by Cara North
"But I haven't come yet.” She pouted as she climbed on top of him.
"Have I ever let you down?” He shook his head. Selfish little witch. She normally had three before he got one. Obviously, he was spoiling her.
"No.” She sighed as she sank down onto his erection. It took little more to get her moving in a sweet rhythm. He debated letting her wait it out until the last minute. He knew exactly how to touch her to get her off quick, but she knew the same little tricks about him, and she was testing his word right now.
"You little...” Jack reached between them and stroked her clit just right. She slowed down and worked for her own orgasm now, not his. “See. Be nice."
"Yes. Nice, ohhh so nice.” Bethany gripped his back harder. Her head fell to his shoulder, and she began to moan and kiss his neck. “Mmm, Jack, soo nice. Right there, oh right there, don't stop ... Oh God, don't stop, yes!"
Her inner walls gripped him and fought each lift of her hips dragging her back down onto his shaft. When the pulsations began milking him, he relaxed and let his own orgasm go. At least she didn't demand he fuck her this time. The change was so startling sometimes he wondered if she had a split personality. Bedroom Bethany versus Bethany Johnson, business minded woman with manners and charm to spare.
She relaxed completely, her nose nuzzling his neck. “One more?"
"You're an addict.” He squeezed his little sex kitten.
"No, I'm not,” she said around a yawn. “It helps me sleep, breaks tension, and relieves stress."
He chuckled. “So, I'm nothing more than a sleep aid?"
"Jack.” She sounded sleepy already. “You're amazing. How can a girl get enough when you can always pull out more?"
"Well, I'm not pulling out more tonight, sweetheart. I'm spent.” He gently patted her butt. “Now, let's get a shower and get to bed."
"When I lead, I at least get three.” She pouted as she dismounted and started into the bathroom.
"And when you lead, I am left tortured for at least an hour before I get any.” Spoiled brat.
"You spoil me.” She admitted it. Ha! He felt validated. He had spoiled her. “And no one has ever spoiled me before. You give me everything I've ever wanted in the bedroom and out. Forgive me for taking so much."
In his mind, a stream of curses flashed by. Guilt hit him like a box of rocks. He never wanted to let her down, and she did deserve to be spoiled. He just wanted a little of the same. Hell, before Bethany he was the one getting all the attention. Now, she was the center of his world. As the shower started, he remembered the shower head. Reaching up to remove it, he pulled her in tight against him. He had no idea how this worked. It was a fluke the first time, and maybe he would get lucky again, if not, he would just have to do it the old fashioned way.
"Tell me when it gets there."
Jack directed the spray at her, circled each of her nipples with the water spray, then trailed it down her abdomen. When the water hit her clit in rapid pulsing fashion, she leaned back onto his supporting body and moaned. “There."
"Mmm. Look at you, sweetheart, already knocking on that door.” Jack wrapped an arm around her for support. So, maybe she was an addict. Maybe she needed a little release now and then or daily. What difference did it make? She was making up for lost time, and he was always willing to play games with her.
She hadn't realized it was such torture for him to hold back. She thought of him more like superman than an average man. He could do anything, leap buildings in a single bound and give multiple orgasms in a single session. What more could a girl ask for? Nothing, she decided as the pulsing wave crashed over her body. “Mmmm."
"That's it. I love the face you make.” He cooed in her ear, adding to the sensation. She pushed the water away and slumped against him. He replaced the shower head and hugged her tightly.
"Thanks.” The warmth and security of his arms was undeniable. She would crawl under his skin and live there if it were possible to be that close to him.
"Let's wash up and get to bed, sweetheart.” He placed a kiss on her temple and released her. Instantly, she felt the loss of his warmth along her back and craved it again. The sooner they got out of the shower, the sooner she could crawl onto his chest and listen to his heart as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 16
"I understand you have the keys, but you will still need Paul's signature to get into the boxes.” Angela Triplett was what the woman's name badge said. They all stood there like one big family in the bank manager's office. “I'm sorry, but as you can see here, the form says so."
"Hogwash!” Bethany accepted the form and looked it over. Unfortunately, it was a notarized document, legal and binding. The paper simply said, No one can open the boxes until Paul signs the papers. Angie.
Grandpa Johnson didn't plan to make things easy on them.
"Well?” Jack asked.
"I'm sorry, honey. She's telling the truth.” Bethany watched as their faces all dropped. This was her fault and what she had feared. She should have brought the keys herself and found this out.
"She just called him, honey,” Rafe whispered to Heath but not low enough.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go get Paul.” Jack rolled his eyes at his brothers and held out a hand toward her. “Wait here, we'll be right back."
Heath made himself imposingly comfortable by sitting on the leather couch in the bank manager's office. Jan took a seat on Buck's lap after he sat in one large chair. Rafe took the seat next to them.
"Got anything to drink?” She heard Heath ask as they left.
"Your brother is a real piece of work, you know?” she asked Jack as they walked down the sidewalk toward the lawyer's office.
"Heath's always been a little ... self-centered, I guess.” Jack smiled down at her. His fingers squeezed hers slightly, and it was as if he hugged her entire body with a simple touch. She felt herself sigh.
"I'm glad you're not like them. Heath drives me nuts with his big male presence. Rafe is like having a real girlfriend around to talk to, but if you ever tell him, I will kill you.” He laughed, and she smiled. “But you, Jack Johnson, are perfect. You're a little too macho, but you like to listen and let me do silly things like give you a pedicure."
"Shh. Someone could here you,” he said and looked around as if at any moment someone would appear. At ten a.m., the town seemed more like a ghost town than anything else. Everyone was at work. Only a few people were milling about the streets, and Bethany had no doubts they were going to or coming from work themselves.
"This is his office?” She looked at the old building and the weathered sign hanging on the door. It didn't even say his name, just the word attorney.
"Yep.” Jack pushed open the door. “Mr. Reubens?” Jack called, and she heard what sounded like a cabinet door close in another room.
The office was an old house actually. The living room they were standing in had a desk and a big leather chair behind it. Bookshelves lined the walls with tons of books. A few file cabinets were set off to one side, and two office chairs sat in front of the desk. Jack continued through the living room/office and into what she now realized was a kitchen. The house was shotgun style. The next room had to be the bedroom. Good grief! Did he live here?
"Hey there, just making some coffee.” Paul stirred in his sweetener. “You need me to sign something, I presume?"
"Yes, sir.” Jack nodded. He didn't seem the least offended this old man had kept them running in circles for the last five years.
"Why didn't you just tell them?” Bethany didn't feel the same. The whole reason Jack had married her was for money, and he could have had it all along. She was torn between the relief he didn't know and, now that she was there with him, the fact someone had pulled one over on the man she now loved and his family causing them years of struggle.
"In these parts, a man makes a promise to a friend, he keeps it.” Paul shrugged, took a long swig of the coffee, and set the cup in the sink. “You ready to get your money n
ow?"
"No.” Jack shocked them both. “I'm ready to see what my grandfather left in the boxes. It cannot just be money. We don't really need it so much anymore. We have all read the will now, Mr. Reuben. We understand why you didn't say anything. You should not have had to. He was our grandfather. He was there after our dad died, and we learned to love the ranch from him, but we were strong, stubborn little children, and we had to do it our way. Now, we know our way was not the family way, and until it became the family way, the ranch would not succeed."
"Yes, Jack, you are finally ready to get the gifts he left you.” Paul smiled, and his eyes watered. He started toward the door, and they followed him. “Your grandpa was one of my best friends. When I needed a job, I worked on the ranch. When I got my license, I offered him my services as payment for keeping me alive all those years. I had a wife and two kids to support. Your grandparents always had a place at the table for us. My wife worked alongside your granny in the kitchen. The blueberry pie she made, it's Gloria's recipe. I'd give anything for a slice of blueberry pie now."
"Mr. Reuben, what was the ranch like in its hay day?” Jack asked, and Bethany realized whatever the old man said next would impact their marketing strategy in a major way.
"A family place, a place for anyone and everyone. Most of the people who worked there needed to be there. It gave them a place to live, food to eat, and a paycheck. Half this town came up from the ranches. The guests, well, they were more like family, too. They were taught not only how to ride a horse or be led down a trail, but also they learned how to saddle them, how to clean them. They did almost as much work as we did, but it's what they were there for. To live like cowboys, me n’ your daddy would take the men off for two day trail rides, camp out under the stars, give them back their manhood and fellowship, where the corporate world was stripping it away."
Jack opened the door to the bank, allowing Paul and Bethany to pass through ahead of him. She could see the wheels turning in his mind and knew there would be a family meeting tonight if he could arrange it. They entered the office where everyone still waited. The woman looked relieved, and Bethany looked over to Heath, who had a drink, a doughnut, and a napkin, and knew why. He had been aggravating her since they left. Jan was practically sleeping in Buck's lap. It seemed odd for some reason. Rafe was reading a magazine. Angie smiled and stood. She looked at Heath, shook her head, and then focused on Paul.
"Paul, I hope you are here to sign papers. I swear I'm ready to give Heath his box just to get him out of here.” She looked at Heath and frowned.
"What did I do?” he asked innocently.
"I owe Travis breakfast now I borrowed his doughnuts.” She placed her hands on her generous hips and shook her head.
"What?” Heath asked. “She could have said she didn't have anything to eat here."
"She did.” Rafe nodded without looking away from the article.
"Paul.” The woman prompted, “Please, sign here."
Paul laughed and stepped up to the big mahogany desk. He signed the papers as the woman headed toward the door. “Come on, kids."
"Kids?” Heath made a harrumph as he got up.
They followed her into a room behind a locked door. It looked like they walked into the part of the post office with all the boxes in it, but they were bank boxes instead. “You got your keys?"
"Yes, ma'am.” They all answered.
"Well, look at the number on the tag and have at it.” She stepped back next to Paul Reuben and waited.
Bethany stood next to Jack and held her breath. Everyone was waiting for him to do something. No one had made a move. “Shouldn't Heath go first?"
"No, little brother, Bethany found it, you go first.” Heath sounded serious and affectionate, unlike he had ever sounded before.
"Go on, honey,” she prompted. Jack looked down at her, smiled, then pulled the key out of his pocket. His boots echoed on the tile floor as he approached the box. It was as though time had slowed down and held them all suspended. Each little bump on the key could be heard as it slid into box 459. The clean air and sterile conditions of the room made it seem almost surreal.
Jack opened the bank box door and removed a wooden box. “It's another box."
"Open it,” Jan said with the curiosity they all felt.
Jack lifted the lid and smiled. “There's a letter, some papers, his harmonica. I searched for two months trying to find this thing."
"My turn!” Jan was full of energy now. Like a kid at Christmas, she put her key in box 460. “I got a box, too!"
"That's grandma's jewelry box.” Heath nodded. “I thought mom had it."
"Oh my,” Jan exclaimed as she opened it. “It's all of it, and a letter and some papers, but it's all of her jewelry."
"Not all of it.” Heath sighed, and Bethany wondered what piece he was referring to. “Rafe."
"Don't mind if I do.” Rafe patted Heath on the shoulder once then went to his box, 458. “Here goes everything."
"Well?” Jan prompted.
"Box, like Jack's.” Rafe opened the lid. “Sweet."
"What?” Jan asked.
"Spurs. And more of the same paperwork.” He shrugged, but his eyes gave him away. Those spurs meant a lot to him.
"Heath.” Bethany looked sidelong at the mountain of a man who seemed more nervous than the rest.
"I shouldn't have much. He already gave me an heirloom, and I lost it.” His footsteps thundered as he walked to the box. Again, she wondered what he meant by it, but this was no time to ask. Jack squeezed her in tight against him, and they all waited.
Heath opened box 457 and removed another wood box just like Jack and Rafe had. Opening it, he stood silent, then closed it, and marched out of the room without comment.
"Heath?” Jan called, but he was in a hurry to get out of there.
"Let him go, Jan.” Paul nodded. “The paperwork you all refer to is what you need to get your money out. You can go to the tellers and let poor Angie have a rest."
"Just like that?” Rafe asked.
"Just like that.” Paul nodded.
"Well, why don't we discuss it later then come back.” Jan stroked the top of the jewelry box.
"Sounds good.” Rafe nodded. “We should all be together anyways."
"Come on, beautiful, I'll buy you some lunch before I head into work.” Buck kissed Jan on the forehead and led her out the door.
"I'm gonna go see Layla.” Rafe smiled and headed out behind them.
"Mr. Rueben,” Jack spoke as the man started to leave.
"Yes?"
"We'll be having a big barbeque for the opening weekend of the ranch. Would you like to come?” Bethany felt the pride in her heart for this kind man. How Jack had evaded so many women was a mystery. Any woman would be proud to stand by his side.
"I'd like to.” Paul Reuben smiled, and all the lines on his old face appeared, but his eyes twinkled.
"You, too, Ms. Angie.” Jack nodded.
"Well, thank you, Jack.” The woman smiled and opened the door for them.
* * * *
"I wonder what Heath got,” Bethany said as she held Jack's box in her lap.
"Something special, like all of us. He just couldn't admit it.” Jack smiled at her.
"You know, I am really proud to be your wife, Jack Johnson.” She smiled at him and wondered if they would always be like this.
"Thank you, sweetheart.” He blushed.
"Jack, do you like me?” she asked seriously.
"Little bit,” he joked.
"I'm serious.” She traced the soft wood box with her finger. “I know I'm a little different sometimes."
"Is this where you tell me you're really an alien from outer space?” he teased.
"Jack.” She sighed. “I mean I know we have great sex, really amazing sex, but do you like who I am in the light of day? When I'm just plain ole Bethany Johnson?"
"Sweetheart, I prefer plain ole Bethany Johnson both in and out of the bedroom. I don't mind playin
g games or swatting your tush now and then if that's what it takes to keep you happy, but I wouldn't mind making love to plain old Bethany Johnson now and again."
She gulped. Here she had been trying to be wild for him, trying to live up to what she thought a man like Jack would want or expect in the bedroom, and all along he just wanted her. “So, no games tonight."
"Promise?” He bit his lower lip and wiggled his eyebrows.
"You are so bad.” She giggled.
"I get to be the man again. Hooray!” he teased.
"Jack, it wasn't bad."
"I wonder if my sweetheart will have the same sailor mouth as my other lovers."
"What other lovers?” She snapped to attention.
"Dr. Bethany, Servant Bethany, Mistress Bethany.” He could go on, but he stopped there.
"I like talking dirty sometimes.” She shrugged. “So, I shouldn't say what? Fuck, cock, pussy."
"You're making me blush, woman.” He laughed. “You say whatever you want, just as long as you don't say small, little, or stop."
He winked. She felt better about herself every day she was with Jack. The healing power of love had helped her become the woman she knew deep down she always was. The woman she wanted to be. And Jack accepted her, just like she was and even when she acted out. Something no one else had done before.
* * * *
"Well, now what do we have here?” Jack asked as he came through the kitchen door. He put his boots in the mud room since they were muddy. The rain had started on the way back from town and had not let up any. It was a good thing. They needed the rain.
"Dinner.” Bethany acted as though it was no big deal, but she had put together quite a feast. The dining room table was set with candlelight and all. He got the feeling she was trying to seduce him, and he had to admit, he was easy pickings.
"So, the candlelight is just in case the power goes out then?” He smiled and stepped around the counter to get his hands on her. Every moment away from her felt like an eternity.
"Behave. I made all this food, so we could enjoy a nice quiet dinner alone.” She leaned into him as she protested, and he squeezed her tight. Inhaling deeply, he smelled the baked chicken, the stuffing, and Bethany.
