Just After Midnight: Historical Romance (14 page)

Alex stood and crossed the room to stand before her. “If you really want me to leave,” he said softly and pulled the pins from her hair, one by one, “I will.”

Her elaborate hairstyle collapsed like a tent in the midst of a storm, and Megan’s hair tumbled around her shoulders. She looked into Alex’s blue eyes. She wanted him in her room and in her bed more than she’d wanted anything in her life. With a sigh of surrender, she tilted her lips to meet his.

They had kissed before, but never with the knowledge that they would soon be as one. That knowledge added a hunger to their embrace that soon had her moaning with need. No man had ever affected her in this way, and she wondered briefly what her life would have been like if one had. She had always been able to remain aloof before because her emotions had never been involved. That time was past.

He pressed her back against the door, his lips traveling over her face then down to her neck. As he nipped her sensitive flesh, his broad, callused fingers learned the curves and valleys of her breasts through the fabric of her nightdress. His thumbs teased her hardened nipples then his head dipped, and he captured one bud and drew it into his mouth, the stroke of his tongue through the cotton adding an extra dimension of sensation. Her hands grabbed for his shoulders as her knees threatened to buckle.

He moved closer, his body pinning hers against the cold wood, and she walked her fingers over his shoulders and down his back, testing and pressing against the solid muscle and bone as he turned his attentions to her other nipple. She could feel the part of him that pulsed with life pressing at the juncture of her thighs, and her hips moved of their own volition to press against him.

At the movement, he gasped her name, and his hands went to the buttons of her gown. He fumbled there for a moment before cursing, then rending the material in two to expose her nakedness. The cool air on her heated flesh made her shiver. He lifted her into his arms as he had once before in that very room, but this time there would be no interruptions.

He placed her on the bed and lay next to her on his side, one arm supporting his head. She watched his face as he examined her, his fingers trailing the path of his eyes. He caressed her neck, a finger outlining the path of her collarbone and then dipping into the valley between her breasts. He continued downward, fingers splaying across her belly and then tangling in the red curls below. She arched as a finger touched the bud of her womanhood, then entered. Stroking, probing until she bit her lip to keep from screaming.

“Do you like that?” His breath caressed her cheek.

She nodded, eyes closed, and bit back a guttural moan as his lips and teeth pulled at her breast, harder and more urgent than before.

“I’ve wanted this from the first moment I saw you. Tell me you want me, too.”

“You know I do.” She gasped as his fingers teased and his mouth promised.

“Tell me.”

Somehow he removed his pants, and his burning arousal pressed against her thigh. She should have been frightened; instead, she felt bold and reached down to grasp him in her hand, surprised at the heat and the strength she found there.

Opening her eyes, she met his hooded gaze. “I want you, Alex.”

He moved above her, rubbing his shaft against her swollen core, prolonging the moment until her hands grasped at his buttocks, silently pleading with him to end the torment. With the whisper of her name on his lips, he entered her.

His face clouded with confusion when he encountered her innocence and he froze. Frightened he might withdraw and end the exquisite sensations she was just beginning to understand, she arched against him and the thin membrane broke. Her gasp of pain was swallowed as his lips devoured hers, and soon pleasure overrode every other sensation as they strained together toward their ultimate goal.

He stiffened, then plunged into her a final time. At the movement, the tension that had built inside her since the first time he had kissed her crested, then broke and shattered within her.

When they were still and their breathing had slowed, he shifted to the side and glanced down at the bed beneath them. She followed his gaze and saw the telltale mark of blood. She met his puzzled gaze.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have been more gentle.”

“I did tell you.” She pulled the covers over her nakedness, suddenly feeling exposed. “You refused to believe me.”

“What was I supposed to think, Megan? The way you dress, the life you’ve led, this place. You’ve got to be the last virgin in the Yukon.”

“Not anymore,” she said quietly.

“No. I’m sorry.”

Her gaze flew up to meet his and she could see that he was, indeed, sorry. Her heart ached. She had given him an incredible gift, and his only reaction was regret. A sudden anger filled her. “Get out.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Get out.”

“Why?” he asked, but he was already picking up his pants.

“This is my room and my place. I don’t have to explain myself. Just get out.”

With a last confused look over his shoulder, Alex left the room. Megan picked up a glass from her bedside table and heaved it at the door.

The thump against the door was followed by the shattering of glass. Alex hesitated, wondering if he should go back in and make her explain herself. The sound of another glass breaking made up his mind. He would talk to her tomorrow.

How was he to have known she was a virgin? Sure, she’d said she was no whore, but that didn’t mean she was untouched. He felt guilty for having been so rough with her when it was her first time, although she hadn’t complained and he could swear she’d enjoyed herself as much as he had.

“Late night, Lieutenant?”

Alex looked up to see Queen lounging in the doorway to her room. She smirked. She must have seen him leave Megan’s room. In his nearly unclothed state, it was obvious what he’d been doing there.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

“Too much noise out here.” She glanced behind him toward Megan’s room as another thump and shatter resounded from inside. “Never thought our Meggie had such a temper. What’d you do? Go too fast for the girl?”

“Shut up, Queen. I’m not in the mood,” Alex said and entered his own room, closing the door to prevent any further discussion.

Nevertheless, Queen’s high-pitched cackle came to him loud and clear.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Three weeks passed and Alex avoided The Celebration. He hoped, given enough time, Megan would allow him to apologize without throwing something at him. After going over their encounter in his mind, he realized his shock over her virginity had hurt her feelings. She had given him a gift no other could ever possess. She had trusted him with herself, and he had not trusted her word. He had spent much of his time in the last few weeks berating himself for his stupidity and trying to think of a way to get her to forgive him.

The day was cold and dark, typical for October in the Yukon. Alex walked down the street, nodding to those he passed, though it was hard to tell who anyone was amidst the muffle of their coats and hats. No sign of Ian McMurphy had been found, though guards were posted at his home and major places of business.

Alex stopped. His steps had led him to The Celebration. Well, maybe now was as good a time as any to confront Megan. She should be in her room resting for the evening to come. He entered the saloon.

“Hey, Lieutenant,” Zechariah called from his room near the door. “If you’re lookin’ for Meggie, she ain’t here.”

Alex frowned. Just his luck. He’d come to make peace and she was off God knew where. “When will she be back?”

Zechariah scratched his head. “Don’t rightly know. She took her wolf and said she was goin’ for a walk. She usually goes out past the stables by the hill overlooking town. Crazy gal. It’s too cold for that nonsense. Anyways, she didn’t leave more than a few minutes ago. You can catch her.”

Alex nodded and hurried out the door. It didn’t take him long to locate Megan. He watched her walk up ahead, arms clasped around her sides for warmth. The wolf ran in front of her, pausing to sniff at points of interest then racing to catch up.

She looked sad, Alex thought, and knew he must be the cause. He quickened his steps, determined to put an end to their estrangement.

Megan bent to look at something along the path, and Damon trotted over to join her. At the same moment, a shot rang out and the wolf started with a yelp.

Alex sprinted the remaining distance between him and Megan, pulling her behind a rock and pushing her down beneath him as he drew his revolver.

Megan struggled, one of her elbows connecting to his midsection, and his breath whooshed out. “Stay down,” he croaked and peered around the rock.

Damon lay on the path, and Alex could see he still lived. The animal was attempting to crawl after Megan, leaving a trail of blood on the frozen ground. Alex scouted the surrounding area, but it was too dark to see very far. In fact, it was so dark, whoever had fired the shot must have been close.

“Do you see anyone?” Megan whispered.

“I think he’s gone.”

He fired a shot into the air, hoping to draw the assailant’s fire, but no gunshot echoed his.

“Lieutenant? Meggie?” a voice called.

“Who’s there?” Alex demanded.

“Dan.” The doctor ran into view, stopping next to Damon. “I was at the stable and heard shots. You two all right?”

“We’re fine; but as you can see, Damon needs your attention. I want you to take him and Megan back to The Celebration.”

“Where are you going?” Megan asked as Alex helped her to her feet.

“I’m going after whoever’s out there. There’ve been too many ‘accidents’ where you’re concerned. If you hadn’t bent down and Damon hadn’t gotten in the way, I think you’d be the one on the ground right now. I don’t plan to give him a second chance.”

Grabbing her by the shoulders, he planted a hard kiss on her mouth. “We’ve got things to discuss when I get back, Megan, and you’re going to listen to me.”

He turned and headed into the wild countryside. Megan’s voice followed him into the darkness. “Be careful, Alex.”

He made good progress for the next hour. Luckily for him, the weather had been unseasonably warm the previous day, softening the top layer of snow. Clear footprints led away from town. Whoever he followed was big, judging by the size of the boots, and quick, since Alex moved fast but was unable to gain much ground. He was hindered by the fact that he had to pause in the darkness to check for the trail.

Over the next two hours he gained on his quarry. When he entered a cove of trees he recognized from previous visits to Brian Daily’s claim, he proceeded cautiously. The trail led through the midst of the pines, and he followed, keeping a close watch for an ambush. He had nearly reached the end of the trees when the footprints in front of him suddenly stopped. Puzzled, he bent down and examined the ground, then peered around the area, eyes straining against the darkness. The pine trees surrounding him were merely shadows, and the slight wind that had sprung up whistled eerily through their branches.

He wasn’t mistaken. The prints had stopped, as though the wearer of the boots had vanished into thin air.

Thin air? Aw hell.
He looked up.

A dark figure leapt from the tree above and pain exploded in Alex’s head before his world went black.

“Looks like he’s going to be fine. We’ll just have to try and get him to rest for a few days.”

Megan heaved a sigh of relief at Dan’s words and smoothed the coarse, black fur on Damon’s head. When they had carried him back to the dance hall and up to her room, she had been horrified at the amount of blood soaking the fur of his shoulder. But after examination, Dan declared the bullet had only grazed the wolf, creating a cut in need of stitching but no permanent damage.

When Dan left, Megan began to shake. The thought of what might have happened if she had not bent down at that particular moment or if Damon had not come between her and the bullet terrified her. She wished Alex would return and bring the sense of safety his presence gave her. She longed for the warmth of his arms and the sound of his deep voice whispering into her hair that everything would be all right.

Evening came and she went to work, listening to her customers with half her attention, the other half focused on the door as she prayed for Alex’s return. The night seemed endless as her nerves stretched to the breaking point. More than once she lost a hand of cards through inattention, and she ruined her dress when her unsteady fingers knocked a drink into her lap. She told herself he must have come back exhausted and gone straight to bed. He would come to her in the morning and then her night fears would be so much foolishness. But when morning came and he still had not arrived, she grabbed her coat and trudged through the snow to the offices of the mounted police.

There she learned he had not reported for duty and her fear increased. She informed the officer of what had occurred the previous afternoon and he sent a man in Alex’s wake. Then there was nothing to do but return to The Celebration and wait as the cold dread settled deep in her soul.

Alex lay on the ground in the snow, trees blocking the dark sky above him. Because of the absence of the sun twenty-four-hours-a-day during the winter, he had no idea how long he had been unconscious. With a groan, Alex sat up and put a hand to his throbbing head. His fingers encountered a sticky substance at the temple—blood frozen to his skin. Grimacing, he forced himself to stand.

The world swayed and he gritted his teeth, fighting the weakness. He couldn’t remain in the open where there was too much danger from exposure or wolves. He had to find shelter until he was stronger. He vaguely remembered being near the claim cabin and stumbled from the copse of trees. His feet and hands tingled, warning him he needed to get inside soon or risk frostbite.

He reached a hill and fell, climbing the rest of the incline on his hands and knees in the snow. When he reached the top he sighed in relief. Below lay the cabin and safety.

It seemed to take a long time to reach the building; and when he did, his face stung from the biting cold and he fumbled with the door, afraid he wouldn’t be able to open it, his hands were so stiff. With a creak the portal gave way and Alex fell into the room.

As quickly as he could in his weakened state, he lit a lamp and built a fire, relishing the pain as the blood flowed back into his near frozen limbs. When his hands were in working order once again, he filled a pan with snow and heated it over the stove, then washed the blood from the cut on the side of his head. Once it was cleaned, he saw that the gash was not as bad as he’d feared and, though it might leave a scar, he should have no permanent damage.

He had to thank his guardian angel that whoever he had been following had not stayed around to finish him off. He must have assumed Alex would die of exposure before returning to consciousness.

Alex stumbled across the room to lie on the bed, knowing he needed to rest before attempting the return trip to Dawson City. By now, Megan had surely alerted the Mounties to his absence and one of his fellow officers was probably hot on his trail. Unless new snow obliterated the tracks, he would have assistance in returning to town.

He awoke several hours later feeling much stronger, minus the headache. The night was clear, no sign of a storm. He set about making a meal with the staples he had left on his last visit to the cabin. Before the soup was done, a young Mountie burst inside.

“Carson, you had better have a good explanation for leading me on such a chase in this weather.”

“Sorry, Jackson,” he told the recruit. “Whoever took a shot at Miss Daily got a jump on me and knocked me over the head.”

“Someone got a jump on you? That’s a new one. Think it was McMurphy?”

Alex frowned. “Could have been him. The person I saw was big enough to be McMurphy.”

Alex glanced around the cabin. He knew from previous visits that someone had been living in the place on and off. Might that someone be Ian McMurphy? If so, then where was he now?

The two men sat down to eat before braving the return trip.

“Hey, Carson. Look what I found hanging outside. Does it belong to your lady friend?” Jackson held up a necklace.

The light from the lamp caught the gold and turned it to burnished amber. Alex’s throat closed off and he stared, entranced, as the rose twirled round and round. Reaching out, he snatched the necklace from the surprised Mountie’s hand.

“Where did you get this?” he rasped.

Jackson frowned, puzzled. “It was hanging from a hook right outside the door of this place. I noticed it when I walked up. Is it yours?”

Alex clenched Joanna’s necklace in his fist and stood, walking away from the table to stare into the fire.

Joanna’s necklace, here at Brian Daily’s cabin. What did that mean? Had it been there all along and he’d never seen it? Had Joanna left it here herself or had it been left by the mysterious occupant? Was it Willie Shore who stayed in the cabin . . . or Ian . . . or someone else entirely?

He was sick to death of the questions. He wanted to know who had left his sister to die, who the mysterious Willie Shore was, and why the answers to those questions were so important that someone had tried to kill both him and Megan.

“Finish up,” he said. “We’re going back to Dawson City.”

Megan was losing steadily at poker when Alex came through the door. Throwing her cards onto the table, she launched herself into his arms without thought and kissed him.

His lips were cold, but they warmed under hers and parted. Memories of their night together surfaced, and she melted into his embrace.

The cheers brought her around. Blushing, Megan pulled back and glanced around the room. Every man in the place grinned from ear to ear at her display. She took Alex’s hand and led him through the dance hall and upstairs to her room. To hell with dignity, she wanted answers.

As soon as the door closed behind them, he tried to pull her back into his arms, but she resisted. “Alex, where have you been? Did you catch the person who shot at me?” She reached up and touched his face. “What on earth happened to your head?”

“I’m glad to see you’re not angry anymore. Does this mean you forgive me for my stupidity the last time we were together?”

“I’ve been worried about you.” She frowned. “One thing doesn’t have anything to do with the other. I want to know what happened.”

“I trailed the culprit to a copse of trees near your cabin, where he jumped me from a tree and knocked me over the head.”

“Oh, no.” Her lower lip trembled, and she bit down on it, hard, to still the motion. “You could have been killed.”

“But I wasn’t. And that fact alone has me wondering what’s going on around here. The questions we’ve been asking have led to attempts on both our lives. We’ve got to find Willie Shore soon or I’m afraid that the next attempt will be successful. I need to talk to Queen.”

“Queen? What for?”

“Ian’s vanished, although the person I followed was large enough to be him. Ian seems to be pretty fond of Queen, and I thought she might be persuaded to tell me if he has a claim of his own or a friend who does.”

“You’d better let me talk to her.”

Alex’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Why?”

“You know how she is, Alex. She’ll just make a joke out of your questions. She doesn’t trust lawmen. I might be able to convince her to tell me something, woman-to-woman.”