Untamed Fire (10 page)

A lone candle flickered in the glass globe
on the table near the window, casting eerie shadows around the
room. Gaby smiled relieved that he wasn’t there and hurried to tend
to her duties and be done with them as fast as possible.

She lit two more candles, forcing a warm
glow to spread across the room. She poured a glass of red wine from
the crystal decanter on the wooden table between the doors that led
to a private patio area. She was careful not to spill and stain the
beautiful white linen cloth that covered it. One accident, though
not her fault, was enough for the evening. She carried the glass
over by the bed, placing it on the short, narrow table next to the
bed.

Gaby reached out reluctant to touch where
Rafael slept.
Naked?
She silently chastised herself for such
a wicked thought. Not wanting to spend another minute here, she
pushed past her reluctance and grasped the edge of the soft, pale
beige blanket pulling it down to fold along the bottom of the bed.
She followed it with the linen sheet, stopping halfway down then
folding it back at one corner.

Her hands shook, her nostrils flared and her
breath caught when she got a whiff of the scent that was all
Rafael. It was a mixture of wine and the fresh earth. At times the
scent was almost sweet, especially when he had been riding in the
orchards or vineyards. Other times it was more vibrant and
full-bodied, like the finest of wines. Whatever way though, it
always ignited her senses.

Her hands grasped his pillow, preparing to
fluff it and the other three and then be on her way. But the pillow
was ripe with his scent and she couldn’t stop herself from burying
her face in it. She breathed deeply, drinking in the intoxicating
aroma. She moved her head from side to side, marking herself with
his scent.

She pulled it down between her breasts
hugging it to her, realizing this evening had upset her more than
she had wanted to admit.

“I like my pillows fluffed not flattened,”
Rafael said from the doorway.

The heat of embarrassment stung her cheeks.
She kept her back to him and punched the pillow back into
shape.

Rafael smiled at her uneasiness, but was
pleased. He had been damn uneasy when he spied her from the
doorway, caressing his pillow to her face. Then when she had taken
it between her full large breasts, he imagined his face there and
heat rushed threw him until he had grown so hard that it hurt.

He fought the wicked thoughts as he entered
the room. “That’s enough. By the time you finish, the pillow will
be battle-scarred.”

Her cheeks bloomed red once again and she
desperately wanted to escape to the safety of her room, far removed
from his. She placed the pillow on the bed and went to walk past
him. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm.

“I wish to speak with you.”

His fingers dug lightly into her skin
letting her know it wasn’t a request.

He released her and she backed a safe
distance away.

Rafael took his time. He wore no jacket or
tie and several buttons had been undone exposing a good portion of
his hard muscled chest. He picked up the glass of wine by the bed
and sipped it, intentionally prolonging Gaby’s uneasiness.

“You should have been more careful this
evening.”

Gaby’s uneasiness fast turned to
annoyance.

“I realize that you are unfamiliar with
serving a meal, but that accident could have been prevented if you
had been more careful and paid attention.”

“It wasn’t my fault.”

Rafael walked nearer to her. “Not your
fault?”

She nodded wondering if explaining the truth
would prove futile.

“Whose fault was it?”

Gaby didn’t hesitate. “Louisa Ortega.”

Rafael regarded her like a skeptic parent.
“Louisa Ortega dumped the pie on herself?”

Gaby kept her wits about her even though her
temper simmered. “Perhaps she wanted a larger piece of pie.”

“Enough,” Rafael hissed. “Louisa would have
no reason for deception. You on the other hand...”

Gaby rested her hands on her hips. “Of
course, I forgot. I’m a thief, which makes me a liar.”

“You have yet to prove your innocence and
unfortunately you now have added to your crimes.”

“Oh yes, crimes must be punished. Let me
see, a horse thief gets hanged, so a liar would have his tongue cut
out?” With that Gaby stuck her tongue out for inspection.

Her audacious actions shocked him. He glared
at her tongue sticking out and wiggling in his face. It teased,
taunted and tantalized. The wet, soft pink flesh and the long
length sent a shiver through him and he silently cursed his
uncontrolled response.

Gaby caught his reaction and hastily drew in
her tongue and snapped her mouth closed.

Rafael walked to stand just inches in front
of her. “You react before you think—a most unwise trait. And one
that could prove detrimental.”

The heat of his body drifted around her
along with the scent of him, vibrant and strong, not an ounce of
sweetness to him. She warned herself to flee, leave now before she
did something foolish. She slowly took a step back.

Raphael grasped her arm once again, though
so tightly that she grimaced. He instantly relaxed his grip. He
eased her up against him, his breath warm upon her face.

“Don’t play games with me,
querida
, I
always win.”

“I play no games,” she whispered, her tongue
peeking out to lick her dry lips.

“Are you truly innocent or do you bait me?”
He pushed her away. “Go! And make certain that Lupe instructs
someone else to tend my quarters while Anita is ill, even if she
must handle the chore herself. You are never to enter this room
again.”

“
Si
, Don Rafael,” she said and
hurried out the door.

Rafael watched the door close behind her. He
turned intending to add more wine to his glass. Instead he walked
to the bed and reached for the pillow Gaby had embraced with her
breasts. He brought it up near his face, the strong scent of her
drifting off it. Just before he could surrender to the urge to bury
his face in it, he angrily tossed it across the room, cursing
soundly.

Gaby carefully cradled the basket of eggs in
her arm while she watched one particular vaquero saddle his horse.
The morning sun was strong, so his hat was tucked down to ward off
the hot glare. It rode just high enough on his brow to catch a
glimpse of his features. They were strong and handsome. Sharp
angles and high, prominent cheekbones offset a narrow nose. A
permanent smile betrayed his pleasant personality and even his dark
eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement.

She had caught a look of interest in his
brown eyes on several occasions, but he had yet to speak to her.
She wished he would, perhaps if he did she would find herself
attracted to him and that would put an end to her lingering, sinful
thoughts of Rafael.

She lifted her eyes to his once again and he
smiled. She returned it, offering a small bit of encouragement with
a sway of her hips. The vaquero immediately took advantage and
approached her.

Gaby’s heart fluttered and she whispered a
small, hopeful prayer.

“Excuse me, senorita,” he said, his voice
deep yet soft. “May I introduce myself?”

“
Si
,” Gaby answered, pleased he was
behaving like a gentleman and treating her with respect.

“My name is Sanchez. I watch you walk by
each day with the basket of eggs. I tell myself I must meet this
beautiful senorita.”

Gaby smiled at his charming manner. “My name
is Gaby. I work as companion to Dona Maria.”

He tilted his head slightly and raised one
brow. “And you gather eggs?”

“A favor for Lupe.”

“Thoughtful. A fine trait in a woman.”

His tongue charmed and she found him
entertaining. “And what is one of your better traits?”

He grinned, pulled the brim of his hat low
and took a step closer to her side, shading their faces from view
of the other vaqueros. “Ah, senorita, I have many and would love to
demonstrate them for you. Would you do me the honor of accompanying
me to the mission dance next Saturday?”

Gaby gave the idea thought. It would be
delightful to enjoy a carefree evening with Sanchez. It could very
well take her mind off Rafael. She was about to answer when a stern
voice interfered.

“Gaby cannot go with you.”

The startled couple turned to see Rafael
glaring at them. His jaw was set tight in annoyance and his blue
eyes blazed with barely controlled anger.

“Sanchez, you have duties to attend to. See
to them.
Now
!”

Sanchez hurried off, mounting his horse
quickly and joining the other vaqueros as they rode out to complete
their chores.

Defiant eyes captured smoldering ones as
Gaby faced Rafael. “I am not busy Saturday night. Your mother gave
me permission to take the evening off.”

“My mother doesn’t have the authority to
grant you permission for anything.”

Gaby’s free hand joined the other that held
the egg basket, gripping her bundle more tightly than was
necessary. She didn’t trust herself at the moment. If she didn’t
keep her hands busy, she was afraid they would involuntarily reach
out and smack the air of arrogance off Rafael’s face.

She swallowed what she was certain was her
pride before she spoke. “May I have Saturday evening free?”

Rafael’s eyes had remained intent on her. He
could feel her pulsating emotions as well as see them. Her breasts
heaved with the rapid beat of her heart. Her hands tightened
together until they turned ghostly white, and the small vein in her
neck throbbed with her rapid heartbeat. Her emotions paralleled
those of a woman heated with passion. If anger could cause such a
rise of passion in her, what could an evening of dancing in the
warm night air bring out in her?

His answer was quick and stern. “No!”

“But Dona Maria doesn’t require my
assistance and I am entitled to—”

“You are entitled to nothing. You are
serving a punishment and are confined to the hacienda.”

“I am a prisoner?”

Rafael actually found the idea of her being
his prisoner amusing. “I suppose in actuality you would be
considered one.”

“Then I am not permitted outside the walls
of the hacienda?” she asked, concerned by the total control this
man had over her.

“With my permission you may leave it. I
shall not keep you from visiting your family or attending religious
activities in town.

Her gaze dropped to the dozen eggs nestled
in the basket. He controlled her totally, completely. She could go
nowhere, do nothing without his word. She spoke softly, not lifting
her head. “Why do you do this?”

“It is my duty. You are my
responsibility.”

She lifted her head. She wore a gentle smile
and no traces of anger touched her words. “Is it only duty that
drives you so?”

Rafael stiffened, his shoulders going back,
expanding his chest and causing his white shirt to stretch taut
against his firm muscles. “There are many things that drive and
push a man to act as he does. But it is not a woman’s place to
question why.”

“Or a prisoner?” she amended.

“Definitely not a prisoner.”

“I shall remember my position.”

“See that you do.”

“I must tend to my duties.”

“That would be wise.”

“I cannot attend the mission dance?”

“Must I repeat myself?”

Gaby shook her head and turned, walking
slowly away. She stopped and once more turned to look at Rafael.
His expression was serious, his body powerful, his stance
commanding. Her stomach fluttered.

“If Sanchez asks me to the religious
festival, may I go?”

“No!”

“You said I could attend religious
active—”

“With my permission,” he interrupted.

“Why can’t I—”

“Don’t question my authority, Gaby.”

Gaby turned and hurried away. No anger
haunted her thoughts although she would have preferred that emotion
to the ones she felt. Anticipation warred with fear, for she knew
without a doubt that Rafael Cabrillo wanted her, and he would have
her. The fear was ... that she wanted him as well.

~~~

Gaby helped Lupe prepare breakfast,
immersing herself in the task in order to rid her mind of her
earlier encounter with Rafael.

She had managed to lighten her mood by the
time she entered the dining room, but it quickly faded as Dona
Maria spoke.

“Are you going to the mission dance Saturday
evening, Gaby?”

“No, Dona Maria.”

The warning look Rafael shot Gaby was not
lost on the older woman and neither was the tension that crackled
in the air when the two were present. She had hoped the young
vaquero
Sanchez would have asked her out. Lupe had mentioned
the young man’s interest in Gaby. She had purposely told Lupe that
Gaby would have the evening free, hoping she would inform the young
man. She was certain Lupe had told him. What possibly could be the
problem? Did Gaby turn him down? Was she interested in Rafael,
hoping to become his mistress?

Dona Maria was no fool. It was obvious her
son was attracted to Gaby. But she liked the young peasant girl and
didn’t wish to see her as mistress to her son. She deserved more.
She was a good girl.

Gaby finished serving and was about to leave
when Dona Maria’s question stopped her cold.

“I had heard you were asked to the dance.
Don’t you wish to go with the gentleman?”

Rafael leaned his elbow on the table’s edge
and rested his chin on his fingers. He regarded his mother with
extreme interest. “How did you know she was asked?”

A blush rose to stain the older woman’s pale
cheeks and her flustered state was obvious. “I-I had heard from the
servants.”