Texas Stranger (14 page)

January felt the pressure of his manhood against her. Her head began to swim with the dizziness of her desire. Memory nor imagination had prepared her for this. Nothing she remembered had ever equaled the feelings she was experiencing now.

She trembled slightly as he kissed the tender hollow of her throat. But she needn’t have worried about committing herself so freely. For the sound of an approaching horse halted her enchantment.

Carl jumped away from her, buttoning his shirt. January doing the same. Her face flushed and her knees weak from the experience. She had just finished tucking in her blouse when she heard Kathy’s voice piercing her very soul. By this time Carl had walked over to the edge of the pond, bending down to splash cool water on her face.

Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped the excess water from his forehead. Standing up to look at Kathy on the horse.

“I thought you weren’t coming until tomorrow?” He questioned her, sounding a bit irritated.

“I changed my mind,” Kathy said, challenging him.

He looked over at January, standing there watching him. She couldn’t tell what was going through his mind, only what
was going through hers and she felt like crawling under the rock that the sneak had come from.

“Shall I give you a ride back to the main house?” Carl asked her in a low voice.

“No if you don’t mind I’ll walk.” January said, not looking at him any longer.

“Good!” Kathy said. “Let’s go, I’ll race you to the barn, January looks healthy enough she can walk back.”

January’s muscles were tight and hurting by the time she had returned to the house. Running a tub of hot soapy water she tried to relax. She knew she must never let him catch her alone again. For she was sure the next time there would be no stopping their desire for each other.

Her mind wandered back to the scene at the pond when she heard the sound of water running in the room next to hers. January finished taking her bath and drained the water from the tub. Wrapping a towel around her wet hair and putting on the robe that was hanging on the back of the door she stepped out onto the balcony. The sun was still shining and there was a slight breeze blowing so she unwrapped her hair from the towel and ran her fingers through the silky mass. Sitting down on one of the patio chairs she laid back her head to relax.

There was no doubt he had just come out of the shower, his wet hair glistened darkly, his chest was bare, and a sheen of moisture on his muscled flesh. The white towel emphasized just how dark his tan was.

Smiling he let her look him all over savoring the moment when she looked up into his eyes. “Hi, you look fresh and clean,” Carl smiled.

Embarrassed at looking at him so intimately, she turned to look out at the sun just starting behind the trees.

“I feel better,” she said not wanting to look into his eyes.

“Would you like to join me for a glass of wine?” Carl asked.

January could barely smell the slight sent of his musk cologne he must have put on after his shower. Inhaling deeply before she answered.

“I should be getting dressed, Mary will be returning soon,” January said grabbing the towel she had dropped earlier.

“I rather like you undressed,” Carl teased her.

January looked over at him. His powerful shining eyes, the smell of his fresh shower, his muscular unmarked body partly covered by the towel. She knew no other man had ever had such an instant effect on her. She closed her eyes for a moment. She didn’t want to imagine what it would be like to lie in his arms, but the thought of his embrace was sending wild, sweet sensations through her every being driving her wild.

“Are you or are you not joining me for a drink, January?” Came the question again.

She realized he was looking appreciatively at the robe that had fallen open slightly at the neck line when she turned. Pulling the robe together and holding it with her right hand, Carl’s eyes sparkled in amusement.

“I’ll join you down stairs in a few minutes.”

“But I have it here.” He said, indicating to the round table with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“Were you expecting company?” She asked looking in amusement at the two glasses.

“Maybe.” Came the sly answer as he poured the glasses half full. Handing one to her, he toasted. “To the newlyweds, may they be as happy as I am today.” He grinned.

“Are you happy about something? “January asked, taking the glass and looking at him strangely.

“That I am, I’ll tell you about it some day,” he grinned clinging her glass.

She only smiled and took a drink herself. Wondering what he was talking about, but she was afraid to ask. Their eyes met, and she was unable to move. He sat the glass he was holding down on the table and within seconds she was being pulled roughly into his arms, the railing keeping them from touching from the waist down. He pressed his lips on hers. His arm’s crushing her to him. For a few seconds, she drowned in the sweetness of his kiss.

His hand caressed her breasts as if he owned them. Pushing him from her she gasped. “What are you doing?”

“It’s what you want me to do.”

“It most certainly was not.” She snapped back furiously. She hated herself for responding so automatically. She hated him for arousing her so completely. But without a word, he only looked at her with a strange look on his face and went inside his own room.

Staring at her reflection in the bedroom mirror, her soft cheeks flushed with the fever that was not of the weather. She heard the knock on the door.

Chapter 18

“J
anuary are you awake?” Mary knocked softly. “Yes.” January answered although she really didn’t want to be bothered at that very moment.

Mary opened the door slowly and stuck her head through. “The guest will be arriving soon if you would like to come down early you can help greet them.”

“Sure, I’ll just be a minute.” January turned, so Mary couldn’t see her flushed face.

Finding something to wear wasn’t hard since she had only brought a few things. She slipped on a light blue blouse, black pants and shoes. A little blush and a small amount of mascara, making her eyes seem bluer. Running a comb through her long silky hair she headed out the door.

“You promised I would get your attention tonight Carl,” came Kathy’s voice from the study.

“Surely your not spending the whole evening here, with this dumb wedding party?” Came the sarcastic remark.

“Yes, now, run along and I’ll see you in a few minutes, I need to make a few phone calls.” Carl ordered her.

January headed for the sitting room. Mary and BJ were standing near the fire place, talking softly. Mr. and Mrs. Richards toasting to something silently. She hated to interrupt the intimacy that was passing between the two couples. But she needn’t have worried about it for just then Kathy came bolting past her.

“I need a drink,” Kathy said slightly angry.,

“January, Kathy, come join us in a toast to the newlyweds,” Mr. Richards said, walking towards the bar. “Where’s Carl?”

“He’s making phone calls,” Kathy said as she sank down onto the sofa.

“What would you like January? Would a brandy suit you?” Mr. Richards asked handing Kathy a drink.

“Yes, that will be fine, it’s my favorite,” she responded.

Everyone held their glasses in a toast to Mary and BJ except Kathy. Mary noticed and you could tell it upset her by the expression on her face. Mary began telling January some of the things she had gotten in town when Carl walked into the room.

“There you are,” Mr. Richards said, smiling. “We were wondering if you were going to work all night. We had just toasted the newlyweds.”

“Sorry Dad,” came a low voice. “I promise not to work the rest of the evening.” He said glaring at Kathy as he took a large sip of his drink. “But I do want to do a toast, here is to the best family and friends. And to the lovely ladies that occupy this room.” Carl said, looking at January and holding his glass up in a toast.

“I’ll drink to that,” Mr. Richards said, kissing his wife on the cheek.

The guest had started arriving when Carl walked over to January standing next to the fire place. Mary and BJ had taken their places at the door to greet everyone as they came in.

“Could I freshen your drink Miss. Manson?” Carl’s voice seemed to burn through her.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” She said, not able to look into his eyes any longer, and wondering why he was using her last name now.

“I have the feeling you don’t like me any more January. Is there something I did that you didn’t approve of?” Carl asked standing in front of her hiding her face from the guest.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” January said, looking now into his dark green eyes.

Carl was just about to say something else when a large burly man came up behind him and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Carl ole buddy, where have you been these past few weeks?”

“Sam Jackson, how’s it going? Have you met Miss. Manson?” Carl said, with a grin. Although January felt it wasn’t sincere. She marveled at the way Carl handled himself.

“No, I don’t believe I have. How do you do Miss Manson.” Mr. Jackson nodded his head. “Mr. Jackson.” January said politely.

“Carl where have you been keeping this lovely lady?”

“As far away from you as I possibly can.” Carl laughed.

The room seemed to fill with people very quickly. Several were coming over to say hi and get drinks from the bar. Carl was ushered over to the other side of the room by Sam Jackson when Kathy walked up to her.

“I want to talk to you.” She said, leading the way out to the patio. Once outside, January could feel the coldness of the night air. Crossing her arms, she turned to face the lovely Kathy.

“Stay away from Carl, January. I don’t like your way of games. He’s mine, always has been and always will be.” She warned. “Your little love making scene out at the pond today won’t happen again is that clear.” Kathy didn’t wait for her to answer, but instead turned sharply and went back inside the warm house.

So, Kathy had seen the episode today, how could I have let something like that happen. January cursed. Does she know that Carl spent the night and took care of me when I was sick? Sick...., that was how she was feeling now. Why did I have to fall in love with Carl Richards Jr. of all people.

Taking a deep breath and starting for the door, she nearly ran into Carl standing there watching her.

“I was wondering where you ran off too. Their getting ready to start the rehearsal now.” He said, making room for her to enter the house.

How was she ever going to get through this week-end, she didn’t know.

Rehearsal began. Carl being the best man, and she being the maid of honor, it was impossible not to feel his eyes on her
as the minister went through the routine. Everyone seemed to know their places, so a second rehearsal wasn’t necessary. January was glad, holding his arm as they walked down the isle was almost more than her nerves could stand. Although her gladness ended when she realized she was being seated directly next to Carl at the dinner table.

The conversation centered mostly around Mary and BJ. She was glad it kept her from having to look at Carl through the meal. Although she could feel him watching her, she managed to ignore it. Kathy was seated on the other side of the table between Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Richards. I am sure she was not happy with the arrangement.

Coffee and after dinner drinks were being served in the family room. As everyone filed out, she noticed Kathy had taken Carl’s arm and was leading him down the hall to the study, smiling sweetly at January over her shoulder. The nerve of that woman, she infuriates me to know end. January thought to herself.

An hour had gone by and still no Carl or Kathy. January was wondering if he was holding and caressing Kathy as he had done her. The thought nearly made her sick. She needed to get some fresh air.

Stepping out onto the cool patio she could hear the sound of a girl laughing from the direction of the study. They must be having their own party she thought to herself.

Not able to stand the sounds any longer she went back inside. Mary and BJ were saying good bye to some of the people that was leaving when January excused herself and went to her room.

She undressed and stood at her window with the lights out for a long time. There was something magical about the ranch, so beautiful and romantic, peaceful. She could hear the people and music down stairs as they were getting in their cars to leave. She wondered if Kathy had left yet, but knew Kathy would be the last to go. January turned abruptly and headed toward the bed.

The next morning she told Mary she wanted to explore more of the ranch on her own. Knowing she and Mrs. Richards would be to involved with the wedding to mind.

BJ was off working and Carl had gone into town by the time she got ready to leave for a walk around the ranch.

Just behind the tall trees that added shade to the roaming cattle, was a spectacular view of the Richards Ranch. It was a sparkling morning. Fresh dew laid like shimmering diamonds across the rolling pasture land. Before she realized it hours had passed. Rosy cheeked by the time she returned to the main house. January felt alive and refreshed.

A large black limousine was parked outside the main entrance. Along with a sleek little car in burnt orange. Very suitable for Kathy, she thought.

The reason Carl wasn’t there when she came down that morning, was because he had gone into town to pick up Kevin. For Kevin was seated in a chair by the fire place.

“January!” Kevin greeted her with a smile. “You look as beautiful as ever, I think the country life agrees with you.”

“Kevin, how nice to have you here,” January said leaning down to place a small kiss on his lips. You’re looking well, are
you up to the big wedding tomorrow?” She asked him fully aware of Carl watching her every move.

“Yes, I can hardly wait to see BJ in a Tux. I’m not sure he wouldn’t wear his boots with it.” He laughed.

“Don’t you think you should change for lunch, January?” Kathy ruefully suggested.

“Yes, I suppose I should. I’ll just be a few minutes.”