by Cara North
"Dance with me.” He didn't know what had come over him, but he really felt like dancing with her.
"Jack.” She giggled but let him spin her around to face him and put her arms around his neck as he pulled her in tight.
He began humming the song that now hung in the corner of his mind. “Must Be Doin’ Something Right” by Billy Currington. Not only had he memorized it from the first night, he bought the damned CD and listened to it whenever he was alone in his truck.
Bethany sighed, placing her head against his shoulder. “You're definitely doing something right, Jack."
The fact she was happy meant more to him than breathing. Never in his life had he felt about another person the way he felt about this woman in his arms. Her happiness was at the forefront of his mind all day. Every decision he made was based on furthering her happiness. “I love you, Bethany Johnson. I don't want to go another day without saying it or hearing it from you."
"Oh, Jack.” She squeezed him so tight he almost lost his air. When did she get so strong? “I love you, too. You've made me the happiest woman in the world."
"Yeah, well you've made me the hungriest man. I keep smelling chicken and stuffing and can't wait to eat.” He looked down into her eyes and saw the love he felt reflected there. A vague memory popped into his mind, his grandpa holding his grandma like this. His dad, after Jan was born, holding his mom. “I feel sorry for my brothers."
"Why?” She tiptoed up to kiss him. Such a sweet mouth she had. No wonder he was intoxicated by her.
"They don't have this. What we have.” One more kiss and he resigned to letting her go, so they could eat the meal she obviously worked hard to prepare.
"They'll find it.” She seemed so sure of her words he hoped she was right. She had not been wrong about anything so far.
After she set the plates on the table, he flipped out the light. “Huh, power must have gone out."
"Well, good thing it only went out in the dining room because there's a pie in the oven.” She shook her head obviously amused at his attempt to make it more romantic.
He ignored her and sat at the head of the table, so he could be closer to her. She had placed his food directly across from her. “This smells delicious."
"Thank you.” She smiled. The candlelight played with her features, especially her eyes. They ate in relative silence, only the sounds of silverware and occasional sighs. The silence was a peaceful thing. Not awkward or forced, just natural as they enjoyed the meal.
The timer went off on the oven, and Bethany started to get up. “I'll take care of it, sweetheart. You sit tight.” She started to get up again, and he put both hands on her shoulders and held her in place. “I don't mind, really."
"Okay, if you insist.” She shrugged.
"I do.” He removed the hot apple pie and set it on the counter to cool. “You've really outdone yourself, sweetheart."
"I'm trying to be a good housewife.” She admitted.
"What?” He frowned. She was more than just a housewife, and he knew it was important to her to be a businesswoman.
"I've been thinking I can just help Heath out with the ranch details and otherwise just be here.” It was the awkwardness of the sentence letting him know she was getting restless. They had done so much work on the ranch so quickly because of her help. Things had begun to run smoothly, and she was needed to do less and less. Apparently, she had delegated herself right into boredom.
"You know what I think?” he asked as he began cleaning up the table. Again, she tried to get up, but he was not having it. “I think you should start your own consulting service. I mean look how fast you got this place up and running. There are plenty of other businesses in town and other ranches around could use your business eye."
"I don't want to work with other ranches. I want to work here,” she said definitively.
"So, why don't you take on the dining facility? You've been talking about getting it up and going. You can cook until we get a chef, or just do it yourself from now on. Whatever you want, sweetheart, just do it.” He placed the dishes in the sink, and she moved beside him to open the dishwasher. They worked as a quick efficient team clearing the plates and storing the leftovers.
"You know what I want?” she spoke quietly.
"What's that, sweetheart?” He passed her the last plate.
"Kids.” Thank God she had grabbed the plate before he let go of it. It would have smashed into the floor otherwise.
"Babies?” The air was sucked from his lungs, and he sounded like a bullfrog asking the question. She took it as a bad sign because her face fell into a slow frown.
"I don't know,” she said quietly then looked away. He was paralyzed. He tried to reach for her, but his arms wouldn't move. Father, good lord, he had only grown up himself in the past month. “I can see you're not ready for kids, so just forget it."
She shut the dishwasher door and started it. He remained frozen, unable to move or speak. She looked at him and then walked out of the room. Long moments passed before he could breathe again. Shaking out of the stupor he was in, he went to find her.
She was already asleep in the bed. The closer he got the easier he could see she had been crying. It broke his heart to make her cry. She was obviously upset. She had on her silky nightgown, and they never wore clothes to bed. Letting out a long breath, he resigned to the fact it was going to happen eventually anyways. Yes, he would like to spend more time with just the two of them, but she was a thirty year-old woman. His momma had three kids by the time she was thirty.
Jack undressed and slid into bed next to her.
"Sweetheart. Sweetheart, wake up.” He kissed her temple, her cheek, each eyelid.
"Let me sleep, Jack.” She sounded so sad it hurt him to hear it.
"Wake up, sweetheart. We have work to do.” He kissed her pouting lip and didn't quit until she began kissing him back.
"Jack, I don't feel like it,” she said as her arms snaked around his back and held him close.
"You don't feel like making a baby?” He kissed her neck and then her ear. “Stop taking the pill, sweetheart."
"I uh ... I ran out ... last week?” She tensed in his arms like she just realized something. Good grief was she already pregnant?
"Are you..."
"No, I'm not; I mean I can't be right. How long has it been? I just ... wanted to see how you felt. You obviously aren't ready. Don't worry about it.” She shrugged.
"Don't tell me what I am or am not ready for, now spread ‘em.” He nipped her top lip. “How long does it take for birth control to wear off?"
"I don't know. At least a month right ... probably more, right?” She ran her fingers through his hair and down his neck, leaving goose bumps in their wake. If he didn't know better, it was as if she were asking him.
"Well, we have a lot of practice to do now, don't we?” He nipped her neck gently.
"I just want to crawl right under your skin and be a part of you so badly sometimes. You know?” She traced her fingers over his lips. Her body began to heat, and though she was wearing the nightgown she was not wearing panties, and the scent of her arousal perfumed the air. Without any foreplay, she was already wet and ready.
"I know.” He slid between her legs, the tip of his prick already seeking entry. The moist mouth of her vagina opened to allow him in. With one smooth thrust, he was there, deep within her walls. It was like a homecoming every time. “I love you, sweetheart. I want you to have as many babies as you want."
"What do you want?” she asked then gripped his back as he slowly rocked into her over and over again.
"I've got everything I want right here, right now. As long as you're happy, I'm happy.” He kissed her deeply not letting her answer. He had at least a month to get used to the idea of being a dad. Good Lord, he would be someone's father. What if they had girls? What if they wanted to date a guy like him? The thought was terrifying. Boys, yes they needed to have boys. “We need to have sons though, okay?"
"Um ... sure,” was all she said. Letting go of the thoughts of babies, he focused in earnest on the process of making them.
* * * *
How could he even talk? Bethany wondered as Jack continued to make slow sweet thrusts inside her. His lips came down on hers, and she kissed him. He must have stolen a bite of apple pie along the way because he tasted like it. She hated how she stupidly wore the silky nightgown now. It kept her skin from being next to his. She tried to count the days in her head. What the hell had she done with those pills? How could she forget them? Well, she always forgot to take them, but before it was just to regulate her cycle, not actually prevent pregnancy. She had taken them since being there, right? Her mind reeled. Then, he hit the sweet spot, and all thoughts evaporated. The only thing existing in the moment was Jack.
"Oh, right there. Yes, right, there.” The head of his cock rubbed some glorious spot deep inside her, and the tension began to build throughout her body. “Just a second more."
"Mmm, sweetheart, I can feel you,” he mumbled against her ear, sending vibrations all over her body as a response. He hadn't even broken a sweat yet; it could only mean one thing. She was in for one hell of a night.
"Oh God, Jack! Don't stop, don't stop.” Her back arched, and her toes curled as the sweet sensation pulled her under into wave after wave of pulsation.
"God, you feel good.” He growled. Then, he picked up the pace.
One moment she was being treasured in a slow sweet manner. The next she was being ravaged by the beast. Her legs were repositioned from around his waist to straight up over his shoulders where her feet locked behind his head.
"It's not enough,” he said as he drove himself deeper into her flesh. If it was not enough, she had no idea how he was going to get more. He hit the back of her wall with each stroke causing a twinge of pain with the pleasure.
"Do you want me to turn over?” Maybe he just needed to get a different angle.
"Maybe, I don't know,” he said between labored breaths.
"Let me roll over.” She unhooked her ankles and removed the gown as she sat up. He looked wild, like an untamed beast in their bed, but she wasn't going to talk dirty to him. Nope, dirty talk was not going to happen no matter how badly she wanted to.
Jack growled as he gripped her waist and plunged into her from behind. “Oh yes."
She wanted to ask if he liked it, but she was trying to remain a lady in bed.
"Bethany. Mmm. Fuck!” He chased what seemed to be out of reach for him. His efforts had, however, created another wave inside of her.
"Mmm, Oh ... yeah, good, Jack.” She bit the pillow to keep from yelling out a stream of obscenities as she came again.
"Fuck!” He shouted. “Bethany, sweetheart, please."
"What, Jack, what do you want?” She could barely lift from the pillow, and her legs shook with the effort to remain on her knees.
"Tell me, tell me something, anything. I need to hear it. I want you to tell me what you want, please.” He punctuated the please by smacking her butt.
So now, he wanted her to talk dirty. After making fun in the truck, he wanted the potty mouth in the bedroom after all? Maybe she could still say it and not be so ... rough about it.
"Let me turn over.” She needed to lie down. He pulled out, and she rolled to her back. Opening both her arms and her legs, she pulled him back into the tender embrace they started with. “Go slow, make love to me."
"Okay.” He held her tightly, his sweat soaked body against hers. The scent of their lovemaking filled the room. She kissed his neck and tasted the salty sweat there.
In a soft whisper, she commanded. “Now, fuck me, Jack, give it to me. Give me every inch of your big ... thick ... cock."
He came with a loud, shuddering moan. His seed poured into her in long bursts. At the end, he simply collapsed on top of her. His lips pressed against her neck once, twice. Then, slowly he drifted off into sleep.
"Jack, honey, you're crushing me.” She gasped for air as he rolled to his side, pulling her with him. “I guess you like it when I talk dirty after all."
"Don't be smug. Miss Know-it-all.” He nipped at her nose then rolled to his back, again pulling her with him.
"Don't you want to shower?” She yawned.
He grunted.
Readjusting to her nook, Bethany smiled. A baby of her own. A little boy just like Jack, or a little girl she could love the way she was never loved as a child. Life was definitely paying her back for all the hurt she had felt as a child. Overwhelming her with the love she was receiving from this man. Nothing could tear this away from her now.
Chapter 17
Standing in the kitchen, she thought she was seeing things as she looked out the window and watched the red BMW pull down the drive. Every year she got a new red BMW for her birthday. The one heading toward the house looked exactly like the one she got three months ago for her thirtieth. What made matters worse was the Black Dodge Ram following it.
Her heart pounded like a jack rabbit. She snuck out to the garage to hear the exchange now taking place between Heath and her ex-fiancé! Douglas stood there in a blue polo shirt and khaki pants at the front of her car. Heath made his way around the front of his truck in the attire she was now accustomed to seeing men wear, jeans and a T-shirt.
"How may I help you?” Heath asked as he approached.
"I'm here for Bethany Dodson,” Douglas said. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest and ran back in the house to hide. The biggest secret of her life was standing in the driveway and the meanest brother was there to greet him. Thank God, it was not Jack. Rafe would have been ideal; actually, no one would have been ideal. Why had he come here?
"There is no one by that name here.” Heath put his hands on his hips and eyed Douglas. Bethany gripped the back of Jack's truck like it was a lifeline and prayed they wouldn't see her eavesdropping.
"You must be Jack. Look, I'm sure you think you got yourself a catch there, but what you got is my fiancé instead.” Douglas looked at his watch then back at Heath. “We're getting married in a few weeks, and now she's sewn some wild oats, I'm sure she's ready to come home."
"You're obviously mistaken or an idiot. She's my wife, and she ain't goin’ anywhere, understand?” Shocked by his readiness to stand in for Jack, Bethany almost felt sick. Would Heath tell Jack later? This was getting worse by the minute.
"I don't think you understand, sir. I have a business to run, and Bethany is part of the merger. It's been planned for a year now, and this little tantrum she's decided to throw has just put you in the middle of it. I apologize, and I will reward you for keeping her safe and out of trouble, just name your price."
Bethany slid down the truck and sat next to the tire. The sobs began to shake her body. This could not be happening. Heath must have heard her because he looked over his shoulder, directly at her then stepped once to the left where she couldn't see Douglas at all.
"She's not for sale,” he said. A stream of spit escaped his lips as he turned his head to the side. Like one of those lawn ornaments, it shot out perfectly then landed in the grass. Cracking his neck to one side then the next, he faced Douglas again. Heath defined the television cowboy in that moment. All he needed was two pistols on his hips.
"This is ridiculous. If you will let me talk to her, we can straighten this out. I'm sure she is ready to come home. It's why I brought her favorite car. You know she owns six, and the house she lived in, the guest house makes this little home you have here look like a shack. You won't be able to support her or her shopping sprees.” Douglas laughed, the arrogant bastard. “You have to realize a girl like Bethany is accustomed to a certain lifestyle. She's not going to trade it in for cowboy boots and farmland."
"Are you finished?” Heath asked simply.
"No. I want Bethany out here, and I want her out here now.” Douglas was finished playing around by the tone in his voice.
"I told you. She's my wife, and the only way she's leaving here with you is over my
dead body.” Heath took a step forward.
Unfortunately, the kitchen door to the garage opened. Bethany looked up to see Jack.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?” He came to her side instantly and both men outside took notice.
"Shit,” Heath said.
"Bethany,” Douglas scolded. “Get off the ground for Christ's sake."
Jack looked at her then looked out toward Douglas. Unlike Heath, his temper was not leashed.
"Who the hell are you talking to, Mister?” Jack started out of the garage.
"My fiancé!” Douglas shouted.
"You mean my wife.” Jack took three steps forward.
"So, now she's your wife. Ha! I bet you've been passing her around out here on the farm, huh?” Douglas laughed. “Doesn't surprise me a bit. Bethany get out here, and let's go!"
"Why you son of a bitch!” Jack launched for him, but Heath held him back.
"Get out of here, asshole, before I call the law,” Heath warned.
"Fine, I'll be back tomorrow, and she'll be leaving with me.” Douglas laughed and got in the car. “Pack your shit, Bethany. Play time's over,” he yelled then squalled tires as he backed out of the driveway.
"Why did you stop me, dammit!’ Jack turned to Heath.
"We can't afford a scandal right now. We open in two weeks.” He let go of Jack and took two steps away from him. Probably thinking the same thing she was, he would swing on Heath instead.
"Jack,” Bethany said and pulled herself from the ground. How she had the strength, she had no idea. Her world was spinning out of control.
"Is it true?” He looked wounded.
"I can explain.” She held her hands to her chest pleading with him. His face looked like a thundercloud, mean and angry, lined with hurt and betrayal. She had done that to him. She broke his heart.
"Just tell me if it's true. Were you engaged when we got married? Did I take another man's wife?"
"No.” She felt herself look away as she said it. “I was engaged but..."
