Something Wild Page 5

  "Leave me now, Cora. I shall clean up the glass.” He watched her lean up on her elbows and look at him as if he'd gone completely mad. “I won't ruin you. I couldn't bear the guilt of it if I did. I shall not marry, and I wouldn't send you away because I would become obsessive and jealous to think of any other man looking at something I felt was mine. You would become my mistress, and what more is that than what you've already expressed you will not become."

  "How can you think and rationalize like that while you made me feel so ... do you not feel the same?"

  He laughed deeply. “First, it is not the first time I've entertained my irrational desire for you—just the first I've allowed it to go further than my own thoughts. Second, I shall hurt for you for some time after you leave me. Yes, I do feel the same lust you feel."

  "I would not mind if it were you who ... ruined me.” Her voice dipped shyly, and he would have laughed again if his throat hadn't closed. “You do not mean to hurt me or to use me. If that were not true, you would not have cared of bringing me pleasure at all."

  "Have you ... lain with anyone before?” Hope that Webber had been wrong about her virginity darkened the ache inside him.

  "No."

  He groaned with disappointment. It would have made him feel less guilty if she were not an innocent. “Then I will not be the one to take that from you."

  He started to stand, but she sat up and reached for his shoulders. “Please.” He stared at her as she spoke, mouth completely dry. “I am not experienced, but I am not stupid. I know there is more than what I've already felt, and I want more."

  "You weaken me to the point I fear I cannot turn back from. I have only so much reserve, Cora. Please do not make me do something I shall certainly regret once I've taken from you.” He sounded desperate, his voice cracking around his plea.

  "Because I know you are hurting from my words earlier, I will leave you then. But my father told me once that I was headstrong and determined and would be the kind to always get what I want. At this moment, I feel his words are very true.” She released him and stood, heading for the door of the study. She stopped and looked back at him. “Even if I am too thin for your tastes."

  Baden fought the urge to leap after her when she disappeared through the door. She'd shifted to predator instantly, claiming without shame what she wanted. That alone made him want her more. The salty taste of her on his lips, the smell of her drifting up from his fingers, made him ache.

  They had been bold words she'd spoken, and while Cora felt she should be ashamed for speaking them, she wasn't. She knew now what Baden Sikes hid beneath his cool reserve—hot, dark passion, and Cora wanted more of it. She feared hope when she'd first been told they would help her. Now she didn't care about hope, about fear, about what happened to her afterwards.

  He'd intoxicated her and chased all of that away. He'd brought her pleasure more intense than the private pleasure found alone. He'd selflessly done that for her then bade her to leave him so he would not ruin her. And while his honor and pride was attractive, it did not match the heat of the lust that burned now in her veins.

  She would find a way. That's how she had survived without her father, finding her way no matter the odds. He'd assumed she'd not turned to prostitution because she was a virgin. It had been her pride, her value of herself that had kept her from going down that path. Her body was hers to do with what she wished and not to be preyed upon by those sweaty men who had tried over the months since her father had died.

  Now she wanted to be preyed upon by the one man who seemed determined to deny himself for her sake. She nearly laughed as she entered the kitchen, remembering once when her father had warned her that men knew nothing of women.

  "I assume he's no longer angry at you and made up for his behavior,” Ursula asked from the table she sat at.

  "Yes, yes, he did.” And then some.

  "Good. You must understand him as I do. He is not wicked. He lives inside of himself most of the time. You did well in making him angry. He needed the release. He does not deserve lonely torment."

  "You care for him.” Cora sat across from Ursula.

  "As a mother would her own son. I cannot explain it, but I felt a fondness for him instantly. He tries to protect the world and leaves himself to the cold. He needs me, and since I could have no children of my own, I need him."

  "Today one would have thought you truly mother and son if they did not know for fact you were not. He clung to you as I would my father.” Cora could tell that Ursula was pleased with that observance.

  "You feel it, too, don't you? That draw to him."

  Cora looked at her hands. “I believe I do."

  "Were he another, you would not have come with him, a stranger to his home from the street. Not in these times. He makes you feel a way that many others do not.” Ursula nodded.

  "Safe,” Cora admitted. “Safe and...” She shouldn't confide in the woman. She barely knew her. And what would she think of her?

  "And?” Ursula's eyes suddenly gleamed as she leaned forward across the table. “You feel more? You fancy him maybe?"

  Cora flushed guiltily. Her father had always told her that she would make a poor confidante to a thief, for her face hid nothing.

  "You would not be the first.” Ursula reached forward and patted her hand. “There is something about him that attracts women of all kinds."

  "Does he accept their attention?"

  Ursula grunted a laugh. “Most times not."

  "Good.” Cora ignored the woman's slight smile when she looked at her. “I would claw their eyes out, I believe, if they came calling."

  Ursula laughed aloud. “More than fancy then. One would think you'd tasted a bit of sin to be so possessive.” Cora heard Ursula gasp when Cora looked away. “You can't mean that you have?"

  She groaned and buried her face in her hands with embarrassment. “He kissed me ... just now.” She wouldn't tell her more than that.

  "Kissed you?” Ursula repeated, and Cora peeked from beneath her fingers to see her expression. “You aren't the kind of woman he usually fancies. He likes ‘em plump and has a fancy for brunettes."

  "Well, I would not lie of such a thing.” Cora frowned, dropping her hands to the table. “I cannot help the color of my hair, but if it would make it easier to believe that someone would desire me, I shall eat like a pig for the next two days."

  Ursula stared at her before laughing again, wagging a finger at her. “That is what has him vexed then. You've spine, and he must have seen it. Your looks deceive, for you look angelic, sweet and vulnerable. No, there is more there, though, and he does not like weak women."

  Cora tilted her head, wanting the woman to share more.

  "Perhaps that is how you tempted his anger to come out?"

  "I thought you were at the door."

  "I heard him bellowing and knew something was wrong, but had no idea except for what he revealed in his ranting.” She waved her hand for Cora to share the events that had led to his outburst.

  "I all but called him a drunkard. I spoke without thinking, but not out of malice. I meant to reprimand him a bit, perhaps enough for him to think of what I said. But I pushed too far.” Cora sighed heavily.

  "Good for you, girl.” Ursula slapped the table. “Do not regret what you've done. As I said, he needs it. Otherwise he keeps it bottled inside of him and he ends up doing harm to himself. As it is with men.” She waved her beefy hand. “So he kissed you after he apologized."

  "He did.” Cora smiled. “I quite liked it. I've been kissed before, mind you, but never with such ... fever. But then he bade me from him before..."

  "That much fever?” Ursula's eyebrows shot upwards with surprise. “Wonders never cease."

  "I mean to make him kiss me again."

  Ursula's lips curled. “Do you?"

  "I tell you out of respect for your relationship with him."

  "It shall not be easy ... he most likely already feels guilty for kissing you once.” Ursula's
smile twisted with slyness. “I could help you if you wish."

  "I need no help."

  * * * *

  Cora needed help. Baden Sikes now avoided her like the plague. If she entered a room, he excused himself as quickly as possible. If she tried to join him after Ursula retired, he would complain of being weary and go to his room. She would hear him go back to the study after she went to bed.

  She made her way down Dorset Street. She'd told Ursula she was going to meet a friend. But it wasn't a friendly meeting over tea. She needed help, and she meant to get it.

  She spotted John Webber before she reached his house, making his way across the street. He stopped just before entering his building when he saw her. As she drew closer, she saw the healing bruises on his face. Surely those purple and yellow marks were not from the detective's three strikes?

  "Well, well. Here you come, back to me.” He crossed his arms and grinned.

  "I'm not ... I've not time to argue with you today, John. I have a favor to ask."

  "Why not ask your wealthy gentleman friend?” And there she heard it. Jealousy. Though she didn't understand why. She and John had never shared anything remotely like a relationship.

  "He cannot help me. You can."

  "With what?” His gaze narrowed.

  "You have women who know things I do not."

  "What kind of things?"

  She knew she would have to reveal her ploy if she wished him to cooperate. “I wish to seduce Detective Sikes."

  His eyes widened slightly then a deep laughed rolled up from his large belly. “How the mighty fall when they get a taste of wealth."

  "It is not for money, you foul idiot,” she snapped, knowing her insult would not phase him.

  "No, no...” His laughter died, though there still seemed to be humor in his voice. “Tell me you have not fallen for the man.” Cora looked away, wishing he would just take her inside off the street.

  "You have.” No humor now, and when she looked at him, for the first time since she'd met the man, there was some kind of humanity behind his eyes. “I thought you smarter than that."

  "Smarter than what?” She squared her shoulders, ready to argue if he called her stupid.

  "A gentleman does not marry a woman who is not a lady. Do not get your hopes up, Cora, for you shall only be disappointed."

  She'd never heard that sadness, that softness in his voice before. She wasn't certain what to make of it.

  "I do not expect him to marry me, John. I only wish his attention.” She stepped forward and lowered her voice. “He kissed me, you see. I have never been kissed in such a manner as that in my life. And now he will barely look at me, much less give me a chance to seek another kiss. It is why I've come to you. I know nothing of seducing a man's attention. I'd not realized it would be so difficult."

  What bit of softness John had exposed of himself moments ago slipped back to wherever it had come from. “How much will you pay for my help?"

  "I've no money yet, but have been told by his maid that I will be paid as one of his servants at the end of the week. I shall give you all of what I'm paid, every shilling."

  "Come inside.” He finally led her indoors, and Cora breathed out. She'd hoped it would be his greed that drove him to help her. He motioned toward the door of his office then surprised her by opening it for her. She slipped inside and sat down across from his desk.

  "So let me understand. You want me to have one of my girls show you how to make a man desire you?” He eased into his chair.

  "Joanna."

  "Why Jo?” He arched an eyebrow.

  "I've seen the way the men that come here look at her."

  He grunted. “That's because they already know what she will do for them, anticipate it. You need someone who knows how to get the reaction before they've had a bite."

  Cora thought about that. “I suppose you are right. Who do you suggest?"

  "Claudia."

  "Claudia? Truly?” Cora tilted her head. Claudia was not a beauty. Her nose was crooked, and Cora was certain that if the woman ever combed out her hair, it was only once a week.

  "She has a way about her. She knows how to look at a man, how to bring him to her. A beautiful woman who knew what she knows could make more money than all of them combined.” John leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “I don't know why your detective gives you so much trouble that you feel you have to come to me. You may be disappointed with an ignorant man."

  Cora didn't mean to smile, but his roundabout compliment made her see him now in a different light. “You are making me nervous, John. I do not know what to make of this change in you. Where is that gritty weasel of a man who insists I become a whore and leers at me all the time? I was prepared for that, not these sonnets and flowers."

  He grunted, and his gaze darted away from her. “I'm greedy but not a sadist, Cora. Didn't I treat you well? You were behind on your rent, and I did not hound you for it. Did I knock you around like I do the others?” He cleared his throat as if embarrassed by his own words. “Well, it doesn't matter now. If you want my advice ... if you do this, you get something else out of it for yourself. No need to give it all away for free and then find yourself back on the street when he tires of you."

  "You would turn me away if that happened?” Cora could see now that he wouldn't.

  "You come back to me spoiled, and I will have no more flowers or damned sonnets,” he warned, and she smiled.

  "Deal.” She knew as well as he did that she would not be coming back. Perhaps he meant to push her away anyway. She'd not known he had a fondness for her, certainly not the kind he revealed today. It had never occurred to her that he might be jealous of someone who could provide for her better than he could. Had she known this softer side, they might have avoided so much conflict.

  "Tell me what happened when he kissed you before."

  "I made him angry."

  "I do not doubt that. You have a mouth that doesn't know when to be silent."

  "He broke a glass. When I came back to clean it up, he apologized to me and then kissed me.... “She chewed her lip before adding, “...and touched me."

  "Did he?” Webber leaned back in his chair. “Where?"

  "Beneath my dress.” She felt her face flame, but pushed away the embarrassment. John wasn't one to whom she should feel embarrassment when revealing such; he made his money from women who invited the same thing and more.

  "And you liked it."

  "I wouldn't be here if I hadn't."

  "And now he has nothing to do with you."

  "I think he thinks he was dishonorable or something. I don't give a wit about honor. If you do not help me, I think I shall attack him in the corridors.” Cora slumped in the chair and brought her hand to her brow. “I can think of nothing else since it happened.” When she looked up, he was grinning.

  "Do not laugh at me. I would not have come here unless I was desperate. I knew of no one else to help me."

  She waited while he turned and rang the bell on the wall behind him above Claudia's room number. The woman stood in the doorway a few moments later, her gaze filled with confusion when it dropped to Cora.

  "I thought you got out of this place."

  "Close your trap and close the door,” he ordered. She obeyed after a dramatic show of rolling her eyes. “Cora here needs our help. You'll help her."

  "Help her do what?"

  "Learn how to do what you do."

  "You are hiring her on?” Claudia frowned and looked at Cora. “What in hell is wrong with you?"

  "She's got her eye on a man, a rich one. She's gonna pay us well. She just wants to learn how to get this chap to come to her,” John explained, and Claudia's expression instantly changed from disappointment to sudden delight.

  "He's wealthy, huh? Not so stupid after all."

  "John says you know how to make a man interested in you before you do anything at all with him,” Cora prompted.

  "Well, you don't think I get ‘em on my
looks, do ya?” She laughed and moved forward to sit on the corner of John's desk. “I'm too skinny, too ugly, and have this ugly bastard leerin’ over my shoulder every time I get a client."

  Cora fought against smiling and kept quiet.

  "First things first. Does he know you are interested in him?"

  "I think so. I kind of made it clear that I wanted his attention,” Cora answered.

  "When you are able to be alone with him?"

  Cora threw up her hands. “That's just the problem. Never."

  "Then create a situation where you have to be alone. Even if it's only for a few minutes, it's enough time to put a few ideas in his thick head."

  "Thick? He's very intelligent."

  "Not if he isn't gonna come after you when he knows you are interested, he's not. A bit thick and maybe slow as well.” She glanced back at John who chuckled.

  "What kind of situation?"

  "Something where you need his help for something. Men are idiots. They like to think a woman needs them for something."

  Cora did laugh at that. “I understand."

  "While he's trying to solve the problem, show him by accident a bit of your skin."

  "Like this?” Cora lifted her arm so that her sleeve slid back from her wrist a bit.

  "Not of your arm! What the hell does he care what your arm looks like?” Claudia turned and looked at John who just chuckled and shook his head. She faced Cora again and hiked up her skirts, exposing her thigh. “Your bloody legs. It would help if you gave him a view of your teats. Yours are good, and you can put them to good use."

  "How would I do that without seeming obvious?"

  "Wait ‘til the evening. Haven't you something revealing to wear to bed?"

  Cora frowned. “No. Only a blasted chemise that is as old as bones."

  "I may have something you can borrow.” Claudia shook her head as if Cora were hopeless. “It must be an innocent, accidental peek for him, otherwise it won't work the same."

  "Is that all?"