Welcome Back to Rambling, TX

by June Faver

  “Me? I’m just relaxing while holding the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known in my arms. I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am.”

  She pursed her lips, teasing him with a little pout. “There seems to be a plethora of beautiful women in your fan club.”

  “Plethora,” he repeated. “You’re the only person I know who could pull off using that word in conversation without sounding pretentious.” He kissed her temple and drew her back into his arms. “Just chill out and enjoy the ride.”

  She giggled. “Yes, Franklinstein.”

  “About that…”

  She twisted so she could see his face.

  “Could we just be Reggie and Frank from Rambling? A couple of star-crossed lovers who finally found their way back to each other?” There was a wistful yearning in his voice.

  Star-crossed lovers…“Okay, I can do that.” Reggie snuggled back against his chest as his arms closed around her. She couldn’t recall feeling so content, just leaning back, wrapped in Frank’s jacket and in his arms.

  * * *

  Vern had volunteered to pick up Lolly and Sandy at their motel room, so all Henry had to do was show up. He was clean and smelled good, but he sat in his GTO, gripping the wheel. He watched people going into the VFW, some couples, some small groups, and some singly. It was that kind of place. The veterans made sure everyone had a good time. There was a group within the group that prided themselves on grilling the best and fattest hamburgers in the county. They were big, thick, hand-built ground beef patties, seasoned and grilled to perfection by men who put their hearts into it. There was a lot of pride in those burgers. And the wives of these gentlemen, as well as the female veterans, were enthusiastic about promoting the various projects, such as selling tickets and coordinating events to include those frail veterans who resided in the local nursing home. All in all, this was a good group, and Henry was proud to be a member, having served in the Army when he was a much younger man.

  He had seen Vern’s Camaro, so he knew Vern was inside with the two colorful women. They had probably glued their fake eyelashes back on.

  Henry heaved a sigh, gutting up to face his fate. He was a strong man, and he could spend an evening entertaining empty-headed women who thought they had to paint themselves with bright colors to be attractive. He got out of his car, having parked far enough away to avoid getting dings from other drivers, and strode across the unpaved parking lot to the VFW post.

  “Hello, Henry.” Fay Wilks, former Air Force nurse, was manning the door. She held out her hand to collect his money and stamped his hand with an expertise born of having performed this task for many years.

  “Hey, Fay. You’re looking mighty fine tonight.” He smiled, noting her lack of makeup…well, maybe a little blush on her cheeks.

  She winked, waved him inside, and turned to accept money from the next person in line.

  Henry passed into the large open space. It was used for many functions, from bingo nights to town meetings to wedding receptions.

  He hung out near the entrance, trying to be inconspicuous, as he scanned the gathering crowd. It didn’t take long for him to locate the sheriff, Vernon Garland. He was standing on the other side of the large room amid a small group of cronies.

  Henry spied the two Houston women seated at a table nearby. They were chatting, when suddenly the one named Lolly spotted him and nudged the other woman. Together they waved and apparently said something that caused Vern and his cadre to turn.

  Henry arranged a passably warm smile and crossed the room to greet them.

  “Henry,” Vern called. “We were wondering if you had wimped out.”

  “Funny,” Henry snarled. He nodded at the two women seated at the table. “So, what is your plan here?”

  Vern reached out to grab Henry by the shoulder and turned him toward the grill located on the opposite end of the building. “I was on my way to get these ladies a bite to eat when these guys ambushed me. Let’s get a pitcher of beer.”

  “Hmph! I’m gonna need it.” Henry trudged along beside Vern, who was keeping up a line of chatter. When they finally made it to the front of the line, Vern ordered for the ladies, who apparently didn’t care for onions and preferred mayonnaise to mustard. Henry ordered a cheeseburger basket “all the way” with a side of fries and a pitcher of beer.

  The two men trekked back to the table.

  Henry had been wondering which of the ladies Vern had assigned to him, but when they reached the table, Vern placed his tray across from Lolly instead of beside either one. He doled out the ladies’ burgers with a large order of fries while Henry poured beer into plastic cups.

  Henry took a seat across from Sandy. He noticed that she had left the false lashes behind and actually had quite nice eyes.

  “Henry, I didn’t realize you were a cowboy,” Lolly commented. She gazed at him intently. This woman definitely had not forgotten her fake eyelashes.

  “Cowboy?” Henry squinted at her, his brows puckered. “I own a store. Stafford’s Mercantile.”

  Vern chuckled. “My friend here usually dresses like a cowboy. We always wear western shirts and boots. It’s a Texas thing, y’know?”

  “We live in Texas,” Lolly protested.

  “You live in a city in Texas.” Vern shrugged. “Here in the country, we dress this way. From the time I was a little bitty boy, I was clomping around in my cowboy boots.”

  Henry nodded. “Me too. If you ladies were expecting suits and ties, you need to go back to the city.” He flashed a grin. “But while you’re here, we’re gonna make sure you get to know the real Rambling, Texas.”

  Sandy laughed. “Is this the real Rambling, Texas?”

  Henry spread his hands, indicating the people around them. “This is about as Rambling as it gets.”

  Sandy took a big bite of her burger and chewed while making appreciative sounds. “This is delicious.”

  Lolly agreed. “This meat is so juicy.”

  Vern was chomping away on his cheeseburger.

  “These burgers are formed by hand. Lovingly… Not mashed by a machine. And those same hands then grill them to perfection.” Henry kissed his fingers.

  Lolly and Sandy giggled.

  Henry bit into his cheeseburger. He figured this evening might not be so bad after all.

  Sandy eyed her hamburger. “So, you’re saying this meat has been mashed by human hands and that makes it better?”

  “You betcha.” He winked at her and continued eating.

  “I just have one question, Henry.” Sandy carefully placed her burger back in the basket and wiped her fingers on a paper napkin. “Can you dance?”

  Henry had a coughing fit as he choked on his burger. “Um… Um, of course I can dance. Can you?”

  “Why, Henry…I thought you would never ask.” She smiled prettily. “Why don’t we finish our hamburgers and I’ll let you give me a whirl on the dance floor?” She picked up her burger again and took a big bite.

  Henry managed to swallow and took a long drink of his beer. He exhaled and gazed at the woman across the table from him. “I think that’s a good idea.” He saluted her with his red plastic Solo cup and drank more. He thought he would need it.

  * * *

  Frank wasn’t sure what was going on, but he was extremely happy at that moment. This was a new feeling for him. He was used to being on the move, always reaching for the next goal. Always hungry. His climb was endless.

  But at that very moment in time, he was experiencing something his life had been short on. Contentment.

  Yes, it was all about being with Reggie Lee. About holding her in his arms. About how she seemed to be comfortable in their new relationship. Just Frank and Reggie from Rambling.

  As they circled Central Park, he pointed out the various sights to see. She sat up when he told her about Belvedere Castle.

&
nbsp; “Ooh, a castle. How lovely.”

  “We can come see it in the daytime, if you’d like.”

  She flashed him a grin and settled back into his arms. Somehow, just holding her made his pulse race. He buried his lips in her hair. The fragrance was something floral with vanilla overtones.

  When their ride ended at her hotel, he climbed down and held out his arms. Having her reach for him was like a dream come true. He wondered how their relationship would have progressed if they had been high school sweethearts instead of enemies.

  He walked with her to the elevator and rode up to her floor holding her hand. He had no idea where this evening was going, but he didn’t want it to end. He couldn’t seem to get enough of Reggie.

  At the door, she fumbled with the key card, and he took it from her, effortlessly sliding it into the slot. The door swung open and started to close.

  Reggie stepped inside, casting a look at him that squeezed his heart.

  He took a step toward her and leaned forward. She placed her palms on his chest and slid them up to clasp his neck. Kiss the girl.

  Just as he wanted, she stretched up to offer her soft lips. The first kiss led to another and another after that. He lifted her against him, and the door closed behind him. Reluctantly, he wrenched his mouth from hers. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “You take my breath away.”

  Reggie smiled. “You make me feel beautiful.”

  He held her off the carpeting, held her as though she were the most precious thing in his world. It suddenly occurred to him that she was.

  “I guess I’d better go,” he said, but made no move to put her down.

  Her embrace tightened. “You don’t have to leave, Frank.”

  That totally rocked him. “Are you sure?”

  “I want you to stay,” she whispered against his lips, placing kisses on his mouth and then touching her tongue to his lips.

  “Then I will.” The next kiss took place against the wall. He cupped her butt with one hand, and the sexy, short dress slid up as her legs encircled his waist. The thigh-high stockings had a lacy edge at the top. He wanted to bite them off her. Instead he stroked her thigh as he carried her toward the bed and reluctantly set her on her feet.

  Reggie slipped out of his jacket and tossed it across a chair. Now she was loosening his tie, but he stripped it off and threw it with the jacket.

  Passion flared in her eyes, and he realized she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Impossible.

  Reggie’s fingers quickly unbuttoned his shirt. She stroked his chest, her short nails softly abrading his skin. He let the shirt drop to the floor.

  “My turn.” Frank unzipped the black dress, the sound setting his senses on high alert. The straps slid down her arms, revealing a lacy black bra and matching panties. “Whoa!”

  She grinned, stepping out of the dress as it slid down her thighs and landed in a puddle at her feet. “You like?”

  His throat tightened up, but he managed to swallow. When he could speak, his voice came out all raspy. “Understatement.” He drew her close and nuzzled her neck.

  She emitted a little mewl of pleasure. “Good. You paid a lot for them.”

  “Worth every penny.” He sank onto the bed and reached out to her.

  Reggie slid into his arms, her smooth skin setting fire to his libido and his emotions. He rolled her onto her back, caressing her breasts and then trailing kisses over her stomach. He stroked her thighs and drew the stockings down her legs, one at a time, allowing his fingers to linger on her warm flesh.

  “One of us is wearing entirely too many clothes.” Her voice was soft and husky.

  He hoped she was choked by passion. He certainly was. “I’d better fix that right away.” He rose from the bed and quickly divested himself of the rest of his clothing. Reaching in his pocket before he tossed his pants over the chair, he found one of the condoms he’d had the foresight to bring with him. He’d thought he was being entirely too optimistic when he had done so, but now he was glad he did.

  “You must work out a lot,” she commented, looking him over critically.

  “Not really.” He slid onto the bed beside her and reached to unsnap the black lace bra. “I do practice martial arts. That keeps me in pretty good shape.” His fingers trailed from her collarbone down to softly stroke her breast. He circled her nipple with his thumb, smiling when it tautened at his touch. “Just beautiful,” he whispered, before tracing the same route with his tongue.

  Reggie lay back against the pillow, gazing up at him with her large luminous eyes.

  He had never thought to see that expression on her face. Why had he called her the Ice Princess? It was because she had been cold as ice. Well, she’d thawed out for him now. Just don’t blow this. It’s your one chance to be the man she wants you to be.

  Frank slipped his hand in the lacy black panties. Gently, he slid them off, his fingers trailing over her silky skin.

  Fighting the urgency building in his groin, he wanted to make certain their first time together was memorable for Reggie. He trailed kisses from her neck over her shoulder and took his time to pay special attention to her breasts.

  Reggie arched toward him, offering herself up as a delectable treat.

  He let out a shaky breath. “Your skin feels like warm silk. I can’t stop touching you.”

  She opened her eyes, looking pleased. “I like your hands on me. I like—” She gasped as his fingers found their target. “Ooh,” she moaned. “That feels…good.”

  He traced a path down her ribs with his tongue, taking a detour to investigate her navel. Her soft giggles and moans intrigued him, so he trailed his mouth lower to taste the sweetness of her mound.

  Reggie sucked in an audible gasp as his tongue teased her innermost core. He varied the intensity as his tongue manipulated the tiny button.

  “Oh, please, now… I need you inside me…now.”

  He quickly applied the condom and eased inside, thrilled as she wrapped her thighs around him and pulled him closer. He settled on top of her, bearing his weight on his forearms.

  Her face, flushed with pleasure, made him determined to ensure that this, their first time together, would be something to remember.

  She arched up, writhing against him. Her nipples grazed his chest, setting his insides ablaze.

  He was torn between raging passion and melting into the sweetness of the moment.

  Reggie moved beneath him, setting a rhythm for him to match, and he picked it up, stroking deep inside her. The sound of her breath coming in sweet little gasps was interspersed with words of encouragement. “Oh, yes.”

  Suddenly, her body stiffened, and she clung to him for a few moments before collapsing back onto the pillow, her breathing ragged. “That was—just amazing.”

  “Oh, no,” he crooned close to her ear. “I’m not done with you.”

  She opened her eyes wide. “You’re not?”

  “Just relax and leave the driving to me.”

  Reggie laughed as he brushed her hair away from her damp forehead. “And just where are you taking me, Mr. Bell?”

  He delivered a passionate kiss. “All the way to heaven, Ms. Stafford. All the way…”

  He proceeded to bring her to orgasm twice more before he joined her. They lay together, wet and breathing hard.

  “I—I—” He stopped himself before he blurted out the words I love you.

  Flushed with passion, she opened her eyes. “Did you say something?”

  He swallowed hard. “I—uh… I need some water.” He reached for a bottle of water on the bedside table. “Are you thirsty?”

  She laughed. “Not thirsty.”

  He unscrewed the cap and sucked down several gulps. Lame…totally lame.

  Reggie giggled. “Wouldn’t want you to be dehydrated. You’ve got work to do.”

&
nbsp; He swallowed the water the wrong way and had a coughing fit.

  * * *

  Reggie’s heart pounded against her ribs. She tried not to sound like an overheated dog panting, consciously breathing through her nose and drawing long, slow breaths. In her limited sexual history, she had never experienced anything approaching the intensity of Frank’s passionate lovemaking. By the time their bodies finally joined, he had invested a significant amount of time in foreplay to ensure that every molecule of her being was screaming for relief. And relieve her he did…four times. Talk about stamina.

  Now, he held her tenderly, her head cradled against his shoulder. He kissed her forehead gently and stroked her hair. Resting against his hard body was the ultimate luxury after such an eternity of solitude.

  Grinning in the dark, Reggie felt completely satisfied. In fact, the term sensory overload came to mind. She’d just experienced the most thorough workout she could imagine. Words tumbled through her brain as she tried to think of something to say…something clever that didn’t sound like she was desperate or needy…couldn’t.

  “Are you okay?” Frank’s deep voice resonated through his chest, vibrated through her bones and flesh, annexing her as an extension of him.

  “More than okay,” she breathed.

  He chuckled, pressing kisses against the side of her face. “I—I feel the same way.”

  “Really?” She was pretty sure that wasn’t what he had intended to say, but he’d checked himself. Well, if he’s feeling the same way, he’s floating in the stratosphere.

  “Yeah, really.” His arms tightened around her. “Tell me something. Do you want me to leave or stay?”

  “What?” She twisted to look into his eyes.

  Frank heaved a sigh. “I just mean, are you comfortable with me staying here all night?” He kissed her temple again. “I love holding you in my arms, but if you’re not feeling the same way, I can go to my condo and pick you up in the morning.”

  “Oh.” Not being a sophisticated woman with many affairs under her belt, she wasn’t sure what her reply should be. She wondered what he would say if she confessed that he was only the second man she had slept with…not that much sleeping had taken place this time around. “Um, I’m comfortable if you are.” She cringed. That didn’t sound at all romantic.