by Penny Henry
"Thanks, Travis," replied Temple. She ignored the slip that the yellow room had once been Melanie's bedroom. She continued pleasantly. "Just one more thing - and I promise not another word on the subject. I never received the notice of cancellation. It didn’t arrive. Not in Jill's office. Not anywhere. Isn't that illegal?"
Travis had regained his relaxed disposition. "Nice try, Temple. I did check the records. The notice was properly logged out. I suggest you check out your internal mail system." It was a mild rebuke without hostility.
Temple gave Travis' suggestion some thought. Jill Harrison would never have allowed such an important document to slip past her unnoticed. "Did you see who it was logged out to?"
Travis cleared his throat. "Actually, it was to Elliot. But don't put two and two together to make five. Even Elliot wouldn't flout the system. There's too much at stake to risk it all collapsing on a technicality. We have to be sure everything we do is watertight. You know, just in case someone changes their mind halfway through." He looked directly into Temple's eyes. "Not that I'm suggesting that's what happened in this case, of course."
Temple resented the insinuation. She didn't share Travis' faith in Elliot. “That's hardly likely when only Ben knew about the deal in the first place. But I will check it out."
"Okay, I'm sorry. Cheap shot," apologized Travis. "Now can we forget about business and finish our meal in peace?"
Temple relented. "Sure. Now that I don't have to think about the drive home we can take as long as you like. Though I must call Molly and tell her not to worry."
"Molly Kirk?" exclaimed Travis. "She's still with you? It must be twenty years or more."
"Yup, still going strong," confirmed Temple. "And Angus is with her, of course. They both worry like a couple of old hens but I love them for it."
Travis was smiling and staring into his margarita. Of course, Temple realized. Travis would recall Angus and Molly from working with her father. His lips were drawn into a wistful smile. A sparkle danced in his eyes giving a brilliant light to the brown irises. Temple felt the familiar warmth glowing inside her body. She wanted this man. And she needed him soon.
The chance to make her telephone call came when Julio arrived to clear the table. Her mobile was in her room. She slipped away as Travis requested a bed be made up for Temple. Julio was happy to help. He would make up the bed before retiring to his quarters beyond the stable block. He would not be returning to the house tonight.
"Molly asked to be remembered to you." Temple relayed the message on her return. He had wandered into to the adjoining room and kicked off his shoes.
"Nice to know I'm not forgotten," said Travis with genuine pleasure.
"Oh, you're not forgotten, Mister Travis Campbell," teased Temple. She clasped her hands behind her back and sauntered up close. "Molly warned me to watch out for you."
Travis demonstrated a look of mock horror. "Me?" he protested. "She must have me confused with some other good-looking rogue."
Temple pushed her face forward and wrinkled her nose. "There's only one good-looking rogue I can see round here.” She reached up a hand to touch his cheek. A wave of desire washed over her as she felt the warmth of his skin. She couldn't help herself. Temple slid her hand to the back of his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. "I want you, Travis Campbell," she breathed as his lips closed on hers and stole the breath from her body.
Chapter Nine
There was no drawing back. Travis bore down on Temple's mouth as they melded together. His arms circled her waist and her hands locked behind his corded neck. The kiss reached into their souls and enfolded them in a world of pleasure. Their eager tongues smoothed the inside of each other's mouth. The room around them shrank until there was no existence other than their own. The universe was distilled into the essence of the air-burning kiss before they broke apart and Travis’ lips dropped to her neck. Temple’s head fell back as his mouth explored the sensitive skin of her neck and sighed across her throat. The trembles that began in her shoulders rippled through her body and sent shockwaves through her brain.
She squirmed against Travis' hardness as his hands travelled over her buttocks and eased up the hem of her dress. A strangled moan escaped his throat as his fingertips encountered her naked flesh and their lips found each other’s again. His palms cupped the firm cheeks, pulling Temple against him as they sank to the richly patterned carpet. Their mouths broke free and left Temple dizzy as Travis lifted the material over her head, freeing the dress from her arms and caressing her body with his eyes. Temple's fingers hurried with the buttons of his shirt, unbuckling his belt and pushing his pants down his legs. Then she fell back to the carpet as Travis explored the golden body of his prize. He caressed the swell of her breasts, teasing her nipples to pillars of fire before his mouth moved across her searing skin. Temple was burning up. His kisses were driving her insane with wanting him inside her. A wandering hand floated over stomach before cupping her hot mound. She parted her legs and a finger entered. He was toying with her. Temple bit her lip and placed a hand on his head, firmly pushing him down to the core of her desire. His mouth obeyed the insistent command and dropped to the heat of her loins. Temple rolled her head in ecstatic release, entangling her fingers in his hair as his tongue stroked her wet folds and her muscles jerked in involuntary spasms. He moved to her clitoris and Temple thought she would simply die. The circular movements were joined by his mouth as he pressed her stiff clitoris against his rolled top lip and drew upon her sopping flesh. She stifled a shriek and gritted her teeth against the urge to throw back her head and scream. Her thrashing arms were the signal for Travis to return along the fiery route of his mouth before raising himself on his arms to regard his beautiful lover. She ran her hands up to his muscled shoulders and their eyes held each other's until she pulled him down to reclaim his kisses. Their hungry mouths locked as Travis' erection pushed against the heat that raged between her thighs. She raised her hips and reached down to guide him into her, groaning with joy as he entered. Travis eased halfway inside her before withdrawing and teasing Temple with short smooth motions. When she begged him for more he drove inside her in a single powerful thrust. They moved in harmony to the flashpoint of the passion that had overcome them. Travis stiffened and raised his head with a roar of the jungle beast. Temple exploded in an eruption of liquid fire that left her gasping for air. She held Travis tightly, never wanting to release the exquisite moment. Then gradually the air-consuming heat subsided. They lay entwined. Temple settled into the crook of Travis' arm and fell into blissful sleep.
Temple woke alone. Travis had left her. He hadn't gone far but sat in the armchair facing her. He had been watching Temple in her sleep. Her pleasure at this thought was tempered by the expression on Travis' face. He wore the look of a man beset by worries. Travis had pulled on his pants and Temple slipped the crumpled black dress over her head shaking out her hair.
"What’s wrong, Travis?"
"I'm sorry, Temple." Travis' voice was low and broken. He dropped his eyes to the floor. "I should not have taken advantage of you."
"Taken advantage of me?" said Temple incredulously. "That's a bit old fashioned, isn't it, Travis? Look at me. I'm all grown up."
Travis raised his head and looked in her direction. "You are a beautiful woman, Temple. I didn't mean it like that. We are on opposing sides of a multi-million dollar deal. I may have seriously compromised my position and that of my partners."
Temple was horror struck. "Compromised your position?" Then she was furious. "Is that all I am to you? You think I’m just an opponent in a multi-million dollar deal?" Temple scorned his apologetic features and jumped to her feet. She glared down at him. "What sort of a man are you?
"Temple, I'm sorry—"
"For fuck’s sake!” The expletive flew from her mouth. “Stop saying you're sorry. Grow a pair. You were supposed to have enjoyed it. I thought you wanted me as much as I wanted you." There was a tear in her eye and she wanted to hurt him. "
I don't usually get complaints."
"Does that include Elliot?”
Temple wanted to lay Travis out. But she resisted the temptation to slug him. "That's a mean thing to say. Though, I suppose Elliot is nearer my age." She saw the pain in Travis' eyes and wished she had cut out her tongue. "I'm going to bed. Before I say something I might regret."
"It's a bit late for that. You've made it very clear what you think of me."
"Grow up, Travis. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. We're both consenting adults. Or would you rather I’d signed a waiver first?"
"Don't be stupid—"
"Travis, do not call me stupid."
"Okay, you're not stupid. I never meant it that way. I just meant that you should appreciate this puts me in an awkward situation. If anybody should find out that we… that we were lovers, it might be construed as unprofessional conduct."
Travis was pouring oil on the fire. "Okay, buster, that's it! I’ll make a deal with you. I won't tell anyone if you don't. How does that sound? Will that satisfy your professional code of conduct?"
"Please, Temple. Don't take it the wrong way. I am incredibly attracted to you. I haven't felt this way in a long while. Don't spoil it, please. I just need time to get my head round it. I need to be sure that I want you for the right reasons."
Temple was confused. Why did Travis insist on complicating their mutual attraction by analyzing it? What were the right reasons? A sickening thought struck her mind. Just how much did she remind him of his daughter? She threw out the impossible thought. This was getting too weird. She didn't even want to think about it. "Take all the time in the world, Travis. Just don't include me in your hang-ups. I don't want to know." She turned away from where Travis sat forlornly examining the carpet. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed," said Temple over her shoulder. She left him with his head in his hands, agonizing over an experience he should have been celebrating.
The bed in the yellow room had been made up. Temple leaned her back against the closed door and let the tension drain from her body. Her mind was numb. She had never experienced such powerful lovemaking. She had reached a place she had never found before. But despite the incredible physical fulfillment an emotional canyon yawned between them. She wasn't a complicated person. She didn’t understand this kind of physco-babble. Better to end it now. She lifted the little black dress - Melanie's little black dress - over her head and tossed it over the back of a chair. She stretched languidly, still tingling with sexual memories and walked to the bathroom. The reflection of her tanned body in the wall mirror wiped away the bad thoughts. The touch of Travis' hands and mouth moving across her skin was fresh in her mind. There was a heat rising in her loins that Temple was finding it hard to ignore. She watched her hands in the mirror as they cupped her aching breasts. She pressed the flesh together and pinched her erect nipples before following the trail of the hand that snaked in the path that Travis' lips had taken. She parted her legs as the renegade hand fired the heat that smoldered between her thighs. Her other hand continued to lift and caress her breasts before she was forced to reach out and support herself against the glass. The fingers caught between her thighs worked their magic. The circular motions on her clitoris had brought her to the brink and she bent her fingers to dip inside the silken passage that Travis had filled completely. She thought of his touch and worked her fingers in and out, sliding faster as she built towards a climax, squeezing her thighs together as the white noise blanked out her surroundings and ripped through her body. She arched away from her reflection as the explosion rippled through her slender frame and her eyes screwed shut. It was all she could do to stop herself from calling Travis' name.
Temple slept soundly and woke with a start. The radio alarm clock flashed seven o'clock. She took a moment to register her surroundings and run the events of the previous night through her mind before rolling out of bed and stretching like a cat. Basically she hadn't learnt anything new from her eventful visit - unless she counted Travis' schizophrenia. She was no nearer to knowing why Ben had signed away the lease of the leisure complex than when she had arrived. Travis and Elliot were happy for the deal to reach its foregone conclusion with the minimum of disruption. The last thing they needed was Temple jeopardizing the huge rewards with her untimely interference. The demise of Hart Leisure was growing closer by the day. Temple considered her options as she showered and dressed. She came up blank. Ben was gone. Hart Leisure was also doomed to oblivion unless Temple could work a miracle. But there was something niggling at the back of her mind. Travis had said something that had caught her imagination and made her think. If only she could remember what it was he had said.
Temple was still racking her brains when she walked into the dining room. Two places were laid. She was surprised that Travis wasn't there to meet her.
"Good morning, Senorita," Julio greeted Temple. "I hope you enjoyed a pleasant evening."
The cheerful Julio implied no double meaning and Temple answered automatically. "Good morning, Julio. Yes, thank you, I had a wonderful evening." Temple pulled up short. She meant every word. "Where's Travis?"
"Senor Travis rides every morning, Senorita. He will return shortly."
Temple was determined to start the day afresh. "I'll be back for breakfast, Julio. I think I'll go and meet him."
"Very well, Senorita. Senor Travis will be back at the stables by now." The grin on his face showed the pleasure he felt at Temple's interest in Senor Travis.
At least she had Julio's approval, thought Temple as she walked to the stable block. Travis was cooling down the grey. His back was turned towards her as she stood on the bottom timber and leaned across the white fence. She watched the muscles in his back work under the taut shirt. His butt was in pretty good shape too.
"Good morning, cowboy."
Travis didn't turn round but spoke as he worked. "'Morning, Temple," he called back. Then after a moment's pause, "We're still speaking then?"
"Of course we are. You are my landlord after all." There was a laugh in her voice that gave the all clear to Travis.
"Is that all I am to you?" mocked Travis as he turned round with a giant grin on his face.
Temple was too busy appreciating his body. Travis' checked shirt was undone almost to his waist. She allowed herself the luxury of drifting her eyes across his ripped torso. "Well, you can buy me breakfast if you’ve a mind to.”
"You’ve got yourself a deal, lady. Hey, why don't you come and say hello to Rabbit?" He indicated the big grey horse snuffling at his shoulder.
"I don't think so."
"Come on, Temple, give it a try. Old Rabbit is past her prime and she's just about the most peaceable animal you're ever gonna come across. Here try feeding her some sugar lumps. I won't let anything happen to you. Trust me." He held out his palm to show Temple a handful of sugar cubes.
Temple had her doubts but it would go some way to mending fences between them. She gave Travis her fiercest 'you'd better make sure nothing happens to me' look and scaled the top bar of the fence. She dropped lightly into the yard and approached Travis and the monster grey horse warily.
Travis handed her a couple of sugar lumps and patted Rabbit's massive neck. "Go ahead. She likes you."
Temple took the sugar lumps in her trembling fingers and pushed them at Rabbit's gate-like teeth.
"Whoa!" Travis’ hand shot out to drag back Temple's arm. "Not like that. Not unless you want to lose a couple of fingertips. Like this." He demonstrated how to place the sugar on the flat palm of his hand. "Okay? Give it another try."
This time Temple offered the sugar on her flattened palm and took a childish delight at the way Rabbit gobbled them up. "Good girl," Temple praised Rabbit as she quickly disposed of the tidbit, "...even if you do have a silly name." Temple flicked a glance at Travis. "Where'd she get a name like Rabbit from?"
Stupid question, Temple scolded herself. She should have known better. Travis' face went into wistful mode. Temple didn't need to hear the answ
er.
"Rabbit was Melanie's horse. The name comes from those big pointed ears.”
Temple decided the best thing was to say nothing. She fed the last of the sugar to the big grey and rubbed her hands down the legs of her jeans. "That reminds me," she chirped. "I'm hungry. Let's go get some breakfast."
"Great idea," agreed Travis. He grinned at Temple's backward retreat from the horse. Then she turned and sprinted for the fence. "Wait for me," he called as she vaulted the fence like a gymnast. "I'm older than you, remember?"
Temple took the jibe in good part. She was not about to rock the boat on such a glorious day. This was Florida at its finest. The sky was blue without a cloud in sight and the sun was in its glory. The studio lots and water parks would be crowded today. She waited while Travis climbed the fence and felt Belle shuffling round her legs. "Good morning, Belle." Temple crouched to fuss the friendly hound and reminded herself not to ask where Belle got her name. The touch of Travis' daughter was everywhere that Temple looked. Though strangely, Temple had not come across a photograph. Perhaps Travis couldn't bear to be reminded of the past with such a poignant image of the sainted Melanie, thought Temple ungraciously. Then she was shocked at the bitterness of her thoughts. She was starting to think of Melanie as a rival for Travis' affection. This had to stop. And stop it she would.
Travis squatted at Temple's side to ruffle the ears of the old dog. "Good girl, Belle, good girl." He played with Belle for a minute before straightening up and looking at Temple. "Damn, but you look good in the morning."
"Thank you, I slept surprisingly well." She was determined to play things cool. "I do need to get back to Orlando, though. I'll leave after breakfast if that's okay with you."
Travis worked hard not to show his disappointment. "I was hoping for a game of tennis before you left.”
With me in Melanie's tennis dress, no doubt, thought Temple cruelly. But the words stayed locked inside her head. Instead, she excused herself. "Maybe another time, Travis. I have things to do. Remember? I'm being thrown onto the streets in a couple of weeks."
