Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Cowboy Takes a Wife (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (17 page)

Later they cuddled on a soft rug in front of the fireplace. The only light inside the house came from the flames. Outside, the stars twinkled and the moon sent silver shining across the polished wood floor. Samantha had never been happier or more content. Most of her life she’d been frightened of being too happy. She pushed away the brief flash of fear that coursed through her, reminding her of the danger of being vulnerable.

As though he’d felt her internal shiver, Jackson pulled her closer, kissed the top of her head, and whispered in her ear,
“I’m here, love, always.”
But was it a promise he could keep?

Chapter Ten

The next few days were like a wonderful dream. They swam in the warm waters of the ocean and walked along the sand finding beautiful sea shells. Samantha gathered the prettiest to keep and take home as a souvenir of their honeymoon.

On Wednesday, when she awoke,
Jackson
had already left their bed. She found him in the kitchen making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

“Is that our breakfast?” she asked.

“Our lunch. I’ve set juice and fruit on a tray in the refrigerator. Pour our coffee and take the tray out to the table on the veranda.” He nodded his head toward the glass doors. “I’ll bring the coffee in a minute. I’m almost finished here.”

Samantha took their breakfast tray outside. She sipped her orange juice and admired the lush scenery in front of her. Bees buzzed around the flowers. The sky was an intense blue with a few wispy clouds floating lazily along on the sea breeze.

“Here’s your coffee.”
Jackson
handed her a cup. He sat down beside her. “Between you and this view, I could sit here all day and just soak in the beauty.”

“Flattery will get you somewhere,” she teased.

“Do you feel up to exploring the north end of the island today? We’ll have to walk several miles, some of it uphill.”

“Sounds good to me. We’ve been eating such rich meals, steak, lobster, shrimp, not to mention the wonderful desserts. I can use the exercise.”

“I thought I’d been giving you plenty of that.”

Samantha gave him a wry smile. “Right, but that doesn’t burn off enough calories.”

“I can try harder.”

She laughed. “You’re insatiable.”

“With you, I am. But, you’re right. We need the exercise. It’ll be fun. Drake and I walked around the area the last time I visited. He showed me a really nice spot that’s perfect for a picnic.”

After finishing her coffee, Samantha stretched. “I’ll wear jeans and a shirt with my bathing suit underneath just in case we find a place to swim.”

“Or you could wear nothing underneath.”

“You are incorrigible.” She waved and headed inside.

Shortly afterwards, they started their walk. First, a gentle slope that leveled off for some distance, and then they began to climb. Samantha felt the strain on leg muscles she didn’t usually use.

“Tired?”
Jackson
asked. “We can stop here to rest.”

“Let’s. I want to drink some water. It’s hotter today.”

She took a bottle out of her knapsack and found a shady spot to sit. Here the trees grew closer together. Sunlight barely found a place to peek through the thick branches. She took off her hat and wet the scarf, holding her hair back, with the water from her thermos, and then wiped her face before taking a deep swallow from the bottle.

Jackson
swung down beside her. He’d also gotten water out of his knapsack. “Look over there.” He pointed to a cluster of trees to their right. “See the orchids growing wild?” The small cluster of white blooms, with purple trim, moved gently in the breeze.

Samantha leaned her head against the massive tree trunk behind her. “I don’t see how Drake can manage to leave this place.”

“It’s his getaway. He escapes here when the work gets too intense. But, he loves the excitement of his job too much to stay for long.”

She turned her head to look at
Jackson
. “Aren’t you going to miss the fast pace of traveling, making big deals, going to parties? Are you sure the ranch won’t bore you after a time?”

He tipped her chin up and gave her a quick kiss. “It wasn’t a quick decision. I took my time and thought about all the pros and cons over many months.”

“What decided you in the end?”

“I missed the slower pace of the ranch and the way I felt when I was there. Plus, the people are so genuine.” He hesitated then added, “I’d pretty much explored what I needed to do to make the change and had begun to implement my plan.” He pulled her close against his side. “When you proposed, that really sealed the deal.”

Jackson
stood and pulled her up. “Let’s go. Not too much farther. If you like this spot, you’ll love where we picnic.”

He put his knapsack on his back and helped her with hers.

About a half hour later, they arrived at the top. Thick trees made a ring around a small lake. Sunlight sparked off the water, and at the other end, a waterfall cascaded down the mountain.

“The water’s cold, but refreshing,”
Jackson
said. “Before we get wet, walk with me between these trees.”

Outside the trees, the view of a glorious span of white sand and crystal-clear blue water spread out for miles before them.
Jackson
stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

“At the top of the world, just me and my girl.” He kissed the side of her face. “Just think, we have all our lives to enjoy each other and all the children we hope to have.”

“Don’t say things like that out loud,” Samantha cautioned.

“Why not?”
Jackson
turned her to face him. “Don’t tell me you’re superstitious?”

Samantha hugged him tight. “I’m afraid to be
too
happy.”

Jackson
kissed the top of her head. “Just living has risks. I promise I’ll be there for both the ups and downs.”

She shivered. “What if you die?”

He leaned back and cupped her face. “There are no guarantees, sweetheart. You could have been shot on our wedding day. All I can promise is today.” He stared directly into her eyes. “Losing your parents at an early age was very hard, and you didn’t expect your grandmother’s death. You loved them. Loving is risky.” He put his arm around her. “Come on. Let’s enjoy our picnic. Enough serious talk for now.”

Stepping around him, she went back through the trees to the lake. She watched as
Jackson
cut an orchid and brought it to her. He tucked it behind her ear.

“My island princess.”

After spreading a blanket, they set out the peanut butter sandwiches, bananas, and leftover barbecue chicken from the night before. They ate quietly, listened to the music of the water falling, the rustle of leaves, and enjoyed the relaxing view while sipping from the bottle of champagne
Jackson
had brought. He’d stuck the bottle in the cold water to chill it. After they finished, Samantha repacked the leftover food into their knapsack. She walked to the edge of the small lake and tested the temperature with her foot.

“It’s cold.”

“Drake said the water comes from a natural spring, and this area is shaded, which helps to keep it cold. Want to swim?”

“Maybe another day. I’m too comfortable to plunge into cold water.” She mimicked a mock shiver.

“I’d warm you when you came out.”

She stepped to the edge of the blanket. “You can warm me, but I’ll skip the swim.” She slowly began to disrobe, dropping her blouse, and then very slowly, she unzipped her jeans and pushed them down and off. Her bikini top followed.

Jackson
took her hand and pulled her down beside him. “I’ll take care of the rest.” He rolled to his side and touched the side of her face. Leaning toward her, he kissed the top of her nose. “I love these freckles you’ve gotten from the sun.” He ran his tongue over her lips. “I always think of raspberry jam when I kiss you.” Moving along, he let out a long breath against her skin before he kissed her neck. “Your scent reminds me of old roses in the summer, the most fragrant kind.”

Her heart beat faster as he slid down each part of her body, tasting and touching. His hand caressed her legs, and then he opened them, moving his kisses to her tender lower lips. His tongue licked and swirled over her.

He glanced up at her and smiled before putting his hard cock against her pussy and smoothly gliding in as far as possible.

She melted totally. His lovemaking wove a spell as he continued to take his time bringing her almost to the edge and pulling back.

She raised her hips, urging him, wanting him to move faster and harder. He held back, until the very end when he surged forward fast, hard, and deep. He captured her mouth as she yelled, “Yes!”

They lay side by side, letting their breathing return to normal. The shade cooled their hot bodies. When
Jackson
’s breathing had slowed, he swung one leg over her and held her face so she looked right at him.

“Loving you one day, two years, or forever, I’ll take whatever time I get.”

His eyes shone a deep blue sapphire color. Her fingers brushed across his well-formed mouth. His lips opened, and he took a nip at her fingertip.

“I hate to end this,” he said. “But, if we don’t start back, we’ll run out of daylight before we get to the house.”

They dressed and put their knapsacks on their shoulders.

Samantha took a last glance over her shoulder.

“We’ll come back,”
Jackson
reassured her. “We have a few more days left.”

At first her legs were weak from their previous exertion. When they reached the flatter area, the walk got easier. Gradually, the mansion in the sky, as she liked to think of it, came into sight, which encouraged them to move more rapidly.

“Why does it always seem to take less time when you’re going back from somewhere?” Samantha asked as they stepped onto the veranda.

“I don’t know, but it does appear that way. I’ll check my phone. Too bad we can’t take it on our outings. This is one of the few areas that has good coverage.”

Samantha headed straight for the bathroom, quickly shed her clothes, and jumped into the shower. She’d washed her hair and was almost finished with her bath when
Jackson
came into the room. She knew when she saw his face that something bad had happened.

Turning off the faucet, she grabbed her towel and stepped out. “What is it?”

“We need to get home. Your grandfather has taken ill and is in the hospital. I’ve called for the jet.”

“Gramps? What’s the matter with him?” Her heart sank, and all her old fears came back.

Jackson
pulled her to him and hugged her. “I brought the phone. Here, call Maria. See if she’s at the house.”

Her fingers shook so bad
Jackson
took the phone and put in the numbers for her. She took it back and listened as it rang and rang.

“Who did you talk to?” she asked
Jackson
.

“No one. Maria left a very brief message. Let’s pack. I’ve called for the jet. It’ll be here soon.”