A Change in Plans

An ATC for "The Foundling"

by Lilyjack

Content Warning: This chapter is smokin' in more ways than one. Don't say I didn't warn ya'. ;-)

Chapter 15

"Fiery"

Cold fingers of fog swirled in the Long Branch as Matt Dillon narrowed his eyes at her. "What the hell were you thinkin'? You had no right to saddle me with a child."

"I didn't mean to, honest, Matt! At least I don't think I did. It's all so confusing. I'm not sure of anything anymore."

"It doesn't matter anyway. I hate a liar almost as much as I hate a killer or a thief. You're no good…"

"Oh, Matt, you don't mean that!" She reached for his arm and he shook her off. "Matt?" She lay a hand on her swollen belly. "Don't you want us?"

He shook his head in disgust. "You betrayed me. I want no part of ya'." He stalked out of the saloon, the batwing doors swinging in his wake.

"Wait, Matt! Don't leave!"

But Matt Dillon was gone. There was a terrible silence that echoed in the room.

Then a familiar, comforting voice came out of nowhere. "I want you…"

She whirled around, and she was in Quint Asper's blacksmith shop. Flames licked high in each of the three forges. It was steamy hot, and she could feel sweat trickling, rolling down her spine, between her thighs, beneath her breasts. Kitty was unable to make out anyone else in the smoky, dim room.

"I'm right here." Quint emerged from a shadowy corner where he had been watching, waiting. He was rolling up his sleeves, baring his powerful arms. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asserted, his eyes never leaving her.

She tried to speak but couldn't get the words out. Looking down, she gasped, discovering herself undressed, wearing only her filmy, cotton underthings. They were damp with sweat and sticking to her skin. She crossed her arms to shield herself, but Quint came closer…closer.

"Don't hide yourself from me, Kitty."

She finally found her voice, but it was reed thin. "Why not?"

"I just wanna help you." He gently took her shielding hands in his and pulled them away.

His black gaze swept over her body and she shivered. Her feet were rooted to the spot. Her breath came quick.

"I'll make you feel better, sweetheart. Let me rub your back." Suddenly he was behind her, his warm hands kneading her muscles. He pressed his fingers into the small of her back, and she sighed as a shiver of pleasure ran down her spine. He worked his way up to her shoulders, gently pinching, rhythmically digging his fingers into the tense flesh. Her head rolled on her neck and she released a small moan. Goosebumps trilled over her skin. He whispered, "That's it…just let go…"

His hands traced down her ribs, squeezing, caressing her flesh. His fingers brushed the sides of her breasts, and she sucked in a breath. She was tender. Sore.

"I know your breasts hurt when you're with child. I can make you feel better…"

She turned her head to gaze back at him mutely, swallowing hard. "But…"

"I won't hurt you, I promise."

She waited, motionless, as he stood behind her, fingertips stroking gently through the thin fabric of her chemise, the sides at first, beneath her arms. When he found a sensitive spot that made her suck in a sharp breath, he would lighten his contact, work at it until it hurt no longer.

She melted into him, leaned against him as he touched her, fondled her. Quint Asper was stroking her breasts, but he was also building a fire that burned low in her belly. "Quint…" she murmured. "Touch me…"

His words were silken, honeyed. "That's it, Kitty. Just relax. I'll take care of you. Reach your arms up around my neck." With her arms raised high, he stroked beneath her bosom, his fingers raking the full, round bottoms. He circled her with his big hands as her breath came in quiet gasps, moist heat steadily building at the juncture of her trembling thighs.

He stroked the backs of his fingers down the length of her sensitive inner arms, then across her flushed cheeks. Quint murmured in her ear, "I could do a better job if you'd take this off, Kitty." He plucked at the sleeve of her chemise.

"Off?" she whispered hoarsely.

"Naked…" he said, his breath hot on her neck. "Could you take this off for me? I need for you to be naked."

"Naked? I'm not sure…"

"I'm sure. I just want to see your naked body, to touch you. No one's here but us."

She turned in his arms to face him, taking a step back and a deep, fortifying breath. "Nobody?"

"Nobody but me, honey." His tongue darted out and wet his lip. "Let me see you."

"Alright, Quint…" Pulling at the ribbon drawstring of her bodice with two fingers, the flimsy garment dropped, hanging from her shoulders, baring her lush breasts to his blistering gaze. Her nipples were tight and hard from his lingering touch, the skin pebbled and jutting forward. She wanted him to see what he had done to her. Biting her lower lip, she waited for his reaction.

He groaned, whirling her around, crushing her back against his chest again, his powerful hands engulfing her bare bosom from behind. His thumbs brushed over her sensitive pink areolas, flicking and pinching her erect nipples against his long fingers. Gasping at the sensation of his hands on her naked flesh, she felt blood rushing to her dripping folds, throbbing between her legs. She was light-headed, breathless. "Quint," she moaned. "Oh my god…Quint…"

Kitty woke with a cry, her center pulsating and wet, back arched, blood hot. Sweat beaded her skin. She gasped aloud, realizing what had happened.

Kitty Russell had made love with no man other than U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon in nearly twenty years. Now she felt as though she'd betrayed him in her sleep. What the hell was she gonna do?

ljljljljlj

Holding his breath, Quint Asper softly, silently closed Kitty's bedroom door, his face flushed and hot. He was guilt-ridden at what he'd accidentally witnessed. Quint had been wakened from sleep once again by Kitty's cries, her pleas for Matt Dillon to love her, to love her baby. But by the time Quint arrived, she seemed to be in the unmistakable throes of passion, and Quint had been surprised when she uttered his own name.

Matt had been Quint's close friend and confidante for many years. The big, courageous man had always supported Quint in tough times, and they'd worked together side by side. The marshal of Dodge City had been Quint's friend, despite the fact that Quint was a "half-breed," even defending him against those who were bigoted and spiteful. For this friendship and support, Quint had always been truly grateful.

But Quint also knew the man was not perfect. Quint could not fathom how the hell Matt Dillon could essentially reject a beautiful and intelligent woman who'd loved him for nigh on two decades. How could Matt keep Kitty hanging, unmarried, without the loving family of her own that she so obviously desired? How could the longtime marshal hold onto a job that mortally endangered the woman he loved, caused her grievous injury and heartache time and time again? Why the hell didn't Matt take Kitty Russell away from Dodge City where she'd be safe? Safe from the sadistic men who now plagued Kitty in nightmares, made her cry and call out for help in her sleep?

Since Kitty had come to St. Louis with Quint, it had become increasingly apparent to him that something needed to change. Quint felt it not only his duty as her longtime friend, but also his privilege to comfort Kitty, to provide her with a safe place to call home, to make her life easier and to get her through this difficult time.

But Quint was also finding himself powerfully drawn to her, both emotionally and physically. He felt it was his duty to come to her aid first and foremost, as a friend of both Matt and Kitty. But if Matt did not change his mind, and if Kitty should desire more of Quint, he would be more than happy to oblige her. Comforting Kitty when she suffered night terrors was only the beginning of his wish to make her life more fulfilling and to be a safe haven for her.

But when Quint hurried to stand barefooted outside Kitty's door, ready to wake her, hold her, whisper comforting words in her ear, he got a surprise. By the time he'd made it to her room, her voice sounded different. Through the crack in the door, Quint heard soft sighs and ardent, throaty moans that made his bare toes curl, that traveled straight to his groin. He blushed profusely and began to shut the door, but then he heard his name fall from her sultry lips.

In the pale-yellow gaslight slanting through her window, Quint saw Kitty's hands slip between her legs to touch herself. Quint felt light-headed, his feet rooted to the spot. Incredibly aroused, his hand slid hotly over his own bare chest as her smoldering voice cried his name, not fearfully, but unmistakably in the throes of passion. His breath was shallow, quick, as he heard her groan his name one last time, saw her body tense and her back arch with her breasts thrust upward.

Then she woke with a start, and Quint noiselessly closed her door, face heated, body aroused, to quietly pad back to his room. What was to become of them both?

tbc

ljljljljlj