Page 69 of Mattox
Stopping in front of the door, he knocked. He caught sounds of movement inside, and the door opened enough for Caralas to peek outside. Seeing it was him, she threw it open and embraced him.
Mattox chuckled. “I can’t believe you’re still awake.”
“I almost wasn’t. I was drifting off when I heard you knock.”
She drew his head down for his kiss. He made it a brief one, then pushed her away.
“I need to get out of this outfit and wash down before we go any further.” He raked his eyes over her, noticing her mussed up hair, the long too-big tunic she wore, and her bare legs. “Where’d you get the togs?”
Caralas smiled and pointed to the bureau at the far end of the room. “There’s a bunch of old clothes in the bottom drawer. Want me to get you something clean?”
He almost growled as he clenched his fists. In spite of his weariness, his body was urging him to pull her back into his embrace and smother her body with kisses. And more.
“I ain’t gonna need a change of clothes. I don’t plan on wearing anything when we hit the sack.” He made his intent very clear, and was rewarded with the sight of her cheeks turning red.
“You’ll find the water in the bathtub warm,” she informed him.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. After the help filled it for me earlier, I asked if there was any way the water could be kept warm until you got here. So every half hour or so, someone showed up to drain out a little water and pour in fresh hot water.”
Striding into the bathroom, he saw where a towel and soap had been set out. Tossing her a grin, he stripped down, then untied the bandage around his leg. He noticed her watching him as he eased himself into the water. Its warmth was like a balm. Slowly, he slid down under the surface and let it flow around him until he was thoroughly soaked before coming back up for air.
“Aww, shit, that feels good!” Sliding down again, he stopped when the water reached his chin. “Why don’t you come join me? There’s room enough in here for two, even with my big ass filling it.”
She didn’t hesitate, and pulled the tunic over her head, throwing it onto a nearby chair. Climbing inside the tub, she slowly sat facing him. “Want me to scrub your back?” she offered.
“Oh, hell, yeah.” He turned around as she retrieved the soap.
“So what’s the latest outside?” she inquired.
“To hell with what’s going on outside. Tell me what you and your father talked about while you were in the cellar.”
He heard her snort as she rubbed her hands across his back and shoulders, kneading the muscles under the skin as she washed him. “Believe it or not, not much.”
“Let me guess. He doesn’t want you to have anything to do with me.”
“Of course. But he tends to forget two very important things. He can’t order me around like he used to when I was growing up. That, plus I’m his daughter. I’m made of the very same stubbornness as him.” She applied soap to his hair. “If it starts to sting, lean back and I’ll rinse it out.”
“So where’s he spending tonight? At the lodge?”
“I really don’t give a damn where he is right now. He’s probably wide awake, fuming, and trying to figure out a way to convince me to go back to Vega City with him.” Guiding him down to where his neck was cradled in her lap, she washed the soap out of his hair, then gave him a little push to make him sit back up.
Mattox took the bar from her to lather up his beard and wash his face. “We need to plan for a wedding.”
“I know.” Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.
He glanced back at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I have close friends back in Vega City. I’d give anything if they could attend, but it would take half a year for us to send word to invite them to come, and for them to get here, if we plan to get married here. But if we get married in Vega City, your family…” The forlorn look on her face mirrored the difficulties of them trying to get all their loved ones gathered in the same location for the celebration.
He took her soapy hand in his and gave it a squeeze to make her look up at him. “Hey. Here’s an idea. Why not have two ceremonies? We can marry here, then I’ll go back with you to Vega City, and we’ll have another wedding there.”
“I’d love that, but I have a feeling my father won’t support either of those options.”
“You’re of age. He has no jurisdiction over what you do, especially when it comes to your love life.”
“I know.”
