Meanwhile at the Hotel
Heyes had tried to stay nonchalant until Kid Curry finally left their room. When the last sound of his footfall faded, Heyes threw his book in anger against the wall. He jumped on his feet like a scalded cat. Restlessly he paced the room.
He knew, the Kid was a sensual man, who needed those girls like the air to breathe. He ran his fingers through his thick dark hair and chuckled joylessly. If it had only been so easy, to take it as a matter of course without any meaning. Sometimes it was, but not tonight. To know what he was looking for made him jealous, having to watch the Kid carrying on drove him crazy, having to hide his own feelings just proved too much tonight.
'Dinner date', ha! Sure, there would be dinner and afterwards the Kid would lie in the arms of that broad. She was not even worth a strand of his hair - just a beautiful cover but foul inside. Heyes had noticed her calculating glance at his friend and the way she covered her wedding band from his eyes. He hadn't told him, he hadn't even tried. He wouldn't have listened to him anyway, driven by the ardent longing already glowing in his eyes.
An unwelcome picture flashed up in his mind - the Kid hovering above her, his well-shaped body, his naked tanned skin, the muscles tensed and well-defined. He imagined Jed's handsome face looking down at her, the soft golden curls shimmering like an aureole around it in the dim light. Blue eyes drank her in, warm and tender and dark with lust, before his head dipped down and his soft lips brushed over hers...
Heyes stopped pacing, took a deep breath and rubbed his hands over his face. He wasn't sure how much longer he could go on like this. He had been in pain when they were separated but since they were reunited again he was suffering even more, not able to tell him a word about it - not one damned single word!
He choked hard, tried to gather his thoughts and came to a decision. He wouldn't stay alone tonight!
Quickly he dressed, prepared to get undressed just as fast, leaving everything non-essential behind. He would find someone who'd fill his needs, who would wipe out that damned picture in his mind!
He strolled through the local saloons, starting as far away as possible from their hotel, searching for someone special. He dived into the crowds without attracting attention – talking, drinking, watching. In the third place he finally found what he was looking for. Cautiously he began to make contact.
It was always a hazardous game to find out if his instinct had been right without giving himself away. The consequences in case of a failure were pretty dangerous; not that imminent danger had ever stopped one of his intentions. Tonight, he was lucky, at least lucky enough. His discovery wasn't perfect but close enough.
The room they went to was neither overly clean nor comfortable, but he didn't mind. It was dry and it was safe. Nobody would ask any questions. Nothing else mattered.
"You've done this before?" Heyes asked his companion and earned a nod.
"But never with one of your class, of course," sounded the answer, appreciative and admiring at the same time. "Hell, you're really a good-looking man." A rosy tongue moistened full soft lips. "How do you like it?"
"I'll take what you offer and don't mind if it gets rough. Just stay away from my rear. That's clear?" Heyes declared.
"What a pity. I bet, I never saw a sweeter backside than yours. You're sure you don't...?"
"Damned sure, and if you try I'll rip you a new one!"
"You're a tough one, huh?" Grey eyes started to sparkle.
"Sometimes." He shrugged. "Are we agreed?"
Heyes showed self-confidence and casualness, but he still watched his mate-to-be cautiously. He was sex-starved, not stupid. He knew damned well what could go wrong within this kind of date.
"Agreed. What will I call you?"
Heyes released the tension in his stance and smiled alluringly.
"Call me 'Cain'..."
"Cain," it sounded soft and tender. "It fits you. Just like I will." The moistly shimmering lips split inviting.
Heyes heartbeat increased. He beamed a smile at his mate and lowered his defenses. They would get along pretty well. Lasciviously he opened the buckle of his gun-belt.