Just for kicks. [Duke]

[Angela Waters]

She ignored the woman. One, what right did the bitch have to shove her nose where it doesn't belong and two, why did she assume that she was falling for Duke? Better yet, why did she spin some sob story that she didn't really care about? Just because she was rolling around in bed with him, it didn't mean she was falling for him. To say that would be like saying that the prostitutes in this establishment fell in love with all of their clients. In Angela's mind, having a man in her life wasn't a requirement, despite what many of the women seemed to think. To her, being in a committed relationship was more of a hindrance than a blessing.

What life was to be had if all you did was lie on your back, cook, clean, and rear children? Angela had accepted early on that she wasn't that sort of person and was content to have flings. Did she enjoy the thought of dying alone and not having kids of her own? Not in the least but it was just another fact of life. The only reason she had joined Lewton's gang was for some sense of permanency. After having been on her own for nearly ten years, it was something that could be understood. Though she didn't want to settle down, she didn't want to keep sleeping on the ground or in seedy inns.

To be honest, Angela was using Duke as much as he was using her, if not more so. Brushing her thumb along a scar on her palm, she glanced toward him and tilted her head when the mention of food arose. "That would be lovely but then I have to go. As I've previously stated, I have people to get back to and a horse waiting for me by the inn." She chuckled and sat up a little bit, allowing the pillows behind her to support her lower back. "By the by, your little worker bee has loose lips, dove." She drawled calmly, glancing toward the window.

What did she care if she got the stupid wench in trouble? It was her problem, and she had been the one dumb enough to flap her jaws when there really was no need for it. "Next time I pop in for a visit, I'll bring you a gift. My advice to you would be not to ask where it came from." With a wink in his direction, she began to chuckle quietly. "Did you ever settle and have kids and if not, why?" She queried, watching him curiously, wondering if his answer was similar to the one she often had buzzing around in her head.

[Duke]

"By the by, your little worker bee has loose lips, dove."

Moving over to the closet he pulled out a silk, flowery robe for her to put on. "You're talking about Mimi, that ditsy S**T. She fell in love with me because I paid attention to her. She still fawns over me like she thinks I'll have a change of heart. I'll take care of it. She won't cause you any more troubles. Now come, my dear. Let's eat our breakfast before it gets cold. I despise cold coffee."

[Angela Waters]

She nodded absentmindedly and chewed idly on her bottom lip, not really paying attention. "Sounds good, add it to the list of things we can agree on." She chuckled and got out of the bed, wrapping herself in the robe. She moved closer to him and more importantly, the food. The smell of it was reminding her that she hadn't eaten since just before leaving the hideout. "Before I set out, do you know any wells that might be available for me to use?" She queried, tilting her head briefly, also recalling that she hadn't tended to her horse either.

He'd be pleased with her...not. She had a few dollars to fold, but it wasn't much by any standard. She had planned to trap some animals and tan their furs. She knew how to kill them without damaging them, but it usually sucked the fun out of it quicker than anything she'd ever seen. "I should also see about getting him somethin' to eat before we set out.." She sighed and pushed her hair away from her face, going back to chewing idly on her bottom lip while trying to sort through her wayward thoughts. Normally, her mind was sharper than a tack but for some reason, it was as fuzzy as when her vision blurred during dizzy spells, which were thankfully few and far in between.

They had become nearly nonexistent after joining Lewton's gang, where a constant source of companionship and food were. "Darlin', you might be mighty fine in bed, but I can assure you that I won't be fallin' for ya' any time soon. The problem with the majority of women today is that they want a man in their life. Me? I'm perfectly fine without one and believe me when I say I can handle myself better than any man ever could." A dark chuckle bubbled in her throat, slipping smoothly past her lips. Still, she knew her manners enough to wait for him before beginning to eat, no matter how hungry and 'barbaric' she was, the latter according to women that relied on men to do everything but wipe their asses for them...typical.

[Duke]

"Darlin', you might be mighty fine in bed, but I can assure you that I won't be fallin' for ya' any time soon. The problem with the majority of women today is that they want a man in their life. Me? I'm perfectly fine without one and believe me when I say I can handle myself better than any man ever could."

Duke took a bite of his eggs and looked at her. 'I could say the same thing about you, Darlin'" he said to her and took a sip of his coffee. "I don't know if you realize it or not but I've got a building full of women of all ages to pick from plus there's several women in town who would like noting better than for me to woo them. Just 'cause one of the whores declares her dying love for me means nothing. The one you're talking about I will let he know she needs to keep her mouth shut from now on but she does bring in a fair amount of revenue for me."

He really did like her, a lot. She had done things to him few women had before. She was special but he wasn't about to let her get under his skin, so to speak. At least he wouldn't let her know he had "feelings" for her. That kind of thing could ruin his reputation and he would never let that happen.

"But for you my bed is always available. You'll never have to worry about a place to stay if you need it.. I hope you understand that."

[Angela Waters]

A smirk tugged at her lips, but she remained silent as could be for a few moments. Finally, she spoke after swallowing a mouthful of food. "I knew what sort of business you ran when I first stepped foot in your establishment, darlin'. It's part of the reason I chose to stay the night with you. We're two adults, agreeing on an arrangement of sorts and if it ends, so be it. It's our want to steer clear of commitment that makes this so...ideal." Even she had limits.

She was sick and tired of people simply assuming she wanted a ring on her finger, just because she looked for ways to relieve her sexual frustration. She ate a few more mouthfuls, crossing one leg over the other. Before she piped up again, she washed it down with a few swallows of her beverage "I do understand, and I thank you in advance for your generosity and hospitality." She murmured, patting his hand gently. Of course, she was wary and the moment things stopped going in her favor, she'd end it before it got out of hand. He wasn't the only one with a reputation to uphold.

[Duke]

He nodded and returned to his breakfast not sure of what to say just yet. Perhaps there was nothing to be said. Taking a bite of the crisp bacon he threw the strip down on his plate and finished his coffee then stood up. Long lean strides took him across the room where his dress coat hung on a hanger.

Donning the coat and looking in the mirror he adjusted things noticing her reflection in the mirror behind him.

"Your horse is in our stables(*). He's been curried, fed and watered. There will be no charge," he told her flatly. "This time. Leave when you want to come back when you choose. Makes no difference to me."

Turning towards the door with his long, sinewy legs he opened it and stepped out of the room leaving Angela without saying or doing anything. As he strolled down the hallway heading for the grand staircase he thought to himself, "She crazy if she thinks she can make me fall in love with her." Which was exactly what was happening. The female outlaw was softening the stone cold heart of the saloon owner but he refused to admit to himself. No woman had ever gotten to him. No woman. And he wasa not about to let her, either.

(*)This was an early form of valet thought of by big hotel owners back East that later evolved into a modern form much different from its original concept

[Angela Waters]

OOC: So, we'll end the thread here, and I'll get another one up for the two of them. <3