Duty Bound: Bound and Tied, Book 2 (10 page)

“Really?” She looked around the two horses, at first not seeing KC near the tree line. “Where?”

“KC, come meet Mr. and Mrs. Braun,” Rosalyn called out, motioning for her to join them.

Honor’s brow furrowed.

KC rode forward. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

“You brought us a boy?” Honor glanced from Jake to Zach. “I don’t recall you two talking about getting more help for the mine.”

“Not a boy.” Jake motioned KC to lean over in the saddle. When she did, he knocked her hat from her head, and her long blonde braid fell down her back.

She blushed, feeling more naked than she had the night before with Jake and Rosalyn.

Honor’s eyes rounded. “Oh my. This does complicate things.”

“She’ll only be staying a few days until I can take her back down to Idaho Springs,” Jake announced.

Both KC and Rosalyn gasped.

KC stared at Jake. “What do you mean?”

“I’m taking you back to Idaho Springs, and as soon as I can find suitable transportation, I’ll send you back to your father.”

“You can’t do that. He can’t afford to lose the ranch. What will my family do?”

“They can keep the damned ranch. I don’t want it.”

And I don’t want you.

The unspoken words filled KC’s head.

Jake didn’t want her. He’d had her, taken her virginity and now he was done with her.

Tears welled in her eyes. “You don’t have to wait. I can get there myself.”

“Don’t be a fool.” When Jake reached up to help her down from her horse, she yanked back on the reins.

Spooked, her horse reared and spun in the direction from which they’d come, racing toward the trees.

“KC!” Jake roared behind her.

Her horse was scared but tired and slowed as soon as they entered the woods. When they came to the stream they’d crossed, the mare came to a halt so fast, she caught KC unprepared. KC flew over her head, landing in the water.

Footsteps thundered through the underbrush, and Jake emerged at the edge of the stream, breathing hard.

KC sat in the freezing water, soaked to the skin and wishing she could just die. “You’re a jackass, Jake Thompson. I want nothing to do with you.”

“Until I say this bargain is over, it ain’t over. You’ll do as I say or I’ll demand your father repay every penny he owes me.” He slogged into the stream and stood over her. “Do you understand?”

She pursed her lips mutinously, ignoring how cold her body was getting. Maybe if she caught her death, this would all be over and her heart wouldn’t be breaking into a million pieces.

After one night with this pigheaded man, KC’s mixed-up body wanted more. Even after he’d rejected her the next morning. The passion he’d awakened in her left her longing for a repeat performance and she didn’t know how to tell him. Not when he was glaring down at her like she was something nasty stuck to the bottom of his boots.

The flare in his eyes softened and he held out his hand. “Give me your hand.” When she didn’t, his brows rose. “We have a bargain. Give me your hand or…”

“Or what? You’ll throw me over your shoulder and haul me up the hill? I’m leaving.” She pushed to her feet and walked around him to her horse. “I can’t live this way. I’m leaving now. You’ll have to take up repayment with my father.” She crossed her fingers that he wouldn’t do that. It was a risk she had to take.

“You’re not going anywhere. I paid for you fair and square.”

“I’m a human, not an animal to be bought or traded.” She put her foot in the stirrup and clutched the saddle horn.

Before she hoisted herself up, hands grabbed her around her waist and she was flung over Jake’s shoulder.

He marched up the bank and out of the woods.

The man named Zach met him halfway, carrying a length of rope. “Have need of this?”

“You do not,” KC said. “I told you, I’m not an animal. You can’t treat me as such.”

“Until I can trust you not to run out into the woods in the dark, I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make sure you can’t.” He took the rope from Zach. “Thanks, buddy. I owe you one.”

Zach smiled. “No problem. Here, let me get the door.” He raced ahead of Jake and flung the door open to the cabin that didn’t have the smoke puffing from the chimney.

Once inside, Jake tossed KC on the bed.

When she rolled to the other side, he grasped her ankle, looped the rope around it and tied it to the bedpost.

“Oooo! Let me go.” She reached for the rope, which only gave him the opportunity to grab her wrists. Too late, she realized her mistake. Jake had her hands tied to the headboard before she could scream for Rosalyn.

He left the cabin and returned with a stack of wood and kindling.

“You can’t leave me tied up like this.” KC tugged against the ropes. “Jake, please.”

He didn’t answer, his concentration centered on building a fire.

“Rosalyn,” KC yelled, but Rosalyn didn’t come.

Jake got the flames burning then moved for the door where his partner, Zach, stood grinning from ear to ear.

“Gotcha a live one there, Jake.” Zach clapped him on the back. “Reminds me of when Honor tried to steal our gold.”

Jake didn’t smile, his face set in grim lines. “Nothing like Honor. This one’s going back to her father as soon as I can arrange it.”

Zach shook his head. “I think you should reconsider. I like her.”

KC fumed. “How dare you talk about me as though I’m not in the same room with you.”

“We can fix that.”

“Good, when you untie me I can—” She didn’t get the opportunity to finish her sentence because Jake and Zach left, closing the door behind them, leaving her in the dark.

“Oooooh!”

Chapter Seven

Honor sat beside Rosalyn at the table in the other cabin, a frown pinching her brows together. “This isn’t how I planned it.”

Zach sat across from her holding her hand.

Jake paced the floor, wishing he knew what the hell to do. “What do you mean this isn’t how you planned? Do you think I planned on winning a man’s ranch and cattle-sale earnings in a poker game?” Jake snorted. “And to think I was counting myself pretty lucky. Until some kid punched me in the jaw and then a pretty blonde made an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“She is pretty, isn’t she,” Rosalyn said.

Jake nodded, flinging out an arm. “Yeah, sure. Beneath the men’s trousers, the hat and the right hook.” He rubbed his jaw, a smile sneaking up on his lips as he recalled that night when KC pushed her way through that crowded bar and punched him in the face. Had he known then what he knew now, he wouldn’t have been so angry. Heck, he might have kissed her.

What the hell was he thinking? The woman had no business putting herself up as collateral for her father’s mistake. If he’d had even a clue that she was a virgin, he wouldn’t have been so forceful. Wouldn’t have taken her like some two-bit whore. Wouldn’t have discovered how wonderful he felt inside her, how soft her skin was beneath the rough clothing.

KC might dress like a man, but she was all woman. Fightin’, spitting-mad, drive-ya-crazy woman.

He ran a hand through his hair. Thinking was getting him nowhere. What was he supposed to do with her? Her daddy had to be halfway back to his ranch. And what would he do with a tarnished daughter? What kind of life would she lead without prospects of a decent husband? A man who’d cherish her and treat her like the lady she was?

“You ruined my plans, Jake.” Honor buried her face in her hands and sobbed. “I’m sorry.” She patted Rosalyn’s hand beside her. “It’s just that I’ve been so emotional. You know, the baby and all. And then you arrive and I finally have a woman who’ll be around even after the baby arrives only to discover Jake’s brought back two women.” Honor flung her hands in the air and sobbed again. “What now? Will you stay after the baby comes? Will this blonde woman?”

“Her name’s KC,” Jake interjected.

“Will KC?” Honor stood, her belly bumping the table. She waddled over to Jake and poked him in the chest. “You were supposed to fall in love with Rosalyn so she’d decide to stay after the baby arrives.”

Jake stared at Honor as though she’d grown two horns. “What did you say?”

Zach rose so fast from the table, the bench he’d been sitting on toppled over and he had to jump over it to keep from tripping. “Honor’s pregnant, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”

Jake stared from Honor to Zach and back again, realization dawning on him. “You didn’t bring Rosalyn here for Honor, you brought her here for me.” His gaze went to Rosalyn. “Did you understand that when you replied to her advertisement?”

Rosalyn shrugged. “I knew Mrs. Braun wanted a companion.”

“And?”

Her mouth twisted wryly. “And the chance that a suitable suitor might be a consolation prize if things worked out.”

Jake shook his head. He couldn’t believe he’d been duped by all three of them. “And you went along with it?”

Rosalyn nodded. “I was at a place in my life I thought that I wanted to get married. As long as the man was good to me and not a hideous ogre, I was willing to consider the possibility.”

“I can’t believe this. My best friends and a complete stranger plotting to marry me off without even asking me what I wanted.”

Rosalyn stood. “Look, things have changed. I can see that although you and I could be quite compatible in bed, I’m not so certain I want to live the rest of my life so far from civilization.” Rosalyn nodded to Honor. “Sorry, honey. I’m a city girl. I wanted to get away from a bad relationship and thought the farther the better.”

Honor leaned into Zach’s arms. “I don’t blame you. It does get lonely out here. If I didn’t have Zach and Jake, I’d go stark raving mad.”

“To play my cards straight, I’ll stay until the baby is born and Honor is on her feet, but after that, I’ll be shovin’ off for the nearest city with fine tailors and a decent haberdashery.” Rosalyn reached out and held Honor’s hands. “I haven’t had much experience birthin’ babies, which I told you in the letter, but I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Thank you.” Honor pressed a hankie to her eyes. “I will feel much better with another woman around.”

Rosalyn released Honor’s hands and turned to Jake. “Now, what are you going to do about that poor girl over there tied to your bed?”

“Why don’t you all make plans for me? Seems you’ve done a lot of that lately.” Jake crossed his arms over his chest.

“Really, miner, she’s not some piece of skirt to be flung aside. She’s young, separated from her family and all that she’s known, and she has a heart that you’re no doubt breaking.”

Jake snorted. “She shouldn’t have made that deal with me. None of this would have happened if she hadn’t made that deal.”

“She did what she had to do to save her family from starvation.”

“Excuse me. Are we missing something?” Honor laid a hand on Jake’s arm. “What is it about this girl that has you all tied in knots, Jake?”

“She’s a goddamn virgin,” Jake blurted out.

“
Was
,” Rosalyn corrected.

“Tell me you didn’t…” Honor’s hand tightened on Jake’s arm. “Tell me you didn’t dishonor her.”

His jaw clenched so tight he was surprised he didn’t break half his teeth. Jake nodded.

“Oh, Jake.” Honor shook her head. “That was probably the only asset she had of value to a man.”

“Holy hell!” Jake flung himself away. “Don’t you think I thought of that?”

“Then why did you do it?”

“I didn’t think of that until after I’d already deflowered her.” He flipped the fallen bench over and slumped onto it. “I can’t give it back to her.”

Honor smiled. “Then you have to do right by her.”

“Huh?” Jake looked up. “What do you mean?”

“You have to marry the girl and make an honest woman of her.”

“Have you lost your cotton-pickin’ mind?” Jake thundered, standing so fast the bench toppled over for the second time that evening.

Honor raised her hands, palms upward. “Do you have a better suggestion? She can’t go back to her father soiled. You can’t dump her in Idaho Springs. She’ll just become another whore for the miners to abuse.”

Jake had gone through all the scenarios Honor suggested except one. “Marriage? I’m too young to get married. I haven’t sown all my wild oats.”

Rosalyn shrugged. “Then take her back to Idaho Springs. I’m sure one of the saloons would love to have a pretty young blonde for the miners. She’d bring top dollar.”

Jake glared at Rosalyn. “She’s mine. Besides, I thought you were her friend.”

“I am. But us women have to be practical. When we can’t find suitable employment…” She turned away from Jake. “We take what we can get.”

“Damnation!” Jake thundered out of the cabin, breathing fire. He marched across the distance separating the two cabins and flung the door open to the one he’d built.

“About time you got back over here. Untie me at once,” KC demanded.

“Not until you agree to marry me.”

“What?” She jerked against the ropes binding her wrists. “I will do no such thing. I don’t even like you.”

“I won’t untie you until you agree to marry me.”

“Fine. Then I’ll just die, because I refuse to marry a man who treats a woman like a prize pig, trussing her up to a bed because he can’t reason with her.”

“You want persuasion?” Jake’s anger shifted into determination. Marrying KC was the only answer to this dismal situation. He couldn’t turn her loose on a hundred dirty miners. He couldn’t stand the thought of their hands groping over her creamy white skin, their dicks driving into her over and over…

“Damnation!” Jake stormed out of the cabin and paced the distance between Zach’s cabin and his.

“Did you ask her?” Rosalyn stood in the doorway, Zach and Honor hovering over her shoulder.

“She refused.” Jake pushed his hands through his hair, standing it on end. “That stubborn fool refused.”

Rosalyn’s brows arched. “I’m betting you didn’t ask nicely.”

The woman might as well have poked him in the eye. She was right, damn it. “I told her she had to marry me or I wouldn’t untie her.”

Zach leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, laughing out loud. “My friend, you’re in way over your head with that woman.”

“Shut the hell up.” Jake dove for his friend, fists raised.