Lone Star 04 (17 page)

Chapter 13

A razor-sharp line of shade angled across the dirt floor of the roofless building. Ki squatted on his heels against the wall and watched the girl. She moaned, frowned, and bit her lip, then finally opened her eyes.

“Damn, mister—what'd you
hit
me with, anyway?” She dragged herself to a sitting position and gingerly touched her jaw. “I got a bruise there? Jesus! I think you broke something sure!”

“Nothing is broken,” Ki assured her. “You have a small swelling, but it is not serious.”

Lucy gave him a narrow look. “Not for you, friend.”

“Lucy . . .” Ki let out a breath and folded his hands on his legs. “I know exactly how badly you are bruised, because I
know
how hard I hit you. A little harder and you'd have a fractured jaw. Harder than that and I would have snapped your neck. Then you would not be sitting there complaining.”

Lucy closed one eye. “You mean that, don't you?”

“Yes, I most certainly do.”

“You're pretty good at that stuff, aren't you? I'd sure like to learn some of those moves, whatever it is you call ‘em.”

Ki looked pained. “You're not going to
need
any more tricks, Lucy.”

“Oh, yeah, I keep forgettin‘.” She stuck out her lower lip in a pout. “You're going to take me back, right?”

“Yes, of course I am.”

“Or
try,
anyway.” She shot him a quick wink, blue eyes flashing with such a challenge Ki had to laugh in amazement.

“That doesn't mean a thing to you, does it? You're not even twenty-five, and you'll likely spend the rest of your life in prison, but—”

“Shit, mister—” She thrust out her chin and gave him a bold, penetrating look. “Talkin' about it and bein' there are two different things. Right?”

“No,”
Ki said flatly. He came to his feet and jabbed a finger in her direction. “In this case they are the same, Lucy. And the sooner you understand that, the sooner we can talk.”

“Jesus Christ—talk about what?”

“Going to prison for life, or going for only a short time.” He paused and looked down at her. “Or possibly—not going at all. Though I don't think that's too likely.”

“Oh!” Lucy threw back her head and laughed. “Here it comes at last. If I'm a real good girl, you'll put in a word for me with Jessica Starbuck herself. She'll pull some strings with the President or someone and I get off real easy.” Lucy's eyes went hard. “Not on your goddamn life, mister.”

“Not even on
yours,
Lucy? It really doesn't matter?”

“No, why should it?”

Ki almost believed her, but the faint spot of white at the corner of her mouth, the tight cords in her throat told him a different story. Lucy Jordan lied well with her eyes, but the rest of her body gave her away. Ki walked a few steps and put his hands in his pockets. “It's up to you, of course. I'm not sure Jessie will help, even if you give the right answers. She isn't too pleased with you.”

Lucy grinned at that and came to her feet, brushing the dirt off her denims. “Trouble is, friend, I don't
know
anything, though I don't reckon you an' Miss Starbuck'd believe that, would you?”

“You know who hired you.”

“Right. And so do you. It was Torgler. Now what the hell's
that
worth?”

“Nothing. Not by itself. But you've been around the man, heard him talk about his operation, the people he works for.”

“Torgler? Are you serious?” Lucy made a face. “That man's slick as a snake. He don't tell
any
body more'n they need to know.”

“You know about the wolves, Lucy. How does he work that? Who's in on it with him?”

“Hey, hold it now!” Lucy's eyes got wide and she shook her head firmly. “I don't know nothin' about that stuff, and I don't
want
to, either.”

Ki's eyes bored into her. “You expect me to believe that?”

“Believe whatever you want!” she said hotly, clenching her fists at her sides. “I was hired to get rid of Jessica Starbuck. Hell, there's no use lyin' about that. They want her out of the way, and they want her real bad. Torgler's got orders from someone a lot higher up on the ladder than he is, I know that much.”

“But you don't know who?”

“No, of course not.”

“You're sure?”

“Yes,
I'm
sure!”
Lucy stopped and ran a hand over her face. “Look, you know more about this setup than
I
do. It's big—real big. I'm hired help and that's all. High-priced help, maybe, but so what? All that does is get you a bigger wad of bills. It sure don't entitle you to know who's on the other end of it. In my business, that's not real healthy information to have.”

“Is that what you call it?” Ki asked evenly. “A business?”

Lucy gave him a nasty grin. “We going to talk ‘bout that now? How'd a sweet little thing like me get in the killin' trade?” She waved him off and handed him a sigh. “You mind tossin' me that canteen? I could sure use a drink, but I expect all you got there's water.”

“Yes, that's all.”

“Hell, I'll take what I can get.”

Ki picked up the canteen and tossed it to her by the strap. Lucy grabbed for it and missed, bent quickly to retrieve it, whirled about on her knees, and scooped a handful of dirt in Ki's face. Ki saw it coming, threw an arm in front of his eyes, and twisted aside as the canteen came at him from Lucy's other hand. She held it by the strap and whipped it at his head like a missile. Ki knocked it aside, grabbed Lucy's waist, and twisted her off her feet. Lucy yelled, clawed empty air, and hit the ground hard. Ki came down on top of her and slammed her wrists into the dirt. The girl squirmed to get her legs free and kick him, but Ki's whole weight was upon her.

“God
damn
you!” Lucy glared at him from under a tangled veil of hair. “I shoulda killed you back in Roster. I'd be long gone from this place if I had!”

“It's not because you didn't try,” sighed Ki. “Are you finished now? Can we stop this?”

“Just can't stand it, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Her lips curled in a sneer. “Bein' on top of a girl bother you all that much?”

Ki stared at her and laughed. “The town's way back there, Lucy. Yelling rape won't work this time.”

“Oh? An' who's callin' for help?” Her eyes flashed with mischief and she bit her lip in a grin. “Maybe if I just—struggled a little harder I
could—mmmmm,
yeah!” She looked right at him and ground her hips against him in a slow, undulating circle. “Am I—gettin' any closer to escaping?
Feels
like I might be making some progress ...”

Ki had to smile at her teasing. “I don't think you're escaping, Lucy, But you
are
making some progress.”

“Oh? Well, that's nice . . .”

It
was
nice, Ki had to admit. She knew just what to do and where to do it. The hard press of her pelvis searched him out, and his member grew steadily under her touch.

“Say, now . . .” Lucy's eyes sparkled with pleasure.
“Do
have some feelings, don't you? Kinda wondered about you...”

“Oh? And why was that?”

“I don't know, I just—oh,
yes!”
Ki thrust himself against her and she opened her eyes wide. “Can't . . . really remember at the moment... not when you do things like that . . .” Her mouth opened and her face flushed with color. Ki watched a vein throb in the long column of her neck. Her breath came in rapid little bursts, and her breasts stretched the worn fabric of her shirt.

Lucy caught his glance and mocked him with her eyes. “If you like that, why don't you unbutton my shirt and get a better look?”

“I was just thinking the very same thing.”

“Really? I never would've known.”

Ki released her wrists and she clasped them tightly around his shoulders. He ran his fingers quickly along the buttons of her shirt, baring the firm swell of her breasts. He slid the cloth aside and brushed his fingers gently across her nipples. Lucy groaned with pleasure at his touch. He stroked the silken nubs and felt them tighten under his fingers, saw them turn from dusty pink to the flush of scarlet.

“Ahhhh!” Lucy trembled and wet her lips. “Kiss them—please!” she begged him. “Now!
Now!”

“Would you like that?”

“Oh, yes!”

“They are very lovely.”

“Are they?”

“Yes. Hard and soft at the same time.”

Lucy shut her eyes. “Raise up a little. All right?”

“What?”

“No, don't stop
doing
what you're doing to me. Just—move a little so I can peel out of these damn trousers. Don't think I'm gonna need ‘em much longer.”

Ki grinned and obliged gladly, and Lucy's hand snaked down over her belly to struggle with her belt. He watched the delicious peaks of her breasts, marveling at the way her pert little nipples continued to grow. He bent to take the sweet nubs of pleasure in his mouth; the musky taste of her womanhood tingled on his lips and assailed his senses. The sharp, exotic flavor of her flesh heightened his excitement and sent a raw surge of heat coursing through his veins.

Lucy squirmed and arched her back, forcing her breasts into his mouth. Her hand worked frantically at her waist, tearing at the tight-fitting denims.

“Are they—good?” she whispered.

“Yes!”

“Nice little tits?”

“Yes,
Lucy!”

“Are—mine as nice as hers?” she said breathlessly. “When you put Jessica Starbuck's nipples in your mouth, do they—”

“No!” The words shook him, tore at his gut like a blade. He jerked up on his arms and stared. “That's not true,” he blurted. “I never—” Ki caught himself and stopped.

“Oh, my . . .” The surprise in Lucy's eyes narrowed to understanding. She held his gaze until Ki pushed her roughly away. He quickly got to his feet and turned from her, grinding his teeth to control his anger.

“It's that way, is it?” she said behind him. “You want to, but you haven't. Damn—you can't even think about it, can you? I see, now . . .”

“Damn it, Lucy!” He turned on her, eyes blazing with a fury that set her aback. “You see
nothing!”

Lucy raised a brow and shrugged. “Sure. Whatever you say, friend.”

“Where is your horse?”

“Huh?”

“I said, where is your
horse!”

Lucy stuck out her chin in a pout. “You want it, go find it!”

“Fine,” muttered Ki, I'll just do that.“ He prowled across the dirt floor like a cat, searching the ruins with his gaze.

“What you lookin' for?”

“My jacket.”

“Why?”

Ki stopped and turned on her. She stood against the far wall, hands on her hips. The stance threw the curve of one thigh into a sharp, provocative angle. She'd made no effort to buckle the denims. They still hung loosely over her hips, baring a patch of creamy flesh across the flat of her belly. The swell of her breasts pushed the open blouse aside, and a tumble of red hair veiled her face.

She looked at him and laughed. “Well, what're you starin' at? Go find the goddamn horse.”

“I will,” he said tightly. He picked up his jacket where he'd left it on the far side of the room and searched through the pockets. His own Colt, and the one he'd taken from her, were laid neatly in the fold. “Soon as I find some cord to tie you up.”

“To what?” Lucy blew hair out of her eyes and grinned uneasily. “Look, you don't have to do that. I'm not goin' anywhere.”

“Now why don't I believe that?”

Lucy opened her mouth to protest, then let out a breath and squinted at the open sky. “The horse is tied down by the creek,” she said wearily.

“Thought it might be.”

“And you don't have to tie me up. I can't stand bein' tied. I promise. Please? I'll stay
right
here.”

It was Ki's turn to laugh. “Don't be ridiculous, Lucy.” He found a length of cord and started toward her.

“Wait!” She stood up straight and held out a hand. “If I give you all my clothes, I
can't
go running naked around the countryside, now can I?”

“Lucy—”

Before he could stop her, she bent to yank off her boots and strip the tight denims over her legs. Throwing him a bold and saucy grin, she grabbed the open blouse and deliberately ripped it in two pieces and tossed the shreds of cloth at his feet.

Lucy spread her legs, put her hands on her hips, and sighed. “That's the
second
shirt I've torn up today, and I haven't
got
any more pants. So I'm sure not goin' anywhere. I'm ‘bout as jaybird-naked as a girl can get.”

Ki stared. “Yes. I—see that.”

Lucy gave him a wink. “Thought maybe you did.” She tossed a riot of flame-red hair over her shoulders and boldly thrust out her breasts. “Besides, friend, I kinda wanted you to see what you're missin‘. I'm not all
that
bad, am I? Couldn't we just take up where we left off and forget the damn horses? Honest to God, I didn't mean to say all that stuff, an' it's got nothin' to do with—”

Ki dropped his jacket, took two long strides, and drew her into his arms. Lucy gave a joyous little cry and thrust her lips hungrily up to meet him. Ki kissed her soundly, letting his tongue savor the warm, honey hollows of her mouth. Her fingers busied themselves with his trousers, tearing away at the buckle and the buttons underneath. She knelt to slip the fabric over his hips and down his legs. Her hair brushed his belly and the hardness of his thighs, the soft touch searing his flesh like a brand. Lucy's hands explored his belly, raced like fire along the small of his back, then finally came to rest between his legs. She raised her head then, and met his eyes longingly with her own.