Unlawfully Yours
Chapter VII
Phoebe had just spotted two distinctive points on the horizon. They were still far away, but she knew it had to be two more members of the gang looking for her. As far as she could see, they were coming back slowly, possibly scrutinizing the sands for any sign of her passage. Instinctively, she moved closer to the edge, trying to get a better view even though it was pointless… Then the gunshot breaking the heavy silence almost threw her off balance, it had been so sudden. Holding her breath, she turned toward the trail and to Cole, seeing then that this one was up and glancing around as if he expected an attack Slowly, even as she stood up to go to him, she exhaled and tried to slow down her racing heart. However, right then the agonizing neighing of a horse reached their ears and this disturbing sound was soon followed by a second gunshot. By the time she was beside Cole, the neighing had long died off, but Phoebe could still feel it reverberating through every fibre of her being. Cole glanced at her, and she could read the same unease in his eyes. He then turned toward the trail slowly. Phoebe was about to call to him, but a sudden instinct stopped her. Instead, she grabbed his forearm and imperatively indicated to keep silent. Cole frowned irritably but something in her expression froze the words of protest he had been about to utter. Then the distinctive sound of pebbles tossed on the rocky path caught his attention again. The strange thing was that instead of growing closer, the sound seemed to be fainter than before. It didn't seem to make any sense had it been Paul. This, with Phoebe's apparent worry, caused a renewed unease to course through him, as he cautiously advanced toward the bend. Phoebe followed him a few paces behind, her heart still racing but for a different reason now. Cole peeked carefully at the trail and then suddenly retreated, telling Phoebe that she had been right on the mark.
He motioned uselessly for her to keep still, while he risked another peek. Cole only managed to get one more good look at the man; but that was enough for him to realize how unbelievably lucky they had been. This was obviously one of Reggie's men, and he had come way too close to finding them… At the same time, he wondered if it had been luck alone. Who fired the gun that clearly stopped their pursuer? The answer seemed quite obvious to him, and it didn't bode well for their companion. And there was also the matter of the almost unbearable neighing. Not knowing what Phoebe had seen earlier, he reflected that they may very well have lost Paul to Reggie, and then the lucky break didn't seem so fortunate anymore.
Phoebe's hand on his shoulder startled him, but at the same time, he found it reassuring. For a moment there, he had felt very alone and vulnerable. He still resented her for her treacherous flight of earlier, but at the same time, he sensed that Phoebe was on his side. Cole knew that it was probably irrational on his part, but at that very moment, he was content with this impression. They both stayed quiet for a long moment, fearing to alert the would-be intruder, since any sound could still carry to him. Then, when he was certain that the man had gone far enough, Cole finally questioned Phoebe.
"What did you see?"
Phoebe still cast a worried look toward the trail before she answered.
"Enough to tell me that we shouldn't dwell here… They were already on their way back but all this noise's gonna bring them here faster."
Phoebe was already turning toward the horses, but Cole called back to her.
"Hey, we're not leaving just yet. What about McKail?"
Irritably, Phoebe looked back at him.
"Hey, I'm wondering about the guy too, but that doesn't mean we should stay here and wait to be caught. What good is it gonna do him…? And besides I don't think Reggie did anything to him...."
"What makes you say that?"
"There are only three of them left now… we just saw one coming toward us and I spotted the other two in the desert just before the gunshots. Whatever else happened didn't involve them."
"So you're saying that he fired his gun for no reason? And how does that explain the horse?"
"Look Turner, I like to theorize as much as the next girl, but why don't we do it after we've put some distance between them and us?"
Cole watched her curiously before answering.
"I thought you wanted back with them…"
"Let's just say I got the feeling they don't want me back and leave it at that," Phoebe replied curtly, obviously upset at his comment. When she saw that he was about to add something, she pursued.
"Besides cowboy, you may say what you want, but if I hadn't left the cave when I did, Sly might have surprised us and then where would we be? Now stop procrastinating and let's go. If McKail's alive, he's gonna find us…"
Cole was about to protest further about her motivations, but as she turned her back to him again, he had a sudden unpleasant revelation about his own feelings. If he still resented her for her assumed betrayal, seeing her moving away also reminded him of what had truly hurt him, back in the cave. When he had found her gone, Cole's first thought had been that she'd abandoned him. It had been a disturbing idea, but most of all a foolish one that he had tried to forget about until now.
Even if her arguments were logical enough, he still couldn't help thinking that she was also ready to abandon Paul for the sake of her own safety. She only reinforced this impression with her next words as she took the reins of the first horse.
"Hey, if you wanna stay here and commit suicide, it's fine with me. But I'm not waiting for Reggie to find me."
To illustrate her point, she went on her way without waiting. This shook Cole out of his indecision and he went to the second horse, albeit not without one last glance toward where the gunshots had seemed to come from.
Paul looked down into the chasm with a dejected expression. It was too deep and dark for him to see much of anything. A short way from him laid a large wolf that he had just shot dead. Earlier, this one and another had appeared unexpectedly in front of him. At first, Paul had only stepped back slowly, wary of using his weapon. However the wolves had started advancing on him and his horse and soon pounced in the direction of the mount. Paul had drawn his revolver and shot once in the air, startling the wolves, but also augmenting the horse's terror. This one had reared off and then lost its footing near the very chasm Paul was now staring at. The horse had plunged in with a loud neighing of fright while Paul could only watch helplessly. However, once back from their surprise, the wolves had come back towards him and he had no choice but to shoot one of them while the other ran.
Quitting his useless staring, he reflected that this disturbance must for sure have alerted the gangsters by now. This negated his going back down the precarious trail he had found after leaving Cole and Phoebe. His hope had been to lead the band in the wrong direction by leaving an obvious trail, and then go back to rejoin with the others. Now however, if he didn't hurry, the band would get to him too soon. As he continued his climb up, he had torn a piece out of the blanket Phoebe had been wrapped in when they took her away from the camp. Then, he had dropped it on the path, stuck on some sharp edged rock. On the bright side, they were now certain to come this way and investigate this thoroughly. Nevertheless, this left him with only two options: he could continue on the trail and hope that they wouldn't reach him, or that they would stop here thinking that it was where the chase ended… or he could make his way off the trail and toward where he'd left his companions. The latter seemed the most likely to save him from the gangsters, although he knew that this would be a difficult trek. Having made his decision, he immediately moved off the trail and began making his painstaking way through the uneven terrain.
Earlier, Lenny had followed the tracks to the first trail up the mountain and found that they went on along the range but with a notable difference. Up till the first trail, he had gotten the impression that someone was trying to hide their tracks, whereas, after the trail, it didn't seem to be the case anymore. That's what had prompted him to investigate the first trail, convinced as he was that Sly might have neglected to notice the apparent attempt at dissimulation. Only the gunshot and the horse neighing had given him doubts about his assumption. Phoebe didn't have a gun or a horse, so it had to be Sly's doing. Because of this, he concluded that Sly must have found her and shot her, even though that still didn't explain the agonizing cry. He remained hopeful that they would be done with this stupid chase and back to business in no time as he made his way down the slope. By the time he returned on the flat, he met with Reggie and Zach, who had obviously heard the gunshots as well.
"What was that," Reggie immediately questioned his right hand man.
"I haven't the faintest. I think it came from further down the range. I was on my way to check it out."
"And what about this one…?" Reggie questioned again, indicating the trail Lenny had just left.
"I didn't find anything there…"
Reggie nodded uncertainly but the three of them soon moved off, following the horse's tracks.
Cole and Phoebe walked slowly up the trail because it had become more treacherous as they went until they found themselves almost at the top. There, Phoebe stopped and surveyed the surroundings. Then a satisfied smile spread over her lips. Without a word, she made a beeline toward a rock formation and disappeared inside before Cole could question her about it.
Perplexed, he followed her there and found a quasi cave among the rocks. Phoebe was already opening the saddlebags and pulling some rations out of it. She also took a long sip of water from the flask before sitting up.
"So," Cole commented at last, "I'm guessing we're waiting here?"
Phoebe gave him an annoyed glance before replying.
"What? Wasn't it what you wanted in the first place?"
"It was…" he trailed.
"It's better here than in the open, as you suggested," Phoebe continued offhandedly.
Cole couldn't help feeling she was treating him like a child.
"You know, I may not have much experience in the desert… but that doesn't make me an idiot," he commented with obvious irritation.
Phoebe had the urge to push him a little more but decided against it. She reflected that alienating him further wasn't worth it, even if it would have been amusing.
Besides, the danger was far from behind them and she saw the advantage in staying on good terms with him. At least, in her mind that was the rationalization that she made… "I say, we lay low in here for a while and then move on even if McKail doesn't show up…I'm sorry if that sounded cold," She added quickly when she saw him about to protest, "he'd do the same in our position Turner, I assure you."
Rather than answering, Cole nodded grudgingly and went to his own horse, getting some meat as well. The food was hard to swallow, not only for its rubbery texture, but mostly because he was still tense. Turning back toward Phoebe, he was amazed at how little she seemed affected. If he had not seen the look of fear in her eyes earlier, he might have believed her emotionless. Phoebe was becoming more of a puzzle to him as time went by. So cold and efficient one moment and yet, so obviously vulnerable the next… At this point, he doubted that he would ever understand her, no matter how much he wished he could. Unwilling to dwell on this then, he went to stand by the entrance instead, heeding her warning about Reggie.
If Phoebe showed him a good face, Cole was wrong in assuming that she wasn't affected by what happened. In fact, the last few days had shaken her self-confidence more than she was willing to admit. It was strange to her because the past, adversity had only strengthened her resolve. Yet, this time, she found herself weak and much more than this, yearning for comfort from another. A disturbing realization came to her then when she admitted to herself that it was Cole she wanted it from and no other. "Was that it," she wondered, as she watched him near the entrance. "Am I letting myself go soft because of some weird feeling?" Phoebe frowned angrily at her line of thoughts. If that truly was the reason, then she should try her best to quash this strange emotion. Yet, she couldn't help the urge to go to him and bury her face in his chest. She wanted to feel his strong arms around her, reassuring, not just wanting like other men. Phoebe knew however that she was deluding herself. All he wanted from her was her body, not her. Like they all did. This at least, she knew he wanted. His outburst of earlier had only confirmed what she knew all along. Cole wanted to possess her, just as much as Reggie did. In a way, this was also reassuring and safe. That's how she knew men and also, she told herself, how I should think of him. There was no place in her life for emotions. Pleasure however, might actually bring back the balance in her… or so that's how she reasoned her next move.
Phoebe got up, already unbuttoning her shirt as she walked toward him. She realized on some level that she was setting him up to prove her point, but her confused needs had become too insistent and she wanted to see this through, in the hope that maybe she could put this behind her afterward.
As she approached him, Phoebe was certain that he knew when she saw him tensing noticeably. Yet, he didn't look back or say anything. When she began caressing his back, he tensed even more, although he stubbornly kept staring ahead.
"I don't know what you think you're doing, babe, but it's not gonna work…"
"And what exactly do you think I'm doing," Phoebe asked softly while letting her hand slide toward his lower back slowly.
By the time he spoke again, her fingers were within his belt and moving around his waist suggestively. Huskily, he replied.
"Stop it." Yet, he didn't make a move to stop her when she reached his belt buckle and started undoing it. She was leaning against his back and an intense urge to turn around came to him, one that he had to fight with all he had. When she begun pushing down on his pants, he reacted at last. Grabbing her wrists forcefully, he pushed her off and moved away.
"You must really think of me as an imbecile," he exclaimed suddenly, startling her.
"Why would you say that? I know you want me." In saying so, she was eyeing his midsection somewhat mockingly, and he knew that his desire was very much obvious.
"It really doesn't matter," he still pursued, "If you think that I'll fall for your tricks again, you got another one coming."
"Oh," she said innocently, "and what trick might that be?"
As she talked, she walked toward him again, and was amused to see him take a step back. He had to stop against the rocky wall, and in spite of his resolve, he couldn't stop staring at her sumptuous breasts, which she was arching toward him temptingly.
"I'm starting to see a pattern in your actions, babe," Cole managed to say; "I won't let you do that to me again," he added, closing his eyes, and trying his best to repress his desire. She didn't give him a chance however, as he felt her hand grabbing his loins and the other one coming behind his neck, pulling his face toward hers. Her hard nipples were brushing against his chest, exciting him more even, and he wanted so much to take her now, to forget about everything else and give in to his ever growing urge. Instead, he grabbed her wrists and again pushed her away forcefully.
"Have you no shame," he questioned through his now ragged breath, while avoiding her eyes.
"Oh you're so stubborn," Phoebe said with a pout. "We both want it…why resist?"
Cole kept silent, afraid that even talking might hinder his resolve. His need for her was almost painful now and he refused stubbornly to even look at her. He had the sinking feeling that giving in to her would make him even more of a pawn in her hands. However, no matter how hard he tried not to want her, it was already almost overwhelming.
"Well," Phoebe said then, "maybe I could make things easier for you…"
As soon as she had said this, he heard a ruffling sound and then a piece of clothing was thrown in his face. He grabbed the shirt and took it away from his face. Then, he glanced back at Phoebe, who was already pulling her pants down shamelessly. He stood there in fascination, even as she threw these at his feet.
"That's right," she uttered then, staring back at him, "I should've remembered you liked to watch." Even as she said this, she began trailing her fingers between her breasts, and then down her belly suggestively while he became afraid of losing control completely.
"What kind of a woman are you?" He hoarsely said while trying his best to look away again.
"I'm a real one…I know what I want and I go for it, unlike the little dolls you used to know, I'm sure." She waited a moment longer, certain of her effect on him, and then she pursued:
"Now baby, maybe you feel the need to take your revenge and leave me here naked, it's your choice. I guess it'd be fair game… But of course, we could also have some fun. You know what fun is, don't you?"
When he didn't answer this, Phoebe began to get angry, feeling oddly self- conscious all of a sudden.
"Maybe, that's not the problem…Should I turn around? Maybe it wasn't me you were watching the other day. From behind, I might look like what you really want…"
Cole didn't know what set him off the most, whether it was the desire or the rage, but in that instant, all the reasons he had not to take her flew away. Almost growling, he went to her and grabbed her buttocks, lifting her and then pinning her against the rocky wall.
"You slut, you'll get what you've got coming to you," he said then, only pulling his pants low enough to free himself. Then he lowered her on him, angrily entering her, while her legs snaked around his waist of their own accord. For a short instant, Phoebe was alarmed by the force of his reaction. She had goaded him into this and wondered if she had not gone too far. Nevertheless, she soon let herself enjoy his passion as she groaned from contentment. This only excited him more, as he grabbed her hips roughly and pushed himself deeper inside her, dizzy with the release… and yet…oddly disgusted with himself.
Phoebe had wanted this, or she tried very hard to convince herself that it was what she had needed. Even as she felt a wave of pleasure already irradiating from her loins, she also wondered why it wasn't as fulfilling as she had hoped for. Still, she encouraged him to go on.
"Yeah, that's it, stud. Now, that's what I expected from you," she said between short intakes of breath.
Until that moment, he had only known that her soft skin was now his to touch and kiss; that she was his to possess and the pleasure he felt was very real. However those words acted like a cold shower and he suddenly stopped, looking up at her tense face with an expression akin to remorse. At first, Phoebe didn't realize what was happening, still caught in the moment. However, the sudden change told her that something was wrong as she opened her eyes and took in the pained expression in his; along with the frown that made him look so suddenly vulnerable. Instinctively, she brought her hands to his face, tracing the frown questioningly with her fingers.
"What?" She asked uncertainly.
Even now that he was deeply inside her, she sensed that he was pulling away somehow and the malaise deepened along with a sense of loss like she'd never experienced in her life.
"What," she repeated anxiously when he wouldn't answer.
"I'm sorry," he uttered, as he lifted her off of him and delicately undid her legs from around him.
"Sorry for what," she then asked almost angrily as she stood before him, "Sorry for doing what we both wanted? How stupid is that," she added while grabbing him to keep him from moving away.
"You're not backing out now…"
"I don't want to," he said hoarsely, still feeling the need just as strong as before, "but…"
"But what," Phoebe exclaimed.
"This…this isn't enough for me," he trailed.
"What? Are you trying to say that I'm not good enough for you?"
The words were obviously uttered in anger, yet Cole sensed pain and disappointment in them and it hurt him too.
"No! You're…oh god Phoebe; I want you so much, it's painful. But I don't wanna hurt you. I don't believe that's what you really want…I don't want you to see me as another Reggie, only in it for a piece of ass. Or like that monster who harmed you," he continued while staring uneasily at the red mark on her breast. "I swear; you're already so important to me…"
Even as he talked, he realized that it was true. As unlikely as it may have seemed until now, and in spite of his doubts about her character, he knew that he was falling for this woman. Throughout this speech, she stood there, as if frozen in place. Even if he was unsure of her reaction, he couldn't help admiring her while he tried to repress the urge to take her again. She was so small and delicate in appearance, yet so strong inside. Maybe it was this combination that had captured him so completely, although of this he couldn't be certain. What he did know was that he wanted her still.
In a way, he also realized that he was exposing himself much more than when he had stood before her, naked and helpless in the desert… and that now her silence was becoming almost unbearable.
"Please say something…anything…"
Phoebe was flabbergasted. Many men had tried this trick with her to get in her pants, but never after they got what they sought. He seemed so sincere, and yet, what did she know of a feeling so strong.
"You've got a way of making simple things complicated," she whispered almost inaudibly.
Cole closed his eyes, trying to quash the feeling of anger born out of disappointment. He had opened his heart to her and all she had to say was that it was a mistake. Her lips brushing against his startled him then.
"But I guess that complicated can also feel really good," she uttered softly before pressing her lips harder against his. He hesitated only a moment before he responded. Even as his soft tongue explored her mouth hungrily, Phoebe felt his arm encircling her, pulling her to him as his arousal was obvious against her belly. However, it was not the physical desire that made her feel whole then. It was the fact that for the first time in her life, she wanted to give her soul to a man and the sensation intoxicated her. The shirt against her breasts felt like an unbearable barrier, between him and her, as was the rest of his clothing, which she wanted to get rid of quickly as she began struggling to undo it. She needed to feel his bare skin against hers, to feel the warmth of him around her. She knew that he felt the same when he hurriedly took his boots off, and then his pants with her help. He then sighed deeply of contentment when their bodies melted into one another and he captured her lips again. His hands slowly moved down toward her thighs, lingering on her buttocks, which he caressed softly. Then he lifted her again, and while his mouth never let go of hers, he brought her toward the center of the cave before delicately laying her down. He straddled her but made no move to enter her, even as she arched herself against him and she felt the intense need of having him inside her again. When his lips left hers, she opened her eyes curiously to find him staring softly at her with his deep blue eyes. A vague smile was floating on his lips and again, she wasn't certain of what he was thinking anymore.
"What's the hold up, cowboy?" She asked huskily, without a trace of the mocking tone that she usually reserved him.
"Everything's up, baby," he said, obviously amused as he began kissing her face over softly. "I just wanna savour every moment… and…"
Cole stopped and suddenly became serious.
"What," Phoebe said while caressing his chest, just enjoying the feel of her fingers through the thick hair. Cole kissed her softly on the lips before answering.
"I'd like to make you forget the pain. You deserve more than being a possession, Phoebe," he whispered against her mouth before his lips moved slowly down toward her neck. "So much more," he said again. Then, his tongue began tracing little circles, as if tasting her inch by inch. Phoebe had never felt so wanted in her life and yet, he showed something more, something that was totally stranger to her: respect. Slowly, his mouth followed the mark left by the monster, kissing it all the way to her breast as if he could swallow the pain that she had felt, and at this moment, she truly felt he had. Forgotten were all those horrors. Or even the meaningless encounters, which she knew had never given her the sensations that coursed through her now.
Her hands moved from his chest toward his belly where she let her fingers feel the hardness of his arousal. Her slightest touch had him growling softly as he took her breast in his mouth and caressed it with his soft lips while his tongue traced her hard nipple, eliciting a little cry from her as well. All the while, his hand had been caressing her hips lazily, but then they moved toward her thighs and soon she felt him pushing them apart, all the while never stopping the caresses. When he reached her loins, his probing fingers sent the first wave of pleasure through her almost immediately, but it wasn't to be the last. Impatient now, she grabbed his buttocks and pulled him to her, wanting him more than she'd ever wanted a man before. She arched herself, searching for him, demanding and he finally gave in, entering her slowly, agonizingly enjoying the feel of her while letting go of her breast to simply look at her beautiful face. Her eyes were closed tight and she was biting her lips harder for every move he made. Cole enjoyed her pleasure even more than his. He cupped her breasts again, while moving up to her mouth, which he brushed with his. His tongue traced her already parting lips, tasting again the sweetness of her. He felt her impatience again as her lips became alive against his. Soon she was inviting him deeper in her mouth, even as they reached another height.
As this wave of pleasure receded, almost immediately followed by the next, she wondered how she could have ever thought that an orgasm was the end of it all. Instead, for each one she felt, she knew that she had only scratched the surface of ecstasy, carried away as she was by his insatiable desire. For hours they forgot all about Reggie and his band… and even Paul, with his uncertain fate, only existing for one another; oblivious of the rudimentary setting that composed their surroundings
The sun was coming down when Phoebe sat back, straddling him this time while he smiled sleepily with his hand resting on her voluptuous hips. Even the memory of the pleasure she gave him was enough to stir him, no matter how exhausted he was.
"So lover," Phoebe uttered softly, while she stroked his chest slowly. "Do you have any regrets," she teased gently.
As he gazed at her, he replied:
"You know, I was afraid that you would enslave me if I gave in…"
"And now," she questioned.
"I'd gladly don the shackles and throw away the key…"
Smiling, she got up and went to the saddlebags, eliciting a groan of disappointment from him.
"Hey, where are you going, master?"
Still smiling, she turned to him with the blanket she had just pulled out of the pack.
"Let it not be said that I have been a cruel master, forcing you to sleep on the cold rock."
Cole almost laughed at this, as she stretched the blanket beside him and then pushed him face down on it.
"You know," he uttered half seriously, "turning my back on you has been hazardous to my health before…"
"Hey," Phoebe exclaimed while grabbing his balls in an uncomfortable pinch.
"Now baby," he uttered a little nervously, "you're making my point for me."
Turning his head toward her just enough to see her face, he pursued.
"You don't intend to take a trophy now, do you?"
Phoebe smiled wickedly, as her grip tightened slightly, making him jump.
"Nah," she said at last. "I like them fine where they are. Your mistress decrees that as long as you pleasure her like this, your family jewels are safe with her."
She finally relaxed her hold; transforming it into a caress.
"Thank you master," he said, now amused, "you're too magnanimous and I'll do my best…"
"Yeah," she uttered as she leaned against him, now massaging his buttocks softly.
"How did you do that?"
"What," Cole asked in puzzlement.
"Making me feel better about myself than I ever have…"
Cole frowned curiously.
"Strange…"
"What is?"
"I was thinking the same thing," he said with a sigh of contentment.
"Phoebe, I don't want this to end…"
"Shhhhh," she uttered suddenly, and he detected some alarm in her voice as she stopped massaging him. "Please, let's not talk about the future, alright…"
He tried to turn toward her but she pushed him back while resuming her massage on his shoulder blade this time.
"Why not?" He finally asked.
"Just that it's been perfect…let's not spoil it…"
"Why would it spoil it?"
"Please Cole, don't…"
In spite of the unpleasant fear of loss that crept inside him, he couldn't help a little smile then.
Phoebe frowned at this, wondering what was so funny.
"I thought you weren't happy about that…"
"I'd lie if I told you that I like this, but…"
"What," she asked again, as she lay on his back and rested her face against his cheek.
"You said my name…I was starting to think that you forgot…"
"What? You don't like pet names?" Phoebe mocked mischievously, while she was thankful that he wasn't insisting about the rest.
"Well," he said, "stud is not so bad…I just like to hear you say my name…" He hid the malaise that came from her reticence the best he could, deciding to set it aside for now, as it would only put a damper on his new found happiness. If at first, he had truly feared to give himself to her, the fact that it had indeed made him vulnerable to her no longer mattered. Cole knew that she probably could have him do whatever she wanted now, but instead of being worried about it, he understood that he might just do it, and gladly at that. For the time being, his only desire was to be with her for as long as possible and almost at any cost.
"Cole," she whispered huskily against his cheek and any remaining concerns vanished right then.
Paul had lied in wait a ways from the trail for almost an hour before Reggie and his men showed up. His first move had been to rejoin with Cole and Phoebe right away, but as he was walking, he reflected that he could always meet with them later, as they would surely follow Reggie just as he was. Right now, his priority was to keep an eye on the gang. After Phoebe's disgrace, she wasn't really of much use to him anymore, although he knew that in time he could use Cole's help to watch his back, or so he hoped. When Reggie finally showed up, he retreated quickly behind a large boulder and listened in. They were a good distance from him, but some of what they said still carried to him.
"You sure that was hers," Reggie was questioning his acolyte now.
"Well, it sure looked like it… Unless we're being played here, it's obvious that she tried to cross the mountain this way."
Lenny was glancing around curiously as he was standing up from his closer look at the dead wolf.
"Now about that…What do you think?"
Reggie didn't answer and instead moved toward the chasm. The waning light didn't help in the least to distinguish what was at the bottom. However, his attention was caught by a shiny object that reflected the light of the sun a few feet inside the chasm.
He went back to his horse and pulled a long pick that was tied to the saddle. With it, he managed to grab the object and brought it toward him carefully. He found that it was a razor half opened.
Even from the distance, Paul thought that he recognized the very same razor that had given them Phoebe's location a few days back with a certain amazement. Apparently, Sly had swiped it from his boss and now it might actually convince them of Sly's fate without involving Paul or Cole. If they didn't decide to go get a closer look, of course.
"So, I'm guessing that the little creep got what he deserved after all. Too damn bad he had to bring the horse down with him," Reggie added, noticing a clump of horse hair stuck on the edge of the chasm, which only confirmed what the cry had already told them about the horse's fate.
"What about the slut," Zach intervened then, earning himself a dirty look from Reggie.
Zach took a step back, realizing that he had overstepped his bounds.
Reggie stared at him a moment longer, and then he turned toward the other side of the range pensively.
"We'll look for her that way. Let's get down from here and start the search again in the morning. I wanna give it some time. There is nothing for at least a hundred miles that way. If we find any trace of her passage there, we'll know that she won't survive…"
After they finally left, Paul knew what he had to do to ensure that they would soon get back on their way toward the gold. However, he intended to use the cover of night to put his plan into action, and until then, he would at least give a try in finding his companions. Things were looking up…
Chapter VII
Phoebe had just spotted two distinctive points on the horizon. They were still far away, but she knew it had to be two more members of the gang looking for her. As far as she could see, they were coming back slowly, possibly scrutinizing the sands for any sign of her passage. Instinctively, she moved closer to the edge, trying to get a better view even though it was pointless… Then the gunshot breaking the heavy silence almost threw her off balance, it had been so sudden. Holding her breath, she turned toward the trail and to Cole, seeing then that this one was up and glancing around as if he expected an attack Slowly, even as she stood up to go to him, she exhaled and tried to slow down her racing heart. However, right then the agonizing neighing of a horse reached their ears and this disturbing sound was soon followed by a second gunshot. By the time she was beside Cole, the neighing had long died off, but Phoebe could still feel it reverberating through every fibre of her being. Cole glanced at her, and she could read the same unease in his eyes. He then turned toward the trail slowly. Phoebe was about to call to him, but a sudden instinct stopped her. Instead, she grabbed his forearm and imperatively indicated to keep silent. Cole frowned irritably but something in her expression froze the words of protest he had been about to utter. Then the distinctive sound of pebbles tossed on the rocky path caught his attention again. The strange thing was that instead of growing closer, the sound seemed to be fainter than before. It didn't seem to make any sense had it been Paul. This, with Phoebe's apparent worry, caused a renewed unease to course through him, as he cautiously advanced toward the bend. Phoebe followed him a few paces behind, her heart still racing but for a different reason now. Cole peeked carefully at the trail and then suddenly retreated, telling Phoebe that she had been right on the mark.
He motioned uselessly for her to keep still, while he risked another peek. Cole only managed to get one more good look at the man; but that was enough for him to realize how unbelievably lucky they had been. This was obviously one of Reggie's men, and he had come way too close to finding them… At the same time, he wondered if it had been luck alone. Who fired the gun that clearly stopped their pursuer? The answer seemed quite obvious to him, and it didn't bode well for their companion. And there was also the matter of the almost unbearable neighing. Not knowing what Phoebe had seen earlier, he reflected that they may very well have lost Paul to Reggie, and then the lucky break didn't seem so fortunate anymore.
Phoebe's hand on his shoulder startled him, but at the same time, he found it reassuring. For a moment there, he had felt very alone and vulnerable. He still resented her for her treacherous flight of earlier, but at the same time, he sensed that Phoebe was on his side. Cole knew that it was probably irrational on his part, but at that very moment, he was content with this impression. They both stayed quiet for a long moment, fearing to alert the would-be intruder, since any sound could still carry to him. Then, when he was certain that the man had gone far enough, Cole finally questioned Phoebe.
"What did you see?"
Phoebe still cast a worried look toward the trail before she answered.
"Enough to tell me that we shouldn't dwell here… They were already on their way back but all this noise's gonna bring them here faster."
Phoebe was already turning toward the horses, but Cole called back to her.
"Hey, we're not leaving just yet. What about McKail?"
Irritably, Phoebe looked back at him.
"Hey, I'm wondering about the guy too, but that doesn't mean we should stay here and wait to be caught. What good is it gonna do him…? And besides I don't think Reggie did anything to him...."
"What makes you say that?"
"There are only three of them left now… we just saw one coming toward us and I spotted the other two in the desert just before the gunshots. Whatever else happened didn't involve them."
"So you're saying that he fired his gun for no reason? And how does that explain the horse?"
"Look Turner, I like to theorize as much as the next girl, but why don't we do it after we've put some distance between them and us?"
Cole watched her curiously before answering.
"I thought you wanted back with them…"
"Let's just say I got the feeling they don't want me back and leave it at that," Phoebe replied curtly, obviously upset at his comment. When she saw that he was about to add something, she pursued.
"Besides cowboy, you may say what you want, but if I hadn't left the cave when I did, Sly might have surprised us and then where would we be? Now stop procrastinating and let's go. If McKail's alive, he's gonna find us…"
Cole was about to protest further about her motivations, but as she turned her back to him again, he had a sudden unpleasant revelation about his own feelings. If he still resented her for her assumed betrayal, seeing her moving away also reminded him of what had truly hurt him, back in the cave. When he had found her gone, Cole's first thought had been that she'd abandoned him. It had been a disturbing idea, but most of all a foolish one that he had tried to forget about until now.
Even if her arguments were logical enough, he still couldn't help thinking that she was also ready to abandon Paul for the sake of her own safety. She only reinforced this impression with her next words as she took the reins of the first horse.
"Hey, if you wanna stay here and commit suicide, it's fine with me. But I'm not waiting for Reggie to find me."
To illustrate her point, she went on her way without waiting. This shook Cole out of his indecision and he went to the second horse, albeit not without one last glance toward where the gunshots had seemed to come from.
Paul looked down into the chasm with a dejected expression. It was too deep and dark for him to see much of anything. A short way from him laid a large wolf that he had just shot dead. Earlier, this one and another had appeared unexpectedly in front of him. At first, Paul had only stepped back slowly, wary of using his weapon. However the wolves had started advancing on him and his horse and soon pounced in the direction of the mount. Paul had drawn his revolver and shot once in the air, startling the wolves, but also augmenting the horse's terror. This one had reared off and then lost its footing near the very chasm Paul was now staring at. The horse had plunged in with a loud neighing of fright while Paul could only watch helplessly. However, once back from their surprise, the wolves had come back towards him and he had no choice but to shoot one of them while the other ran.
Quitting his useless staring, he reflected that this disturbance must for sure have alerted the gangsters by now. This negated his going back down the precarious trail he had found after leaving Cole and Phoebe. His hope had been to lead the band in the wrong direction by leaving an obvious trail, and then go back to rejoin with the others. Now however, if he didn't hurry, the band would get to him too soon. As he continued his climb up, he had torn a piece out of the blanket Phoebe had been wrapped in when they took her away from the camp. Then, he had dropped it on the path, stuck on some sharp edged rock. On the bright side, they were now certain to come this way and investigate this thoroughly. Nevertheless, this left him with only two options: he could continue on the trail and hope that they wouldn't reach him, or that they would stop here thinking that it was where the chase ended… or he could make his way off the trail and toward where he'd left his companions. The latter seemed the most likely to save him from the gangsters, although he knew that this would be a difficult trek. Having made his decision, he immediately moved off the trail and began making his painstaking way through the uneven terrain.
Earlier, Lenny had followed the tracks to the first trail up the mountain and found that they went on along the range but with a notable difference. Up till the first trail, he had gotten the impression that someone was trying to hide their tracks, whereas, after the trail, it didn't seem to be the case anymore. That's what had prompted him to investigate the first trail, convinced as he was that Sly might have neglected to notice the apparent attempt at dissimulation. Only the gunshot and the horse neighing had given him doubts about his assumption. Phoebe didn't have a gun or a horse, so it had to be Sly's doing. Because of this, he concluded that Sly must have found her and shot her, even though that still didn't explain the agonizing cry. He remained hopeful that they would be done with this stupid chase and back to business in no time as he made his way down the slope. By the time he returned on the flat, he met with Reggie and Zach, who had obviously heard the gunshots as well.
"What was that," Reggie immediately questioned his right hand man.
"I haven't the faintest. I think it came from further down the range. I was on my way to check it out."
"And what about this one…?" Reggie questioned again, indicating the trail Lenny had just left.
"I didn't find anything there…"
Reggie nodded uncertainly but the three of them soon moved off, following the horse's tracks.
Cole and Phoebe walked slowly up the trail because it had become more treacherous as they went until they found themselves almost at the top. There, Phoebe stopped and surveyed the surroundings. Then a satisfied smile spread over her lips. Without a word, she made a beeline toward a rock formation and disappeared inside before Cole could question her about it.
Perplexed, he followed her there and found a quasi cave among the rocks. Phoebe was already opening the saddlebags and pulling some rations out of it. She also took a long sip of water from the flask before sitting up.
"So," Cole commented at last, "I'm guessing we're waiting here?"
Phoebe gave him an annoyed glance before replying.
"What? Wasn't it what you wanted in the first place?"
"It was…" he trailed.
"It's better here than in the open, as you suggested," Phoebe continued offhandedly.
Cole couldn't help feeling she was treating him like a child.
"You know, I may not have much experience in the desert… but that doesn't make me an idiot," he commented with obvious irritation.
Phoebe had the urge to push him a little more but decided against it. She reflected that alienating him further wasn't worth it, even if it would have been amusing.
Besides, the danger was far from behind them and she saw the advantage in staying on good terms with him. At least, in her mind that was the rationalization that she made… "I say, we lay low in here for a while and then move on even if McKail doesn't show up…I'm sorry if that sounded cold," She added quickly when she saw him about to protest, "he'd do the same in our position Turner, I assure you."
Rather than answering, Cole nodded grudgingly and went to his own horse, getting some meat as well. The food was hard to swallow, not only for its rubbery texture, but mostly because he was still tense. Turning back toward Phoebe, he was amazed at how little she seemed affected. If he had not seen the look of fear in her eyes earlier, he might have believed her emotionless. Phoebe was becoming more of a puzzle to him as time went by. So cold and efficient one moment and yet, so obviously vulnerable the next… At this point, he doubted that he would ever understand her, no matter how much he wished he could. Unwilling to dwell on this then, he went to stand by the entrance instead, heeding her warning about Reggie.
If Phoebe showed him a good face, Cole was wrong in assuming that she wasn't affected by what happened. In fact, the last few days had shaken her self-confidence more than she was willing to admit. It was strange to her because the past, adversity had only strengthened her resolve. Yet, this time, she found herself weak and much more than this, yearning for comfort from another. A disturbing realization came to her then when she admitted to herself that it was Cole she wanted it from and no other. "Was that it," she wondered, as she watched him near the entrance. "Am I letting myself go soft because of some weird feeling?" Phoebe frowned angrily at her line of thoughts. If that truly was the reason, then she should try her best to quash this strange emotion. Yet, she couldn't help the urge to go to him and bury her face in his chest. She wanted to feel his strong arms around her, reassuring, not just wanting like other men. Phoebe knew however that she was deluding herself. All he wanted from her was her body, not her. Like they all did. This at least, she knew he wanted. His outburst of earlier had only confirmed what she knew all along. Cole wanted to possess her, just as much as Reggie did. In a way, this was also reassuring and safe. That's how she knew men and also, she told herself, how I should think of him. There was no place in her life for emotions. Pleasure however, might actually bring back the balance in her… or so that's how she reasoned her next move.
Phoebe got up, already unbuttoning her shirt as she walked toward him. She realized on some level that she was setting him up to prove her point, but her confused needs had become too insistent and she wanted to see this through, in the hope that maybe she could put this behind her afterward.
As she approached him, Phoebe was certain that he knew when she saw him tensing noticeably. Yet, he didn't look back or say anything. When she began caressing his back, he tensed even more, although he stubbornly kept staring ahead.
"I don't know what you think you're doing, babe, but it's not gonna work…"
"And what exactly do you think I'm doing," Phoebe asked softly while letting her hand slide toward his lower back slowly.
By the time he spoke again, her fingers were within his belt and moving around his waist suggestively. Huskily, he replied.
"Stop it." Yet, he didn't make a move to stop her when she reached his belt buckle and started undoing it. She was leaning against his back and an intense urge to turn around came to him, one that he had to fight with all he had. When she begun pushing down on his pants, he reacted at last. Grabbing her wrists forcefully, he pushed her off and moved away.
"You must really think of me as an imbecile," he exclaimed suddenly, startling her.
"Why would you say that? I know you want me." In saying so, she was eyeing his midsection somewhat mockingly, and he knew that his desire was very much obvious.
"It really doesn't matter," he still pursued, "If you think that I'll fall for your tricks again, you got another one coming."
"Oh," she said innocently, "and what trick might that be?"
As she talked, she walked toward him again, and was amused to see him take a step back. He had to stop against the rocky wall, and in spite of his resolve, he couldn't stop staring at her sumptuous breasts, which she was arching toward him temptingly.
"I'm starting to see a pattern in your actions, babe," Cole managed to say; "I won't let you do that to me again," he added, closing his eyes, and trying his best to repress his desire. She didn't give him a chance however, as he felt her hand grabbing his loins and the other one coming behind his neck, pulling his face toward hers. Her hard nipples were brushing against his chest, exciting him more even, and he wanted so much to take her now, to forget about everything else and give in to his ever growing urge. Instead, he grabbed her wrists and again pushed her away forcefully.
"Have you no shame," he questioned through his now ragged breath, while avoiding her eyes.
"Oh you're so stubborn," Phoebe said with a pout. "We both want it…why resist?"
Cole kept silent, afraid that even talking might hinder his resolve. His need for her was almost painful now and he refused stubbornly to even look at her. He had the sinking feeling that giving in to her would make him even more of a pawn in her hands. However, no matter how hard he tried not to want her, it was already almost overwhelming.
"Well," Phoebe said then, "maybe I could make things easier for you…"
As soon as she had said this, he heard a ruffling sound and then a piece of clothing was thrown in his face. He grabbed the shirt and took it away from his face. Then, he glanced back at Phoebe, who was already pulling her pants down shamelessly. He stood there in fascination, even as she threw these at his feet.
"That's right," she uttered then, staring back at him, "I should've remembered you liked to watch." Even as she said this, she began trailing her fingers between her breasts, and then down her belly suggestively while he became afraid of losing control completely.
"What kind of a woman are you?" He hoarsely said while trying his best to look away again.
"I'm a real one…I know what I want and I go for it, unlike the little dolls you used to know, I'm sure." She waited a moment longer, certain of her effect on him, and then she pursued:
"Now baby, maybe you feel the need to take your revenge and leave me here naked, it's your choice. I guess it'd be fair game… But of course, we could also have some fun. You know what fun is, don't you?"
When he didn't answer this, Phoebe began to get angry, feeling oddly self- conscious all of a sudden.
"Maybe, that's not the problem…Should I turn around? Maybe it wasn't me you were watching the other day. From behind, I might look like what you really want…"
Cole didn't know what set him off the most, whether it was the desire or the rage, but in that instant, all the reasons he had not to take her flew away. Almost growling, he went to her and grabbed her buttocks, lifting her and then pinning her against the rocky wall.
"You slut, you'll get what you've got coming to you," he said then, only pulling his pants low enough to free himself. Then he lowered her on him, angrily entering her, while her legs snaked around his waist of their own accord. For a short instant, Phoebe was alarmed by the force of his reaction. She had goaded him into this and wondered if she had not gone too far. Nevertheless, she soon let herself enjoy his passion as she groaned from contentment. This only excited him more, as he grabbed her hips roughly and pushed himself deeper inside her, dizzy with the release… and yet…oddly disgusted with himself.
Phoebe had wanted this, or she tried very hard to convince herself that it was what she had needed. Even as she felt a wave of pleasure already irradiating from her loins, she also wondered why it wasn't as fulfilling as she had hoped for. Still, she encouraged him to go on.
"Yeah, that's it, stud. Now, that's what I expected from you," she said between short intakes of breath.
Until that moment, he had only known that her soft skin was now his to touch and kiss; that she was his to possess and the pleasure he felt was very real. However those words acted like a cold shower and he suddenly stopped, looking up at her tense face with an expression akin to remorse. At first, Phoebe didn't realize what was happening, still caught in the moment. However, the sudden change told her that something was wrong as she opened her eyes and took in the pained expression in his; along with the frown that made him look so suddenly vulnerable. Instinctively, she brought her hands to his face, tracing the frown questioningly with her fingers.
"What?" She asked uncertainly.
Even now that he was deeply inside her, she sensed that he was pulling away somehow and the malaise deepened along with a sense of loss like she'd never experienced in her life.
"What," she repeated anxiously when he wouldn't answer.
"I'm sorry," he uttered, as he lifted her off of him and delicately undid her legs from around him.
"Sorry for what," she then asked almost angrily as she stood before him, "Sorry for doing what we both wanted? How stupid is that," she added while grabbing him to keep him from moving away.
"You're not backing out now…"
"I don't want to," he said hoarsely, still feeling the need just as strong as before, "but…"
"But what," Phoebe exclaimed.
"This…this isn't enough for me," he trailed.
"What? Are you trying to say that I'm not good enough for you?"
The words were obviously uttered in anger, yet Cole sensed pain and disappointment in them and it hurt him too.
"No! You're…oh god Phoebe; I want you so much, it's painful. But I don't wanna hurt you. I don't believe that's what you really want…I don't want you to see me as another Reggie, only in it for a piece of ass. Or like that monster who harmed you," he continued while staring uneasily at the red mark on her breast. "I swear; you're already so important to me…"
Even as he talked, he realized that it was true. As unlikely as it may have seemed until now, and in spite of his doubts about her character, he knew that he was falling for this woman. Throughout this speech, she stood there, as if frozen in place. Even if he was unsure of her reaction, he couldn't help admiring her while he tried to repress the urge to take her again. She was so small and delicate in appearance, yet so strong inside. Maybe it was this combination that had captured him so completely, although of this he couldn't be certain. What he did know was that he wanted her still.
In a way, he also realized that he was exposing himself much more than when he had stood before her, naked and helpless in the desert… and that now her silence was becoming almost unbearable.
"Please say something…anything…"
Phoebe was flabbergasted. Many men had tried this trick with her to get in her pants, but never after they got what they sought. He seemed so sincere, and yet, what did she know of a feeling so strong.
"You've got a way of making simple things complicated," she whispered almost inaudibly.
Cole closed his eyes, trying to quash the feeling of anger born out of disappointment. He had opened his heart to her and all she had to say was that it was a mistake. Her lips brushing against his startled him then.
"But I guess that complicated can also feel really good," she uttered softly before pressing her lips harder against his. He hesitated only a moment before he responded. Even as his soft tongue explored her mouth hungrily, Phoebe felt his arm encircling her, pulling her to him as his arousal was obvious against her belly. However, it was not the physical desire that made her feel whole then. It was the fact that for the first time in her life, she wanted to give her soul to a man and the sensation intoxicated her. The shirt against her breasts felt like an unbearable barrier, between him and her, as was the rest of his clothing, which she wanted to get rid of quickly as she began struggling to undo it. She needed to feel his bare skin against hers, to feel the warmth of him around her. She knew that he felt the same when he hurriedly took his boots off, and then his pants with her help. He then sighed deeply of contentment when their bodies melted into one another and he captured her lips again. His hands slowly moved down toward her thighs, lingering on her buttocks, which he caressed softly. Then he lifted her again, and while his mouth never let go of hers, he brought her toward the center of the cave before delicately laying her down. He straddled her but made no move to enter her, even as she arched herself against him and she felt the intense need of having him inside her again. When his lips left hers, she opened her eyes curiously to find him staring softly at her with his deep blue eyes. A vague smile was floating on his lips and again, she wasn't certain of what he was thinking anymore.
"What's the hold up, cowboy?" She asked huskily, without a trace of the mocking tone that she usually reserved him.
"Everything's up, baby," he said, obviously amused as he began kissing her face over softly. "I just wanna savour every moment… and…"
Cole stopped and suddenly became serious.
"What," Phoebe said while caressing his chest, just enjoying the feel of her fingers through the thick hair. Cole kissed her softly on the lips before answering.
"I'd like to make you forget the pain. You deserve more than being a possession, Phoebe," he whispered against her mouth before his lips moved slowly down toward her neck. "So much more," he said again. Then, his tongue began tracing little circles, as if tasting her inch by inch. Phoebe had never felt so wanted in her life and yet, he showed something more, something that was totally stranger to her: respect. Slowly, his mouth followed the mark left by the monster, kissing it all the way to her breast as if he could swallow the pain that she had felt, and at this moment, she truly felt he had. Forgotten were all those horrors. Or even the meaningless encounters, which she knew had never given her the sensations that coursed through her now.
Her hands moved from his chest toward his belly where she let her fingers feel the hardness of his arousal. Her slightest touch had him growling softly as he took her breast in his mouth and caressed it with his soft lips while his tongue traced her hard nipple, eliciting a little cry from her as well. All the while, his hand had been caressing her hips lazily, but then they moved toward her thighs and soon she felt him pushing them apart, all the while never stopping the caresses. When he reached her loins, his probing fingers sent the first wave of pleasure through her almost immediately, but it wasn't to be the last. Impatient now, she grabbed his buttocks and pulled him to her, wanting him more than she'd ever wanted a man before. She arched herself, searching for him, demanding and he finally gave in, entering her slowly, agonizingly enjoying the feel of her while letting go of her breast to simply look at her beautiful face. Her eyes were closed tight and she was biting her lips harder for every move he made. Cole enjoyed her pleasure even more than his. He cupped her breasts again, while moving up to her mouth, which he brushed with his. His tongue traced her already parting lips, tasting again the sweetness of her. He felt her impatience again as her lips became alive against his. Soon she was inviting him deeper in her mouth, even as they reached another height.
As this wave of pleasure receded, almost immediately followed by the next, she wondered how she could have ever thought that an orgasm was the end of it all. Instead, for each one she felt, she knew that she had only scratched the surface of ecstasy, carried away as she was by his insatiable desire. For hours they forgot all about Reggie and his band… and even Paul, with his uncertain fate, only existing for one another; oblivious of the rudimentary setting that composed their surroundings
The sun was coming down when Phoebe sat back, straddling him this time while he smiled sleepily with his hand resting on her voluptuous hips. Even the memory of the pleasure she gave him was enough to stir him, no matter how exhausted he was.
"So lover," Phoebe uttered softly, while she stroked his chest slowly. "Do you have any regrets," she teased gently.
As he gazed at her, he replied:
"You know, I was afraid that you would enslave me if I gave in…"
"And now," she questioned.
"I'd gladly don the shackles and throw away the key…"
Smiling, she got up and went to the saddlebags, eliciting a groan of disappointment from him.
"Hey, where are you going, master?"
Still smiling, she turned to him with the blanket she had just pulled out of the pack.
"Let it not be said that I have been a cruel master, forcing you to sleep on the cold rock."
Cole almost laughed at this, as she stretched the blanket beside him and then pushed him face down on it.
"You know," he uttered half seriously, "turning my back on you has been hazardous to my health before…"
"Hey," Phoebe exclaimed while grabbing his balls in an uncomfortable pinch.
"Now baby," he uttered a little nervously, "you're making my point for me."
Turning his head toward her just enough to see her face, he pursued.
"You don't intend to take a trophy now, do you?"
Phoebe smiled wickedly, as her grip tightened slightly, making him jump.
"Nah," she said at last. "I like them fine where they are. Your mistress decrees that as long as you pleasure her like this, your family jewels are safe with her."
She finally relaxed her hold; transforming it into a caress.
"Thank you master," he said, now amused, "you're too magnanimous and I'll do my best…"
"Yeah," she uttered as she leaned against him, now massaging his buttocks softly.
"How did you do that?"
"What," Cole asked in puzzlement.
"Making me feel better about myself than I ever have…"
Cole frowned curiously.
"Strange…"
"What is?"
"I was thinking the same thing," he said with a sigh of contentment.
"Phoebe, I don't want this to end…"
"Shhhhh," she uttered suddenly, and he detected some alarm in her voice as she stopped massaging him. "Please, let's not talk about the future, alright…"
He tried to turn toward her but she pushed him back while resuming her massage on his shoulder blade this time.
"Why not?" He finally asked.
"Just that it's been perfect…let's not spoil it…"
"Why would it spoil it?"
"Please Cole, don't…"
In spite of the unpleasant fear of loss that crept inside him, he couldn't help a little smile then.
Phoebe frowned at this, wondering what was so funny.
"I thought you weren't happy about that…"
"I'd lie if I told you that I like this, but…"
"What," she asked again, as she lay on his back and rested her face against his cheek.
"You said my name…I was starting to think that you forgot…"
"What? You don't like pet names?" Phoebe mocked mischievously, while she was thankful that he wasn't insisting about the rest.
"Well," he said, "stud is not so bad…I just like to hear you say my name…" He hid the malaise that came from her reticence the best he could, deciding to set it aside for now, as it would only put a damper on his new found happiness. If at first, he had truly feared to give himself to her, the fact that it had indeed made him vulnerable to her no longer mattered. Cole knew that she probably could have him do whatever she wanted now, but instead of being worried about it, he understood that he might just do it, and gladly at that. For the time being, his only desire was to be with her for as long as possible and almost at any cost.
"Cole," she whispered huskily against his cheek and any remaining concerns vanished right then.
Paul had lied in wait a ways from the trail for almost an hour before Reggie and his men showed up. His first move had been to rejoin with Cole and Phoebe right away, but as he was walking, he reflected that he could always meet with them later, as they would surely follow Reggie just as he was. Right now, his priority was to keep an eye on the gang. After Phoebe's disgrace, she wasn't really of much use to him anymore, although he knew that in time he could use Cole's help to watch his back, or so he hoped. When Reggie finally showed up, he retreated quickly behind a large boulder and listened in. They were a good distance from him, but some of what they said still carried to him.
"You sure that was hers," Reggie was questioning his acolyte now.
"Well, it sure looked like it… Unless we're being played here, it's obvious that she tried to cross the mountain this way."
Lenny was glancing around curiously as he was standing up from his closer look at the dead wolf.
"Now about that…What do you think?"
Reggie didn't answer and instead moved toward the chasm. The waning light didn't help in the least to distinguish what was at the bottom. However, his attention was caught by a shiny object that reflected the light of the sun a few feet inside the chasm.
He went back to his horse and pulled a long pick that was tied to the saddle. With it, he managed to grab the object and brought it toward him carefully. He found that it was a razor half opened.
Even from the distance, Paul thought that he recognized the very same razor that had given them Phoebe's location a few days back with a certain amazement. Apparently, Sly had swiped it from his boss and now it might actually convince them of Sly's fate without involving Paul or Cole. If they didn't decide to go get a closer look, of course.
"So, I'm guessing that the little creep got what he deserved after all. Too damn bad he had to bring the horse down with him," Reggie added, noticing a clump of horse hair stuck on the edge of the chasm, which only confirmed what the cry had already told them about the horse's fate.
"What about the slut," Zach intervened then, earning himself a dirty look from Reggie.
Zach took a step back, realizing that he had overstepped his bounds.
Reggie stared at him a moment longer, and then he turned toward the other side of the range pensively.
"We'll look for her that way. Let's get down from here and start the search again in the morning. I wanna give it some time. There is nothing for at least a hundred miles that way. If we find any trace of her passage there, we'll know that she won't survive…"
After they finally left, Paul knew what he had to do to ensure that they would soon get back on their way toward the gold. However, he intended to use the cover of night to put his plan into action, and until then, he would at least give a try in finding his companions. Things were looking up…
