Wild Kat (16 page)

“How
can I not.  In a few short hours, or minutes I could be swinging for the last
time.  I could die for this Thomas.  It was not my fault, she attacked me.”

“We
told them that Kat, they will do the right thing.  Do not worry.  Sit here with
me.”  She came to rest on his lap and rested her head on his shoulder.

“I
never even had the chance to make love to you.”  She whispered.  Her eyes were
closed and she inhaled his scent deeply.      

“It
is my fault Kat; I should not have left you.  You are my wife, for better or
worse.  I should have discussed it with you first.   I should have asked how
you felt about me staying or leaving.  It was stupid of me.”

“I
do not blame you Thomas.  Do not blame yourself for this.  Sometimes things
just happen and we learn from them and we move on.  You did your best in there
and I think you did a very good job, you were professional and you were
convincing.  There is not anyone that could have done more for me.  We will be
home by morning.   I know it.”  She smiled at him now.

“You
are the one on the chopping block and you are trying to make me feel better.” 
He grinned.  “I hope I would have made my teachers and my father proud.”

 Kat kissed his cheek softly
then his lips.  He kissed her back fiercely.  The kiss deepened and her hands
worked the buttons on his shirt.  Her fingertips massaged the flesh beneath
it.  Thomas’ hands slid under her blouse and glided over the naked flesh they
found there.

“We cannot
Kat. They could come at anytime.”

“It
may be our last chance Thomas and I do not want to go to my grave without
knowing love at least one time.”  She kissed him harder.

“You
know love my darling.  I have loved you since I first saw you ride from the
barnyard on the Chief’s horse.”  Her tongue caressed his earlobe.  “Wait.”
Thomas lifted her to the table in front of him and carried a chair to the
door.  He slid it beneath the doorknob.  “I learned that in school.”  He came
back to her open arms.  She reached for his belt but he stayed her trembling
hands.  His fingers dug into her toned haunches as he kissed her.  Her fingers
curled in the hair at his neck.  She kissed the top of his head.

“Take
me Thomas, before it is too late.”  She whispered.

“I
will sweetheart as soon as this is over, I promise.”  Three loud raps sounded
at the door.

“The
jury is returning Mister Woods.”  The deputy called.

“Thank
you, we will be right out.”  Thomas called back.  His voice sounded strange to
Kat.  She made herself presentable and smoothed her clothes.  Thomas also
straightened his clothes and she nodded her approval.  Thomas reached over and
straightened her collar then kissed her cheek.  “I love you Kat.  Let’s go get
you set free.”

“All
rise!”  The deputy called to the courtroom.  The Judge came in and took his
seat.  The deputy handed him a slip of paper, which he read and folded neatly. 

“Foreman,
what say you?”  The Judge asked the jury.

“In
the case of the state versus Kathleen Woods for the murder of Susanna Berry, we
the jury find Kathleen Woods innocent by reason of self-defense.”  The crowd,
including Mister Lawson cheered.  The Judge banged his gavel.  A war cry
sounded outside the courthouse and Kat saw Chief Great Bear ride past the window
with his hand raised in triumph.  Kat smiled.

“Missus
Woods you are found innocent and you are free to leave.  However, I would like
to see you and your attorney in my chambers first.”  Kat nodded as she hugged
Thomas.  The Crenshaws each hugged her as well as everyone from town, including
Mister Lawson.  She followed Thomas to the Judge’s chambers. He closed the door
and turned to face them.  He took his black robe off and hung it on a coat
tree.  Kat rushed into his arms

“Uncle
Hank how have you been?  It has been years.  I missed you so much.”  She
gushed.

“Little
Wild Kat, I missed you too.  I was curious about one thing in there though. 
You said your parents are both dead?  How did it happen?  Was it influenza?” 
His long arm was wrapped around her tightly.  Thomas was shocked. He did not
know what to think about all of this.  If her uncle was the Judge, the decision
could be over turned.  Also he could have dismissed the whole thing to begin
with.

“It
is a long story Uncle Hank but no, it was a wagon accident.  It was dark and
Papa took a shortcut but rolled the wagon down a rocky hillside.  They were
trying to catch Julie before she ran away with her boyfriend.  I am sorry no
one told you.”

“When
did this happen?  Was it recent?”

“It
has been five years now.  I was in the Braxton house and when I got out, he had
bought my farm and that is how we met.”

“Your
husband?”  Kat nodded.  “I thought so.”  He shook Thomas’ hand.  “I am Kat’s
mother’s brother, we had an argument about my wife to be and I did not keep in
touch.  I truly regret that, but it is good to meet you Thomas.  I would ask
you to stay but I do not want anyone else figuring out who I am.  The Crenshaw’s
knew all along, I went to school with them.  Sheriff Brown also knew, I am glad
no one brought it up.  If the state’s attorney finds out he will call for a
mis-trial, he is bent out of shape over the Indian.”

“It
is good to meet you your honor.” 

“Uncle
Hank, you are family now.  You be good to this little girl and she will bring
you much joy son.”  Thomas nodded.  “You two had better be on your way. I do
not want any suspicions raised.”  Kat hugged him again.

“Thanks
for not letting me hang Uncle Hank.”  Kat laughed.

“I
would never have let that happen my dear, but it is not me you need to thank it
is this fine lawyer here.  You have quite the future son. You are one hell of a
lawyer.  You reminded me of myself.”

“I
am going back to my peaceful little farm and grow corn and children sir.  The
courtroom was never my dream, It was my father’s.  I thought we would make a go
of the family business instead.”

“That
is too bad son.  You have a gift with a jury.  I have never seen one take to a
lawyer so quickly, especially a stranger.”  Uncle Hank hugged them both then
opened the door to let them leave.

Thomas
took Kat up to his new room.  He asked for his things to be moved to a suite
suitable for a new bride.  The desk clerk handed him his new key and shook his
hand.  “Congratulations sir, will you need anything?”

“Yes,
I would like a supper tray, your best champagne and a hot bath sent up.”  He
handed the clerk some money then led Kat up the grand staircase.  She touched
the blue silk wall coverings as she went.  “I hope it is a nice room, I
reserved it this morning.  I told them we wanted a room befitting a new
bride.”  Kat blushed slightly.

“You
were confident I would come back here weren’t you?  What if you had lost
Thomas?  You would spend the night in a bride’s room alone?”

“I
would not have returned without you my love.  They would’ve had to hang me too.”
 He stopped at a door at the end of the hall.  “Come in and we will rest it has
been a traumatic day.”  Thomas opened the door to the most beautiful room she
had ever seen.  The walls were covered in claret silk half way down with oak
paneling beneath it to the floor.  A soft emerald green rug covered most of the
floor and the four-posted bed was dressed in pink silk and lace.  Thomas
thought it was the most feminine room he had ever seen.  Kat’s eyes drank in
the frills and lace.  Her mother did not believe in the impractical but this
was pure heaven to Kat.  It invited and beckoned her to be a woman.  One who
could freely walk around in garters and corsets with bows in her hair and
stockings upon her legs.  This was a room that could set her passions and
wonders free.  She moved to the bed and pulled the coverlet back to reveal ruby
sheets so deep in color she wanted to crawl in and be safe, forever.  Her small
hand smoothed the sheet back it was slick and cool, unlike her linens at home. 
Her heart of heart’s begged to lie upon the bed and feel its comfort, the
cloudy softness she knew it held.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at
their door.  Two men carried large buckets of steaming water in.   The first
man put his down and pulled a curtain back to reveal a large footed tub.  They
poured their buckets in and quietly left, Thomas no sooner closed the door when
a chambermaid delivered toweling.  A suited waiter delivering wine, fruit, and
cheese followed her.  He told Thomas their supper would be up in a few
minutes.  Thomas tipped him and closed the door.

“Would
you care for a bath my dear?”  Kat’s eyes lit up.

“It’s
been so long since I have had a hot bath, I would love that Thomas.”

“Close
the curtain and enjoy yourself, I will wait for our supper.  Do you need any
help?”  She shook her head and pulled the curtain around the massive tub.  Kat
removed her clothes and stepped into the warm water.  She poured the rose oil
that the maid brought with the toweling and sank down to relish its effects. 
Her mind drifted to the cold dank cell and the courtroom.  She thought about
her Uncle Hank and watching him listen intently to the prosecution and the
defense her husband gave.  Thomas was a lot smarter than she thought, and more
brave too.  He had no difficulty speaking to the room full of people with
finesse and grace.  She would have hidden in the woods had it been her.  The
thought of all those eyes boring into her made her shiver in the steamy bath. 
The scent of roses filled the air and her dreams. 

“Kat,”
Thomas shook her shoulder, “supper is here.  Did you have a good bath?”  His
eyes drank in the sight of her nakedness, his loins filled with desire.

“Yes,
what have they brought us?”  She drew her knees up and covered herself
modestly.  Thomas grinned at her bashfulness.  He went to the small table near
the balcony to let her dress without causing her any more embarrassment.  She
wrapped a huge towel around herself tightly after she dried herself.  If she
only knew how much more provocative it was than her bare skin, Thomas thought. 
He uncovered her plate and filled her glass with wine. 

“We
have lamb chops, fresh bread, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  It looks very
good do you not think?”  Thomas helped her push her chair in under the table. 
She nodded.  She attacked the meal with a gusto Thomas had not seen before. 
Her meals in jail were mostly beans with a little bread.  Kat sipped the wine
and made a face.

“I
wonder if they have lemonade.”  Thomas laughed.

“I
am so happy to be taking you home.”  He was watching her.   He never touched
his meal, his eyes feasted only on his wife.  “I promise I will never leave you
alone again Kathleen.”

“You
should not.  I only get into trouble.”  Thomas chuckled.  “Why are you not
eating, you really should not waste it and you will need your strength in a few
minutes.”

“You
think so?”  His smile broadened and his dimples showed.  Kat wiped her
fingers.  “Are you going to work your feminine wiles on me then?”  He leaned
back in his seat when she slipped from her chair and dropped the towel.  His
eyes grew large with want.  Kat came to rest on his lap, her arms wound around
his neck. 

“I
do not think it will take my wiles to get you to carry me over there.”  She
pointed.  “I think,” she kissed his jaw. “I think all I will do is tell you this. 
I want you Thomas, I need you to take me over there to that beautiful bed and
make love to me.  Of course if I need to use my wiles I will.”  She nibbled his
earlobe as he carried her to the bed.  He shed his clothes quickly while she
fluffed the pillows unnecessarily.  She moved over to let him in beside her. 
“Hurry Thomas, it is no longer food I hunger for.”  Her fingers worked the
braid in her hair freeing the mass of dark curls.  Thomas crawled toward her
across the slick sheets.  His mouth caught hers in a passionate kiss.  His lips
fluttered over her cheek and up her jaw.  He nibbled on her ear and the silky
skin behind it.  He put soft open mouthed kisses over her shoulder and across
her breasts.  Thomas pulled a rosy nipple into his mouth and rolled the hard
bud with his tongue.  Her back bowed in response.  He put more of the delicious
kisses over her ribs and into the valley of her belly.  His big hands smoothed
under her and cupped her rear. Thomas traced the line of her lips with his
tongue pressing inside her wet folds.  It found her clit, her hips raised in
response and a gasp escaped her.  Her hand rested on his blonde head.  “Thomas…”
she cried. A delicious heat tingled through her.  She felt his finger press
into her entrance, while his tongue flicked the bundle of nerves.  His tongue
pressed into her entrance while his thumb pressed her clit now.  She writhed
beneath him unable to hold still.  Her fingers clenched in his hair now.  Something
swirled in her, the pleasure deepening, writhing around and edging her closer
to something she wanted but still did not comprehend.  Her hips bucked again
and her breath came in hard pants.  Her fists knotted in the covers and her
head tossed from side to side until a heat filled her and she pushed her head
backward until he thought her neck would snap.  He watched the muscles in her
belly dance and tremble. Thomas smiled that he could bring her pleasure,
finally.   He nudged his way between her thighs.  “I love you,” she whispered. 
Her eyes squeezed shut again as his body covered hers.  Thomas eased inside of
her inch by inch, slowly until he pressed into her hymen. Thomas thrust into the
silken sheath filling her completely.  His mouth covered hers and kissed away
the quick pain that she barely noticed, she loved the feel of his mouth on
hers.  It caused such wonderful sensations to course through her.  He was
moving inside of her now, filling her, stretching her and rocking her.  Her
clit bumped his belly every time he glided into her, driving her mad with that
swirling shivering sensation in her core again.  Her belly clenched, heat
poured through her again, he felt so good inside of her, and the intensity of
the feelings grew and multiplied. Her entire being was filled with want and
love for this man that was her husband.  Kat’s body filled with heat, her veins
turned to fire her very core white-hot. It coursed through her until it reached
and doubled and burst her into a million bright white stars, she felt herself
coming apart and together all at once.  Her fingers dug into his biceps and her
heels pressed into his rear end. The pleasure tore out of her throat with his
name in a half moan half scream.  Thomas was pleased. His weight covered her
now, his breath soft on her ear.  She pressed up into him and turned him onto
his back. He was still inside of her, still half hard and still needing more of
her.