Texas Stranger (15 page)

During the meal, Kevin kept a conversation going. Carl’s voice when he spoke penetrated her every being. After lunch they headed back to the family room. Kevin, making his way to the fire place. Mr. and Mrs. Richards were seated comfortably on the sofa, BJ and Mary along with Carl and Kathy headed toward the bar. She herself strolled over to the chair opposite Kevin.

Carl had made a drink for Kevin and was handing it to him when he turned toward January. Her breath seemed to catch in her lungs as his muscular and powerful body glided gracefully across the floor. “Would you like a brandy.” He asked.

“No, thank you I’m fine.” January smiled, avoiding his eyes. It seemed like an eternity that he stood there looking at her but she realized it had only been seconds as he turned back toward Kathy.

It seemed like only a few minutes when everyone had something to do. BJ needed to check on the ranch. Carl had phone calls to make. Mr. Richards had to run into town and Mrs. Richards and Mary needed to check on last minute details and Kevin seemed to be getting tired, so he decided to lie down and rest for a while. Kathy needed to have a pedicure or
something. January offered her services again to Mary but she and Mrs. Richards insisted she relax and enjoy the ranch.

January had strolled out onto the patio after everyone had gone their own ways. The sun was shining, and the air smelled fresh with the fall leaves. How strange it was just a few short weeks ago she was sitting on the plane wondering where she was going to be next. She smiled to herself, thinking she would have never guessed at the ranch of the man who she had run into on the plane.

“January?”

She jumped at the sound of Carl’s voice just behind her. But for some unknown reason she couldn’t turn around. Her feet seemed to be glued to the cement patio. Her breathing had stopped completely, and she felt faint.

“January are you alright? You look a little pale,” Carl said, putting his hand on her shoulder. The heat from his touch seemed to burn into her flesh. January turned slowly, her heart pumping harder now. The rise and fall of her breast was causing the blouse to tighten across her. Carl caught the movement. His eyes dropped to her breast for only a second.

“Damn you for what you do to me.” Carl moaned crushing her to him. A small desperate sound came from her mouth. But Carl didn’t seem to hear as he lowered his wanting lips to hers. Helplessly, January let him hold her against him. Unable to fight him off again. She wanted him maybe even more than he wanted her. His body hard and arousing, was pressed against her. The movement he was making was tearing her apart little
by little. “I want you now!” He whispered in her ear, nibbling on her ear lobe, arousing her even more. “Let’s take a drive, we can go in town for a while.” Carl said, holding her tenderly.

January hadn’t realized how much she had let him get away with, standing there on the patio. She wanted him, but not this way, she didn’t want to be ashamed of their love making. She wanted it to be right. “Carl please, let me go.”

Carl drew back, frowning at her. “You want me just as much as I want you, why don’t you let it happen, why are you doing this to me, to us?” Carl asked holding her arms in a powerful grip.

“Carl you’re hurting me,” January said, trying to twist out of his hold.

“I don’t want to hurt you, I want to make love to you, I want to touch you all over I want to kiss you all over, I want to wake up with you in my arms, just once.”

His last words went through her like a knife. She twisted free and ran inside the house, and up the stairs. Throwing herself on the bed, she cried until the tears wouldn’t come any more. She knew he only wanted her one night, one night of fun before he married Kathy, well for his information, he’ll want for the rest of his life. For she will never again let him catch her alone. Never again.

Chapter 19

H
ours had gone by and January knew she would have to go down to dinner and face Carl again. How was she ever going to get through this evening she wondered. But she needn’t have worried, for when she did go down stairs she was surprised to hear Carl would not be there for dinner. He had other engagements in town. But they all hoped he would be home in time for a night cap. Although January silently hoped he wouldn’t.

The dinner was pleasant, not having Carl watching her every move, she felt herself enjoying everyone’s company. Kevin, talked about some of the jobs he was doing before the accident. BJ and Mary talked about the new little ranch they were starting, and the evening went by quickly. They were all laughing about something Kevin had said when Carl strolled through the family room door.

“Well son I was hoping you would be home soon. We were just about to have our night cap. Please come and join us.” Mr. Richards said, patting Carl on the back.

Carl never remarked, but followed his father over to the bar. January couldn’t help but watch him as his handsome
dynamic body looked even more powerful in his suit he wore. The conversation continued between the three men. Mary and Mrs. Richards, were making last minute plans on the wedding, and although no one noticed but January, Carl was on his third straight brandy. Still yet to look in her direction. Kevin made his way over to talk to her, and Mary and BJ were saying their good byes to everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Richards bid their good nights. Kevin kissed her on the cheek and was heading for his door when January noticed Carl must have left earlier. She waved by as Kevin passed through the door. Strolling over to the bar, January looked around for the bottle of brandy that was sitting there a minute ago. Just as she was about to open the cabinet under the bar, Carl walked through the patio doors holding the bottle of brandy in one hand and the glass half full in the other.

“I have the brandy, do you want some?” He offered her. Was it her imagination or did she see him slightly weave toward her. January only stood staring at him. Not believing the way he was acting.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” She tried to reach for the bottle.

“Oh, I’ve had enough alright. More than enough,” He said drawing back his arm not letting her get to the bottle.

January was afraid she was asking for trouble, standing there with a man who was half drunk on brandy and mad at her to. But again she thought he has no right to be mad she had the right to say no if she wanted to.

For a moment their eyes locked. January felt a weaken in her knees, at the nearness of him. Unconsciously she ran her tongue over her parted lips.

“Get out of here January, I don’t think I can handle being in the same room with you alone.” Carl spat out the words.

Taking January by surprise, she only stood there staring at him. Biting her lower lip, her eyes fixed on his. “Carl I ….I want to apologize for today, I didn’t mean to....”

“Lure me on. Is that what you’re trying to say? Flirt with me? Tease me? Well you’ve been doing it for several weeks now, and I must admit, you sure are good at it. Do you enjoy playing games January? Do you enjoy making men fall all over their selves wanting you? Does that made you feel better about yourself?”

“No! Don’t say those things Carl!” January cried, not believing the look that was of disgust in his eyes. “Look, just because I don’t want to jump into bed with you...”

“Oh, but you did, you do want to, you’re just playing a game with me you’ll come around and when you do I may be there, I may not.”

His eyes glared at her as they stared at each other in hostile silence for several seconds.

Carl had replaced the bottle of brandy on the bar, and January had started to reach for it when Carl reached out and took her wrist. “Let me go,” She said, through clenched teeth.

Without saying a word, he jerked her to him crushing her breast against his hard chest. His arms tightened around her almost painfully, and with a low moan his lips came down on hers, hard. January didn’t pull away as he must have expected her to but instead welcomed the explosion of passion that she felt for him. Her mouth opened willingly, accepting the
invasion of his tongue as it touched hers. He moved his body against hers and she felt the hardness of his manhood as he moved it back and forth, up and down. His hands lowered to her buttocks firmly holding her to him. Her fingers clutched at his jacket tightly.

A hesitant cough came from the open door of the family room. Carl’s head jerked around and he pulled away from her quickly. “Yes Marie, what is it?” Carl cursed.

“Will there be anything else needed tonight sir?” She lowered her head in embarrassment.

Carl hesitated before answering. “No, go to bed,” Carl said, moving toward the bar for another drink.

Dazed, January watched him fill the glass full of brandy and drink it down quickly. He then turned to her. “Maybe you should go to bed as well.”

January cringed inwardly in embarrassment. She turned quickly and almost ran to her room, unable to face him any longer.

Her room was lit by the full moon, leaving a sparkle of light across the room. As she undressed in the dark, pulling on her gown, the tears began to flow down her cheeks. Some time later she heard water running in the room next to hers. She got under the covers and hugged them tightly to her. Every bone in her body ached for him. She wanted him so much. A soft tap on her door minutes later took her by surprise. She opened the door slightly, wondering if it may be Mary.

Carl was standing there staring at her, catching her off guard. “Can I come in?”

Realizing she only had on her gown she jumped back from the door. “No! You can’t, what do you want?” She whispered as not to wake anyone up down the hall.

His eyes shining through the dim light in the hall way she could tell he had been drinking more after she had gone up stairs. He didn’t however take no for an answer as he walked through the opening, closing the door behind him.

“Please leave Carl, I’m not dressed.” She pleaded.

“January, as I’ve told you before there is no need to be embarrassed, I’ve seen you naked before.” He said as his eyes traveled over her in the silky gown.

Raising her hand to slap him he again caught it in mid air. “How could you be so cruel?” She hissed.

“If your so concerned why don’t you put on your robe?” he teased.

Even more embarrassed as not having thought of it herself she spun away from him and headed for the closet where the robe hung on a hook. Slipping it on she looked over her shoulder to see him staring at the sky from the French doors that lead out to the balcony. The moon made a soft blue glow across the room. Not wanting to spoil the illusion to turn the lights on she walked closer to him.

“What did you want?” Her voice quivered slightly.

“You,” came the answer.

Not saying anything more he turned to look into her eyes, the light from the moon behind him making it hard to see his face.

“You take my breath away.” Reaching up to stroke her hair, he let the silkiness fall through his fingers. “You intoxicate me with yours sweet smell.” His hand cupped the back of her neck and he pulled her closer to him. His mouth edged closer until his lips brushed the softness of her own. Inhaling the scent of him she melted against him unable to hold back the desire she felt for him any longer.

His oh so soft moan as he whispered in her ear. “Please don’t stop me. I want to make love to you I want to taste the sweetness of your body and hold you in my arms.” Pushing her away slightly, his hands smoothed down the robe. Kissing her now bare shoulder, he brushed the strap that held her gown. His lips tasting her smooth silky skin as his lips moved up to her sensitive neck and across to the other shoulder now bare from the strap. The gown slipped down softly as his hands cupped each exquisitely full round breast. His mouth kissing the valley between them. Expertly sucking and nibbling on their hard peaks. January made no attempt to pull away as he found the path between her thighs. Softly touching and kissing her in the most exquisite way. Pulling her closer his hands sensually roaming over her body bringing her senses to life and beyond control.

She wanted him, she knew she couldn’t stop the pleasure, that was sure to be hers. Kissing her more passionately he pressed the small of her back to fully make her aware of his desire. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the double bed. The cool sheets felt good against her own hot body. Standing there looking down at her he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, exposing the dark hair that covered his muscular chest.

Unzipping his pants and stepping out of them she could see the boxer briefs that only covered the necessary parts. His tan looked even darker now that all had been uncovered. She moaned with pleasure reaching for him as he laid his warm body against hers creating a burning fire ragging out of control.

“Now tell me you don’t want me when every inch of you is saying otherwise.” He whispered caressing her. His lips found her’s in a sea of passion that was taking them both under. She felt weak from the sensual experience.

“Carl, I think there is something you should know.” January moaned softly as his hands roamed over her in sexual pleasure.

“I already know.” He kissed her again.

“No I don’t think you do. I’ve never known a man. Not this way.” January sighed softly, holding onto him gently.

He tensed up. His body became ridged. Slowly he moved away from her and sit up on the side of the bed. “Why didn’t you tell me this before now?” He cursed, reaching for his clothes.

“There wasn’t an opportunity. Besides I wanted you.” January bashfully turned her head away from him.

“I guess there was no need to tell me but I can’t take something like that away from you January. I can’t be the one to ruin something you seem to have cherished for so long.”

“Carl don’t leave me feeling empty inside. Don’t leave me wanting you so.” January reached out for him.

“January you know I can’t do this, I’ve never taken a woman before, at least not one that has never been taken before. I’m sorry I have more respect for you than that. I want you but it must be right, I wish I would have known.”

“Aha..., Please Carl, don’t leave me wanting you so.”