Chapter 11

ARTHUR'S POV

He had made up his mind in the moments after her outburst about how he was important. This woman...this caring, beautiful woman thought someone like him was important. When he had shifted back from Nora, he caught her attention just enough so he could do what he wanted. He grabbed her cheeks firmly, leaning down and pressing his lips against hers.

Her whole body went still under his touch, but it wasn't from fear. He had just surprised the hell out of her. Arthur had wanted to do this for weeks, and he wasn't about to waste more time. His arm wrapped around her back, his hand settling just above her hip as he coaxed her to respond. The moment her lips parted to kiss him back, they were drowning in each other. It had been so long since he'd touched someone, it was almost unbearable.

Unlike those in the gang, he preferred to stay away from the brothels. Drawing her in, he deepened the kiss, and his body burned with need. Shifting his hold, he swung her up into his arms without breaking the kiss. Her arms immediately wrapped around his neck, and he took her to the tent. Their lips moved together in wondrous ways, bringing forth feelings he never thought he'd feel again.

Jerking the tent shut, he knew that the horses would alert them if anyone was coming. Or at least hers would. He came down to the ground, lowering both of them without struggling. When they finally pulled back from each other, he reached forward and ran his fingers down her cheek, brushing some hair from her face. Nora leaned into his touch quietly, and then lifted again to kiss him. His eyes closed, savoring the feel of their lips together.

Easily sliding his pants off, he made sure to set his weapons belt within reach. The blanket Nora had been wrapped in fell away, leaving nothing in his way. His hands traveled over her bare breasts and down to her stomach. Leaving her lips, he kissed his way down to where his hand had been and she squirmed. It made him smile against her skin, and his fingers dug into her hips. The noise she made had his blood boiling. Arthur paused where he was, and pressed his forehead against her stomach.

She shifted under him, and suddenly her fingers were running through his hair. He wanted to just drown himself in her, and forget what was going on around him. Getting lost in a woman sounded much better than continuing to fight what the gang was fighting. She lifted a leg, and he turned and pressed a kiss to her thigh that had her sucking in a breath. Lifting up again, he moved back to her lips and had them both gasping for breath.

Once he was where he wanted to be, he inhaled softly as she gasped against him. He didn't pause to enjoy the feeling, he just started moving. This small, beautiful woman thought he was important. He decided to show her just how important he thought she was.

NORA'S POV

After their lips had collided, they had lost themselves in each other. A good portion of the night was spent in a passion she thought had been lost to her. When they were done, she had fallen asleep in his arms.

Nora woke sometime before dawn, pressed against Arthur's chest. He wasn't asleep when her eyes opened, but his eyes were closed. She squirmed closer as the chilly morning air blew through the tent. They hadn't eaten dinner, or stoked the fire to keep warm, so now, she was cold. His arm moved immediately to accommodate her. His fingers closed around her shoulder, and his cheek came to rest on the top of her head.

"You're up early," she murmured, and he chuckled softly.

"Your stallion woke me," he muttered. "A fox was in camp."

"Terrifying," she grumbled, as his fingers moved through her hair.

"Extremely," he drawled, chuckling.

As she woke fully, the events of last night flooded her head. Nora felt her cheeks burn, but something told her that this wasn't just some random thing. Arthur hadn't even glanced at the women in camp, nor had he ventured to the saloons nearby. They had briefly spoken about the two women he had been with. He didn't do things without sort of thinking them through. At least not after the last woman, Mary. Nora decided not to think too hard on that. Running her hand across his hard stomach, she listened to the soft sigh that left him. One she wasn't supposed to hear. He'd pulled his pants on again, having obviously left the tent at some point. Most likely to see what Khan had been making noise about. His weapons belt was on, and so were his boots. Pushing herself up, Nora ran her fingers through her hair to get it out of her face. Stealing a glance at Arthur, she took in how relaxed he was. Alert, but she wasn't looking into that cold hard stare she'd grown used to. He arched his brow at her, so she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his chest. Pressing her forehead there for a moment, Nora closed her eyes tight when his hand found the back of her head.

"There's no way I can get you to leave now," he mused, and Nora grunted.

"No, sorry," she grumped. "You shouldn't have slept with me."

"Oops," he laughed, but his fingers drifted toward her cheek. "Well, we should get to hunting."

"I guess," she sighed, lowering her body against his. "Or we could stay a bit longer."

"You little," Arthur rumbled, but a chuckle left him.

Reaching over his body, she grabbed the whiskey and took a drink after looking at him mischievously. Rolling his eyes, Arthur smirked and rolled them over. She squeaked, but her lips soon became busy. She couldn't stop the soft giggle that left her throat when he moved his way down to kiss her neck.

They spent the early morning, letting the sun rise, tangled together. He'd made sure both of them were well used, and satisfied before they dragged themselves out to get ready. She cleaned up in the spring, and got dressed. By the time Arthur had finished, she was half way through tearing down camp. Arthur was content, she could tell by the way he moved. It was probably the first time in a while that he wasn't thinking about the gang. After saddling the horses up, she ran her hand down Khan's neck.

"Happy," the stallion rumbled, and she looked at him. "I like seeing you…happy."

Nora smiled and leaned into him, stroking his neck gently. Footsteps had her straightening up and glancing over at Arthur as he led his horse over. Giving the man a smile, Nora swung into the saddle, and he did the same.

"Bow hunting?" he asked, and Nora smiled.

"I'll shoot," she offered, and he nodded.

"I'll load em," he nodded.

"I'll take that," she said happily, making him chuckle.

They took a short trip through the trees, to the meadow that bordered the stream. Stopping the horses, she left Khan in the trees. She'd spotted a few deer who hadn't laid down for the day yet. Taking the bow that Arthur offered, Nora went about her business. She was able to take a large buck and a doe down. Animals were plentiful around here, so it was easy to find them. They also managed to take down several turkeys.

Just after lunch time, they had come back to the trail that would take the back to Clemens Point. It had been such a good day, Nora wasn't denying that. Arthur had enjoyed it too, but that time was over. He rode up alongside her, and reached out to put a hand on her leg. Nora pulled Khan to a gentle stop, and Arthur did the same. Looking at him, Nora took in the expression that had changed his features. He was no longer relaxed, but he was trying to be.

"I get it," she nodded, taking in a bit on how he was feeling.

He didn't owe anyone any explanations, and it was none of their business unless he said something. She understood he wanted to protect her, so she was going to let him. Nodding her head again, she laid her hand over his. He lifted their hands, and she tangled them together. When they let go, Arthur sighed. That seemed to satisfy him enough, so he led the way back into camp. He took them to the posts closest to Pearson's wagon. Nora hopped down, and took the four turkeys that they'd killed to the camp cook.

"Wow! Thanks you two!" Pearson beamed when he saw the deer. "All of this will do just fine. Just fine."

"Sorry we didn't bring more," Arthur rumbled.

"Nah, this will do just fine," he said, helping Arthur hang the buck. "How…how are you feeling?"

"Much better," Arthur answered, grabbing the doe off Khan's back. "So stop worrying."

"It's…sorry, I just feel it's my fault," Pearson said quietly.

"No one could have known what was going to happen, Pearson," Arthur said firmly. "So stop blaming yourself. I'm alive, and I'm fine."

Arthur hung the doe for him as well, while Nora went over to wash her hands. She felt eyes on the back of her head, but she didn't dare look to see. She had a pretty good idea on who it was. Turning back around, she went to Khan and unhitched him.

"Want me to take yours?" she asked, grabbing Arthur's attention. "I'm gonna name him soon if you don't."

"Sure," he rumbled, and smirked. "We'll see if you come up with a good name."

"Funny," she snorted, but took the gelding as well.

She led them around camp, and to the spot they usually went to. It was too hot to leave them in their saddles, so Nora untacked them and gave both horses a quick brush. When she finished, she kissed both of their muzzles.

"Do they need anything?" Kieran asked, making Nora turn toward them.

"No, I think they're okay," she smiled. "Thank you Kieran."

"Oh it's not a problem," he nodded. "I like horses. They seem to like me. It works."

"Oh look…my two favorite people…"

Just the sound of Micah's voice irritated her, and she barely managed to contain her expression. Kieran's face immediately drained of color. Walking over to the scout fire he always kept going, Nora sat down on the stool. Kieran slowly joined her as Micah sauntered over.

"The two that don't belong here," Micah smirked.

"Oh, I know I don't," she smiled, glancing at him. "I'll be on my way when it's time. Don't you worry. Kieran on the other hand…he takes real good care of the horses. Your horse. Something you don't like doing."

"You really think you can just leave whenever you wish?" Micah asked, standing across from her.

"I'm pretty sure Arthur will let me know," she replied dryly. "But then again, I don't need anyone's fucking permission. Especially not yours."

Nora could tell that Kieran was down right terrified of Micah, as he sat down nearby. No one usually took Micah on from what she'd noticed. Charles, John, and Arthur were the only men she'd seen do so. No one really liked him, but they didn't want to piss him off. He was trigger happy, and Nora knew he was itching to do just that. His hand rested on his revolver, and Nora glanced at it.

"No, I suppose you don't," Micah smiled. "I like you. You got spirit. Don't back down when you damn well should."

"It's a curse," she smiled back, "I don't like bullies. Which is what you are."

"Oh am I?" he laughed, and then tilted his head. "Just keep at it my dear. I'll be there when you slip up…and when you do…"

"Please, please finish that sentence."

Nora had seen Charles come over, but Micah hadn't. The man tensed immediately, his shoulder drawing up tight. His expression faltered for a moment, and then he glanced behind him. Charles was bigger than Micah, and a superior fighter. Nora had no doubt that if Charles wanted to kill him, Micah wouldn't stand a chance right now.

"Leave her be, and Kieran too," Charles said, his voice low. "She helped supply camp with dinner, and Kieran has constantly made sure the horses are well looked after."

"Oh, the hero to the rescue," Micah sneered, finally turning to face him.

"I said," Charles warned, and took a step forward, "piss off."

That step forward made Micah step back. He sneered at Charles, but Nora watched him walk off. He headed for his horse, and rode off, clearly having better things to do. She watched him till he was gone.

"I had him you know," Nora smiled, glancing up at Charles.

"Oh, I know," Charles answered, a slight smile coming to his lips. "He just likes to pick fights with everyone. We were all having a good day. I figure he can't pick a fight with me, I've already kicked his ass. Plus, I don't want today to be ruined."

"Don't worry, it won't be," she chuckled.

"Miss Nora! Miss Nora!"

The cry of a little boy took her attention from the man in front of her. Jack suddenly came dashing around Charles, launching himself toward her. Laughing, Nora caught him and stopped them both from getting toppled over. Hoisting him onto her lap, Nora let the six year old wrap his arms around her neck.

"And what kind of trouble are you getting into today?" she asked, as Charles shook his head.

"Can I have a pony ride?" he grinned.

"Did you ask your mother?" Nora asked, and his eyes went big.

"No," he murmured.

"You go ask your momma," she ordered. "She is one scary momma bear and I don't want to be on her bad side. But if she says yes, then we can. Khan likes you."

"Okay!" Jack beamed, and squirmed off her lap.

Getting to her feet, Nora watched him run back into camp. Turning toward Khan when the stallion came over, she spent a bit of time brushing him. She also cleaned his feet and checked them over. Arthur walked over as she finished, looking like he was on a mission.

"The meeting got moved up," he drawled, tacking his gelding up.

"Be careful," she murmured, handing him the bridle.

"Always," he replied, a smile coming to his lips.

"Oh, it's so adorable!" Sean gushed, riding over. "Maybe when I get back you can…"

"No," Nora grunted, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, I'm wounded Miss Nora, just wounded!" he gasped, his hand covering his heart.

"Yeah, you'll recover," Arthur chuckled, and Nora smiled at Sean.

"I'm not sure I will," Sean sighed sadly. "I was sure I was going to get the confession of love!"

"Please," Nora snorted. "I only like you a little."

"Ahh, see a little," Sean grinned, and they all laughed. "That's good enough for me."

"Be careful, both of you," Nora said quietly.

"Oh of course," Sean nodded, and rode off quickly.

Arthur turned his gelding, and gave a glance her way. He tipped his hat and rode off at a canter.