To Wed a Wanton Woman (8 page)

Standing in front of the brothel, Train
noticed heavy curtains covering the few windows. Dim light could be seen
through the center cracks, one would only have to imagine what was going on
inside. Taking the last draw off his cigarette, he flicked it into the street
and went inside.

Smoke hung heavy in the air. Men sat around
on comfortable looking chairs covered with red and royal purple velour. Bronze
statuary of naked women adorned small square tables set in each corner.
Wallpaper with an ornate pattern of vines and leaves had turned from a blend of
copper and gold, to a mustard yellow and rust. It was beginning to peel around
the ceiling and window edges.

Train removed his cowboy hat and ran his
fingers nervously along the brim while he waited for revelation to tell him
what to do.

“Hi, cowboy.” A blonde girl with ample
cleavage bounced toward him. “You look lost,” she cooed. “Let’s sit down and
get you a drink.” She ran her hand along his arm. He followed her into the
parlor. As he was about to inquire about Marion, he caught a glimpse of silky,
long, black hair from the corner of his eye. Instantly his heart began to beat
a little faster. His stomach rose into his throat.

Marion
walked up the stairs with a man following, his hand on her hip.

“I’m Cassie,” she said, handing him a tumbler
of whiskey.

Train tipped his head back and drank
greedily. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He could still see Marion on the stairs even though she had disappeared around the corner.

Cassie snuggled up next to Train on one of
the small couches. “Are you new in town?”

“No, ma’am. Actually, I’m looking for my
boss.”

“Oh,” she said as her lips drew into a pout.
“I thought you were here to see me.” She clasped her hands in front, causing
her already distended bosom to swell even further. When he didn’t respond, she
said, “Fine, what does he look like.” Her shoulders visibly relaxed.

“TJ Bester.”

Her lips made a circle. “Oh,” she said as
she raised her eyebrows. “He’d be with Sandy and…” she drawled. “I don’t know
where they went off to. It’s a strict policy not to disturb Sandy when she’s
entertaining.”

Train rolled his eyes. “Could you look
around?” He smiled at her. “Please, for me?”

“I’d rather do something else for you.” She
leaned in, her breast almost touching him, and kissed his cheek.

“I appreciate the offer, ma’am. But
honestly, I didn’t come in tonight for the pleasure of your company. Perhaps
another time?”

“Just let me know.” She slid off the couch
and went toward the back of the building.

Train kept his eyes on the stairs. He wondered
how long it took Marion to entertain. His stomach turned at the thought. He knew
if he were taking her to bed, she wouldn’t be available to anyone ever again.

Men paraded up the stairs with a plethora of
different girls. Eventually Cassie, too, went up, obviously forgetting that he
waited for TJ. Deciding to have a look around for himself, he stood and walked
toward the back of the building where he had seen Cassie go a few minutes
before.

A short distance down the hall, he heard
voices from behind a closed door. TJ’s laugh was unmistakable. Train knocked.

“Well, look who decided to mosey on in.” Sandy had a wide smile for Train as she stood with one hand on her hip and the other
holding a drink. “Finally came to see one of my girls.”

“One in particular,” TJ said from behind
her. He was lounging on a sofa built for two with his boots off and a drink in
his hand.

“She’s indisposed at the moment,” Train said,
plopping down in the chair next to TJ. “I can’t sit out there with everyone
looking at me while I wait for her to finish with her business.”

Sandy
’s
throaty laugh filled the room. “You’re right,” she said looking at TJ. “He is
suffering.”

Train looked from Sandy to TJ and glared. “I
thought you appreciated privacy.”

TJ shrugged, and held his glass out to Sandy. Without delay, she refilled his drink. “We had a bet you couldn’t stay away from Marion. I won.”

Train groaned. Leaning his head back, he
closed his eyes but the image of Marion walking up the stairs remained burned
into the back of his eyelids. “This was a mistake.” He stood abruptly and put his
hat on.

TJ sat up. “Remember what you told me. You
said it didn’t matter.”

Train thought of Marion upstairs in that
room. “Maybe it does.”

“You better make damn sure because you can’t
punish her for the rest of her life because of what she does today.”

“Wait a minute,” Sandy said with a piercing
look at both of them. “We’re not talking about an evening of entertainment.”

“No.” TJ’s voice was stern. “He’s talking
about a lot more than that.”

“Well, you can just forget about it. Even if
Marion wanted out, she can’t leave. She has a contract with me.” She pointed
her finger at TJ. “You know I love you, but I’m a business woman. Marion is an asset I’m not inclined to give away.”

TJ looked surprised. “Marion’s been with you
a long time. Her contract’s been fulfilled ten times over.”

Sandy
cocked her head to the side. “She signed a new one last week.”

“What?” Train sounded horrified.

“I’m getting old. Marion wants to make sure
the girls still have this place once I’m gone. She bought in. She’s earning
sweat equity.”

Train slammed the door as he left. His boots
landed hard on the floor as he stomped down the hall. He’d almost made it
outside when he heard her voice behind him.

“What are you doing here?” Marion stood on
the bottom stair leading to the bedrooms.

 “He’s here to see Mr. Bester,” Cassie said
next to her. “Don’t bother with him, he doesn’t want company.” She looked sad,
glancing at Train. “Damn shame isn’t it?”

Marion
glared at Cassie. “Stay away from him,” she said under her breath. “He’s mine.”

Cassie looked like a cat about to eat the
bowl of cream. “You know the rules. I saw him first. But I’m telling you, he’s
not interested.”

“Obviously you didn’t get as far as his name.”
Marion took Cassie by the wrist. “That’s Train.”

Cassie’s mouth fell open. A slow smile
spread across her lips. “Well now, maybe you’ll quit being such a bitch.
Appears as though he’s changed his mind.”

“I recognize the look, he’s mad. Do you know
how long he’s been waiting?”

Cassie touched her shoulder. “A while.”
Cassie went back upstairs.

Marion
crossed the floor to Train. “Do you want to wipe the sour expression from your
face and have a cup of coffee in the kitchen?” She pulled him away from the
door and pushed it closed.

Train closed his eyes for a moment and let
the bouquet of her powder fill his senses. Her long dark hair brushed against
his arm as she moved around him. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me to go upstairs
first? I just spoke to Sandy. She told me you have a debt to work off.”

“Great, I’m ready.” She splayed her arms
wide. “But I doubt that’s why you’re here.”

“After I saw you with your last customer,
you’re right, I’ll pass.”

“You can leave if you came to insult me.”
She turned her back on him and walked away. He caught her by the arm and swung
her around.

“I’m sorry. I’m angry and I want to take it
out on you.”

“If you can be nice, I’ll get you a cup of
coffee.”

He followed her to the kitchen. “It’s hot, not
fresh,” she said, picking up the coffeepot.

“Why did you sign the contract, Marion? Was it because of me?”

It took her a moment to answer. “Partly, I
suppose.” She sat across from him. “You once told me my secrets were safe with
you. If I tell you what’s going on around here, you have to promise not to tell
TJ. Sandy thinks he’ll try to interfere. She doesn’t want him involved now that
he’s married. His name shouldn’t be linked to a brothel.”

She took a deep breath, blinked several
times, and smiled. Train recognized stubbornness. He’d seen the same look
numerous times at the ranch.

“Sandy’s not doing very well. The doctor has
been coming by quite a bit. She’s told the girls it’s because he likes the
service. He’s actually giving her injections to help with pain.” She looked
into her cup of coffee. “She’s afraid she’s going to die before she has a
chance to get her affairs in order. This is our home and most of us don’t have
anywhere else to go.”

“You do.” He reached over and ran his finger
along her knuckles.

“I can’t let anything happen to the girls.”
She pulled her hand away. “Sandy has a brother. When he hears of her death, she
thinks he’ll try to close us down. He’ll sell our contracts. I can stop him
once I pay off Sandy. He’s one of those uncompromising preachers who believe
women will be the destruction of mankind.”

“Well, I can’t argue with him on that one.”

“Your dimples aren’t going to work on me.” Marion’s lips tightened to keep from smiling. And neither was his crooked smile. She
clasped her hands on top of the table. “This is no time for joking.”

Train leaned back in his chair. “There is
another solution. You won’t like it.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’ll buy out your contract.”

She sat motionless. “I can’t let you do it.
I’ve always taken care of myself.” She pushed away from the table and stood in
front of the sink with her back to him.

“Something happened between us at the ranch,”
Train said. “I’ll wager you can’t stop thinking about me anymore than I can get
you off my mind.”

“I’ve tried,” she admitted, thinking about all
the men in cowboy hats she’d taken to her room since meeting Train. None had
made her feel as good as his kisses.

“I think you misunderstand.” He came to
stand directly behind her. “Accept my offer now, or I’ll pay Sandy to own you
twenty-four hours a day until your contract is fulfilled.”

She turned around, facing him. “And what
would you do with me for twenty-four hours a day?”

“I’ll put you to work.” He took her by the
chin and lifted her face. “Building my house.”

Train laughed when she looked like she could
kick him in the knee.

“Train,” TJ said, coming into the kitchen.
“I see you decided to stay.” He winked at Marion. “We miss you at the ranch.
Allison enjoyed your company.”

“She won’t be missed for long. Marion has decided to come back with us.”

“I did not!” She glared at him.

“I’ll own you by the end of the night. In
fact, go pack a bag while I settle your debt to Sandy.”

Marion
stormed to the door. “I’ll talk to her right now. You’ll be going home alone,
but I assure you, I won’t be lonely here.” Flipping her hair, she turned on her
heel and disappeared down the hall.

He watched her ass as she stalked off, candlelight
reflecting blue against her shiny black hair. His cock thickened. Soon, he’d have
that hair spread on his pillow. But, first…

“I’ve got a small problem,” he said, turning
back to TJ. “If I buy out her contract, I’m not going to have the money for the
horses. I doubt I’ll have enough for lumber.”

TJ wrapped his arm around Train’s shoulder.
“I’ve been softening Sandy. Marion will have her bags packed within the hour. Sandy’s very persuasive when she needs to be. How do you think I ended up bringing Allison
home?”

“About the money--”

“The thing about money is you can always
make more.” He slapped Train on the back as they went to find Marion.

Chapter Five

TJ yawned. “My backside is numb from sitting
too long.”

Train kept his eyes on the stairs hesitant
to climb them and see what kept Marion from joining them.

“Go get her,” TJ said, impatiently tapping
his foot. “I’m tired.” He nodded toward the stairs. “You own her.” His mouth
twitched with amusement.

Train wiped his hands on the front of his pants.
“She didn’t look too happy after Sandy agreed to take the money. What if she
pitches and moans the whole way?”

TJ smiled. “You’ll have to discover for
yourself how to handle Marion. I’ll meet you at the hotel.”

Train climbed the foreboding stairs. Once at
the top, he paused, unsure which door belonged to Marion.

He stopped and listened at the first door. Clearly,
this was not her room judging by the laughter coming from inside. The next door
proved impossible. He couldn’t hear anything. Breaking glass came from across
the hall.

“Marion,” he said. The door swung open and
Cassie stood nearly naked in front of him. “I’m sorry, which room is Marion’s?”

Cassie pointed across the hall.

He listened for a moment and then tested the
doorknob. “Marion?” he asked, pushing the door open.