Nova crept onto the porch, with only the moonlight to guide her.  Tip-toeing to the door - careful to avoid creaky planks - she reached for the handle. But, as her hand clasped the knob, it moved in her grip. Stifling a scream of fear she stepped back to hide in the shadows; a hand snaked through the crack and grabbed her wrist and Nova was yanked unceremoniously inside.

"Jese!" Her voice conveyed shock. "I wasn't expecting to see you."

Her husband's devilish black eyes were ablaze with anger. No sign of sleep lurking in their depths, as if he'd been prowling about the homestead for hours - waiting for her arrival. "Did you hope I was out? Searching the ranch like a complete fool?"

"I-"

"While you let yourself in, unnoticed?"

No. She'd expected him to be fast asleep, undisturbed. "Possibly."

"The whole town is searching for Miss India Sommers." His gaze fell to her attire. "I assume that is why you are wearing only a blanket?"

The horror continued to escalate.  Nova wondered where it would end. Would she be shot dead by her pursuers, or locked away in a tiny cell for the rest of her natural life?

"You look frightened."

"I'm not sure why anyone would be looking for me."

"A two thousand dollar reward, perhaps? If I were a heartless man, I'd turn you in myself."

"Well..." Her eyes flashed, challenging him. "What are you waiting for?"

He pulled her against his firm body. "I don't think this is the right time for your habitual self-righteous rage, Nova. Not when you are in such a vulnerable position." He tugged at the blanket, and watched it fall to a puddle at her feet.

The cold night air chilled her naked body. "Just as I thought," he murmured.  Jese's hand reached out to trace the white smudges on her chest. Nova noticed how the graze of his fingers had caused her skin to turn to goose pimples. "Residual white paint."

That he could whip her blanket off only to inspect her like a horse... the rage boiled inside.   He felt nothing towards her except for the vague concern that a man felt for a possession, she thought. "Take your hands off me, you brute!" She struggled in his grip, desperate to grab the blanket in an attempt to cover her modesty, but his hold prevented her.

"You married me so that your debts would be paid off... and then you went and robbed a train," Jese pondered aloud. Ignoring her protests. "What on earth can be going through that pretty little head of yours?"

"Let. Me. Go."

"You can hiss and snarl all you like, but I think you will find that you are stuck in an uncompromising situation." His free hand snaked around the small of her back and dragged her naked frame against his. "What is it about you?" He asked. Bending to nuzzle her ear with his nose, turning her limbs to jelly. "You drive me insane! Is this how you charm your way out of every predicament you get yourself into?"

"Not at all." She pulled back, ashamed to feel her body reacting to the rough sensation of his clothes against her bare skin. Her nipples, tormented by the cool night air and his proximity, turning to hard peaks. She saw her husband glance down - his pupils dilating as he took in her arousal - and felt a hot flush creeping over her cheeks. "I was conned into a bad situation."

He dragged his gaze back to her face. "Of course you were." Jese smiled, laconically. "You were conned."

"Damn you to hell!"

"You needn't waste your breath," he said with a throaty growl. "When I married you I think I damned myself." In an instant Jese brought his mouth down kissing her with a hungry urgency.

As her eyelids drooped closed she had one last bat at self respect, snarling, "What kind of man are you, forcing yourself upon an unresponsive woman?"

Jese drew back and gazed at her for a few seconds before smiling slowly. "Unresponsive?" he purred. Leaning forward he softly bit her earlobe before licking and toying with the sensitive skin behind it. Hearing her gasp at the tickling sensation he chuckled against her ear. "Of all the women I've kissed, you are the furthest from unresponsive."

Nova, shamed by the truth in his words, battled angrily against him, trying to pull free.

"Do you think we ought to consummate this marriage before you get sent to jail?" His hand slipped up her naked body to cup her breast. The sensations causing mayhem on her skin and a hot ache spreading through her groin.

A snarl of anger erupted from her tiny body. Trying to hit at him, uselessly, she snarled, "That would work out well for you wouldn't it?"

With a laugh, he lifted her bodily and marched her up the stairs.

"What are you doing?"

"What I should have done, right from the moment I married you."

Fear grasped her heart. Had she gone from robbing a train to being raped by her husband in the space of hours? Could her day get any worse? Sinking her teeth into any part of his body that was available she heard him tut tut, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Nova. If I lose less than a pint of blood I shall be sorely disappointed."

Angered by his humor, her kicking and struggling amplified.

Jese marched her into her bedroom. "I know that you are determined to think terribly of me. But you will be surprised to know that I have no intention of taking anyone against their will." Lying her down on her bed he tied her hands together and then her feet as if she was nothing more than a runaway calf. "Sleep well." He threw a blanket over her.

"Free me this instant you pig -"

"Now, now! Save your vile language."

"I'll scream!"

"And frighten your poor mother? You can't even be sure that she will find the door to save you."

"My workers are within earshot."

"I'm sure they'd love to see you naked."

Nova thrashed against the ropes. Incensed that she'd walked stupidly into yet another trap. That she'd been swooning over his kisses while he was only trying to get her naked so that she would be more vulnerable.

But she could scream this house down. No, Nova decided. Jese was right. She wasn't going to scare her mother. She would simply work at the bonds until she wriggled free.

#

Nova awoke to the sound of Brandon's voice, outside her window, bidding Jese good morning. She sat up abruptly, finding that her wrists had been loosened somewhere through the night. They lay in a puddle at the side of her bed. Rubbing her wrists, she felt her heart race out of control.

"Is there a chance that I could speak with you, alone?" She heard Brandon ask.

"Leave your horse here and step inside, " she heard Jese's guarded tone.

"Is your wife home?"

"Not at all. She seems to have gone on a short - and unexpected - holiday."

Nova felt her speeding heart slow down somewhat. Why was Jese protecting her whereabouts from this man? Had he developed enough heart to actually care about her? Perhaps he was just trying to keep her ransom for himself? She heard their combined footfall as they walked into the house and toward the study. Quietly, slipping out of bed, Nova pulled on her nightgown and crept to the door. She turned the knob and pulled. It wouldn't budge. "Damn it!" She hissed. Her husband had locked her door like she was an obstinate child. She would have to strain to hear their voices.

Although audible, she couldn't make out the words of both voices clearly. Finding a glass of water beside the bed she drained it and pressed it to the adjoining wall with her ear snug to the base.

"Do tell me," she could hear Jese saying. "To what I have the honour of this visit?"

"Have seen the signs around town for your wife?"

"Not at all. You'll have to enlighten me."

"There is a ransom on her head, for two thousand dollars."

"Two thousand dollars?"

"Yes."

"That is an excessive amount of money." Jese's tone sounded nonchalant.

"She robbed a train."

Hearing it from Brandon's mouth, it did strange things to her stomach. How could he be so callous? He was as bad as her husband.

Jese's voice assumed surprise. "Very out of character!"

"I'd take her to the Sheriff myself... with my profession I'm obliged to turn her in. But I thought I would do the honorable thing and give you the chance to save your wife."

"Oh."

"For five thousand dollars, and a share of the jewels, I will leave town without revealing her."

"And she would be safe then?"

"She has assured me that you and I are the only two people who know of her double life."

"But, could you really turn in a childhood friend?"

"It pains me to do so – but I am obliged to keep the community safe."

"You don't think Nova was tricked?"

"Not at all. She is a desperate woman, with an overwhelming need for riches and fortune. I'm just so heartbroken that it has come to this."

Nova bit down on her lip. He was projecting his character onto her, every fibre of her body wanted to tear that door down and let him have it... but she also had to stay alive.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any cash to share with you otherwise I would - willingly."

"Three thousand dollars," Brandon bartered without a pause.

"I haven't a dime. My money has been spent on this property."

"Oh well," Nova heard the tone of satisfaction which had crept into Brandon's voice. "I'm sure we could work something out; for one thousand dollars and the deeds to your ranch."

"Radcliffe ranch? Oh no! I couldn't part with it; it's my livelihood. Would you accept fifty dollars?"

"Pig!" Nova snarled at the door. Finally he was telling the truth. Fifty dollars was all he would spare for her life. She doubted (if push came to shove) that he would even part with that.

"Well," Brandon continued, his tone desperate now. "How about you give me no money-."

"Yes?" Jese sounded interested.

"But all of the jewels she took."

"Hmmm." Jese seemed to ponder that for a while. "I must admit, I wouldn't mind keeping them all for myself."

"You leave me no other option. I shall be forced to turn her in to the authorities."

Jese sighed. "I did enjoy having her around."

"Well, I wish you good day, Sir."

Nova heard the movement as the two men exited the study and marched outside. Getting as close to the window as she dared Nova watched as Jese held the door open, his face was cold and impassive. She ducked her head quickly as she saw Brandon turning once more to look up at the house. Nova could tell he wasn't completely sure she was not there.

As Brandon's horse left in a cloud of dust Nova called through the door, "Let me out of here now."

"I'm afraid not, Mrs Calhoun. You are going to remain stuck in that room until I've found the jewels and returned them to the Sheriff myself. Now if you will just tell me where they are..."

"Over my dead body." There was no way she would let him take the jewels and then turn her in. Her ranch, the jewels, and the reward for her capture? He really did think she was a gullible fool if he thought she'd help him reach such riches.

"You leave me no other option. I will leave you in there until I have found them."

He'd obviously forgotten that she had a window into her room, and a good pile of rope that he'd left behind from tying her limbs. "Search all you like, you'll never find it." After a moment's thought she added "We've been there together." Childish! She scolded herself. But she still hoped he'd become submerged in quicksand in his quest.

"Well... I'll set off this instant!  There is no time to waste."

"I hope you die trying."

"Charming." She heard Jese leave the house. She watched as he saddled his horse and trotted passed the house towards the fields.