Chapter Seven

Charlotte

Will sent Silas and Mary and the cowboys back to the ranch. He kept Charlotte in Fort Worth for several days. During the day, he took her to various shops. First, they went to a saddle shop where he ordered a lady’s saddle. Next, they went to a fabric shop, so she could stock up on material for dresses for her and shirts for him. Finally, they went to a jeweler to buy her a wedding ring, a gold band with a single diamond.

At night, they’d go out for dinner or eat in the room. She slept beside him, wrapped in his arms at night. He made no suggestion regarding marital relations. Every so often she’d find him gazing at her with a dark and hungered look, but he treated her gently. Almost reverently.

Will bought a new horse and buggy for the ride home. They got an early start and were soon beyond the town’s busy streets. Will offered the reins to Charlotte and she eagerly took them.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” she marveled. “I quite like it, Mr. Travis.”

“You’re doing very well. Wait till your saddle is delivered and I’ll take you out on horseback.”

The time they’d spent in Fort Worth had been like a dream to her. As she guided the little bay mare along the country roads, she wondered how things would go once they returned to the ranch. Her feelings seemed to be in constant turmoil. She wanted to be near him and even yearned to know what it would be like to live as his wife, and yet, she relished this time where he doted on her, expecting very little in return.

The trip home took only a single day. Without the cattle they could take a shorter route. As they turned down the road that lead to the Travis Ranch, her heart stuttered against her ribs.

She glanced at Will and he knit his brow.

“What’s the matter, Charlotte?”

“We have eighteen more days.”

“I’m aware.” His voice was a seductive rumble that made her shiver.

“I should sleep in my own room.”

“I thought you liked sleeping next to me. You make these sweet sounds in the night. They almost sound like you want more than for me to just hold you.”

“I do?”

He nodded.

“I don’t feel that way,” she said primly. “Of course I don’t want you do more than simply hold me.”

He held her in his gaze and his expression was inscrutable. For a moment she wondered if she’d angered him but then his lips twitched.

“Who said anything about me wanting you in my bed?”

“P-pardon?” She dropped hold of the reins.

Calmly he bent over to pick it up and hand it back to her. “I didn’t invite you to sleep with me. We spent the night together in Fort Worth because I only had one hotel room.”

He drawled his words carelessly, toying with her. She’d forgotten what a beast he was. He’d charmed her in Fort Worth, but he was still a beast, after all.

“You’re not allowed in my bed. If I find you there, I’ll punish you.”

He chuckled, pleased with himself, and Charlotte found she had no response to such an outrageous comment. She pushed her shoulders back, lifted her chin and concentrated on driving the buggy. Without looking at Will, she knew he was enjoying her indignation.

“Another thing, I’ve decided you can wear your trousers. You’ll need them when we ride.”

She wondered if he was toying with her and turned to look at him, but he merely shrugged a shoulder. “I mean it. I want to take you out, spend time with you and I can’t take you riding if you’re in one of your pretty dresses.”

She nodded and said nothing. When they arrived at the ranch, Will was called away almost immediately. Two bulls had fought that morning and Silas asked him to take a look at one of the bulls who’d been injured. Charlotte was left alone in the quiet house.

She unpacked her valise and put her things away. The afternoon gave way to evening. Will didn’t return, and Charlotte dined without him. After dinner, she went to his study and wandered around, looking at the books in his bookshelves and the pictures on the walls.

A decanter of amber liquid sat on a small end table and she poured herself a small glass. The spirits smelled and tasted like kerosene, but she finished it anyway. Another hour passed. With a sigh, she went upstairs to her room and changed into her nightgown.

A short time later, the front door opened and closed, and his footsteps ascended the stairs. He came into her room and to her bedside.

“Good evening, Mr. Travis.”

Her tone was teasing. She wanted to give him a little taste of his own medicine.

“Have you been drinking, Mrs. Travis?”

“Just one small glass.”

“I see.”

In the darkness, she smiled. His tone sounded disappointed.

“Were you hoping I was intoxicated?”

“How can I be sure that you’re not?”

“I only had one glass.”

“I think you should sleep with me in case you feel unwell in the night.”

She sat bolt upright in bed. “I don’t believe that’s a good idea at all, Mr. Travis. You alluded to punishing me if you found me in your bed. This seems very much like a trick.”

“I think your punishment is long overdue. I didn’t want to spank you in the hotel because you might have screamed and alarmed the hotel staff.”

“I certainly would not have screamed. That’s-”

But her words were cut off. He snatched her off the bed, threw her over his shoulder and carried her out of the room. She stifled a scream but just barely. Instead she thrashed and flailed, twisting in his arms. A sharp sting on her bottom made her gasp.

Inside his room he set her down but didn’t release her. It was utterly dark. She was disoriented. In the next instant he’d tossed her over his lap. “Hands on the floor, sweet Charlotte.”

She gave a small, feminine growl and he laughed.

“You like it as much as I do, sweetheart. The last time I spanked this ass, you wriggled and squirmed, and not because I was hurting you.”

Before she could respond, he lifted her gown and pushed past her waist. She stilled, frozen with a new alarm. When he tugged her panties down, a small whimper fell from her lips.

He leaned over to whisper. “Sure wish I had the light on. I’d like to see you like this. Next time.”

He cupped her bottom with a warm hand, making a shudder roll down her body. Warmth and slick arousal heated her sex. If he knew he’d never let her forget it.

The spanking felt entirely different from the first time. His hand coming down on her bare skin was a hundred times more arousing and she could only lay helpless as waves of need washed over her. Like the last time, he gave her ten. Her skin stung. Her breasts ached, and her desire practically dripped down her thighs.

He pulled her panties up and lifted her. “You want the same filthy things I want, Charlotte.” His voice was rough with desire. “You can deny me for the entire thirty days, but I want you in my bed every night.”

As he rose from the chair, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He tucked her under the covers and a few moments later got in bed and pulled her into his arms.

“This, Charlotte.” He tightened his hold and nuzzled her neck. Speaking softly, he went on brushing his mouth over the tender skin of her neck. “This is how we’ll always sleep. Together. I won’t be parted from you.”