Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" TV series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
He could not remember the last time he went to a fair but knew that if he did, he would have realised that it was with Sarah and Adam. That alone was enough to force the memory deep into the recesses of his mind, in the place reserved for all things that reminded him of that other life when he had been more than what he was, a gunslinger. He had been a father and husband in those days and the ache of wanting to still be that was a pain he was unprepared to endure by revisiting painful memories.
Of course, things changed. They almost always invariably did. He was not the loner that he used to be, not with six friends who now rode at his side and were closer to him than family. There was also Mary Travis, the fair haired widow whose spirited smile had been enough to shine some light on the darkness that had been his broken heart. Chris had never liked change but eventually he accepted it, even though the idea of such intimacy after the death of Sarah and Adam still terrified him.
So he was here now with Mary, surrounded by people enjoying all the entertainment that came with a fair, watching the jugglers, fire eaters and contortionists performing their tricks to gaping audiences willing to pay too bits for the experience. Elsewhere a number of pigs were being put through their paces as the hog tying competition swung into motion. Chris was almost tempted to go see how Buck was faring in the games, since his oldest friend had confessed a passing interest in competing. From the corner of his eye, Chris allowed himself a bemused smile as he saw JD Dunne staying very close to Casey Wells while keeping a watchful eye over one Bart Cook whom was gazing at her with obvious infatuation. The picnic basket auction was still some hours away and JD looked as if he was preparing to ride into battle in his determination to keep Casey's basket from any one but him.
Most of the faces that moved past him were people he did not recognise and that always made Chris uncomfortable. It was to be expected that new faces would appear for the anniversary celebration had attracted crowds' form all over the region. He was vaguely aware that Mary was saying something to him but his attention wandered from the gist of the conversation as his ice blue eyes studied the proceedings with predatory deliberation. It was too easy for one to let down one's guard in such surroundings and although the occasion was festive, Chris made sure that his gun belt hung securely around his waist.
He caught sight of Ezra and Julia Pemberton in the distance, walking towards the cotton candy vendor. With Ezra in his fancy clothes and Julia looking just as opulent, they looked more like on one of those couples that should be walking down a tree lined boulevard in Charleston or New Orleans. At that moment, it was not difficult to believe that they were perfectly suited for one another. No matter what Ezra might claim, Chris knew the beautiful Easterner was everything to him, even if he was perfectly aware of the devious nature hiding beneath those emerald coloured eyes.
"Chris, are you listening to me?" He heard Mary's impatient voice in his ears.
Chris turned away from the gambler and his lady to find that Mary had steered them in the direction of a stall serving refreshments.
"Sorry," Chris mumbled an apology. "What did you say?"
Mary rolled her eyes with a whimsical smile. "Would you like some lemonade?" She gestured to the stall being manned by a rosy cheeked girl with freckles and dark gold hair.
"Yeah, sure." Chris replied, his gaze still fixed on voluminous crowd that seemed to be growing by the moment. He had not believed that there were going to be so many people. He wished now that Nathan was coming back today instead of tomorrow from the Indian village. For a minute, Chris was tempted to ask the little girl if she had any whisky under the counter but decided against it since Mary probably would not get the joke.
God, he was mellowing with age.
He caught sight of Randall Mason standing before the shooting gallery. The foreigner was aiming intently at the painted target and Chris observed the way he handled the gun as he fired. The ominous Mr Rihs was no where present and it unsettled Chris to not know where the man was at this moment. Mason cleared all his targets quickly and had gathered a small collection of onlookers around him. Very soon, people were cheering him on as he continued firing with a perfect score of fallen targets.
Seeing him only made Chris turn to Mary who was picking up their drinks of lemonade from the young merchant before handing him a glass. She looked lovely today, wearing that yellow dress he liked so much. It always reminded him of sunshine, especially when she wore her golden hair loose over her shoulders. "Where is Alex today?" Chris asked in concern. Seeing Randall Mason had suddenly raised his interest regarding her whereabouts. He still had not been unable to shake that unhappy feeling that something coming at them over the horizon and whatever it was, it would Randall Mason who be leading the charge.
"She decided to stay at home," Mary answered, remembering the conversation she had with the lady doctor this morning. Alex had told her the specifics of her dinner engagement the night before and Mary recalled the silent kernel of fear in Alex's normally fearless eyes when she related those events.
"What's wrong?" Chris asked automatically, knowing something had to be wrong for anyone to stay in on a day like this. The sun was shining gloriously in the sky with not a cloud to be seen. This was the kind of day where no one had any business staying in, unless happy hour at Ezra's saloon was starting early.
"She's a bit disturbed about her dinner with Randall Mason." Mary replied, knowing whatever she said to him would be held in strictest confidence. Besides, Mary knew that part of his reason for asking that was due to the reservations he held about Mason. Judging from what Alex had told her, Chris' senses appeared to right on the money once again. Mary wondered what it must be like to go through life with such keen insight, particularly for trouble. "He proposed."
"Really?" Chris said neutrally but immediately felt a pang of worry for how Vin Tanner might take such news.
"She turned him down of course," Mary continued without missing a beat and eliminating that particular concern. "Apparently, she tried to be as diplomatic about it as possible but you can never make such news easy to hear." Mary sighed, remembering the disappointment on Gerard's face when she had rejected his proposal for marriage. Of course, thinking about it now, Mary could not understand what had led her to accept it in the first place.
"How did he take it?" Chris inquired, with no hint in his voice that he was sure the man would not have accepted the refusal well at all. Something in his eyes told Chris that Randall Mason was used to getting what he wanted and did not like being refused it.
"Not well," Mary replied, remembering the fear in her eyes as she explained it to Mary. "He became abusive about who she kept company with. Made some offensive remark regarding Ezra and then declared she would be his, no matter what. Suffice to say, it became ugly and she walked out on him."
"Any reason why she turned him down?" Chris wished that there might be some history of violence in his behaviour that could give the gunslinger the justification to throw his erudite ass in jail until Chris could work him over and convince him to leave. Something about Randall brought out the worst in him. Men who obsessed over women like Don Paulo would seldom release their insane grip until they or the women unfortunate enough to attract such madness were dead.
"Well she doesn't love him for a start," the widow pointed out. "Not to mention that she's doing what she adores in Four Corners. She has no wish to be trapped in someone's gilded cage."
Chris could understand that. He had seen her work with the sick and knew that it was not just a job for her, it was a calling. Nathan had that same gleam in his eyes when he tended to those who needed his healing. Chris appreciated how vital it was to them, to be able to do the things that they loved without inhibition or prejudice. It was almost as important as the air they breathed. "I'll keep an eye on him." Chris stated firmly, making no mention of the fact that he was already doing that.
"Could you please?" Mary looked at him with some measure of apprehension in her eyes. "I think Alex is more afraid than she lets on. Something rattled her last night Chris. I've seen her worried about patients and their lives but I've never seen the fear in her eyes that I saw this morning."
Chris instinctively shifted his gaze to Randall who was still at the gallery and was keeping his audience with his rifling skills. Personally, Chris was unimpressed by the man's apparent expertise and wondered if Randall could do the same while on horse back with a dozen guns aimed in his direction. "Might be an idea if she didn't hide in her house either." Chris pointed out, noticing that Mr Rihs was nowhere to be seen.
"Well, she'll be at the dance tonight." Mary said gingerly, wondering if Chris knew who was escorting Alex to the event. Part of Alex's anxieties was linked to the prospect that Randall may attend the dance that evening. The moment she entered the church hall with Vin Tanner, Randall was going to assume her refusal to his proposal was because of the handsome tracker.
"I thought she wasn't going." He remarked, still searching the crowd for any sign of Mr Rihs.
"She decided she would when someone asked her." Mary said quietly.
"So who is she going with?" He inquired. "I rather her go with one of us so that we can keep an eye on her if anything happens. No local with a bunch of flowers is going to stop Mason if he gets it in his mind to take her."
"She's not going with any one from town, not exactly." Mary bit her lip, deciding she was not going to have a choice but to disclose the identity of Alex's escort. It should not be any surprise to him really because he knew the same thing she did about the couple. However, Alex had not specified that she wanted everyone to know about it either.
"Mary," Chris looked at her impatiently, noticing that she unnecessarily stalling and she was never very good at it, like she was never good at lying either. "Unless she's going with a Mexican bandit she met in Purgatory, out with it."
"Vin."
That did give reason for Chris to fall silent. He merely stared for a moment and then mumbled. "I knew there was reason he shaved."
Conrad Rihs was a busy man. He had spent most of the two days in this god forsaken frontier village riding back and forth from an even more barbaric place called Purgatory. Although Randall Mason had believed that Alexandra Styles would accept his proposal of marriage and return with him to England, Rihs had been more realistic. Women were fickle things with no idea how they felt from one moment to another. He hated the sight of them and preferred to use them only for satisfying a bodily function. He would never be foolish enough to give one power over his existence as a wife.
When Randall Mason had employed Rihs, his new master had strict instructions of what he required from this journey to America. He wanted the girl and would accept nothing less. He was adamant in not leaving these shores without her. Rihs had been paid extremely well to ensure that would happen. After coming across the black garbed stranger, Rihs had made his inquiries, albeit a little more discreetly than his employer had done so. However, his questions were not about the lady doctor but about the gunslinger that seemed so concerned over their initial questions at the saloon.
What Rihs learned about Chris Larabee and the six men that rode with him were cause enough for concern. They were the law in Four Corners and if they felt so partial to Miss Styles, it was almost guaranteed they would keep her from harm if Randall attempted to extract her by force. Larabee was a gunslinger whose reputation until his arrival at Four Corners was fearsome to say the least. Here was a man walking the thin line between law and lawlessness, Rihs wondered what it took to upset that careful balance. Rihs only knew he did not want to find out.
He was hardly surprised when Randall's inquiries had provided him with more answers to his questions regarding the nature of the relationship between these seven men and Alexandra Styles. Apparently, she was involved with the gambler named Ezra Standish until recently, when he gave her up for the wealthy Emporium owner, Julia Pemberton. Rihs made inquiries about the seven men, finding out everything he could about them and filed it away for future reference. Just in case, he had ridden to Purgatory utilising the considerable purse at his master disposal and rounded himself almost twenty men who might be ready to ride at a moment's notice. Most had some previous altercation with the seven and were unwilling to seek retribution alone but with the strength of numbers, were eager to join the party.
Despite his paid loyalty to Randall Mason, Rihs had almost smiled when he heard the lady had rejected him the night before. Randall had been astonished by her rejection. Rihs had expected it. Alexandra Styles was stubborn and determined, qualities that would not lend itself to the domestic situation marriage to Randall would mean. With all doubt washed away in Randall's mind that he had no choice but to remove her against her will, he released Rihs from his leash. Returning to Purgatory while Randall played the part of the graceful but rejected suitor, Rihs found his twenty men and outlined the plan that would ensure the non-interference of the seven when it was time to take Alexandra Styles away from Four Corners.
Forever.
Alex had never felt so nervous in her entire life.
She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the skirt of the dress she bought herself, wondering if it needed further pressing and realising that it was probably too late anyway. Vin was due on her doorstep in the next few minutes, which left her little time to start backtracking on the momentous decision she had made in accepting his invitation to play her escort.
I can't believe a bought a new dress because of Vin Tanner.
This and other such frantic thoughts race through her mind as she examined herself in the mirror after donning on the dress she and Mary Travis had purchased only yesterday afternoon. The dress was scooped neck, which showed a little shoulder and accentuated her neck and the dark hair that hung against it. The colour was apricot, which seemed to match the dusky colour of her skin and she finished the outfit with a thin strand of gold around her neck. Deciding that how she looked would just have to do, Alex turned away from the mirror just as she heard the door knocking. Her stomach practically leapt in her throat as she heard the sound and her eyes darted to the doorway, like a terrified doe caught in a hunter's sights.
Taking a deep breath and finding that did nothing to calm the butterflies in her stomach, only made her swear and Alex realised, she had not felt this ridiculous since she was a teenager. Grabbing her shawl as she made her way down the corridor, she questioned once again the wisdom of doing this with Randall still in town. She knew precisely what he was going to think when she saw her at Vin's arm and more importantly, the insult he would perceive at having been rejected for a tracker with a price on his head and a dollar a day as an income.
Maybe so, she thought unconsciously, but Randall had never been able to make her heart stop with a just a kiss.
Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment at that involuntary thought and she calmed herself before opening the door. Vin stood before her and the reaction in his eyes was swift, even if the attempt to mask it was swifter. For that brief moment, she saw the sheer lust and desire in his eyes at how she looked and despite herself, Alex could not help smiling at being able to knock that unflappable expression of his face, even for the briefest instant.
Vin however, looked like Vin. Combed shaven and dressed in clean clothes but nevertheless still like Vin. He wore what he normally did, except his clothes were freshly laundered, the bandanna around his neck was absent and his collared shirt was buttoned up to the top. They examined each other for a moment, saying nothing at first but inherently pleased by what they were both seeing.
"You look like the prettiest ol' spinster woman I've ever met." He complimented breaking the silence as she invited him in while she collected her things.
"And this is what you look like when you've scrubbed up." She commented with a smile, the memory of his first impression still providing her with satisfaction as she grabbed her purse. "I'm impressed."
"Well," he shrugged. "I didn't want to go that much trouble," he said offering her his arm. "I'm only escorting you cause I feel sorry that you're at home pining away."
"Thank you," She said sarcastically, slipping her arm through his after they had stepped outside the house and she had shut the door. "Although I'll ask you to stop complimenting me, I can't take much more of your debonair charm."
He chuckled as they made their way into the street. The dance was being held at the local church hall and after the day's entertainment, there were still plenty of people on the streets. Coloured lights hung from the buildings and children ran around with sparklers and blowing bubbles with soapy water. A few people raised a brow or to at the sight of Vin and Alex together although most were unsurprised really. How many had seen her riding with him through the streets only two days before? Since she was counted in the circle of the seven, it was expected that she would be escorted by one of their number.
Four Corners had a magical lustre about it tonight, with the sparkling lights over head and the sparkles that moved with the sound of laugher until it disappeared into the distant sound of music coming from the dance hall. Other couples were making their way to the function, holding hands and looking a great deal more familiar with each other than this veil of awkwardness between Alex and Vin. However, as the curious looks faded and they neared the hall, it eventually faded away and Alex found herself relaxing in his company. It was almost like a visible shift in the wind when being with him slipped from uncomfortable to perfectly natural.
It was when the dance hall was in sight that Alex remembered that Randall Mason might be present.
"Vin." She paused suddenly, feeling the need to tell him because he had the right to know why if Randall chose to make a scene. What she saw in his eyes after his proposal and her refusal frightened her and she did not want Vin becoming caught in the crossfire between them. "Before we go in, I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" He tensed, praying she had not chosen to change her mind. She look so beautiful at this moment, Vin could not bear being away from her. He could smell the whiff of rose water against her skin and was longing to run his fingers through her hair. Alex had literally stolen his breath away during that first few seconds when he found himself staring at her through the front door like some stupid kid.
"An old friend of mine has come to town," she said quietly, finding it difficult to admit her relationship with Randall to Vin for some reason.
"That Mason fella." Vin nodded, pretending that he knew nothing about the man then what was generally known. In actual fact, Vin had made it his mission to keep the man under surveillance since Chris had given him the instruction. He knew about the dinner she spent with him the night before and had kept close eye on Alex when she had stormed out of the restaurant in nothing less than black rage. Vin had ensured that Randall returned to his hotel room and had not pursued her before he had retired to his wagon.
"That's him." Alex nodded, unable to meet his gaze as she summed up the courage to tell him the rest of it. "He asked me to marry him."
Vin showed no reaction because her abrupt departure from the restaurant had confirmed that the proposal had not been received well and she was with him now, instead of being with Randall. "Did you accept?"
"Of course not." She said exasperated, wondering how he could even think such a thing. Vin of all people should understand exactly why she could not accept such a proposal. "He didn't take my refusal well and he believes there may be someone else. He accused me of staying for Ezra." She snorted in obvious derision and completely sidestepped the issue of who she might really be staying for.
Vin did not press her on that point. "So what's the problem?"
"He may be at the dance and I don't know how he's going to take seeing us together. He scared the hell out of me last night Vin. I saw something in his eyes for a moment that put the fear of god into me. Its probably nothing but I thought," she paused to calm herself down. "I thought you ought to know."
He reached for her gloved hand, pleased because she had no interest whatsoever in Randall Mason and also because she had allowed him to see the vulnerable side of her which she permitted no one access. Vin could safely say that not even Ezra was aware of its existence until that fateful day when she had learnt about him and Julia. Entwining his fingers in hers as he had done once before, he looked into her eyes and replied softly. "I won't let him hurt you Alex."
Alex met that intense blue gaze and knew that he meant it and for some reason, that was enough to make her feel very safe indeed. She allowed herself a smile and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Be careful cowboy," she replied as she slipped her arm through his again. "I could get very used to you."
"I wouldn't," he said with a teasing smile. "I still think you're stubborn mule that needs whipping."
"Oh stop it," she insisted laughing, as they continued towards the church hall again. "This smooth talk is more than I can take."
"I don't believe it!" JD swore as he paced the floor near the refreshment table inside the hall. Although the expected number of people attending the dance had yet to make their appearance, there were still enough residents present to raise a brow at his irate behaviour. The church hall, which served more as a community centre these days, had suffered the transformation into dance hall with pleasant results. The decoration committee had spent considerable effort making the place look somewhat presentable for the purpose with soft lighting and floral arrangements in strategic places. While it certainly could not compare to the function halls of larger towns, no one seemed to notice as people filed into the building. The atmosphere was gay despite JD's awful mood.
Buck Wilmington was doing his level best to try and calm the boy down but it seemed pacification was not going to be quite enough when JD was this upset. JD was always a little hot headed but this latest situation had pushed the young man beyond what Buck was accustomed to, for him.
"Now JD," Buck said watching the young sheriff build his jealousy into a self-righteous fury that would be hard to contain if allowed to continue further. While ranting and raving in outrage, JD's eyes kept shifting towards the direction of the main doors, searching for the young lady whose absence was the cause of all this torment. "All fair's in love and war." When the words left his mouth, Buck winced inwardly and decided that perhaps that was not the best way to try and calm JD down.
"Twenty dollars!" JD exclaimed with as much disbelief as he felt rage. He mouthed the words as if that was all the money in the world and felt nothing less than pathetic because he had no more than ten dollars left in his pocket. "How did that rotten Bart Cook get $20 to buy Casey's basket?" He demanded, as if Buck could answer the question, which the older man obviously could not.
"I can't answer that," Buck confessed although he did understand JD's chagrin. After all, Casey was his girl and everyone in the town of Four Corners knew it. However, it was not like the girl had any choice in the matter. Casey was powerless to refuse the sharing of her basket once Bart Cook had won it fair and square in the auction. Unfortunately, Buck's attempt to explain that to JD was quickly straining his patience. With the hall filled with beautiful young ladies who appeared to be unescorted, it was driving him mad that he was not vying for their intentions, instead of playing nursemaid to a kid who was a hair's breadth from a nervous breakdown.
"Look JD," Buck trying to use logic since all other avenues had been exhausted. "Casey's your girl and no matter how much that horse's behind Bart Cook may have had to pay for her picnic basket, that ain't never going to change."
JD knew the older man was right but he could not help feeling jealous nonetheless. Part of him was still seething as he recounted the bewildered look on Casey's face when she realised he could not longer afford to stay in the bidding, to say nothing of the disappointment when Bart had won the basket instead. The look in her eyes was enough to make JD pull out his gun and shoot his rival if JD was anything but the sheriff of Four Corners. "I know you're right." He let out a defeated sigh after a moment and met Buck's concerned eyes with a wan smile.
"That's the way kid." Buck grinned and patted him on the shoulder.
Buck noticed Ezra and Julia were coming towards them and saw a solution to his immediate problem. JD should not be left alone, at least not when Casey and Bart made their appearance but Buck was itching to go find himself some female company. It did not help his state of mind to see that as always, Julia Pemberton looked spectacular, being clearly one of the loveliest women present, except for maybe Mary and Inez who were on the other side of the room with Chris and Josiah. Looking at her only brought a familiar twitch to Buck's baser instincts that required immediate satisfaction.
He left JD alone for a moment when the boy was pouring himself a drink from the large punch bowl and quickly intercepted Ezra and Julia before they reached him.
"How is Mr Dunne?" Ezra asked, perfectly aware of the black mood the youngest of the seven was currently experiencing. Although he had not made any bids for Julia, since he would have fainted in astonishment if he discovered she could actually cook to fill a basket, he had witness the usurping of Casey's basket from under JD's feet during the auction.
"Mean and fixing for a fight." Buck whispered out of JD's earshot.
"Poor thing," Julia smiled sympathetically in the boy's direction, feeling genuinely sorry for JD's misfortune. "I take it the young girl in question has not made an appearance."
"No," Buck shook his head, glancing at the door as she made mention of that. "It's driving him crazy and me." The tall man complained before lowering his voice and leaning closer to the gambler. "Ezra, there are too many ladies here for me to be sitting on the sidelines. I need to get on the horse. Could you please keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't tear Bart Cook apart when the idiot gets here with Casey?"
"Mr Wilmington, I have a lady at my arm, or did you not notice?" He glanced in Julia's direction. "I am hardly in a position to nursemaid JD."
"You owe me one." Buck pointed out.
Ezra blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"If you hadn't stuck your nose in and bought Inez's basket, I would have a chance at it." Buck said imperiously. "So I figure you owe me one."
Expecting that very thing to happen, Inez had requested that Ezra bid for her basket so that he could enjoy it with Julia and she would escape being trapped with Buck, who was determine to have her company for dinner. Thus at the bidding, Ezra had made a substantial contribution that kept Buck and anyone else from successfully winning the basket. Ezra could not even count the number of times Inez had resorted to this strategy in earlier such auctions and wondered when Buck would get the idea that she was just too smart for him.
"Oh just do it." Julia sighed; unable to stand this shameless display or the puppy dog look on Buck's face any longer. These friends of Ezra could be so tiresome, even if they were amusing in some twisted way. Still in choosing to love him, she had left herself vulnerable to all the peculiarities of his life.
"The lady has spoken." Ezra remarked and looked at Buck. "Happing hunting Buck."
"Why thank you Ezra." Buck smiled and tipped his hat at Julia for her assistance. He had no sooner turned to leave when suddenly his gaze caught sight of something that forced all present desire for female company from his mind. For awhile anyway. Buck gaped as he saw Vin Tanner and Alexandra Styles making their entrance into the dance.
"Well I'll be damned. That sly dog..." Buck mused with open amazement. "He didn't even say a word."
"What are you rambling about Buck?" Ezra asked, following the direction of his friend's astonished stare. Ezra's jaw dropped open at the sight of Vin escorting Alex into the room. In fact, it seemed as if everybody who saw them was being gripped with similar feelings of shock. Only Chris and Mary seemed unsurprised by their entrance. The gunslinger was staring at them both with a faint smile as Vin led Alex across the floor.
Despite himself, Ezra felt a tightening in his chest he could not understand. He supposed he had no right to feel anything about whom Alex chose to spend her time with, now that they were no longer associated in any way. However, he could not deny the unpleasant feeling that arose from seeing them together.
"My compliments to Mr Tanner." He said quietly, trying to avoid the hard stare that Julia was giving him.
"Damn!" Buck swore, feeling somewhat ineffectual at being beaten to the punch once again. "I knew it was too early for his weekly shave."
Ezra allowed Buck his tirade at he watched the couple cross the room. It did not help that Alexandra looked utterly stunning and there was not a man in the room who did not in some way feel a little envious at Vin's good fortune. With a soft sigh, Ezra found that he could not deny that they did indeed make a handsome couple, almost as handsome as Erza and Alex had been. Still, he was pleased that Alex was moving on with her life after his shameful behaviour towards her. Ezra could not begrudge Vin the right to try if he could make Alex happy.
"Regrets?" Julia made herself heard, clearly unimpressed by his reaction to Alex's entrance. Her eyes glared at him tempestuously.
Ezra turned to her and smiled faintly. "Always," he replied. "However, I have learned to deal with the cards I have been given."
"Surely you didn't expect her to pine away for you?" Julia said critically. "She is a very attractive woman. Someone was bound to come along." Even now, Julia still felt threatened by Ezra's history with the doctor. She knew she had his love but rivals were something Julia Pemberton never coped well with.
"I did not expect any such thing." He replied, trying to sound unaffected but could not quite manage it. Instead he took Julia's hand in his and held it to his lips so that she would understand that Alex could not come between his feelings for this hellcat he fallen for so deeply. "However, never let it be said I never turn the cards to my advantage."
"You're such a scoundrel." She smiled, knowing that his love for was as real as it had ever been and his present melancholy would fade soon enough. Ezra glanced in Alex's direction once again, when he caught of sight of someone else who captured his attention, almost as completely.
Randall Mason.
He was glaring at the couple with nothing less than black hatred hidden underneath a mask of indifference. Ezra, who was accustomed to seeing through such facades, shuddered at the intense rage he saw behind Mason's seemingly passive gaze. The foreigner and his companion, Mr Rihs followed Alexandra as she remained at Vin's side. After a moment, he whispered in Mr Rihs' ear and the tall, blond gentlemen departed. For some reason, Ezra did not like that one damn bit and made a mental note to bring this intelligence to Chris Larabee when the time allowed. Like Chris, Ezra felt the same apprehension about Mason's interest in Alexandra and like the gunslinger, Ezra knew that he was dangerous.
Alex was perfectly aware that Randall was watching she and Vin with barely concealed hatred. Outwardly, he looked the picture of calm but she knew what she had seen in the restaurant and the memory of it sent a chill running down her spine that prompted her to tighten her hold around Vin's arm. The tracker noticed the tension under her fingers and met her gaze. The apprehension he saw in her eyes gave him reason to be concerned.
"Don't worry," he said in that too soft voice of his that could be so reassuring and gentle at the same time. He had not missed the way Randall Mason had stared when they had walked into the room together and knew that her fears were not unfounded. His eyes followed them with such intense scrutiny that Vin had begun to question whether or not he would keep his distance during the course of the evening. Vin hoped the man did not intend to cause any commotion because he wanted this night with Alex to be special, not marred by unpleasantness.
"He ain't gonna do anything stupid in a room full of people." He said that mostly for Alex's benefit because she really needed to believe it.
Alex was not so sure but being with Vin did lend some comfort to her troubled state of mind when they finally reached Chris and Mary. It was bad enough that her arrival with Vin Tanner had engendered such an interested response from the rest of Four Corners but she did not need the aggravation of Randall's jealousy reaching some physical expression as well.
"I hope so." Alex replied but the doubt still lingered, as did the ominous presence of Randall's eyes upon them.
"Well that dress certainly did not look that good in the window." Mary smiled upon their approach, knowing how distressed Alex was with Randall Mason presence in the hall. Hopefully, a lighter subject might ease the tension now that the novelty of their arrival together had faded away. "I'm glad my second opinion helped." The widow said proudly.
Their arrival had surprised everyone, even those who weren't apart of the seven and their entourage. While it was known that Alex's relationship with Ezra had been dissolved for some time now, not many were aware or even suspected that she might have another man in her life and Vin Tanner could be considered an unconventional choice for such a refined and educated woman.
"Yeah, she does cleans up well." Vin teased with a faint smile.
"So do you for that matter." Mary pointed out with a raised brow, taking note of his tidier than normal appearance. She supposed that it was too much to ask to expect him to leave the buckskin jacket in his wagon but at least it appeared to have been recently cleaned. In truth, Mary could not imagine Vin in anything else.
Vin shrugged and noticed Chris had made no response. The gunslinger's attention seemed focussed on Mason across the room. Knowing what women were like when they got together, Vin left Alex in the company of Mary and Inez, while he spoke to Chris privately.
"Trouble?" He asked, knowing that intense expression on Chris' face well enough.
"You might have told me." The older man replied, ignoring the question.
"It ain't anyone's business but my own" Vin answered stiffly, suddenly feeling as if Chris was disapproving of his asking Alex to the dance. A bubble of anger surfaced involuntarily, even though he knew he ought to hear his best friend out before leaping to conclusions.
"Come on Vin," Chris said quickly, realising his remark might have been mistaken and not wishing to be. Inwardly, he was pleased that Vin had finally taken that all-important first step in making his intentions known to the doctor, however, his timing was ill planned. It should not have to weather the complication of Randall Mason's presence and Chris worried if his arrival with Alex might not ignite the powder keg that was Mason's obsession with Alexandra Styles. "I didn't mean it that way. It's just that this might not have been the best time for it."
His words echoed back to the speech Chris had given Vin when he had returned Charlotte to the wagon trail months before. Everyone had been perfectly aware of what had transpired between them and all had been quick to lay blame and make judgements. Chris had been the only person who had said nothing about his actions and had tried to advise him without actually interfering. Vin had appreciated it then and felt guilty in thinking Chris would react any differently now.
"I can handle it." He said quietly.
"I'm not worried about you," Chris answered and met his eyes directly. "I'm worried about her." He glanced momentarily in Alex's direction. "A man does crazy things when he thinks a woman might be cheating on him and Mason's crazy enough to believe that Alex is his to feel the same."
To that, Vin could not disagree. However, he was unwilling to let Alex cower in fear either while the man was in town. Perhaps, if Mason understood that Alex had genuine reasons for staying in Four Corners, he might be willing to abandon his hopeless quest for her hand in marriage. Still, Chris had a better scent for trouble than any man alive and Vin had learnt to trust that instinct explicitly. Despite his pleasure at being with her tonight, he could not deny that he was afraid for Alex as well.
"Its too late now." Vin sighed and noticed Mason had turned his attention away from Alex, once he became aware that Vin and Chris were studying him with equal scrutiny. He disappeared into the crowd and Vin hoped that would be the end of it for the night. Unfortunately, Chris' words could not be easily disregarded.
Chris noticed the uncertainty in Vin's face and felt slightly guilty for berating the younger man for something that was not at all his fault. Chris knew how difficult it was for Vin around women. The tracker had always seemed to shy away from them, as if the lack of human contact had made him uneasy at how he should behave in their company. Chris had never even seen him with a working girl and while he knew Vin was susceptible to a pretty face as any other man, he had never known Vin to take an interest beyond that.
Charlotte had been a turning point for Vin that even Chris recognised, even if the relationship was doomed to fail from the beginning. It had never occurred to Vin that a woman might find him attractive enough to pursue and Charlotte's interest alone had made Vin believe that it was warranted devoting himself to her completely. It pained Chris to see Vin so lost in his infatuation for the woman because even Chris had some idea how it would play out in the end. Vin barely understood why he loved her other than the fact that the intimacy felt good. Until then, Chris believed the very idea of it had never even occurred to Vin.
Josiah's return with some drinks for the ladies broke the silence as the preacher eyed both men, wondering what words had been exchanged in his absence. There seemed to be an underlying vein of tension pulsing between them. Like the rest of Four Corners, Josiah had been mildly surprised to see Alex and Vin arrived together although in the preacher's assessment of things, the surprise was a pleasant one. Two people who were capable of creating the sparks that were Alex and Vin had done over the past months were meant for something more than petty bickering. In some sense, Josiah thought they were better suited for one another than Alex and Ezra ever could be.
"Something up?" He asked suspiciously, looking for Mason whose presence in Four Corners took on an even more ominous potential in the face of Vin's interest in Alex.
"No, not really." Chris shook his head, giving Vin a silent acknowledgment that every was all right. "Just making sure Mason doesn't do anything stupid."
"He wouldn't here." Josiah reminded.
"You're probably right," Chris relented, wondering if he was not being a tad paranoid. Being naturally suspicious had kept him alive and these days, he used the skill to keep his friends the same way. However, sometimes even Chris Larabee had to let things happen at their own pace. If there were trouble, they would deal with it when it came. "Go on Vin, have a good time. We'll keep an eye out for him and cover your back if need be."
Vin offered Chris a small smile of thanks before he rejoined Alex. The band has started playing a short time ago and although it was no more than quartet whose instruments included a fiddle and an organ, the music was lively and had attracted couples to the floor. When Vin and Alex joined them, the band had started playing a waltz and Chris noted with amusement that it was Alex who seemed more comfortable with it that Vin. The tracker kept glancing at his feet as they moved across the floor.
"You think there's going to be trouble?" Josiah asked, not believing for one moment what Chris had told Vin a minute ago.
"Lots of it." Chris said tautly.
"See this isn't so hard," Alex replied as she and Vin did the waltz. Actually, she waltzed and he tried not to step on her feet. He was watching her movements and letting her guide him to where they were supposed to go because this was not like a barn dance where it was not important where his feet went. Until now, he had never been bothered by his lack of social graces because there had never been a need for it when one was alone most of the time. When he was buffalo hunting, there were periods when he did not see anyone for weeks, let alone the necessity to learn how to behave properly in front of a lady or the refinements of learning how to dance.
"Speak for yourself," he returned still focussed on the steps. "I once tracked a killer during winter in the snow across two states before I got him. Almost got myself killed a dozen times from frostbite and being shot at. That weren't as hard as this."
Alex chuckled softly, becoming carried away by the music and the idea of being with him. The concentration on his face as he tried not to step on her toes was so utterly endearing that Randall Mason had been banished into the back of mind. Once again, Alex found another reason to feel glad that she was decided to accompany him this evening. In fact, it was surprising how easy it was being with Vin Tanner once her initial reservation had faded.
When Vin held her like this, Alex could well understand how she had almost succumbed to him in Agnes Doherty's cabin. A part of her was almost sorry that she had not, considering what had awaited her when she did finally return to Four Corners. Instinctively, she found her gaze searching for Julia Pemberton who was also dancing with Ezra not far away.
Strangely enough, she felt none of the anger towards the couple she had suffered during the first few weeks after her split with Ezra. While she would never like Julia, Alex could safely say that she no longer felt anger towards Ezra. The gambler caught her staring as he danced with his partner and offered a faint smile which to his surprise, Alex returned it without any trace of hostility or resentment. Her response sent a wide grin across Ezra's face, as he understood for the first time that he was forgiven and things between them were finally righted.
"How you doing cowboy?" Alex returned her attention to Vin who was confident enough to look away from his feet.
"I feel like a damn fool." He muttered unhappily. "Whose idea was this again?" He asked jokingly.
"As I recall yours," she reminded. "Something about saving me from pining at home alone in my old spinsterhood?"
"Oh yeah," he smiled. "I remember. I was taking pity on you."
"You're such a humanitarian," she laughed, wondering if the reason she liked him so much was for the delight he took in trying to provoke her. "What would I do without you?"
"Probably turn into a mean ol' cuss with vinegar in your veins." He teased, pulling her closer to him and revelling in secret delight when she did not pull away.
"Flatterer." She laughed.
After a moment, Alex found herself asking the question that had been on her mind for some time now. This seemed a good a time as any to ask. There was something strangely private about dancing the waltz even though people surrounded them. "Vin, why did you stay away? After I found out about that Ezra that is." After what they had shared together during their time in the mountains, it had surprised her somewhat how absent he had been. She had expected him to be at her doorstep because she knew he cared for her; he had as much as said so despite his strange sense of humour.
Vin looked at her with those intense eyes of his and considered her question. "Cause it only complicated things. You wanted Ezra and only Ezra then."
Alex nodded, understanding his reasons with what he did not say rather than what he had. He did not want to take advantage of her vulnerability in the face of her rejection and Alex could admit now, that she had been hurt enough to allow him to do so, had he been unscrupulous enough to try. Hearing him say that only deepened her feelings for him and she knew with increasing certainty that what she felt for Vin Tanner was no passing interest. There was something safe and inviting about his affections for her, it was something so tangible that she could wrap in its warmth.
"May I cut in?" A voice broke in.
Randall Mason stood before them, waiting expectantly for an answer. There was no signs of his earlier hostility on his face, merely polite anticipation of their reaction. Vin made no move to release his hold on her as they stopped dancing nor did he like the idea of relinquishing Alex to Randall's ministrations.
"I don't think the lady would like that." Vin said coolly, betraying nothing of the menace he felt towards Mason and his obsession with Alex. Once again, Don Paulo's reaction to Buck surfaced in his mind.
"No it's all right," Alex spoke quickly, meeting his gaze to indicate she did not want to make a scene. If a simple dance with Randall would keep the peace, she could endure it. Alex hoped Vin could as well. "Please, Vin." She smiled faintly, reassuring him that she would be fine.
Vin did not like the idea at all but he was not about to embarrass her in public by getting into a brawl with this stranger. At least not yet. "I won't be far away." He replied giving her a look of reassurance and one of clear warning in Randall's direction as he withdrew from the floor and left her to him.
Once he was gone, Alex resumed dancing with Randall, trying not to feel apprehension as they moved across the floor. She noticed Vin had taken position next to Josiah and both men were keeping close eye on her. Knowing that they were close at hand alleviated Alex's agitation somewhat. She had no idea if Randall meant her any genuine harm or not but ever since their dinner, she was uneasy at being anywhere near him. Alex was certain of what she had seen in his eyes, not to mention the way he had spoken to her after she had refused his offer of marriage.
"There's no need to be afraid of me Alexandra," he said as they danced to the rhythm of the music. The band was playing Clementine and the soft tone of the music only made the unreality of this all the more potent. While Vin had been uncertain in his steps, Randall was confident and took the lead almost immediately. And still she wished it was the tracker who here instead.
"You made some very strong statements Randall," Alex replied coolly, determined not to let him upset her. "I believe there is reason to be cautious."
"I apologise," he answered with a facade of genuine sorrow which she knew to the core of her was false. "My disappointment allowed my anger to get better of me." He smiled with perfect teeth on a perfect face that seemed completely devoid of anything that might be construed as a real emotion.
"I'm sorry you came all this way to find me Randall," Alex said softly. "But we've always been friends. Your proposal took me surprise to say the least. I don't want to hurt you but I've ties here that I'm not prepared to leave."
"Like him?" Randall glanced in Vin's direction. Vin's dark blue eyes did not shift from her while she was anywhere near Randall. The distaste in Randall's voice and face was apparent and only serve to incense Alex to no end.
"Vin Tanner has nothing to do with my decision." She replied automatically. "I do not wish to marry you." However, even as she made the statement, Alex felt a pang of guilt knowing that part of her refusal had to do with that very reason. Her feelings for Vin were coming into full flower and the idea of marriage to Randall was not only abhorrent but also unimaginable in the face of that realisation.
"I find that very hard to believe." Randall retorted, undeceived by her denial. "He doesn't appear to behave like someone with a casual interest in you and if I might say so, neither do you."
"My relationship with Vin none of your business," Alex felt her calm beginning to slip now that she was caught out. The impudence of him was wearing away her desire to remain civil. It gnawed at the pit of her that she had once shared a bed with this man with no idea of what kind of person he was beneath that practised veneer of charm. "Even if I had nothing to do with him, I still would not marry you."
"You would waste your time and effort on that skinned clad barbarian?" He sneered. "What possible interest could you have in him? I wager he hasn't got a cent on him and probably never will, that is if he doesn't get himself killed first in a primitive shooting ritual common to these backwater villages."
Hearing him insult Vin like that was the last straw and she tore herself from him savagely. Alex stepped back, glaring at him in pure venom while people continued dancing around them. "Maybe he isn't rich and perhaps he will die young but I would rather spend my life with him in absolute poverty than living it wealthy as your glorified pet." She snapped viciously and turned to leave.
Randall caught her in two steps and spun her around, his hand grabbing her chin roughly before Alex was even aware of anything else. She felt his fingers digging into her skin as he pulled her face close to him. "You will be mine Alexandra." He hissed softly so that only she could hear him speak. The mask of charm had disappeared and she saw the yellow eyes of a rabid animal. "I won't let you go. Not now. Not ever. I've killed to get you once before, I won't hesitate to do it again."
"Let her go." Vin's voice cut through his words with the sharpness of a knife. Alex felt a flood of relief when Randall's finger relaxed his grip and she saw Vin coming to her defence. She staggered back in shock when he let her go, unable to believe that he had actually behaved this way in front of the entire town. However, her ears were ringing with his words and she was trembling by the possibility of what Randall had meant when he said he had killed to get her once before. The implication was disturbing to say the least and added a new dimension to her already rising fear of what he was capable.
No sooner than Randall had turned around to face him, Vin flattened him with one blow. There was a loud crack of sound that brought the music and the revelry to an abrupt halt as Randall fell flat on his back when Vin's fist met him squarely in the face. Vin hardly blinked when he turned his attention immediately to Alex, the cold hatred towards Randall had evolved into warm concern for her. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," she nodded wildly, feeling an intense wave of embarrassment at the eyes staring at them. Randall was still on the floor. Although he had not been knocked unconscious, he nevertheless appeared dazed as he struggled to recover from the blow and made an ungainly attempt to rise to his feet.
Chris Larabee stepped out into fray, somewhat unsurprised by the turn of events. He had almost expected this situation to come to ahead if his instincts about Randall were correct. He took up position next to Vin, showing his solidarity with the tracker's actions. If that had been Mary in Alex's position, Chris would have done a lot worse. Vin's reaction had been mild in comparison to what the gunslinger would have been under the same circumstances. Across the hall, the rest of the seven were watching the events with equal interest. All were standing by in case their assistance was needed. It seemed unlikely because Randall was alone since even his companion; the silent Mr Rihs was no where in sight.
"I think you have all the answers you need from the lady." Chris said to Randall who had finally stood up shakily, holding his bleeding nose. Despite the injury, the man's eyes were points of crimson fire and Chris had no doubt that was killer rage that he was aiming at Vin Tanner's direction. "Miss Styles would rather you leave her alone. I suggest you do so."
"Or what?" Randall snarled, wiping the rivulet of blood from his nose. He glared at Alex with such intensity that it made her shudder and suddenly, she needed to get out of this place, away from all the eyes that were staring at her and the drama unfolding. She was a private person by nature and this entire spectacle had been too public for her liking.
"Or I'll throw your ass in jail and let you rot there." Chris replied with an expression of ice.
"On what charge?" Randall asked derisively. "Dancing with a lady?"
"You were doing a hell of lot more than that!" Vin declared vehemently before Chris could answer.
Chris silenced the younger man with a look, indicating in his steely gaze for Vin to let him handle this. "Harassment." Chris stated simply. "Until I can think of something else." The gunslinger smiled with a predatory gleam in his eyes that looked more sinister than the words tumbling from his lips. "Trust me, you don't want to be around when that happens. I can be mighty creative. Now you've caused enough disruption to the local events, I suggest you leave."
Randall looked around and saw Ezra and Josiah stepping forward, to illustrate the point that Chris was making. Even Buck had left the young woman he was attempting to seduce and made himself noticed. With his height, it was not difficult. JD merely shifted his coat, to allow the glimmer of Silver Star on his vest to capture Randall's eye and ensure that Chris' claim was perfectly legal. The foreigner's eyes narrowed at the realisation of the odds he was facing and what would happen if he decided to ignore Chris' suggestion. It was gamble he was not willing to take at this point.
"This is not over Alexandra." He turned to her sharply as he prepared to leave. "You will marry me. Willingly or not." With that he stormed out of the place, leaving Alex visibly shaken.
"That man is crazy." Vin said with utter conviction as he saw Randall disappeared out the door.
"Yeah," Chris agreed. "That he is."
"I need to get out of here." Alex whispered. Her eyes met Vin's. "Can we go, please?"
Chris glanced at Vin and nodded his agreement that it was probably a good idea because Alex was visibly distressed and with Mason the way he was at the moment, it was not wise to let her go anywhere alone. The threat he had made was real as was the intention to drag her from Four Corners, kicking and screaming if he could have her no other way. Chris had better think of something fast because he could see trouble coming like a twister in the desert.
"I'm sorry Alex," Vin apologised once they had left the church hall behind and made their way back to her house. The night had been all to brief and Vin felt a surge of disappointment at the way things had played out. He had not intended to let his anger get the better of him but when he saw Mason manhandling her like property, it snapped the reason inside of him. Vin had crossed the floor before he was even aware that his feet were moving.
He regretted the action now, wishing that there had been a more amicable way to settle the situation, without resorting to violence and making a public display. There was a persona which Alex allowed people to see and one which was private and reserved for those who were counted as friends. She remained cool and professional for most people because they needed to see her as the confident doctor. She rarely gave evidence of the woman beneath that identity of the healer. After her initial quarrel with Ezra regarding Julia Pemberton, Vin knew she took great pains to keep her private life from the public eye so he could only imagine her mortification at this moment. The entire town was now aware of her private difficulties and he could tell by the look in her eyes that disturbed her greatly.
Nevertheless, she still managed to look at him with bewilderment following his apology. "Whatever for?" She asked mystified.
"For making a scene." He said sombrely. "I knew you didn't want one."
Alex shrugged. "I'm not happy at the way things turned out Vin but it was not your fault. He was hurting me and you stepped in. I'm not upset at you, I'm grateful." As if to illustrate her point that she was not at all angry at him, she linked her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder.
Vin found himself warming to the affection she was showing him and lowered his head gently into her hair to take a deep breath of it. He could smell the fragrance of rose water against her skin. "I'm not too happy about leaving you alone tonight." He admitted when the reached the steps leading to the front door of her home. Like Mary Travis, Alex had followed the newspaperwoman's example by purchasing a dual storey home, with her clinic located on the lower floor. She had gone to considerable expense to convert the storage space above the main floor into a set of rooms that she could inhabit.
"You think he'd try something?" She asked seriously.
"He might." Vin answered truthfully, wanting her to understand that this was not a clumsy attempt at seduction. Vin would not know how to any way. That was Buck's department.
"Well," she sighed. "Come upstairs and we can figure something out." She was disappointed with how the evening had ended because she had really started to enjoy herself. Alex had liked being escorted by Vin to the dance and was having a good time until Randall's unwanted intrusion.
Alex opened her door a moment later and stepped into her kitchen. She had expected to be out for hours and bristled with annoyance that Randall Mason had ruined a potentially delightful evening. She was so furious she could spit.
"I'm going to have to do something about that man." Alex said as she closed the door after Vin had entered. "I can't just let him intimidate me with like some bully."
"He does want you real bad." Vin agreed with her assessment of situation. "I can't say I understand why though." He met her gaze with a slight smirk, hoping the remark would ease her tension slightly. "You are a real pain in the ass."
"How would you know?" Alex retorted, staring at him with a similar teasing smile. "I haven't done anything to your ass." She then added with raised brow. "Yet."
He stared at her intently for a moment, trying to decide how to respond to that remark. "Yet?" He almost stumbled with the word but managed to maintain his composure.
Alex was suddenly aware of some forbidden barrier between them had been breached. In an instant, she thought of all the reasons why she had held back with Ezra and with him. In the face of what Randall demanded from her, Vin's gentle approach was compelling and she could think of no reason to keep him at arm's length any longer. Tonight had proved one thing to her. She cared about him a great deal, more than Alex had ever suspected, despite the adversarial nature of their relationship. Ever since that night in Agnes' cabin, despite how she might have told herself that it was merely an aberration, she had longed for the moment when she might enjoy his touch again.
"Yet." She whispered in a tone that promised all sorts of things in that one word.
The measured calm bled from his features to be replaced by a deep seeded hunger that awaited expression once he summed the courage to proceed.
"Vin." She gave him an enigmatic smile and hoped that was enough.
"Yeah." He replied quietly as the same thought moved through his mind and suddenly words seemed unimportant in the light of what he saw in her eyes.
His mouth was on hers even before he was aware that he had crossed the narrow space between them. He met her lips with such hunger that she was almost swept off her feet as Vin sent her stumbling backwards by the force of his passion. They came to a stop at the edge of the kitchen table and caused it to screech when their weight slid its wooden legs across the polished floor until it could go no further. Neither was aware of anything except that they were halted against its obstruction.
Vin did not care where they were only that he had her and her lips were parting for him, allowing his tongue entry as he kissed her with all pent up desire that had been driving him insane with longing over the past few months. Ever since that night in the cabin, he had had relived how she had tasted, how her body had reacted to his touch with as much desire to be possessed as he had wanted to take her where she stood. Those few minutes before she had pushed him away had made Vin so hard and excited that he was rather surprised that he had let her go, instead of compelling her to remain and finish what they had started. He knew it would not have taken much to force her to yield for Vin had sensed how much Alex had needed him too.
In any case, it did not matter now as he felt his body pressed against her. The heat of her mouth and her feverish hands running up his back and through his hair bespoke that there would be no turning back for her now. His own hand kept her firm body securely against his while Vin relished the feel of her breasts forced up against his chest so closely that he could feel her nipples straining through the thin cotton of her dress. It made him stiffen just thinking about running his fingers tips over those erect points of flesh until he was starting to feel somewhat trapped inside his clothes. However, he contented himself by slipping those fingers through that sheen of dark hair, his arousal continuing on its juggernaut pace by the feel of those luxurious strands against his skin
Alex ran her fingers through his dark hair, pulling him closer to her until she was no longer sure where his lips began and hers ended. She could feel his tongue exploring her mouth, delighting in the secret game it played with her own. Alex felt her heart pounding at the taste of him and she took greedy breaths of his scent of leather and soap. She was vaguely aware that his hand was snaking up her hip, his fingers caressing the length of her until it came to a stop under her breast. There was a moment when she felt him hesitate. Alex knew he did not want him to stop and so she guided his hand upward to complete the rest of the journey, cupping his palm over her breast.
With permission granted, instinct took hold and Vin began kneading the soft flesh through the rough fabric. His fingers sought the edge of her neckline and plunged beneath the material as he searched through the layer of cloth to find the nipple that was driving him to distraction by his inability to touch it bare. When his fingertip made contact, she uttered a soft moan of pleasure that elicited a growl of sheer lust from him as he teased and taunted the tiny nub of erect flesh. The twinge of arousal she was feeling had became a desire of raw and wanton proportions as she pulled the dress further down her shoulder, allowing his hand more access to her.
Vin was breathing hard but he paused long enough to smile at her before continuing to tease the nipple into such excitement that it had contracted to half its side under his devoted ministrations. Alex shuddered in nothing less than pure craving as he played havoc with her body, unable to believe that any man could make her so completely lost to sexual desire. She was not even conscious of it when she started tearing at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin and make him quiver, the way he was doing to her.
Vin felt her nails on his shirt buttons and hardly cared that some of them were torn away when she yanked the uncooperative ones apart. Their mouths were still fused to each other and he could feel her kisses becoming more passionate, more searching as she started darting her tongue through his mouth now, taking the initiative. Submitting for now, he felt his mind swim with raw aching as she took charge of his mouth, burying in his lips in a flurry of sensuous kisses. His hand was still on her breast and each time he squeezed her nipple, Vin heard her moan into his mouth and knew that if he did not get out of his pants soon, he was going to tear through it. His cock was so hard, he could barely think and Vin wondered if she had any idea at all what sweet torture this was for him.
Alex had some idea but at the moment, she was more interested in exploring the body that had been taunting her the past months. She seen him without a shirt only once before and that occasion had been in the middle of surgery. When her palms slipped past the folds of shirt, slipping over the smooth skin of his chest, Vin felt the heat of her fingers tip surge down his chest, past his belly before it centred right in his groin. Her touch travelled through him like lightning, pouring into him and at finding nowhere else to go, expanded his cock even further to accommodate the intense feeling. He groaned involuntarily, unable to hide the effect on his throbbing erection as her hands did their worst. Vin reacted with a slight shudder as he felt her hands explored the hairs in the hollow of his chest, before her palm grazed his nipple and drew a pleasured sigh from him.
The response was precisely what she wanted to hear and suddenly Alex was pulling at his shirttail, wanting him free of the confining material She wanted to see all of him and quickly slid her hand over the braces holding up his pants. They slipped of his strong shoulders with little resistance and she was still dizzy from his mouth, when she finally freed him of the shirt and let it fall to the floor along with that damn buckskin jacket he was so fond hiding within. Alex was still kissing him seductively when she ran her palms over the smooth lines of his back, delighting in every curve of muscle as she caressed the skin of his stomach and then travelled up his chest. When her palms touched his nipples, she was rewarded with another breathless sigh and that aroused her as much as it did him.
Breaking away from his mouth, she saw the question in his eyes but allowed him a wicked smile before she let her lips to slide down his neck. Her tongue laved down his skin, to the chest that was so lithe and taut, that it begged for the attention. Alex could hear him starting to pant, as he mouth tasted the skin of his chest in her descent down his body. She felt Vin tense as her mouth moved further down the tuft of hair in the small hollow of his chest, before finding the erect tip that had caused such acute sensation. She took the nipple in her mouth, swirling the tip of her tongue over its tight plateau and immediately felt him stiffen as the pleasure overtook him.
"God," he whispered in a ragged breath.
Alex smiled, enjoying the ability to make him squirm for once. She looked up to see his eyes closed, enjoying the sensations as her mouth assaulted him with the light touch of her tongue, stroking him evenly as her other hand teased his other nipple. Alex felt a surge of moisture between her legs at the sight of his quivering lips as she nibbled at the erect nub of flesh like it was the tastiest thing on earth. She could tell his breath had quicken by the tension of his tightening stomach muscles and that observation made her aware of something else that required as much attention.
She slid down his body, leaving his chest as she trailed kisses down his stomach, nuzzling against the fine hairs that made his skin feel like velvet. When she breathed against it, she could seem them immediately standing on end as he groaned quietly, struggling to maintain some semblance of control as she inched closer to his most private of places. Alex paused when she reached the buttons of his pants and took note of the stiffening erection that was straining against the material with rising anticipation of how it would feel inside her. Not yet though, she smiled wickedly to herself. Rubbing her cheek gently against the outline of thick muscle, Alex heard him shudder in delight while at the same time fighting the urge to not to thrust his hips at her in the overwhelming need for stimulation.
Vin watched Alex remove his gun belt from around his waist and then started working on the buttons on his pants. Each time she freed one, Vin could almost feel the pressure building inside his cock from the sheer anticipation of what she would do when she finally undid all them all. By the time, she had reached the last one, Vin had to struggle to contain himself when he saw her kneeling down before him in clear indication of what he was in for. Vin's eyes widened and his breath quickened when he felt her hands enclose his throbbing shaft after she had pulled down his pants.
"Oh Christ." He moaned as he felt Alex's hands freeing his cock from his confinement before those lips, those beautiful, perfect lips were on him....
The pleasure of it was beyond description as the wet heat of her mouth swallowed his throbbing member as far as it would go down her throat. Vin had to grip the table or else he would have lost complete control and start thrusting. There was no way to adequately describe what it felt like to have her hand pump him into her mouth, how exquisitely her tongue slipped over the head of his cock while her other hand slid over his rear and held him in place. After awhile he heard moaning. Vin had this vague idea that it might be coming from him but he could not really tell because all he could feel was that incredible mouth, sucking, stroking and licking him with such salacious determination that he was all but lost in its thrall. Vin watched completely mesmerised as her lips glided over the length of his shaft, before centring on the head where she sucked insistently on the sensitive tip and forced another groan of utter pleasure from him.
"God Alex," he groaned. "That's so good..."
She did not answer and Vin was glad that she did not because her lips would have had to stop what they were doing for that and right now, he could not bear to have that delicious mouth leave him. He felt almost selfish when all he do in response to these wonderful sensations was to stand there and take it while she delivered to him the most mind numbing oral experience he had ever endured in his life. Where on earth did she learn to do this? Vin wondered and then realised half a second later, he really did not care as long as she did not stop. Vin could do think of nothing but the mouth and hand that was working his cock with expert caresses. Alex alternated from sliding over his shaft with her mouth and then pumping it when she reached the tip again. She continued this way for several more minutes, until Vin was so mindless with pleasure that he knew he had to stop her or else he was going to come in her mouth.
The image of that in Vin's mind was enough to almost make it a reality as he started to feel himself slipping. That brought some clarity to mind because he did not want to climax unless he could share it with her. As it is, he was dangerously close to the edge and any more of her mouth and he was going to go over it sooner than he liked. Somehow, he managed to let his hands find her shoulders and gently, he started raised Alex to her feet once again. When her lips released him, Vin had to choke back the sob that threatened to escape him from the cessation of such sweet pleasure. He was still shaking from what she had done when Vin lifted Alex onto the table.
"I want to come inside you." He whispered huskily in her ear as he met her gaze with his dark eyes before his mouth found hers again. Her lips were still moist and he wanted to lavish upon them the agonising pleasure she had just given him. Vin was perfectly aware of how to do that as his hands started tugging at the sleeves of her dress, forcing the material down the length of her arm before leaving her lips as he eased her back against the table. Very soon, she was free of the dress all the way to her waist and all that separated him from her skin was the corset and chemise.
"You're so beautiful." He said admiring her as he started undoing the corset, working deftly to remove the knots that held the garment together. Alex blushed slightly at the remark, feeling strangely vulnerable now that he had the upper hand. Very soon, she lying before him naked from the waist down, burning with anticipation at what he would now do to her. Vin licked his lips in sheer lust as he glided his hands up the length of her body, savouring the taut skin across her sides before reaching her breasts and grasping them both in his hands, kneading the flesh hard and savagely before withdrawing down her waist again. Alex moaned in pleasure, her back arching in his hands as he lowered his lips to her the curve of her hip and laved it in hot, sensual kisses.
The groan of pleasure that escaped her lips at that action sent Vin into a frenzy of passion as his mouth covered her stomach in soft kisses as he slowly worked his way up her rib cage. She was writhing beneath him now and Vin was forced to slide her further along the table so that he could join her on top of it. He slipped between her legs, feeling his cock stiffening at the feel of her thighs around him, her legs rubbing up and down his own. Vin continued his upward journey, planting wet kisses as he travelled, pausing on occasion to run the full length of his tongue against her skin causing her to surge against him. By now, he was revisited by all the heated desires of their interlude in the cabin. He remembered with perfect clarity what made her whimper with delight for the memory had kept him company during the nights since. She had raised him to such unbelievable heights of desire that he was conscious of nothing but returning the favour as when he finally buried his mouth over one rosebud nipple and started to nibbling on it insistently.
"Oh god Vin." She cried softly when his mouth found the small peak of erect flesh while his other hand slid down her belly and navigated expertly through the folds of her dress. With intimate understanding of how she wished to be touched, he began sucking at the tiny nub in his mouth, swirling his tongue against the rough skin while his hand kneaded her breast, forcing as much of it into his mouth as he could possibly take. Her resolve was all but destroyed now and Alex was groaning in such mindless delight that his cock twitched just hearing his name roll of her tongue in such fevered bliss. Her legs were rubbing themselves against his waist, the friction of her skin against him was making it hard to concentrate but Vin wanted her to be pleasured the way he had.
Alex felt his hand brush past her thighs and felt her stomach clench with the fire of anticipation as he slowly worked her underclothes free. His smooth hands glided under her hips, retreating with the silk of her pantalets caressing her skin as he slipped them off her body. The feel of his rough hands pressured by silk on her already sensitive skin brought another soft moan to her moist lips. Vin smiled at the response and took his time working her free of the silk, unaware that they could produce such arousing sensations for her. Alex sighed as the silk made its descent against her thighs, lost in the delightful feel of it in its prolonged banishment.
Finally however, the fabric was finally removed and Vin allowed it to fall soundlessly to the floor. No sooner than it had, Alex felt his finger caressing her folds, gently nudging them apart before probing one digit deep inside her. Her muscles gripped it immediately in reaction and Vin found himself groaning softly at the tight feel of her around his fingers while burning with the expectation of how good it would feel when those same muscles tightened around his cock.
With her inner passage wet with juices, Vin inserted another finger, pressing hard against its walls and was rewarded with the satisfaction of another pleasured sigh. He withdrew just enough to find her erect centre and an experimental tweak caused her to buck violently against him as she reacted to the wonderful sensation. Vin continued pleasuring her with his mouth, sucking insistently on her erect nipples, while fingering the tiny pearl of flesh between her legs until she was crying out his name in utter abandon. Her body heaved under him, each moan and whimper making him so hard, he was starting to bite down on her nipple, which only made her more aroused.
Alex had known being with Vin Tanner would be exceptional but this was beyond her wildest imaginings. Now more than ever, she knew she could never go to Randall, after this. He had never been able to inspire the raw desire and exquisite pleasure she was now sharing with Vin. Everything about being with him seemed so perfectly right, his mouth teasing her nipples with such delight that her back ached from pressing so hard against his hot mouth. She could feel the fine stubble of his cheek rubbing against her skin and the sensation produced another gush of heat inside her. And the fingers inside her were just wonderful. Suddenly, she knew she did not want to wait any longer, she needed him now.
"Vin," Vin heard Alex say softly in his ear. He looked up from the bliss of tasting her flesh in his mouth and saw the frantic yearning in her eyes. "I need you." She whimpered. "I need you inside me."
Hearing that desperate plea caused his cock to twitch and spasm involuntarily. He almost lost control. Vin had to stop what he was doing immediately or he would have ejaculated there and then. However, her request had broken the back of his resolve to take it slow. His erection was building to such a state of arousal that he knew it would soon turn into actual pain. Withdrawing his fingers from inside of her, Vin search for hers and their fingers intertwined as he readied himself to slide into her. His mouth left her nipples and Alex held back a choked cry of anguish at the sudden end to its sensuous ministrations. Vin's mouth melted over hers again as he started guiding himself gently past her moistened folds. She hooked one leg over his hip and thrust herself forward so that he could gain easier access.
Vin closed his eyes was forced to leave her mouth because he had to bite down from the intense pleasure that engulfed his cock the moment he started penetrating her. The pleasure that came from just embedding his tip was enough to make him gasp out loud but Vin was determined not to let himself become overwhelmed by the hot, wet delight teasing him every inch of the way. There was enough lubrication to ensure the penetration would be smooth, however fingers were one thing and so Vin took it slow, knowing it was for as much his benefit as it was hers. It was so easy for him to become completely lost in the tight muscles that were playing hell with his control that the time to get used to being inside her was welcomed. Besides, despite her confidence in bed, Vin could tell by the intensity of her desire and the tension he now felt in her muscles that it had been a long time for her.
Vin did not want to hurt her and so he was tender, pushing slowly and expecting it when it did not slide in immediately. He had not expected it would. She was very wet but there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, not to mention a little fear. For all her knowledge, her actual sexual experience was limited and that encounter had been nothing like this. She had felt awkward and disappointed then but this had real power over her. She could not believe how good Vin felt, not just in their lovemaking but just the sheer pleasure of sharing this with him.
Alex gasped at her first feel of him, biting her lip as he started to fill her as he slid in deeper inside. Her muscles tensed in reaction, ensnaring his cock like a thousand fingertips fluttering against the smooth erect skin. Jesus, she felt good, he found himself thinking and watched her face while delighting in how she moaned as he pushed his way gently into her deepest recesses. Finally biting her lip was proved ineffective to contain her hungry yearning and Vin felt her hands slid over his rear before pulling him in all the way. The sudden rush of feeling that came with his burying his cock all the way to the hilt inside of her made him cry out.
"Oh Christ." Vin moaned, closing his eyes shut to get a handle on it and thinking absurdly at the same time, when he had become so religious.
"Alex." Vin groaned as he started to thrust into her in long, steady strokes. The sheath of velvet warmth that enveloped him was so tight, it took every ounce of resolve to keep from letting himself go. Vin felt the muscles in his jaw tighten as he started pounding into her. The teasing heat of her inner passages gripped him with such awesome sensation that it impossibly eclipsed the ecstasy of having her mouth on him earlier. Alex was sharing similar pangs of pleasure for her thighs were wrapped around his waist and she was moaning incoherently as he kept pumping into her body, oblivious to anything but what his cock was doing to her.
He had been fighting the urge to begin thrusting frantically because he had wanted her to enjoy this as much as he did. Vin had not the experience with women that Buck or the others might have had but he knew something about holding back until she was ready. However, the point was more or less moot when her hands dug into his rump and she started moaning loudly as her hips strained forward to match his rhythm.
"Harder Vin," she panted, her eyes closed as she cried out. "Harder please!"
That cry almost undid him completely as he found himself impossible getting harder at the desire in that desperate plea. A little sigh escaped Alex when Vin increased the momentum of his strokes until he was slamming so hard into her that she had to bite down on a knuckle from the force of him. Vin was rapidly reaching the point where he would not be able to maintain his control much longer, what she was doing to him was beyond belief. He was so hard and bursting, he could barely keep a coherent sentence in his head let alone keep himself from groaning out loud. In fact, he was not even aware of it when he did.
His cries joined as hers because the more he pushed into her, the louder she got, until her back was a neat arc over the table and her hands were digging into its wooden sides. The powerful sensations of him shook her body with such resounding pleasure that it didn't take long before she had slipped from mere sighs of delight to full-blown groans of unbidden ecstasy. Very soon, their moans had fused into one voice as Vin continued thrusting into her, riding the wave of his own pleasure, His bare chest was bouncing off her soft breasts as she squirmed beneath him, their bodies gleaming with sweat.
"Vin!" she gasped his name as her fingers dug into his back.
Vin delighted in how his name sounded from her lips at this moment and showered her neck in kisses as he started to feel her reach the brink of her endurance. She was very close and he kept up the devastating pace until she was ready. Suddenly Alex tensed beneath him, her moans descending into a mindless whimper as her inner passage contracted around him with such tension it felt like a blast of fire. If there was any control left in him, the muscles reacting to her shattering climax more or less stripped it away completely. Her warmth washed over him in a final rush of tightness that it did all but sent him plunging head first into his own orgasm. Vin's entire body shuddered in anticipation of the release and once again, he choked back the sob of satisfaction that came with the stirrings of his inevitable climax.
"Oh Jesus!" Vin gasped as he felt himself spurt his seed into her body. They rode the crest of the wave together, melding in every possible way as he emptied himself deep inside her. His fingers dug into her hips from the sheer force of his climax while her legs tightened around him as he kept pumping every last drop from his exhausted manhood into her quivering folds. He collapsed on top of her completely spent, with a guttural sound of raw pleasure that still left him trembling from that unbelievable release.
Alex let him rest against her chest, relishing the feel of his breath against her skin as he recouped his strength. She felt strangely clear about so many things and liked how he felt inside her, even when he was spent. Her hands splayed across his back, delighting in the luxury of his smooth skin and the rough stubble of his face against her breasts. How could she have stayed away him for so long? Had she known that this was the experience she had refused that night, Alex knew they would made love sooner. In any case, she knew with perfect clarity that Ezra would not have fulfilled her this way. Alex had never felt the same heat or passion for Ezra in all the months of their affiliation as she felt in the short periods of time she had shared with Vin Tanner.
"You know something." He spoke after a moment.
"What?" She replied dreamily, still reeling from the after effects of their passionate lovemaking.
"I'm never going to look at your kitchen table the same way again." He chuckled.
Alex giggled softly and then responded. "I'll just have to find somewhere else to cook."
"You cook?" He lifted his head to stare at her with those innocently looking eyes of his.
"Considering your earlier performance, I'll let that remark slide." She teased, continuing to let her fingers drift across his skin.
"Thanks," he drawled lazily, feeling very pleased with himself at that moment. He nuzzled up against her, trying to get comfortable on the hard surface. After a while, he gave up altogether. "Do you think we can move some place else now?"
Alex looked down at him and smiled, perfectly willing to indulge him in his request and anything else that he might have in mind. After all the night was still young and she could stand Vin Tanner doing this to her all night if he so desired it. "This from the man who called me an 'ol spinster woman."
"Well," he sighed with utter contentment. "I had to do something to take the edge off you." He eased off her and allowed her to roll out from under him. They were both a sight, with Vin clad in nothing but his boots and pants around his ankles while the only thing that held Alex's dress onto her was her waist. The bodice was crushed around her hips, exposing the rest of her body in all its magnificence.
"Don't worry cowboy," she gave him a suggestive smile as she padded towards the corridor. "You're not done yet."
Vin felt a familiar twinge of desire at that notion and responded promptly, pulling his pants up as he followed her towards the bedroom, "I suppose I can put up with you a little longer."
Alex met his gaze with a perfectly devilish gleam in her eyes. "Up being the operative word, Mr Tanner."