Chapter 14
“You drew me a bath.” She murmured in wonder. “In your big ass tub that could hold a dozen people.”
“I drew us a bath,” he corrected.
“You must be so tired. You’ve been up since before dawn and did not return until past eight. You missed supper.” She allowed him to take off the dress she had worn to the dining table. Where her friends had charmed and entertained Leonie and the household staff.
“I had some things to deal with.” He was careful of the injury which sent shivers of rage and regret pouring through him every time. “It’s approaching winter, and we have some things to tie up.
The branding of the cattle and repairs to be done.” He unhooked her flimsy bra and felt the familiar stirring of desire. He had not touched her more than a week and was feeling the pressure.
He wanted her so much; he could taste it. Although, ‘want’ was too tame a word for what he was feeling. The need to feel her beneath him, wrapped around him, to taste the musky scent of her, to hear the sighs and moans- the husky sound of her voice when she calls out his name in the throes of her release was driving him mad.
He briskly finished taking off her clothes and helped her into the sudsy water that was threatening to overflow the lip of the tub.
“This is heaven.” She murmured, leaning back on the cushion and closing her eyes. Suds were up to her neck and the warm water seeping into her skin felt wonderful. Opening her eyes, she pleasured herself by watching him undress. The lean muscles flexed and quivered as he moved.
A purr sounded deep in her throat when he took off his underwear and she could feel the familiar crazy desire raging through her body. He had not touched her, but she was going to change that tonight.
He stepped in, sliding down on the opposite end and lifting her feet onto his lap. Blue eyes scanned her face, relieved to see that she looked better. She was healing and he was thankful for it. “Your friends are…, entertaining.”
She laughed at his hesitation. “You mean they are loud.”
He grinned. “I did not want to be offensive.”
“How were they on the ride?”
“I nearly had a riot on my hands. Every single one of my men were vying to see who would take them.” Picking up the sponge, he started on her feet. “You would think they had never seen beautiful women before.” His eyes narrowed. “At least they have stopped making passes at you.”
“Are you kidding?” She arched her feet in pleasure as he rubbed circles in her insteps. “One look from you had them scurrying away.”
“Good!” He muttered grimly. “I am the only one who’s supposed to look and touch.”
“You cannot stop anyone from looking. I have seen the way the women who came to the ranch in the last few days looked at you.”
“What women?”
“The ones who are here for the jam making or whatever. I have a feeling that most of them are here just to take a peek or to get noticed by you. And they resent the hell out of me.” He had reached her calves and were kneading the muscles.
“There’s a way to stop that.” His voice was casual, and his head bent to the task.
“What? Poke their eyes out.”
His chuckle was soft and warmed her heart. He had been more than a little aloof and distant since the incident and even though she had insisted that it was not on him, she knew he blamed himself.
“Nothing that extreme.” He met her eyes. “You can marry me, put a ring on my finger so that they know, I belong to you.”
Her feet jerked in his hands as she stared at him. “Is that a proposal?”
“It is, yes. So?”
“It’s not very romantic, is it?”
“You want romance? Rose petals on the bed, spelling out ‘marry me’?”
“That would be nice.”
“I am head over heels in love with you. When you’re near, I cannot breathe. I almost lost you and it dawned on me that I cannot live without you. I want to go to bed with you every night and wake up with you in my arms.” His eyes were intense, his face slightly flushed with purpose. “Put me out of my misery and marry me Kamilah.”
“My work…!” She began weakly, feeling as if her heart was about to burst out of her chest.
“I would never get between that. I know how important it is to you. We own a jet and a helicopter. If that’s not enough, we have shares in a commercial airline.” He slid towards her and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulled her on his knees. “I cannot let you go.
If you leave I will follow you. To the ends of the earth and drag you back here with me. I am not losing you. Even if I have to tie you up and lock you in my suite. Please say yes.” His voice had thickened. “I need you in my life.”
“Jon…!”
“Please.” His hands soapy and wide, cupped her breasts. “Don’t make me beg darling. Marry me. We could get it done before Christmas. I know you probably have some things to tie up back home.
We could take the jet and fly there tomorrow or Saturday and spend a couple of days. I have not taken you on a date. I know you love the theatre. We could make an adventure out of it. I can spare a few days. Say yes.” He demanded hoarsely.
“I was going to propose before the awful incident happened and I have been trying to work up the courage to do so ever since. But I did not know if you hated me or blamed me. All I know is that I cannot let you out of my sight. Not now, not ever.”
Emotions swamped her. She had told her friends that she was not certain how she felt, but that was a damn lie. She had also told them that she had to go back home, but it was not home anymore.
She who had thrived in the city and would never dream of doing small towns, had fallen in love with a man who lived in one, hell, who owned one. She loved him and even the thought of being away from him was making her crazy.
“Are you finished?” She asked quietly.
His eyes narrowed as he stared at her, uncertain of her mood.
“For now, yes. And if you are thinking of saying no, think hard – think very carefully. I am not above tying you to me.”
“I see.” Lifting her hands, she rubbed the suds over his neck and shoulders. “Will I have to bake?”
His heart hammered, and hope soared through him like a storm cloud.
“Not unless you’re baking for me.”
“How many nights will I have to sleep alone while you’re what? Riding the range?”
He grinned at that.
“None. I will come home to you, whether through rain or shine. I have no intention of sleeping away from you.” He felt his body tingling at her touch. She was rubbing the suds into his chest.
“In that case,” she continued briskly. “I would say you have a positive response to your unromantic proposal.”
His body felt as if it was poised to take flight. “I am going to need to hear the actual words.”
“You are one very pushy cowboy, aren’t you?”
“The words, darling, and a declaration of love.” His hands were moving up her back slowly.
“All of that.”
“Yes.”
“Well,” She eased out a breath and wrapped her hands around his neck. “I love you.”
Emotions choked her and formed a lump in her throat. Tears filled her glorious eyes and sent him spinning. “I thought it was a game. Wanted it to be. I never came here looking for romance. That was the last thing I thought I wanted. I never knew how dissatisfied I was with my life until I met you.
I thought that work could make up for the lack and I threw myself in, until I met you and everything changed.” She swallowed. “I changed. You changed me, darling. I love you so damn much that I cannot…” She had to swallow again.
“Make love to me. I want to feel you deep inside me. I want you giving me babies. Starting with one. And yes! God yes! I will marry you as soon as we can make the arrangements. I want big and splashy…” She arched her head and laughed in sheer joy of being alive and in love with this wonderful man.
His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he simply held her, absorbing the magnitude of her words and the love that radiated from her. He buried his face in her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady beat of her heart against his chest.
“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Kamilah.”
She pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes, her own still shimmering with tears. “We have so much to plan,” she said, her smile widening. “A big, splashy wedding, just like I’ve always dreamed.”
He grinned, his own excitement bubbling to the surface. “Whatever you want, my love. We’ll have the most beautiful wedding anyone has ever seen.”
She laughed, the sound like music to his ears. “And then, our life together,” she said, her voice softening. “A life full of love, adventure, and happiness.”
“But first…” Rising with her wrapped around him, he stepped out of the tub and grabbed some towels. With the water making puddles around him, he carried her into the bedroom. Spreading one of the towels down, he laid her down carefully.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I need you.”
With his eyes holding hers, he toweled her dry, using the soft material to slide over her skin, the movement erotic and exciting. When he reached her lower body, she was already on fire for him.
“Now, please.”
“Not yet.” His voice was hoarse with emotions, his body swollen to painful proportions. But he was determined to take his time. He wanted to draw it out. Wanted to seal their engagement with love and care. “You’re mine. Say it.” He rasped. He was using the tip of his finger, covered by the soft cloth to worry her mound.
“I am yours.” She was gasping, her body arching towards his finger.
“Tell me you love me.” He plunged the fingers into her and had her arching, body trembling.
“I love you.” God!” The climax slammed into her starved body and had her calling out his name.
“I can’t.”
“More.” He was mad for her. “Take more.” Dropping to his knees, he hauled her up and used his mouth, just as ruthlessly as he had used his fingers.
His tongue plunged into her and had her crying out again. He brought her up and over and had the tears rolling down her cheeks. Never in her life had she experienced anything like this, and it overwhelmed her.
“Jon…” Her lips were quivering, her body imploding.
“Yes baby?” He covered her body with his, entering her slowly until he was fully sheathed.
“I love you so much.”
With a fevered groan, he crushed her mouth with his, body driving into hers as his control shattered into a million pieces.
*****
He left her exhausted and sleeping the next morning. And stood there staring at her as he got dressed, silently so as not to disturb her. He had been hungry for her. He shook his head as he recalled how hungry. He made love to her three times.
Each time he told himself he would leave her to get some sleep, something had stirred inside him. She had agreed to be his wife and that was something he could not come to grips with.
He had been worrying himself to death over the last week, wondering if she was going to insist on going home. He meant what he said to her. He would have followed her and brought her back. Used any necessary means to get her to come back with him.
He knew she was accustomed to bright lights and restaurants just a few blocks away. She had told him about her apartment that was situated in the middle of a busy section of town.
She was a city girl – he was not. He could stand to be out in the busy thoroughfare for a week at most and then he would start pining for the quiet, the comfort the ranch had always brought him. He had everything he needed here, except her. And he had discovered that it would all mean nothing to him, if she wasn’t with him.
He would accompany her when she needed to travel. He understood that with her line of work, she had to be on the move. He would go with her. Set things in place so that he could free himself to be with her.
He never dreamed he would find a woman who made him feel as if he had sprouted wings. He loved her completely. And he was so happy, he felt as if he was walking on air.
First things first, turning away from her, he left the suite and bounded down the stairs.
He would send for a ring. Romano’s had an excellent ring collection. He had guessed her size and would call Monique personally.
He would… The thoughts tumbled to a halt when he went into the dining room to see his mother pouring coffee.
“Just in time.” She handed him a cup. “Bull and Jake already stopped by. A mare is foaling…” Her voice petered off as she got a look of his face. “What’s going on?”
He accepted the cup gratefully, wrapping his hands around its comforting warmth. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the room, mingling with the gentle morning light streaming through the windows. He took a tentative sip, gathering his thoughts.
"She's agreed to marry me," he said, his voice steady but brimming with emotion. "We're getting married."
His mother’s eyes widened with surprise before softening with joy. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Oh, sweetheart, that's wonderful news. I am so happy for you."
He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "She is. I can't imagine my life without her now. I’m going to do everything I can to make her happy."
His mother’s face lit up with pride. "I know you will. And she’s a lucky woman to have you."
They stood in companionable silence for a moment, savoring the happiness of the news they shared. Then, setting down his cup, he straightened. "I have a lot to do today. I want everything to be perfect for her.
I was thinking of sending for a ring from Romano’s. They have the best collection.” He hesitated briefly. “I know you probably don’t approve of her…”
“I was thinking of you,” she interrupted swiftly, “as long as she makes you happy, then I am all in. And I can see that she does. I have never seen you like this before.”
“I have never been like this before.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his faded denims and rocked back on his heels, eyes gleaming. “She’s my heart.”
“I have to ask. Is she willing to live here with you?”
He nodded, a smile curving his lips. “I had my fears about that as well, but she considers the ranch her home. I know it will take some getting used to for her, but I told her that whenever she wants to fly out, there are several options available. And I am going to accompany her. We’re thinking of December.”
His mother’s eyes widened.
“Darling, that’s in two weeks.”
He grinned. “And she wants a big wedding, Here at the ranch. Hire a wedding planner or several, but I am not waiting.” Jamming his hat on his head, he grabbed his thermos. “Talk to her and make the arrangements. Her friends are here, so they will be of some help. Oh, we will be going to her home in a couple of days.” With a wave, he was gone.
Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she went to sit at the table, her mind buzzing. She had just taken a sip when Helen breezed into the room, bearing a tray of glazed ham and sizzling bacon.
“You look pensive…” She noticed as she put the loaded tray on the sideboard.
“Jon just gave me some very good news. He’s getting married.”
The housekeeper’s smile came as she clapped her hands in delight. “Praise the good Lord! Finally! My baby is getting married.” She searched her mistress’ face and saw the doubts there.
“You do not approve of the young woman.”
“No.” She shook her head and wrapped her hands around the cup. “I have gotten to know her over the past week and realize that she is straightforward. She makes him happy, that’s clear as day. But she is accustomed to bright lights…”
“And we have been down that road before.” Comfortable in her position as not just an employee, Helen poured some coffee into a large mug and joined her at the table. They were still in the process of making the jam and there was the picking of vegetables and fruit to be arranged.
There were also a very large order of various pies as well as the guests to see to. But that could wait, and she had every confidence in the staff under her care. They would do the job without having to be prodded.
“She’s different. Ms. Kamilah is very different from that woman who thought she could steal our boy away.”
Leonie nodded, tears gathering. “He looks so happy. I have never seen him like that before.”
Placing a hand over hers, Helen smiled. “That’s what we were praying for. A wedding! Here at the ranch. Oh, I am so excited.”
Leonie glanced out the window, the winter light casting a soft glow over the ranch. She could almost see the preparations unfolding before her eyes - the decorations, the guests arriving, and the joyous celebration that would fill the air.
Despite her initial reservations, she felt a surge of warmth and hope. Perhaps, this union would not only bring happiness to her son but also draw new, vibrant life to their beloved ranch.
Helen's voice broke her reverie. "We have a lot to do to get this place ready for a wedding in two weeks."
Leonie smiled through her tears, a sense of determination settling over her. "We'll make it work. We always do. Let's start making lists and getting everything organized. This will be a wedding to remember."
Helen nodded enthusiastically, already mentally checking off tasks. "I'll get the staff on board right away. And don't worry, we'll make sure everything is perfect for Jon and Ms. Kamilah."
Sniffing back the tears, Leonie nodded, eyes gleaming with purpose.
*****
Upstairs, Kamilah was just stirring. As her eyes flickered open, the memories of last came flooding in. She was getting married.
Her eyes flew wide open, and she drew herself up on the mound of pillows. She was naked. And the sheets were twisted and well used. Placing a hand on the pillows next to her that still bore the indentation of his head, she could still feel the warmth of him.
“Oh God!” She whispered shakily. “I am getting married.” She closed her eyes briefly and reflected on what he had said to her, both in the bathroom and whispered in her ear as he made love to her. The man had a way about him, she thought dazedly.
A way about him that seeped into her very pores and warmed her blood. She loved him. It had sneaked up on her unawares and she could not believe it. In a very short space of time, he had come to mean the world to her.
All thoughts of leaving here and going back home had faded. She was just where she belonged. A wedding! In two weeks. They were crazy to think that it could happen. But she sorely wanted to be his wife. The near-death experience had taught her that life was uncertain and fleeting.
She wanted children with the man she loved. She was thirty-two and she wanted a life with him. Laughing at the sheer joy of it, she swung her legs off the bed. It was early yet, but she was getting her friends up to tell them the news.