The Trouble with Drifters
Chapter 3: Meeting Miss Serra
Miss Serra walked up to room number 9 with elegance hiding her anger. Mr. Maybourne wanted her to get information from Mr. Wayne because he was too tight lipped. Inara hated doing this type of work but sometimes she had no choice. She had signed up to be a 'mail order bride' (A/N1) from Brazil at age 18 with high hopes only for them to be shattered. Harry found her in New Orleans promising a better life and she believed him, that was 4 years ago. Life was much better only because she wasn't living day to day worrying about shelter or food. Inara only had to worry about things like this, being used to get information with her alluring beauty to loosen tongues. Hopefully Mr. Wayne wasn't a total jerk unlike Mr. Williams; she hated him with a passion.
Mr. Wayne stood over the wash basin while looking in the mirror finishing what Thelma missed. She had been more interesting showing her body off while talking too much. That annoyed him along with her attempts at getting information. He liked to keep things private; no doubt Maybourne put her up to it though. A knock at the door took his attention from shaving wondering who would want to see him. He sat down the straight razor pulling his Colt Frontier (caliber 44-40) out of the holster ready to cock the hammer if needed.
"Who's there?" he asked standing by the wash basin in case it was one of his many enemies. "I'm Miss Inara Serra; you requested to see me Mr. Wayne?" came a soft feminine voice from the hallway. He didn't recall requesting to talk to her, just if she was approachable for a dance or two. "Hold on a minute Miss Serra, I'll be right there." Inara heard him say along with re-holstering of his pistol. She let out a breath not realizing it was being held. Mr. Wayne was living up to his reputation so far. The door opened revealing Mr. Wayne in jeans with suspenders hanging down and no shirt. His chest was rock solid with a 6 pack stomach and bulging biceps. Mr. Wayne had a chiseled face with graying hair. The brown eyes captivated her for a moment finally remembering why she was there. "Would you like to come in or continue to gawk Miss Serra?" He asked making her blush almost matching her dress. "I'd like to come in if you don't mind Mr. Wayne." Inara replied stepping through the door as he moved to the side. The door closed behind her with a soft click but no locking sound. That relieved her as she had a means of escape if needed.
Mr. Wayne took in Inara's appearance liking what he saw. She had elegance about her, a lady that didn't belong in such a place. The red and gold laced dress fit her perfectly as if it was tailored. He couldn't help but notice how the dress gave a hint of her bust and nothing more. Now this was a woman worth looking at and talking with. Women like Thelma were a dime a dozen where ladies such as Miss Serra where rare. Inara could feel his eyes on her but not like other men, Mr. Wayne just felt different. He scratched his chin looking at her then realized there was still shaving cream on his face. "Pardon me Miss Serra; I was finishing the shave that Thelma botched." Mr. Wayne said using the towel to clean of his face. "I don't mean to be rude ma'am but is there a reason your here?" he asked offering her a seat by the open window. "Mr. Maybourne said you wanted to see me. He said you were a fan of mine." Inara replied fibbing a little to make it sound believable.
Mr. Wayne nodded then turned to face her. "They weren't my words exactly Miss Serra but I'm glad you're here." He said going to put a shirt on much to her displeasure. "What did you say Mr. Wayne, just so I know?" She replied with a smile. "...well, I asked about your show and if you were approachable." His statement confused her a bit. Of course she was approachable, there was no need to be rude to people. "I should explain further ma'am. It's been a while since I danced with a lady such as you. I didn't want to assume anything and make a fool of myself; it's not a good thing to do in my profession." He explained getting a nod of understanding. "I appreciate that Mr. Wayne, most men just walk up and away I go on the dance floor. That is very annoying to me." Inara answered relieved that the handsome man before had manners and respect for women in general.
"You're welcome Miss Serra. You also have a rear beauty too, South America by chance." He asked as a way to make further conversation. "You're an educated man I see. I'm from Brazil, came here at age 18." She answered honestly, no need to lie when he's being honest to. "My travels take me all across the west Miss Serra. I've meet some interesting and not so interesting people." Mr. Wayne said scratching his face where Thelma missed a spot. Inara was surprised he didn't end up with a slit throat by the looks of his shave. "If I may ask Mr. Wayne does your profession take you far as New Orleans or California?" Inara asked more out curiosity. She loved traveling seeing different things and places. When Mr. Maybourne took her with him she was the happiest. Harry was probably worried she'd disappear on him she thought.
"I went to New Orleans once because the people didn't want to pay up. I explained the situation to them and they paid up right there. I stayed for a few days after that then headed back to Texas. California doesn't appeal to me because there are too many people." He said scratching his cheek again and shrugging his shoulders. Inara decided that Mr. Wayne was an honest and kind man despite looking ornery. He is the type of man she could trust with her life and maybe even help her. Inara knew the choice she was about to make would cause her trouble but she didn't care. Inara stood moving the chair closer to the wash basin motioning for him to sit.
"Have a seat Mr. Wayne and I'll fix what Thelma should've gotten right." He gave her a once over then stood up taking the seat she vacated. "...aren't you worried about messing up your dress Miss Serra?" Mr. Wayne asked watching her walk over the door locking it. Inara smiled at the bounty hunter walking behind him closing the curtains and window. These simple actions got his full undivided attention. He wasn't stupid even if he acted that way sometimes. Miss Serra's wasn't a whore by any means; however she was probably used for high end clients of which he wasn't. That mean Miss Serra made a choice that might not go over well with Harry. He had a reason for being in town so he might enjoy himself in the process.
"I won't mess up my dress if it's not on." Inara replied taking it off then hanging it up on a coat hanger. That left with her figure hugging slip on. She then straddled his lap removing his shirt running her hands up his chest and face. "Thelma really should stick to whoring, she stinks as a barber." Inara said as she applied shaving cream to his face. Mr. Wayne went to speak but she put a finger on his lips. "I know what you're going to ask Mr. Wayne." Inara said looking him in the chocolate brown eyes. "Sadly Harry uses me for special cliental that pay in the hundreds. That doesn't happen often fortunately." She answered then continued seeing he was actually listening to her instead of looking at her bust. Inara had been right; Mr. Wayne is a man she could trust. "So this is for me and you. By the look in your eyes it's been too long sense you had a lady in your arms, am I right?" Mr. Wayne moved his hands to each side of her waist softly caressing it. "I might be a bit rusty but I'm sure you'll take care of that." He replied getting a soft smile in return. "Shave first then you can collect bounty." Inara answered as she started humming softly while giving him a proper shave.
45 minutes later: Inara lay in the Jonathon's bed completely spent and satisfied. They decided to drop formalities given their bedroom activities. Outside of the room they'd be formal though, no need to draw to much attention to themselves. "You lied to me Jonathon; you're not rusty at all. I haven't been this satisfied in my entire life." Inara said watching him get dressed, something she should do as well. He turned to look at her noticing she pulled the bed sheet over her chest. "Inara, you wouldn't lie to me just to boost my ego now?" Jonathon said sitting on the bed beside her as she scooted over making room. "If I lied to you there might not be a chance of a repeat performance." Inara replied running a hand up his forearm softly. She really did enjoy sleeping with the bounty hunter. He totally focused on her needs and desires. Other men just take what they want with little concern for her enjoyment, but such is life.
Jonathon cupped Inara cheek smiling at her. "You know where to find me Inara." He replied feeling human again. Bounty hunting is a lonely profession so simply talking to another human is nice. To have a beautiful woman is in your arms even if it's only while playing poker is a dream. "Yes I do."i She purred at his soft touch. "Can I ask you a few questions Inara, nothing personnel. I just want to know who's who and why you women always pull the covers up after the deed is done?" Jonathon asked taking one finger moving the bed sheet down to her waist softly tracing her skin in the process. Inara knew at the moment she'd tell him whatever he wanted to know.
A/N1: Most mail order brides (or picture brides) happened in the 1880-`1910s with some into the early 1920s. They were largely not recorded by the US census.
LoneWolfO'Neill
i