Left for dead (CLOSED)

[ElwoodB]

It's hot. Really hot.

I can't move. I can't feel anything. It's pitch black but I'm sure my eyes are open.

My mouth is dry as the dessert. I try to speak but nothing comes out, something fills it instead.

I gag, but I can't move... I force my arms upwards. Nothing.

There's pressure on my chest. I'm not breathing...

I push up again. A movement. Slight, but I flush with pleasure as it gives me hope. I push up again through the darkness.

I feel something move around me. I claw at the darkness, pulling myself up... at least I think it's up, I have no idea which way is which.

Then I feel something. I realise I can feel my fingertips. They're moving freely. Nothing pressing against them, like the rest of me.

I use all my strength and curl them out, pulling myself towards the sensation of freedom.

My head breaks through the pressure. I cough and spit, choking. My eyes are burning, I'm blind still.

My arms are free, flailing wildly around. It's hot still. Hotter than it was.

I move my hands to my face, something's covering my eyes, I pull at it and daylight breaks through my lids. I breathe great lungful's of air, my heart racing.

I don't know where I am but I start to remember how I got here...

-------------

Everything was going well until the idiot sheriff turned the corner too soon. We'd pulled off the robbery without a hitch. Zed had kept the bank customers in check while Ollie and I had seen to the vault and the staff.

We'd staked it out for a week, all the local landowners had paid their rent in, and the vault was fit to burst. All we had to do was get the lazy sheriff out of the way. That's what Lucy was for.

Our first night in town, we got rooms at the Saloon and found a young dancing girl named Lucy. It was my job to flirt with her and get her to help us out. It worked a little too well and we ended up fucking like rabbits for two days straight. On the third day I asked her for the favour. She was supposed to distract the lawman for a few hours. I didn't say why, but I think she guessed. A handsome drifter suddenly pays her attention outside of work, she caught on quick. With the Sheriff out of the way, the bank would be easy pickings.

Until he came round that corner.

Things happened real fast after that. Zed was still inside, Ollie was loading the horses, and I was lookout. I spotted him a half second before he realised what was happening. I drew instinctively, and let him have a .45 in the chest. He dropped like a sack of rocks. Ollie panicked when he heard the gun shot and took off with the loaded horse.

"Z! We need to go, NOW!" I shouted through the open door. He fired two shots into the ceiling and raced outside, up onto his horse. I was already in my saddle and half way to the town limits before he was moving. I heard shots ring out above the gallop of the hooves, and I turned to see him slump in the saddle.

"Shit..." I muttered. I pulled on the reigns and my horse protested, before turning 180°. I spotted the shooters on the porch of the Saloon and returned fire, boards splintered around them and they dove for cover. I drove my horse back for Zed's, grabbed the reigns and pointed it toward the hills. I slapped the horse's rump and it took off with Zed's lifeless body on its back.

Bullets whistled past my shoulder as I followed at a gallop. I felt the dull wet impact of a bullet in the shoulder. I spurred the horse on and didn't slow till I was well on my way to the rendezvous. After a 30 minute ride, and a lot of lost blood, I spotted the acacia tree and Ollie's horse underneath.

That's about the time I passed out.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

It was a usual day out in the desert for me as I did what I did most days; walked through the empty landscape bored. But, today was a bit different for me since I finally stumbled onto something new. I kicked a small pebble over the edge of the ridge and watched carefully as it fell toward the water. I listened for the sound of it crashing down into the water in an attempt to judge the distance. The heat of the sun bared down on my tan skin as I began to get undressed.

As I sat on the edge of the cliff I could feel my heart pounding, my nerves firing and that small bit of exciting danger I get when I know I'm about to do something that I shouldn't and then I jumped. I could feel the rush of air brushing pass me as I headed down to the water and my own private oasis it would seem.

The water felt cool as I splashed around a bit enjoying the new place I found. All of that wandering further and further each day paid off I thought to myself. Now how to get back up to the top of the ridge to get my clothes? It was now at the hottest part of the day and there was no doubt that I'd be missed now since I took off at first light.

The tribe and my father would have my head if I stay away any longer. Why they would care always puzzled me. Why was it so wrong to want to explore? I didn't care for being the chief's good little daughter and I really didn't care for he arranging my marriage to someone I've never even met! It was my duty though. I sighed pulling my soaked body up and onto the shore. For a moment I questioned not returning to home, just leaving everything behind to chase my own dreams.

I give few more splashes of my toes in the water and then begin to make my way back to the top for my clothes. It doesn't seem to be easy either as I make my way through the dry brush. With the sun beating down like it was my body had already dried by the time I made it to the clearing. A few more steps and then I heard it. I heard the noise. It was one I've never heard before.

I quickly grabbed my clothes and hid behind the brush as the ground began to break open. Then there he was. My heart began to rush again feeling an new unfamilar form of excitment. Was this man a dead man come back to life? I watched as the pale man adjusted to the light, gripping my clothes tightly. And, if it wasn't for a stupid dried twig I would have gone unnoticed my by him.

As soon as it snapped I could see his head turning in my direction. Oh crap! Now what? I press my clothes even tighter to my body as I prepare to speak. Maybe he's a friendly dead guy? Those exist right?

"Hell...Hello?" I say reaching my hand up to wave. "Well, it looks like you have it from here so I'll just be going now pale stranger", I spat it quickly in a blur of words trying to make a swift exit. It was then that I realized I was still naked and the shock of that made me drop my clothes to the ground.

 

[ElwoodB]

SNAP!

I heard the sound, and whipped my head around. My eyes were still adjusting to the harsh daylight, and my throat was too dry to speak. There was a moving blur where the sound had come from and it spoke. I was disorientated and didn't really catch what it said.

I kept looking in that direction as I clawed my way out of the hard, sunbaked earth. I was suddenly aware of what a strange sight I must be. I coughed and gagged again. I could feel grit and sand in my teeth. I sucked the air through my open mouth and moved my tongue in a vain attempt to create some saliva.

My eyes were still adjusting but my sight was returning. The blur became a young native girl, staring at me open mouthed, clutching her clothes to her chest to cover her naked body. Even in my current state, I appreciated the glistening honey coloured skin and toned muscles that weren't hidden by the bundle she held. For an all too brief moment I was partly aroused...

I raised my hand, palm forward in a calming gesture. I was still struggling to speak through my cracked lips although my mouth was beginning to moisten.

"Water?" I mouthed in what I hoped was a friendly, non-threatening way...

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

Okay so much for getting out of this situation with little to do I thought to myself as I got dressed. I squinted my eyes against the sun trying to get a clear view of what he was trying to say.

"Ohhhh! Water?" I asked leaving him little time to answer me before taking off. This was my chance to run and I had nearly made my way half way across the desert before my conscious kicked in. I couldn't just leave some stranger stranded in there. At least not without water anyway, so I turn around and stop.

I didn't see a horse near by. How did he even manage to get this far out without water flask? Every fact known about him so far screamed danger but still I filled up my flask stupidly made my way back to him.

"Here!" I said dropping my water down beside him. Now with a closer look at him; despite all the dirt, he wasn't half bad looking for a townie. Townie was a nickname my people gave the out of place settlers moving here. They lived in towns amongst other things that my people just didn't do.

I circled him for a moment examining whatever I could. He had a gun belt albeit no gun to be seen yet. There were a few scattered horse tracks scattered about and not all from one horse. When I made my way around to see his back that's when I noticed a hole in coat. This may have been a bold thing to do since I didn't exactly know him but I pressed it with my hand out of curiosity.

He didn't like that too much I think because jumped a bit. Not too long after that I could see a small amount of blood start to trickle. So, he was shot. His story starts to intrigue me even more.

"Out...Outlaw?" I mutter out since my english isn't that good. Trading with the new settlers as they came through the territory taught me most of what I know. This also taught me that we were at least a days journey away from the nearest town if we were to go without a horse. I sat down on a near by rock trying to make up my mind on what do. I couldn't risk bringing him back to my tribe in case he was someone looking to hurt us. Then there was also the fact that if I just left him there and he died I would have blood on my hands.

"You need help". I say hoping to get him to open up more to me about his situation.

 

[ElwoodB]

I watched her bleary eyed as she dressed quickly behind some thin bushes. I saw glimpses of glistening skin and her toned stomach before she stood dressed before me in the traditional dried skins that the natives wore around here. She had managed to create an outfit which covered her modesty without covering a lot of skin, allowing it to breath and glisten in the harsh sunlight.

She took off quickly in what I hoped was the direction of the watering hole. I coughed up more dirt and sand as I awaited her return. She came back and dropped a canteen on the ground next to me as she circled me like a vulture. I reached for the water and poured it gratefully over my face and used it to wash my mouth out. I took a few mouthfuls and swallowed hard. Pure old fashioned water had never tasted so sweet.

I felt a burning sensation in my shoulder. The sudden pain made my bounce on the hard earth. I grimaced in pain. She'd touched my bullet wound.

'Out...Outlaw?' she said in poor but understandable english. I nodded, closing my eyes to the sudden pain, and realisation of my current predicament.

'You need help' she said, her eyes were sad but bright. I relaxed a little, knowing she wanted to help me.

"I need.. *COUGH* I need to get to a doctor.." I practically shouted, unsure if she understood. She nodded and pointed back in the direction of what I assumed to be the nearest town. I shook my head.

"No. I can't go there." I enunciated loudly, "I need medicine man... no people... understand?" I asked as I was taken by another coughing fit. I wondered how much blood I had lost and how far I was from civilisation anyhow.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

"No no no" I shook my head. I couldn't take him to my tribe. That was a death sentence for sure. Obviously this man wasn't a tradesman. My father would just as soon kill him rather than help him.

"No medicine man" I warn him before going through my satchel in search of a few things. Luckily for him we weren't that far from water. I would have to mend him myself for now. "I help you but that's all. Can you walk?". I then walk over to him trying to assist him by grabbing the arm that hadn't been shot.

I could feel a bit of reluctance when I did this so I smiled. Maybe that would help ease his mind. "C'mon now. I help you". I point to watering hole not too far from us signaling him that it was where we were headed. "We clean your wound?".

I would have to do a lot more than clean it though but luckily I noticed a few plants near the water's edge. My tribe used them often for healing wounds. Now what I'd do after making him the poultice for his arm wasn't planned yet. I gently chewed my bottom lip trying to think of some way to get him a horse. My own horse hadn't been to far. I could give it to him but then I would have some explaining to do. And then it hit me. I didn't want to go back to my tribe and he really seemed not to like the idea of the nearby town.

As we got closer and closer to the water I fumble my idea about in my head. I wanted to come with him and see new things. He seemed like he needed a horse and that I had. So, once he was a little better I would pitch my offer to him. My horse for a chance to live my own life. When he reached is next destination we would go our separate ways.

 

[ElwoodB]

She seemed reluctant to take me back to her people. Understandable I guess. I wasn't exactly looking my best at the moment. She fumbled through her bag and seemed to make a mental decision.

'No medicine man' she said, 'I help you but that's all. Can you walk?' she asked. I nodded, I was sore as hell, but the feeling was returning to my legs. She pointed toward what seemed to be a watering hole nearby. She took my arm. I tried to pull away, but I couldn't stand on my own, reluctantly I let her assist me.

I took slow steps toward the clear water, my head clearing as we did so. I needed transport, I needed a horse. I would have to find one once I had healed up a little. I needed to find out what had happened after I blacked out. Had Ollie left me there, buried in the parched earth?

I was determined to find the answer. Just as soon as I had decided what to do about the young native girl who was helping me...

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

Gosh this guy was heavy but we made it to the watering hole soon enough. I let him down as gently as I could near the shore line. I figured the small amount of water from my canteen couldn't have been enough so I gave him a few moments to drink and whatever else he needed to do. While he got comfortable a went to work searching out all of the herbs I would need to tend to his wound and wondered if I should even bring up my little proposition.

I still hadn't found out his name much less what he was running from. When I had returned to him I made it a point to try and get to know a little bit about him. "Kera. My name is Kera" I announced first instead of asking if I could take his coat off to get to his wound. Kneeling down beside him I went to slowly undressing him and I could feel the uncomfortable glare focused on me.

"Your name is?" I asked attempting to gently pull his arm from his sleeve.

 

[ElwoodB]

She helped me as best she could, I must have weighed twice what she did. She was slender and lithe... but strong with it. I could feel the muscles in her arms as she helped me shuffle to the water source.

I practically dived head first into the water's edge, scooping great mouthfuls of water greedily towards my lips. The pain in my arm was forgotten momentarily as the clear liquid eased my thirst. I threw water on my face, washing the dirt from my eyes and skin. I dipped my head under quickly, drenching my hair, panicking slightly as the water took my breath away.

I lay against a nearby tree, enjoying the way the water had cooled my skin, the warm breeze drying my face slowly. I'd almost completely forgotten about the Indian girl until she came towards me with fistfuls of plants and herbs. I guessed she was going to treat my wound in someway. I was grateful, but wary at this point. I didn't even know her name...

'Kera. My name is Kera' she said, as if reading my thoughts. She started to undress me to get at my shoulder. It was an odd feeling, being undressed by a relative stranger, especially a native. I couldn't find the strength to resist, so I let her continue.

'Your name is?' she asked, eying me cautiously as she tugged at my sleeve.

"Billy." I said, "Pleased to make your acquaintance." I said, nodding my head, in acknowledgement. It didn't hurt to be polite to someone who's nursing you after a near death experience.

I relaxed as the beginnings of a smile curled her lips. I hadn't really appreciated how pretty she was until now. Her long dark hair was pulled back by a leather band across her forehead, then plaited at the back. Her dark, olive skin looked smooth and silky, her long eyelashes fluttered when she blinked. Her emerald green eyes were mesmerizing...

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

"Billy? I like that." I said blushing a little and avoiding his eye contact when I noticed him staring at me.

I may have been young but I was old enough to understand the look of a man admiring beauty. Oddly enough, now that he was somewhat presentable with a clean face, I found myself admiring him too. His hair was matted to his head from being drenched so it didn't shield most of his face like before. He was handsome for an outlaw with eyes as blue as the see and lips that looked so enticing that had to look away from him or I would never look him in the eye. My father would have wanted me to say something about this but I'd ignored his voice in my head telling me that this was wrong.

Instead I let him continue to admire me as I attentively checked his wound to see if it had been a clean shot. Leaning in closer I smiled, grateful that the bullet had been a clean shot, through and through. I didn't have the skill to retrieve the bullet otherwise.

"You have lost a lot of blood" I say ripping the sleeve from his shirt where the wound had been. "You could have died out here" I said only noticing afterward that it was probably a fact he'd already known. Then I went to the waters edge soaking the piece of fabric I'd torn in water. The wound had to be cleaned after all. When I came back I rung the soaked fabric out over his arm, letting the water cascade over his wound and rinse it clean as best I could.

I would do that three more times before It would be ready to be treated. Each time I returned to Billy I made sure to reassure him that everything would be okay. I patched up his shoulder pretty good considering that I only had a few items in my satchel. "We'll stay the night here tonight" I said noticing that the sun was nearly set, giving the sky an orange painted tint across.

"You're in no shape to travel. I have my horse not to far." I say to him trying not to sound demanding and barely realizing how at ease I'd taken to caring for him. "I get horse and come back here." I smile pointing in the direction of my horse. She should still be tied to the stump I'd left her at and probably thirsty by now. Sky was my horse and best friend in the world.

As I headed off into the brush to fetch her the thought that he might not be waiting there when returned had occurred to me. I shook this from my head noting how wounded he was. He couldn't possibly get far if did run and if he did I had no idea of what I'd do about it. Billy wasn't my prisoner so when I fetched Sky and headed back I wanted to let him know that he was free to go if he wanted.

 

[ElwoodB]

I wasn't sure if it was the loss of blood, the heat or what, but I felt light headed as I watched her. Her skin shone, even in the dying light that surrounded us, and I couldn't help but find her attractive. She blushed slightly at the admission that she liked my name. No-one had ever complimented me on my moniker before. I smiled, amused.

She checked and cleaned the wound thoroughly. I was fairly certain the bullet had passed right through my shoulder, and she seemed to confirm the fact when she cleaned both the front and rear of my shoulder.

'You could have died out here' she said, stating the obvious. I was about to add a retort, but thought better of it. I wasn't in the habit of being rude, especially to a beautiful girl who had undoubtedly saved my life. She kept repeating that everything would be fine. I nodded and smiled through the discomfort as she patched me up.

I glanced skyward. Night would soon be upon us. There wasn't any shelter beyond the small copse of trees near the watering hole, it was probably the best we could hope for.

'We'll stay the night here tonight' she said, 'You're in no shape to travel.' once more stating the obvious. I smiled. I liked this girl. She went to fetch her horse as I contemplated my immediate future.

I thought about making a break for it, not wanting to involve Kera in my affairs any further, but there was the issue of transport, and that I owed her. I may be an outlaw, but I pay my debts. I closed my eyes for a moment, tired of thinking, I decided that I would evaluate the situation in the morning.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

When I returned it looked like Billy finally caved to his exhaustion. I didn't disturb him, instead I led Sky to the water so that she could drink. I took the patchwork blanket from my saddle so that I could cover him up. I caught myself admiring him again as he lied there getting rest. I wondered what it feel like to have his lips pressed against mine. My finger's unconsciously start trace my own lips as my want to kiss him grew stronger.

Do I do it? Should I take advantage of this sleeping and wounded cowboy? I lean in my eyes closed as I attempt to have my very first kiss. Not the way I'd always imagined it mind you but I couldn't resist. Then he moves slightly and I get startled. Maybe he's not as deep in sleep as I thought. I release the breath that had caught itself stuck in my throat before I slowly start to pull back from him.

 

[ElwoodB]

It was a deep but restless sleep. I had worrying dreams. The robbery. The attempted escape. The bullet wound. Then blackness.

At one point it was as though someone was looking at me, staring, close-up to my face. I could sense their breath on my face. Then it was gone. I must have had a mild fever in the night as I awoke, shivering beneath the moonlit sky.

The stars were pinpricks in the cloudless sheet of night, the moon was harsh and bright, casting long shadows on the desert floor. I crept over to the water and took a long drink, feeling immediately better for it.

I looked over to where Kera was sleeping. She was lying on the ground, an animal hide covering her lower body, her hands were together beneath her head acting as a pillow. I looked her over. the curve of her breasts spilled out a little from her leather top, due to the way she was lying. She was beautiful in the moonlight, peaceful and serene.

I smiled to myself. Maybe I'd let her stick around a while longer. Just till I got back on my feet. With that thought in my head, I settled back down against the tree and dozed off.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

If hadn't been for the sun staring me in the face I probably could have slept longer. For a moment I had forgotten where I was, forgotten most of what happened yesterday chalking it up to a dream. Then I saw him sleeping peacefully under a near by tree. My new friend Billy seemed to be sleeping well and that made me a little more cheerful as I forced myself to fully wake up.

I walk over to the little oasis we took for ourselves and splashed a little water on my face hoping that would be the trick. Then I went to go check on my horse and grab a few things from my satchel. The small snack I had packed yesterday, just in case I got hungry was still there. It wasn't much but it would be enough to share between the two of us and Billy needed to eat. It would help him get back on his feet.

He was still sleeping in when I got back to the clearing. Until that moment I hadn't thought about the day at all. At least not much past feeding him anyway. I walked around the water's edge contemplating whether or not to return to my tribe. Billy had no idea of who I was. I hadn't told him that my father was the local Indian chief who would probably send a pack of hunters after his head if they even saw us together.

So far he seemed content to be with me. It could have also been the fact that I was helping him that kept him content but that was beside the point. It was totally conceivable that at least until he was better that I could follow alongside him. I took a deep breath and then decided to go for a swim to help me think and most importantly relax. Billy was yes, still asleep so I didn't feel the need for modesty. If he had woken up during my little swim in the nude I was sure the water would shield my body well until I managed to get him to turn his head. He seemed gentlemanly enough to do it if I asked him too.

There was one thing though that I couldn't do with him sleeping so near by. I tugged at my nipples wanting to let my hand wander a little farther down. If he hadn't been so close I would have been pleasuring myself ironically enough to the thought of him being even closer to me. I shook that thought from my head though, shrugging it off as silly since he's probably had sex with women way more skilled than myself. I even laughed at the idea as I imagined myself asking him to touch me and the quizzical look it might cause him to have. Billy probably doesn't even think of me that way anyway.

 

[ElwoodB]

The tree shaded me from the harsh sunlight, so I didn't wake until late morning. I was vaguely aware of a splashing sound nearby. I opened my eyes a little, they were still sensitive from the dirt and grit.

I looked out over the watering hole and saw Kera swimming. At least she was at first. Then I watched as she pulled at herself beneath the water. I couldn't see in great detail, but the look on her face told me enough. Her wet skin glistened, beckoning to me... I wondered what she would do if she knew I was watching her.

Even in my sorry state, I was aroused at the thought of what was hidden below the water line... She turned towards me and I pretended to be asleep still. Though, if she looked at my jeans, she would probably realise I wasn't quite at rest. I let her bathe and swim without interference, she didn't need me mooning over her, as much as I would have liked to.

It wasn't long before she strode out of the water towards her clothes, facing slightly away from me, I watched as the water traced her muscles. Her thighs glistened, her ass was pert and round, golden like the rest of her. The small indentation of her spine... I had a sudden urge to run my fingers into the curve and up her back to her neck...

I breathed hard as I let the thoughts go. She wouldn't want anything to do with me when she knew who I was.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

The swim was the perfect thing I needed. It finally came to me that there was a trading outpost not too far from our current position. Sometimes we would trade animal hides with them for supplies. Miners and gold travelers would also stop there for rest and shelter on they way to the nearby town. The outpost had store, saloon and a brothel. It was really the only rest point between towns and made it possible to cross the barren landscape. I had a few silver pieces in my satchel that I could trade for shelter possibly. They were a gift from a lawman friend of my fathers.

I ring my hair out and take a quick look at Billy. Did he wake up? It seemed as if he had moved a bit since I last checked. I smile and blush a little when my eyes make it to his pants. He must be having some kind of naughty dream. I know it's not polite to stare but I gave in. I admired the tipi forming his jeans, trying to make a guess about his measurements. I make my way closer trying to get a better view of what's in his pants.

This might have been wrong to do to a man in his condition but my playful side wouldn't pass the chance up. As I get closer I decided to rub my hand along the inside of his thigh. My hand got surprisingly close to his crotch without waking him. Curiosity causes me to gently stroke my hand over the bulge. Gosh it was kinda of exciting as the fear of possibly being caught filled my body. I would stroke it a few more times before I got brave enough to lift his shirt. Getting a peek at his chest.

I let my hand hover over his skin as pretend to feel his chest up. I didn't want to wake him but eventually I will have to. I wanted to make it to the trading outpost before the sun went down. Really before my family caught up to me, forcing me to go back arranged marriage and boredom.

 

[ElwoodB]

I closed my eyes and tried to think about what lay ahead, what I would need to do next. I couldn't get the vision of her ass out of my head. It looked so perfect, even from that distance. I was suddenly very aware of the growth in my jeans.

I felt it then. Something touching my leg. The inside of my thigh. A hand. I didn't move, didn't open my eyes for fear of scaring her off. It had to be her, there was no-one else for miles around. She was stroking my thigh, then she brushed her hand over my crotch... How long had it been since someone had touched me there...

She lifted my shirt, her warm hands on my skin, checking the wound? A pretense possibly. I didn't care. It felt nice to have her hands on me. I started to imagine doing the same to her. Running my palms over her naked thighs. Cupping her breasts in my fingers... nibbling her hard nipples...

I moaned aloud. It startled her a little and she backed off as I opened my eyes.

"Thank you for fixing my wound. " I said, genuinely grateful.

"We should think about moving, this heat is going to kill me if I don't get some food soon... or some whiskey." I smiled a lop-sided grin as I tried to stand.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

I smile as I a back away from him. So he really wasn't asleep that entire time indeed. I wonder if he thought me strange for feeling up his body without permission. My question would be answered when he suggested we think about leaving. It was like nothing in the last ten minutes had even happened. Still I felt that awkward feeling hovering in the air. I grabbed the small snack from my bag and tossed it to him.

"That should get you to Durango Post. Not much food, I know." I say making sure my saddle is on tight. I apologize again for having such little food. Then I go back to explaining my plan for the day.

"You probably heard of this Outpost before. Law doesn't really live there so you should be fine there." It was safe to assume now that Billy had to be running from something and since he didn't have a badge on he wasn't no lawman. I thought about myself next. The last thing I wanted was to be confused for a 'working' girl. I reached into my bag tossing him the small sum of money I had.

"If anyone asks, you won me in a poker game" There was a big smile on my face when I told Billy this. It would sound funny coming from my mouth but then I clarified my reasoning.

"I heard you cow boys are notorious with women. I figure this way we might avoid some unneeded gun battles. Especially unarmed." I lifted his makeshift bandage and gave his wound a good look. It had already looked better than it had yesterday. I gave him a few minutes to get himself prepared to go while I made my horse ready for travel.

"I'll help you mount my horse when you're ready. There should be enough room for you to ride comfortable behind me." I give Sky's saddle a tug and then flash him a grin "You'll just have to hold on tight."

 

[ElwoodB]

She gave me something to eat as she adjusted the saddle on her horse. I ate, greedily as she talked about the place she would be taking me today. She threw me a bag of money, it jingled as I caught it. I grimaced at the sudden movement, but it was only a smarting pain, nothing too bad.

'If anyone asks, you won me in a poker game' she said. I couldn't help but smile at this. There was a certain irony in a native indian girl giving me money and making up an excuse to ride together. It was usually me coming up with the plans. She continued to explain,

'I heard you cow boys are notorious with women. I figure this way we might avoid some unneeded gun battles. Especially unarmed.' Notorious with women... chance would be a fine thing. She checked my wound, satisfied I was healing properly, she carried on preparing her horse. I stood and watched her, she moved with a quiet grace. She was lithe and supple, athletic yet slender. Graceful.

She awoke me from my daydream by tugging hard on the saddle.

'There should be enough room for you to ride comfortable behind me.' she said, then she turned to me and grinned broadly, 'You'll just have to hold on tight.' I smiled back at this. I could think of worse places than on a horse holding her close. I nodded and held my hand out for her to help me up. She laced her fingers together and created a step for me to use. I mounted the horse and shuffled back, allowing her to swing up gracefully into the saddle.

I wrapped my arms around her slim waist, taking a little longer to adjust my grip than maybe I should have. I'd never ridden behind a woman before.

"I'll have to watch where I put my hands" I said in her ear. She grinned at me, turning slightly, as she gave the horse a sharp kick.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

Really? He had to whisper those words in my ear? As if I wasn't dealing with enough already with his arms around my waist and his hand nearly free to roam wherever? My horse took off like a horse in service of the pony express. Luckily, keeping us on course and making sure we were making good time was there to keep my mind on the important things.

Every once and awhile I would let go of the reigns and rest my hand over his. After two hours of riding close, I started to feel close to him. I wondered if there was a Mrs. Billy back home but then noticed the lack of shiny gold on his hand symbolizing it.

His wound seemed to be much better than yesterday. The horse ride seemed to barely bother him. Again my mind got to thinking about Billy in lustful ways. I try to persuade myself not to think of this wounded man that way but it all fails. Even me rationalizing that my growing infatuation with him was because he needed my help failed. I would have still wanted him in my bed even if he hadn't needed my help.

This, I realize as we make our way to the outpost. Just the feeling of his breath on my skin send shivers down my spine. If his stubble grazes my shoulder lightly as we ride I imagine the feel of his lips. What they must feel like. The ride was proving itself to be a little stressful for me indeed. Everytime my horse changed speed my hips would slide back pressing my ass into him. And every time I would try to adjust myself quickly so that my body didn't linger there too long.

"Welcome to Durango!" Boy was that sign a sight for sore eyes. It was the first thing we saw as we headed to the outpost. The sign was still about a mile out from the actual post but just knowing we were that close made me excited. I needed to get down off of that horse. I needed to be away from him so that my body could get back under control and I could think.

Funny how being so close to him made it hard to think clearly. As we started to make our way into the civilized part of Durango I smile at him."We should find a room and board. You probably want to get cleaned up." I say admiring the different shops and things since I have the time. It looked so much different at night than during the day. People were out walking. Lover's kissing in the streets, guys screaming and hooting echoed from the saloon and sometimes even a gunshot could be heard.

"Should I wait here?" I asked stopping my horse in front of what I think is a hotel. This is where Billy's unsheltered life would come in handy. I didn't really know what to do when it came to acquiring a room for the night. The "working women" standing scattered about in front of the establishment also didn't boost my confidence any either. When I get down from my saddle I can't help but look at them and their pushed up bosoms. For a second I grip my own breasts and push them up with my hand trying to get a image of them that way.

Then I help him down. Does he like these kind of girls? I think about this and then look back to Billy. I couldn't tell if he did. So to keep that off my mind I get out of my own mind and back into the present. "I don't have to continue with you from here on out. You're gonna heal just fine." I say finally bringing up the elephant in the room as they say.

"But, if you would have me I'd love to ride with you." I voice my wants and quickly blush before correcting myself. "I mean I'd like to see the world not that I...well um". The more I tried to clean up my mess the more I put my foot in my mouth.

"You don't have to answer now I was just thinking I could be a help thats all" I smile watching him for a moment as he stretches his legs from the long ride. I let him know I'll tie up my horse if he wanted to head inside.

 

[ElwoodB]

Even at the pace her horse was moving, it took us over two hours to get to wherever she was taking me. I laced my fingers at her waist and let my mind wander. I still couldn't piece together what had happened after I passed out. I'd been buried. had they known I was alive when they did it? I was unsure. I didn't want to believe that whoever they were would do that to a man, but I had no way to be sure... not just yet.

The trail was getting colder by the day... I wondered whether my new companion was a good tracker? Maybe she would come in handy after all. It wasn't like she wasn't nice to look at either... my mind wandered back to the watering hole. The glistening wet skin, the curve of her hips, the way she moved...

I shook my head to clear the thoughts from my mind, but my body had other ideas. I became very concious that I was suddenly aroused. Every time her ass pressed back against me, rubbing against me gently... I couldn't be sure, but I thought she might be doing it on purpose.

I spotted the small litter of buildings on the horizon. The heat shimmer turning a black blur into spots, then the outline of buildings. She slowed the horse as we entered the town proper. I suddenly became aware of how I must look, dirty and dusty riding behind a native Indian girl. I relaxed when I realised no-one gave us more than a sideways glance. They must see this sort of thing all the time.

She said something about getting cleaned up and pulled the horse up in front of a boarding house.

'Should I wait here?' she asked.

"Maybe you should just wait with the horse.." I said absently. She dismounted, and I watched as she took an interest in the whores standing around in their bustles and corsets. She used her hands to mimic the way the corsets pushed their breasts up and out. I wasn't sure what was going through her head, but I liked hers just the way they were.

She turned and helped me down, my wound was feeling much better now and my strength had returned somewhat. My arm was still a little stiff though.

'I don't have to continue with you from here on out. You're gonna heal just fine.' her words came out in a long stream.

'But, if you would have me I'd love to ride with you. I mean I'd like to see the world not that I...well um' she started stumbling over the words, she seemed embarrassed for some reason, she was almost blushing.

'You don't have to answer now I was just thinking I could be a help that's all' she smiled at me and I smiled back. I rubbed my arms and stretched, I was sore from the long ride. She went to find somewhere to tie the horse as I went inside.

The 'lobby' as it was, doubled as a bar / cabaret stage. I went to the bartender and asked for two rooms. I tossed a few notes on the bar.

"You ok with natives in here?" I asked. I didn't want to cause a fuss when Kera came strolling in...

'We get all sorts around these parts.' he said without a hint of sarcasm or hostility. I guess that was the best I could hope for in my situation. If she could help me I wanted her around a little longer.

"That should cover the rooms for a few nights. You got a cook-house?" my stomach rumbled, angrily.

'Sure. We got some steak in too, just slaughtered a herd out on the ridge. Take a seat and I'll get one of the girls to bring it over. Whiskey?' he asked, indicating the money I'd thrown down.

"Send the bottle."

I walked back to the doorway and spotted Kera idling next to her horse. She was still fixated on the working girls for some reason.

"Kera!" She turned her head with a start. I waved for her to follow me inside and retreated to a large table at the far end of the bar.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

I lazily strolled down the promenade looking for a place to tie my horse for the night. I took my time looking at all the sights and listening to the sounds of fun and everything else that would be going on in a rest stop town like Durango. "Oh Hell" I think to myself when I realize that Billy had to see me eyeing the working girls. Hopefully he didn't think they were what I wanted. It was more or less studying the local competition I guess.

I wanted to know if that's what men like him found attractive. The thought of me just asking him what he found attractive came to me later after he'd already gone inside to make arrangements. Then again the thought of just asking him out right was scary. Then the sounds of two men shouting from an alleyway break my concentration.

I knew enough about arguing cowboys not to poke my nose into it. Not unless I wanted to be shot anyway. Me being a native ontop of also being a woman really wouldn't give me any leverage If I got caught eavesdropping so I decided to turn around and head back to the boarding house. That's when I heard his name.

"It's all Billy's fault! We coulda got out of there with ease if he just worked that dancing girl a little more." One of the male voices from the alleyway spoke. I stopped for a moment, just curious to know if they were talking of the same Billy I rode into town with.

"Good for nothing girl couldn't keep that damn sheriff distracted long enough for ya huh? Well where is your fearless partner now? He dead?" The second voice asked. His tone was sounding slightly more amused than his friends.

"I'm guessing so. I buried him out in the desert somewhere so if he wasn't dead then he's definitely dead now. It was time for me to run the show now. I've paid my dues and those two would have run us into the ground.". The guy sounded a little remorseful when he admitted how he took care of Billy.

Just then I heard Billy shouting for me and turned my head. When I turned back toward the alleyway the two men were gone. I heard something about meeting up with the rest of their gang off in the distance. Taking my horse up to the boarding house a found a free spot on a post and tied Sky down.

Were those two men talking about the same Billy? My Billy? Was he a bank robber? They had mentioned a guy buried in a desert. I found him in the desert. The whole idea of this made me nervous. He didn't seem like a bank robber. When I stepped inside the lobby he was relaxing at a table near the far back. A bottle of whisky was waiting for him. I stop thinking about everything I've just heard and start focusing on the atmosphere in the bar. No one really gave me an awkward glance. There were a few men giving the "Look" but other than that it was fine. Most of these men were already a few drinks in.

There were a few grabs of my rear as I made my way through the crowd and to our table. I just smiled them off since they had made me on more eager to get to Billy. When I sit down a take a little swig of the bottle of whiskey to relax. God it burned something awful. My face showed it but I didn't want my companion to see how inexperienced I was so I laughed it off. I sat there quietly for a few seconds and then inquired about our sleeping arrangements.

"That's nice. I think I will enjoy sleeping in my own bed and not on the hard ground" I say twiddling my thumbs underneath the table. I wanted to ask him if what I heard was true. It was burning my tongue so bad but I didn't say anything. I just let him talk when he wanted and watched the cabaret performers. After taking another shot and probably my final of whiskey I start to relax a little bit more. The girl who brought us our meal was pretty. And even for how disheveled Billy looked he still managed to pull her attentions.

She didn't waste anytime at all and began flirting with him. It was all kind of entertaining from my more 'relaxed' point of view. The whiskey was doing it damnest on me. That's all I can say. I noticed that there was a man at the bar looking at me. I blushed. It was flattering he he wasn't half bad looking, not as fit as Billy but he had his good points. I flash him a smile before turning my attention back to Billy.

"I think she likes you!" I tell him with a smile after or serving girl leaves.

 

[ElwoodB]

I sat facing the room, assessing the state of play. The bar was filling up quickly now in preparation for the nightly show I guessed. Most of the guys in the room weren't a threat for now, they were all fairly way on their way to the wrong side of drunk, depending on your perception which side was the right side, of course.

I watched Kera come through the swing doors and look around. She spotted me and anxiously moved towards my table. I watched a few of the drunks paw at her a little, but nothing major. She took it all in her stride and sat down with a relieved look on her face.

"I got us a couple of rooms. Adjacent with a connecting door. In case I need rescuing again..." I smiled at her seeing if she'd pick up on the humour. She didn't. I offered her some whisky, she knocked it back a little too quick and almost spat it back out. To her credit, she didn't and managed to hide her discomfort well.

'That's nice.' she said, eyes looking anywhere but at me, 'I think I will enjoy sleeping in my own bed and not on the hard ground' She sat and watched the girls on the stage like they were the only thing in the room.

"A good night's rest will do us both the world of good." I spoke in her general direction, but I may as well have been talking to myself. She took another shot of whiskey, calmly this time, her nerves settling and she started to relax. A young girl brought us our meals, tin plates piled with meat and beans.

'You're not from round here mister,' she said, 'I know cuz I would have remembered you, that's for sure...' she gushed. I smiled politely, but I wasn't interested. I watched Kera as she turned her attention to one of the farm hands at the bar. Her face flushed and she smiled then she turned back, saying,

'I think she likes you!'

I returned her smile with a grin, indicating the food.

"Eat up before it gets cold." I said.

The food wasn't up to much, but after what I had been through, it may as well have been a banquet. We sat and ate in silence. Kera picked at her food, while I shovelled mine into my mouth. I realised how much of a pig I must have seemed. I slowed down and ate more politely, keeping my eyes on the room. I had a sense for trouble, and my instincts were telling me it was on the way.

"You might want to think about going and getting cleaned up." I said as a way of trying to move her out of harms way before anything happend. She just nodded absently. I could feel the tension in the room rising slowly. I looked around as I pushed my plate away, washing the last of the beans down with whiskey.

There seemed to be two distinct factions in the room. I bunch of farm hands at the bar and some well ridden types at the tables in the middle of the floor. Even the working girls were steering clear of them.

"Kera. Go. NOW." I hissed under my breath as one of the guys from the centre table started moving towards the bar.

 

[Beautiful_Sub]

The food was decent enough. The entertainment was just a little better but I was having a really good time. The guy that I had been flirting with across the bar was making me grin and forget everything that I was worried about. So what Billy may be a bank robber. He was also a really nice guy it seemed. By the time I had turned my attention back to him he seemed focused on something else in the room. I could vaguely hear him mention something about getting cleaned up and shook my head.

It would be to get cleaned up properly. "Okay, Guess this is goodnight then." I said giving a frown after he asked me to go again. I didn't really know what the purpose was for being so persistent that I leave. I was nearly halfway to the stairs when the I heard a glass breaking but I just ignored it and continued towards my room.

Part of me was glad to have this little moment to myself. I ready to get cleaned up and finish what I had started this morning thinking of Billy. I could here the bar room getting a little louder as I heated a large bucket of water to clean myself up with.

"He must be really having fun down there" I said smiling to myself and taking my clothes off.

 

[ElwoodB]

I had one eye on the big guy moving towards the farm hands at the bar, and the other on Kera as she moved up the stairs seemingly oblivious to what was about to happen. Even through the tension in the air I couldn't help but admire her pert little behind as she trotted up the wooden steps.

Once she was out of sight, I returned my attention to what was about to go down. Like it or not, I was about to be stuck in a bar fight.

I estimated my chances of making it out before things kicked off, but my originally excellent choice of table made it extremely difficult to reach the door without passing the bar. Shit.

I glanced around searching for something that might come in handy... the whiskey bottle was the closest thing I had to a weapon. I moved it so that it was close at hand. I looked up then as all hell broke loose.

I ducked as a chair came flying in my direction, invading the space where my head had been moments earlier. I tried to remain calm, assessing my options. I reached up and took the whiskey bottle by the neck, downing what was left of the amber liquid inside. There were fist fights erupting all over the place, and the dancing girls had scuttled off back stage out of the way.

Luckily, no-one had gone for a gun. Yet.

My table rocked as someone was thrown against it by an errant punch. I hit him over the head with the bottle to put him down, for his own good as well as mine. I sat and watched as the numbers dwindled, unconscious bodies littered the floor, and I wondered if I would be ignored or confronted any tine soon.