Cole walked her back up to camp, and as the cool air hit him, his haze of arousal began to lift.
Goddamn it.
What had come over him just now? All he’d wanted was her obedience. He didn’t have time for anything short of complete obedience fromeveryone. He wanted her to trust him, yes, and it was far easier to get it from her that way. But damn, if he hadn’t been sincere back there. He didn’t want Monty and his boys seeing him come back to camp with Aida, so he walked up ahead, caught Junior’s attention, and flagged him over. “Take her to the creek and see she gets herself ready to sleep,” he ordered. Junior was more than happy to obey. Cole ignored Aida’s look of confusion and sent her on her way.
It wouldn’t do to fall for the girl. He was so consumed with anger, he almost missed his brother standing up against the tree, one leg propped up as he chewed before he spat. Chewing tobacco. Cole’s crew had none. Monty had plenty.
“Why’d you whip the girl again?” Justice asked. So hehadseen.
Cole frowned. “She disobeyed me. Had a fit worthy of a spoiled brat. Trust me, she was askin’ for it.” How much had Justice seen? “And who told you it was okay to spy on me?”
“Wasn’t spyin,” Justice said with a shrug, though his eyes shifted to the side and he didn’t meet Cole’s gaze. “Had to take a piss, and happened to see you take a switch to her.” He shrugged. “Just wondered why.” He started to walk away but looked briefly at Cole. “You need to do it again, don’t forget your brother,” he said. “I’d be happy to save you the hassle and whip her myself.”
Cole growled. The hell he would.
The men were rolling out their bedrolls, the fire mere embers now. Monty was talking in low tones to his men on the other side of camp. Doc was already lying down and likely asleep, as Junior and Aida came back up to camp. They were talking amiably, but both quieted when they approached Cole.
“Junior, watch the fire for your first watch,” he said. “For the last one, you’ll wake us early, before sunrise. You hear?”
Junior nodded. “Yes, sir,” he said.
Cole crooked a finger at him. When Junior was close enough to hear a whisper, Cole spoke quietly. “When you watch, you keep an eye on Monty. Anything out of place, you wake me. You hear?”
Junior’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, sir,” he said. “I don’t trust ‘em.”
“Good. You ought not.” He clapped Junior on the shoulder and was pleased to see Junior straighten, walking with pride to his post.
Cole tossed down his bedroll and laid it out. “You ready?” he asked Aida.
Her eyes cast down shyly, she nodded. She’d stripped down to her chemise, a blanket wrapped tightly around her shoulders.
He got in first, then gestured for her to join him. Even Monty’s men had turned in, and it was just the two of them now. The crackle of the dying fire was the only sound in the still evening. Cole tucked her against him, and as her sweet bottom nestled back, his cock hardened. God, he wanted her so badly. He’d have to be patient.
Still, that didn’t mean she had to go without.
He slowly, carefully dipped his hands between her legs and lifted the thin chemise. She shifted back against him, her backside pressing tighter against his cock, welcoming him. He grinned against the soft curls below his chin as he stroked her, slick with arousal and ready for him. He heard her gasp. They didn’t make a sound and barely moved as he embraced her, one arm going to her chest and gently kneading her breast as he stroked her between her legs. She opened her legs wider as he stroked softly but firmly, lazily circling her with his finger. He could feel her mounting as he stroked and he continued until he heard another soft gasp. He could tell she was trying with all she could to be quiet, but her body shook beneath him with the power of her climax. Her hips bucked and her head dipped down as she shoved her fist in her mouth. He glanced quickly around. No one was the wiser. When she stilled, he removed his hand from between her legs and tucked it around her slim waist, lowering his mouth to her ear.
“That’s a good girl,” he whispered. “Sleep now, darlin’.”
She was silent, but she nestled her bottom up against him. Soon he heard her soft, steady breathing.
He wasn’t falling for her. No. This would earn her trust, and that had to happen. She might hate him when all was done, but until then, he’d do what he could to protect her.
* * *
They’d risen before the sun, eating nothing but hardtack with strong coffee as Aida sat next to Cole, wordlessly downing the acrid brew and dry food. She felt as humble and meek as she’d been since she met him, though she hated herself for the way she’d allowed him to have his way with her.
As they rode hard all day long, her backside still stung from the switching and she wondered if she found a looking glass in town if she’d have welts or bruises. She dipped her head down shyly when she remembered being stripped and taken across Cole’s knee. She looked discreetly to the side, taking him in. Dark, hardened, muscled, his jaw clenched sternly as he eyed Monty’s crew when he tipped his head to the side. Her hands tightened around his large hands, and she couldn’t help the feelings that rose in her. The jostling of the horse, memory of the whipping, vivid recollection of Cole’s hands between her legs bringing her to ecstasy… it was all too much. She could not hate him. And despite every logical lecture she gave herself, it simply didn’t work. She wanted him. What would happen when they reached their destination? The desire to run no longer held the same appeal.
When they took a small break to eat and water the horses, and Monty came to talk to him, Cole stepped between Aida and Monty. It was a move she could only assume was meant to protect her.Wasit? Was he truly trying to protect her?
They talked in low voices, and Aida wished she could hear them. She didn’t like not knowing what the cruel-looking man with the scar across his face had planned. Her instincts told her that if Cole and his men weren’t there, Monty would do evil, wicked things to her, far worse than Cole ever had.
As they spoke, Monty turned to her, raking his eyes across her chest, leering. He swallowed and licked his lips. Cole didn’t move, but Aida could feel him tense before Monty turned and walked away.
“Come with me,” Cole ordered, dragging her with him. He turned and spoke over his shoulder to Doc. “Takin’ the girl to the privy,” he said. “She’ll get freshened up. When I get back I expect camp broken down and you three ready to ride.”
Junior tipped his hat, Justice nodded, and Doc saluted. Why did her heart stutter at the way he ruled—calm and steady, with a firm hand? There was kindness in this man, even though it lay buried. She’d heard the way he’d praised Junior after meting out consequences. And hadn’t he held her after he’d whipped her? But no. No, that was all for show. He hadn’t really meant it.