Gypsy - Lesley Pearse [134]
‘He wouldn’t listen to me. Besides, why should you care what becomes of him? You must know he’s with Dolly at the Red Onion most nights?’
Beth felt as if she’d been stabbed through the heart, for until that moment it was only something she’d suspected, not known for certain.
Dolly was a voluptuous blonde who sang and danced at the Red Onion. She was a whore too, and rumour had it she charged fifty dollars a time. Every man in Skagway, it seemed, wanted to have his way with her.
‘You didn’t know, did you?’ Jefferson said. He put his arms around her and drew her to his chest. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, I didn’t intend to.’
Beth bit back tears. ‘I’m fine. I had suspected it anyway. I guess that’s all I need to confirm it’s time to go.’
‘You know, I’d like you to stay and be my girl. I’d get you a real nice place to live, with a maid an’ all. I’d even get the Earl run out of town.’
The champagne and his honeyed Southern accent were breaking down her resistance, and when he lifted her chin to kiss her, she didn’t break away. His kiss was as smooth as he was, warm and very sensual, and she was instantly aroused.
He ran his fingers down her neck lightly as he kissed her, and even though a small voice deep down inside her was telling her that to make love with him would be a mistake, she wanted him. He appreciated her, he treated her like a lady, and if Theo liked that blonde whore better than her, then it was time she showed him she didn’t care.
Jefferson’s hand stole into the bodice of her dress, cupping her breast, and his kisses became more passionate. ‘Let me take you to my room at the back,’ he murmured against her neck. ‘We can be comfortable there.’
He didn’t wait for her agreement, just picked her up in his arms and carried her through a door at the back of the bar. It was warm in there too, for there was another small stove, and by the light from it she saw a mahogany carved bed suitable for a grand hotel, covered with a red patterned quilt.
He didn’t fumble with the small buttons on the back of her dress, or the laces of her stays, and though she knew this meant he was practised at undressing women, it didn’t make her feel any less wanted.
His experience showed in his lovemaking too. He didn’t rush, and his touch was firm but caressing as he whispered little endearments and told her she was beautiful.
She was whipped up into a state of near delirium even before he removed his clothes; and as she wrapped her arms around him and caressed him she found him to be all hard muscle, with none of the softness she’d expected from a Southern gentleman.
It was weeks since Theo last made love to her, and that had been a hurried, unsatisfactory snack rather than a feast. Jefferson offered her a banquet, teasing her, sucking and licking at her, and when he finally entered her she was drenched in perspiration and fevered with lust.
‘You more than exceeded my expectations, mam,’ he said with a mischievous smile as he propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at her, but still inside her.
‘So did you, sir,’ she replied, and giggled. ‘I think, too, we have solved the problem of how to keep warm in Alaska.’
‘Whatever happens in the future, I’ll always remember this night and treasure it,’ he said, bending his head to kiss her.
Beth could only smile, for she knew that his words would ease the guilt she’d feel in the morning.
‘I hope I can persuade you to stay on here,’ he said a little later after he’d rolled off her and was holding her in his arms. ‘You and I could be a great team. And when the gold fever is gone we could go on to other towns and find new challenges.’
Beth was relieved to find the cabin empty when she got back there at noon the following day. After the comfort at Jefferson’s place it looked spartan and dreary. Their beds were just sacks filled with straw, and the one she shared with Theo was as neat as she’d left it the previous evening, so she knew he had stayed out all night. Sam’s and Jack’s had the imprints of their bodies still and the blankets were in the usual heap.