 Part 2
Her cheeks were burnt with shame, her lips trembled but she would not cry, she forced the tears back. "I'm sorry, I just...I just wanted to know who you really were" she stammered. "I am who I am lass, didn't you ever hear it was curiosity that killed the..." But his words were smothered by a soft thumping on the door. "Neddy! Are you in there?" Joe's urgent voice filtered through the wall. Seizing her chance, Cat jumped up & grabbed her dressing gown from the back of the door. She almost laughed as she saw Minnie Mouse on a shopping spree embroided on the pocket. Quickly she padded over to the door & opened it a few inches before the chain caught it. Joe's eyes peered back at her through the gap. "Morning Cat, sorry to disturb you...just wanted to speak with Ned, assuming he's here with you that is..." he grinned at her pale face. "Of course Billy, wait while I take the chain off" As he entered, his eyes scanned the room before resting back on her "You alright lass? You look like you've seen a ghost" He seemed concerned by her appearance but his eyes soon drifted down the pale blue satin that was clinging to more places than it was hiding. "I'm okay Billy, just a bit tired" She lied. C hrist it wasn't every morning you sat naked on your bedroom floor with an Outlaw in your bed and a gun in your face. Ned appeared from the bedroom, snapping braces on his bare shoulders, his trousers half done up. "Ned, sorry mate, just wanted to check something with you, it's sort of urgent you might say." He glanced over at Cat. "What have you been doing, the poor young lady looks scared out of her wits?" "We had a misunderstanding, that's all." His arm slid about Cat's waist & she felt that familiar warmth spread from her chest, through her stomach ending somewhere between her legs. She couldn't help it but the guy had that effect on her when only moments ago she had feared him. "I'll make us some tea" Cat left them to talk-fast animated whispers from Joe, and Ned's brow furrowing as he listened intently. Absent-mindedly she threw some teabags into four cups. Why had Ned got so worked up about that letter? Shit she didn't even get the chance to read it properly but she did notice it was unsigned. "You take sugar?" She called out. They both nodded vigorously, keen to get back to their discussion. She just didn't get it, all the secrecy, the nervousness they were now displaying. "One for you, and one for that lovely lady friend of yours" she handed Joe two cups, the steam curling almost as much as his hair. Joe winked at her "thanks for that, I'm sure Eva would love one-I best get back to her & we'll see you at breakfast" "8am-bacon, eggs & sausages" Cat smiled. "Works for me..." And he was gone. Cat went back for their tea, she could feel Ned's eyes on her back. He spoke softly but she still flinched. "Cat, I'm sorry to have scared you earlier, I just get a bit jumpy, an old habit you might say." he was beside her, taking the cup from her hand and leading her back to the bedroom. She was watching the way his muscles in his back moved as he walked, how the broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of all unknown things to her, his fingers tickling her palm. He reached the bed and placed their cups on the side table. His hands finding her waist "Can we start the morning over?" She nodded, unsure of what to expect but hoping it was more of the same from the night before. "God you smell nice.. & that..." He stepped back to look at her "...that just feels so good." His hands trailing over the Minnie Mouse ensemble, the belt falling undone with the lightest of touches. She moved her shoulders, encouraging it to fall to the floor. His face relaxed again, eyes hungry, lips seeking hers. Her soft fingers slid under his braces, snapping them on his bare skin, rubbing across his chest & down his arms. He pulled her closer, his breathing louder as lifted her onto the bed, his lips hot against her neck. Quickly his trousers were sent to the floor, cursing as he busted a few buttons
off in the process.
She was warm & inviting, her legs already parted for him, her brown eyes surveying him..a spark of something in the depths, he wasn't sure what but he smiled at her, loving the way she wanted him so much, how she pulled him almost fiercely inside herself. If he could just forget all their troubles right now, not think on Joe's words or how he would be leaving very soon, just live for now... They were rolling over, she settled above him, finding the right position & he groaned as she moved faster above him, her breasts hovering near his mouth, so he had to reach up for them, lips sucking her nipples, letting go, catching them all over again. Her throat exposed, he reached one hand out and ran it up towards her mouth & she sucked his finger hard. "Shit Ned...or whatever your real name is" she gasped. Her skin felt slippery, her face hot, as she teased him with a smile. "Just take me as I am lass" he was groaned loudly as she moved faster. 'fuck I am' she muttered. Her nails dug hard into his skin as she felt their bodies in tune with one another. "I knew someone like you once. He had long black hair and beard just the same.." She was whispering in his ear now as his hand crept around her a rse feeling himself moving in & out of her. "Was he a horseman as well?" He bucked hard as she bit his lobe. "Ahh well, let's just say he traded his horse for a '59 Ford & his gun for bottle of Jack Daniels" He pushed hard inside her and they exploded together, the rush of release stopping the flow of words as they gripped each other, glowing & sighing. It felt like they could be here forever but he knew this wasn't to be. He was hugging her tight, tears stinging the corner of his eyes which she kissed away, tasting his saltiness, looking at him & feeling so happy & sad all at once, tracing his cheek with her finger. Nothing would ever feel so right in her world again. *
Cat was pouring them another cuppa, not quite sure how she felt right now, numb maybe, or in some kind of disbelief. Eva showed her the small stone Joe had given her-it was small & unremarkable but what Cat would have done to have something like that from Ned. That small piece said so much, Eva clutched it tightly as they held hands, tears running freely down both their faces, through their smiles. |