Outlaws to the End (HotCider & heartofcourage)

[HotCider]

Ian grinned as he watched Elizabeth sheepishly twirl, flaunting her delectable flesh. Her face was aglow with her bashful and modest nature. That side of her seemed to fade when she bit her lip and gave him a look that he didn't think he'd ever see on Elizabeth Darrow's face. If he had a tail, like a dog it would have been wagging furiously as Ian then reared back with a roar of excitement and began comically pounding his chest like an ape.

"Raaah! You're drivin' me mad, girl!" Ian exclaimed without a care for how loud he was being. "Get in this bed!"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ian, hush!" Elizabeth said, her gaze going towards the door as he yelled like a man in heat. "You want everyone in the house to hear what we're up to?"

She wasn't really mad. A little embarrassed, but definitely not mad. It didn't stop her from crawling onto the bed next to him, a slow burning smile crossing her lips as she leaned in and kissed her wild man. She sighed softly as their lips met in a passionate kiss, her fingers curling into the skin of his shoulders as she gripped him to anchor herself.

"Show me what you got, wild man." She murmured as the kiss ended and she gave him another smile. "Because I know I've been waiting for this for a long, long time."

 

[HotCider]

Ian, hush!...You want everyone in the house to hear what we’re up to?

Dropping his hands back down on the bed, Ian grinned at her. “Of course I do, so they’ll get the picture and stay out!”

When Elizabeth finally crawled into bed, Ian plopped down next to her and smiled smoothly in a counter attack to her own smile. He felt her plush lips give against his own when she leaned over and kissed him. His arms embraced her, and he drew her closer to him until her supple chest, veiled behind her silk nightie, gave against his harder one.

Show me what you got, wild man…Because I know I’ve been waiting for this for a long, long time.

Ian licked his lips in thought. He hadn’t wanted to show Elizabeth that he wasn’t confident in his stamina. Her last comment had worried him. She was looking to receive the old sex they used to have and he didn’t know if he could give it. He honestly had been hoping that she would go easy on him. Turning onto his back, Ian sighed softly and asked, “Can we uh…take it slow? I know I’ve healed some, but I still need to get back in shape. I just don’t want to let ya down.”

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth watched as he deflated a little bit, insecurity coming to his eyes as he turned over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. She let out a soft sigh, and stretched out along side her lover. Looking into his eyes, she ran her fingers through his thick hair and gave him a grin.

"Maybe I don't want the same old thing that we've been doing. Maybe I was something slow and sensual." The grin on her lips grew as she leaned in and kissed him once more. "You're always so fired up and raring to go. You've never stopped to show me the finer side of making love."

She wanted to make the moment anything but awkward. It was important that Ian had confidence in everything that they did, especially since his confidence had taken a knock with the shooting. He didn't have the strength to give her the things that he thought that she deserved. That was perfectly fine with her.

 

[HotCider]

Maybe I don’t want the same old thing that we’ve been doing. Maybe I want something slow and sensual.

Feeling her fingers coil in his hair, a naughty smile stretched across his face. She was being so kinky today. Had it really been that long? He closed his eyes, savoring the kiss she gave to his lips and then opened them to wear that same old smile.

You’re always so fired up and raring to go. You’ve never stopped to show me the finer side of making love.

“The finer side? I didn’t know that I was in love with that kind of woman,” Ian teased. He grasped the side of her breast, enjoying the warmth and smooth feel of her silk gown. His thumb glided over her nipple that felt like a bud beneath the downy garment. Ian turned toward her to bathe her in his shadow and embrace the sensual heat between them.

“Madame would you like your sex slow and toasty or a torturous tease?” Ian asked on his best posh, frou-frou impression.

He couldn’t stop groping her. His rough heated hands, grasping handfuls of her curvaceous flesh. Just touching her body alone could erect a tower in his pants. If she had answered, he hadn’t exactly heard her for he had delved into her delectable flesh. He leaned in slow and then firmly claimed her lips in a kiss. His right hand brushed a circle over her bottom before it joined his left hand between her thighs to give her inner flesh a squeeze that lasted all but a tight three seconds before he loosened. His shorts where his salivating tip was pushed against his band was already growing damp with the fever she was putting him in. Lord only knew that Ian could devour Elizabeth’s flesh anytime and anywhere.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course I am." Elizabeth said with a smile as Ian teased her. "I am a caged bird in a gilded cage, after all. You knew that."

She blew out her breath sharply as his hand grasped the side of her breast, his thumb scraping across her beaded nipple in just the right way. Whimpering, she felt her heart racing as he turned towards her and his body pressed just a little bit more against her side. He looked so at ease, so like the man that she had fallen completely in love with. It warmed her heart and her body.

"Surprise me." She whispered as he groped her with his strong hands.

It made her giggle. She couldn't help the sound that left her lips as he leaned in and claimed her lips with a firm, sensual kiss. He made her feel joyful. She wanted the world to know just what she felt about Ian Darcy, no matter what anyone thought about it.

A groan left her throat as he brushed his hand over her bottom, squeezing her firm flesh through the silky material of her nightie. He was driving her wild as she felt his hand gripping the sensitive flesh between her thighs. It made her legs part all the more, exposing her heated and weeping flesh to the cool air of the room.

She wanted him in the worst way. Feeling devilishly playful, she broke their kiss and nipped his bottom lip, pulling on it with a growl.

 

[HotCider]

Ian’s bottom lip retracted from her teeth as he bit down on it in a grin.

“Ooo, you’re bad,” he purred. “When did you get so naughty?”

Releasing one of her thighs, Ian grasped his briefs and pulled them down to free his cock. His hands slid right back between her legs and his fingers turned into her wet lips, parting them before he slid his member between them. It seemed that Ian chose to tease her. His dark venous meat sawed across her entrance, sawing against her clit as he slowly rocked his hips. The hair that had thickened on his face brushed roughly across her smooth skin as he kneaded her neck.

“Don’t moan so loud, the whole house might hear us,” he mocked playfully.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You simply bring out the best in me." Elizabeth said with a smile as Ian teased her about being naughty. "If you don't like it, I will certainly stop."

A soft moan left her lips as he nuzzled against her throat with his stubbled chin and cheek, his thick cock sawing against her wet lips. She was in heaven as he touched her like no other man had. Her body was on fire, burning as he rocked his hips slowly against her clit.

"I don't care if they hear." She murmured in a breathless tone, turning her head to capture his lips with her own.

 

[HotCider]

Ian received her lips briefly, but then cast his eyes down south once more. He felt that he had teased her enough. Her flower was practically melting. His malt-ball eyes flicked back up to meet her pretty blues as a smirk cocked on his face.

“You ready for me?” he asked, which could have been another tease seeing how he was delaying the inevitable. He didn’t wait for her answer before he eased back with his hips and pressed his thick rubbery head against her entrance. Ian’s hands moved to clutch her bottom as he reared back a bit with a moan as he felt the walls of her temple, as snug as they were, start to slowly receive him.

“Uhn…shit,” he moaned in a hiss. One of his hands brushed down her thigh and grasped the back of it, hiking it up his hip so that his hips could get closer. His juicy tenderloin was filling her up. Her walls stretched about his aroused girth until he felt his full balls touch home. With a content sigh, Ian tilted his head back a little with his eyes closed and as a pleased smile began to curl at his lips, he told her, “You’re amazing, you know that?”

He didn’t know how the female vagina was designed to take in so much meat, but he was glad because she made him feel amazing and he was sure that the feeling was similar for her. Cracking open one eye to playfully peek at her, Ian’s smile broadened and he leaned in close until his forehead was against her own.

“Let’s take it nice and slow,” he whispered. Keeping an arm wrapped about her leg, Ian began to slowly ease back with his hips, feeling his cock sliding along slickly, and then when he sent his battering ram back in to crash against her doors, he did so forcefully. A soft excited and quivering breath escaped him before he smiled and took hold her awaiting lips. While he fed on her lips as though they were glazed in honey, his hips continued the rhythm, his hands keeping a firm grip on her and tensing with every time he went back in. His palms were hot and rough and his fingers softly pinching into her supple flesh. It was about time that he got to be alone again with his gorgeous ray of sunshine.

 

[heartofcourage]

Was she ready? Of course she was ready. Elizabeth was prepared to beg, borrow, lie and steal to get Ian Darcy to fuck her. He had no idea just how badly she wanted him and what she would have done for this moment. As he eased his hips back and pressed himself against her, Elizabeth let out a soft groan, her brow furrowing as he stretched her so completely.

"Ian. Oh, God." She murmured, joining his own hiss of pleasure as he pulled her hips upwards to get a little bit closer.

As he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against her own, Elizabeth smile and laughed softly. "You can take me anywhere right now and I wouldn't complain."

The smooth way that his cock slipped out of her body had her shivering. Then he crashed back into her, everything quaking with the force of the motion. Her breasts jiggled enticingly inside their silk prison. Her belly, soft and flat, sucked in deeply to regain the breath that she suddenly lost. Their lips crashed together in the most beautiful way, Ian feasting upon her as if he were a man starving to death. She willingly gave him everything that he wanted and more. She was an eager student, wanting to learn everything there was between men and women.

Her hands traveled up the tense muscles of his arms, feeling the defined musculature that Ian had. He had lost some of this bulk in his time spent in the hospital, but she still thought that he was the most handsome man she had ever placed her eyes on. Soon, her fingers traced over his shoulders, reaching finally to tangle in his thick brown hair.

 

[HotCider]

Elizabeth found purchase in his hair. He heard her breaths and felt her strokes, her hands moving all over him as though she just couldn’t keep still. Her starved-horny condition only made him ever eager to please her just so that he could hear her moan and cry his name out over and over again. He propped up on his arm as he continued pounding away inside her, a sweat was forming on his brow but that was to be expected. He was starting to feel the cool air of the bedroom circulating around them, brushing his heated back that was exposed to it. In that moment, he wasn’t feeling weak. They should had gone slower sooner. It was a different experience as though each motion took several seconds to complete and sent a prolonged arousal firing through his cannon.

“Uhn…I love you so much,” Ian growled out before he brushed the hand holding her thigh against his hip up her leg, gathering the silky nightie. He glanced over his shoulder, getting one of his kinky ideas and lowered his hand back down Elizabeth’s thigh. He grasped the back of her knee and pulled out of her as he started backing off of the bed. “Get your gorgeous ass over here.”

Ian stood at the edge of the bed and tugged Elizabeth closer until her milky thighs were parted around either side of his hips. He leaned between her legs, posting his hands just to the left and right of her head. Only briefly did he reach his hand back between her legs to grasp his cock and once again plunge it into her. His hands gently rested on her flat tummy and he brushed them up to her chest, dragging the silky nightie up to her shoulders and over her head. It ended with Ian stretched over her, face inches from her own and with a smile on his lips as he peered into her eyes.

“It’s a nice dress, don’t get me wrong,” said Ian before he smirked in amusement. “But I prefer what you got goin’ underneath.”

He kissed her lips, the nightie holding her arms hostage behind her head for he still hadn’t pulled the garment completely off. He continued to rock his hips into her, the bed squeaking, and gently grinding rhythmically against the wooden floor upon its lion-paw feet. Behind them, through the keyhole, what the two hadn’t known was that someone was watching.

Through the keyhole of the bedroom, the someone could see Ian’s backside and Elizabeth’s parted legs as he sawed in and out of her. The grinding bed could have been heard anywhere in the house, and its rhythm was no secret.

Ian lowered until his forearm (yes, forearm) was rested next to Elizabeth’s head. His teeth were slightly clenched as he continued trying to start a fire in her pussy. His other hand clapped over her quivering tit, gripping it as he grunted out in exertion. He was so close.

“I wanted to finish…ha…ha…what we started…ha…in the hospital,” Ian explained through aroused pants.

 

[heartofcourage]

Seeing stars was something that Elizabeth never thought possible before when it came to sex. Ian proved that she was wrong time and again as he gave her the attention that she so sorely needed. He was wild, slightly crazy, and loved her like no other man ever had or would. The air around them seemed to move with energy as her fingers curled in his thick mop of hair. It was cool, licking at her sweat slicked skin as Ian thrust into her body in a slow, rough, and loving rhythm.

"I love you, too." Elizabeth whimpered as his hands were suddenly brushing up her leg and back down her thigh, an idea lighting up his coffee colored gaze. "What...?"

She gasped as he pulled out of her body, leaving her disappointingly empty. That damned smirk told her that he wasn't going anywhere. Soon, she was being pulled down the bed towards Ian, who was standing at the edge of the mattress. Her nightie bunched up around her waist, caught from going further by the sheets.

"Oh, God." She murmured as he soon thrust back into her, his large hands resting on her soft belly for a moment before he stripped the piece of silk of her body.

Her breast bounced free from their confines, pink nipples delightfully hard from the arousal that she had for the man that was leaning over her body right then and there. She gave him a smile that was bright and sunny before he leaned in and kissed her lips while trapping her hands in the silk nightgown. A hot whimper left her lips as he rocked against her, her hands struggling against the sudden bonds that held her captive just for him.

As he leaned down further over her body, his hand cupping her breast, she panted along with him, whimpers and moans joining the sounds that filled the room. She needed him in the worst way possible and he knew that.

"Just like that, baby." Elizabeth told him, looking into his eyes as hers threatened to roll back into her skull. "Don't stop. Just a little more."

 

[HotCider]

Just like that, baby.

She was like a wanton cheerleader…

Don't stop. Just a little more.

...encouraging him to go harder and harder. Ian was determined to win some of his humanity back. His masculinity. His strength. His libido. He wanted it all back even if it was a small victory. He wasn't about to have another train crash. He might had lost some of his muscle, but he had more energy now that he was no longer on medication and no longer feeling the sting of his wounds. He may not have had the endurance to go as hard or as rough as he had done once, but he could work up to it. The way he was feeling at that moment made him feel invincible. He felt so sure and rejuvenated.

His fingers curled into the sheets until he gripped a wad of it in a clenched fist. The fingerpads of his other hand caressed the taut bud of her tit as he reached back to grasp the back of her knee, gripping her leg as he drove into her with more fervor, stirring his meaty cock in her honeypot. His hips crashed into her, slapping wetly against her juicy lips that just about sucked him dry. The bed was damp with their nectar, the air filled with heat and erotic noise. Briefly, Ian watched Elizabeth's delicious breasts rock to the pounding he gave her pussy. It felt like a round of anxious and pent-up lust, pulsing sensitivly throughout the entire make of his velvet revolver. He was going to burst!

Ian was leant over Elizabeth, hot and moist skin not even inches above her own, dripping hot sexual rain all over her body as he pushed himself beyond his limits. One of them was going to come this time. Ian bowed his head just over her shoulder and closed his eyes. His teeth were bared like a wild animal, his exhausted pants leaving him gruffly as though he was a sprinter on his last stretch.

Come on, damn it!, Ian thought. He was reminded of the train. The second train he had rode with Elizabeth and which had nearly left without him. If he hadn't been in shape, then he would have lost the woman of his dreams. He wasn't in the hospital anymore. He was on the road to recovery. He could do it. He could-

Ian sucked in a harsh breath and his whole body locked up as his member erupted inside her. Oh god he had done it, and it had felt like forever since he had came inside her passage. It had felt like more than a single ejaculation, then again that had been his usual. His poor sac always seemed like it was overloaded and eager for release.

He slumped over Elizabeth. His grip was weak on her leg and the sheet. His chest was against her softer one, and she would be able to feel the deep lung-filled breaths that he was taking. He had overworked himself, but the content smile he wore on his face seemed worth it.

“Oh shit…” Ian whispered. He was suddenly so tired. He just wanted to remain where he was, even if being bent over his lover was awkward. He felt relaxed and happy. To her dismay, he could have slept in such a position. “Aw man, it’s been awhile…”

Suddenly, Sheba’s barks penetrated the door, startling Ian to raise slightly upright. His head snapped over his shoulder as he worried that someone might have barged in on them in secret. He saw only the closed door, and only the sound of the pregnant husky on the otherside.

Ian narrowed his eyes at the keyhole suspiciously as he started to hear the nails of the dog rapidly walking away. He couldn't imagine it...and he really didn't want to but...Ian couldn't help but wonder if Tom had been...well…peeping. He didn't want to disturb Elizabeth with his suspicions, so he decided to keep them to himself.

“Damn dog…,” Ian grumbled before he moved over to crawl into the bed next to Elizabeth. He laid there amidst the sheets and blankets with a pleasant smile. “I’m startin’ to make a come back.”

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth was in absolute heaven there beneath Ian. He was giving her everything that she had ever wanted and more. Her moans were breathy, struggling to appear before the next one was upon her. The silk that bound her wrists was taunt as her fingers curled tightly into balls at the pleasure of everything. It was like he were a Greek god and she were the unsuspecting maiden from the stories that she had read.

A long moan was drawn from her throat as his fingertips brushed against her nipple, teasing the little bud before he gripped her leg tightly. His hips were slapping against her own, filling the room with sound and scent until she felt like the most wanton slut that had ever lived. Maybe she was when she was with Ian. He seemed to bring out a new and exciting side to her that she never knew existed.

As Ian bent his body over the top of her own, Elizabeth felt trapped in the most delicious way. She whimpered, her eyes squeezing shut at the pleasure that threatened to burst across her skin. She gasped at the feel of his pulsing cock pumping his seed into her body. She twisted in his arms, breathless as she came for him as well.

It was beautiful. She saw stars. Breathing heavily, Elizabeth swore that she might die as her toes curled and pleasure raced up and down her spin in the most wicked way. The sudden weight of Ian's body was welcome and she simply settled in her spot, relishing the moment that she was skin to skin with her handsome lover.

"It was worth the wait." Elizabeth murmured, licking her suddenly dry lips as she heard the sounds of a dog barking. "I forgot where we were for a moment."

As Ian settled onto the bed beside her, she gave him a smile, laughing softly. Her hands were soon pulled free from the nightie, the garment thrown to the floor as she let the cool air lick at her heated body.

"If that's a come back, you'll surely kill me before long." Elizabeth commented with a grin, leaning in to kiss Ian gently.

 

[HotCider]

If that’s a come back, you’ll surely kill me before long.

Ian smiled and received her heated lips. They were moist like the rest of her body. He turned on his side to face her, resting his head against his arm. He couldn’t believe how warm and damp his hair had become. He could even felt the heat vapors rising from his scalp. He wasn’t as buff as he had used to be when she first met him but the length of his body was cut and sweatbeads gathered like tiny diamonds along the trail of hair that went from his navel south.

He watched her from beneath half-lidded eyes, a relaxed smile on his lips. The way he watched her lay there breathless had said so much. His eyes were still full of lust as though he wanted to take her into his arms again and fuck her until she could no longer move. Had it really been that long? He was wanting seconds.

Hey! Dinner’s ready. You all comin’ down? called Tom.

Ian wanted to skip dinner so bad just so that he could curl up with his dame.

“I got dinner right here,” he said naughtily, slinging an arm across her hips to snag one of them in his hand and turn her over to face him. He pulled her close until their foreheads touched and he kissed her lips tenderly. “I feel like a new man.”

That romp had made him feel like himself if only a little. He then tried to convince her:

“Let’s just forget about dinner. I can go another round or we can just lay here naked and cuddle until we both fall asleep.”

Dinner did smell delicious. The smell of hot gravy, bread, and roasted meats were creeping up the stairwell to permeate the sexual musk of their bedroom.

 

[heartofcourage]

The look of lust in Ian's eyes was intoxicating. He made her smile with a simple glance of those coffee colored orbs. They were the same eyes that haunted her dreams and made her want him even more. Elizabeth's red head slowly shifted until she was resting it against the pillow, a sigh leaving her lips as his arm snagged her hip, turning her to face him until their foreheads touched. Then he kissed her.

And what a kiss it was. She could close her blue eyes and forget about the world. Chicago didn't exist anymore. California was a distant dream. She was simply with the man that she loved and adored and that meant the world to her.

"No, because that would be rude." Elizabeth said as the kiss ended and Ian tried to convince her to stay there in bed with him. "A good meal will do us both some good. Besides, you can always take me for a spin in that nice, big tub later on."

She chuckled softly as she kissed him one last time and turned to exited the bed. Her feet touched the floor and she stretched, the column of her back smooth and lean. It wasn't as if she had much to choose from in the way of clothing. She simply pulled back on her undergarments and the dress that she had bought at the last store that they had gone to. It was the same sunny yellow that she loved and as she looked over her shoulder towards Ian, she fell in love with him all over again.

 

[HotCider]

No, because that would be rude…A good meal will do us both some good. Besides, you can always take me for a spin in that nice, big tub later on.

Ian smiled. “Mm, that does sound tempting.”

When she kissed him and vacated the bed, Ian whined and dramatically crawled after her, stretching a hand out after her, “Nooo~, please.”

Lazily, he rolled over onto his back with his head hanging off the edge of the bed. He watched as she slid her panties back up her lovely legs to hide that delicious ass.

“Ugh,” Ian groaned as though he had just taken a stab to his chest. His hand even clutched it as he faked a wince. When she put the yellow dress back on, returning her to her clothed form. The bank robber’s head limply turned to the side and his arm flopped onto the bed in his theatrical death. Elizabeth had killed him when she put her clothes back on and right when he was feeling his old mojo again!

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't be so dramatic." Elizabeth murmured, slapping his chest with the palm of her hand before she leaned down and kissed him again. "I should make you wait until you put a ring on my finger, but where's the fun in that? I would probably end up jumping your bones long before that ever happened."

She grinned at Ian, chuckling softly as she took in the sight of his naked body. He was incredibly handsome, even though he had lost some of the muscle that had made him so cut when she first met him. The male body was still a slight mystery to her, but she enjoyed looking her fill at her fella.

 

[HotCider]

Mmmmwuah! Ian uttered when his baby leaned down to give him a kiss.

I should make you wait until you put a ring on my finger, but where's the fun in that? I would probably end up jumping your bones long before that ever happened.

Ian smiled pleasantly. “If you were able to wait that long, then I might have been a little worried. My Elizabeth might have been an Eli.”

He grinned and laughed at the idea of Elizabeth turning out to be a man in secret. There were some world wonders out there. There were some women out there that he couldn't determine the sex of.

Hey! A knock sounded at the door, immediately putting a frown on Ian’s face. He sat up, glowering at it and climbed out of bed to at least get his pants on. Are you guys coming down?

Ian strode over to the door with business in his stride. He didn't even look at Elizabeth as he yanked open the door startling Tom a little. A long and seemingly forced smile flashed on Ian’s face as he cheerfully answered, “Tom, hey, yeah, we’ll be down in a minute. Can we talk?”

He then looked back at Elizabeth and told her, “I’ll be right back.”

Slinging an arm across Tom’s shoulders, the two started down the hall.

“Hey; I want to apologize if we uh...made a lot of ruckus. It’s been awhile.”

Tom blushed and said sheepishly, “You two did make a lot of noise...but I don't think Pops minded.”

Ian resisted the amused smile he wanted to quirk at that comment.

“We really appreciate the kindness you’ve showed us, but I was thinkin’ we’re gonna be headin’ out tomorrow, so could you give us a ride to the station?”

“Headin’ out? But you all just got here!”

“Yeah, we were just resting up from our trip.”

“What about Hope? Does she want to go?”

Ian stopped and slid his arm from Tom’s shoulders. He glared at the man suspiciously.

“Um, Tom...I’m sure Hope is willin’ to go wherever I go.”

He was acting like a disappointed child, but Ian was getting other vibes from him.

“Let me ask her!”

Who did this guy think he is? Ian snagged Tom by his collar and shoved the man back against the banister until it looked like he was going to push him over. Tom’s eyes went wide in shock as he grasped the banister and gazed into Ian’s threatening eyes.

“You go near my wife, and I’m gonna-”

Sheva appeared down the hall and angrily charged at Ian. He released Tom as the pregnant husky leaped at him and bowled him over.

“Sheva! No!” Tom shouted.

Ian tried to keep the husky from biting his face and when she got a hold of his forearm, she wasn't about to let him go.

“Son of a bitch!” Ian exclaimed.

Dinner

Dinner was quiet that evening at least in Ian’s case. He didn't even touch his food. They were having a simple meal: sausage and cabbage with rolls. Tom was sitting next to his father to help feed him and sitting near Elizabeth who was sitting by Ian. The foul mood Ian was in was like a raincloud hovering over a picnic. They had managed to clean and bandage his arm, but Sheva had gotten him good and she was put outside for the rest of the night.

Tom felt horrible about the whole thing, but he didn't want to bring it up.

“So...uh..Hope. I heard that you and Harry…”

Damn that name, Ian thought. He hated it.

“...were wanting to leave tomorrow. I will happily give you both a ride if you both want to go that is.”

Ian scowled deeply. What did he mean by if they both wanted to go? The guy acted so innocent, but his roses were starting to stink. Ian still suspected that he had been peeping on him and Elizabeth earlier. As usual, Ian said nothing. It was her choice.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am 100% woman, Mr. Darcy. Never forget that." Elizabeth said with a smile towards Ian, chuckling as he told her that he might have wondered if she was who she really said that she was. "And the wait wouldn't have killed you. We were both virgins. We wouldn't have known what we were missing, baby. It's been worth it, though."

A heavy knock on the door had them both glancing towards the portal and the sound of Tom's voice reminded Elizabeth that they were expected downstairs for dinner. She turned towards the vanity in the room to fix her hair was Ian rolled from bed to pull on a pair of trousers and answer the door. Elizabeth was brushing her hair as the two men started down the hall. All was quiet until she heard the vicious growls of the husky.

The brush dropped from her hand as she hurried out into the hallway to see Ian being attacked. Of course, she thought to herself as she went to help.

Dinner was a quiet affair. She was steaming mad at Ian for making a scene. She was trying her hardest to be cordial to Tom and his father. None of this was really their fault. They were letting them stay at their home free of charge. The least that the two of them could do was be polite. Her blue eyes glanced towards Ian, taking in the dark scowl that was on his face. Good.

Elizabeth's attention was brought back to Tom as he asked if they were really leaving in the morning. It would be for the best, she thought as he offered to drive the both of them to the station.

"Yeah, we need to get heading out to California." Elizabeth said with a nod. "We have some plans that we need to take care of out there."

 

[HotCider]

Exactly what he had expected. Elizabeth wouldn’t have left his side. Tom must have thought that they were in some loose relationship or he must have been hoping that Elizabeth would actually want to stay longer in her dream house. Ian’s scowl deepened as he mused over the existence of the house. This house was no longer beautiful to him. It was a prison and Tom was the warden trying to keep them all prisoner.

Tom nodded finally yielding. He and his father didn’t get many visitors and so he appreciated the company.

“It was nice having you both. It’s been awhile since me and Pops had visitors. We used to have a lot when my mother was alive. She used this house as a guest house. People would always stop by here and she would feed them and let them stay for the night. We would all get to listen to their stories. I missed those days, and so I didn’t mind you both staying for one day or even two,” Tom explained with a smile. “When I take you both to the station tomorrow, I’ll pack you some supplies. You can take some food with you on the trip and some medicine for Harry’s arm.”

“That’s kind of you Tom, but no thanks,” said Ian gruffly. He was going to be bitter about the dog bite all night and his secret suspicions of Tom.

He wasn’t eating so he felt ridiculous sitting there with them all. Scooting back his chair, he stood and grumbled, “I’m gonna go start the bath.”

He then walked off, leaving his untouched plate there on the table.

Tom glanced over at the plate and bowed his head a little, feeling guilty.

“This is my fault. I should have stopped Sheva before she had reached him. She always seems so nice but she’s very protective of our family.”

 

[heartofcourage]

Elizabeth wanted to snatch the hair off Ian's head when he pushed back from the table with all of the grace of a caveman and thundered off upstairs. She shook her head, watching as he left the room and glanced back towards Tom. She saw sorrow on his features and felt pity for him. He was a young man who had been saddled with the burden of an elderly father. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine what that was like.

"You'll have to forgive him. He's like an old dog sometimes. All bark and no bite." Elizabeth said softly as she gently placed her fork down on her plate and let out a soft sigh. "And there's no need to apologize. If he hadn't lost his temper, he wouldn't be in this situation. That dog was just doing what she thought she needed to do."

"Listen, Tom, I appreciate all of this. It's been nice to have a warm bed that isn't moving in time with a train or smelling like rubbing alcohol from the hospital. We've been on the road a long time but we do have places to be." Elizabeth murmured, hoping to lessen the sting. "I'll talk to him. Maybe we can stay another day."

Giving Tom a smile, she pushed away from the table and excused herself from the dining room. She heard the sound of running water from the bathroom and made her way there, entering without knocking and leveling Ian with a dark look.

"You could at least pretend to be nice. He's just lonely." She said as the door closed behind her. "Don't lose your temper just because that dog gave you a nip."

 

[HotCider]

You’ll have to forgive him. He’s like an old dog sometimes. All bark and no bite.

Tom smiled some at Hope’s words.

…I’ll talk to him. Maybe we can stay another day.

His smile became livelier at the news. “That would be great. I think Pops would appreciate the company too.”

When Elizabeth excused herself from the dinner table and made her way upstairs, she would find Ian sitting on the edge of the tub, holding his hand beneath the running water as he inspected the heat. He didn’t acknowledge her once when she entered the bathroom.

You could at least pretend to be nice. He’s just lonely…Don’t lose your temper just because that dog gave you a nip.

Ian frowned down at the water filling the tub. “He likes you Elizabeth.”

He then raised his head and glanced over to the door she had just closed, taking notice of the keyhole. Standing, Ian purposefully strode over to the door, unbuttoning his shirt to hang it from the doorknob so that it was blocking the keyhole.

“He was peeping on us when we were in the bedroom. I know it was him. Why else would the dog be outside our bedroom?”

Ian returned to the tub. “He kept trying to separate us. I wouldn’t go anywhere without you, and I know you wouldn’t go anywhere without me. I just don’t trust him, and I’m glad that we’re leaving tomorrow.”

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ian, he's lonely." Elizabeth said as he commented that Ian liked her. "He lives in this house alone with his father, who is senile at best. He probably doesn't have a lot of friends. Look, he's been nothing but nice to us so far."

As he rose from the side of the tub, unbuttoning his shirt and placing it over the doorknob with the announcement that Tom had been peeping on them in the bedroom, Elizabeth felt a cold chill go up her spine. He really believed that Tom had done something terrible. Glancing towards the door for a long moment, she slowly shook her head. She refused to believe that Tom would do something like that.

"Maybe because this is the dog's house and we were making a racket?" Elizabeth offered, her blue gaze turning back towards Ian as he returned to the side of the tub. "And you are a paranoid sort of fella lately. You've been raring for a fight since Jesse's."

A long, hard sigh left her lips as she raked her fingers back through her thick, red hair. It tumbled back into place easily, spilling over her shoulders. He might be mad at her decision, but she was never really one to run from a hard situation.

"I want to stay another day. He's lonely, Ian. I don't think he's bad." She announced. "He's given us a nice place to stay, a warm meal, a soft bed. If you know I'm not going to go anywhere without you, what's the harm in another night?"

 

[HotCider]

Ian shook his head at the excuses Elizabeth kept making for him.

“I don’t mean to say this…” He hesitated. “But you’ve been a cage bird most of your life, Elizabeth…”

The words tasted horrible coming out of his mouth, but he felt that he knew what he was saying.

“I know that you want to believe that everyone is good, but I don’t trust this guy and it’s not because I’m paranoid.”

I want to stay another day…

Her words startled him. Ian turned from the tub to stare at Elizabeth with wide eyes as though she had gone mad.

…He’s lonely, Ian. I don’t think he’s bad.

Tom was handsome…he had to admit and he was the man Ian had used to be. He was strong, blonde-haired, and blue-eyed like Elizabeth. He had the perfect house and the perfect open yard. The one thing he didn’t have was a woman to complete the dream with. All he had was his pops. Elizabeth was perhaps attracted to this place because it was what she always wanted. Her following words fell on deaf ears as Ian receded into his thoughts.

He’s given us a nice place to stay, a warm meal, a soft bed. If you know I’m not going to go anywhere without you, what’s the harm in another night?

Ian was staring hard at the floor as he continued to muse. Did he manage to convince her to stay another day? What was this guy planning? What was he up to? He then glanced over to the bedroom door and quickly stood from the tub. Without a word, Ian stormed over to the bathroom door and wrenched it open. Stepping out into the hallway, his head snapped to the right in time to see the door of the forbidden bedroom swiftly close.

That son of a- Ian thought.

He then heard hurried footsteps below as Tom raced from the kitchen worried as to what all the commotion was. He glanced up to the second floor at Ian.

“Is everything all right up there?” he called.

I must be goin’ crazy, Ian thought. He glanced over to the bedroom suspiciously. If it hadn’t been off-limits, then he would have barged in there to see who or what that was he had seen. Hadn’t there only been four people in this house—not including the dog?

“Nothin’…” Ian finally replied after a delay.

“You sure?” Tom questioned. He had a dinner plate in his hands that he was drying with a towel. Apparently, the guy was washing dishes and putting dinner away.

“…yeah,” said Ian suspiciously. He rested a hand against his face.

I’m goin’ nuts…maybe I am just being paranoid.

“Hey Tom…” Ian said.

“Yeah?” Tom replied.

“We’re gonna stay another day. We need the rest.”

Tom smiled brightly. “Hot dog! Thank you Harry, this is great news. Maybe we can do something fun tomorrow. We can have a cook out in the field. You ever cooked in a hole before?”

Ian arched a brow. “Actually, no.”

“This going to be great!”

Ian smiled and thumbed over his shoulder. “I’m gonna go take a bath now.”

“Oh. Right. Yes. Enjoy!”

Ian turned back to the bathroom with a sigh and closed the door behind him. He then walked over to his shirt and picked it up. Gazing down at it, he wanted to place it back over the doorknob.

“No one should be peepin’ on us any way. Not the dog or the wind,” he said as he placed it back on the doorknob.

Turning back to Elizabeth, he frowned a little as though he were feeling a bit of regret. “I hope you’re happy. I figured that I was just bein' paranoid after all. I think I just need a day where I can sleep for real. Not on a train, not in a car, and definitely not in a hospital bed. I just need to sleep in a bed.”