Renewing Lost Love

by Karen Ward

  He closes his fist around the ring. Anger still in his voice Keith asks, “So, you’re married to Bixby?”

  Nodding my head with tears obvious in my voice, I say, “Yes, he made me marry him in Nevada when we were on our way to the compound in Idaho. We stopped at one of those little wedding chapels in some tiny town in the middle of nowhere. I don’t even remember the name. He told me he would kill me if I didn’t marry him or if I made any attempt to get away or notify the minister of anything other than how much I loved him.”

  Keith says, “But you were only fifteen, it can’t possibly be legal.”

  “It’s legal. He made me do it again in Idaho after I turned eighteen.”

  Keith rises from the bed and begins pacing back and forth from one end of the room to the other. He lays the ring on the bedside table. I turn from the window and watch him, tears still streaming from my eyes. After a few minutes he stops and turns toward me and asks, fear in his heart,

  “Jasmine, do you love me?”

  I look deep into his eyes, “More than anything. I have always loved you.”

  Smiling with relief he says, “Then we’ll work this out ... somehow. Let’s just take it one day at a time. We don’t have to get married right away anyway. Let’s wait and see what happens with Bixby. If necessary, we’ll file for divorce although that is not my first choice.”

  Shuddering with revulsion I say, “I can’t ask him for a divorce. He’ll kill me!”

  Keith pulls me into his arms brushing the hair away from my face, “We’ll cross that bridge if we have to, for now, let’s just take it one day at a time, all right?” Waiting until I nod in agreement, he then says, “Now, kiss me.” He lowers his head and takes my lips with his. Pushing his tongue past the barrier of my teeth he delves into the warm recesses of my mouth. After long moments he pulls away, breathing heavily, and pleads, “Make love with me Jasmine?”

  I am shocked. James Bixby never asked me to make love to him. He always demanded I make love to him. Looking into Keith’s eyes, I see his love for me glowing in their depths and in answer to his question I reach my hands up and begin unbuttoning his shirt. Baring his muscular chest I run my hands tenderly over his muscles. Then nervously I take his hand and lead him to the bed. Not sure how to proceed because I only know what James Bixby liked, I say, “Show me Keith. Show me how to love you.”

  He lowers his head to mine kissing away the remnants of my tears and then takes my lips again, plunging into my warmth. He pulls me close then begins to pull my blouse up from my waist, slowly raising his hands until he reaches my breasts. Brushing his thumbs softly over my nipples he relishes my sharp intake of breath. Then he raises my blouse over my head and tosses it to the floor. He then removes my jeans and shoes casting them aside. Throwing back the covers of the bed he picks me up and lays me down on the soft sheets.

  Quickly removing his own clothes he joins me on the bed. He looks deeply into my eyes and whispers, “First, I am going to show you how much I love you Jasmine. You just lay here and let the feelings come, all right?” Then he takes my nipple in his hungry mouth suckling me through my lacy bra. He says,

  “Oh Jasmine, I love your breasts! They are so sweet!”

  I don’t know what to think. James Bixby never wanted to please me or give me pleasure. He only wanted to take his pleasure from me. He brutally used my body seeking his own fulfillment. Unsure what to do, I enclose Keith in my embrace savoring the feel of the bulging muscles of his back beneath my exploring fingers. Seeking out each ridge, each valley lightly scoring them with my nails. I am drowning in new and long forgotten sensations rocketing through my body and moans of pleasure escape from my lips and I begin to move restlessly on the bed. When he shifts his attention to my other breast I arch my back and grasp his head firmly to my breast craving the warm moistness of his mouth against my sensitive nipple. I love the feelings Keith is creating in my body.

  Keith is starving for her taste. Her moans of pleasure are driving his desire ever upward and he knows he needs to slow down before he loses himself completely.

  He moves from my breast back to my mouth struggling to regain his control. He nibbles at my lips then kisses down the graceful curve of my neck. He runs his tongue around the outer edge of my dainty ear and nibbles at my lobe.

  He moves his hand down over my stomach and hooks his thumb into the top edge of my panties quickly pushing them down my legs and onto the floor and then unhooks the front closure of my bra. He slowly moves down my body paying homage to each breast before moving lower to my stomach trailing kisses. Moving his hand to my most feminine place he gently pushes my legs apart so he can gain access to my secrets.

  I am really confused now. Why is he touching me there? What am I supposed to do?

  He moves further down my body plunging his tongue into my navel as he explores the folds of my warmth with his fingers, seeking my very core. Finding me wet and ready he gently inserts two fingers into my warmth and hears me moan as I arch my hips up to meet the thrusting of his fingers.

  Oh God! That feels so good! What is he doing to me? my fingers close around handfuls of the bedding as my head begins moving restlessly on the pillow.

  He moves between my legs, one arm wraps across my body holding me in place. Then he buries his face in my curls inhaling my feminine essence before tasting me. Gently laving my sensitive flesh with his tongue and suckling my most sensitive nub as he gently moves his fingers in and out of my warmth.

  I am shocked. What’s he doing? No one has ever kissed me there! Oh God! What is this wonderful feeling? Oh! Yes!

  When he feels me tense he raises his head and says, “That’s it Jasmine, come for me Sweetheart. Let me feel you come apart in my arms.”

  I am dizzy with sensations. A vague memory from many years ago is trying to surface and I feel pressure coiling in my belly. I am moving restlessly and I hear my moans as I try to get closer and closer to that elusive memory. Keith is suckling on my sensitive nub and then all at once I crash over the precipice into a world of bright lights and pleasure beyond measure screaming my release. He is suddenly there absorbing my screams into his mouth as he rocks against me. As I drift back to earth I have a vague sensation of being filled and when I open my eyes I am staring into the love filled eyes of my Keith.

  Lowering his head he kisses me deeply then says, “I love you Jasmine,” as he begins to move slowly inside of me savoring the contractions of my feminine muscles around his bulging shaft. He says, “Wrap your legs around me Jasmine. Hold on tight and let’s fly away together.”

  Loving him more with each movement, I wrap my legs tightly around his waist and begin to move with him relishing the delicious friction of our joining. Sex with James Bixby was never like this. This is absolutely wonderful. I feel the pressure building once again deep in my belly. I raise my hand to his face and stroke him gently my love glowing in my eyes as our bodies’ rock together in unison. I gently pull his head down to mine and dive deeply into the warm recesses of his mouth gently sucking on his tongue in rhythm to the movements of our bodies.

  When Jasmine draws his tongue into her mouth Keith almost loses control again. As he picks up the pace of their joining he can feel the tension growing in her sensitized body. He shifts his position slightly and pauses between each stroke grinding his hips against her sensitive nub.

  Raising his head he looks into my glazed eyes and whispers, “My precious Jasmine, come fly with me.” He slams into my body grinding his pelvic bone against my nub and feels me clench tightly around him as I crash over the edge into that world that only lover’s share and he follows me smothering our cries of pleasure with a deep kiss.

  When we float back to earth, Keith moves to my side and pulls the warm covers over our naked bodies. He then pulls me close to his side, his arms wrapped protectively around me. He whispers, “I love you Jasmine. I didn’t hurt you did I?” Keith is concerned because Jasmine hasn’t said anything and then he feels the moisture of her tears
dripping onto his chest. “Oh God, Jasmine, please don’t cry. Please tell me I didn’t hurt you.” Keith so completely lost control at the end he’s not sure what happened. He felt like he was soaring through the universe and is afraid he did something that caused her pain.

  Tears silently sliding from my eyes I say, “You didn’t hurt me Keith. I just didn’t know I could feel like I did, like I do. That was the most amazing experience. I remember the first time, the night of your Senior Prom but it was nothing compared to this and I never even dreamed I would lie with you like this ever again. I am the happiest woman in the world. I love you so much!”

  Keith reaches over on the bedside table, grasps the ring in his hand, and silently places it back on my finger, “Please, Jasmine, wear my ring as a sign of our commitment until we can legally marry.”

  “Yes, Keith, I will. I love you.” Jasmine replies.

  As we drift into sleep a happy smile curves Pinky’s lips. He wakes me several more times throughout the night and invites me to fly with him again and again.

  ******

  Just before dawn the next morning Keith dresses and heads down the stairs intending to return to his quarters over the barn before anyone else wakes and he is surprised to find Scoot and Barry sharing a cup of coffee in the kitchen. When he walks in he asks, “Hey guys, what got you up so early?”

  Barry and Scoot exchange a look and fear flows through Pinky. Then Scoot says, “We were waiting for you. We may have a problem Pinky.”

  Pinky’s heart clenches in fear.

  Scoot continues, “Samantha Wells has disappeared again. This time no one has any idea why. The FBI called me a couple of hours ago wondering if she had communicated with any of us. You haven’t heard from her have you?”

  Relieved this doesn’t have to do with Bixby, he checks his cell phone for messages and says, “No, and I don’t have any messages as far as I can tell. When did she disappear? Was she out on bail or what?”

  Scoot says, “The charges were dropped against her after they got Timmy’s story and the autopsies verified his parents were murdered. All I know for sure is that when the FBI went by her apartment yesterday to ask her a few more questions about Timmy’s case, she was gone. Her apartment looks like she left in a hurry leaving dirty dishes in the sink, food out on the counter. They didn’t find any signs of a struggle though. They are totally baffled.”

  Pinky asks, “What about the other couple? Are they still in custody?”

  Shaking his head Scoot says, “No, they are out on bail and have disappeared too.” Pausing then deciding to dive right in, Scoot asks, “Pinky has the FBI or CPS told you anything about Timmy’s family?”

  Looking questioningly at Scoot, Pinky says, “No, is there something I should know?”

  Scoot, shaking his head disgustedly, says, “Damn! Richard Dean was supposed to contact you days ago, before we went to Louisiana. I’m sorry man. I should have asked you before now. I would have told you sooner if I had known Richard Dean hadn’t.

  Very curious now, Pinky asks, “What? Tell me!”

  Scoot begins, “Pinky, Timmy’s biological mother was the daughter of Timothy Ronald Westbrook, a very wealthy oil man from Texas. She was an only child and since his grandfather died under questionable circumstances a few months ago, Timmy is the only heir. He is worth billions of dollars. The FBI thinks that is why this couple, John and Adrian Fisher, are trying to gain custody of him. They want to control the money. John Fisher used to work for Westbrook. The story is that Westbrook’s daughter and her husband fled Texas after her father’s death because their lives had been threatened. They changed their identities and were living in Colorado until recently.”

  Nodding Pinky says, “Timmy told me they were living in Colorado but that his Dad didn’t like the taxes there so they were moving to Tennessee. He said his mother wanted to live on a mountain top. He also told me that John Fisher and his Dad had been arguing over money and his Dad had refused to give him any just before the guy shot his parents. Did you say Timmy is worth billions with a “b” of dollars?”

  Scoot says, “Yeah, and as his court appointed guardian, you have control of it.”

  All of the color drains from Pinky’s face and he says, “Damn! I guess I better have a talk with Jason Murray!” Jason Murray is a former stockbroker, investment counselor turned rancher that handles all of Barry Farrady’s investments.

  Barry interrupts, “We still need to decide what we can do to find out what happened to Samantha Wells and what we need to do to protect Timmy. I doubt that couple is going to give up on gaining control of that money. They’ve already murdered once so it wouldn’t be a stretch for them to murder again.”

  Pinky asks, “Do we have mug shots from when John and Adrian Fisher were arrested?”

  Scoot responds, “I have asked the local FBI office to email us the mug shots and background information along with their fingerprints.”

  Pinky takes a minute to think over the situation then says, “When we went to Tennessee to find Sam the time she disappeared with Timmy from the hospital, she activated a GPS locator device, like the ones skiers use, to direct us to her location in the mountains. I am pretty sure we still have that information in the computer on the helicopter. I realize it is a long shot, but what if she has activated that same device to try and show us where she is being held?”

  Scoot says, “Hey, it’s worth a shot, come on, let’s go check it out.”

  The three men walk across the ranch yard in the early morning light to the helipad and climb aboard the helicopter. Turning on the computer, Pinky activates the GPS and sure enough, the coordinates for Samantha’s GPS locator pop up on the screen. She is traveling on an interstate highway in Wyoming headed north.

  Scoot says, “Well I’ll be damned. She is one smart lady. It sure looks like they are headed this way.” He calls his FBI contact and gives them the information. They assure him they will stop the vehicle and get back to him as soon as they can..

  The men head back to the ranch house and are sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee when Timmy comes running down the stairs into the kitchen screaming, “Mr. Pinky, Mr. Pinky, Miss Sam is in trouble!”

  Pinky picks him up and sits him on his knee then asks, “Hey big guy, what are you talking about?”

  Timmy, with tears streaming down his face, says, “I saw her in my dream. That mean man has her tied up in the trunk of his car! Help her Mr. Pinky, please!”

  Pinky glances from Scoot to Barry and then back at Timmy. “What else did you see in your dream Timmy?”

  Timmy is openly sobbing now and says, “I saw him hit her, then he tied her up and put her in the trunk of his car. They were arguing about me Mr. Pinky! He’s coming after me!”

  Pulling him close Pinky says, “Don’t worry Timmy. We’re not going to let him get you, are we, Uncle Scoot? We’re going to make real sure you are safe right here at the ranch. Miss Sam is going to be all right too. The police are looking for her right now.”

  A watery smile appears on his little face and he says, “Really? The police are going to get the mean man and save Miss Sam?”

  Pinky smiles and says, “They sure are. We’re waiting for them to call us back right now. How about some breakfast Sport? What would you like?”

  Smiling now, Timmy says, “Oatmeal! I love oatmeal with raisins!”

  A little while later Scoot’s cell phone rings, “Scoot.”

  “We have an all clear Mr. Drake. Miss Wells is on her way to the hospital in Cheyenne and we have the other two in our custody. I am quite sure they won’t be getting out on bail again,” says the FBI agent.

  Scoot asks, “Was Miss Wells hurt?”

  The FBI agent responds, “No, she had some bruises where John Fisher struck her but over all she is all right. We just want her to get checked out before we carry her back to Tennessee. Being locked in the trunk of a car for several days can be quite traumatizing.”

  Scoot says, “Since you are so close, why do
n’t you bring her to the ranch. We can protect her here until the trial is over. We have plenty of room.”

  “That would be very helpful if you’re sure it won’t be an inconvenience. We are not sure yet if this couple is working alone or if they are part of some bigger plot. We’ll see you later today,” says the agent.

  Scoot looks over at Pinky then he answers, “Well, thank you for letting us know. We’ll see you soon.”

  When he disconnects Scoot says, “Timmy hit the nail right on the head. Sam was locked in the trunk of the car and had bruises where she was struck. It sounds like we have quite a smart young man here with some hidden talents.”

  Pinky grins with pride as he looks lovingly at his future son.

  “The FBI is bringing Sam here to stay until everything is settled. They seem to think others may be involved in this plot,” adds Scoot.

  Barry says, “I think that’s a good idea. Timmy will like having her here too.”

  ******

  A few hours later a dark SUV typical of the FBI pulls into the circle drive at the ranch. Scoot and Pinky come down the stairs out of the office to greet them. As soon as Sam steps out of the car she throws herself into Pinky’s arms and kisses him enthusiastically on the lips.

  Gently setting her away from him, a blushing Pinky says, “Hello Sam. It’s good to see you too.”

  Grinning from ear to ear Scoot says, “Samantha, I’m Scoot, head of Drake Security. Welcome to our home. I suppose the FBI told you we are going to be responsible for your safety until after the trial.”

  Smiling Sam says, “Hello Scoot. It’s good to see you again. I remember you from when Pinky rescued me after my fall. Yes, they told me. I want to thank all of you for saving me again. I knew Pinky would think to check for my GPS locator when he heard I was missing.”