After she showered, she quickly dressed and before leaving the room she made a mental note to unpack her bag later.
It wasn’t Hank who met her at the stables. It was Sam. “Hello, Sam. Have you seen Hank? Johnny said he would—”
“I told Hank I’d go with you. Daisy is ready for you,” Sam interrupted. “Hank is busy.”
“Oh. You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
Topaz led Daisy out of the stables. She was about to mount when Sam came up behind her.
“Let me help you,” he offered.
“Don’t need your help. I can ride.” She promptly put her foot in the stirrup and mounted the horse.
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Chad told me that Father paid for you to have riding lessons.”
“Yes, he did.”
“Why would he do that?”
“He said he wanted me to know how to ride properly. I was just a girl. I was excited and eager to learn and happy that he’d do that for me.”
“What else did he do for you?”
“Is this a thousand-questions session or are we going riding?” She promptly kicked Daisy in the sides and the mare started to trot. All the questions were irritating, yet understandable. There were a million questions in her own mind about the Douglas brothers, about her inheritance. They didn’t come across as losers or drunks. Why then did Daddy John leave me everything and rob his sons of their inheritance? Was there bad blood between father and sons?
She knew Chad was planning to contest the will, had probably already started proceedings and in a way, she hoped they’d win, or at least get a fair share of everything and the ranch. She’d fallen in love with the ranch from the moment Terry drove her onto the property, but she really had no right to it. And that would free her to pursue any amorous interest she had in the brothers. That’s if she could stay of course.
Sam had taken the lead. Daisy followed automatically. The movement against the saddle turned her on, as it always did, but this time, it was a lot worse as she gazed at the handsome man who rode ahead. She had to be totally wicked to desire all three of the brothers. Her poor mother would be turning over in her grave right now if she knew her daughter’s wanton desires.
Sam stopped for a moment, then walked his horse down a slope. “This is Lampasas River. We often come here to swim,” he told her. “We have about two miles of river frontage.”
“It’s beautiful and so peaceful. I wouldn’t mind a swim right now.”
“Isn’t it a little cold?”
“I don’t mind the cold.” She scanned the riverbanks, both flanked by an assortment of trees. She thought she recognized oak, cedar but didn’t know what the others were. After she dismounted, Daisy sauntered to the water to drink.
“You’re not serious about going swimming, are you?” Sam asked, still seated.
“Yes.”
“You don’t have a bathing suit with you, or do you?”
“No, I don’t, but who needs one? The bushes will hide me when I undress and if you promise not to look, I’ll skinny dip. It’s just too tempting.”
“Okay. I’ll disappear for a little while. Just yell when you’re done.”
“You don’t want to come in?”
“Uh, no. Not a good idea right now.”
“Why not? I won’t tell if you don’t.” Ye gads, I’m flirting with the man and inviting him to swim naked with me. What the hell is wrong with me?
She dashed into the bushes looking carefully at the ground for snakes or other critters. It was a gorgeous December day and it actually felt quite warm as she stretched for a moment after discarding her clothes. She peeked through the bushes, but there was no sign of Sam, so she ran to the river’s edge and stuck her toe in. The water felt quite cold, but she dove in anyway. Once her body was accustomed to the cold water, she felt so tranquil, so at peace. Floating on her back, she felt she could spend an eternity on the Douglas ranch. Why would I even consider letting the brothers have it? Surely, we can find a way to all live together?
* * * *
Sam slowly rode his horse down the slope to the river. Hidden behind some trees, he watched Topaz as she swam, frolicked, then drifted on her back. Savage desire attacked him, his cock and balls hurting. She was a vision of beauty, her figure perfection, her full breasts firm and hard from the cold water, the nipples as hard as the pebbles on the beach. She’d done this on purpose, he was sure. No one could be so naive to go swimming in the nude when in the company of a man. Would she have done this if Hank was with her? He watched her turn over to swim up and down the river, her firm buttocks poking above the water every now and then, until she tired and once again floated on her back. She had such beautiful olive skin, she was a Venus come to life. She was perfection. No woman had a right to be so perfect. He shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. Should I join her? Why not? She asked me to.
He dismounted and let his horse wander down to the river while he quickly took off his clothes. “I’m coming in, too,” he shouted before sprinting to the river’s edge and into the water.
Day two and I’m swimming naked with the woman who stole our inheritance. What am I thinking? He surfaced near her and looked straight into her eyes, those beautiful black eyes that gazed back at him filled with wonder. And what? Desire? Could it be? Does she want me as much as I want her? Do I dare?
“I’ll race you,” she shouted.
He was surprised at what a strong swimmer she was for such a petite, young woman. Is there anything this gal can’t do? He could have beaten her back to the spot where they’d started, but he let her win by a length. She tread water and splashed him.
“You let me win.”
“No, why would I do that?” He splashed her back. Before he realized, they were frolicking in the water like a couple of kids.
Her tinkling laughter echoed down the river. It was so enticing, so alluring, that the next time she came close, he grabbed her and held her against him. “Now what are you going to do? I’ve caught you,” he said while grinning from ear to ear. At the same time, feeling her breasts pressed against his chest, her small body against his cock, his desire grew to such an extent he had trouble controlling himself. He touched her cheek in wonder, traced her dainty eyebrows, her slightly tilted nose, then her lips. Oh, those delicious inviting lips. Leaning forward, he claimed them. Gently at first, then his hunger took over and he kissed her with all the basic savage instinct within him. When she sucked his tongue into her mouth, he almost came because of the force of desire that assaulted his every sense. He could feel her heart beating, felt his own hammer in unison, his cock ached for her.
Suddenly, she broke free and swam away. She turned around and called out to him. “Who’s out first? You?”
He felt tempted to tell her to get out first, but that meant he’d be able to see her completely naked. Her breaking loose from him so suddenly had not cooled his lust. She couldn’t see his bottom half so he quickly took his cock in his hand and masturbated until he felt relief wash over him. What is that gal doing to me? “I’ll get out first.” He didn’t tell her to close her eyes. He didn’t care if she saw him naked.
He swam to shore and walked out of the water. Once he stood on the sand, he turned to look at her for a moment. She was watching him, raking his body from head to toe. She’d wanted him, he knew that, felt it, yet she’d rejected him. Thinking about her, her breasts, her lips, the kiss they’d shared, he felt his cock already spring to life again. Before he had a complete erection, he quickly swiveled and headed for the bushes to dress.
“Phew, that was so close,” Topaz said softly as she watched him disappear among the shrubs. The muscles rippled under his bronzed skin as he walked into the bushes. For a moment, he’d faced her and she’d seen him naked full length. Oh goddess, what a gorgeous hunk of male he is. She’d not just inherited a ranch and a fortune but three beautiful men to go with it. She wa
s still horny as hell and it was too awkward in the river to find relief. She’d have to suffer with it. Her heart still hammered against her ribs. Her lips still felt tender from his searing kiss.
He appeared from the shrubs and trees, all dressed again. He ran his fingers through his dark hair to slick it back. “I’m done. I’ll wait for you on top.”
She almost hated to leave the water, but if she stayed in it any longer, she’d shrivel like a prune. There was always tomorrow. Quickly, she swam to shore and left the river to find her clothes. Standing on the small sandy beach for a few moments, she raised her arms to the sky and allowed the sun’s rays to stroke her skin. It felt so wonderful, so free, so sexy and so tantalizingly erotic. She almost wished he was watching her right now.
After she’d dressed, her dripping hair wetting her shirt, she fetched Daisy, mounted her and joined Sam.
“I’ll come here often,” she told him. “It’s like a little piece of Eden.”
“Topaz, you won’t tell—”
“Chad? No, why should I? Nothing happened except a kiss. And I won’t tell him about that either.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you. I don’t feel so beautiful right now,” she said, laughing. “No towels, no brush for my hair, I must look a mess.”
“Then it’s the most beautiful mess I’ve ever seen. I’ve never yet met a woman who could look gorgeous without makeup. You’re perfect.”
“You’re making me blush. No one is perfect.”
“Your body, your face, I don’t see a flaw anywhere.”
“Sam, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. And beauty is only skin deep. Another cliché. There is a lot more to me than a body and a face. And beauty doesn’t last. Lifelong commitment does and that means growing old and still thinking your partner is the greatest and most beautiful person on Earth even when they’re old and wrinkly. Too many men stray after their wives have a few babies and lose their figures or when the wives hit menopause. Only true love can survive all that. I hope to find it one day.”
“I think I just saw a whole different side of you. Why did you pull away? I know you wanted me.”
“Because I want to save that special first time for the man who gives me his whole heart and soul, a man who wants to commit to me for life.”
“You’re a virgin.”
“Yes. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel desire and crazy lust just now. I simply won’t give in to it.”
“Very unusual nowadays.”
“For some women perhaps. I’m sure there are more like me.”
“Not the ones I’ve met.”
“Did it make you like them any less?”
“No, not really. Most of them were nice women, but none of them were the right one. Like you, I’m waiting for that special someone.”
The ranch seemed endless. When they stopped for a few minutes to allow the horses to water at a pond, Topaz asked, “How many acres is Douglas Ranch?”
“Over fifteen hundred.”
“Wow. It seems endless, but it’s all so beautiful, it’s God’s country. I can’t get enough of it. I guarantee I’ll go riding every day.”
“Just be sure someone goes with you at first until you get to know your way around the property.”
“I wish I hadn’t left my old laptop at home. I need to learn a lot about ranching and the internet has a wealth of information.”
“That it does. Why did you leave it behind? It would have come in handy to email your friends back home.”
“It’s fairly ancient and I figured there was probably a computer here I could use.”
“There is. Chad has one in the study, but he doesn’t allow anyone to use it.”
“I found out. Oh well. It’ll have to be postcards instead, the old-fashioned way of communicating. I still know how to write.”
Sam laughed. “Okay, last one home is a rotten egg!” His sexy laughter echoing back to her, he spurred his horse and took off.
Chapter Four
“I just got off the phone with Terry,” Chad said when Sam walked into the study.
“And?”
“He said he couldn’t file until after the holidays, in January.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait. It’s only the second week of December though. Weird.”
“Yes. More delays. Even after he files, it could take months before it’s in front of a judge.”
“I don’t think Topaz is going anywhere and she’s fallen in love with the ranch so I doubt she’ll try and sell it. I think we’re safe for the time being,” Sam said calmly.
“But in the meantime, she’s here, disturbing our way of life. I see you went riding with her.”
“Yes. Hank couldn’t go, so I offered. She’s not all that bad, Chad. Have you heard from your PI yet?”
“Yes. So far, he’s found nothing on the mother or the girl. Birth certificate only shows the mother’s name. Father unknown.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to find?”
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen under her spell, brother.”
Sam avoided Sam’s gaze and shifted uncomfortably. “Uh, no. She’s all right though. I spent about five hours with her today and we talked.”
Chad’s face darkened. “Talk? And what else?”
“Nothing. I showed her the ranch, introduced her to the hands, to Hank, told her a bit about the ropes so to speak.”
“Right. By doing that, you’re making it much more complicated,” Chad’s face was like a thundercloud.
“Chad, Johnny and I agree that by treating Topaz badly, we’ll not get anywhere and it’ll make life miserable for all of us. Let’s at least make the time that she has on the ranch agreeable and a good experience for her. If the judge rules in our favor, she’ll be gone soon enough and we’ll never see her again. For Christ sakes, man, lighten up a little,” Sam said and left the study.
Chad gazed after his brother thoughtfully. Sam had a point. Topaz wouldn’t be with them for that long. At least, he hoped not. A pang of regret shot through him. If only he could have met her under different circumstances. She was so beautiful, exotic and at the same time sweet and naive. His thoughts dwelt on that moment in the barn last night, her perfect body displayed for him, her breast in his hand, his finger inside her. He was startled when he had encountered the barrier. Shocked and angry with her and angry with himself for allowing her beauty to get to him and losing his self control.
If there were anything to dig up, the PI would unearth it. He was the best in his field in these regions.
There had to be a tie in with his mother. Isabella was originally from Mexico. She’d passed away when Johnny was about two and a half, and for years, their father barely spoke about her. Chad could only remember her vaguely. Sam barely. So Johnny must have been about four when their father started his twice-a-year holiday in Mexico. That would fit with Topaz’s age. Or was it later?
One Christmas their father dipped into the Scotch too much and was in a sentimental, talkative mood. That’s when he told them how and where he’d met Isabella and how he’d fallen head over heels in love with her the minute he’d seen her. He’d gone to Mexico for a holiday of two weeks and brought back a bride.
Chad picked up the phone to call Jack Lennon, the PI, who was in Mexico right that minute continuing his investigation.
“Jack, something came to mind.”
“Yeah?
“My mother was Mexican. Her maiden name was Gonzalez. Isabella Gonzalez. My father never told us much about our mother, but there could be a tie in with Topaz Fiero’s mother. See what you can find out.”
“Will do.”
Chad clicked the end button and put the phone down. There had to be a solution to this mystery and he was determined to find it.
* * * *
When Topaz went back to her room, she was surprised to find that her bag was unpacked and her clothes neatly put away. She opene
d drawers to see where they’d put everything. Then she opened closet doors. Not only were her jeans and shirts neatly hung on hangers, but right next to her own clothing hung about a dozen beautiful gowns. Pulling them out one by one, she admired them and couldn’t help but gasp at their beauty. They had to have belonged to Daddy John’s wife. All neatly covered in plastic, they were like new. All of them were long. For some reason John had kept his wife’s dresses, probably unable to part with them. Maybe they had some special meaning, worn on special occasions. There were no other items of clothing in the closet that could have belonged to her. Just the gowns.
She recalled the lovely dresses John had bought her mother over the years. Maybe he had a fetish for long gowns and liked to spoil his women with them. That and jewelry. Topaz had inherited her mother’s jewelry, but she had put it in a safety deposit box in her bank in Mexico. The only jewelry she’d brought along were some earrings and her gold chain and locket that held a picture of her mother and Topaz as a baby.
She brushed a tear off her cheek. Thinking about her mother still hurt and she missed her so much. What would Mother have done in the same situation? She wished she could talk to her, get her advice. Surely, Mother knew that John had three sons? Why neither of them had ever told her anything was beyond her. What was the big secret? Why didn’t John want me to know about his family here in Texas? He and her mother were lovers all those years. Sure, she’d wondered why he never married her. Why he couldn’t live with them permanently. She’d often asked questions, only to receive evasive answers. She was sure John loved her mother and cared very much for her, Topaz. He’d often called her daughter.
She shook her head to get the cobwebs from her mind. Wondering wouldn’t get her anywhere and she doubted any of the Douglas men had the answers. She’d been too much of a shock to them.
Looking at her watch, she wondered where the time had gone. First exploring the house after she got back from her ride with Sam, that had taken some hours and now looking at the dresses and wasting time trying to solve the riddle. It was time to have a bath, to use that beautiful hot tub.
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