***
Jane was amused, when only seconds after her return, Red opened her bedroom door and approached, his intent clear, his expression eager.
“Slow down, Cowboy,” she said, and laid a restraining hand on his massive chest the instant the door to her room closed behind him. They’d made love twice today already, but he had a voracious appetite, one that suited her just fine, but right now she wanted her own way. “This time we’re doing it my way.”
It was obvious that Red was not used to allowing a woman to take over, he was bullish in his enthusiasm at times, yet tender too. She needed to show him exactly what he was missing. A long slow lovemaking session was in order. She traced her fingertips over his hard chest feeling his heartbeat escalating beneath her touch, looking up into his deep penetrating gaze she saw both humor and desire. He quirked a brow.
“Can you go for that?” she asked softly, her lips only inches from his.
“Yeah, I can go for that.”
Jane advanced on him, and very slowly undressed him. Taking her own sweet time, and every time he made to lift her in his arms, wanting to carry her to the bed, she shook her head. “Down, Cowboy!” she’d said it half a dozen times and made him half laugh and moan at the same time, as she knelt down, kissing her way along his thighs past his thrusting erection and then back up to finally take possession of him with what he’d playfully assured her was a very talented mouth. When she’d eventually allowed him to move he’d taken over and made her scream, loud and clear, proving that she wasn’t the only one with a talented mouth. Thankfully they were alone in the house.
Later that night when Jane was sound asleep, Red slid from the bed and into his own room. Switching on his bedside lamp he retrieved the folder he’d been too horny to read earlier. And finally attempted to give it his full attention, but three lovemaking sessions with Jane had depleted his energy and left him relaxed and lethargic, he slid it into the drawer of his night stand and dozed.
Chapter Eight
“Jane…” Red groaned in frustration after his umpteenth try at fastening the ridiculous little black bow tie, why they couldn’t have used clip on ties he honestly didn’t know.
It was Honey’s wedding day and he was giving her away. She’d asked Jane to be one of her bridesmaids. The whole town would be there. He smiled down at Jane as she hurried over to tie his bowtie with her small efficient hands. He couldn’t resist, he kissed her, inhaling her familiar fragrance, he adored everything about her. She’d been here for almost a month and she was everything he could possibly want, kind and sweet, helpful to everyone on the ranch, and fortunately for him, both sensual and adventurous in the bedroom with an appetite to match his own. Whenever he started to get a little too rushed in his haste to be inside her, she would slow him down with her gentle caresses and then ride him hard after she’d practically worked him into a complete frenzy. Their climaxes were always earth shattering. Just thinking about her lovemaking now had him harder than a rock.
“Red, we have to go soon!” she gasped when his kisses became more insistent.
He groaned. “Jane just being in the same room with you makes me…”
Honey tapped on the door. “You ready, Jane?”
“She’ll be there in five minutes,” Red answered for her as he turned the key and advanced on Jane.
“Five minutes?” Jane teased.
“Hey, I can work quickly when I need to,” he chuckled against her lips.
“Our wedding outfits...” Jane laughed.
“Easy fix.” He slid the gown quickly from her shoulders until it pooled at her feet.
***
After what they had shared only a short time earlier, Red knew he should be feeling something other than the sensual aftermath of loving Jane. But he was befuddled as he watched Honey and Tony celebrate their wedding. He was happy for them, but now that he’d leaped in head first with Jane, he knew he ought to be able to make up his mind about marriage with her, it was a part of the whole bargain. She’d given herself to him wholeheartedly, but marriage was something he took as serious as a heart attack. And even though he was admittedly somewhat crazy about her, he realized he still didn’t know that much about the petite little English woman who was sharing his home and his bed, other than she was sweet natured and apparently really liked sex. But would that be enough for a lifetime commitment? The folder still lay unread in the drawer of his nightstand. He shrugged off his deep thoughts and refocused once again on the moment, and Honey’s special day. Tonight, he planned to do a little reading. It was time he got to know the real Jane Sinclair on more than a physical level.
When Red returned home that night with Jane, there was something about the sudden emptiness of the house that got to him after the months of Honey’s wedding preparations and excited chatter. A certain finality. Even though all had gone incredibly well with the wedding, Honey was permanently gone. Oh, she’d be here on and off, but she belonged to Tony now, he was her priority and Jane should be, or could be, his.
He wanted it all, was that too much to ask? The easy going friendship he’d shared with his cousin, the sensuality he shared with Jane, the warm homey atmosphere of a family life. Could he have that all wrapped up in one person? He needed to stop putting it off and figure out exactly who Jane Sinclair was, before he got in any deeper. He was beginning to feel like his heart might be getting involved here. But what if she saw this as a just fun way to spend a year in America? She continually teased him, calling him ‘Cowboy’ as though she got a kick out of saying the word. Everything was still new, a novelty to her. And when the novelty wore off, would she go home? Would he be left standing here wearing his heart on his sleeve, with an empty house and an empty bed, both lonely and horny?
Red kissed Jane goodnight. She seemed surprised, but didn’t argue when he said he had some paperwork to take care of. She went to her room to soak in a relaxing bath. It had been a long day for everyone.
Red sat down on the bed, wearing the remnants of his once crisp tuxedo, now wrinkled from a full day of celebrating with family, friends and neighbors. As the day had progressed, his thoughts of a future with Jane had grown stronger and deeper. He was physically exhausted and his emotions were tied in a knot. But he couldn’t put off reading her profile any longer. He tossed the jacket aside, removed the tie and cumber bund, rolled up his sleeves and leaning against the old solid oak headboard he finally began to read.
Lady Jane Sinclair. Aged twenty eight…wait a minute. Lady Jane Sinclair? She really was an English aristocrat? A sudden tightness began in his chest and only grew as he read on.
Raised in Yorkshire at Sinclair Manor, a sixteenth century manor house on the edge of the Yorkshire moors. She’d gone to a prestigious English boarding school, and Cambridge. Oh crap! He was just an episode in this woman’s life wasn’t he? A brief interlude, sex and fun with an American cowboy, or something like that, before she returned home to get on with her real life. But wait, her home was being lost to the government, due to those crazy English taxes he’d heard about somewhere. Huge taxes that had robbed many English aristocrats of their ancestral homes and drove many celebrities overseas, was that why she was here? He remembered her thrilled reaction to the antique dining table, she was used to history and antiques…she’d grown up with them. He rose and walked over to switch on his computer, his boots felt filled with lead, and he realized, he’d not only come to care for her, he’d fallen for her. Hook line and sinker. And he would never be able to keep her. He was even more certain of it when he saw the colorful website of Sinclair Manor. The disparity between her lifestyle and his, hit him like a punch in the gut.
By the time he was done reading, it was late and he was bone weary. But first thing in the morning, he needed to have a talk with Jane. A serious one.
Chapter Nine
The phone was ringing. Red hurried downstairs to answer it, hoping to God nothing was wrong. Honey and Tony had taken off to California for their honeymoon. He hated it whe
n folks travelled. That’s how his parents had died, both his and Honey’s, in similar freak accidents just months apart seven years ago. It just made him all out nervous.
He reached the phone a moment before Jane, as she came hurrying downstairs tying her pink silk ankle length robe around herself, delicate fluffy slippers on her small feet.
He grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hello, may I speak with Lady Jane Sinclair please?” The voice was cultured, male, and very English.
He held out the receiver. “It’s for you, Lady Jane,” he said coolly, handing her the phone and stepping away.
Jane stared at him. But the person on the other end was calling. “Hello? Hello? Is anyone there? Did we get cut off? I…”
“No, I’m here. This is Lady Jane Sinclair,” she answered.
Red heard her issue her full title as he strode up the stairs to his room, and sat on the end of the bed, staring at the wall. He was a goddamned freaking boy toy to her wasn’t he? Damn it! He picked up his boots and threw them against the wall. After watching Honey and Tony yesterday, at their long awaited wedding and reception filled with family and friends, he’d begun to imagine things. Like his own wedding, and Jane in her wedding dress. It had made him smile because he knew it would be something flimsy and pretty just like her. Not the tailored gown that suited Honey. Then he’d allowed his thoughts to move on to a year or two later, imagining her pregnant with his baby, a little girl like her, or a boy just like him. Raising their kids, and kicking the nosey ranch hands back where they belonged, down to the bunk house with a new full time cook of their own. But it was all gone, in less than twenty-four hours. His dreams were gone. He picked up his cell phone and made a couple of calls.
Finally, still hearing Jane’s excited conversation from downstairs, he tossed aside his robe and hopped in the shower.
***
Jane threw the door to Red’s room wide and flew in, throwing herself into his arms. “Red! I have the most wonderful news!” she cried, cupping his face. Hoping what she had seen in his features when he’d handed her the phone had been just a figment of her imagination, or a cowboy in need of his morning coffee. But when his eyes met hers, she knew she’d not been mistaken at all. He sat her down on the edge of the bed. This time there was nothing sensual about his behavior, it was very methodical and matter-of-fact.
“My house, Red,” she whispered, hoping to dispel the strange icy atmosphere that had befallen them. “That was the tax service, the Inland Revenue, they have been reviewing my record, they made a mistake. A big one. I’ve been overpaying for years! I get to keep it…”
“You get to keep Sinclair Manor, Lady Jane?” he asked coolly.
“Yes,” she nodded. “Red…I was thinking, hoping that…you and I…” her words faltered at the cold look in his eyes, and she realized it was twice now, that he’d used her title.
Red shook his head and her blood froze. “I’ve been thinking too, Jane, or should I say Lady Jane? This has all been a big mistake. It’s time for you to go home.”
“Home, Red? Just like that?” she asked, tears welling quickly in her eyes.
“Yes.”
She refused to beg or plead, but she couldn’t help the tears from spilling silently down her cheeks at this sudden frigid and unexpected turn of events.
“I’ve already arranged your taxi to the airport, and booked your flight. You need to leave, don’t you?”
Jane nodded tearfully. And Red walked purposefully out the door.
Chapter Ten
Honey walked in to the big ranch house kitchen anticipating a nice chat over a cup of Jane’s favorite English tea. Jane was like a breath of fresh air here. Everyone loved her. Including Red, that had been obvious from the start. He’d fallen for her right away. His reaction at the airport still made her chuckle when she thought about it, and Tony had roared with laughter when she’d described the scene to him.
The kitchen was empty and silent. No lingering aromas of cooking. No tea cups set out on the counter, always at the ready. No sign of Red. What the hell had happened here? A funeral would be more lively. She’d been looking forward to getting back here, though she’d enjoyed her honeymoon getaway in California, she was curious how Red and Jane were doing and hoping she’d be helping to plan their wedding soon. The door slammed shut behind her. A shadow loomed and Red stalked in.
“Red?” she asked, she didn’t need to say more.
“She’s gone.”
“But why? What did you do?”
“Why the hell are you assuming it was me…” he roared fiercely.
Honey stared at him, he sounded like an angry bull. He had shadows under his eyes and he obviously hadn’t slept much. He was hurting. Tears sprang to her eyes, this was all her fault! She’d talked him into it and he’d gotten hurt. She’d hoped to help, she hadn’t wanted him to be alone, but she’d only made everything worse. “Oh, Red! I’m so sorry! I really thought she was perfect for you! She adored you…I just know she did...”
“Listen, Honey, Lady Jane, has gone back to her English manor, so do me a favor and don’t set me up on any more blind dates again. Ever. Okay?”
Honey nodded and swallowed hard. Lady Jane. So he’d figured it all out. Read the profile. But why the hell did it matter? Jane had been so taken with Red, how could it have all fallen apart so easily? Something had to have happened. A misunderstanding? Some kind of argument? Red wasn’t always the easiest man in the world, he could be bull-headed at times but he was also generous, kind and caring. Knowing she was pushing her luck, still, she had to ask.
“Tell me, Red, please? I have to know, after all I’m the one responsible for this situation, and I liked her too. When did she leave?”
“The day after your wedding.”
“She’s been gone for two weeks!” Honey exclaimed. “Why didn’t you let me know?”
“On your honeymoon?” Red asked, raising one eyebrow in disbelief, his lips compressed into a firm line.
“Oh, right! But Red, if there was anything I could have done to smooth things out, I would have, even on my honeymoon. You know that, don’t you? I love you Red, you’ve always been so good to me. I just wanted you to be happy.” Honey’s voice broke on a sob.
Red stared at her hard and sighed. Then took her in his arms and held her close. “It’s okay, kiddo. You tried to do a good thing. And if it’s any consolation, I actually did fall for her.”
“Oh, Red!” Honey blubbered and soaked his shirt with noisy tears. The poor guy’s heart had been breaking while she’d been living it up on her honeymoon. Now she felt even worse. She scrubbed away the tears. She would fix this, she just had to. “Tell me what happened?”
Red sat down at the kitchen table while Honey put the kettle on and made them a cup of tea. Unconsciously fishing out the tea pot Jane had brought and filling it, as Red picked up his big Red mug that Jane had given him. They stared forlornly at each other.
“The Inland Revenue called her, they made a mistake on her taxes and she gets to keep her house after all. She flew home the same day.”
Honey, feeling calmer now, sipped her tea. “She just walked out on you? Just like that!” She snapped her fingers, in a dismissive manner.
Red had the grace to look a little sheepish, “Well, no, not exactly.”
“Precisely how ‘not exactly’ are we talking here?” she demanded, her suspicions beginning to grow rapidly.
Red dragged a rough hand through his hair. “I read the folder, the night of your wedding.”
“It took you that long to get around to it?” she exclaimed in disbelief.
“I had other things on my mind,” he answered defensively.
Honey grinned finally, “Mm-hmm.” Contrary to what Red believed, she was well aware of her cousin’s raunchy reputation and was relieved to see that he and Jane had hit it off in that department. “Go on,” she urged.
“I was going to talk to her about it the next morning…but then, first thi
ng, she got the call, and she was so excited…” he shrugged.
“Of course she was excited, Red, she’d just found out the home that had been in her family for more than five centuries was going to remain hers!”
Red swallowed hard and rubbed the back of his neck.
“And?” Honey pressed for more details.
“I bought her a ticket, called her a cab and sent her home.”
Honey stared at him as though he’d just grown horns then kicked him soundly in the shin.
“Ouch!” he yelled. Honey was wearing high heeled boots, with pointed toes. Jane had definitely left her mark.
“Redstone MacAlistair! Jane, Lady Jane Sinclair, was in love with you! She wanted to marry you, she wanted to have your babies…though God only knows why, since you are obviously a complete and utter jackass!” she bellowed. “The information was all there for you to read in her folder from the start! You got infuriated and sent her home just because no one mentioned her title?”
Lady Jane and the Cowboy Page 4
