Chapter 23 #3
I answer for Jessica when she looks over at me. “For breakfast, yes, dinner, I am not sure of yet, but I will send word if we are back in town.”
Gathering the bill, I pay on the way out, making sure to leave a nice tip for the staff.
Then I take Jessica’s hand in mine, and we walk hand in hand as we head back toward the inn.
We are almost there when Beatrice steps out of her shop, locking the door.
When she sees me standing there, her entire face lights up.
“Well, bless my soul, you did come back, Reggie! I’m sure Grant will be happy to see you, as will Lauren. Who is this pretty thing hanging onto your arm? I didn’t know you had a wife waiting back home; no wonder you were in a rush to leave before winter hit.”
“This is Jessica.”
“I love your dress, the cut is very flattering, as is the color.”
“Thank you, ma’am, that’s a huge compliment coming from one as knowledgeable about clothing as you must be.”
“Well, you youngins look as tired as I feel. I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you, Jessica. Feel free to stop in anytime.”
I lean down, hugging Beatrice, as she whispers. “She sure is a pretty thing, Reggie. How’d you get a filly like her with all that hair?”
“Has my mother been writing you? I think this is a conspiracy.”
She pats me on the arm, laughing before walking off the boardwalk and down the alley.
Jessica sighs wearily at me, and I know I am digging a deeper hole, but maybe if it’s a deep enough one, she won’t be able to escape me.
I can hear the men talking as they come up behind us as we are entering the inn.
I have just opened the door to our room when Colby steps up.
“Jessie, can I talk to you for a minute?”
She looks up at me, and even though I should let her, once again, my mouth opens without thinking it out further.
“We’re tired, Colby. You can ask her whatever is so important in the morning.”
Gently, I push Jessica through the door, only to shut it in his face. She walks in, unwrapping the lace shawl gently from her shoulders, and I try to prepare myself for the fallout, but when she turns, her words shock me.
“Thanks. I am not in the right headspace to handle him tonight. I am going to change and then turn in.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Nope, got enough going on in my mind right now, and to be honest, I am just too tired to fight the world tonight.”
“You know I plan on sleeping next to you, right?”
“I figured, and honestly, I probably would have a hard time sleeping without you now. Something I should break myself of … but not tonight.”
I almost tell her … ask if she wants to make this real, but I figure we’re both too tired for that conversation.
So, I chicken out and take advantage of her changing behind the screen to get out of my own clothes.
Grabbing the sleeping pants I’ve missed these last few weeks, I go over and turn down the bed.
The crisp white sheets are a huge improvement over the dirty bedrolls we were forced to sleep in each night, even though Jess did her best to clean them.
I can’t stop the moan that escapes my lips when I slide in.
My entire body feels sore and beat up. Jessica walks around the edge of the bed in a clean gown of her own.
I stare at her as the lamp’s light glows through the thin material, leaving little to the imagination.
She blows out the light, and I lift the blankets for her to slide in.
Instantly, her cold feet hit my legs and I hiss as I roll over, pulling her into me.
“Woman, where are your stockings? Your feet are freezing! I can feel them through these pants.”
“I’ve been wrapped up so tight these last couple of weeks, I swear my skin is hurting, so I didn’t put any on.”
“Were you out in public in just your drawers?”
“Yup, didn’t figure anyone would notice.”
“I wish I’d known, and now I’ll wonder every time we are out if you are naked under all that.”
Tucking my head into her neck, I inhale the scent of lavender, and I know that must have been the soap she washed up with earlier.
It seems like I no sooner close my eyes that the room is lightening up.
My hand flexes only to find that I am grasping a soft, naked leg where Jess’ nightgown has ridden up through the night.
Of course, my shaft was awake before I was.
I would wake her by sinking myself deep within her, but I have already taken too many choices from her, and I want her to be mine in every way.
Maybe there will be a night soon when we don’t have so many responsibilities the next morning, where I can appreciate her the way she deserves.
Dragging myself upright, I sit on the side of the bed, willing the rest of my body to wake, only for a small hand to rub down the middle of my back.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just tired. I thought sleep was supposed to fix that problem?”
Her laughter lightens my heart, and I make myself move. “Come on, might as well get going. I sure hope the diner has magical coffee this morning, because I could sure use a boost.”
“What do you want me to wear?”
“Grant’s is about an hour’s ride from here, but with the recent rain, it shouldn’t be too dusty. The dress you had on yesterday would be fine, and I was thinking maybe you could ride with me.”
“On Bells?”
“Yeah, it’s only a couple of miles, she’ll do fine since we will just be walking with the wagons. I am going to leave Zeus and Coco in the livery until we find out if there is a barn on the new property.”
“I think I have some thicker stockings I can wear. Give me a few to get my things together and repacked, and I’ll be ready.”