“Hey, the Mississippi River flowed backward once, this should be a piece of cake.”
Justice laughed. “I think that was due to an earthquake, a force of nature.”
“Ha!” Charlee grinned at him, winking. “I’m a force of nature.”
“Yes, you are.” He was staring so hard at her mouth that Charlee had to look away.
“Don’t worry, I know how to do this, and we have some great engineers. I just need to get a lay of the land so I’ll be able to make some recommendations. Plus, I want to walk this area and see where the original road bed lies.” She looked toward the highway, skirted the hole, and walked to what remained of the fence line. “Most people don’t realize the roadway they drive on doesn’t necessarily follow the original El Camino trail, not exactly. There are still actual wagon ruts visible and other trail remnants can be found in the woods. What we need to do is locate any of those remains on your property and try to find an alternative route for traffic to flow that won’t lay asphalt over anything of historic significance.”
“You mean, we need to propose an alternative route for the existing roadway?”
“Yes, one that’s safe. I know you don’t want to lose too much acreage to imminent domain, but we could try to work out a deal between you and the other land owners if possible, so no one bears too much of the burden. If we can do this without tampering with ancient artifacts or disturbing anything, that’s what we need to do.”
“I understand. There was an uproar up around Nacogdoches, some drilling company poured a concrete slab over a section of the trail. No one wants that to happened, least of all me. Jase would kill me, you know what a history buff he is.”
“True. Do you think I could bring one of your horses out here? This isn’t something I can do from the back of a four-wheeler and it’s too long of a trek to make on foot.”
Justice always counted himself to be a pretty smart guy. He could recognize an opportunity when he saw it. Holing up his hands, he surrendered. “Okay, okay, you convinced me. I’ll sacrifice myself and spend the night with you in the woods.”
“What?” She laughed. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”
“You have miles to cover. Most of it is wooded or has thick ground cover. It’s too cold for snakes, but we have other wildlife. You’re going to need me to protect you. Going back and forth would be a waste of time. Don’t you remember how we used to camp out here? Don’t tell me you’re scared.” He gave her a challenging look.
“Scared? Hell, no.” She was terrified. Not of wolves or wild cats, she was petrified of herself. How could she be alone with Justice for that long and hide the fact that she loved him?
Charlee was in deep trouble.
She suffered through the ride back. Holding on to Justice and not kissing his neck or rubbing her tits against his muscled back took great discipline. When they reached his office, he helped her off. “I have to call my family and catch them up. Meet me back here in half an hour, and we’ll saddle up. I’ll bring the food.”
He seemed so eager and happy, she hated to be a spoilsport. “Don’t you think it would be wiser to wait till daybreak? I need to make some phone calls myself.”
“Heck no, do it now. I have sleeping bags, food, a tent, and all the gear we need. It’ll be fun. Like old times. We’ll build a campfire and tell ghost stories.”
Yes, this was the Justice she remembered. “All right. Don’t leave me, I’ll hurry.” She repeated words she’d said to him a million times when they were young.
“That’s my girl.” He felt a wistful longing. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
As she started to the parking lot, she remembered he had given her a ride. Dang, she was so excited, she was losing it. “I don’t have wheels, I rode with you.”
“Take my truck. Catch.” He threw her the keys, which she caught deftly with a smile.
He watched as she left, a big smile on his face. When she was out of sight, he let out a yell of triumph and fist-pumped the air.
* * *
“Charlee’s back in town. Charlee’s back…Charlee’s back…” Justice whispered as he sat at his desk after informing Jase and Shiloh about what he’d learned from Charlee. As it turned out, they were more interested in the fact that Charlee was his contact than they were about the possible answers to their problem. Leaning back in his chair, he smiled, fantasizing…
She stood in the doorway of his bedroom, the smile on her face a sensual promise. “Are you sure you want me, Justice?”
Her hesitation bothered him. How could she question his need for her? “Come to my bed, Charlee, where you belong.” Justice leaned back on the headboard, beckoning her to join him. “I’ve waited for you forever.” He was naked, hard and hungry for this beautiful woman who began to undress before his eyes.
“You don’t have to wait anymore. I’m here.”
Justice leaned forward, his gaze devouring her image. She was magnificent, just as he imagined. Full, high breasts, a perfect fit for his hands. Succulent pink nipples, the same color as her luscious mouth. A graceful body with a narrow waist and flared hips, legs long and supple. He couldn’t wait to feel them wrapped around him.
She came to the bed and placed one knee on the mattress, then crawled forward slowly. Her breasts hung down, and he licked his lips. “You are so sexy.” Her face was dear to him—at the same time familiar and intriguing. Big eyes framed by dark lashes, a delicate nose, high cheekbones, and a mouth with a short upper lip that he planned on sucking like candy. “Kiss me.” He touched her shoulder, her soft skin feeling like velvet to his fingertips.
“I crave you, Justice King.” She came to him, and he settled her on top, her legs straddling his thighs, her hot sex cradling his rock-hard cock. Charlee nestled against him. He didn’t know if she desired heat or protection. Justice offered both. He longed to give her anything her heart desired.
Framing his face with her hands, she claimed his lips. A tender tentative caress that quickly changed, she melded herself to him, eating at his mouth with ardor. Her fingertips rubbed his face, as if memorizing the contours and her tongue…her tongue mated with his, licking, swirling, tasting. Justice’s lust rose hot. He ached for this woman as he never had for another. He ran his hands over her back, kneading the soft flesh, wishing he could pull her into him, merge her being with his.
She held him tight, kissing his lips, then running her mouth over his jaw and down his neck. Nipping, licking, scraping her teeth and leaving a mark. With a whimper, Charlee rubbed her tits on his chest back and forth, butter-soft mounds crushed against hard muscle. He could feel her puckered nipples tangling in his chest hair and the gasps of pleasure she made.
It wasn’t enough, never enough.
Justice took her by the hips and held her steady as she worked her pussy over his cock, scrubbing up and down. The soft lips of her womanhood fitted over his rod, enveloping him, using him for her satisfaction. “Justice, Justice…oh, God, Justice!”
Justice groaned. The sounds she made were the hottest thing in the world. Men would go to their knees, cumming just from listening to her enjoy herself. And he was the instrument of her pleasure. “I need you, Charlee.” He lifted her. His swollen cock ached to be inside of her. “Let me in.” Justice held her still and when she took him in her hand, he almost came—just from her touch. But nothing, nothing on God’s green earth came close to the heaven of being inside of her. Slowly, deliberately, she sank down on him, enveloping his straining erection deep inside the silken heat of her pussy. “Oh, God, fuck, baby,” he moaned.
“Take me, Justice. Please.” She gave herself over to him, and he moved forward, laying her down on her back. Still connected, he lay on top of her, supporting himself by his arms, urging her to wrap herself around him. They were one. They were joined. “Fuck me, Justice,” she whispered. “Fuck me hard.”
As if given the keys to the kingdom, Justice began to ride her. Sliding in, pumping, thrusting, taking what belonged to him.
“Oh, God, feels so good,” he growled. Over and over again, he pounded into her, kissing her neck, twining his fingers in the long dark silken strands of her hair. “Charlee, how have I ever lived without you?”
She clung to him, her sweet pussy clasping him, massaging his dick. This…this was what he was born for. As he felt her body tighten, milking his cock, he let go, exploding, jetting his seed deep within her.
Justice rubbed his swollen package through his pants, giving it a stroke and a promise. Standing, he stretched, checking the clock. He had time to get his gear together and pack some food. Charlee was back and anything was possible.
Less than two miles away, Charlee pulled up into her father’s driveway. She was so nervous, she thought her throat would close up. It hadn’t taken her long to gather things for her excursion with Justice. With something good to look forward to, she felt she had the courage to face the man who’d raised her. Getting out of the Jeep, she squared her shoulders and stood up as straight as she could. She could do this. Times had changed. She was a grownup who was self-sufficient and self-supporting. Charlee Parker, or more correctly, Cha’risa Cortez, was no longer a helpless child.
The place looked the same, except the paint was peeling and the screen on the outer door was sagging. Curtiss Parker was over sixty years old. She wondered if he’d thought about retiring. “You came.” His voice sounded from within the dim interior. “I’d heard you were here. Why are you staying in a motel? You’re welcome here, you know.”
“I know.” She walked into the waiting room. Stacks of antiquated magazines sat on end tables next to couches that had seen better days. No one had to tell her that his practice was hurting. People drove into Austin or Houston to a specialist if they had a problem. Her father’s practice had been downsized to broken arms and cases of the flu.
“Here, sit. Let me get you coffee.” She sat as he scurried around. A tired ceiling fan spun overhead, and Charlee noticed the mint green walls were fly speckled.
“This place needs a good cleaning.”
Curtiss laughed. “You always called things like you see them.”
“Yea.” She struggled to find the words. “About the day I left—”
“Well, did you find them?” His words seemed desperate and his expression contrite.
“I found her. My real father is dead.” She hoped he didn’t ask any questions. Charlee wasn’t in the mood to share the details.
The man who raised her hung his head. “I’m sorry.” He sighed. “It wasn’t my idea, adopting you. I just wanted to make Mary happy, and she never knew the details of how we came to have you. So, don’t blame her.”
Looking back to when she was young, it all made so much more sense now. “Mother, your wife, she couldn’t have children.”
“No, and with her condition…” He swallowed hard. “We didn’t qualify through normal channels.”
“You mean the seizures.” Charlee seemed detached. It was like she was observing someone else’s life.
“Yes, so we went to a lawyer who gave us you.” At her unwavering glare, he looked away. “I didn’t ask enough questions.”
“You should have, I had a family. I was stolen.” She gulped. He knew the story, she’d made sure he was sent the files. “Look, I know you didn’t know…but you blamed me for what happened to…Mom.”
Curtiss wiped his eyes. “I was wrong. She drowned because of the epilepsy. It wasn’t your fault.”
“No, I was five.” She took a deep breath. “And she saved me. But if I hadn’t begged to go swimming…” Her voice trailed off.
“Like you said, you were five.” He hung his head. “I took it out on you, I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” Charlee stood. “Well, this was fun.” At least it was a start. “I have to go.”
“Can we have dinner? I’d like to find out about you and your work.” He followed her to the door, hopeful.
“I have a lot to do.” When his face fell, she spoke again, “I’ll let you know when I have the time. I’m sure we can get together before I go back to Austin.”
“I hope so.”
He smiled, and she hitched her purse over her shoulder. There was so much he didn’t know, so much she’d never tell him. “See you later.” Curtiss Parker moved closer to hug her, but Charlee sidestepped. She wasn’t ready for that. Across the floor and out the door, she counted the steps. Each consecutive one easier than the last.
By the time she got to her vehicle, she was almost hyperventilating. The strain and stress of years and years of questions and accusations seemed to melt away. This was a beginning. Charlee felt cleansed.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Do you remember how to ride a horse?” He led his Appaloosa, Cochise, with one hand and a surprise for Charlee with the other.
“Is this Shasta?” Charlee ran to the mare, greeting her with a kiss. “I had no idea she’d still be alive!”
“What are you talking about, she’s still young.” As they saddled the horses, both of their minds went back to a day neither would soon forget.
“You’re my best friend, Justice.” Charlee grabbed his hand, but Justice pulled his away.
“I don’t want to hold hands, that’s for little kids.” His answer was gruff as he stomped along.
Charlee struggled to keep up with Justice. “Did you hear the thunder last night? I slept under the bed again.”
Slowing down, Justice asked, “Where was your dad?”
“I don’t know. Out drinking, I guess.”
Justice stopped and kicked a dirt clod. Charlee bumped into him. She had been staring at the ground instead of watching where she was going—like usual.
“Oops, sorry, Justice.” Charlee wiped a tear off of her face.
At twelve, Justice towered over her. She was still small for her age. “Did you get anything to eat?”
“I had some fig preserves and buttermilk for breakfast.”
Shaking his head, Justice started walking again. “You can eat lunch with us. Mama’s making hamburgers, it’s the squirt’s birthday.”
About that time, Charlee’s stomach growled. “Sounds good. How old is Abby Grace?”
“Six, I think. Look, there’s Tobias.” He raised a hand in greeting.
“Maybe, I better go home. Tobias doesn’t like me,” Charlee murmured, her voice full of disappointment.
“Nah, you don’t have to go.” They turned toward the corral. “Let’s go see what he wants.”
There was no one else around when Justice and Charlee joined the tow-headed, Tobias Metcalf. He was big for his age and thought he knew everything. Justice knew better. “Toby, whatcha doing?”
“I came by to see that new saddle you said your dad brought home from San Antonio.” There was a smirk on Tobias’s face that Justice would like to knock off.
“I can show it to you, it’s in the barn.” Several horses whinnied a welcome as the trio entered the dim interior. Justice flipped on a light, moving into the next room, but he could still hear them clearly. “The tack room is back this way.”
Tobias stopped inside the door. “Why does four-eyes have to make every move you make?”
“I don’t do that.” Charlee protested.
“She’s all right.” Justice waved his hand, stopping to pick up a folded piece of newspaper lying on a bale of hay. When he saw what was on the advertisement, Justice smiled. His father must have left it here and that meant he was considering buying Justice the motorbike he’d asked for as a Christmas present.
“She’s a nuisance,” Tobias countered, getting up close to Justice, putting distance between him and Charlee. “Have you looked at her teeth? She could eat grass through a barb-wire fence.”
Justice cut his eyes toward Charlee. He could see tears filling her eyes. Immediately her hand went up to cover her mouth. When she spoke it was muffled. “Daddy says I’ll grow into my teeth.”
Justice just rolled his eyes, and Tobias ignored her. Thankfully he’d moved on. “So, let’s see t
hat saddle, King.”
Charlee followed them into the tack room, and Justice pulled a blanket off a rack next to the wall, revealing an elegant saddle with intricate carving and silver embellishments. “It’s handmade and worth a fortune.”
“Let’s try it out.” Tobias started to pick it up.
“No!” Charlee cried. “You’ll get in trouble, Justice.”
She was right, Justice agreed. If he wanted that motorbike, he couldn’t afford to deliberately disobey Sam King. And his father had expressly forbidden Justice from using this particular saddle. “We can’t.”
Toby elbowed Justice. “Do you always do what your girlfriend says?”
“She’s not my girlfriend!” Justice was fast to answer.
With a sneer and a laugh, the other boy faced them both with arms crossed. “She is if you do what she says. Come on, at least you should try it out. Or don’t you have the balls?”
Justice looked from one to the other, narrowed his eyes, and jerked the saddle off the rack and started out the door. “Charlee, get me a bridle.” When he marched outside, knowing he was being stupid, he stood out in the cool air and looked to see what horse was corralled near the house. Shasta. Good, he’d ridden the mare many times. Throwing the saddle over the fence, he opened the gate. “Shasta, come here.”
He held out his hand, and Charlee gave him what he asked for. “Don’t do this, Justice. Remember what your dad said.” There was real fear in Charlee’s voice.
“My dad isn’t like yours, Charlee,” Justice stated evenly as he slipped the leather straps over Shasta’s head.
“Please,” she begged, catching the sleeve of his jacket, trying to pull him back.
“See, I told you. Charlee loves Justice,” Toby sang off-key.
Justice took Charlee by the arm and escorted her out the gate. “Stay here.”
“I’m sorry,” Charlee whispered.
“If you want to stay, you need to be quiet.” He looked at the younger girl sternly.
“Come on, King, I’ve saddled the nag for you,” Toby called out.
Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) Page 10
