by Katie Dowe
“Good for you.”
Tessa laughed at that. “I am scared.”
“I am sure the good doctor is never going to hurt you.”
“I keep telling myself that.” She twisted her fingers together. “He says he is in love with me, has been since we were children.”
“That is very romantic.”
Tessa took a deep breath and got to her feet. “I have not been back.”
“The sex was that bad?”
Tessa looked at her startled and then burst out laughing. “It was amazing.”
“And yet you have not been back.”
Tessa stared at her for a moment. “You are right. I am going over after work.”
“You should. Call him and let him know.”
“Thanks.” Tessa made her way out. “I hope you stick around.”
“Maybe I will.”
Chapter 7
“I think Mother knows about us,” Kurt commented as he ran the sponge over her body slowly.
“What?” Alexis sat up so suddenly in the bath that the water sloshed out at the sides.
“She was bound to find out sooner or later.” He said mildly as he lifted her leg and ran the sponge on her skin.
“Stop!” Alexis shivered as he continued. “Kurt, this is not good.”
“It saves me the trouble of having to tell her.” He pulled her leg and rested it against his powerful thigh. His bath was large enough to hold several people at once and she enjoyed taking a bath with him. Sometimes they took a shower together and when they did he would lick the water off her body sending her into a spasm of orgasmic trance.
“She must think I am taking advantage of her hospitality,” Alexis said fretfully.
“By sleeping with her son on a regular basis? I suspect not.”
“You think this is funny?” she looked at him darkly.
“Not really,” he slid over to her and positioned her on top of him. “What are you afraid of?”
“Your mother is going to think of me as a slut.” She said fretfully trying to focus as his hands kneaded her wet flesh.
“I am sure my mother does not know the meaning of that word,” his tone was highly amused.
“Be serious Kurt,” she broke off with a moan as he bent his head and bit the flesh above her breast.
He lifted his head and looked at her. “Marry me. We are having the Thanksgiving Dance soon so it would be a perfect opportunity to announce our engagement.”
“No.”
He bit off a sigh. “Why not?”
“You know why not.”
“You have not regained your memory. I told you I do not care about that. Nothing is going to make me stop loving you.” His blue eyes met hers as he said the words. “Yea, I know it is too soon--”
“Stop talking,” she whispered raggedly as she wrapped her hands around his neck. “You never said that to me before.”
“Yea well--” he inhaled sharply as she took his bottom lip between her teeth. “Baby.”
His hand fisted in her wet hair and brought her mouth to his, taking it in a kiss that had her shivering against him.
He lifted his head after a while and looked at her. “What if you regret it?” she whispered.
“Never,” he swore to her. “Whatever it is we will face it together. I want you with me Alexis.”
“Your mother, what is she going to say?”
“She is going to be happy for me. Just say yes.”
“Yes.” She whispered.
“Finally,” he muttered as he took her lips with his tenderly.
*****
It was two days later while she was coming from the barn that she had her first encounter with Connie. Kurt had told his mother and sister and they had offered their congratulations. The pretense of sleeping in her own suite had been done away with as she had fully moved in with Kurt. She felt a little strange about it but he had insisted and she had finally given in.
It was approaching eight. She had finished having dinner and decided to go and feed Sugarplum. Kurt had told her that he would not be coming back until around midnight. She was almost on top of her before she realized that someone was there. She bit off a scream before she recognized who it was. “Sorry. You scared me.” She said putting a hand to her heart.
“We have not been officially introduced,” the woman said with a smile. “My name is Connie Livingston.”
“Alexis Turner.”
“I have the greatest sympathy for someone in your condition and I see how Kurt is captivated by you. He is very kind to animals and people who have nowhere else to go. People who are lost so to speak.” Her soft voice had a hint of steel in it.
“What are you doing here, Connie?” Alexis asked her coolly.
“This place is like my second home. Didn’t Kurt tell you that? We grew up together. We had our first kiss together beneath the tree next to the barn. We promised each other that we would always be together and it was heading that way until you came along.”
Alexis felt the jealousy and uncertainty at the girl’s words. She was very pretty in an unassuming way, with long blonde hair and her soft skin and she was petite making Alexis feel like a giant. “I am sorry. Kurt told me that there was nothing between you two.”
Connie’s hand snaked out and gripped her arm tightly. “What did you expect him to say? Did he tell you we take rides up to his special place by that lovely stream and how we would lie on a blanket he brought and stare into the sky? Did he?”
Alexis wrenched her arm away feeling sick to her stomach. “Take it up with him.” She said coldly as she practically ran towards the ranch, her heart thudding in her breast!
*****
“Darling I was just talking to Marla next door and she told me that Kurt Murphy is practically engaged to that Alexis woman. Is that true?” Carmen Livingston asked curiously as she put the salad bowl onto the table. “I thought he was about ready to pop the question. Who does he think he is anyway?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Connie told here coldly as she cut the tender roast beef. After she had smashed the eggs she had sat there on one of the benches and had a good cry before coming inside to take a shower and try to look as if she was okay. But trust her mother to rub salt into a very raw wound!
“I thought that you two were an item. I told everyone who would listen that eventually you would get married and take us out of this thing we have gotten into since you dad died,” The woman said mournfully. “What did you do wrong?”
“Stop talking!” Connie screamed as she banged her small fists on the table causing the silverware to jump. “We are stuck in this dump and don’t you dare blame it on me! You caused all this to happen and it is all on you.” She pushed the chair away and got to her feet. “I hate you!”
Carmen watched openmouthed as her petite daughter went running from the room. “Oh Lord have mercy,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
*****
“Don’t stop,” Alexis moaned as his tongue touched the tip of her mound and stayed there. He had come home early and after they had eaten he had taken her for a ride. Even though the weather was icy it had been an exhilarating ride that had somehow fired up their passion. They had raced back to his suite where he had undressed her and taken her into the shower allowing the jet spray to cover their bodies while he used his mouth on her. His tongue entered stroking upwards and thrusting in forcefully. Her fingers gripped his thick hair and dug into his scalp as he continued to stroke her with his tongue. His teeth scraped the protruding flesh and she screamed, her body convulsing against the tiles. “Kurt please,” she begged him, her body vibrating with need. He released her and came up and over her, his mouth taking hers as he entered her slowly. Alexis wrapped her legs around him as she returned his kiss and his thrusts with frantic passion. His mouth left hers to wander down her neck and the hollow of her throat. He took a nipple inside his mouth and she fragmented instantly, erupting all over him, calling out his name feverishly as she hel
d onto him. Kurt dug his blunt fingers into her hips as he joined her into the mad rush!
*****
Connie wandered around the premises, careful to keep out of sight. She had jumped onto her old trusty horse Sweetie and had galloped away ignoring the biting cold that ripped through her jacket. She had to get away from the old bitch! Her mother was the cause for all of this! She had led her to dream and hope that she would eventually be Mrs. Kurt Murphy and she had hung onto it.
“You have been friends forever darling,” she had told Connie ever since she was a little girl. “The Murphys are going places and you are the best candidate to be mistress at that ranch.”
She had groomed her ever since she was little telling her that in order to be Kurt’s wife she would have to be gentle and subservient and not pay any of the local boys mind. She had done that, only giving herself to a rancher who had been passing through some years ago. She had kept herself and waited for him and he had chosen someone else.
She stuffed her hand into her mouth to stop the scream from coming forth as she wandered around the huge ranch hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She had never been inside his suite even though she had been there many times for dinner. His mother liked her but his sisters had barely tolerated her, the bitches! She thought savagely. Maybe they had been a part of him choosing someone else and if so they deserved to be punished. She crept up to the side where she knew his suite was and tortured herself wondering if he was screwing her, sinking himself deep inside her! She jumped as she heard someone behind her and spun around to see Paulie the angular cowboy who had been with the ranch for some time now.
“Miss Connie, are you okay?” he asked in concern.
“Why yes Paulie,” she said with a smile. “I was on my way in to see Erica but I thought a bit of cool air would do me good.”
“It’s freezing out. You should go on in.”
“I will, but there is something else.” She went towards him and going on her toes she touched her lips to his. The man was startled for a moment and then with a clumsy eagerness he returned the kiss wrapping his hands around her tiny waist. She ended the kiss and smiled up at him coquettishly. “I am so sorry,” she murmured. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“No need to apologize Miss Connie,” Paulie looked at the blonde beauty hungrily. “I enjoyed it.”
“So did I,” Connie lied. She started to pull her jacket open and then her shirt exposing her white breasts for his eager eyes. “How about we keep my being here between us?”
He nodded eagerly as he stared at her.
Connie buttoned up and gave him a wave almost running back to her horse!
*****
“Are you sure you want to go out? It’s crazy cold out there,” Tessa said with a frown as the girl wrapped the scarf around her neck.
“I want to go and have a look at what Kurt and the others are doing. I intend to be a very active wife.” Alexis said with a grin as she slid on her gloves. “I will be fine don’t worry.”
“I am worried that if something happens to you, then Kurt will never forgive me.” Tessa told her dryly. “That man is crazy about you.”
“I know.” She said with a pleased smile. “He is always doing things for me. I want to get to know what his world is all about. We are getting engaged over the weekend and I feel as if I should get to know more about him. I will be fine.”
Tessa watched her leave with a worried frown on her face. It was a little after six and she knew that Kurt had taken some of the men to mend fences and round up the cattle, she was not sure Alexis should be out there in the dark. The place was too big and she did not know every inch of the land yet.
She bit her lip as she wondered if she should call her mother’s attention to it but it was her weekly bridge night and she did not want to disturb her. Kathy was up in her room as she had been for the past week and Tessa had a feeling that it had something to do with Jake but the girl would not say anything. In the meantime, she had a date with a certain doctor that she was looking forward to.
*****
The icy wind touched her cheeks and settled there causing her to shiver as she urged Sugarplum into a canter. It felt good to be on the gentle horse’s back even in spite of the weather. She gripped the reins and allowed the horse to take the lead. A moon was shining high in the sky and the stars cast their brilliant glow on the land giving it an iridescent look. She had no idea where Kurt was but she wanted to surprise him. She guessed she would hear him as soon as she got close.
She slowed the horse down to a gentle canter as she took in deep breaths. She had been out here just last weekend with Kurt as they sat by the stream and watched the water gurgling over the stones. He had wrapped his arms around her and she had felt the contentment of his love surrounding her. He loved her! She felt the thrill of it and smiled that a man as ruggedly handsome as he was could love her so much that he would come to her every night no matter how late and be with her. His lovemaking was amazing and so potent that she found out she could not do without it.
She was so absorbed into her thoughts that she failed to hear the hooves approaching until it was too late! A whip snaked out and hit her and then her horse causing the animal to rear up in pain and she fell backwards hitting her head on a stone.
Connie smiled grimly as she sat on her horse and looked down at her. “Take that, you bitch!” she whispered as she turned her horse and rode away.
*****
Kurt felt the urge. The more he tried to ignore it the more it continued to beat at him. They were practically finished for the night and Mack had told him to go on home as he would see to the rest of the things they had to do. Winter was fast approaching and they needed to make sure everything was up to par.
“Go on boss, we got this.” Mack urged him again.
He nodded and mounted his horse wheeling around a tight circle as he made his way home.
“Darling, you are home early,” his mother commented as he came into the living room.
“I just thought I would make it an early night. How was your game?” he bent to kiss her as she sat there sipping her wine. There was a cheerful fire blazing in the hearth and he felt the warmth invading his body. It had been cold out!
“Very interesting. I have not seen Alexis since I finished my game and Tessa is not here. Are you hungry?”
“I will go and check in on Alexis first and then come back out.”
He strode away and went to his suite. “Alexis?” he frowned at the silent room. She was not in bed nor was she in the bathroom. He went to check in the room she had occupied previously and there was no sign of her. He went to distance to Kathy’s suite and found his sister asleep. He closed the door gently and went back to the living room. “I cannot find her Mother.”
“Darling, that’s ridiculous. Are you sure she is not in the barn or walking outside?”
He shook his head and reached for his phone to call Tessa.
“Did Alexis catch up with you?” his sister asked him.
Suddenly the fear darted through him like a shock to his system. “What do you mean?”
“She rode out two hours ago saying that she was coming to look for you. You did not see her?”
“No Tessa and it is as cold as hell out there! How could you let her go?” he bit out.
“Well excuse me! She is a grown woman and I did tell her not to go.”
He hung up and looked at his mother who had come near him. “I have to go and find her.” He felt as if he was paralyzed. “She has to be okay.”
“I am sure she is darling. Maybe she is lost.”
“I will round up the men.”
*****
It was an exhaustive two hours search with every minute causing the fear to escalate. They were about to go into another direction when they saw the horse she always ride.
“She must be near,” one of the hands said to Kurt.
But Kurt felt the fear darting through him. Sugarplum was not a horse who would throw its ri
der so that meant something was horribly wrong! “Fan out!” he shouted as he urged his horse to move. He found her a few feet away and almost felt paralyzed as he slid from the horse to go to her. “Over here!’ he shouted as he bent to her. “Alexis.” He whispered. She was so still and cold! Oh God please let her be alive! The men cantered over and dismounted hurriedly.
“Boss, we should not move her. She might have a concussion.” Mack said slowly.
“Call Ian.” Kurt said hoarsely. “She is bleeding from her head.”
*****
“She is going to be fine,” Tessa felt awful as she watched her brother paced the length of the waiting room as he waited for news. Ian had driven his open back van and they had lifted her onto a gurney and put her in as they transported her back to the medical center. Kurt had rode in the back with her and held her cold and lifeless hand, his heart breaking inside his chest. If he lost her….
“You think sleeping with a doctor gives you the authority to say that?” he asked her coldly as he stopped and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“That’s not fair--”
“Enough you two,” Erica said firmly. “Let’s just hope for the best.”
“What best Mother? She was out there for close to four hours before we found her. At best she is suffering from hyperthermia and at worst damage to her brain.”
“Darling, I know you are suffering but you have to stay positive.” Erica told her son gently laying a hand on his arm.
“I am trying,” he shoved his fingers through his hair and held on. “I cannot lose her. If I do--” he wheeled and went to stare out the window, his thoughts muddled. What possessed her to go out at that time of night and in that extreme cold when she did not even know the land? What was she thinking?
He turned around as Ian came into the room and took off his skull cap. “Ian?”
