Silver Linings

couple of loans when I needed 'em bad to pay off some folks. Bought the farm, huh? I'm sorry to hear that.”
    “Somebody shot him and left him to die. If you ever hear a name, Rosey, I want it. I want it very badly.”
    “I don't know who killed him,” Rosey said hastily.
    “There's money in it, Rosey. A lot of money. Come up with a name and the money's all yours. Contact me or a guy named Silk Taggert over on St. Gabe. Got that?”
    “Yeah, sure. I got it. I'm leavin' now, if that's okay with you. Got things to do, people to see, places to go. Say good-bye to the little lady for me.”
    “I'll do that.” Hugh sucked in another deep breath as Mattie's fingers slipped between his thighs. “And lock the door behind you.”
    “Anything you say.” The wedge of pale light from the hall widened briefly once more as Rosey hurried out of the room, and then there was darkness again. Hugh waited until he heard the lock click.
    Mattie's leg slid over his thigh and she stirred gently, nestling closer.
    Hugh shoved the revolver under the bed where it would be within easy reach. Then he reached beneath the sheet and found Mattie's hand. It was resting alongside his upthrust shaft, her fingertips just touching the full globes underneath.
    “Oh, Christ.”
    He thought he would lose it all right then and there.
    Holding his breath, Hugh pushed his briefs down over his hips and fumbled free of them. Every inch of the way he feared he would wake Mattie and bring his own dream to an abrupt end. But she just wiggled a bit and snuggled closer.
    When he had stripped off the underwear, Hugh carefully folded Mattie's fingers around himself. He moved experimentally, lifting his hips slightly. Her hand tightened briefly.
    “Damn.” Hugh squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply.
    For a moment or two Hugh seriously considered torturing himself to death in that position until morning. But he did not think he had the stamina for it. He was already too close to exploding.
    Mattie stirred again and her lips brushed against his shoulder. He looked down and in the pale light from the window he saw that one soft, sweetly rounded breast had escaped the bodice of the red dress.
    Fascinated, Hugh touched Mattie's nipple with his thumb and felt it grow as hard as a berry. The soft fingers clinging delicately to his manhood tightened again for an excruciating instant.
    Hugh caught hold of the top of the red sarong and eased it down so that Mattie's other breast came free. For a long moment he simply lay there feasting on the beautiful sight spread out in front of him.
    Then, deciding to push his luck, he moved one hand down to her thigh and slid his palm up under the short red skirt of the sarong.
    Mattie released him and rolled onto her back, her eyes still closed. Her legs shifted restlessly.
    Hugh edged his fingers higher under the red satin. The warmth and softness of the inside of her thigh almost sent him over the edge. When her legs parted slightly of their own accord, he stifled another muffled groan.
    His questing fingers found the scrap of cotton that shielded the moist, feminine flower he sought. For a moment or two he contented himself with stroking her through the fabric, but when he felt the cotton grow damp he knew he was not going to be able to stop there.
    Mattie moved again, arching her hips slightly against his touch. She mumbled something in her sleep, something that sounded like an impatient demand. Hugh slid his fingers inside the leg opening of the cotton panties.
    Mattie inhaled quickly and her lashes fluttered. Through sensually narrowed lids, her eyes met his in the shadows. Hugh did not dare move. He realized he was holding his breath.
    Then, without a word, she reached up for him, twining her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her. Her eyes closed again.
    She wanted him . Hugh thought he would go out of his mind then. He groped roughly at the satin skirt, shoving it quickly up over Mattie's hips to her small waist. Then he yanked the cotton panties downward.
    She was ready for him, moist and welcoming. Hugh came down on top of her, probing hungrily. He buried his lips against her warm throat and simultaneously thrust deeply.
    Mattie cried out, her whole body stiffening.
    “Oh, babe. Oh, babe. Mattie .” Hugh's voice was hoarse with his desire. She was tight and hot and wet, just as he had remembered. Months of shattering dreams had finally crystallized into a glittering reality. She wanted him . He