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She hurried along after her husband toward the several cabins that occupied the east section of the fort. Zac explained they were made available to folks who were passing through and needed lodgings for a night or two.
Their cabin was neat, clean, and sparse. One bed, none too big, a bureau, scarred from use, a table and two chairs, and a rocker by the hearth were the only furnishings. One window allowed sufficient light to enter and oil lamps sat ready for use.
Zac placed her bags and his on the floor by the bed. "I need to tend to a few things. As soon as I'm finished, I'll take you to the trading post."
Prudence was a bit disappointed. She wanted to explore the fort and the trading post while excitement still stirred her. Zac didn't suggest that she go off on her own, so she assumed it was best she was accompanied by him and didn't question his judgment.
She took off her hat, removed her gloves, and turned to speak to Zac. Her words lodged in her throat. Prudence paled considerably before heat rushed up her entire body to singe her cheeks.
He stood with his back to her, completely naked. She felt as though she had turned to stone. She was unable to move, to breathe, or to think. His body was simply gorgeous. Wide shoulders gave way to a trim waist that connected with a nice, firm, round bottom that attached to legs thick with muscles. She spied the scar that she had noticed on another occasion and saw that it traveled down to the middle of his firm cheek. She wondered with sympathy and simultaneous arousal just how he happened to come by it.
"Shall I turn around so you can inspect the rest of me, Pru?"
Prudence blushed to the roots of her hair and swung around. "I — I — I'm sorry. I — I — didn't mean to — to—"
"Admire me?" he asked teasingly.
Prudence closed her eyes. Even though Zac was behind her and no longer in her view, she felt it necessary to do so.
"If you had told me you were changing clothes, I would have—"
"I don't mind you seeing me naked," he interrupted. "Actually, I like the idea. You can look at my body anytime, honey. And you are definitely welcome to touch it if you'd like."
Prudence groaned.
"Now, that hungry sound is best saved for another time."
Prudence didn't think she could blush any more than she already had, but she did. The red heat scorched her cheeks and she could have sworn her temperature hit well over one hundred degrees.
"You can turn around now. I'm decent," he announced candidly.
Prudence hesitated and turned slightly to peek from the corner of her eye. He was dressed, and much differently than she had ever seen him.
"Buckskins," he said and held out his hands, turning around for her inspection. "Not as great as me naked, but . . ."
He was wrong about that, Prudence thought. The buckskins were tight in all the right places, leaving very little to the imagination.
"So what do you think?" he asked.
"You look"—she paused a moment, searching for the proper word—"very nice."
That wasn't what she really thought and they both knew it. Zac was about to call her to task for it, when a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Mrs. Hampton," he said in greeting as the short, round woman walked right past him into the cabin.
"Hello, Mr. Stewart," she said, her smile generous.
"Prudence, I'm on my way to the trading post—most of the women are. Thought you'd like to join me and meet a few of the ladies."
She was about to accept, when she recalled Zac's offer to take her there later. "Would you mind if I went with Mrs. Hampton?" she asked him.
He was surprised that she sought permission. Since he'd met her, she had done exactly as she pleased, regardless of his opinion. It was nice to see that she'd begun to consider his feelings.
"Not at all."
"Good, good," Mrs. Hampton chimed. "Fetch your bonnet, but don't bother with that jacket. It's a warm one today."
Prudence followed her direction, leaving her discarded jacket on the chair but reaching for her gloves.
Zac caught her intention and was about to object as unobtrusively as possible, when he noticed her hesitation and then the slight shake of her head. He was overjoyed to see that she, herself, had decided against wearing them.
Mrs. Hampton bid Zac good day. Prudence followed with a quick smile to her husband and an "I'll see you later" tossed over her shoulder. Before she could take another step, his strong arm snaked around her waist and pulled her hard against him.
She gripped his fingers, tugging at them for release, but they were firm and she could not budge them. "Zac," she pleaded softly.
