Chapter 4

Rusty shivered in the cold water as she rinsed off the soap and shampoo but not even the cold water could quench the fire that burned inside her. The heat between Clay and her had ignited at first look and was growing hotter by the moment, and she was starting to wonder if the situation was going to end up being a disaster.

She’d never had a problem with men. She lived and worked in a man’s world, and knew how to either become one of the boys, or to flirt and carry on without any sincerity in the flirtations. But with Clay it was different. There was an underlying current in the flirtation, something strong and unfamiliar. It excited her, and also gave her pause. Anything that potent had to carry certain dangers. But then it was also the danger that attracted her. Clay was the first man she’d ever met that she wanted to throw on the ground and ride until the stars set, then hold her until the day was done and they could start again.

Which unsettled the hell out of her. Rusty was not a woman to give herself easily or quickly and the idea that she wanted Clay Russell to strip her, toss her in the hay and fuck her senseless, rattled her in a way she was completely unprepared for.

Koda’s thoughts intruded and she turned to face him. “I know emotion is as natural as sex,” she argued quietly. “But you know me, Koda. I can’t be saddled down with some man who wants too much and gives too little. Casual sex is easier. Both people get what they want and go their separate ways. Happily ever after isn’t meant for everyone. Still, something tells me this one is different and maybe I need to tread carefully.”

She laughed at his reply. “Spoken like a true male,” she commented.

But maybe Koda was right. Maybe the only way to get it out of her system was to just let it happen. If it ended up that there was nothing but lust between them then she could chalk it up to bad judgment and not make the same mistake twice. And then at least her itch would be satisfied and she could stop wondering.

Maybe. Her inner voice told her she was fooling herself if she believed that. A spark had ignited inside her the first time she looked at Clay Russell, and it was a spark that went way beyond mere sexual attraction. If she were honest with herself, she’d have to admit that.

And Rusty Blackhawk prided herself on her ability to be honest with herself, even when it hurt. The truth was, when she looked at Clay Russell she saw what was likely to be the man she wanted to walk time with.

“How melodramatic, made-for-television, sappy romance is that?” she asked Koda.

His reply brought her sense of humor bubbling to the surface. She finished rinsing, wrapped a towel around her body, gathered up her dirty clothes and headed for the bunkhouse.

Clay was sitting in one of the old wing chairs, leaning back with his head propped against the rough planking of the wall with his eyes closed. “Your turn,” Rusty announced as she entered.

Clay’s eyes opened and looked directly at her. For the first time in her entire life she was rendered immobile and mute. His eyes held a force that was as old as mankind and as powerful as a force of nature. It was the might of the male in all its purity and it was stronger than anything she’d ever felt. What she saw in those hazel depths called to her on a level that was primal and commanding. It touched the primitive female within.

It took every ounce of willpower Rusty possessed not to throw herself at him, she wanted him so badly at that moment. Had Koda not been standing beside her, lending her his strength, she might have succumbed.

Clay rose in one fluid motion and moved toward her, his eyes never leaving hers. When he was inches from her he stopped, forcing her to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. For a breathless moment neither spoke or moved. A slow smile took shape on Clay’s face.

“No peeking,” he said in a low tease then moved past her and out the door.

Rusty flushed at the image that jumped into her mind. Clay naked. Water cascading down his tight body. Get a grip! she mentally chastised herself. He’s just another man, no different than any other. You’ve just been without a man too long, that’s all.

Koda’s voice spoke up in her mind. Dishonesty brings dishonor even when one lies to oneself.

Rusty cut him a sharp look. “Lucky me. Of all the familiars I could have had, I get the sage of the lupine world.” She immediately felt bad because she knew he was right. She was being dishonest. As much as she would like to deny it, Clay Russell was far from just another man. At least to her. The problem was, how was she going to deal with it?

Head on like always, Koda replied to her inner query.

Rusty regarded him and after a few moments a smile appeared on her face. He was right. She’d always met life and everything in it head on. No reason to change now. Which meant that tonight she might as well have a little fun.

She started digging through the boxes of clothing she’d salvaged from the house. This called for something special.

Outside, under the spray of cold water, Clay was busy lecturing himself. This was a job and he was a professional. Just because Rusty Blackhawk was a walking hard-on was no reason for him to forget that. He just had to get his head straight.

And his dick limp. Even in the cold water, he was standing at attention, with a slow steady throb that was making his balls ache. Damn woman! How the hell did she get under his skin so fast?

Maybe he should take Chase’s advice. Bed her and get his fill then turn his mind to the business as hand. Chase might be right. Clay had met plenty of women that turned his head and sure as sunrise, as soon as he bedded them the blush was off the bloom. Chances were that it would be the same with Rusty Blackhawk.

That meant that he needed to turn on the charm tonight and when they got back, have his fill of her. That way, he could start fresh in the morning with a clear head. With his mind set, he finished washing, wrapped a towel around his waist and headed inside.

Rusty was nowhere to be seen, but the door to the bathroom was closed and light spilled out onto the floor from the crack at the bottom. Clay pulled his suitcase from beneath the bed, tossed it on the lower of the bunk beds and started drying off.

Rusty put the finishing touches on her makeup and regarded herself critically in the mirror. The tint of smoky shadow on her eyelids along with the mascara made her eyes dominate her face. Which was just what she wanted.

She dabbed some of the scent her mother had taught her to make on her pulse points and breathed in the sweet aroma. She hoped it worked as well as her mother claimed.

Ready as she was going to get, she opened the door and stopped short. Clay stood across the small room in front of the bunk bed as naked as the day he was born.

Hell yeah! the wench inside Rusty shouted. He was as fine in the flesh as she had imagined. His broad shoulders were decorated with matching sunburst tattoos. Her eyes followed the line of his back. It tapered down to slim hips, and an oh-so-fine ass that begged to be bitten.

A thump in her gut signaled the swell of her sex and the tightening of her nipples. If ever a man was built to satisfy a woman it was Clay Russell. That was evident as he turned and saw her watching him. His erection was long, thick and standing proudly. Rusty’s mouth literally watered.

Clay never even thought about being naked when he turned and saw Rusty. Christ on a crutch! She was a wet dream come to life. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, past her elbows, as midnight as a raven’s wing with highlights dancing in the uneven light.

That luscious little body was encased in a tight denim vest that was low enough to invite a man’s eyes to the swell of her breasts. She wore a short little denim skirt that slunk low on her hips and stopped just short of being indecent on her thighs.

His eyes slowly raked over her. And he liked what he saw. Firm with more than a hint of muscle in the thigh and calf, her legs were smooth skinned and well shaped.

A pair of sassy calf-high boots that fit snug to her legs completed her outfit.

Clay’s eyes burned at the sight, right along with the rest of his body. If he didn’t know better, he’d think he’d just swallowed a big gulp of Chase’s home brew. Rusty was that potent.

His eyes returned slowly up her body, stopping on her face. One look and he was glad he saved the best for last. Her full lips were slick with gloss, making them look like a candy treat meant to be licked and sucked. Dark thick lashes framed her mysterious violet eyes, pulling him in.

A slow sexy smile spread on her face as they locked eyes. It was then Clay remembered that he was naked. And not just that but sporting a champion boner. Rusty’s smile widened as if she could read his mind.

“Nice outfit, but I don’t think the other fellas would appreciate being so…upstaged,” she said in that husky teasing voice he was coming to recognize.

Clay grinned at the offhand compliment and turned to grab a pair of jeans from his suitcase. “Well I wouldn’t want to start out on the wrong foot with the locals.”

Rusty chuckled and watched him slide the jeans on, not able to ignore the fact that there was nothing between his skin and the denim. Clay saw her watching but made no move to hurry. Rusty got the idea that he was enjoying it too, but doubted that his pleasure could be near as great as hers.

She was a little disappointed when he was fully dressed, although she had to admit that he did clean up mighty good. A white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to expose his strong forearms was tucked into the jeans. A black belt with an interesting and unique buckle cinched his waist. His boots were black but well worn, the boots of a working cowboy.

Clay picked up his Stetson and walked over to Rusty. “I hope we’re going somewhere the law likes to frequent ‘cause sure as shit you’re gonna cause a riot, Miz Blackhawk.”

Rusty laughed. “That’s about the oddest compliment I’ve ever gotten, Mr. Russell.”

“Just call ‘em like I see ‘em,” he replied.

“Well thank you. You clean up real good yourself.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Now how ‘bout that beer I promised?”

Rusty smiled and gestured toward the door. “After you.”

“Ladies first,” he argued with a smile.

Rusty stepped past him, headed for the door, but looked back to catch him watching her ass.

“Like my daddy always said, ain’t no crime in looking,” he said.

Rusty hid a grin and headed on out the door. Suddenly she was looking forward to the evening. A night out with a sexy man, a little drinking, a little flirting. Sounded like just what the doctor ordered.