along the insides of her thighs, she scooted backward.
“Logan, don’t do that. It’s wrong.”
“No, it’s not.” He grabbed her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed.
Josephine dug her fingers into the sheet. “Logan,” she cried desperately.
He hooked her legs over his shoulder and slapped her pussy. “Quiet.”
* * *
Shocked, Josephine wriggled beneath Logan’s hold. Her pussy stung a little, but the feel of his tongue licking the place where he had spanked overshadowed the pain and sent her spiraling out of control. His tongue seemed to be everywhere at once. Licking her wet folds, poking and jabbing.
Digging her fingers into his hair, Josephine shamelessly rode his face. When he drove his tongue inside her, she cried out. On and on he used his tongue to drive her wild.
Josephine tried to get away, to catch her breath, but he overpowered her by wedging his broad shoulders between her legs and shoving both hands beneath her bottom.
He lifted her bottom to meet his mouth and suckled her clit.
Another orgasm hit her hard and she screamed. Drained, she fell back onto the bed.
Logan took off his pants and prowled his way up her body. He propped himself above her with a hand on either side of her head.
Josephine reached out and brushed his hair away from his face. “I never thought I could feel so good.” She thought she caught a hint of a smile, but when she blinked it was gone.
Without a word, Logan kneed her legs apart and slipped one hand under her buttock. The tip of his manhood prodded her opening.
She whispered. “Please, tell me what to do.”
“Wrap your legs around my waist and hold on tight.”
Josephine did as she was told. His grip on her buttock tightened. She kept her eyes focused on him as he plunged his cock deep inside her. A sharp pinch made her gasp and he gritted his teeth.
“Did I hurt you?” he murmured huskily into the crook of her shoulder.
Still trembling from the force of his entry, Josephine arched her hips. “Just a pinch. It’s beginning to fade.” She clenched her pussy, squeezing his cock.
Logan groaned. “Christ almighty, woman, you’re so fucking tight.” He withdrew slowly from her body only to slam inside her once again.
Josephine locked her ankles at his back and met him stroke for stroke. Her eyes widened in amazement as each thrust of his cock brought her closer toward that incredible floaty feeling again.
A low growl erupted from his throat, one that sounded like pure savagery. She dug her fingernails into his back and hung on as wave upon wave of her orgasm washed over her.
Logan amplified his thrusts. Josephine slid her hands over the expanse of his shoulders and down the strained muscles of his arms. She gripped his thick wrists as he threw back his head and growled his own release.
Breathing raggedly, Logan rolled onto his back, taking her with him.
Splayed on top of her husband, Josephine listened to the beating of his heart echoing in her ear. On impulse she licked one flat male nipple, delighting in the salty taste of his skin. “That was incredible. I never imagined being with a man could feel so good.”
His blunt fingers traced the length of her spine sending goosebumps along her arms and down the backs of her legs. “That was just a sample on what a man and woman can do in bed. There’s a lot more I intend to show you.” He smacked her ass hard.
“Ouch!” Her head shot up in surprise.
He pushed her gently aside. “Get up.”
Josephine scrambled to her knees just as Logan rose from the bed and she got a full view of his bare backside before he turned around. Her attention dropped to his cock, which stood erect, the mushroom-shaped head nearly touching his belly button. Her pussy clenched.
“Lie on the bed with your ass up in the air.”
Defiant, she propped her hands on her hips and tossed back her head. “Wh-what are you going to do?”
He shook a finger at her. “You’re not in any position to ask questions, Josephine. Remember you’re mine for the night. Now do as I say and don’t cross me again.”
With a hint of trepidation, Josephine sank onto her belly.
Without warning he grabbed her by the ankles and yanked her closer to where he was standing. One hand slid underneath her belly while the other spanked her bare bottom. “Lift up onto your knees and lay the upper part of your body on the bed.” He helped her into the desired position.
Josephine rested her forehead on the mattress, waiting anxiously for him to say something. She could feel the heat of his stare burning a path down her body, perusing every crease and fold, every nook and cranny.
Did he find her attractive like the women who sold their wares in the saloon?
She waited and the silence was deafening.
Just when she was about to curl into a ball, his arm wedged between her thighs.
“Spread your knees wider. I want to see more of that pretty pussy.”
Josephine moaned and parted her knees. The feather mattress dipped as he joined her on the bed and straddled her body. He leaned over her and balanced his weight on his powerful forearms.
“I’m going to fuck you like my stallion fucked the mare.” He licked the shell of her ear. “Remember how she squealed when his cock rammed her from behind?”
The head of his cock stabbed at her opening. Desperate to have him inside her, she raised her ass higher. Her brazenness earned her a sharp swat.
“Eager for it, aren’t you, naughty girl?” He cupped her pussy.
Josephine fisted the sheets. “Please, Logan.”
“Please, Logan. What?”
“Take me?”
“Say the word, Josephine. Tell me what you want me to do.” He pinched her clit.
“Oh, God, Logan. Fuck me, please?”
“Goddamn, I get hard just hearin’ you beg for my cock.” He fingered her entrance. “You’re soaking wet. Beg for it again, baby.”
Josephine’s breath came out in short spurts. Her sex felt heavy, swollen, and throbbed incessantly almost bordering on pain. “Have mercy, please?” She pushed against his groin and whimpered.
“Okay, darlin’, I’ll give you what you want.” He thrust inside her to the hilt.
Josephine cried out in wonderment. In this position his cock felt much bigger, stretching her beyond reason. While he continued to ram his hard flesh inside her body, he slid one hand along her belly and up to her breasts, alternately tweaking her nipples.
The pleasure became too much and she shuddered violently.
Logan ramped up the strokes and within seconds growled his own release.
* * *
Josephine slowly opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window. It was morning. Had last night been all a dream? If so, then the handsome man standing by the bed couldn’t be real.
She tightly closed her eyes for a moment then opened them again.
“Good morning, Logan.” He said nothing. Suddenly aware that he was fully dressed while she was completely naked, she scooted to a sitting position and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
She had so much to say.
“Logan, I have to explain…”
He raised his hand sharply, cutting her off. “Explain what? Why you’re in a big hurry to get away from here… from me? I may be thickheaded on occasion, but I ain’t stupid. Make sure you drink that stuff before you leave.” He jerked a nod toward the small table beside the bed. She followed his direction and noticed a small vial that hadn’t been there yesterday.
Josephine picked up the tiny vial. “What is it?”
“It won’t hurt you,” he told her, his voice brusque and unfeeling. “Red gives it to the girls to avoid complications after a night of fucking. You won’t have to worry. There will be nothing to remind you of me.”
She winced at his crude words.
He continued. “You were good last night. There’s enough money on the dresser to purchase that train ticket to Boston you wanted. Take it. You earned it.” He put on his hat and strode to the door.
As if he had forgotten something, he stopped in his tracks. “I’m sure you’ll want to leave as soon as possible. When you’re ready, ask Sully to hitch up the wagon. He’ll drive you to town.”
Moments later the door slammed.
Josephine glanced at the vial in her hand then at the pile of coins on the dresser. He’d paid her like he would a whore and it hurt. Hurt bad, but she had asked for it.
Her gaze went back to the vial once again. This time she gave the meaning of its contents serious thought.
After he had taken her from behind, Josephine remembered collapsing on the bed unable to move. She heard him leave the room and must have dozed off because the next thing she knew he was cleaning her tenderly as if he would a tiny babe.
He then climbed into bed and gathered her into his arms. She struggled to stay awake, but the steady beat of his heart lulled her to sleep.
It was close to dawn when she opened her eyes to see his dark head between her legs lapping at her pussy and drawing another orgasm from her. He always made certain that she had taken her pleasure before seeking his own.
Josephine placed a protective hand on her belly. There was a good possibility that she could very well be carrying his child. She placed the vial back on the table and got out of bed.
Josephine washed and dressed and left the room. Tears fell down her cheeks as she padded into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. She should be happy. She was finally free to go wherever she wanted. So why did she feel as if her heart had been dealt a fatal blow?
* * *
Chewing on a piece of straw, Logan sat on a bale of hay watching Blaze munch on some feed. Last night had been incredible. Josephine had been incredible. She had opened herself to him completely and submitted to his commands so sweetly.
It was going to be virtually impossible to strike her from his mind.
When he left her several hours earlier, he thought for sure he’d be able to concentrate on work, but he could still smell her womanly scent and had the taste of her on his lips. More than once he’d been tempted to go after her and bring her back home.
Finally, he headed home and found himself hoping she had had a change of heart and would be there to greet him. She’d be sitting on the swing waiting for him to come home for lunch with a smile on her face.
But his heart had constricted when he saw that the wagon was gone. Instead of going into the house after he had taken care of Blaze, he sat down on a hay bale.
How ironic. With both women out of the house he now had that peace and quiet he’d so often teased Ella about.
The barn door opened and Sully walked inside. Logan got to his feet. Sitting around wasn’t getting anything done.
“I’ll unhitch the wagon, Sully.”
“There ain’t no wagon to unhitch.”
Logan got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. “You were supposed to take Josephine into town. Don’t tell me you left her take the wagon on her own?”
Logan couldn’t believe his eyes. Sully actually got red in the face.
“Lookee here, Logan, I had every intention of takin’ the missus like you asked, but when she came out of the house with puffy eyes and blowin’ her nose, I got all stupid, ya know?” He pulled a hanky from his back pocket and mopped his brow. “You know I can’t stand to see a woman cry.”
“Yeah, I know, that’s how Ella managed to wrap you around her little finger.”
“Well, when she asked if I would saddle a horse for her, I did.”
“Did she happen to take any bags with her?”
“Nope, just herself.”
Logan strode to the door. Before leaving he asked, “Any idea how long ago she left?”
“I’d say about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Now, I ain’t meanin’ to do no buttin’ in, but seeing your long face and how upset she was, you both must’ve been arguing about something.”
“You could say that.”
Sully wagged his head. “Better straighten it out afore it blows out of proportion.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late.” Logan blew out a sigh. “Sully, Josephine isn’t happy here. She wants to move to the city.”
“And yer lettin’ her go just like that?”
“What do you expect me to do? Drag her back here? Believe me, I thought about it, but like I said, she ain’t happy.”
“It sure didn’t look that way to me.”
Logan walked out of the barn and went into the house.
* * *
Josephine rode into town keeping alert for any sign of Logan. Although she hadn’t given him any reason to come after her, she hoped to catch one last look at the man who had taken her innocence.
The mercantile was just ahead. She tugged her hat down low to avoid recognition. She passed the sheriff’s office and thought about Ella. Brody was a nice man. He’d take good care of her friend.
Josephine lightly touched her belly. But there was another matter that troubled her conscience. What if she was in the family way? Leaving without telling Logan he may be a father was not only cold-hearted, it was downright selfish on her part.
As she drew closer to the livery, an old man with weathered skin brushed off his hands and ambled toward her. “Howdy, what can I do for ya?”
Josephine jumped to the ground and pulled out some coins from her front pocket. “Could you see that the horse is fed and watered? Someone should be by in a couple of hours.”
With a heavy heart, Josephine left the livery and crossed the street. Instead of going to the train depot to purchase a ticket like she had originally planned, she decided to stop by and see Ella.
It was a pleasant day and when she didn’t see Ella out front she circled behind the house. Sure enough, her sister-in-law was busy hanging a load of laundry. “I knew you’d be outside on such a nice day.”
Ella squealed with delight and hurried to unlatch the gate. The two woman exchanged hugs.
“It’s so good to see you. Is Logan with you?”
Josephine shook her head. “Uh, no, I came to town by myself.”
“Land’s sake, you’re much braver than I am.” Ella’s demeanor changed from astonishment to dismay when she took notice of Josephine’s boyish attire. She propped her hands on her hips. “What in the world are you doing in that getup?”
Josephine shrugged. “I’m afraid I made a mess of things. I’m considering leaving town so I only took what I came with.”
Ella clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Oh, pooh, you are not leaving. Come on inside the house and share a cup of tea with me.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Hope built in Josephine’s chest. Talking with Ella always helped her to see things much clearer.
“You have a beautiful home,” Josephine remarked when they entered the kitchen. “Do you like it?”
Ella motioned for her to sit. “I do. It’s much smaller than the ranch, but it’s nice and cozy.” She set two cups of tea on the table with a plate of cookies. “Now tell me what’s going on. What’s all this talk about leaving? Did you and Logan have a fight? I know how thickheaded he can be.”
Josephine twirled the plain gold ring on her finger. “It’s not Logan, it’s me.”
Between sips of tea Josephine told Ella everything about her life with Hedy and Jed Bolton.
“I loved Aunt Hedy so much. She was sweet and kind. Would never hurt a soul and Jed treated her horribly. When they first met, she told me how gentle and thoughtful he was. Everything changed when she couldn’t carry a child to full term. He grew to despise her.” She paused for a moment. “Long story short, I did fall in love with Logan just like you hoped.”
“But that’s the good, isn’t it? In time the bad memories of your uncle will fade and you and Logan can work on making your own memories.”
Josephine grimaced. “I’m afraid there’s more to it than just a case of bad memories. Remember the day we stopped by Amy’s place to drop off the swing Logan made for Danny? Logan was so patient with that little boy. Ella, he’d make a wonderful father. What if I can’t carry a baby to term? I couldn’t bear his disappointment and eventually his hatred.”
“But that kind of negative thinking doesn’t make any sense, Josephine. No one knows what’s going to happen in the future and more important, we don’t know how someone’s going to react to certain situations. I honestly think you’re being unfair to my brother. You’re comparing him to your uncle and that’s wrong. Not all men are alike. You should go back to the ranch and tell him exactly what you told me.”
Josephine sighed. “That’s just it. I don’t know if he’ll want to see me anymore after what happened.” She carefully chose her words. “You know the only reason we got married in the first place was to avoid a scandal while I worked off that dratted debt.”
Ella nodded.
“Your brother can be very persuasive.” Without going into further detail on just how persuasive Logan could be, Josephine continued. “He suggested we give the marriage a try and I agreed.” Ella’s expression brightened a bit only to cloud again at Josephine’s next words. “If I wasn’t happy I could leave after my debt was paid.”
Ella stared at her long and hard. “So, are you telling me that you’re not happy or are you taking the easy way out by leaving because you’re afraid of what the future may hold?”
“Leaving is not taking the easy way out, Ella. I love your brother very much.”
Ella rolled her eyes in frustration. “Then I don’t understand what the problem is. Josephine, I know my brother. Until you came along I thought for sure he’d remain a bachelor. You changed his mind about marriage.”
And he changed mine. “I made the mistake of asking Logan how much longer it would be until I didn’t owe him any more money.”
Ella’s expression changed to one of understanding. “I get it now. Logan figured that was your way of saying you weren’t happy.”
“I’m afraid so.” Josephine got up and set her cup on the counter. At least something good had come out of asking about her debt. Logan had given her a glorious night of lovemaking and maybe his child.
“He left this morning in a mood and didn’t say when he’d be back. And why should he? He assumed I couldn’t wait to get away from him. I’m so confused I don’t know which way to turn. I was hoping a heart to heart with my ever so wise sister-in-law would help. You know how much I’ve come to rely on your good sense.”
“Then trust me. Go home and tell Logan exactly what you just told me.”
Josephine sighed. “I have no idea where he is at the moment. I did notice that we’re out of coffee. I can pick some up and take it home. “
“Good idea and don’t worry about Logan. He’s probably cooling off somewhere.” Ella walked with Josephine to the door. “If he happens to stop by I’ll tell him where you are.”
“Oh, Ella, thank you so much. I’m such a fool to let my fears get the best of me.” With a much lighter step, Josephine hurried to the mercantile. She grabbed a tin of coffee and went to the counter.
Lily smirked. “I heard Logan is back at the saloon. I thought he’d wait a little before returning to his old ways.”
Determined not to show how much those words hurt, Josephine paid for the coffee and turned to leave.
“I’m not surprised that Logan’s lost interest in you already,” Lily shouted. “He likes his women to look like women, not small boys.”
Josephine swallowed the lump of jealousy that threatened to choke her and proceeded to the exit. His women. She couldn’t bear thinking of his hands on other women or smiling at other women. She gritted her teeth. Or spanking other women.
She stomped past a shadowed alleyway crossed the street and headed straight to the saloon. If he was there she’d… The air went out of Josephine’s sails. Do what? Drag him out by his ears? That’d be the day he’d allow himself to be henpecked.
The best thing to do was not jump to conclusions.
Clutching the parcel to her chest, Josephine stood on tiptoe and peered over the top of the batwing doors. Her gaze was drawn to a woman with auburn hair piled high on her head and a bright green feather spouting from it. The red sequined dress she wore was cut low in the front, exposing ample cleavage.
Josephine wondered if she was the woman named ‘Red’ that Jake had been talking about. Sure looked like it. But what did it matter? She pushed the thought aside and scanned the crowd, hoping she wouldn’t find Logan cozying up to another woman.
From what she could see through the clouds of smoke from men’s smelly cigars, her husband was nowhere to be found. He wasn’t playing cards or drinking at the bar.
She blew out a sigh of relief. Maybe he went back to the ranch.
Josephine turned to leave, but caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. She poked her nose above the doors again and watched a man stumble up the wide staircase with a soiled dove hanging on his arm. She could see right away that it wasn’t Logan, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t already upstairs occupying a room. She sure couldn’t go storming inside demanding to search the rooms like a jealous shrew.
Her heart plummeted. Spending last night in Logan’s bed had changed everything. She couldn’t leave him. Not only had he taken her body. He had captured her heart and soul.
“Lookin’ for someone, Mrs. West?”