Romance: My First Time With The Tycoon
Page 37
“You are in your night gown.” Tom took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. “I wish no one but me to see you like that.”
He winked at her. She hated herself for being attracted to him still.
“She feared for Billy’s safety.” Mary told him. “I assured her that he was in good hands with you.”
“Indeed.” Tom playfully nudged the boy and tickled him once more. “He is great company.”
“Mama, can I see the pigs again?” Billy’s little voice asked.
“Yes, Billy.” Ruth allowed him to go with Tom to the pig sty and throw feed to the pigs.
“Is everything alright, Ruth?” Mary asked as she stood beside her.
“How well do you know Tom?” Ruth asked.
“I have known him for years. My father used to sell chicken to him before I met Robert and moved to the ranch.”
“And do you know of his wives’ deaths? Do you know exactly how it is they passed away?’ Ruth looked to Mary to see the truth in her eyes as she spoke.
“It’s tragic, really. His first wife died only a month after marriage. She got deadly sick one day and died the next. The second wife’s death was even worse, because she fell from a wild horse and died in his arms, only a week after they marriage.” Mary sighed. “The poor man has been through so much. My Robert was there for both deaths. He said that Mr. Franklin is a strong man to make it through such horror.”
Watching Tom and Billy from a distance, Ruth could not imagine him as the man her brother described.
“Were they wealthy women?” Ruth asked bluntly.
“Wealthy?” Mary looked at her with a puzzled face. “I suppose so, yes, they were from wealthy families.”
“We have a wedding to ready for, correct?” Ruth changed the subject. “What needs to be done before tomorrow?”
“Oh Mr. Franklin has already taken care of the arrangements.” She suddenly got really excited. “But something arrived for you this morning. Come, you must see!”
“Billy?” Ruth started to go to her son.
“Leave him be, he is safe with Mr. Franklin.” Mary told her, and for some strange reason, Ruth believed her.
Dragging her to the cabin and up the stairs, Mary took Ruth to a guest room and pulled her inside.
“What is this?” Ruth asked as they stood in front of a something hanging from the closet door with a large piece of material draped over.
“Your dress!” Mary yanked the material away to reveal a wedding dress unlike anything Ruth had ever seen. “Mr. Franklin had it made just for you.”
Ruth ran her finger over the white beads and delicate lace. There was no way she could fall for this man, no way at all. She tried to convince herself to not care about the murderer as she tried on the dress, but it was impossible when she looked at her image in the mirror. No man could be evil and yet make her dreams come true, could he?
Chapter Seven
The wedding was only minutes away and Ruth felt so overwhelmed she could faint. There were dozens of people from the town there to see them unite in marriage. With her blond hair iron curled and make painted upon her face, she stood looking at herself in the mirror. The wedding dress fit perfect and she looked prettier than ever, yet she felt at odds with her own self.
According to her brother, she was about to marry a killer, and she was his prey. It hardly seemed like that to her, but nevertheless, she believed her devoted brother.
“You look beautiful, sister.” Dave appeared in her room.
“Dave, you will be caught in here. There are so many people around, go before someone sees you.” She stood up and looked out the window to the guest waiting below.
“Relax, I have this under control.” He sat a small bottle on her vanity. “I brought you this. Consider it a wedding gift.”
“What is it?” She picked up the bottle and looked at the small glass container with liquid inside.
“It’s poison.” Her brother’s statement made her almost drop the bottle.
“Poison?” She sat in back down and covered it with a handkerchief.
“Not just any poison, this one is important because it makes the victim have pneumonia like symptoms, leaving everyone to believe they caught ill and died naturally.”
“And you want me to give this to Tom?” She assumed she was right when he smiled. “I don’t know if I can do this. What if you are wrong? What if he is innocent? Tom seems like a great man, and Mary says his wives died naturally. Her husband Robert was even there.”
“They are both in on his plans. Who do you think helped cover up the murders?” Dave took her hand in his. “Sister, these people are greedy evil killers. The sooner you take his life, the better. We will remove them from the ranch and start our new life.”
“But Mary is not evil. I met her on the train before even arriving here.” She looked out the window at the woman who was playing with Billy by the ceremony.
“She was on that train because she is the one who came to scope out your story and riches. Mary is the person who came to our town and questioned about you.” Dave claimed.
Ruth felt sick to her stomach as she thought about Mary sitting next to her on a train full of empty seats. Had the woman planned it all?
A loud knock came on the door and the person on the other side let her know it was time.
“Go, marry him.” Dave pointed to the bottle on the vanity. “Then put that in his cup this eve. You can have him too ill to even share a bed on the night of your wedding.”
Her brother kissed her crossed his heart, and she did the same.
The ceremony was so beautiful that Ruth had to keep reminding herself that it was not as meaningful as it felt. When the preacher told the groom to kiss the bride, she felt herself anxiously waiting for his lips upon her own. The moment their lips touched was magical. His lips were soft and warm, leaving her wanting more. It was in that moment that she thought of him as her husband, and not a cold blooded killer. As soon as their lips parted, she shook the moment off and told herself what a horrible man he was.
As the wedding ceremony ended, the celebration started. A band played music while all the guest danced the night away. Ruth watched as all the townspeople gathered around Tom and danced in a circle.
“Come on!” Tom called to her. “Come on out here with us!”
She shook her head no, playing too shy to dance among them, but her new husband laughed and came to her.
“You are too beautiful to sit alone at your own wedding!” He pulled her to her feet and spun her around in a circle.
Forgetting her suspicions, she giggles and allowed herself to enjoy the moment. The people all locked arms and danced in a circle. A young girl, maybe ten years old, ran up to Tom and took his hands in hers. Ruth watched as the two of them danced in the circle, laughing and smiling as the young girl showed her skills. There was no way that these people feared this man. All the town was there, and they seemed to look at Tom more like family, than a suspected killer.
“May I have this dance?” Tom held his hand out to her.
“Yes, please.” She felt his other hand link around her back as the music slowed down.
“I am happy to have you as my wife, Mrs. Ruth Franklin.” Tom whispered into her ear.
Ruth could not believe it, but she was happy to be Mrs. Ruth Franklin as well.
After the music had stopped and the guest had all gone home, the night came to an end. Billy had fallen asleep while mumbling about how much he loved Tom. The boy was smitten with the man.
“He had a long day.” Tom said when Ruth ran into him in the hall. “The boy has so much energy, it makes me feel like a kids again when I am with him.”
“He seems to really like you.” She looked up at his eyes. The man’s sky blue eyes were too much to handle, so she quickly turned away. “Goodnight, Tom.”
“Goodnight, Ruth.” They parted ways and went to their own bedrooms, but Ruth could not escape her thoughts of him and her brother’s plans.
“Ruth?” Tom opened his bedroom door.
“Can I come in?” She held up the glasses of wine. “It is our wedding night, you know.”
“Please.” He stepped aside for her to enter.
If her son’s room was fit for a prince, and her own for a queen, Tom’s bedroom was fit for the most magnificent king around. His bed was larger than her room back home.
“I thought we could have a glass of wine before bed.” She sat his in front of him. “Perhaps to settle our nerves.”
“Are you nervous, Ruth?” Tom stepped closer to her.
“Yes.” She sipped her wine. “I find I get nervous around you.”
“Well, I don’t get nervous around you.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “I feel many ways when I am with you, but nervous is not one.”
“So you aren’t going to drink your wine?” She asked as she pushed it towards him.
“I’d rather watch your lips drink from your cup.” He smiled at her.
“Perhaps you will drink it for me then, to calm my nerves as well.” She urged him to drink it.
“Fine.” He picked up the glass of wine. “To us.”
“To us.” She drank the sweet wine at the same time as him. “Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything?” He took another drink from his cup as she thought about asking about his wives, their deaths, or the money he had inherited. Instead she sat down her cup and looked up at his enchanting eyes.
“Can I share your bed tonight?” The words sounded so seductive as they left her lips. Even as she said them out loud, the nervousness tingled inside of her.
“I would love nothing more than to have you in my bed.” He sat down his cup and picked her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed and setting her gently down on it. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes.” She pulled his lips to hers.
His mouth was powerful and sexy, proving to her that he had longed to kiss her like that. When his tongue found hers, it twisted and intertwined, as though he never wanted to let her go. Tom’s hand searched her curves with a frenzy, like he could not get enough of her body.
“Take me.” She pleaded with him. “Take me right now.”
Tom ripped her gown open to expose her large breast and bare body. Ruth gasped with excitement, waiting for him to touch her once more. He leaned over her and brought his mouth to her nipple, circling the peak with his tongue before sucking it completely. She moaned loudly, unable to quiet her arousal.
“Yes, Tom! Oh yes!” She urged him for more as he licked from her breast, over her stomach, and down her hips.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever set eyes on.” He told her. “I want to taste your sweetness.”
Dropping to his knees, he spread her legs apart and entered her with his tongue. No man had ever done so to her, not even her William had tasted her so. It was exhilarating and tantalizing. His tongue rippled inside of her as his fingers rubbed her bud. All of it was too much for her to handle. A strong climax rushed through her, bringing his name loudly from her lips as she exploded onto his tongue.
Just when she thought it could not feel any better, Tom stood up and entered her with his hard erection. His size was massive and his passion was great. The rancher’s strong muscles bulged as he pumped in and out of her. Thrusting with all his might, he went deeper and deeper into her, bringing arousal through her body that she had never felt before.
“Oh, Tom!” She screamed once more before climaxing again.
Her trembling legs and moist explosion must have sent him over the edge and he joined her orgasm with his own. When they had finished, he pulled her close to him on his bed and held her tight.
“Goodnight, wife.” Tom kissed her head.
“Goodnight, husband.” She kissed his chest and closed her eyes and prayed her brother would forgive her for getting rid of the poison instead of giving it to Tom.
Chapter Eight
It had been a week since Ruth married Tom Franklin. Each day had been like a dream come true. The man was a truly amazing person, and an even better lover. Today, he was gone fishing with Billy and she counted down the seconds until they returned.
“Why is he still alive?” Dave busted into the bedroom.
“Dave, have you lost your mind?” She closed the bedroom door behind them. “Someone will see you!”
“Nice new bedroom. I see you moved out of yours and into his.” Dave plopped down onto the bed and put his shoes on top of the blankets. “Very comfortable life you’ve got her, sister.”
“Get out, you need to get out before Tom gets home.”
“Where is your new husband, oh yes, alone with your beloved son.” Dave shook his head. “You let a killer take your boy to fish at a dangerous river. You, dear sister, are the one who had lost her mind.”
“Tom is not a killer. You misunderstood.” She pushed his feet off the bed. “You were wrong about everything.”
“No, no I was not.” He shoved his feet back up onto the bed and smirked. “You are a fool for not believing me.”
“You are wrong about this, brother.” She checked the window to make sure no one was coming and then turned back to Dave. “But you can drop all this murder business and join our family here at the ranch. We can forget about it all and move on. There is an extra guest house by the barn and Tom said he has work for you.”
“Never.” He shook his head. “He may have you fooled, but not me. You are going to be killed. This is your last chance.” He sat a bottle down on the night stand. “This will kill him immediately. Give it to him at supper. If he is not dead by midnight, I will kill him myself, and it won’t be as quick as poison.”
“Dave, no. There has been a mistake, Tom is not a killer.” She pleaded with her brother. “Don’t make me do this. Do not make me kill the man I love.”
“Love?” Dave laughed. “Now you love this man? Your late husband is probably rolling in his grave as we speak. You love a murderer you just met. Silly girl. You will poison him this evening, or I will end his life slowly and painfully. Do you understand me?”
Dave disappeared from the room, leaving Ruth helpless with a glass bottle of poison.
Chapter Nine
“Supper was delicious.” Tom kissed Ruth’s cheek. She felt disconnected from reality as she barely felt his lips on her skin. “Is everything alright? Are you not feeling well?”
“I am fine.” She lied. “I am just tired, that is all.”
“Well, you head to bed while I put Billy to sleep.” He picked up her smiling son his arms. “I promised him a story before bed anyway.”
The two of them slipped out of the kitchen and up the stairs. When William died, Ruth imagined life would never be anything other than sad for her. Everyday felt worse, and pain become numbness in her heart. Now that she had Tom, she began to feel again. Her heart had reawakened. Her life had been reborn. How could she take the man’s life? How could she take that from herself?
Ruth headed to their bedroom and changed to her night gown. Retrieving the bottle of poison from the makeup box she had hidden it in, she stared at it as though it may suddenly give an alternative answer. Dave would hurt Tom, he would kill him ruthlessly and merciless. Perhaps poisoning her husband would be an end to the suffering he would certainly endure.
“He fell right to sleep.” Tom came into the room. “This ranch can surely exhaust a man.”
She hurried up and put the poison back into the makeup box and tucked it among her other items. Standing to her feet, she went to her husband and hugged him tighter than she ever had before.
“Tom.” Her voice was soft and weakened. “Please, make love to me as though there is no tomorrow.”
“Ruth.” He put his hand on her cheek. “That is how
I make love to you every time.”
Wishing to never part with this man, she took him to the bed and laid him down upon it. She quickly threw her gown to the floor and pulled his clothes off as well. Taking him in her mouth, she showed got him ready with her lips. His size grew longer and longer as she took him deeper into her throat.
“Come here.” He told her. “I want to see your face.”
Ruth took him out of her mouth and went on top of him on the bed. Stranding him, she stared into his dazzling blue eyes as he entered her slowly. Grinding slowly with a beautiful rhythm, she rode his erection with the beat of her heart. This man was everything she hoped and more. Tom reached up and caressed her breast, playfully squeezing her nipples as she took him deep inside of her.
After riding him for a few minutes, Ruth gasped as Tom flipped her over and drove harder into her. She sucked on his neck as she pressed in and out of her.
“You are all I have ever wanted.” She whispered into his ear. “More than I ever imagined.”
Her words excited him, causing him to pound harder into her as she dug her nails deep into his back.
“More!” She cried out. “Give me more!”
Tom flipped her over onto her stomach and entered her from behind. His erection was larger than ever, bringing screams of pleasure from Ruth’s mouth.
“Is that what you want?” He asked as he hammered into her.
“Yes!” She bucked back into him, wanting all he had to give. “Oh, yes, Tom!”
He slammed into her one more powerful time, the plunge was enough to make Ruth climax around him. Throbbing and shaking, she cried out in bliss as the orgasm rippled through her body.
Upon feeling her explode around him, Tom rammed into her one more time and them poured passionately inside of her. This was the man she now loved. This was her second chance at happiness. How could she kill someone attached to her own heart, it would kill her as well.