Maybe the world had settled and her bad luck had passed. Maybe she could stay here and make a home for Dan and Jamie.
She hurried down the stairs knowing there was much to be done before the rest of the house awakened. Both of the wounded cowhands would return to the bunkhouse today. She had to clean the rooms and be ready. Everyone spoke of trouble as though they could already see the storm coming. They spoke of ‘‘when,’’ not ‘‘if.’’ But she’d seen no sign of anything happening.
‘‘It won’t come this time,’’ she whispered, trying to convince herself as she worked. ‘‘I won’t let it.’’
Jamie stumbled into the kitchen about the time the coffee boiled. She hadn’t bothered to wash or comb her hair. She grumbled about how Wyatt hadn’t returned from the game even to say good night.
Before Kora could offer any excuse for the gambler, Winter walked through the kitchen looking as out of sorts as always. He stepped out onto the porch and turned the icy pitcher of water over his head. The women could hear him swearing when the water hit him.
Jamie griped about the wild man her sister married, but Kora only touched the lace of her camisole. He could be as moody as he liked; he wasn’t going to frighten her away by growling. She acted as if she didn’t notice him as he reached in and took one of her new kitchen towels to dry his hair without saying a word to her.
‘‘Men!’’ Jamie snorted. ‘‘They’re a plague on this earth, that’s what they are! Worse than the curse and more irritating than fleas. I’m finished with the lot.’’
‘‘I thought you liked Wyatt.’’ Kora readied the stove.
‘‘I hate him. He talks real pretty, but he hardly notices me. I’ll probably be married and have four younguns before it dawns on him to wonder what happened to me.’’
Winter stormed back through the kitchen.
‘‘Morning, cowboy,’’ Jamie chimed. ‘‘Get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? That is if you ever found your bed last night.’’
‘‘Quiet,’’ he mumbled, rubbing his forehead.
‘‘Don’t try to boss me around.’’ Jamie grew louder. ‘‘I’m not the one who gets up in such a foul mood every morning. You know, cowboy, I’m starting to think I’m worrying about the wrong person in this marriage of yours. Kora gets up all dressed and ready for life every morning, and you look like you’ve been cactus-drug all night.’’
Winter stormed out of the room without a word.
Jamie jumped from her chair and crossed to Kora. ‘‘I’m right.’’ She stared at Kora. ‘‘You are torturing the poor man. All this time I was worried about you, and he’s the one who’s aging every night. By the time I start liking having a brother-in-law, he’ll be near dead. Tell me, dear sister, what are you doing that makes his life such a living hell? What does he have to endure each night that takes ice water to shatter the memories of it at dawn?’’
‘‘Stop it, Jamie.’’ Kora didn’t meet her sister’s gaze. ‘‘He just doesn’t wake up in a good mood, that’s all.’’ She handed Jamie Dan’s tray. ‘‘Take your brother his breakfast.’’
Jamie left, promising she’d learn Kora’s secret about how to torment men. As soon as she’d gone, Kora filled a mug.
Winter was pulling on a clean shirt when she appeared on the stairs. ‘‘Thanks,’’ he said, taking the coffee from her hand.
‘‘Is something wrong?’’ Kora watched him closely while he drank. ‘‘Am I somehow torturing you, as Jamie said?’’
Winter took a step closer as he sipped his coffee. With his free hand he touched her throat. She didn’t move when his fingers slid along her shoulder and arm, finally resting on her waist.
‘‘You come so easy to me,’’ he whispered. ‘‘I never expected that. If that’s torture, it’s sweet indeed.’’
Kora didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t sure his words were praise. Surely he didn’t expect his wife to protest?
‘‘Unbutton your collar,’’ he ordered, watching her closely over the rim of his cup.
Straightening slightly, she slipped the first few buttons free. She saw no reason to deny his request.
‘‘Another,’’ he said.
Kora felt her cheeks warm beneath his gaze, but she slipped the next button free. When he waited, she moved to the next and the next until the top of her new camisole showed.
He opened her collar, exposing her throat. ‘‘The bruises look lighter today,’’ he whispered as his fingers slid over her skin.
Kora relaxed when his touch continued to brush her throat. Despite his rough talk, he was only worried about her. If only Jamie could see him now, she’d think him kind, not hard.
She closed her eyes and sighed as he lowered his lips to the bruises. His mouth was warm and he smelled of soap and coffee.
His hand worked another button free. Then another until the front of her blouse was open.
Kora didn’t move. She knew all she had to do was take a step back and she’d be free. No arms bound her.
He pulled a few inches away, his gaze meeting hers as his fingers shoved the material away to reveal her underclothing.
‘‘I touched you last night while you were sleeping,’’ he whispered as his gaze lowered.
‘‘I know,’’ she answered, feeling her skin warm to his stare. ‘‘I said I didn’t mind.’’
‘‘And now?’’ He moved his fingers lightly over the silk of her camisole. ‘‘Do you mind now?’’
‘‘No,’’ she answered as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
‘‘I’m glad,’’ he whispered. His hand moved maddeningly light over her. ‘‘You’d think I’d have had my fill after holding you all night, but it wasn’t near enough. Not even close.’’
He pushed one strap gently off her shoulder. The silk slipped lower. He slowly pushed the other strap down. The silk dropped so that he saw the swell of each breast and the hardened peaks just beneath the lace. ‘‘I won’t be sleeping in the study again.’’ He brushed his fingers over her. ‘‘I want your body within reach all night.’’
‘‘All right,’’ she whispered as she leaned her head back, enjoying the pleasure of his touch.
Slowly his hands slid to her waist, then began the climb upward, buttoning her blouse. Each button seemed a struggle, and his fingers fumbled across the lace. Finally, when he reached her throat, he raised his eyes to hers. ‘‘I have to go,’’ he whispered as his fingers brushed her chin. ‘‘With you standing before me like this it makes leaving you difficult.’’
Kora forced her thoughts to the problems of the ranch and not the memory of his touch. ‘‘Have you learned anything?’’
‘‘Nothing,’’ Win’s voice was still thick with passion. ‘‘But I told Cheyenne to let you in on every detail. You have a mind for reason inside that body that drove me mad last night.’’
‘‘I’ll keep an eye on Wyatt. I still think he may know more than he’s saying.’’
She smiled a smile that almost made him forget what they were talking about. Their attraction for each other seemed to be sharpening her mind and dulling his, Win thought.
‘‘I’ll be here when you get back tonight,’’ she promised and saw the moment of doubt in his eyes.
‘‘Stay buttoned up until I get home.’’ He kissed her lightly. ‘‘I’ll tell you everything that happens today over supper, then I want to undress you.’’
‘‘I’ll keep supper warm until you return.’’ She smiled. ‘‘If you like.’’
His hand tighted at her waist. ‘‘I like what I see and what I feel very much, Kora. What about you? Would you enjoy me undressing you completely tonight?’’
She closed her eyes. ‘‘Yes,’’ she whispered. ‘‘I think I’d like that very much.’’
‘‘I won’t hurt you,’’ he promised as his fingers lightly circled over her back. ‘‘I never wanted to hurt you.’’