Chapter 7
“I need a minute of your time, please.”
He glanced at his watch and tamped down his impatience. He was running late for the meeting and a crisis had cropped up in his absence that needed his attention.
“That’s about all the time I have.” Striding towards the sideboard, he poured coffee in the thermos and grabbed a flaky croissant. He had been unable to resist making love to Kamilah before he left, which had left him way behind. He had left her naked and flushed from the lovemaking and had to tear himself away.
Dismissing the maid hovering at the table, Leonie poured coffee into her own cup and sat at the head of the table. Fresh fruits were ignored as she took a sip and wondered how to broach the troubling topic. She was not one to interfere in her son’s life, but after what had happened to him before, she felt justified in doing just that.
“There are rumors,” she began, watching as he stood there by the sideboard, munching on the pastry, “it’s a small town.” She nodded. “Small enough to have talk going around where you have been spending your nights.”
His expression gave nothing away as he met her gaze. “That’s my business.”
“Of course!” She took another sip of coffee and tried to quiet the worry. “She is an out of towner.”
A smile touched his lips. “You make it sound as if she just crawled out from under a rock. I invited her to the function today, so you’ll get a chance to meet her.”
The worry turned to fear, and it took an immense amount of control not to allow it to surface.
“What happened before…”
“Mother, I really appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself.” His expression had become remote, and she knew what that meant. Her son could be as stubborn as a mule and twice as intractable when it came to his personal life.
“I have to ask,” she ventured. “Is this just…?” She cleared her throat and started again. “Is she just a distraction?”
“Far from it. I am hoping to convince her to stay.”
“Jon…”
“No!” He shook his head firmly. “I know what you’re about to say and I can assure you it’s not like before.” He finished the pastry and took up a napkin to wipe his fingers. “What I felt back then is nothing compared to what I feel now.” His eyes met hers. “I know what I am doing.” He glanced at his watch again. “And now I have to leave.”
Without giving her the usual kiss on the cheek, he strode out of the room.
Leonie felt the fear blossoming inside her chest. Putting down the cup, she looked up as Helen bustled into the room. “Not hungry?”
She managed a faint smile. “Not really.”
“Master Jon was in a hurry.” The housekeeper picked up a plate and started to heap eggs and bacon on and added a slice of wheat toast, before putting it in front of her. “We have a lot to get through today and you will need your strength.”
“You’re right of course. But first, there is something I have to take care of, just as soon as I finish eating.”
*****
She took a bath. The tub was one of those antiquated deals- a claw footed porcelain in the middle of the floor. After he left, she had laid there for several minutes, thinking. And her thoughts had been troubling. She was intensely attracted to him. And she had enjoyed the novelty of sleeping with him for the entire night.
Rubbing the sponge over her arm, she stretched her legs out and watched the suds stick and then slid off. The water was steaming hot, just the way she liked it. The scent of raspberry filled the air along with the steam rising from the water.
Parts of her skin stung where his hair roughened jaw had touched. Her nipples were sore and very sensitive.
Her sex was tender to the touch and using the sponge there was setting off all sorts of evocative memories. Like when he used his tongue to drive her over the edge. And his fingers and … Letting out a breath, she pressed a hand against her breast to feel the thumping of her heart.
She was thinking about him more than she should. Finishing the bath, she rose and reached for a towel to wrap around her. She had just reached the bedroom when she heard the knock on the door. If that was him, he was to get a very cool greeting and a conversation about boundaries.
Securing the towel around her and knotting it, she marched towards the door and yanked it open.
The blistering tirade she had been about to deliver, died instantly as she stood there staring at the woman standing on the porch.
There was no mistaking who she was. Even if Kamilah had not seen picture of her, she would have recognized Leonie McCarthy.
The woman had passed her incredible blue eyes to her son and the thick ash blonde hair. Standing straight and tall, even though she was barely five feet four inches, Jonathan’s mother radiated sophistication and class that was inbred.
She had on faded denims and a thick emerald, green sweater and was wearing boots. A glance behind her showed her mode of transportation was a dust covered serviceable red jeep.
“May I come in?” The voice was polished and cultured and filled with authority.
“Of course.” Belatedly realizing that she was naked except for the towel, Kamilah closed the door. “Let me get dressed.”
“I will wait in the living area.”
Leonie watched as the younger woman walked away before taking a look around. She knew the cabin of course. It belonged to them and had a certain rustic charm about it.
And up close, the food critic was stunning, even more so than she had been told.
She turned when Kamilah came back into the room, wearing leggings and a cream-colored sweater. She had not bothered with makeup, but with a complexion like hers, did not really need it.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No thank you. Shall we have a seat?” It was posed as a question but it clearly wasn’t.
Kamilah perched on the edge of a maroon sofa and waited while the woman took the opposite one across from her.
“I did not get a chance to welcome you to our town,” Leonie began.
“Not a problem.”
“My son has been more than accommodating, I hear.”
Kamilah’s eyebrows lifted. “We have met, yes.”
Leonie smiled slightly. “I would say it’s a little more than that, isn’t it?”
Kamilah kept her wits about her and responded graciously. This was a new situation for her – a guy’s mother confronting her. “Are you asking if we are intimate?”
Surprise at the woman’s bluntness had Leonie staring in surprise and it took her a minute to respond. “I know you are.”
“Small town and all.”
Leonie nodded. “You’re on vacation for how long?”
A smile curved her lips and Kamilah realized the not-so-subtle hint as to when she was leaving. “A couple of weeks at the most.” She tilted her head a little to the left to study the classically beautiful face. “Are you worried that I am going to want to stay? That I intend to trap your son into something permanent?”
“Are you?”
Kamilah shook her head. “Jonathan knows where we stand.”
“You’re saying it’s just a fling?”
“I am saying that we’re two adults who are free and unencumbered, or at least, I hope he is. And that said, we don’t need anyone’s permission to be with each other.”
“He was involved with someone from out of town before. An actress.” Leonie’s lips curled in disdain. “She wanted him to leave his home and follow her around like a trained puppy.”
Kamilah absorbed that bit of information and took some time responding. “And you’re concerned that I am going to do the same.”
“Yes.”
“Like I said before, I already told your son where I stand. At the end of the vacation, I will be leaving.” She rose. “Now if that’s all…”
“It is not just a fling for him,” Leonie rose too and faced her, “I am asking you as a mother who has seen it happen before, to take care of his heart.”
Kamilah struggled with the resentment and a more than a little discomfort at that. “We’re just having fun, nothing more.”
Leonie simply stared at her in that steady way of hers that had the discomfort spreading. “He told he invited you to the event today. We have already started and hope to see you there.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me to stay away from your son?”
Leonie gathered her coat around her. “Would it make a difference?”
“No.”
“Well then.” She headed for the doorway. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Long after the woman had left, her perfume lingering in the hallway, Kamilah stood at the window staring out at the spot where her vehicle had been parked. Somehow, the visit unsettled her. What on earth had Jon said to her to have the woman running over here to confront her? And that relationship – with an actress?
What was that all about and why hadn’t he mentioned it to her? Had he been in love with her? Of course he had been! Or else why would his mother sounded so terrified that this would be history repeating itself? And why the hell should it matter to her that some woman had meant a great deal to him?
Like she told Leonie McCarthy, at the end of the vacation, she would be packing her bags and leaving without a backward glance. And she meant it too. No matter how good the sex or how gorgeous the man was.
*****
The ranch was crawling with people, and he could not help but keep looking out for her. The meeting had gone well, and he had another new investor. Ted Wallace had been enthusiastic about the cattle and the quality of the beef they would produce and had raved about the fruit and vegetables.
Jon had handed the man over to his mother who was doing her part and introducing him to the produce section of the business. Which left him to do what he loved doing, handle things on the ranch itself.
Steering clear of the people milling around, he and his men went about the daily tasks. A mare had foaled in the early morning and both mother and colt were doing very well. Several of the cattle had wandered off during the branding process and had to be rounded up again.
He was busy, but that did not stop him from thinking of her and wondering when she would be arriving.
Taking a break from the daily grind, he found a quiet place to sit and pulled out his phone to call her.
“I am busy.”
He only grinned at her abrupt greeting.
“So am I. Why are you not already here?”
“Did you hear the part about me being busy?”
Leaning back against the thick trunk of an oak tree, he uncapped his thermos and took a long swig of the cool water. “Get unbusy and get your sexy butt over here. I want to take you riding.”
“Aren’t you working?”
“I happen to be the boss. Which means I can take a break whenever I feel like it.”
“I have not said I am coming.”
“You would not disappoint me.” At least, he hoped not. He wanted to show her off, wanted to let his men as well as anyone else knows that she was with him.
“Later.”
“How about now?”
“If you keep pushing, I might not show up. Now leave me alone and let me get back to what I was doing.”
“I cannot wait to see you.”
He grinned as she remained silent.
“Goodbye, Jonathan.”
“See you later.” Hanging up the phone, he stared off over the rising hills, the lush greenness of the grass and trees blowing in the breeze. He felt light, as if he was floating on air.
Just talking to her just now brought back the image of her in bed. He knew every intimate inch of her body, having making a thorough examination of such. The tattoo, (he had given into the urge and asked her about it.)
“A dare from one of my girlfriends,” she had told him. “All three of us went drinking one night at a club and on our way home, we stopped at the tattoo place. The guy offered us a package deal.”
He had been absurdly happy that it was just a business arrangement and nothing more. He knew she was comfortable in her sexuality and had probably been with several men. He had wanted to ask, but resisted the temptation to, realizing instinctively that it was not a conversation he wanted to have with her.
She had mentioned her mother, but he had been reading articles on her and knew the mother was some five-star chef of a fancy restaurant. He had also read that she had been paired with some celebrities.
A reality TV chef, well-known for his acerbic wit and stinging criticisms on his show. He wanted to ask her about that as well and what had happened. But he did not dare.
She had clearly stated that it was just a holiday romance they were having, and he was desperately hoping to change her mind. They were damned good together. He was hoping to make her see that. He would not leave the ranch. But could he say goodbye to her if it comes to that?
His heart shuddered to a stop as he contemplated the answer. No, he thought grimly. If she left, he was going to follow her and drag her back here with him. Closing his eyes, he prayed that it would not come to that.
*****
“I am going to this shindig at the ranch.” She glanced at herself in the mirror and decided against the gold hoops, choosing silver instead.
“Shindig?” Her friends chorused.
Kamilah grinned at the phone as she brushed foundation on her cheeks. “I think that’s the proper name for it. Some sort of barn dance coupled with other activities.”
“You’re beginning to sound like a local.”
“Heaven forbid.” She muttered. Next came the tube of glossy orange lipstick to go with her plaid orange and red shirt. She had found it in a quaint little store in the middle of town.
“And the cowboy?” Salome wanted to know. “We have not heard anything about him. Don’t tell me he’s involved?”
“As far as I know, no, he’s not.” Pressing her lips together, she studied the result.
“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” Lauren demanded.
“I don’t want any complications.” She still could not tell them about her and Jonathan for some reason.
“Girl, that’s really not like you.”
“Maybe I have decided to change my ways.”
“Yeah right.” Salome snorted.
“I have to go.”
“Take lots of pictures,” Lauren advised before they hung up.
Putting away the makeup kit, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her curls – more honey than dark brown were popping. She had shampooed and deep conditioned her thick natural hair just this afternoon before heading out to make a quick trip into town. All the buzz had been about the gala or whatever the hell it was called.
Apparently it was a very big deal for the residents. From what she heard, the McCarthy’s were very generous humanitarians who gave of their time and resources to those who needed it.
Scholarships, grants, renovating the landmark buildings and restoring them to their former glory were just some of the things they were known for. And Jonathan was the hero in the story.
He had rescued two children and their mother from drowning in the flood just last year. Women made sure to tell her that he was a catch, and the single ones were hoping that he would end up choosing one of them.
“He was involved with some actress a while ago and she broke his heart.” The pretty brunette owner of the quaint little store where Kamilah had bought the shirt, and several other items had told her with much disdain as she was wrapping up her purchases. “We hope he’s not foolish enough to make the same mistake again.”
Well aware that dig had been for her benefit, Kamilah had kept her mouth shut. Evidently, the entire town knew that their beloved hero had spent two nights at her place.
Well, to hell with that. She certainly did not owe any of them an explanation. She was an adult and so was he. If he chose to spend nights in her bed instead of one of the locals, that was not her concern.
But she was starting to wonder if she had made a mistake. After his phone call this afternoon, she had been unable to get anything done. She had come here with the specific purpose of chilling and finishing her book and that was not happening.
She was thinking about him. Found that she could not wait to see him. Just the sound of his deep voice had her melting.
Shoving away from the small vanity, she went to the closet to get a leather jacket and tried telling herself that she had not dressed specifically with him in mind.
*****
Inside his very masculine tan and gold bedroom, Jon was having a similar problem. For the first time in his life, he had no idea what to wear. The denims, the new pairs he had bought just a week ago? Or the khaki.
He stood in the middle of his huge closet, where Helen had ruthlessly folded and hung everything up for his convenience. He was not one who was into fashion.
He was a cowboy. He rode the range, did all sorts of dirty work. He was not above mucking stalls or getting down to help a foal into the world when needs be. He was often digging in the dirt and mending fences.
He worked with his hands and was damned proud of it. He was not some corporate guy wearing a three-piece suit, even the idea of it gave him an itch.
He had friends in the business world and was actually a member of a very exclusive club. He enjoyed taking in the amenities whenever he visited. But he was comfortable astride his horse and doing the job.
If that was the kind of men she was used to then - he yanked off a green and blue plaid shirt off the padded hanger and shoved his arms through the sleeves. He was clean, the shower had taken longer than usual because he had scrubbed every inch of dirt off his flesh, until he was aching from the scrubbing.
He had even called his barber to give him a haircut and a shave. He was primping for a woman, and it made him angry.
Stepping out of the closet, he sat down on the chest in front of his bed and shoved his feet into butter soft boots. His heart was racing, and his hands were shaking. He could not wait to see her. He had avoided his mother and the conversation he knew would be forthcoming, by staying out of her way.
And he had to stop himself from calling her again to find out what time she would be getting here. He had wanted to go and pick her up, like they were on a date. He should have insisted on picking her up, but he was damned if he was going to show his hand. He had a feeling she already suspected that he was gone all the way over her.
Rising, he buttoned the shirt and went to his massive dresser to pick out a cologne. He usually just slap on some aftershave and deodorant, but the occasion called for more. He was not one for dancing but tonight was going to be different.
She was going to spend quality time in his arms. Sliding his palm over his clean-shaven cheek, he checked for stubbles. Tonight, after the function, he was taking her back to the cabin.
Tomorrow being Sunday, meant that he could sleep in. Smiling grimly at his image in the mirror, he stepped back and went into the closet to take down a brand-new black leather jacket to match the boots and embraced the shiver of anticipation.