there.” He nudged her hip with his. “Too bad Ruby Red’s ain’t a real boardinghouse, ’cause I sure could use a room to rent.”
She stiffened beside him, as if he planned to ask if he could stay with her more often than he already did.
“Anyway, when I was havin’ a drink at the Last Chance Saloon in Gillette, I saw an outlaw huntin’ buddy of mine. He was headed to Butte, Montana. Guess there’s been some issues between the miners and the mining company, and he’s been hired to help keep the peace.” He paused. “Said if I was tired of breakin’ up barfights in backwoods Wyoming he’d hire me. The money they were payin’ him would turn any man north to Montana.”
“Are you seriously considering it?”
“If I’m bein’ honest…I came here because of my brother. If he’s got a wife and his own family, I don’t know that he needs me around. Especially since he finally understands that I ain’t interested in ranchin’ with him.” He snorted. “But no way in hell would I move to Butte for any amount of money. Dirty, stinky-ass town.”
“You’ve been there?”
“I’ve spent a lot of time all over Montana. First workin’ the cattle drives. We drove the herds to Miles City more times than I can count. Then workin’ the outlaw trail, a lot of them wanted guys headed to Butte or Great Falls. I didn’t mind it there. Seemed to be more big-city-like though, with the dams powering electricity.”
She trailed her fingers up and down his belly. “Right after I set up Ruby Red’s I had a customer come through from Montana. He kept telling me about all the money I could make if I set up a house in Helena.”
Jonas laughed. “Yeah, Helena does have more than its share of dance halls, saloons, and bawdy houses. It is a mining town, after all. That said, because it’s the capitol, and it’s set at the base of these truly spectacular mountains, it’s a lot classier city. But it still feels…untamed.”
“That appeals to you.”
“That whole area from Helena to Missoula to Kalispell appeals to me. Beautiful country. Lots of opportunities.”
“Sounds like you’re lamenting lost opportunities.” Ruby sat up and shifted over to sit on her knees, straddling his hips. “Speaking of lost opportunities…” She fell forward, bracing her hands by his head. Then she kissed him. Consumed him. Seduced him fully with the rolling press of her curves against his chest and the tease and retreat of her tongue. She nipped along his jaw, stopping to blow in his ear.
He groaned and tilted his head for more of that.
“I did miss you, Deputy,” she murmured into his neck. “And since I’ve been the first for you for so many things, it’s only fair that you get to be the first for me for something too.”
Jonas gently trapped her face in his hands, mindful of her stitches, to stop her wicked mouth from rendering him stupid. “A first for what?”
“I’ve never fucked outside.”
“Never?”
She shook her head. “Always inside. I mean, I’m grateful I never had to be a camp whore, but still, this will be fun. We can be as loud as we want.”
He stroked the hollows of her cheeks as his eyes searched hers. “You know it’s a first for me too, darlin’, since you’re the only woman I’ve ever been with.” He didn’t bother masking the longing in his face that silently told her she was the only woman he ever wanted to be with.
Her eyes darkened. “Jonas. I—”
Placing his thumbs on her lips, he said gruffly, “It’ll keep.” Gently, he pushed her back so he could sit up. “Now get nekkid, woman, so we can teach the birds and the bees a thing or two.”
Ruby happily complied, even if she did seem skittish and immediately sat back down on the quilt, looking around as if swarms of bugs would attack her bared skin.
After Jonas ditched his clothes, he removed the box from his pants pocket and palmed it before he scooted in behind her. He allowed himself to be momentarily distracted by the beautiful visual of her black hair floating against the creaminess of her skin; the ends nearly brushed the indentions above her buttocks. When he kissed the slope of her shoulder, she rested more fully against him, igniting his blood with her scent.
He said, “I have something for you.”
“Mmm. I can feel what you have for me poking me in the back.”