Before the Dawn (25 page)

“Well, you impressed me. I knew then and there you weren't a fancy woman. You might've been married to Satan, but you're just an ordinary woman, like me.”

Leah considered that a compliment. “Well, I'm glad we won't have that standing between us. I'd hate to have Sam's lady love not care for me, because I like him a lot.”

Mable smiled. “He likes you a lot as well. It's one of the reasons I wanted to get all of this off my chest, so you and I could start new. I didn't want him to be distressed because you and I were at odds.”

“I appreciate it,” Leah said.

“Well, I feel better. Let's go and join the others.”

Leah thought that a fabulous idea.

When Ryder saw Sam and Eloise appear, he politely excused himself from a group of Sam's old cavalry buddies to greet her. He had to admit he'd expected Leah to be with her and felt a twinge of disappointment that Eloise had arrived alone.

“Hello, Eloise,” he said, giving her a kiss on her smooth brown cheek.

“Hello, dear. And how are you?”

“Not bad,” Ryder replied.

“Hoping to see Leah, I'm betting.”

Ryder covered his reaction by taking a drink of his lemonade. “How is she?”

“Doing fine. She and Mable are talking. She'll be here directly.”

Ryder stared.

“Happy now?” Eloise teased.

“You're an evil old woman. Do you know that?”

Eloise smiled. “I'm going to get some punch.”

Armed with the knowledge that Leah would be appearing shortly, Ryder took up a position to wait. He was looking forward to another challenging evening with her but vowed not to throw the first stone. He didn't want anything to mar Sam and Mable's event, mainly because he knew Sam would hold him responsible.

When Leah arrived, Ryder tried not to stare, but it was impossible. Her beauty outshone every other woman in attendance. The low-cut, emerald green gown showed off her neck and shoulders and had a full, airy skirt. She'd worn the locket again, and memories of placing his kisses against it as it sweetly rode between the enticing, upper swells of her breasts aroused him shamelessly. He wanted her, wanted to sweep her up into his arms, spirit her away, and find a secluded place to make long leisurely love to her.

Leah couldn't help noticing Ryder as Mable introduced
Leah to her small group of guests. He was boldly watching her, and she felt her nipples tighten in response. Trying to ignore him was impossible; even if her mind could, her body couldn't. She vowed not to fight with him this evening though. Sam and Mable would never forgive either of them should she and Ryder start battling, so she looked over his way and nodded.

Ryder sipped his lemonade and met her nod of greeting. He wondered if she knew what kind of effect she had on him. Just having her walk into his line of sight made him hard. Encouraged by the way her eyes kept sliding to his, he walked over to where she stood talking with Eloise and a few of the women from her church.

Eloise welcomed him by asking, “When are Sam and Mable going to be married?”

“About a month. Sam's taking her to Virginia City. Then they're going on to San Francisco.”

He then turned to Leah. “Hello.”

“Hello, Ryder. How've you been?”

“Well, and you?”

“Just fine. Just fine.”

Eloise told her friends, “Ladies, how about we go and see if Mable needs any help setting out the food?”

It was a badly veiled attempt to leave Ryder and Leah alone, but the group just smiled and followed Eloise over to the white-clothed, trestle tables set up a few yards away.

“Would you like some lemonade?” Ryder asked.

“I'd love some.”

Sam was laughing over a story one of his buddies had just told, and when he saw Leah and Ryder walk by, he smiled approvingly, then turned his attention back.

“Sam certainly looks happy.”

“Yes, he does,” Ryder agreed. “And I'm happy for him.”

“Where will they live?”

“Sam has a place about ten miles from here. We've been working on it for the past few years, and it's finally finished.”

“Will you miss having him around?”

“Undoubtedly. We've been through a lot, he and I.”

When they reached the refreshments table, he slid the ladle into the crystal punch bowl, dipped her out a portion of lemonade, and handed her a cup.

“Thank you.”

As Ryder watched her take a small sip, he couldn't help wondering if her lips would taste like the lemonade if he kissed her.

Leah thought now might be the time to ask about her navy dress. The nearness of a few other guests stopped her though. She didn't want anyone to overhear and possibly set off a whole new flurry of gossip.

Looking up at him, she asked, “Will you walk a ways with me? There's something I'd like to talk to you about.”

He gestured her forward, all the while wondering how much longer he could keep from dragging her off somewhere and sampling her kisses.

They took a walk down to the small creek running at the base of the cleared acreage behind the house. A few of the other guests were there, too, but not close enough to intrude.

Ryder asked, “What did you want to talk about?”

“I—um left my dress here the night we—”

“The night I made love to you?”

His bold eyes made Leah's body tighten sensually. “Yes.”

“I have it upstairs. I'll get it for you before you leave.”

“Thank you,” Leah said.

“Anything else?”

“Yes.” She paused for a moment in an effort to pull her thoughts together. “I made a pact with myself not to fight with you. I don't want to ruin Sam's day.”

“And neither do I. So how about we agree to conduct ourselves accordingly?”

Leah smiled. “I think that's a marvelous idea.”

They clinked cups to seal the agreement.

Ryder held her gaze. “So that means if I drag you behind a tree and kiss you, you won't protest out of fear of wrecking Sam's day?”

She realized he was quite serious.

He then asked, “Remember what I said about the two truths?”

She did.
I want you. You want me,
he'd said. He'd then promised to remind her everytime they were together.

“Well I meant it.”

Tingles broke out all over her body.

“So,” he added, “let's walk back. Looks like it's time to eat.”

Leah had a very hard time trying to appear nonchalant, but managed to walk calmly at his side.

There was so much food spread across the tables, Leah didn't know where to begin. She saw chicken both fried and grilled, pork ribs gleaming with sauce, steaks, smoked fish, and a splendid array of mouth-watering collards, mustards, squash, and yams. The dessert table was no less impressive. Many of the women in attendance had brought their specialties. There were coconut cakes, chocolate cakes, fools, trifles, and pies.

Eloise was one of the women helping out at the dessert table and when Leah and Ryder walked up, she said, “Leah, I make the best rhubarb pie on either side of the Mississippi. Care for a piece?”

Leah shook her head. “I'll have to pass. I'm allergic to rhubarb. Makes me swell up like a bullfrog.”

Eloise looked truly disappointed.

But from behind her, Ryder boasted, “That just means more for me. Cut me a big piece, Eloise.”

Some of the guests standing nearby chuckled. Eloise's face brightened, but Leah could see she was still unhappy about Leah not being able to sample her prize-winning recipe.

Leah took her small china plate of desserts to one of the benches and sat down. Ryder followed and took a seat beside her.

“This has been a very nice gathering,” Leah said, casually watching the people milling about.

“That it has, and we haven't crossed swords once.”

“No we haven't.”

“Quite an accomplishment, wouldn't you say?”

The softened tone of voice made her turn his way.
He's so handsome
, she thought.
All that thick, rich hair, the vivid eyes, his godlike face. He can also be quite nice when he chooses to be.

He asked, “What are you thinking?”

“Just how nice you are to be around sometimes.”

“Operative word being ‘sometimes'?”

“Yes.”

Their eyes were saying all their words couldn't, and Leah could feel herself being drawn to him in spite of her decision to keep him at arm's length. The memories of the last time they'd been together rose unbidden, her body remembering the vivid touch of his hands and the passion of his kisses. She settled her attention back on her plate.

Ryder was proud of himself. So far, he hadn't carried her off or pulled her behind a tree. However, the lure in her was slowly breaking down his hold on his will. If he didn't find someplace for them to sneak off to soon, he was going to wind up kissing her right there, the gossips be damned.

“What are you thinking?” she asked quietly.

“About where we can go so I can kiss you without everyone being in our business.”

Leah took in a deep trembling breath. It was certainly not the answer she'd been expecting. She felt singed. “You are probably the boldest man I've met.”

“Good,” he replied, not bothering to hide his amusement. “A man likes to be memorable.”

He took her by the hand “Come on. Bring your cake.”

“Where are we going?”

“Just come on.”

“Ryder—”

In front of God and everybody, he led her over to where Eloise stood talking to Mable. Still holding on to Leah's hand, Ryder leaned down and whispered something into Eloise's ear. When he was done, Eloise looked at him, then over at Leah. A smile crossed Eloise's face. Then she nodded and said, “Okay.”

A confused Leah had no time to ask questions because Ryder was once again leading her away. She sensed the watching eyes of everyone in attendance. If he considered this bold exit to be the way to keep the gossips at bay, she couldn't imagine what he'd do if he'd wanted their leaving to be noticed.

They wound up out in front of the house amongst the carriages and wagons owned by the guests.

Leah asked, “So, what is it?”

“It's time for truth…”

Leah stilled.

“I want to make love to you again…”

Leah told herself she wasn't affected, but every fiber of her being was shaking, trembling, remembering how it felt to be his. “We agreed not—”

“
You
agreed. I took a different position, if I recall.”

She was so mesmerized by his burning eyes she had to turn her back.
Desiring him makes no sense
, an inner voice railed,
but his kisses
…whispered another.

He slowly came up behind her and gently placed his hands on her arms. “Let me love you the way I should have done that first night…Let me give you all the passion you deserve.”

The voice was tempting, seductive. His body heat warmed her through the fabric of her fancy green gown. When his hands toured slowly up her arms, she trembled. He bent and brushed his lips softly against the side of her neck and her defenses began crumbling.

He husked out against her ear, “Say, yes,
Morenita
…say you want to be loved as much as I want to love you.”

Leah couldn't explain why she was so susceptible to this one man, but she was and so she turned to face him.

The heat in his eyes was as strong as her heartbeat. He reached out and stroked the softness of her cheek. Her eyes slid closed in response. He drew a slow passionate line across her mouth.

“Say, yes,” he whispered. “Come with me and let's finish what we started…” He placed a series of short fiery kisses on the edges of her throat, and her head slid back uselessly. His strong hand supported her arching back as he brushed his lips over the swells of her breasts. “Say yes…”

Leah's defenses were vanishing as fast as her logic. She had no way to counter his overwhelming effect and admittedly didn't want to. Why deny herself? Why continue to hold out against something she craved as much as he? So she gave him the reply that sealed their fate. “Yes,” she whispered. His hungry lips met hers, and she whispered urgently, “Yes.”

Pulling her flush against him, he kissed her so long and passionately, the cake plate in her hand slid to the paving stones and broke.

Pleased, Ryder pulled away, concentrating now on the
scents behind her ear and on her throat. He whispered, “You're going to be in big trouble with Sam. That's one of his best plates.”

Leah rose up on her toes so she could taste his mouth. “I'll just tell him it was your fault.”

He drew her closer. The kiss deepened. Neither cared who might see or what might be said. For weeks they'd been trying to deny their feelings, but now, under the night sky, there was no need.

“How about a midnight ride?” he asked huskily.

“On a wagon or a Cheyenne brave…”

The saucy retort burned his manhood, and he hardened instantaneously. To reward her for that, he brushed his lips against hers, seeking out each tender corner with the tip of his tongue. “I was talking about a wagon ride. Never expected you to say something like that…”

“That's your fault, too.”

He ran his hands possessively over her breasts, molding them, rubbing his thumbs over the tight peaks until her head slipped back again and she moaned.

Wanting to play with her in earnest, Ryder slid the snug-fitting silk away from one breast and pleasured it boldly. “Do you want the wagon…” he queried hotly before he suckled in the turgid tip. “Or do you want the brave…”

Leah knew her body would explode into flame. There in the silence, he dallied with her exposed flesh, flicking, teasing, making her slide her hand over his thick unbound hair as if imploring him to do more. His hand roamed hotly over her hips and down her thighs.