Chapter 20 – Reflections (revised)
Alexis wiped the steamy mirror with the corner of her towel. When her reflection came into view she leaned in close and studied her appearance with interest as she began to tally the flaws she found. Sunken cheeks, tightly drawn skin were definite signs that she had lost more weight, and her normally large-green eyes appeared to almost consume her face. Underneath each orb was a dark shadow that told another tale, but that came as no surprise. Lately she had gotten very little sleep. Especially last night. A small sinful smile emerged as she reflected on the evening she had spent with Doc.
She had risen early and left Doc sleeping soundly while she made use of the modern facilities down the hall from his room. Her body was pleasantly sore and achy in all the right places. It was a naughty thought she knew, but one pleasure every woman longs to experience. A hot bath was the finale to an evening well spent.
Wiping once again at the foggy mirror, she continued her inspection. Definitely a little paler and slightly thinner then she would like to be, but she often forgot to eat before she went on patrol. Actually, she couldn't remember when she had last eaten a proper meal. Lately, she would grab a mouthful or two from whatever she was cooking to serve in the saloon. Maybe when Angel finally arrived she would have time to…. to what, kill her vampire husband and then have a five-course meal?
Chuckling softly Alex next contemplated the rough skin on her hands and un-manicured nails. "Hmmm…definitely need to squeeze in a mani-pedi, too. Busy, busy, busy." Looking down at the tattooed symbols on each of her forearms she paused… "Well, this is a problem. What exactly do I do about you?" She said to both tattoos. The soft candlelight had made excellent cover so John wouldn't noticed the markings, but the morning sunlight streaming in his bedroom would expose everything. Hopefully, she would be able to keep her arms down towards the bed or behind his back…
Bugger! What was she thinking? Of course she wanted to make love to him again, but what she should do is get dressed and get the hell out of his room before he woke up. It was past time to knock off this daydreaming and get back to reality.
With a few swift motions, Alex straightened up the bathroom, grabbed her towel and wrapped herself in a maroon robe of quilted satin, trimmed in velvet on the collar and cuffs she had borrowed from Doc's closet. Of course it was too big and long for her, but she only had to walk a short distance down the hall to John's room. The robe she had chosen was just one of three Victorian style robes she found when she looked in his closet. The man was a clotheshorse. There were several suits. Alex had counted a total of eight: three in black, two in navy blue, two in a deep gray and one in a light gray. To accompany the suits was a shirt in every color, and at least ten waistcoats that would coordinate beautifully when paired with the right color shirt. He had three sets of leather boots neatly aligned on the closet floor. Hanging on a peg, attached to the inside of the closet door, was an extra gun and holster. To top the collection were three hats, and two long coats, one in gray and another in a beige canvas material. Every article was neat, clean and orderly.
Closets were personal things. You can tell a lot about a person by looking through their closet. Doc's wardrobe spoke volumes about his inner nature. To Alex it said he was orderly and very self-controlled. He was careful with his possessions and the things he possessed were of the finest quality. But it was also bare of any personal mementoes, as if his past, specifically his dental career, had at some earlier time been discarded.
She tightened the belt on the robe and turned her face into the velvet collar and breathed deeply. John's personal aroma of spiced soap and cologne seeped into her senses. Smells create the strongest memories and as her eyes filled with tears, she knew without a doubt this scent she would carry to her grave. In the not too distant future, she would regret getting involved with the intriguing Doc Holliday, but she seemed unable to stop herself. It was a predestine course that she had to follow no matter the cost. Try not to give him your heart, stupid, she silently repeated over and over again while walking back to his room.
As quietly as she could, Alex opened the door and shut it behind her. Doc was still sleeping. Stopping at the end of the bed she stood for a moment to observe the peaceful countenance of his rest. He was lying on his stomach with one pillow encircled in his arms and partially under his head. His face was smooth, relaxed, and for once free of the tight control he held, appearing younger then his thirty years, especially with his hair messed up and sticking out straight like it was now. His youthful features were accented by dark eyelashes that cascaded across his upper cheeks and a slacken mouth with soft-full lips. Lips she was eager to trace with the tip of her finger before slipping past the barrier to feel the warmth and wetness inside. The bed sheet, angled in folds across his back, covered his modesty but left his muscular shoulders bare, and one bent leg semi exposed. His body was long and thin, but beautifully defined. It was true his muscles were not as developed as some men, but his illness was most likely the cause. John's form was what some people referred to as wiry in strength and build.
He was beautiful, and Alex knew her heart would break to leave him. That thought had her crying again. Then take him back with you, her inner voice replied. Hastily, she wiped at her tears before pulling Doc's upholstered chair away from the bed to its normal spot by the window so that she could sit without disturbing his rest. It only took her a split second to realize she would have no choice but to leave him behind. He would never fit comfortably in the twenty-first century, and staying in the past with him would never do. She couldn't, wouldn't, stay with him and live a lie. Any relationship she formed with Doc would be temporary. By maintaining her disguise she was only prolonging the inevitable. Sooner or later he was bound to discover her secret, and when he did he would never forgive her for deceiving him. Her only hope lay in persuading him to return home, marry his cousin Mattie or some other girl, and live a normal life. It would be the best thing for him.
And for you, too, right girlfriend? You could live with that outcome.
Strangely enough, the thought of John starting a family with another woman, a good woman, was comforting. No doubt, she would miss him, cry over him and the love they shared, but there would also be joy knowing he was healthy, happily married and reunited with his family again. But what if he should refuse, act like a stubborn fool and ignore her good advice by taking up with that scheming whore again? Well, then she would be very tempted to travel back through time and smack him silly.
Satisfied that she had successfully shifted through her complex emotions, Alex's mind turned toward the immediate future. On a small table directly to her left was Doc's tin of tobacco. Why not, she thought, and began to roll a smoke, fighting with the thin sheets of paper and loose fragrant leaves. While sealing the comically rolled cigarette she decided to stay and wait for Doc to wake up, and while she waited she would smoke and comb out her wet hair, knowing it would take at least an hour for it to dry. Sighing, she lit the smoke and thought wistfully about the blow-dryer she left sitting in her suitcase in twenty-first century Los Angeles.
Not quite an hour later Doc Holliday woke to a familiar smell. He raised his head slightly and the first thing he saw was Alex wrapped in his robe, sitting in his chair, smoking his tobacco. When he sat up she turned toward him, sending waves of unbound hair cascading over her shoulder, creating a startling contrast against the maroon satin that took his breath away.
Smiling at his disheveled look, Alex gave him a warm greeting that further amplified Doc's shortness of breath. "Good morning. I've been waiting for you to wake up."
Leaning back against the headboard, John Henry ran his hand over his hair, messing it up further. With a grin he asked, "Do you believe in irony, Alex?"
"What?" She blinked. "Do I believe in irony? Well, that's a funny way to say good morning." He was amused about something, but Alex had no idea what it was.
Chuckling softly, he held out his hand toward her. "Never mind, darlin. Just come back to bed."
Alex moved to put out the cigarette when he suddenly said, "No, wait! Bring it with you."
"All right." She replied. Standing, she began to step towards the bed, loving the way his eyes seemed to devour every inch of her form.
"And don't you look luscious in my robe." Doc crooned while accepting the cigarette, giving it a judgmental look before inhaling deeply and then placing it in the ashtray next to the bed.
Alex laughed. "I'm getting better with practice." She admitted with a nod toward the ashtray. "You should have seen the first cigarette I rolled."
"Ah, a newly born Jezebel." Doc's eyes lit up with excitement as he met her gaze, still in awe that his little cook was here with him, sitting in his bed, and draped in one of his best ropes. Eagerly, he studied her expression, looking for any sign of regret and was pleased when he found none. Like an angel she was poised, curled across his bed draped in satin, her eyes attentive to his every move, every emotion as if he were her entire world. Pride ripped through his chest, choking off his airway as he admired the milky whiteness of her skin, the straight line of her shoulders, and the soft cleavage peeking out from under the robe before stopping at her long shapely legs. Gently he let the tips of his fingers slowly caress her calf muscle, testing the firmness and sleek texture, feeling increasingly overwhelmed by the emotion that was building and building in his heart. "Have you been awake very long?" He finally managed to croak.
She made a mindless sound. "A little more than an hour, I think. Did you sleep well?"
With eyes still lowered, Doc snickered softly, nodding as he continued to fondle her leg. "I dreamt a dream tonight." He quoted in a thoughtful tone.
"And so did I." Alex responded with the next Shakespearean verse.
Surprised by her quick reply, he raised his eyes to smile at her. "Well, what was yours?"
"That dreamers often lie." The game and his mischievous behavior were contagious as she fed him the next line and waited.
Doc chuckled softly amazed that she could so readily quote Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. "In bed asleep while they do dream things true." He called back as his hand slipped under her foot and with a quick stroke he ran the tip of his nail down the length of her sole. Alex squealed and jerked her foot away.
"O, I see Queen Mab hath been with you." She giggled.
Finally, Doc laughed outright, breaking the spell. "Oh, Alex, you are so much better than any fairy Shakespeare could ever imagine." Unable to hold back any longer he immediately pulled her across his lap, kissing her soundly before nuzzling against her freshly washed hair. "Dear God, you smell good." He breathed in a low husky voice that sent a thrill over every inch of her skin.
She entwined her arms around his neck, letting her fingers first smooth his hair in the places where it was sticking up straight. His lips silenced any reply she might have had, while his one hand slowly coaxed the robe from her shoulders.
"Let's stay in bed all day, Alex." Doc suggested. His mouth slid down her neck and lingered on her shoulder pulling a wanton groan from deep within her throat. "I'll have breakfast sent up." He continued while exposing her right breast so that his fingers could lightly caress the tip. "Afterwards, I'll do all kinds of naughty things to you." His mouth latched on to her rose-colored nipple and sucked. Alex grabbed his upper arms for support as a wave of pleasure rolled through her.
"I can think of half a dozen wicked things I like to do right now." Then his teeth gently bit the perfect erect peak he had created.
Wrapping her arms around Doc's shoulders, Alex did her best to hang on and ride the wave of pleasure he was creating. This moment with him was all she could have faith in. She would not think about the consequences. The sorrow would come, she had no doubt about that, but she would cope with it another time, in her time, in the future.
They did not spend all day in bed even though Doc tried his best to persuade her. There were errands to run, she told him, groceries to procure, and dinner to cook. In retaliation, he teased her unmercifully before calling the Fly's youngest son, who served as bellhop, and ordered breakfast to be sent up to the room.
Alex enjoyed sitting in his bed as she watched him move about the room. After donning one of the magnificent robes from his closet, Doc made a close examination of his blood soaked jacket from the night before, frowned deeply at the stain, before placing it on a pile of laundry he would send out to be cleaned. "I hope it can be saved." He mumbled more to himself then to her.
Then his attention wandered to the bottle of laudanum Dr. Goodfellow had left sitting on a table. Carefully he uncorked the bottle, sniffed the contents before sealing it again. To Alex he seemed to be considering the outcome of the pain medicine he had been forced to take. "I believe the doctor only gave me one dose of this last night. Are you aware of my taking any more than that, Alex?" A small puzzled frown crossed his face before he placed the bottle in his dresser drawer.
Alex only shook her head and then asked, "Is the affect of laudanum that strong?"
"Yes, quite so. If you are in pain, it is a miracle drug, although it does have a tendency to render you unconscious for several hours. Have you never had the cause to take laudanum?"
Alex chuckled softly before thoughtlessly replying. "No. I have been blessed with a very healthy immune system. I don't ever recall being ill."
She became alarmed when Doc looked at her strangely for a moment, as if her words had deeply disturbed him before turning away to continue straightening up his room. "You are very fortunate." He replied in a tight voice while avoiding her eyes. "I've been ill for so long now I can't remember what it feels like to be healthy and whole." Walking over to the window, he opened it just a crack to help air out the room.
After picking up his clothing, removing all traces of his illness from the night before, Doc sat down on the side of the bed to check his guns, methodically reloading the weapons. The efficient way he removed all traces of his sickness reminded Alex of a well-used ritual. Add a healthy dose of her misspoken confession about her weird immune system and Alex was getting the impression Doc was struggling to control his emotions.
"This wasn't the first time you've been ill, was it John?"
He issued a soft sarcastic laugh while still refusing to make eye contact. "No, not the first and probably not the last either."
Alex scooted over to his side of the bed. Reaching out, she rested the tips of her fingers against his shoulder, noting the fine hum of tension that coursed through his muscles. "How long have you been sick?"
He paused from reloading his gun to look over at her. "Since… forever." His lighthearted shrug did little to hide his discomfort from Alex. She continued to look at him as she waited for him to answer. Finally, after he hung his guns from the bedpost he noticed she was still staring at him intently.
A loud sigh preceded the answer she sought. "I was twenty-two when I was first diagnosed with consumption. I am now thirty, which means I have been ill for eight years. My uncle, who was a medical doctor before the war, suggested I relocate west to seek a drier climate with hope it would halt the progress of my illness. It didn't. So, here in the West I am and here I shall stay."
The tight set of his jaw was warning enough. Alexis didn't ask him any more questions after that. Discussing his illness and his personal life seemed to distress Doc and the last thing she wanted to do was to stir that hot temper of his, but even if she wanted to press him further, John didn't give her the opportunity to do so. He made a quick change of topics by taking the robe she had been wearing away from her, telling her that he wanted to watch her eat breakfast in his bed naked. But ever conscious of the necessity to hide the tattoos on her arms, Alex waited until his back was turned while he located a new pouch of tobacco, and then quickly slipped on one of his shirts that he had set aside to be laundered. He was only slightly disappointed when he saw she was covered before conceding he loved the look of her wearing his clothes.
Doc rolled a smoke, filled a glass with whiskey, and climbed back on the bed next to her, inhaling deeply on the smoke before passing it to her. Alexis took a small puff and place it the ashtray on the dresser next to the bed.
"How do you feel this morning, John?" She asked as she grabbed the glass of whiskey from his hand and placed it on the dresser and out of his reach.
"Hmm. Better, much better." He was making a close examination of her left foot with his mouth. The soft hairs of his mustache combined with the delicate strokes of his lips and tongue against the soul of her foot were about to send her over the edge. She could feel the erotic sensations shoot up her leg until it hit her groin. His fingers caressing the back of her knee only increased the experience. Alex choked back a cry when he took one toe in his mouth and began to suck on it.
"We should let Dr. Goodfellow know you are feeling better." She uttered with a shaky voice.
"Piss on Dr. Goodfellow." His exploration took a turn northward as his mouth traveled up her leg, placing his hands on the inside of her knees, pushing them further apart before stopping to bite the delicate skin on inside of her thigh.
Alex was practically panting from his slow and deliberate seduction.
"Alex," he asked softly as he ran one finger over the dark blonde curls between her legs, "how did you come to be in my bed last night?" A soft moan was the answer she gave him.
"Why would a woman who has kept me at arms distance suddenly decide to change the nature of our relationship?" He dipped his head lower and flicked his tongue against her.
The pleasure she felt at his intimate touch left her speechless. Unconsciously, she bent her knee in response to his stimulus. John reached up and pushed against it exposing her further to his assault.
He slipped one long finger inside her and began to caress her with firm strokes. "Darlin, you didn't answer me?"
With a sharp hiss, Alex sucked in her breath. "Are you sorry I came?" She panted.
"No, actually, I'm looking forward to you coming again." He latched his mouth on her and sucked softly.
Alex's back arched as she pushed against him, a keening cry escaping throat.
John pushed his finger in deeper, curving it slightly upward to touch the sensitive area that would give her the most pleasure. She gasped. He could tell she was only seconds from her release. When there was a knock on the bedroom door he jerked his head at the sound, the subtle movement caused Alex to cry out again. Quickly, he placed his hand over her mouth before she was heard.
"Mr. Holliday, your breakfast is ready." The bellboy called from the other side of the door.
John lifted his head to answer and Alex whimpered in protest. "Leave it outside the door James. I'm not dressed at the moment." He used his thumb in place of his mouth. Alex issue a muffled moaned and bit his hand.
"I don't mind waiting Mr. Holliday."
Doc cursed softly under his breath. "Just leave the tray James, I'll get it momentarily." He heard the soft clinking of china touching china as the tray was placed on the hall floor, followed by the sound of bellboy's departing footsteps.
Alex's hold on his hand increased. John looked up at her with a devilish expression on his face. "Will you stop biting me? If I can't deal cards tonight Alex I swear I'll take it out on your backside."
She released his hand, and in a flash Doc grabbed her by the waist, pulling her down further on the bed. Then he leaned over her flushed body and slowly slid inside, pulling a deep satisfied sigh from Alex.
"You never answered my question." He asked before dipping his head to taste the warm skin on her throat.
"Actually, I intended to visit the man next door and mistakenly entered your room instead." She started to snicker, but then John began to move inside her and it ended as moan.
"Saucy minx." He whispered in her ear. "Lucky for me you made an error, and lucky for Mrs. Sampson who lives next door."
Alex would have given him a sassy comeback, but she was finding it hard to think straight as he rocked into her steadily, bent on increasing the assaulting waves of pleasure cascading through her body and his, setting them both free.