“No,” she shouted and went to smack his finger that pointed at the patio doors.
He grabbed her hand before she could hit him, though surprisingly she was quick and her other hand slapped at his shoulder. His eyes sparked with anger and he shoved her away. “In the house or so help me I’ll take you right here on your hands and knees.”
She was drenched, but her unsatisfied need and love gave her a courage she would have never thought she had. “Why? Can’t you make love any other way?”
His hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her against him so fast that their wet bodies slapped together. “You’re playing with fire, Rosalita.”
“I am on fire, Esteban!” She dropped her forehead to his chest. “And only you can put it out.”
The roar that spilled from his lips had her eyes turning wide and her body shivering. And as she went to pull away from him, he scooped her up and had her down on her back in the wet grass before she could take a breath.
He was over her and in her in one swift movement and when she cried out from a brief moment of pain, he stilled and roared an oath to the heavens. Then he began to move inside her slowly, though not for long since Rosa could not keep still herself, and she moved against him.
The rhythm turned fast, as if both of them were starved for each other and they could not get enough. Rosa latched onto his arms that strained with muscles and held tightly as she welcomed the sensation that grew with every thrust.
The rain continued to pour down on them, the thunder rolled, and her moans rolled along with it.
Her fingers dug into his arms and she thought she called out his name, but she couldn’t be sure, and then she threw her head back and cried out as she exploded in a never-ending release.
As soon as Esteban saw his wife in the throes of climax, he exploded himself and it rocked him to the core, shattering him senseless. It was as if he couldn’t stop coming since Rosa was squeezing every last bit out of her climax that she could, making his climax more intense than he had ever experienced.
Finally, he shuddered with the last of it and collapsed over her. He realized then that he had taken his wife out on the grass in a rainstorm, and he silently cursed himself. He got up, scooped her up and carried her into their room. He stood her near the bed, shut the patio doors, and then got towels from the chest and hurried to dry her off.
She surprised him when she grabbed a towel herself and dried him as he dried her. He couldn’t believe her actions when she had, at times, cowered in front of him. But at the moment she attended him with ease and a caring touch. He hadn’t known such a tender touch or such caring comfort in a long time.
“You must sit so I can dry your hair,” she said and pushed him to sit on the bed.
He spread his legs apart and she stepped forward, towel in hand to dry his hair. He couldn’t help but breathe in her scent, the rain not having washed all of it away. Though it was not just her luscious scent, but a combination of them both, and he found himself getting aroused.
How that was possible, he didn’t know. He had come so damn hard that he didn’t think he’d have a need that soon. But it wasn’t only a need he had, it was a desire to bury himself deep in his wife and get lost in her again.
But that could prove dangerous just as it had almost done. He had barely stopped himself before taking her like the men did in Pacquito’s band of renegades. Instead he took her outside in the rain on the grass. Whatever had he been thinking?
Damn, he had been so eager to get home to her that he had failed to shed that side of him that lingered with the renegades. She deserved better than what he had given her. She deserved to be loved and cherished, and he wasn’t capable of giving her that. And yet here she stood seeing to his care.
He wanted so badly to apologize to her, but he wasn’t capable of that either. He had learned, while with Pacquito, that to apologize was a sign of weakness and one suffered for it.
He rested his hands on her hips and eased her closer, pressing his face against her belly, so flat and soft. It struck him then that there was now the possibility of a child growing inside her. He would not make a good father and yet the image of her growing round with his babe filled him with a joy he didn’t think possible.
He hadn’t realized that he was kissing her stomach until he felt her fingers working their way through his hair and massaging his scalp. He loved the scent of her, the scent of them mixed together.
She was his now and would always be, it had been decreed with their joining and he would make certain that no one ever tore them apart. He’d kill anyone who tried.
He lifted her then and laid her down on the bed beside him, his hands staying at her waist. He had been growing hard, but with her lying there, a soft smile on her face as if she waited for him to take her again, he found himself turning as hard as a rock.
“Are you sore?” he asked not wanting to hurt her, but wanting—no aching damn painfully— to bury himself inside her.
“No,” she said so softly he barely heard her.
He leaned down and rested his forehead to hers. “I want you again.”
She skimmed her lips over his and whispered, “And I want you.”
“You’ll tell me if you feel any discomfort,” he ordered.
She nodded, though she knew her need for him outweighed any discomfit she would feel.
He pressed his nose to hers. “I mean it. You will tell me.”
She frowned. “But then you would leave me aching like the last time and,” —her cheeks flushed a light pink—“I could not bear that again.”
He ran a finger over her heated cheeks. “You wanted me that badly?”
She nodded and in another whisper said, “As I do now.”
Take her.
He shut his eyes against the thought. He had been apart from polite society too long. The renegade side of him—the ugly side—forever reared its head.
Flip her over. Show her you own her.
He shook his head.
“I speak the truth. I do want you,” she said.
It took him a moment to realize that she thought he was shaking his head at her remark, not believing her.
“I will hurt you,” he said. Somehow, some way I will hurt you. He knew it in his mind and heart.
She pressed her hand to his cheek. “You would never hurt me.”
Her loving touch pushed him over the edge, and he kissed her knowing that it would not stop there. And it didn’t. He once again began his descent over her body, only this time with his lips and with his touch.
Rosa writhed with pleasure, though every time she went to touch him, he pushed her hands away and told her no. She so badly wanted to touch him, needed to touch him, give him the same pleasure as he gave her. In time she hoped it would be so, but for now...
“Please, Esteban,” she found herself pleading and he slipped into her gently.
As before their rhythm turned hungry, and they soon joined in a climax that left them both breathless and exhausted. And they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
Chapter Twenty
Rosa woke the next morning with a slow stretch, a smile, and a need. She turned expecting to find her husband next to her, but his side of the bed was empty. Her smile turned to a disappointed frown. She had hoped that he would be there so that they could... she grabbed her pillow and buried her burning cheeks in it, recalling her actions last night.
What had made her follow him out into the rain? Uncontrollable passion. Her cheeks burned brighter at the thought. There was no denying how much she had wanted her husband to make love to her last night and she had made sure that he did. The rain slashing down, the wet grass beneath her, his potent hardness, thick and deep inside her. A heated tingle rippled between her legs from the vivid memories and she grew wet.
Whatever was the matter with her? She had wanted no part of this marriage, but she had unexpectedly fallen in love with her husband, only to discover that she hungered for his touch, his kiss, and the intimacy they brought.
A thought struck her then. Last night all that concerned her had been her husband making love to her. She hadn’t given a moment’s thought to where her husband had been or what had happened to him for him to return in such a state.
She sprang up and out of bed and hurried to dress. She had to find her husband and see if he was all right and find out what had happened to him. She slipped into her skirt, blouse, and sandals. She didn’t take the time to braid her hair, though she ran the comb through it quickly, and then hurried off. She heard raised voices as she approached the main living area. She followed the sound of her husband and his father arguing. She thought they came from the dining room, but when she turned the corner she saw that the two men were in the small parlor along with Dona Valerianna.
“Let them think what they want,” Esteban said as she entered the room.
“Do not be so foolish, Esteban,” his father reprimanded. “If the rancheros think that you ride with Pacquito again, they will see you hung.”
Dona Valerianna gasped and when she caught sight of Rosa she shook her head. “Good lord,” she said, her hand going to her chest. “A daughter-in-law who dresses like a peasant when she is a noble and a son who acts like a renegade.”
Esteban turned an angry glare on his mother. “My wife’s roots may be of noble birth but her heart is with her peasant parents who loved her, and do you forget that no nobles around here would have me as a son-in-law? And as far as my acting like a renegade,”—he walked over to his mother and leaned his face close to hers— “I am a renegade. And my wife will dress how she pleases.”
Dona Valerianna gasped again, paled, and reached her hand out to her husband.
Don Alejandro went immediately to her side and took her hand in his as he addressed his son. “Whether you like it or not, you both have positions to uphold.” He turned to Rosa. “Dressing as a peasant will not help your husband, especially now when he needs you to remain strong and by his side.”
“I need no one,” Esteban said with a cold anger that shivered Rosa, and then he stormed out of the room without a word or glance her way.
She didn’t think twice, she followed him. She nearly caught up with him when he suddenly stopped and turned, his arm going out and his hand up.
“Don’t follow me,” he ordered sternly. “Our vows are sealed. It is done. Keep your distance.”
Rosa stood speechless staring at him. She had thought... what? Did she think he cared because he had finally made love to her? No, he hadn’t made love to her. You had to be in love to make love. Wasn’t that why she had enjoyed making love with him so much? She had fallen in love with him. Had he simply consummated their vows? No, she didn’t believe that. She would be like Gaby, persistent, in this case—for her—it would be for the pursuit of the truth.
He turned and walked away. She wanted to shout at him to stop, but she held her tongue. Now was not the time. Besides, they were wed, good and solid now, and nothing could change that. She belonged to him and he belonged to her. She felt a catch to her heart. Just as she had from the very first time she had seen him riding through the center of town. Her heart had gone out to him, for he had seemed as alone as she had felt. No one had wanted him and no one had wanted her. They had wanted each other last night and try as he might he couldn’t deny that, though it seemed as if he tried. She couldn’t help but grin since she doubted that he would keep his distance from her.
“Rosa.”
She wiped the smile from her face as she turned to face Don Alejandro.
He stepped close and kept his voice low. “I know this cannot be easy for you, adjusting to a new life that is so foreign to you. But it is imperative that you act according to your new position, if for no other reason than to help your husband. With the rancheros learning of your noble birth, it may soften their opinion about Esteban. He may dismiss how the rancheros feel about him but it is important, especially with Pacquito showing his presence once again, that the rancheros believe that Esteban is not a threat to them, but is one of them.”
“I understand, Don Alejandro,” she said. And she did. She had learned that nobles lived by foolish rules. Their stiff and proper nature kept them at a distance from one another, though their lies made it appear otherwise. She much preferred to hug her friends and share with them and know that they cared.
“I knew you would understand. Now let us have breakfast.” He held his arm out to her and she took it.
Esteban didn’t join them, but then she hadn’t expected him to. The meal passed like all others with inconsequential conversation.
It was when Don Alejandro stood to leave that Rosa asked, “Would it be permitted for me to go into town today? I’d like to visit with my friend.” Before Don Alejandro could answer Rosa turned to Dona Valerianna. “I will change into a proper dress.”
Dona Valerianna smiled and looked to her husband. “It would be good for the people to see that we do not hide during this troubling time.”
Don Alejandro agreed. “You are right and especially so for Esteban’s wife. I will have vaqueros escort you.”
Rosa thanked them and hurried out of the room, though she detoured to the kitchen.
“Good morning, Dolores, and how are you this beautiful morning?” she asked upon entering the kitchen.
Dolores planted her hands on her ample hips and smiled. “At least you ask how I am doing before asking me for something. Your husband enters, barely nods, tells me what he wants, and then he’s on his way.” She shook her head. “I miss the young, caring boy who would haunt my kitchen for treats and bring me flowers.”
“Esteban would bring you flowers?” Rosa asked.
“Wild ones from the meadow.” Dolores smiled. “When he was little he’d bring roots and all. He had such a giving and caring heart.” Again she shook her head. “Those animals stripped him of everything. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t laugh... doesn’t care.”
“He does care,” Rosa insisted. “I have seen it in him.”
Dolores reached out and placed her hand on Rosa’s shoulder. “Then fight and chase away the demons in him, then you will find a truly good and loving husband.”
“What did Esteban want and where did he go?”
“He took some bread and fruit and told me that he would not be here for the noon meal. He did not say where he was going, though when he was young he would often share his plans for the day with me, and I would make certain that he took enough to eat with him. He was satisfied with what I gave him, so he will return for supper.”
Rosa was relieved to know that her husband had not taken off again. He would do what he needed and so would she. Tonight they would once again sleep together. She would make sure of it. “I have plans of my own. Could I have some fruit and some of your luscious treats to take to a friend in need?”
“You share just like Esteban once did,” Dolores said, smiling. “You two are good for each other.”
Rosa gave the woman a hug and she returned it. They worked together filling a basket, Rosa adding two bottles of wine to it. She then asked Dolores to see that it was placed in the carriage
She took extra care dressing and braiding her hair wanting to make certain she presented a proper appearance. She knew there would be consequences for what she was about to do, but she had to do it. She had to show people that she believed in her husband and would not hide away afraid of their gossiping tongues. Besides any repercussions couldn’t be as bad as what she had suffered at the hands of the Curros. No one here had raised a hand to her and she didn’t fear anyone would.
Don Alejandro saw her off and it wasn’t until they were out of sight of the hacienda that she called out to the driver.
“Don Alejandra did inform you that I would be stopping at the Garavito hacienda before going to town.”
The driver eased the horse to a stop. The vaqueros that accompanied began to stop as well.
“I was told you were going to town,” the driver said.
“Pedro, isn’t it?” Rosa asked, s
miling and the man nodded. “I knew Don Alejandro would forget. I should have reminded him before we left. Dona Valerianna asked that I take this basket to the Garavitos and express our sorrow.”
“What’s going on?” the last vaquero to approach asked sternly.
It was obvious by his authoritative manner that he was in charge of the small group and took his position seriously. Rosa turned her smile on him. “I was just explaining to Pedro that I’m to stop at the Garavito hacienda and give them this basket before proceeding into town.”
“That was not Don Alejandro’s orders,” the vaquero snapped. “We are to escort you to town and back again.”
“It’s a brief stop and means much to Dona Valerianna,” Rosa said, “but you have your orders and I do not wish to tread on your authority.”
The vaquero seemed to give it thought and one of the other vaqueros smiled and said, “Maria would be pleased to see you.”
That certainly changed the man’s mind fast enough. And in no time they changed direction and headed for the Garavito hacienda. Rosa prayed that proper manners would not allow the Garavitos to treat her poorly, but regardless, she intended to keep her chin up and show everyone that she was a good wife to a good man.
When the carriage drew closer to the hacienda Rosa’s stomach began to roil. She had not expected to see such devastation. Half of the hacienda lay in ruins and a large barn had burnt completely to the ground. A smaller structure had also burnt to the ground. Wood fencing lay in ruins and the vaqueros were busy working hard to repair the damages.
She had heard of the renegade attacks and the damage left in their wake, but never had she seen it with her own eyes. She knew Esteban could not have been part of this attack, but had he taken part in other raids that had caused the same destruction? She knew in her heart he had, for he reminded everyone often enough that he was a renegade.
However, the question on everyone’s mind was... why had he stayed with the renegades so long? Why hadn’t he returned home as soon as he was capable of leaving Pacquito’s band? The question was one that would need answering.
Renegade Love (Rancheros) Page 16
