The Ramseys Boxed Set

by Altonya Washington

  But now…now he wouldn’t make the mistake of letting her go ever again. If it meant spending a year out here in the Alaskan outback, he’d uncover every secret she’d kept from him-no matter what it was. Or who it was? A voice inquired.

  Yohan remembered his trips to Memphis then. On more than one occasion he’d seen her with a tall, well-built white man. He was probably in his fifties. His hair was dark as crude oil, but Yohan could tell that gray was beginning to mingle around his temples. He figured the man was a co-worker. Boss maybe? Maybe more?

  Shaking his head, Yohan pulled a hand across the silk waves of his hair. He wouldn’t think about that part-the part that angered him most of all. If anything, this trip would tell him if there were any feelings-feelings of love-left between them. He knew there wasn’t a woman alive who could replace her in his life. Perhaps that feeling wasn’t reciprocated where she was concerned. Grimacing, his fist clenched reflexively at the thought.

  “Mmm,” he grunted, massaging the bridge of his nose while chanting for calm. Then he focused on her as she slept on the long seat opposite the swivel chair he occupied.

  God she was still so incredibly unique. The China doll face and fragility still clung to her. The voluptuous swell and the adoring fullness of her bottom, however, threatened to make him hard in an instant. The moment she’d fallen asleep he’d allowed his arousal to take shape-literally.

  The responsible side of his demeanor said-or rather screamed-hands off! It would be unwise to embark upon easing those needs- when so very much still lay unresolved between them. To hell with responsible, he decided. He was frustrated-sexually yes, but in so many other ways…if he touched her-just an embrace or forehead kiss. It would be the end of his restraint. He’d not stop until satisfaction arrived.

  Melina shifted on the long seat. The glossy bush of her hair; held back by a pink and gray bandana, framed her face like a smoky cloud. Yohan knew that he had to touch her at least once-consequences be damned. He leaned forward. The cabin was small enough for him to reach out and brush his knuckles across her face. His fingertips traced the line from her high cheekbone and then down around the soft curve of her jaw.

  “Approaching Black Summit!” Pony’s voice blasted though the intercom as he informed his passengers.

  Yohan began to cough and rap his knuckles against one of the overhead compartments in a none too subtle attempt to rouse her.

  The noise gave Mel a start and slowly her eyes opened. She saw Yohan seated across from her. He stared silently out the window, his elbow propped on the armrest, his chin sitting on his fist.

  Clearing her throat, Mel pushed herself upright. She wondered if they should risk conversation again. Discussing the weather might be a good way to break the ice. We can’t possibly argue over that, she figured.

  “I bet it’ll be pretty chilly tonight,” she said, smoothing both hands across her thighs.

  “Probably.”

  “What’s the ranch like now?” she tried. “Have you made any changes?”

  “None.”

  “When was the last time you visited?”

  “The last time you did.”

  Mel’s eyes widened slightly. Yohan didn’t need to see her face to know he’d stunned her.

  “That surprises you?” he asked, still looking past the window.

  “Well…I’m shocked and confused. It-it’s such a beautiful place.”

  Yohan turned in his seat and regarded her closely. “Why confused?” he wanted to know.

  Mel felt the familiar shivers kiss her arms beneath the intensity of his gaze. “It’s a beautiful place, like I said.”

  “And you honestly believe I could come back alone after all the times we had out there Mel? You think I could enjoy the place after that?”

  Melina took note of the flaring nostrils and the pulse beat at the base of his throat. Clearly their conversation was heading down an ugly road and Mel knew her saying ‘I don’t want to argue’ would have them doing just that.

  “What did my father do?”

  Her stomach churned at his question. “Marcus?” she blurted, looking away when he eyed her strangely.

  “Yes Marcus,” he confirmed with a slow nod as though she were dense. “I know you left because of him.”

  Mel straightened and leaned back against her seat.

  “I know about the letter,” he continued, setting his elbows against his jean-clad knees. “Will you at least tell me what it said?”

  Blinking madly, Mel realized she’d almost forgotten the note she’d left on his desk. He’d never received that letter. His…father had intercepted.

  “Mel?”

  “I was-I was only asking to speak with you,” she explained uneasily.

  Yohan spread his hands in a questioning gesture. “Where’d you leave it? And why didn’t you just wait? Bren told you I wouldn’t be gone long.”

  Mel massaged her neck with one hand. “It wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have in your office.”

  “Why?”

  Mel wished she could walk around instead of having to be confined in the cabin of the plane. “Things may’ve gotten out of hand and then your office wouldn’t have been the best place to discuss it.”

  “Why would you think things may’ve gotten out of hand?” Yohan asked, dropping a huge hand to her knee to stop its fidgeting. “We’d argued before. What would’ve been so different about this time?”

  Mel gave up on trying massaging the tension from her neck and shoulders. She decided to see if a modest amount of honesty would offer any relief.

  “The reason I left had everything to do with Marcus,” she confessed, her slanting stare challenging in its intensity. “But I’m sure you knew that already?”

  Yohan leaned back in his chair. “Mmm, what I don’t know is why? How many times will you make me ask you this, Meli?”

  “Please fasten your seatbelts folks! We’re about to make our descent!”

  Pony’s instructions forced silence between the couple. They did as they were told and waited for the plane to land.

  ~~~

  Alaska summers were as beautiful as its winters were magical. Melina inhaled a deep refreshing breath of clean air the moment she stuck her head past the cabin door of the floatplane. For a while, her eyes feasted on the lush beauty of the sky. The foliage was a rich emerald color flecked with different hues of green. A calm, crystal clear blue river ran just past the ranch; helping to keep the breeze cool and steady.

  The farm house itself sat majestically in a perfectly manicured sea of grass. It was nestled within a rather hilly area with a gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. The two story getaway was a dark brick structure with A-frame roofing above wide windows. A protruding structure housed a two story glass enclosed balcony with a sitting room below it. Chimney tops peeked out from three places along the roof.

  Melina accepted Pony’s assistance and took his hand before she jumped off the plane. Yohan was already moving on. He deposited their baggage on the dock and waited for Melina and Pony to join him.

  Mel gave the men a chance to talk, walking across the property to the dwelling in the distance. The calm and beauty of the place was already carrying her away from her concerns. She was almost halfway to the house when Yohan caught up with her. They journeyed forward in silence; each consumed by happier times they’d shared at Black Summit. They must have made love in every part of that farmhouse. Then, there was outside the house, the lake, the pool, the barn, the rooftop…

  Melina cleared her throat to mask the unexpected moan that lilted.

  “You alright?” Yohan asked, watching as she fanned one hand before her face.

  Managing a quick smile, Mel only nodded. She slowed her steps and allowed him to walk on ahead of her.

  “Damn,” Yohan muttered once he’d set down the bags. The bolted door unlocked with a turn of the key, but more pressure would be needed in order to force it open.

  Melina watched as he braced his shoulder a
gainst the weathered oak. She heard him grumbling about Pony neglecting to sand the door, but her thoughts were more focused on the powerful image he portrayed. She studied the definition of his body, taking her time in appraising every line and sinew that flexed as he worked at the door.

  The sagging jeans and short sleeved crew-shirt he wore called attention to the extent of the biceps and chords of muscle that bulged in his forearms. She leaned against one of the wooden beams along the porch and imagined all that rock solid, chiseled strength covering her.

  “Finally,” Yohan snapped when the door jutted open. Waving a hand, he grimaced and urged her to precede him.

  Melina stepped inside, closing her eyes to inhale the dewy aroma of pine and maple that had always filled the place. It was quite reassuring to discover there were some things that never changed. In spite of her surprise at seeing Yohan earlier than she’d expected, Mel celebrated the opportunity to spend a few days in such unique beauty.

  The couple left the entryway and headed for the living room. Yohan set down the bags and massaged the tightness from his neck and shoulders. Mel’s gaze slanted across the main room. The area was stylishly designed in oak. It trimmed the black and tanned plaid sofas and armchairs which sat atop the oriental carpeting that covered a portion of the polished oak hardwoods. Every piece of furniture was overstuffed and comfy.

  The protruding glass encased structure was situated at a far end of the living room. It offered a dazzling view of the pool and the surrounding patio. Plush, sunken armchairs, bookshelves and magazine filled tables lined the room which housed the back stairway-a faster route to the master bedroom suite.

  “It’s nice out, but tonight could still be cold as hell,” Yohan grumbled. He went to inspect the towering brick fireplace that sat nestled in a far corner of the cozy room.

  Melina went to check out the kitchen. She’d always adored the layout of the area built around a wide kitchen island that served as both a prep area and dining table. She uttered a tiny gasp, surprised to find the step stool she’d always used to reach the lofty cabinets.

  “Pony takes his work seriously!” She called out in a playful manner when she was but halfway through her perusal of their supplies. The cabinets were stocked with far more than they’d ever use or need.

  Yohan didn’t respond to her tease. He’d stopped working at the fireplace long ago and was now watching his wife. His smoldering pitch black stare revealed the raw desire that was scorching his soul. They would make love before sunset, he vowed, dismissing all the voices of reason that cried out- bad idea! No way would he share the place with her after eight years and not indulge in what tortured his mind every night.

  Melina’s hand paused over a can of tomatoes and okra when she felt his eyes on her. She’d always been able to tell if he watched her when she wasn’t looking. A sudden feeling of self-consciousness washed over her. Reflexively, she smoothed both hands across the jeans encasing her thighs and bottom. Pressing her lips together, she realized the gesture was doing little to de-emphasize her curves to her husband.

  She’d always considered herself to be far too skinny. Most men preferred their women thick-with an abundance of breasts, hips and behind she figured. She wasn’t abundant in any of those departments-or so she believed. Her bosom however, was more than abundant in light of her slender frame. Her tush was full and rounded-though Melina took little pride in the fact. She felt those assets stuck out like sore thumbs instead of eye-popping provocations. Especially, since she had a weakness for clothing that did nothing to conceal the most alluring parts of her anatomy.

  Men, of course, were quite pleased with all there was to see. They stared unabashed whenever she entered a room. Some just gawked while others very subtly verbalized their appreciation.

  Yohan was the only man who never made her feel as though she were the star of some porn movie. What first endeared him to her was the way he watched in helpless fascination as though he were seeing more than he should when he looked at her.

  Melina dismissed his staring, which was now more like the gawking she was so accustomed to. Inhaling deeply, she silently admitted that she couldn’t blame him. After all, she’d been trying to project a mental image of his magnificent form without clothes, of course, for the better part of the day.

  “Any ideas for lunch?” she asked, noticing as he left the fireplace and began to head towards the kitchen. “We’ve got so much,” she reiterated, looking back inside the cupboards again. “Pony really outdid himself. Let’s see…we could just have a couple of cans of soup and maybe some sandwiches. Or I could whip up something heavier if you’re really hungry,” she offered, acknowledging uneasily that he wasn’t responding.

  Melina was still talking when she felt herself being taken from the step stool and placed on the kitchen island. Yohan kicked a couple of the stools out of the way. He stood before her, his hands curving around her thighs to pull her close as he stood snug between them.

  “Han-“ was all she managed to say before her mouth was otherwise occupied. His kiss was deep and unrelenting. Hot, wet and seeking, his tongue thrust and stroked leisurely. His hands were everywhere once they left her thighs. They massaged her back before moving around to cup and squeeze her breasts. He took ample time reacquainting himself with the lush mounds, forcing desperate moans from her throat when he touched her. The pink hoody was unzipped and Mel let it slide down her arms to pool around her waist. The straps of the white scoop neck tank top she wore were tugged down. The built-in bra design of the top required no additional undergarment, leaving her bosom uncovered before his eyes.

  Yohan was still kissing her deeply while removing her clothing. A helpless moan rumbled in his chest when he felt her bare skin against his fingertips. His hands weighed and fondled the bare cleavage and they both groaned when his thumbs grazed the firming nipples.

  “Mmm,” Melina grunted her disappointment when he stopped kissing her. She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth when she realized he’d only done so to kiss and outline her breasts with his tongue.

  She whimpered then, thrusting her fingers into the gorgeous dark hair covering his head. Gently, she cradled his face more closely to her chest, obsessed with having his mouth touch every part of her. Suddenly, she had to feel his skin against hers and her hands disappeared beneath his shirt.

  The rock hard abs and muscles in his back made her yearn to add sight to touch. Greedily, she pulled at his clothes, determined to view what felt like a concrete wall against her palms.

  Yohan dutifully raised his arms to assist in her removal of his shirt. He stood there while she stroked and massaged his pects with the tips of her fingers and then her tongue. When she discovered his nipples, Yohan felt the strength leave his legs.

  Any pretense at maintaining control became a non-issue for Yohan. His massive hands curved about her upper arms as his mouth trailed the line of her jaw, the length of her throat and collarbone. Their cries and groans of desire filled the lofty kitchen. Yohan cupped both her breasts for his mouth and alternated between lavishing each with the heated feasting of his lips and tongue.

  Melina had lost control as well. She surprised herself by being so much the aggressor, but decided this was clearly no time for being shy. Pleasuring herself with memories of how they were together had lost its zeal so long ago. Now, she craved more-she craved it all.

  Again, Yohan stood obediently still and allowed his wife to have her way with him. He watched; a bit stunned by the concentration on her exquisite face as she unfastened his jeans so that they fell around the rugged black hiking boots he wore.

  She gasped at the image of his erection which threatened to burst free of his boxers. He slumped forward to brace his hands on the island when she touched him. Melina began to massage the stiff heaviness of his arousal beneath his underwear. She fastened her teeth to his earlobe when her hands ventured beneath the black cotton boxers to grip his bare anatomy. Her long lashes fluttered rapidly when her thumb brushed the si
lky tip of his manhood and felt the tell-tale moisture that revealed itself.

  Yohan groaned this time he shuddered against the sweetly explosive caress. “I have condoms,” he paused to swallow, “in-in my bag,” he said.

  “Later,” she told him, meeting his kiss enthusiastically. She linked one arm about his neck, intentionally brushing her nipples against his chest. Her hand continued to work up and down his throbbing length.

  “Mel,” he whispered after breaking the kiss, “it’s been too long. I can’t…I can’t hold out,” he warned her.

  Smiling softly, she stretched up to kiss his cheek. “It’s okay,” she spoke against his ear.

  Yohan’s chuckle was a mixture of relief and torture. Melina brushed her nose against his and then she was kissing him again. Tiny moans sounded in sync with the slow lunges of her tongue and her hand worked faster along his shaft. She felt him shudder once, then twice and she kissed his jaw in a lingering manner as his release rushed forth.

  They rested awkwardly upon the island. Melina was on her back. Yohan was on his feet, but lying half across her.

  “I wanted all of you,” he said, squeezing her thighs that were still encased in the denim Capris.

  Mel offered a lazy smile and stroked his temple. “You’ll have me,” she promised.

  Yohan felt his heart thud hard beneath his ribs. “I thought I’d have to walk around pretending this wasn’t on my mind.”

  “That wouldn’t have been fair to either of us,” Melina said.

  Yohan groaned and pushed himself up over her. “You have no idea how much I need you,” he confessed, his incredible deep-set gaze focused and intense.

  Mischief sparkled in Melina’s slanting stare and she pushed herself up as well. “So take me then,” she challenged.