The Outlaw

Chapter Six

"Wake up, darlin'. They'll be coming in here soon." Caroline heard Ethan's deep soothing voice whisper in her ear. She snuggled deeper into the warmth and hardness of his chest. He groaned and used every ounce of self control he had to push her away.

"Come on, darlin… We gotta make it look like you were working on my fever all night." he said. Fact of the matter was he hadn't had a fever when she'd come into his tent the night before but his body was hotter than hell itself this morning from holding the woman in his arms all night.

Caroline seemed to come too when he spoke this time and she jumped away from him.

"How did I end up in your arms to begin with?" she demanded as she shook Jasmine awake and they moved aside so Ethan could lie down on the bedroll.

"Well, darlin, you were having a bad dream and…." The sound of approaching footsteps silenced him and he did his best to look ill.

"I see you're alive son." Mitchell said as he threw aside the tent flap and poked his head inside. Ethan nodded.

"So it would appear." he replied dryly.

"Good. It's time to saddle up and be moving on." Mitchell motioned for Jasmine and Caroline to follow him and he left the tent. Jasmine walked out first and Caroline was about to follow when Ethan grabbed her hand and stopped her.

She looked back at him and was surprised by the amount of concern in his eyes.

"Take care of yourself, Caroline." he said gently. Caroline nodded.

"You take care of yourself, Ethan." she replied. Ethan knew it was risky but he couldn't keep himself from doing what he did next. He pulled her to him and laid a gentle kiss to her soft lips. He heard her sharp intake of breath but then she relaxed against him and brought her hand up to his cheek.

Caroline had never before kissed a man and she was pleasantly surprised by the way his lips felt against hers. His stubble covered chin was scratchy against the softness of her own but even that only added to the sensations running through her. She felt a heat low in her body and her heart seemed to be swelling in her chest.

Again Ethan groaned and pulled her away from him. He knew he shouldn't have kissed her but she was like a drug to him. He could not resist her.

"You better get going, darlin'." he said matter-of-factly. He could see how dark her green eyes had become and her cheeks were flushed with passion. She nodded and quickly left the tent leaving Ethan alone to wonder just what in the hell he was going to do.

888

They rode hard everyday for nearly two weeks. Caroline was never again able to speak privately with Ethan because anytime that Mitchell saw any of the men trying to speak with Caroline he became jealous and violent. Caroline was beginning to wonder if the man was insane. He had made no more moves to touch her and though Caroline did not know why that was she did not question it either.

She and Jasmine were allowed to sleep in their own tent every night though there was always a guard posted outside to ensure they did not try to escape. Caroline knew that everyday they were going deeper into Texas. She wondered what would happen to her and her sister once they finally reached the hideout.

She was surprised and confused when after nearly two weeks of seeing nothing but dusty hills and cactuses she spotted a small town in the distance.

"Where are we?" she asked Mitchell who was riding beside her. He grinned that cold grin that always sent shivers down Caroline's spine.

"Devils Fork, my dear. One of my favorite stomping grounds. Not a law man to be found if that is what you were hoping. I plan on letting the men burn off some steam in the saloon. Have some fun with the whores and do a little drinking before we go on home." Caroline nodded. Her mind was working hard. Maybe she'd be able to get Jasmine out of here while the men were distracted.