Untamed Fire (8 page)

“Enrico, go inform my mother that we’re fine
and that we’ll be along in a moment.”

Enrico nodded and finished wrapping the rope
then hooked it onto his saddle. He mounted and rode off, leaving
them alone.

Gaby moved away from Rafael, suddenly
conscious of her appearance. She attempted to wring out her
drenched skirt, though it was her wet, white blouse that posed the
most problem. It highlighted her dark nipples, which had turned
stiff and erect and poked at the wet material.

“You will stay away from the river,” Rafael
ordered in his usual stern voice.

Gaby turned, forgetting her blouse revealed
more of her than she wished to show. “I am a good swimmer and I
wouldn’t have fallen in if you hadn’t interfered.”

Rafael tried to remain a gentleman, forcing
his eyes to concentrate on her face and not drift to her taut,
perky nipples. “Perhaps you are a good swimmer, but not against the
current.”

“I was doing fine until you grabbed me.”

Rafael fought to unbutton his wet shirt,
thinking it would keep his hands busy as well as his eyes. “You had
gone under and were drowning.”

“I was not. I was preparing to swim to the
riverbank.”

“You weren’t strong enough.”

“And you were? If it hadn’t been for Enrico
and that rope, we both would have drowned.”

Rafael’s head snapped up as he tore his
shirt open and pulled the remainder of it from his pants. “Don’t
ever question my ability to save you from a difficult
situation.”

The intensity of his eyes and the strength
of his voice gave Gaby pause. He had never doubted that he would
have saved her and recalling his struggle, she had to admit it was
possible that he would have. What she did question was his intense
need to protect a simple servant.

“Don’t go by the river again,” he ordered
and this time with sternness that bordered on a threat.

She opened her mouth to assure him, but he
obviously thought she meant to challenge him and took a hasty step
toward her. She tried to back away, but his hand shot out and
gripped her wrist. He pulled her toward him until her breasts were
flat against his chest.

Her hard nipples pressed into his flesh,
stinging his senses. “You will obey me, Gaby.”

Solid muscle pressed against her chest and
her body responded to his strength and power, sending a tingle of
fear or desire through her, which one she wasn’t certain.

He leaned his face close until his lips sat
only a breath away from hers. “Fail to obey me once more and you
will suffer the consequences. Understand?”

“Yes,” she murmured.

Her warmth breath brushed his lips and his
body sparked to attention. He desperately wanted to kiss her, but
feared one taste would never be enough. He reminded himself that
she was his mother’s companion.
It wouldn’t be proper
. The
padre had told him that Gaby was a good girl. He wondered if that
meant she was a virgin, unspoiled.

It wouldn’t be proper
; he reminded
himself once again, though his lips drifted closer to hers.

It wouldn’t be proper to strip her slowly
and feel her wet, naked body next to his. To touch and taste every
inch of her until her flesh was hot and ready for the pleasure he
could bring her.

It wouldn’t be proper.

He released her with a jolt, taking a step
back and yanking off his wet shirt and handing it to her. “Cover
yourself.”

Gaby was embarrassed and hastily slipped the
shirt on. What had just happened between them? It was obvious he
had meant to kiss her and lord, help her but she wanted him to even
though she knew it was wrong. He was a powerful
ranchero
,
she a peasant woman. It wasn’t proper, at least for what he
intended, which was probably no more than to satisfy his need.

“My mother will be upset. We best
return.”

She nodded, tying the ends of his large
shirt around her waist.

They walked beside each other in silence,
Gaby wondering if it was simply sex he wanted from her. But then
why had he called her
querida
, an endearing term used for
someone you love.

“Louise Ortega would make a suitable wife
for you, Rafael,” Dona Maria said, adjusting the crisp white linen
napkin that lay across her lap.

Rafael casually tilted the crystal glass
filled with red wine and swirled the dark liquid around. “I suppose
she would.”

“She most certainly would,” his mother said
in a way of a gentle reprimand. “It is time you take the importance
of a good marriage seriously. The Ortega land borders ours. Our
families have been friends for years. It would be a good
match.”

Rafael steadied the glass and looked over at
his mother. She had changed considerably in the past few days. She
no longer wore bleak, black mourning gowns. Instead she dressed as
she once had when his father was alive... awash with color. Pale
blues, bright whites, touches of yellow—it was as though she had
come to life once again, and it pleased him. Even her complexion
had brightened; the paleness and dark half circles beneath her eyes
that had haunted her face for over a year were now gone.

She still relied on the wheelchair on
occasion, though more toward the end of the day after a bustle of
activities.

“Rafael, are you listening to me?”

He smiled at his mother’s reprimanding tone.
It had been too long since he had heard such firmness in her voice.
“Yes, Mother, I am listening.”

Dona Maria reached across the table and
patted her son’s strong arm. “I’m only thinking of you. I want you
to be happy. With a wife and children to fill your days, there
would be no time to dwell on past sorrows.”

He stiffened for a moment, the muscles in
his arm tightening.

His mother gave a tight squeeze. “I have
invited Louise and her father for dinner this evening. You seem to
get along well with her, and I thought perhaps with a little nudge
from me...”

Rafael did not want to disappoint his
mother, besides she could be right. “Louise and I get along well
enough. Perhaps it is time I marry and have children.”

Dona Maria smiled. “I’m glad you feel that
way. I will speak with Lupe and have her prepare something extra
special for this evening. And could you please request that Enrico
and his friends entertain us with their delightful music?”

“I’m sure Enrico will enjoy playing for the
guests. He has missed entertaining for us as he has often reminded
me.”

Gaby entered the room backside first as
usual, turning with her customary flourish and wide smile as the
door closed behind her.

“Dessert,” she announced, holding a crystal
bowl filled with berries and soaked liberally with wine.

“Gaby, what are you doing serving?” Dona
Maria asked. “That’s Anita’s job. I gave you a list of things that
must be completed before supper.”

Using a shiny silver spoon, Gaby scooped up
a generous portion of berries and placed it in the bowl in front of
Dona Maria. “Anita isn’t feeling well, so I offered to help.”

“But there is much to be done before the
guests arrive tonight,” Dona Maria said. “Things must be perfect
for our guests. Louisa Ortega may soon become part of this
household and I want her aware of how efficiently the staff runs
the hacienda.”

Gaby stiffened only slightly, but it wasn’t
lost to Rafael.

“Everything will be as you requested, Dona
Maria.”

“Perhaps Anita will feel well enough to
serve this evening?” Dona Maria asked.

Gaby walked over to stand beside Rafael and
scooped up another spoonful of berries. “Anita won’t be able to
return to her duties for a few days.”

“Does she require a doctor?” Rafael asked,
forcing Gaby’s eyes to meet his.

Her hand tightened on the spoon handle and
she settled a hard gaze on him that had him wondering what she was
thinking. It wasn’t difficult to realize that passion flickered in
both their eyes and he wondered if she was as lost as he in their
heated exchange.

Gaby hurriedly filled his bowl and stepped
back. “She just needs to stay off her feet for awhile.”

“It isn’t anything serious is it?” Dona
Maria asked.

Gaby’s gaze remained fixed on Rafael as she
answered, “No, she’ll be fine.”

“Is her pregnancy presenting a problem?”
Rafael asked.

“Rafael,” Dona Maria chastised. “It isn’t
proper to discuss a woman’s condition.”

“It is when she is part of my staff and my
responsibility. Now, as I asked, does she require a doctor?”

“Lupe assures that a few days off her feet
should do it and I’ve offered to take on some of her chores to
lighten her burden.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Rafael said.
“I’ll reassign her duties. You have enough to see to being my
mother’s companion.”

“I’m capable of handling her tasks,” Gaby
said.

Rafael was well aware that she was more than
capable. Lupe sung the girl’s praises every chance she got. No, it
was the fact that she would be in his rooms, touching his things,
leaving her scent on his clothes, his pillows, his bedding. And the
thought of her bringing him his evening glass of wine and turning
down his bedding could prove dangerous—very dangerous.

“You will tend to your job. I will find
someone to help Anita,” he said more sternly than he had
intended.

Gaby gave a sharp nod and placed the bowl of
berries in the center of the table.

Rafael could tell she was annoyed, though
wondered why she would object to keeping her chores light.

“I must speak to Lupe about this evening,”
Dona Maria said placing her napkin on the table.

Gaby went directly to her side to help her
up, gently easing her chair back as the woman stood.

“When you finish clearing the table see that
my rose-colored dress is pressed.” Dona Maria moved slowly toward
the door, still growing accustom to walking without the aid of the
wheelchair. “Also see that Rafael’s white embroidered shirt is
cleaned and pressed.” She stopped at the door and turned. “I
suppose we have no choice but to have you serve this evening. Since
you are not familiar with the role and often speak when you please,
you need to be aware that is inappropriate when serving dinner
guests. You will hold your tongue this evening, Gaby.” With that
said Dona Maria walked out of the room.

“Gaby.”

The force of his strong voice had Gaby
jumping and turning to face him. He stood looking ever the
imperious Don, except for one stubborn black curl that taunted his
sun-drenched forehead. She noted more willful curls around his ears
and brushing along his white collar. They certainly reflected his
mulish nature.

He walked over to her and she raised her
chin to look him straight in the eyes.

“My shirt is on the chair in my room. Touch
nothing else.”

Gaby grew annoyed as he headed toward the
door and called out, “Don Rafael.”

His name so sharp on her tongue halted his
strides and had him turning to glare at her.

With a hand on her hip and her tone defiant,
she said. “I am not a thief. You need not worry about me stealing
from you or embarrassing you in front of the woman you intend to
marry.”

Rafael approached her having not given a
thought to her stealing from him. He was more concerned that her
sweet potent scent would linger in his room to torment him. But
since she mentioned it... “You have yet to convince me of your
innocence.”

Was she innocent? Had no man ever touched
her?

He grew angry with his drifting thoughts,
his tone turning snappish. “It will do well for you to make a good
impression on Senorita Ortega. If I decide to wed her, she will
eventually be in charge of the household staff.”

Gaby tossed her chin up again. “Why should
it matter who you wed?” Her words caught in her throat. She took a
quick breath and ignored the slight ache in her heart, for in all
honesty the thought of him marrying foolishly disturbed her. “I
will be gone in six months, well before your wedding.”

Rafael was quick, his fingers biting into
her chin and forcing her to look at him.

“I’m not a thief,” she said.

“That’s still to be proven.”

“You can only extend my punishment if I
steal from you.

“True,” he said.

“Then I will be leaving at the end of my
punishment; six months.”

Rafael’s grip tightened and he felt an
insatiable urge to keep her at the hacienda indefinitely. “I doubt
that very much. My mother has already expressed interest in keeping
you on. And I’m prepared to discuss with Padre Jose and your family
a beneficial financial arrangement that would make life much easier
for them... as long as you remain here.”

Gaby’s breath grew heavy and she fought not
to pant with anger. How could she deny her family freedom from hard
toil and hunger? She would have no choice but to remain under his
dictate.

“I see,” was all she managed to say, not
trusting her tongue to say more.

His expression grew soft, his touch a bit
more gentle. “It won’t be so bad, Gaby. You’ll soon think of the
hacienda as your home.”

Gaby’s breathing calmed. “At least when you
wed I will become your wife’s responsibilities, no longer
yours.”

Rafael let go of her chin, his fingers
moving to her lips. He touched them gently. “I will always be
responsible for you,
querida
. You will answer only to me...
no one else.” He left the room quickly, not saying another word and
not looking back.

Gaby sat down on the heavy wooden chair, the
thought that she would be answerable to him forever, frightening.
She was no fool when it came to men. She had seen that look of
passion in other men when they approached women. The women would
warn her to be careful when a man’s eyes turned hot, for then you
are soon left carrying a babe.