Whispered Promises (12 page)

C
aitlin stood awkwardly at the bottom stair watching Dex carry Jordan up to bed. She should help him with Jordan, but for now she just wanted to stay in place and get her bearings. Dex had a way of rocking her precariously balanced emotions.

She should never have allowed things to get so far out of hand with him tonight. No doubt he expected them to finish what they had started in the car. But she wasn't ready to renew the intimate part of her relationship with him. She still felt uncertain and insecure about a number of things, especially his feelings for her.

She finally walked up the stairs, too confused and too filled with doubt to think straight. When she entered the room, Dex was removing Jordan's shoes and socks. She joined him and together they finished undressing Jordan and got her into her pajamas and under the covers.

Needing to get away from Dex, Caitlin quickly left the room, leaving him standing beside the bed watching their daughter sleep. Walking across the hall to her bedroom, she turned on the light and closed the door behind her. She paced the room for several minutes before hearing the faint knock on the door. “Come in.”

Caitlin met Dex's gaze when he entered the room, closing the door behind him. She could feel the sizzle of sexual awareness and attraction between them. She forced the thoughts from her mind of just how good he looked standing there, leaning a shoulder against the closed door with his hands thrust into the pockets of his pants. He stared at her with eyes that could melt her very soul, not to mention her resistance.

“Why are you acting so skittish, Caitlin?”

“I'm not acting that way.”

Dex straightened from his position against the door. He walked farther into the bedroom. “Yes, you are. Do you want to talk about what's bothering you?”

“I think you already know what's bothering me,” she informed him in a brisk tone. She came to stand in front of him. For a while, she was unable to continue speaking. From where she stood, the heat of his body was warming her. His scent was all male, a combination of clean, masculine freshness. “You're doing it again, Dex,” she accused.

He looked at her and smiled slightly, acknowledging that he knew exactly what she was talking about. “Trying to seduce you?”

“Yes.” Her voice was hoarse when she answered.

Dex's smile widened. “I plead guilty as charged.”

She lifted her brow. He hadn't tried denying it. “Well, stop it.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

They stood motionless in the silent room, facing each other for an eternity. The slow, even rhythm of Dex's breathing was all Caitlin could hear. She refused to acknowledge the hard pounding sound of her own heart beating rapidly.

Suddenly, Dex leaned close and put his mouth against her ear and whispered, “You need relaxing.”

There was more silence for a moment, then Caitlin's trembling voice replied, “No, I don't.”

He reached out and touched her hand, feeling her tremble with his touch. “Yes, you do. Go ahead and take your shower. By the time you're through, I'll be back with just what you need.”

“Dex, I don't think—”

“Have I ever forced myself on you, Caitlin?”

She looked at him without comment for a moment, then shook her head. “No.”

“And I don't ever plan on doing so. I'll be back in a little while. Enjoy your shower.” He then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Worry lines knitted Caitlin's delicate brow. She shook her head, clearing her mind. Four years ago it had never occurred to her that Dex was too much for her to handle. At twenty-one she had felt completely at ease and comfortable around him, even when he was helping her to realize, acknowledge and accept the full extent of her sexuality. During those two weeks before they had married, he had taken the time to actually court her properly. She would always remember their daily horseback rides, their occasional picnic lunches and the times he had taken her dancing at a country and western dance club not far from Whispering Pines. At no time had he come on too strong. His kisses had always been passionate, leaving her breathless, wanting more. But he'd always stopped before things got too out of hand. And he had never forced himself on her. They had made love for the first time on their wedding night. What she had experienced in his arms had been so beautiful, it had brought tears to her eyes. He had not just made love to her, he had used his body to cherish her. She smiled, remembering those heated nights after they had married. The memories were electrifying, and for a moment Caitlin couldn't catch her breath for the force of them.

But what about now, Caitlin? Can you handle Dex Madaris now?
her mind screamed. She shook her head. For some reason, she wasn't as sure of herself as she had been at twenty-one. She felt completely out of her element with Dex. He was more sensuous, more rugged, more appealing, and if possible, more male.

Caitlin shivered, then realized she was standing in the same spot where she'd been when Dex had left the room. Sighing, she went into the connecting bath to take her shower. Dex had said he would have something to relax her. She couldn't help wondering just what that was.

During her shower, Caitlin forced herself to focus her thoughts on other things, like how Dex's family would react to the news of their reconciliation, and what would they think of Jordan.

Stepping out of the shower, she toweled herself dry. After lotioning her body, she slipped into her nightgown. When she heard a knock at her bedroom door, she grabbed her robe and hurriedly put it on. As she approached the door, she held her breath, not certain what to expect. Slowly she opened the door.

“I told you that I had just the thing to relax you.”

Caitlin smiled. Dex stood in her doorway carrying a serving tray that held a teapot and two cups. “Tea? Is it too much to hope that it's Whispering Pines' own special blend?”

Dex grinned. “No, it's not too much to hope at all.”

“Then by all means, Mr. Madaris, please come in.”

Caitlin closed the door behind him and wondered why she hadn't figured it out earlier. While working at Whispering Pines that summer, she had acquired a taste for a delicious tea that Jake Madaris made each night. He'd claimed its special ingredients of herbs and spices was a secret recipe that could only be shared with the men in the Madaris family, but only after they had reached their thirty-fifth birthday. Her smile widened as she also remembered how, after a week of working at Whispering Pines, she had discovered it would not be as easy as she had thought to convince Delane Ormond that a computer would make her job easier. By the end of each workday, Caitlin found herself ready to pull her hair out. To help her relax each night, Dex would serve her a cup of tea before she retired to bed.

“Does this mean that you know the secret recipe?” she asked.

Dex turned after placing the tray on the table next to the bed. He chuckled. “Yes, I know it, and like the other Madaris men before me, my lips are sealed. Uncle Jake would kill me if they weren't.”

Caitlin grinned. “And just how is Jake Madaris?” She had liked Dex's uncle, and had been surprised upon meeting him to discover how young he was. Jake Madaris, Dex's father's youngest brother, was only seven years older than Dex. He and Dex looked more like brothers than uncle and nephew. She became amused each and every time Dex and Clayton had called him “Uncle Jake.” She often wondered if they did it out of respect or to needle their young uncle.

Dex began pouring the tea into the cups. “He's fine. But he's still angry with me for stealing his employee. You never did finish that job, you know.”

Caitlin laughed as she accepted the cup of tea from Dex. The aroma of it filled the room. “No doubt Ms. Ormond was overjoyed.”

“If she was, it didn't last long. Uncle Jake hired someone else to take your place, and they finished the job.”

“I don't envy that person at all.”

Dex sat down in the wingback chair. “What you should do is pity him. I understand he had become an alcoholic by the time the job was finished.”

Of course he was joking, Caitlin thought. His dark eyes were sparkling with laughter. And she couldn't help but laugh with him. It felt so good to laugh. “Thanks, Dex,” she said when their laughter finally stopped.

“For what?”

Caitlin moved to the bed and sat Indian-style in the middle of it. “For helping me relax tonight.”

Dex nodded, and a mellow silence followed while they both sipped their tea. Dex was the first to speak. “Did you ever get the chance to go back to school?”

“Yes, after Jordan turned six months old. Dad watched her while I attended classes at night.”

Dex nodded. “Do you like teaching?”

Caitlin shrugged. “It's all right, but one day I want to have my own company.”

“A computer consulting company?”

“Yes. It's nothing I want to get into right away, of course, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately. How do you like being your own boss?”

Caitlin listened while Dex told her a number of things about being self-employed. They then talked about recent books they had read and movies they hadn't seen.

“I can never find time to go to the movies. My work keeps me pretty busy,” Dex said, not adding that he had preferred it that way.

“And I never wanted to leave Jordan with a sitter for long,” Caitlin said, finishing off the last of her tea.

“Maybe, when we're all settled in Houston, you and I can do stuff like that, go to movies and go out dancing. Any member of my family would be more than happy to look after Jordan for us.”

She stared at him, somewhat surprised. He was suggesting that they begin spending time together. “I'd like that.”

Dex nodded as he stood. “I think it's past your bedtime,” he said. The clock on the wall indicated it was after midnight. He picked up the serving tray.

Caitlin stood and placed her empty cup on the tray. “Thanks again, Dex.”

Dex lowered his head. Just before his lips lightly touched hers, he whispered, “Don't mention it.” He straightened. “Good night, Caitlin. I hope you sleep well.”

She watched him open the bedroom door and walk out. Caitlin sighed deeply. Being with Dex tonight, talking to him while they sipped tea, reminded her of how things had been before, peaceful and loving. But she was realistic enough to know that although he was making every effort to make their marriage work, they were still together for all the wrong reasons. He may care for her as the mother of his child, but he didn't love her.

Caitlin forced that thought from her mind, not wanting to ruin what she considered a nice ending to a perfect evening. Instead, as she prepared for bed, her thoughts were focused on what a sexy and good-looking man she was married to.

Dreams swirled around in Caitlin's mind, making her hot with desire even while she slept. She could feel Dex's hand on her, pulling her to him in an embrace. She was pressed so tightly to his naked body that she could feel every part of him as she became enveloped in his seductive masculine heat.

The strength of him throbbed against her and the muscular-sculpted hardness of his chest pressed against her breasts. In the deep recesses of her mind she could feel his massive upper arms and broad shoulders. Her fingers burned as they trailed a path over his body, well defined and taut.

When his warm lips moved across her forehead and cheeks before finally claiming her lips, she melted. His mouth was seductively firm and bittersweet. A tortured sigh from four years of celibacy escaped her, followed by another filled with blatant need. The kiss was one of sensuality and one of deeply held passion. It filled her with escalating sensations.

The ringing of the telephone jarred Caitlin awake. Startled, she sat up in bed. Her breathing was irregular, her heartbeat was hammering in her ears. The gown she wore was slightly damp from the heat her dream had generated. She quickly picked up the phone.

“Hello? “

“I hope you're a lot smarter than your old man was, lady,” the muffled voice said. “Take any offer that's made and sell that land of yours.”

Clutching the receiver in trembling hands, Caitlin asked, “Who is this?”

“Just sell that land near Eagle Pass and no one will get hurt.”

“Who is this?” The only response she received was a click followed by the buzzing of the dial tone. Placing the telephone back in the cradle, she sank against the bed.

Land near Eagle Pass? Was someone interested in Shadowland?

Fury made her heart pound. How dare that person call and threaten her. No one could force her into selling Shadowland, the land that had been in her family for generations. Evidently her father had received a similar threat.

Disturbing emotions sparred inside her. She shuddered at the threat the caller had made. Should she tell Dex?

Taking a deep breath, she knew she had to deal with her own problems. She didn't want to give Dex any reason to feel responsible for her. Somehow she would handle this without his help.