Page 80 of Native Hawk
He melted. Then he scowled. Love her and leave her? Why would she think that?
Whywouldn’tshe think that? Ever since he’d met her, he’d done nothing but tell her that he wasn’t ready to settle down, that he was a rolling stone, a drifter, a free spirit.
He supposed it would take time to convince her—and maybe even himself—that he could change his ways. Until then, he guessed he’d have to play by her rules.
It wouldn’t be easy.
He nodded. Then he sat up, wincing once as his ribs complained. “Well then, if I’m not beddin’ down with my bride-to-be tonight, where am I supposed to sleep?”
She shrugged. “In Jenny’s room?”
He grunted. Cat sure seemed to have everything figured out nice and neat. He might as well put on his trousers, since nothing was going to come of his attempts to seduce his lovely bride.
Satisfied she’d made a wise decision, Catalina turned down the oil lamp and snuggled under the covers…alone.
An hour later, she was still awake. Her bed felt big and empty without Drew in it. All night, she kept waking up and missing Drew. She missed talking and laughing with him. She missed listening to his deep breathing. She missed watching him as he slept. She missed the heat of his body beside her.
By the end of her restless night, she woke in a bad temper. It didn’t seem like she was testing the strength of Drew’s love as much as she was torturing herself.
With a sigh of self-pity, she dressed in her favorite gown of rich red silk in preparation for her new job. To her surprise, Drew was already downstairs and playing poker. She smoothed her skirts and crossed to the balcony railing to peer down at him.
Her heart swelled as she gazed down at the handsome gambler in his well-tailored brown suit. She knew his coal-black hair was softer than it looked. His tawny skin was warm and supple. His broad shoulders were impossible to span with her fingers. And she remembered that when she rested her head on his flat stomach, she could hear the strong beat of his heart.
She sighed, wondering if she could wait so long to make the sex with him.
As if he heard her sigh, he raised his eyes briefly and then lifted his entire head to gaze at her. A smile of appreciation graced his lips as he let his eyes rove over her from head to toe.
She lifted her hand and let her fingers tease at the edge of her neckline.
He narrowed his eyes and ran his tongue across his lower lip.
Then the player next to him gave him a nudge of his elbow.
Catalina grinned. She shouldn’t distract him from his game. After all, the sooner he won, the sooner they could afford a wedding.
Still, she swayed a bit when she came down the stairs, lifting her scarlet skirts enough to give Drew a glimpse of her ankles.
All day long, they carried on a silent flirtation.
When she visited his table to refresh the gamblers’ whiskey, she gave him a tiny peek at the top of her bosom.
When he caught her sauntering past the bar, he gave her a sly wink.
Halfway through the day, she brought a plate of fried chicken for the players, taunting Drew by suggestively licking the grease from her fingers.
While she stood beside him, he sneaked his hand beneath her skirts, sensually stroking the back of her knee.
Her eyes half closed at the heavenly sensation.
He gave her a knowing grin.
Then she pointedly arched a brow at the swelling in his lap.
He answered her sassiness by surreptitiously pinching her bottom.
She squeaked in surprise, blushing when the other players gaped at her, and then gave Drew a scolding shake of her head.
By nightfall, Catalina was aching for him. When he knocked on her door, she practically dragged him into her bedroom.
