Sam listened to her mild rebuke as she walked to the drawers to fetch something.  He shrugged it off.  It wasn’t meant as disrespectful what he’d said or how he’d shrugged in response to her.  He’d simply not wanted Irene to have to deal with that kind again . . . to be apart from it . . . to be his woman and for them to be fresh . . . new with each other.  Their pasts left behind them.<br/><br/>Sam frowned with concern as Irene told him of the man in the saloon who’d had her husband’s knife.  His frown deepened as she told him of going after them . . . the man with the knife and his partner . . .  into town.  He said a silent prayer of thanks that she’d not found them . . . both for her personal safety . . . and for their meeting each other . . . and for what they were to each other now.<br/><br/>“If they showed up like that . . . they’re being either stupid or very bold.  It’s stupid to have such a trophy in plain sight in a town where it might be recognized . . . or bold if they knew who you were and were flaunting it in front of you.  You have to be careful with these men Irene . . . if they had no trouble killing Tim . . . they won’t have qualms about killing you either.  I have a very vested interest in you staying healthy and alive.”<br/><br/>He smiled as their conversation lightened and she told him why she wore something to bed.  In his mind it, the shirt, wasn’t much in terms of offering her any modesty.  It was well worn but in that sense it was soft and almost luxuriant on her body.  He liked how she’d taken his hand to her and how her breasts and belly felt under it.  His hand on her had obviously gotten her beautiful nipples to show all of their lovely contours and topography so vividly in the thin fabric.  They were quite expectantly getting him aroused.  He smirked in recognition of the fact that if he came upon her, not knowing her as he did, and she was in just that shirt . . . it would be only an enticement and not at all a deterrent to wanting her.<br/><br/>“Mmmm . . . I do believe I hear an invitation for some midnight lovemaking.  I can’t think of anything nicer right now.   If you awaken later tonight or in the morning with my face buried between your handsome legs . . . please don’t hurt me.”<br/><br/>Sam grinned as he cupped her pussy with the shirt between his fingers and her warm damp sex.<br/>He took a breath and sighed as he kissed her with a lot of quiet tongue play.  When the kiss broke, he let her lead him to the bed.<br/><br/>He climbed into the bed first, after she threw open the sheet and blanket in what he took as an invitation.  Sam lay on his side with his arms out as his own invitation for Irene to join him.<br/><br/>“I’m not meaning settling down as in retiring to rocking chairs on a porch somewhere . . . I mean the both of us together starting our own life together.  You away from this job you have that I don’t think is really you . . . and myself away from dealing with all the scum and crooked back shooters that seem to be in unending supply here in Texas.  Maybe start our own ranch up in the Wyoming territory.  I hear it’s beautiful country up there but it has its own harshness too.  It would be challenging . . . that’s for sure . . . but none of this down here would touch you up there . . . I’d never let it . . . and don’t get riled at that.  I know you’re a tough woman.  You’d have to be to be doing what you’ve had to . . . but Jesus Irene . . . just let me take care of you . . . even if just a little at first.  Now come here . . . I want to love you some more.”<br/><br/><br/>