Emma Baker awakened early the next morning with her head on Angel Eyes' chest. He was lightly snoring and she could hear his heart beating. She remained still, snuggled up to him, mentally reviewing the night they'd shared. She felt a bit sore down below, as he'd taken her three times during the night before exhaustion claimed them both. Her fingers idly stroked the hair on his chest, which slowly awakened him.

Angel Eyes said nothing as he awakened and realized where he was and who he was with. He rarely woke up with a woman still in his bed, usually leaving them as soon as he'd gotten what he came for. He leaned over the side of the bed and fished his pipe and tobacco out of his coat pocket, and began to smoke. He needed this far more than he needed a cup of coffee, but he planned to have a cup later on, after he'd dropped her off.

"Good morning," Emma said with a lazy, feline smile.

Angel Eyes merely grunted at her, not being one for small talk, especially first thing in the morning.

Emma was oblivious and undeterred by his grumpy, taciturn manner. "I just realized we don't even know each other's names," she said. "I'm Emma Baker."

Angel Eyes remained silent, concentrating on his pipe. He just wished she'd be quiet.

"So, what's your name," she pressed when he didn't offer it himself.

"People call me Angel Eyes," he finally grudgingly responded.

"Angel Eyes!" Emma said. "Surely your parents didn't name you that!" Looking into his eyes, she added, "Though your eyes are rather mesmerizing…"

"Angel Eyes is all you need to know," his tone now testy. Setting his now finished pipe next to his gun, he grabbed her by the shoulders and growled, "Shut your mouth and open your legs."

Somewhat taken aback by his rudeness, she nonetheless complied with his demand. He still excited her.

For the next several minutes, neither of them said a word as he gave it to her once more, rather less gently than before. Once he was done, he rolled off her, cleaned himself up, then immediately began to dress.

Emma followed suit, taking a bit more time to dress than he did. He'd gone out to saddle his horse when she was still dressing, so she hurried outside once she was done, for fear he might leave her behind.

Her fears were unfounded when she found him waiting for her. She was able to relax once she was back on the horse, with her arms around his waist.

His mood improved as they rode. "I enjoyed it," he finally told her halfway back to town. "You're a quick learner."

"I did, too," she replied. "It was all I expected and more."

They lapsed into silence once more. When they were about a half mile from town, Emma timidly asked, "Will I see you again? I would very much like to do it again."

Angel Eyes had already planned to see her again as long as he was in town. She was more satisfying than visiting a whore and free besides.

He turned to look at her and said, "Sure, for as long as I'm in town. My work will take me out of town eventually, though." After a pause, he told her, "I'll come to the mercantile when I'm ready for you again."

Emma wanted to ask him what his work was, but she did not dare. She'd finally realized Angel Eyes was a very private man and that it was best that she not be too nosey.

All too soon, they'd reached the back of the livery stable and he briefly dismounted to help her off the horse.

Looking up at him uncertainly, Emma said, "I hope to see you again soon."

Obeying a sudden impulse, she pushed up with her feet to give him a quick peck on the cheek. Before he could react, she turned and hurried down the nearby alley.

He watched her briefly until she was out of sight. As he got back on the horse, he figured that she now was vaguely afraid of him, despite her attraction. "Good," he thought, chuckling as he rode on the main street toward the cafe. "That's how it should be."

Angel Eyes had always enjoyed his ability to intimidate people, as it gave him an intoxicating rush of power. As he arrived at the cafe, he thought he'd make her wait a few days before seeking her out again. She'd be putty in his hands by that time.

As she hurried home, Emma saw her reflection in a window and noticed how disheveled she looked. She was also aware that she gave off a distinct odor, a combination of his bay rum, his personal scent, pipe tobacco, and of what they'd spent the night doing.

But there was nothing for it. The mercantile would be opening soon and if she wasn't there on time, her parents would definitely take notice. She could only hope they'd be their oblivious selves this morning, and that she could get a bath at her earliest opportunity.

As she approached the back door to the mercantile, she encountered her brother Tom coming out of the outhouse.

He chuckled knowingly when he caught sight of her. Judging from her unkempt appearance, his suspicions had been correct about what she'd gone off and done.

"I saw you go off with that man on the black horse from the livery stable yesterday evening," Tom told her, snickering. "And from the looks of you, I can pretty much guess what you did."

"You didn't tell Mom and Dad, did you?"

"No," he replied. "But you owe me a big favor now." After a pause, he added, "And I'm pretty sure he's an outlaw of some sort. I saw him in town yesterday, talking with some rough looking men behind the saloon."

Emma had a strong suspicion he was an outlaw, too. No law abiding man would go by the nickname "Angel Eyes", instead of using his proper name. But she didn't care. This just added to her attraction to him and made him even more exciting to her.

The wholesome boys from church her parents kept introducing her to bored her to tears and she couldn't imagine doing with them what she'd done with Angel Eyes the previous evening. She shuddered just thinking about it.

"It's almost time for work," Emma said. "We'll talk about that favor later on. I'll be glad to do you a favor, within reason."

The siblings went inside to the kitchen, where the family was still having breakfast. Emma was ravenous, so she grabbed a biscuit from the sideboard.

Her mother looked up and raised an eyebrow as she took in her daughter's untidy appearance.

"What in the world happened to you?" Her mother demanded. Her eyes took in a dark mark on Emma's neck, but it couldn't possibly be what she thought it was.

"I overslept," Emma lied smoothly, not batting an eye. "And I fell down running home."

"Did you eat breakfast?" Her mother asked.

"No, I came straight home, so I'd not be late for work," she reported. This part, at least, was true.

"Well, sit down and eat breakfast," her mother said. "Then go upstairs and clean yourself up and change your clothes. We can get along without you for a short time."

"Yes, mother."

A few minutes later, she went upstairs to do as her mother had told her, carrying a jug of lukewarm water and a flannel cloth to wash with. Once inside the room she shared with her younger sister, Mattie, Emma closed the door behind her. She was glad the younger girl had left for school.

After stripping off all her clothes, Emma washed quickly, then stood in front of her full length mirror, surveying her body to see if she looked any different. The young woman certainly felt different, but couldn't detect anything she could see, beyond the marks on her neck. She made a note to wear a high necked bodice today to avoid any questions from her mother.

Emma then put on a fresh bodice and skirt. She also brushed her hair and put on some lemon verbena cologne.

As she left her room and headed to the stairs, Emma snickered to herself - she'd gotten away with it!