Immediately sitting up, she extended her left hand. "Does this make you feel any better?" With a deft, sure motion, Loren removed the engagement ring and tossed it casually onto the dresser.
"Loren—" He grasped the ring-less hand and pressed it to his lips, his mahogany eyes imploring, questioning.
"Reid, you're right about Mark and me. We don't belong together. I—I just can't wear his ring any longer."
"Do you think if I hadn't reappeared in your life you and Mark would still have gone your separate ways?"
She hesitated and her blue eyes met his honestly. "I don't know, Reid. But I am sure that if I continued with this mockery of a relationship with him, it would be a mistake. It's you I love . . . always have. No matter what happens, I will always be yours."
Before the last word was out, his lips crushed hers. A low moan of undisguised longing escaped Reid's throat, and he clutched her to him as if he would press her into every cell, as if he would never let her go. And, indeed, Loren wanted to be his forever. Wanted them to be together, like this, forever.
It was a kiss like the first passionate kiss between lovers ... the last lovers' farewell ... as if they had never loved, and lost... wonderful and desperate and compelling. A love that lasts forever. Loren met Reid passion for passion, strength for strength, lips to merging lips, tongue to exploring tongue, passion and love, altogether in a kiss.
The impact of the kiss left them both breathless. Loren slumped back against the pillow while Reid rained feather-light kisses over her upturned face and eyelids and flushed cheeks. His lips found the hotly pulsing hollow of her neck, then caressed the creamy mounds of her breasts, pausing to tug gently on each ripened peak. She arched to meet his pleasure, and he obliged with a lingering, gentle sucking motion for each rose-tipped mound. A kittenish purring told him she was ready for more, and he was only willing as he traced her navel with his tongue before plunging inside.
She dug her hands into his dark hair, pulling him achingly to her as he prolonged her agony with soft nips on her sensitive inner thighs.
"Reid, please—"
"Loren, Loren, don't ever forget. . ." He slid over her, his body hot against her. "I love you."
They were the last gasping words she heard before they both plunged into the exploding peaks of passion. The moments hung like golden threads in time, binding them together forever. Loren would always cherish his vow spoken in the throes of love's highest frenzy.
As the burning embers inside them cooled, Loren could feel Reid slipping from her. She clutched him in a futile attempt to hold on to the man she loved.
"Oh, Reid, Reid, I love you so much. Never leave me."
His voice was muffled against her neck. "Our love is too strong mi amor. I won't leave you. I can't."
Sudden tears filled her blue eyes. "Reid, what's going to happen to us? Will we—"
His shadowed face hovered near hers in the darkness. "We'll work things out, Loren. I promise. I will always love you. My desire for you hasn't diminished since the first time we made love."
To prove it, he made love to her again and held her to him throughout the night.
The early fingers of dawn found Loren curled in the secure nest of Reid's arms. She wondered, in her dream-like state, what his "world" would be like. She knew Reid so well, yet she didn't. There were still unanswered questions. Deep inside, she worried about their future. Was there a place for them to be together? Was this wonderful time in his arms limited? If she declared herself his mistress and reserved her love just for him, would he return often to see her? To love her? Could she even bear living like that?
Reid sighed in his sleep and nestled his head against her neck. Loren shivered at the chilling thought of losing him again.
The trip across the country in Reid's twin-engine Beechcraft was a delightful experience for Loren. The weather was perfect, and they pointed out familiar landmarks to each other. As they traveled farther westward, crossing the Mississippi River, Loren recognized less and less of the land.
Flying over Texas, Reid teased her. "That hill looks familiar. No, I believe it's that one. Where are those blue bonnets?"
Loren laughingly joined his banter. "How could you tell? They all look alike from up here."
"The only way I could really tell which is our hill"—he paused and cleared his throat—"is to try them all out."
"Oh, clever idea, Reid." Loren chuckled. "We'll never arrive in Arizona."
"You're right. We don't have time to stop now." His dark eyes caught hers and his tone was suddenly somber. "Do you remember those wonderful days, Loren?"
"Yes, I remember," she said quietly.
“We’ll have them again. I promise.”
Silently they recalled the days when their love had been so easy, and neither had thought of parting. He had called her up with the notion that they were flying to Texas with his family. He had something special to show her. Loren was so excited, she had gone right out and purchased a new pair of jeans.
They had flown in the family's Beechcraft to a friend's ranch west of Austin. It was a ranch like none Loren had ever seen. The landing strip on ranch property was lined with several single and twin-engine planes. There was a huge swimming pool, tennis courts, and a large central house with adjoining smaller guest houses. Reid had bought Loren her first cowgirl boots, and that night introduced her to country swing and line dancing to Cotton-eyed Joe. They had two-stepped until the wee hours of the morning.
The next day they had driven around the lakes north of Austin. Loren had never seen such magnificent flowers as those highly touted bluebonnets that covered the hills. There were millions of them. She and Reid had found a secluded place and made love. After all, he had promised . . .
"Your eyes are still that color, mi amor. " Reid's voice rumbled into her daydreams above the sound of the plane's motor.
Loren turned her blue-violet eyes to him. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
"When are you going to admit that we're on the same wavelength? I know what's going on in that head of yours because it's going through mine too."
She smiled enigmatically and tried to swallow the knot in her throat. Loren couldn't help but wonder if he knew everything that had trailed through her muddled mind in the last few weeks since his reentry into her life. He just couldn't possibly know what she was wrestling with.
There was nothing in Loren's past, nor in all the travel books, nor in all the National Geographies, nor in Reid's descriptions, to sufficiently prepare her for the sight of the Arizona landscape.
"Welcome to Cañada del Oro, mi amor," Reid said as they rolled to a halt on the runway. "There's Raul waiting for us!" He pointed past the plane's wingtips to see a dark-skinned, robust man waving beside a jeep.
Beyond Raul was the very strange world of Reid Mecina. Cacti of various shapes and sizes dotted the lean landscape, along with small pale green bushes and an occasional clump of grass. Some of the cacti appeared deceptively fuzzy as the rays of the evening sun reflected a yellowish glow around them. However, the most unusual plants Loren had ever seen were the huge saguaros. They stood taller than a man and almost as big around, lifting arm-like branches upward. Some of the branches even curled back as if to wave or beckon.
"Bienvenida, señorita. "Raul greeted her warmly as he helped her down the wing-step. "Welcome to Arizona."
The first thing she noticed as her feet touched the earth was the heat. "Thank you. You must be Raul," Loren said.
"Si," he admitted, then turned his attention to Reid, who was rounding the plane. "Señor Reid!" They shook hands and hugged at the same time, clapping each other affectionately on the back.
"How's my father, Raul?" A look of concern creased Reid's tired face.
Raul shook his head sadly. "Está malo, Señor Reid. Señor Mecina, he is very bad."
The morose statement cast a pall over the small group as they unloaded the luggage and tied the plane securely. Although the area was desert in appearan
ce, the land was not flat. Huge bare mountains loomed on either side of the dirt road they traversed to Casa del Oro. The sprawling adobe brick house seemed to be set into the side of the mountain, although, as they pulled closer, Loren could see that it wasn't. She caught glimpses of brick walkways and enclosed patios all around the house. She was quickly ushered, amidst a smattering of Spanish and a great deal of rapid English, to an open veranda that extended the length of the house. There she was offered a spectacular view of the desert floor for miles and miles.
Loren was introduced to Lupe, who hugged her, then thrust a tall glass of mint tea into her hand.
"Es muy bonita, Señor Reid," she murmured repeatedly. "Are you hungry? Here are some chips. And some fruit."
"Thank you, Lupe. I would just like to stretch a little," Loren said, walking down the Mexican-tiled veranda. "There is so much land here, I just can't believe it." Prolific magenta bougainvillea draped gracefully over every post the entire length of the long, covered porch. A stretch of brick walkways and stairs led down to a large swimming pool. Except for the colorful inlaid tiles, the pool appeared to be a natural, rambling expanse of water encased in grayish boulders. Beyond the pool the land sloped ever downward until it stretched into a desert valley several miles in width. There, on the horizon, loomed another craggy mountain range. The sun, a brilliant orange ball, hovered hotly over the cool purple mountain outlines.
His masculine hand settled comfortably on her shoulder as Reid murmured, "Beautiful, isn't it." He meant the words as a statement of fact.
"Why, Reid, it's breathtaking. And all this space—"
"Loren, do you mind if I go ahead to the hospital? Everyone around here is in such a turmoil, I need to see for myself exactly what Dad's condition is. And talk to the doctor, myself."
"Of course not, Reid. Do you want me to go with you?"
He shook his head curtly. "No. Dad is in intensive care and you probably couldn't see him anyway. You stay here and relax; try out the pool. I hope you brought some cool clothes."
"Oh, yes," she nodded. "And I think I'm ready for my skimpy sundress now. Please, Reid, go ahead and take care of your family. I'll be fine here."
"We should have a beautiful sunset tonight. Don't miss it." He led Loren back toward the house. "Lupe, take care of Loren, por favor. And show her to my room please. I'll take the guest room. I'm going to the hospital to see about Dad now. I may not be home soon, so don't hold dinner."
Lupe nodded and began to gather Loren's things. "Si, Señor Reid."
Reid kissed Loren quickly, then disappeared around the hacienda, leaving her to follow Lupe inside. Glass walls allowed the outside beauty to enter the living quarters, giving the feeling of being completely enmeshed with the desert. The cool house was definitely influenced by Mexico and the earthen tones of the Southwest.
The two women walked across expansive rooms, floored with large, square Mexican tiles. Mexican and Indian oil paintings hung on white brick walls. Huge, dark tables and large, comfortable-looking chairs constituted most of the furniture, which was masculine and rather crude by Loren's standards.
"This room is Reid's. I think he wants you to enjoy the view and the Jacuzzi," Lupe offered, showing Loren the magnificent bathroom that surrounded a beige-tiled Jacuzzi. The room was as big as her tiny living room back in Washington.
"Oh my. . . " was all Loren could manage as her wide-open eyes tried to take in everything.
"And this," Lupe explained as she opened floor-to-ceiling shutters, "is the view."
Loren gasped softly, as words failed her. "It is lovely." Sliding glass doors opened onto a small enclosed patio landscaped with natural desert plants. A tiny green-breasted hummingbird hovered near a bright flower, then flickered away. Looming beyond the house and small patio were the granite cliffs of yet another mountain range.
"Sí, señorita. Yes," Lupe said. "It is beautiful."
"Oh, Lupe, this entire place is amazing. Why, this room is almost as big as my whole house back in Washington. And the bathroom—" Loren halted, lacking adequate words. Her eyes swept around the room with its huge bed adorned with a brightly colored coverlet, dark, bulky furniture, and expanses of glass walls.
"Yes, señorita, "Lupe responded politely, her dark eyes observing Loren's reactions.
"Please, Lupe, call me Loren. I've heard so much about you, I hope we can be friends. Reid thinks very highly of you."
Lupe smiled at the mention of Reid's name. "Gracias. I have heard of you, too, Señorita Loren. Reid told me about you. I'm glad you came with him this time. He needs a friend."
Loren raised her chin at the slight comment, wondering just how much Reid had told Lupe about them. "I'm glad I came, too, Lupe. It's beautiful here."
Lupe turned the covers down. "If you are tired, please feel free to take a nap. Dinner will be ready about seven. It will be simple tonight because"—she paused and sighed heavily—"the men aren't here."
"I’d rather wait for Reid, Lupe, if he’s not too late. Thank you for everything." Loren slipped out of her shoes and began to think seriously about the pool.
Lupe paused at the door. "And, señorita, don't forget about the sunset. Señor Reid wouldn't want you to miss it."
Loren peeled off her clothes and searched her suitcase for her swimsuit. She spent the next few hours exploring the hacienda, the pool, the veranda and its spectacular view, the glorious sunset. Around eight, she dined alone, sipping tortilla soup, a dish with bits of chicken, a few veggies, and lots of flavor. Nibbling crunchy tortilla chips, Loren absorbed the beauty of the quiet desert evening.
Occasionally lights twinkled, and Loren found herself nodding with fatigue. It had been a long day. Her intentions of staying up to wait for Reid faltered, and Loren decided that she could as easily see him in the morning.
Almost the moment her head touched the cool pillow, Loren was asleep. Sometime in the night, she stirred to the warmth of a masculine body curling close, and Reid's familiar fragrance permeated her very being. She enfolded him in her arms and murmured, "I like your world, Reid."
"Did you try the pool?"
"Um-hum. Nearly froze."
"The sunset?"
"Spectacular."
"So are you." He buried his face against her neck.
"How's your father?"
His voice was a low groan. "Stable. We're waiting and watching."
"I’m so sorry. . . " She comforted him in a mellow voice, holding and stroking the masculine form pressed against her throughout the night. And they fell asleep together.
The sun was squeezing through the shutters the next morning when Loren awoke. She gazed sleepily around the empty room and wondered if she had been dreaming again that she'd held Reid in her arms all night. It wouldn't be the first time such a vivid dream had been hers.
Chapter Eight
Loren was amazed at the coolness of the desert morning, knowing that the temperature would reach nearly a hundred by midday. She enjoyed a light breakfast of fresh fruit and a Mexican sweet roll with strong coffee. Afterward she roamed around the grounds by herself. On the way to the stables she scared up a large jack rabbit with towering ears. The horses were frisking around an enclosed field, obviously enjoying the early morning coolness. She propped her arms on the fence railing and watched the quaint ambling of a roadrunner. He screwed his head all the way around and gazed curiously at her, then streamlined his strange body and ran away. A family of Gambel's quail, topknots bobbing, scurried out of sight.
She was still chuckling about the unusual animals she had seen when she approached the veranda.
"Hola, Senorita Loren," Lupe greeted her. "Would you like something else to eat? You didn't eat much this morning."
"I had plenty, Lupe. Thank you. Don't forget I sat in a plane almost all day yesterday. But I would like some tea. I'm very thirsty this morning."
"Si. That's because it's very dry here on the desert. You should always keep drinking something. We have some beer, if you like,"
Lupe added with a grin. “Or water.
"Oh, no," Loren chuckled. "Water or tea would be just fine for me. Let me come with you, and I'll fix it."
Lupe led the way into the kitchen, and Loren perched on a convenient stool. "Where's Reid?"
"Señor Reid has gone to the hospital this morning. Said he wanted to see the doctor when he went around." Lupe shrugged.
Loren stirred her tea and explained with a smile, "Most doctors make rounds to check on their patients every morning, very early. Sometimes it's the only time to talk personally with the physician."
"Oh." Lupe gave Loren a glass of ice and set a tea pitcher out. "Reid is very worried about his father. This has come at a very bad time for him, with the business he must do in Washington. Señor Mecina is a fine man ... very nice man." Her voice trailed off, and she shook her head.
"You're worried about Senator Mecina, too, aren't you, Lupe?" Loren asked with concern.
Lupe nodded silently. "Si. He is so sick, I'm afraid he will—" She stopped and choked back a sob. She raised large, tear-filled eyes to Loren. "I'm sorry, señorita, I didn't mean to let you see me cry."
"Why not? Lupe, I understand your feelings. Go ahead and cry. Let go of your emotions. It’s healthy."
Lupe looked doubtfully at Loren. "He is more than a boss. He is a friend, so good to my family. Es amigo."
"Of course you feel strong emotions for him. Don't be embarrassed to shed a few tears, Lupe," Loren encouraged her gently.
“I guess I just think Reid’s got too much to worry about without a silly woman who sits around the kitchen wringing her hands and crying."
Loren smiled sympathetically and reached across the counter to pat Lupe's shoulder. "You aren't silly. And you certainly aren't sitting around wringing idle hands. How long have you worked for the Mecinas?"
"Twenty years. And mi madre before that. She helped take care of Señora Mecina before she died, and Reid was just a little boy." She paused to blow her nose. "When I was old enough to help, they hired me too. Señor Mecina has been so good to me."
A Lasting Love Page 10
