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He gave her a lewd grin as he pulled on his horse’s reins and stopped by her left. “Breakfast is ready.” He licked his bottom lip, then grinned. His teeth were an unattractive shade of brown and yellow, his eyes bloodshot. She didn’t trust him, any of Lewis’ men, not after they discovered she wasn’t a boy and decided to have a bit of fun with her.
Alex turned away and headed toward the chuck wagon without a word. She half expected him to follow but realized how silly the notion was by the time she saw the camp. Lewis and his men may have a touch of the devil in them but they weren’t stupid. They wouldn’t try something in broad daylight. At least she hoped they wouldn’t.
Owen was sitting near the campfire but stood when he saw her. His smile wasn’t as bright as it had been when he thought she was a boy but he gave her a small one when he reached for the horse’s reins.
“Want me to take him for you, Alex.”
“That’s all right. I can see to him. You finish your breakfast.”
“I already did. Jesse wants us to be on the move soon so Isaac is going to break camp.”
Alex smiled. “Okay then. Thanks.”
He nodded and walked away, leading the horse to where the others were hobbled. Alex turned to the wagon, sighing happily when she saw Isaac had already dished her up a plate of food and was headed her way. She met him halfway, thanked him and took a seat next to the wagon. She was so focused on her food she didn’t realize Jesse had sat down next to her until she was nearly finished.
He didn’t say a word, just grinned in that irritating way that made her stomach clench tight and caused her pulse to jump a bit. She scowled at him and turned back to her food.
When she was finished, Isaac had most everything put away. She washed and dried her plate and mug, stowing them away in the box they were stored in as Jesse stepped up beside her. He held his plate out to her and nodded to the wash bucket. “Don’t forget this one.”
She snorted. “What do I look like? Your house servant?”
“No. My wife.” He grinned wide enough to show all his teeth then winked at her. “Now don’t cause a scene. Everyone is watching.”
Turning her head to look over her shoulder, Alex clenched her teeth. He was right. Everyone was watching.
Logic told her to just wash the plate and get on with her day but that stubborn part of her brain balked at the idea. It screamed inside her head, cussed loud enough her ears started ringing and that smile on Jesse’s face said he was enjoying this fake marriage a little bit too much.
That disobedient voice in her head whispered one last time before she returned Jesse’s smile and turned to face him. She reached for the offered plate, took a step closer and leaned in close.
Then tossed the plate behind her, missing the wash bucket if the clank the plate made against the side was any indication. “Wash your own plate, Jesse. I’m not here to be at your beck and call.”
A few snickers filled the air, the heat in Jesse’s eyes blazing in an instant. He lowered his head so they were eye to eye. “What did you say?”
“I said to wash your own plate. Just because we’re married doesn’t mean you get to order me around.”
“Is that right?”
Laughter from those around the dying flames of the campfire rose, someone yelling, “Don’t let her talk back to you or she’ll think she can do what she wants forever.”
“Take her over your knee,” someone else said.
Jesse’s nostrils flared, his brows lowering a fraction. “Wash the plate.” His voice was a low husky rumble that vibrated in her chest.
Alex straightened her spine to try and match his height. “Make me.”
“If you insist.”
He moved so fast, she didn’t realize what happened until his tongue slid inside her mouth. He held her head with both hands, his mouth clamped over hers and kissed her so long and so thoroughly she was breathless by the time he let go of her.
She blinked, becoming aware of the whoops and hollering of the men around camp in small increments. Jesse still held her close, his breath washing across her wet lips. “Now,” he said. “Are you going to wash that plate?”
Alex’s heart was pounding as she shook her head no, too afraid her voice would tremble if she tried to speak.
Jesse grinned. “I hoped that would be your answer.”
He kissed her again, his arms circling her body to pull her flush against his chest. The noise around camp grew, the cheers and laughter deafening before it slowly faded away, the fast thumping beat of her heart echoing in her head as blood rushed past her ears. When Jesse let her go this time, he looked as dazed as she felt.
He lifted a hand to brush a stray curl of hair from her face. “What about now, Mrs. Samuels. Still refusing?”
