Oh god I'm a bad person I have taken an unforgivable amount of time to update.

Seriously I love you guys that still review 3

CHAPTER 10

Gabriella had taken Troy's shirt to wear with the leggings she loved so while he wore his shorts and a jumper he had brought and they had curled up together in each others arms that night, under the stars in their tee-pee home.

The sun had risen all too quickly on their blissful night and Gabriella had woken first, relishing the feeling of being in Troy's arms again. She was glad he had come, she was happy beyond words they would make a future together.

She felt him stir behind her and snuggled into the covers, their little nest a heaven among the reality of going back. She wanted to stay like this, forever.

"Hmm," Troy drew her close and smelled her neck. "My god, I'm a lucky man."

Gabriella smiled at his words.

"You fell in love with a thief who dresses as a man," she posed, thinking, what's lucky?

"I know," he rubbed his cheek against her hair.

This was a good thing to him, she couldn't fathom how but she didn't try to.

"We have to go back," she broached with a swallow that belied her nerves.

He made a noise of dissent and wrapped her tighter in his arms.

"Let's stay here. Let's join the tribe," he joked.

She smiled. She actually quite liked the idea.

"The people need you," she argued anyway. "They need a Sheriff."

"They can find a new one," he countered, drawing his shirt down her shoulder to kiss her there. She squirmed and clamped her thighs together. She absolutely would not spread herself for him again! It was becoming habit.

"Are you turned on already?" He wondered in her ear and she hated him for reading her so clearly.

She cleared her throat. "Not in the slightest."

He rubbed his hard body-part against her backside.

"I am," he admitted with a rascal of a husk in his voice that only made her ache more.

He kissed her shoulder again, then her neck. He blew gently on her ear.

"I would love to touch you," he suggested, running his hand up to cup a breast where he thumbed her nipple and she bit her lip as it instantly peaked under his touch.

"Damn how do you do that?" She cast, annoyed.

He smirked. "You may as well give it up, princess. Your body betrays you," he observed of her reaction to him despite her words to the contrary.

Her thighs joined in the revolution and parted and his hand instantly trailed down.

"Not again," she begged of his ability to fill her with his fingers and bring her to the edge.

"Then what?" He murmured in her ear, already pushing his hand under her bottoms to reach his destination.

He circled her nub with one finger. "Just this?" He suggested, feeling her tense and gasp in pleasure.

She quickly grasped the back of his neck and opened her body to him.

"Do you ever quit?" She panted in complaint of his onslaught and he chuckled and brought his finger away.

"You'd rather I didn't?" He teased.

She whimpered and drove her own hand down her pants to replace his which he watched with awe.

"Jesus Christ," he swore gently and went back to cupping her mound and thumbing her peak while he watched.

"Touch me," she took his hand and dragged it down to where he had started and he smiled with satisfaction that she wanted him to bring her off.

"My pleasure," he rumbled in her ear, circling her little bundle and placing pressure alternately to slowly, gradually bring her to her peak.

"Oh god!" She cried as she quivered and jolted quickly in her rise to orgasm, stunned by the sweet ecstasy he afforded her. Would sex with him be this pleasurable? She imagined it may be more so but they still had that to enjoy.

Troy was stroking her intimately and growling in her ear in unspent pleasure. She wrapped herself in him and sighed in sated happiness.

"Let's never go back," she mused.

He snuggled into her shoulder and let his eyes close in dozy contentment. They soon fell back into sleep like that until the morning sun finally forced them to wake and rise. They came into the circle of Natives hand in hand, Gabriella somewhat bashful as she remembered their night before and wondered if these kind people had heard their cries of passion.

"All is well?" Jumping Frog asked the shy girl.

Gabriella nodded. "Yes."

"He made it up to you," she smiled, stating more than asking.

Gabriella blushed. Well, she could say that! He made it up to her in ways she still didn't understand but that she most definitely would not forget.

"The Sheriff is not a lone ranger anymore," Lone Eagle teased.

Troy grinned. "Nope."

Gabriella looked at him as they ate the food they were provided. He was so happy about being with her; it made her toes curl and her heart pound in her chest.

She smiled softly as Jumping Frog took him away for a moment, talking quietly with him and giving him something. He darted Gabriella a look and she quickly feigned nonchalance as she looked away. She wondered what was going on between the pair but she trusted him. It was a strange feeling but finally, she trusted him.

"I have an idea for the kids," Troy spoke as he sat back down.

Gabriella was surprised at his topic of conversation. "You do?"

"If Strand spoke to the businesses in the town I'd bet they could find small jobs for some of the older children to do," Troy broached. "Like sweeping floors, measuring flour…they'd never pay an adult to do the work it would cost them too much but the children would make something out of it," he explained.

Gabriella looked at him, wide eyed. "They'd have something to look forward to, they'd feel worthy," she added.

He nodded. "I'll send him a telegram."

Gabriella frowned. She supposed she ought to really go home at some point and visit her parents. Especially as she was courting, now. Especially as Troy was working to free her of her debt to society.

"What's the matter?" He asked, grasping her hand.

"I have to go back and see my family," she broached. "When my name is cleared."

He rubbed his thumb down hers. "I'll take you."

She tilted her head at his kind offer.

"My family will be happy to meet you," she assured.

He smiled. "I'll be happy to meet them, too."

She leaned over and kissed him just once sweetly and turned back to find the tribe watching them. She blushed and rose.

"Thank you so much for your kindness," she told them, moving to get ready for their ride back to town.

"Hey, we found the culprit by the way," Troy told Gabriella as they rode side by side on their separate horses. Striker was proudly carrying Gabriella back home.

"You did?" Gabriella darted him a look.

"It was Nadia," he shared. "She confessed when she realized you were in the frame for it."

"What?" Gabriella sucked in a shocked breath.

"I know," he smirked. "Apparently she wasn't getting much business in the house and she decided to make her income another way."

"Oh," Gabriella frowned, feeling sympathy that the girl wasn't able to make as much money as the others.

Troy smiled across at her. "She gave the watch back. She won't be penalized, Greg dropped the charges."

"He did?" She awed.

"He asked her to marry him and she accepted." He added.

Gabriella let a smile curve her lips. "That was lucky."

"He's widowed and lonely and wants a woman to dote on, she's in need of a man to care for her, it couldn't be more perfect." He summarized.

Gabriella nodded. "It couldn't."

"Do you feel that way about me?" He wondered lightly, amused.

"What that I'm lucky?" She asked back. She was riding on a horse in leggings and his shirt, no longer hiding her short hair.

He had insisted she ride back into town as she was and he had told her how beautiful she was and how he loved her that way- in her natural state. It had made her cry with his touching words and they had shared a special moment and she recalled it as easily now. She knew exactly how lucky she was and she felt it deep inside.

"I feel very lucky," she admitted.

He pursed his lips. "You're too far away."

"I'm right beside you!" She argued.

"I'd rather you were here, in my lap," he invited.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you would."

"Does that mean you won't come sit with me?" He asked.

Gabriella gave him a look.

"And what about Striker?" She wondered.

"He'd ride along side us," he assured.

She bit her lips. "Okay," she decided, transferring across to his horse awkwardly, finally settling against his chest.

His arms came around each side of her to hold the reins and draw her close.

"See?" He murmured in her ear.

"See what?" She feigned.

"See how nice this is?" He persisted.

She felt the knob of the leather saddle rub her sensitive part; grasped it and tried to stop the aching that began within her.

Troy's chest against her back was aphrodisiac enough; she didn't need any more stimulation.

"What's up?" He wondered of her awkward tension.

In trying to avoid the pommel she was creating trouble.

"Nothing," she answered lightly, relaxing. The action brought her in contact with the saddle hump again and she whimpered.

"Are you sore?" He wondered suddenly. Maybe his insistence to pleasure her had taken its toll on her nubile body. He had thought he had been gentle but…

"This saddle is rubbing me," she finally admitted.

He lifted his brows. Oh.

He smirked then. It was rubbing her in a place he knew exactly where she would be sensitive right now. She was turned on, not in pain.

"Why don't you turn around and face me?" He suggested.

"Troy, don't be ridiculous," she cast.

"I'm not," he argued. "Loop your legs over mine and we can ride face to face."

"I'll just get back on my horse," she said.

"Don't go," he wrapped an arm around her middle and murmured in her ear.

She sagged and curled at his words. Well, there was no harm trying his suggestion she supposed as she maneuvered about to take the position he described.

"I feel stupid," she sulked as she used her feet to press against his calves and looked for a handhold.

"You can put your arms around me if you like," he suggested lightly.

She looked up at him with a warm, knowing twinkle.

"Can I now?" She countered, settling for his thighs to grasp onto.

"Or that," he assured happily, leaning forward to kiss her gently.

Gabriella began to relax and let the desert sun warm her skin as they rode and it wasn't long before they were venturing back into town. She sat up nervously and frowned.

"I should get back onto my own horse," she commented, already nervous about being seen with short hair and in leggings.

"Stay with me," he begged softly. "Let's really get them talkin'…."

She turned to ride against his back and was touched when he helped her down from his horse. He tethered both the animals as she waited on the porch and some of the townsfolk were busy whispering, paused from their day as they observed her arrival.

Troy waved to the people and slung an arm around her shoulders as they headed inside.

"Oh, you're back!" Taylor greeted of the pair.

"We're back," Troy affirmed.

The black woman quickly went and hugged Gabriella.

"I'm glad you came home." She said.

Gabriella smiled. "I'm going to be me now," she shared. "No more dresses, no more wigs."

Taylor merely smiled. "I think that's wonderful."

Troy took Gabriella's hand in his.

"We're courtin'," he told his friend. "I should move back to my shack," he added.

Taylor tilted her head. "Will Gabriella move with you?"

Troy looked to her. "I don't know I haven't asked her yet," he smirked.

Taylor laughed. "Oops! I spoiled the surprise. Gabriella, why don't I help you clean up and get changed into something fresh?" She suggested.

Troy smiled as the pair went off, leaving him time to go back to his place and spruce it up. He would ask Gabriella for dinner and cook her something; god knew what, but he'd try and make her something edible.

He picked up some wild flowers to present on the table, put two candles out and set places. It looked okay.

He only had the one room, one bed in it- although a double; he only had one couch, one table, a small open kitchen. His latrine was outside but it was home. He'd find something better now he had a reason to.

He went to the store to purchase dinner items and headed back to the whore-house to invite his beau.

/

Gabriella was wearing a smock. It wasn't trousers but it was shorter than the normal dresses worn by the women here and it bared her shapely legs. She wasn't sure if Troy would be impressed with his woman showing herself this way but the demure cut of the neckline eased her mind a bit.

She had added a little make-up; put on some moccasins and she stepped out onto the porch just as he was approaching with a package under his arm.

He waved and yelled out. "Dinner?"

She beamed and nodded like a little girl and then he flicked his eyes down her, pausing to really appreciate her for a moment before he came closer. Close enough to cup the back of her head and graze his lips against hers, slipping his tongue into her mouth in the same moment.

"God you look beautiful," he complimented.

She sucked in a breath. He looked handsome, too. He'd changed into those soft jeans she loved and a white shirt.

"Shall we walk?" She suggested, fearing they might actually start making out on the porch for all the town to see.

He nodded and held out his hand for her to take and she took it, not caring what it looked like. She liked being his equal, his partner and she appreciated his allowance of her to do so. Most other men would only have let her take their elbow, thereby putting her behind them somewhat. Troy stalked along the main road with every ounce of that masculinity she found irresistible; all the while his hand encased hers so protectively, she wondered at it.

He might be the kind of man she expected to throw her on the bed and take her, be she willing or not but he had proved himself to be no such kind of brute and it only made her want him more.

Inside his small home, she made herself comfortable whilst he prepared their food. She found it unbelievably cute that he was going to such effort for her when she hadn't yet cooked for him-apart form breakfast and that didn't count. She smiled as he came and sat beside her, his preparations done for the time being.

"So, what do you think?" He asked of his humble abode.

"It's perfect," she assured.

"It's small," he conceded. "But I'll find us somewhere bigger."

She ducked her head. "What can I work as?" She wondered.

He leaned back and thought. "What did you do back home?"

"I learned massage," she ventured and he remembered her healing touch.

"You never did share how…"

She lifted a brow. "A woman needs some secrets."

He pursed his lips. "I might get jealous of all the men you'd be rubbin' down…"

She smiled. "But I belong to you."

"You belong with me, 'Brie. Not to me," he adjusted.

"You're the only man to make me feel this way," she assured. "You're the only one I would massage for free."

He smiled at that. "You should open a therapy room," he suggested.

"Taylor could do her ointments," Gabriella enthused.

"Sounds great." He agreed.

She laid her head on his shoulder. "You'd really be okay with me working?"

"Well, sometimes I'm away so you need something," Troy observed.

"Most men wouldn't want their woman to work."

"I'm not most men…"

"No," she agreed, twisting to kiss his cheek.

"If there came a time we were blessed with a child then you could stay home to care for him or her," he suggested.

She blushed at the insinuation.

"I might become blessed with child as soon as our first try," she broached nervously.

Troy kissed her forehead. "I'll pull out."

She darted him a look. She wanted him to release his seed inside her when they made love; not pull out for fear of impregnating her. But she didn't want to fall pregnant so soon. She vowed to talk to Taylor about birth control.

"Can I stay here with you?" She broached. As much as she enjoyed staying with the girls, she didn't want to be associated with a bawdry house now that she and Troy were courting.

Troy ran his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"I was going to ask you," he assured in a murmur. "Later."

She laughed. "I ruined it."

"You couldn't ruin anything," he doted.

She delighted at his assurance and kissed him.

"How long until dinner?" She asked.

He blinked sexily. "Not long."

She pressed her lips back against his. He smiled amidst the kiss and enveloped her in his arms; wrangling with her on the couch until he was atop her; having her trapped.

"I could get used to this," he admitted.

She ran her hands over his backside.

"Me too."

He grinned and kissed her again, raising his head to sniff his cooking food.

"I think it's done," he disentangled himself to check and dished out his offering- pork belly with potatoes and vegetables.

She consumed the delicious meal with sounds of approval that had him gazing on her wantonly.

"Am I curvy enough yet?" She wondered as they stood after dinner and she checked herself over.

He came over and wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you however you look."

"I want to look like a woman," she sighed of her still-slender shape.

"You do," he assured, cupping her bottom to prove it.

She sighed and softened against him.

"With you, I feel nothing but," she conceded.

"Well, you are certainly feminine enough for me," he assured as he dipped his head and kissed her collarbone.

His hands broached under her skirt as they came up her thighs.

She gasped in mock indignance.

"We're not married yet," she accused lightly, knowing they had done a lot more than a few bold touches before.

Troy grinned and went over to his nightstand, carrying across a band of metal.

"I want to give you this," he presented her with the simple ring. "Jumping Frog gave it to me," he added. "It's a promise of my intentions."

Gabriella o'd her mouth and shot him a startled look. He took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit her perfectly. The silver band was decorated with a khaki stone that she didn't recognize but it was as beautiful as it was unique.

"The natives use this to bind their love?" She awed and he nodded.

"The men present it to show their commitment."

"Its beautiful," she whooshed out a breath.

"I'm yours, Gabriella," he assured. "Forever."

She felt tears well in her eyes and she quickly grabbed him around the shoulders before he would see and he hugged her bemusedly in return.

"I don't know when we'll be able to get married but I hope this shows you I intend to," he commented. Marriage was an expensive business and he wanted them to have a home, first.

"It does, Troy," she pulled back and wiped away her tears.

Troy noticed and braced her face gently in his hands.

"Are you okay?" He checked.

She nodded. "I'm happy," she explained her emotional state. "Very happy."

He nodded and kissed her mouth.

"Would you like to stay awhile?" He invited.

She tipped her chin up and looked into his pure blue eyes. She'd like to stay a long while, she mused. Why was he even asking? But she wanted to stay awhile and do something they had been dancing around the edge of for too long now. She had his promise. She ached to feel him inside of her. She licked her lips and sucked in a breath before she spoke.

"Make love to me," she said only.

And his eyes darkened before he leaned down to take to her mouth.

/

It didn't take long for Troy to remove her smock. Or for Gabriella to unbutton his shirt and release her hungry hands across his chest. It took less time to rid the item but for some reason her hands shook as she looked down to his jeans fastening; tethered with a belt.

"Are you scared?" Troy asked.

His hair was ruined by her fingers; his breaths short and hot. His body was strong, hard and pumped with adrenaline from this foreplay and she found his picture irresistible.

As it was, her slip was the only thing covering her modesty and she found it hard to disguise her body's reactions to him.

"A little," she admitted her apprehension.

"When you touched me, I didn't force you," he broached. "I won't force you," he added of their quickly rising passion.

She slowly pulled his belt through the loop and unhooked it, taking the stud out of its hole and finally rasping down his zipper. The brush of her fingers against him made him harden instantly and he smirked as his manhood popped free of its constraint.

She watched his arousal grow under the cotton of his shorts as he kicked off his jeans.

"Come here," he husked, cradling her, whispering in her ear.

He told her she was beautiful, that he loved her, that nothing had to happen tonight. He kissed her and cupped her face to prove it. He ran his finger tips down her spine and kissed her shoulder as she hesitated.

Finally she looked at him and lifted her arms, silently asking him to bare her. He swallowed at the weight of her request and felt nerves squiggle in his own belly. He wanted this to be so right for her, so perfect. He wasn't willing to take anything less than 100% certainty from her.

"'Brie," he murmured, lifting away her shield and sucking in a breath at her beauty. Her belly was flat but toned; her waist tiny. Her hips flared out into perfect curves and he watched her nipples peak under his gaze. The patch of thick curls at the apex of her thighs only reminded him what they were guarding and he quickly sank to his knees to cup her thighs.

"Troy," she smiled awkwardly as he dipped low, palming her calves, her thighs, her buttocks.

"I'd love to kiss you, inside," he husked and she felt something pop inside her at the thought.

"Wh-what?" She stammered, swaying as she felt her balance waiver.

He quickly rose and carried her to the bed; laying her there where he remained low; kissing down her thighs and between them.

"You don't need to," she called with a small voice of apprehension. She was slick enough already; buzzing with need. She really didn't think he had to do anything else to-

Oh heavens, she arched on the bed and whimpered as his kiss became intimate. His tongue lathed her, curled around her nub and struck into her hotly. She cried out as she grasped for something to ground her.

"The headboard," he panted, watching her hands rise above her to grasp the bars on his wooden headboard. Her body stretched out and she raised her hips off the bed; her breasts perfectly showcased. He reached up and gently thumbed her nipple, lowering to complete his task.

Gabriella hoped Troy didn't mind her thumbing her own hard peaks as he treated her to an intimate kiss. As soon as she felt her peak rising she grabbed the firm board behind her again and widened her thighs automatically. She climaxed; heavily, upon his tongue.

"You taste amazing," he husked, kissing up her belly, cupping her between the thighs in that way he did that made her curl in satisfaction.

"Kiss me," she demanded, tasting herself on his tongue as he obliged her but she couldn't keep his mouth for long, he was already seeking out her nipples for more oral pleasures.

"I can't take any more," she panted, running her hands into his hair and cupping him there where he lathed her with his tongue.

"It's going to hurt, 'Brie," he warned. "You're very tight," he observed, slipping two fingers inside of her as she gazed into his eyes. Even those two digits filled her. She gasped as he gently scissored them, stretching her out.

"I want you," she begged. "It's okay if it hurts the first time."

He shook his head, kissing her body more, kissing her mouth. She felt like she might implode with the heights he took her to; the pounding deep inside was unbearable.

"Please," she sighed, palming his rigid heat. "I need you."

He swallowed. He needed her too but he didn't want to hurt her. He hoped she had sorted her birth control out with Taylor as he widened her thighs. He pushed up between them, spreading her out and bracing at her entrance.

"Look at me, 'Brie…" He husked, kissing her lower lip, her chin. He slowly began to broach her resistance.

She hitched a noise in her throat, taking a breath in as he entered her; and he slowly filled her with every inch he had. He felt her womanhood flutter around him and he pushed in deep; the thrust an instinctive one, not of choice.

"Sorry," he whispered, cradling her. "I'm sorry…"

Gabriella lay wide-eyed staring at him as she accustomed to his size; buried deep within her where she locked him as her intimacy struggled to accommodate his thickness. She wasn't sure what was happening to her but she closed her eyes and let out short breaths of struggled air; arching as she tightened around his invasion convulsively; an orgasm rocking her body against her control.

"Hell, 'Brie," Troy groaned at the tightness she afforded him, willingly or not.

She didn't understand her reaction, didn't know what made her climax like that; all she knew was that as Troy drew slowly out of her, she wanted him back within as soon as he withdrew. And when he began to fill her again; she wanted more of him and harder. He began to thrust; began to answer her cries demanding more. She took him into her body; every last hard, swollen inch of him as he worshipped her with the rough but loving drive of his hips.

He thrust into her, over and over; the intensity of their union taking them both to another place where they rose and rose until they reached the stars. Gabriella felt yet another climax climb over her skin as Troy filled her completely and drove into her for longer, more satisfying strokes.

She cried out as her peak broke; more softly than before; tightening him gently inside of her where she felt him crash into her one final time; giving her the ultimate fill of him.

She was full to the brim of him and thoroughly loved; nothing else mattered as she clutched him in her arms and let the tears slide down her face. This moment couldn't be more perfect, she couldn't have hoped for anything more. She sobbed in quiet pleasure at sharing something so profound, something so beautiful with someone she cared so much about.

She could make love with Troy over and over if that's how amazing it was going to be, she mused.

She swallowed as he moved and a stinging sensation quickly pained her between the thighs. She whimpered and looked up into his face.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry," he quickly apologised with his own swallow. "'Brie, I am so sorry…"

She looked down beneath them, seeing the red stains on his bed; all over his sheet and now all over his hands where he was cupping her as if trying to take the pain away.

"Don't move," he murmured, rising to quickly run some water into his bath where he quickly carried her and took a cloth to clean her.

"Troy…" She trembled as he sank her into the warm water; his naked body patched with her blood.

"Shh, don't cry…" he quickly sank into the bath with her and adjusted her so that her back touched his chest where he could wash her gently and murmur in her ear.

"I'm crying because it was amazing," she hitched, shaking from fear of her bleeding.

"Shh," he stroked a hand down her belly, kissing her temple. "We knew you would bleed…I should have been more gentle," he blamed himself. "Damn but you were beautiful and I just-"

Gabriella reached back and grasped his neck.

"It's okay."

"It's not okay," he murmured. "You must be sore," he guessed.

She squeezed her thighs and felt the tell-tale bruising of his rough thrusts. She didn't need to affirm her discomfort for he wrapped her close and kissed her cheek.

"I'm sorry…I lost control for a minute there…" She had been so tight, so welcoming, he hadn't had any will left in his body to hold back.

He winced as he used the cloth to clean her body gently.

"Stop saying sorry," she urged. "I'm not."

He sighed and moved, lifting her from the bath to dry her. His bath emptied the water itself which she marveled at before bringing her gaze back to his. He was so worried for her. She checked between her thighs; found no more blood and sighed in relief.

"I'll change your sheets and wash them," she offered embarrassedly.

Troy stepped forward and hugged her close. "I'll do it." He assured.

He helped her into her clothes and ensured she was comfortable on his couch before he went about his task, quickly fixing the bed to come and join her.

He stood before her and drew her up, kissing her softly as he cupped her butt.

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said again, pressing his forehead to hers.

She cupped his neck. "It was the best experience of my life," she promised.

"Next time, I'll be so gentle…" He swore.

She smiled. "When can we…?"

He shook his head and brought her to the clean bed where he rolled onto the fresh sheets and brought her down with him to cuddle.

"You need to heal," he nuzzled her neck as they spooned.

She pouted. "Okay."

He bound her into his arms. "Sleep, my princess."

She nodded tiredly and obeyed.