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She felt trapped.
"If I'm not mistaken, either tonight or tomorrow night is the fort's spring dance. Would you like to go to the dance, Prudence?"
There was no pretense in his request. Zac sounded as though he actually favored escorting her to the event. The exciting thought sent shivers up her spine and she shuddered.
"Mmmm, do that again; it felt good," Zac said, leaning farther into her.
"Mr. Stewart!" she said, so shaken by his words that she failed to remember the consequences of addressing him as such.
He chuckled as he spun her around to face him. Prudence caught the mischievous glint in his eyes and the teasing, yet tempting smile on his lips. She found it impossible not to respond when he lowered his head and kissed her.
He was unhurried and gentle, almost as though it were their first kiss. Tentative and questioning. Should he seek more? Should he refrain? Does she like it? Does he like it? Will she allow me to kiss her again? Does he want to kiss her again? Prudence found the crazy thoughts stirring.
His lips regrettably released hers, taking a moment to taint her mouth with a last brush and whispered words. "I love the taste of you, so sharp and vibrant. It stings my senses."
Prudence felt as if all the air had been expelled from her. Her legs wobbled. Her heart beat madly. And she tingled between her legs.
Zac supported her limp weight against him. "I like the effect I have on you, Mrs. Stewart."
Prudence's returned breath brought with it her dander. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Don't bother to deny it, Pru. The condition of your body is proof enough. You can't even stand on your own two feet."
She glared at him, eyes ablaze and ready to battle. Then suddenly, as though doused with a bucket of cold water, she smiled. "Oh, hoot, you're right," she said, and rested her head upon his chest. She just couldn't argue with the truth. It didn't make any sense. And besides, she had decided after a most disturbed night's sleep that she might as well enjoy being Mrs. Stewart while it lasted.
Zac wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him. "Hoot, is it? You do adapt fast, Pru."
"I'm very adaptable, I'll have you know," she said proudly, slipping her arms around his waist.
"At first I had my doubts, but after watching you handle yourself out here, I must say I'm impressed."
She pulled back enough to look up at him. "Really? You think me capable of surviving out here?"
"Of course I do. You're quite a woman, Prudence Agatha Stewart."
She grinned, and although she didn't realize it, it was a wicked grin. "And you're quite a man, Mr. . . ." She purposely didn't finish.
Zac shook his head and captured her chin with his fingers. "Don't you know, dear wife, that thoughts can be even more dangerous than words?" He leaned down and once again kissed her.
This time it wasn't gentle. It was the kiss of a hungry man, starving for his wife.
Fort Sully was bustling with activity. The passengers who disembarked were immediately embraced by family or friends, and soon hugs and kisses were flying freely while crates of supplies were unloaded.
Prudence was wrapped in a huge hug by Mrs. Hampton's son Benjamin, a bear of a man. She was proud and not a bit surprised when Benjamin shook Zac's hand and her husband didn't even wince. Zac pumped the large man's hand back with just as much, if not more, vigor.
"You must come to the spring dance tomorrow night," Mrs. Hampton insisted. "It's so much fun. Families come from miles around to attend, and there's so much dancing and singing that it's simply grand."
"We'll be there," Zac assured her, and Prudence smiled, eagerly anticipating the event. It would be the first dance she attended as a married woman. And she didn't care that it was in a fort miles from civilization. She planned on enjoying herself.
"I've made arrangements for us to stay in one of the small one-room cabins in the fort for the next two days," Zac explained, walking with her through the open wooden log gates of the fort.
He had thought Prudence might find Fort Sully primitive and not at all up to her standards. But from the looks of her unpretentious excitement, she appeared to be having the time of her life.
Prudence was surprised by the many people who called to Zac, announcing they were glad to see him back. He apparently wasn't considered a gunslinger around here and that pleased her. At least she wouldn't have to worry about someone trying to challenge him.
There was camaraderie at the fort that astonished Prudence. Everyone seemed willing to help each other. She actually felt a bit out of place. Her dress was too stylish. The woman wore simple clothes suited to their surroundings and climate. Prudence was sorry she hadn't worn the outfit she had brought from Mrs. Lewis.
