Summary:  Lotta Crabtree’s arrival in Virginia City seemed to spell trouble for the Cartwrights, or was it the beginning of a beautiful friendship? (WHN after “A Rose for Lotta”)

Rating: PG  Word Count: 630

A PRIVATE LESSON

 

The indignant young woman who stepped out of the broken down carriage showed no remorse for trespassing on Ponderosa land, standing fearless in the face of four Cartwrights bearing down on her at gunpoint. Adam found it amusing that the captive seemed to have captured her audience instead, and she seemed to know it. Even after discerning her to be no real threat, he kept his weapon aimed at her for sport, just to show her he was no fool.

When she introduced herself, his brothers’ reactions were predictable. Hoss made no effort to hide his worshipful admiration. Adam could see the wheels turning behind Little Joe’s mask of mild interest, and that amused him further. She’s way out of your league, younger brother. It irked him a bit that Pa tasked the boy with delivering her to the ranch house, and he planned to send a message when he stepped between them. Adam put his hands firmly on her waist and read what was in her eyes before lifting her onto Joe’s horse. She was no fool either.

After piquing his interest that afternoon, she fueled his fantasies when he saw her on the stage at Piper’s that night. Yes, he was there, just long enough to get an eyeful of the illustrious Lotta Crabtree in the flesh, her alluring figure and naughty movements in that scandalous outfit, She might have been singing ‘uh uh, no’ but everything else about her was saying ‘Yes’ with a capital ‘Y.’ I hear you, Miss Crabtree, and I predict this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship…

Their relationship hit a sizable bump in the road when he found out she was in league with Alpheus Troy in a scheme to blackmail his father into selling massive amounts of Ponderosa timber to the Comstock mine owners. Lotta had lured Little Joe into town and unwittingly put his life in jeopardy. Adam threatened to break her arm if she didn’t reveal the whereabouts of his young brother, and in that moment when he met her smoldering gaze, he knew he wanted to wipe the pout from her cherry red lips with his own. But that would have to wait.

When the dust finally settled, and they found Little Joe and Lotta dancing in a deserted restaurant, Adam finally got his chance. With his rapscallion sibling on his way out the door, getting his ears singed by their Pa, Adam felt a not so gentle nudge from Hoss propelling him forward. He removed his hat, took her in his arms and did what came so naturally to him. Then he whispered something in her ear.

“Yes,” she whispered back.

He could see from the fire in her eyes that she wanted it as much as he did. He promised to return.

The next evening…

This was what he’d been waiting for, ever since that first night. Alone in her hotel room, Adam brushed a stray curl from Lotta’s forehead and took her face in his hands. Her pink cheeks were further flushed from exertion. He understood she wanted to please him, and he wanted it too, more than anything at that moment. He traced his fingers across her trembling ruby lips, molding them to perfection. “Now. Again.”

A sound rose with her breath. “Ohhh….”

His eyes bore into hers. “More. I want you to make me feel it this time.”

“Ohhhhhh….”

“No, no, no…!” He threw up his hands. “Pear shaped tones, Lotta. Pear shaped!”

“I’m trying!”

He sighed, relaxing his brow. “I know you are. I’m sorry. Let’s try it again. This time, more  from the diaphragm. And don’t forget the facial mask. You’re still singing through your nose, dear.”

She scowled, arms crossed. “Adam Cartwright, this is NOT what I thought you meant by a private lesson!”

 

END