The Barons of Texas: Tess

by Fayrene Preston

  “As a matter of fact, I can do just that. The storm didn’t touch us.”

  “Great.”

  “We got some of the fireworks and a little of the wind, but in the end, it was nothing to speak of.”

  “That is good news. That also means the ocean floor wouldn’t have been disturbed, right?”

  “If it was, it was minimal. Why?”

  “An acquaintance of mine has a diving site nearby.”

  “Oh, yeah, I’ve seen the support ship as I’ve flown back and forth. What’s he diving for?”

  “There’s a shipwreck down there that he’s interested in, and it’s in a precarious position on a scarp. If anything happens on our rig that might affect the ship, let me know, will you?”

  “Sure. I keep you informed anyway.”

  “I know, and thanks.”

  Tess spent the rest of the day in her typical high-speed mode, doing what she did every day, making decisions, reading reports, solving problems. Her business interests ranged the world. She had to constantly monitor not only the condition and output of the wells themselves, but she had to make sure her working relationships with the countries and the politicians she did business with remained good.

  But no matter how busy she stayed, or how hard she tried, she couldn’t forget Nick or the night they’d spent together. From the start, their combined chemistry had been volatile. Last night it had finally exploded. And the explosion had been beyond her wildest imagination.

  There had been times she couldn’t breathe because the ecstasy was so strong. Then, just when she didn’t think she could go any farther or reach any higher, he had proved her wrong and showed her there was yet another level of rapture to reach.

  She’d infused every moment they’d spent together, every movement, every touch, every kiss, with her love. But just because she’d fallen in love with Nick didn’t mean she’d completely lost her ability to think. When it came to sex, he was a master, a magician, but he didn’t love her.

  He seemed to have finally accepted that she wasn’t going to change her mind about the drilling, but even if he hadn’t, it didn’t matter. It wouldn’t change one thing that had happened last night.

  To him, it had been sex. To her, it had been love. But both of them had experienced the same deep, immeasurable, intense fulfillment and satisfaction. Those kinds of emotions couldn’t be faked.

  And then, while she’d slept, he had left, without a word or a note, or any sign that he would ever return.

  As the day drew to a close, she let Ron leave work early for a date with his new girlfriend, but she continued to work until her eyes blurred and her shoulders ached and she had no choice but to stop.

  Once in her bedroom, she slowly undressed, then sank into a tub of hot, scented water, leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She was tired, but she was used to being tired. She hurt, and to a certain extent she was used to hurting. But she’d never known what pain was until she’d awakened this morning, alone. And she didn’t know how to make the pain go away.

  The perfumed scent of bathwater drew Nick through the bedroom and into the bathroom. At the sight of Tess, his breath caught in his throat and he came to a standstill. She lay in the tub, her eyes closed, her arms floating on the fragrant oiled water, her legs stretched out. She looked relaxed, but not completely.

  He’d seen her face at the moment of climax, when she’d let go of everything except him. But now, though any other person might not be able to detect it, he could see the tiny lines of tension on her face. They bothered him. Yet the memory of last night, the sight of her now, had him hardening.

  Her skin glowed sleekly with a faint rose color. Her blond hair was pinned atop her head, but at the back of her neck, tendrils had escaped, and the moisture had tightened them into small, beguiling curls. Her breasts rose halfway out of the water, her nipples so soft he could almost taste their sweetness.

  He had to fight the urge to kneel beside the tub, lean over and pull her nipples into his mouth one at a time. With one suck he knew he could have them tight and her breasts throbbing for more. He wasn’t bragging. It was fact. After last night, he knew her body inside and out.

  He hadn’t meant to return to her tonight.

  That first night he’d met her, he’d tried his best to resist her, but somewhere inside him, he’d known that before he would be satisfied, he was going to have to have her. Still, he’d tried to fight his growing need for her.

  She’d admitted that she thought his pursuit of her was to coerce her into doing what he wanted. But she gave him way too much credit.

  Truthfully, there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do to make his grandpa’s dream come true. He’d crisscrossed the country many times to get the needed backing. He’d worked for years, pushing himself mentally and physically, to get to where he was now, shoring up the ship so the true excavation could begin. But he would never, ever willingly hurt Tess.

  Yet that was just what he was doing.

  She’d made it too easy for him. She was entirely too desirable. She’d unconsciously molded herself against him when they’d danced. She’d responded to his kisses with the fire of someone who had never been truly kissed before. And when they’d made love, she’d gone up in flames and taken him with her.

  Still, in no way was it her fault. His original plan had been simply to get one-on-one time with her so he could tell her his story. But when he’d seen her, complicated needs and desires had clouded his intent.

  He’d wanted to hold her, so he’d asked her to dance. He’d wanted to taste her and feel her soft lips, so he’d kissed her. He’d wanted to have her, so last night he’d finally taken her to bed. And still it wasn’t enough for him. He wanted more.

  He couldn’t explain what he was feeling to himself. How could he explain it to her? Besides, under the circumstances, anything he told her would be suspect.

  Tess opened her eyes and looked up at him. Immediately her expression turned wary. “I didn’t think you’d be coming back.”

  “To be honest, I wasn’t sure myself. But it turned out…I had to.”

  She hesitated, expression after expression chasing across her face too quickly for him to read them. Then, slowly, she lifted her arms to him. “Join me.”

  He began tearing at his clothes, unable to get them off fast enough. He knew that soon the day would come when he would pay for his greediness, but right now all he could think of was his all-consuming need for her. He slipped into the scented water, then into her.

  The next morning, Ron answered the phone, then called out, “It’s Kit.”

  She smiled. Chances were, the news about Des offering to rescue her had finally reached her younger sister. Remembering her thoughts of yesterday about trying to be close with her sisters, she decided to try something new—being nice. Kit wasn’t as hard-boiled as Jill. Instead she was wild as the land she governed and rebellious as a west Texas storm. Tess never knew which way she would jump.

  She reached for the phone. “Good morning, Kit. How are you today?”

  “Cut out the Mary Sunshine crap. I’m not interested.”

  Tess looked at the ceiling, searching for divine guidance. She found none.

  “I heard about the ruse you tried to pull on Des.”

  “It wasn’t a ruse, Kit. Besides, you don’t have to worry. I didn’t take him up on his offer.”

  “But you made him think about you, which, as we know, is half the battle with him.”

  “I—” Automatically she started to defend herself, but Kit sounded as unhappy as she’d ever heard her. “Kit, what’s the matter?”

  “Oh, gee, Tess, I don’t know. What could be wrong? I’ve got the best job in the world, running this ranch, and I simply couldn’t be happier.”

  “Then why do you sound so unhappy? Are you worried about making the will’s goal? You’ve got two more years, you know.”

  “That stupid will is the last thing I’d worry about.”

  “Okay.” Obviously Kit
had gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. “Anything else I can do for you today?”

  “Yeah. Lay off Des.”

  “Okay.”

  There was stunned silence on the other end. Then, “Did you just agree to stop running after Des?”

  “I’ve never run after Des, Kit, but yes, basically that’s what I agreed to.”

  “Why?”

  There was no point in bringing Nick into the explanation. Nick had walked into her life as suddenly as he would one day walk out of it. And, as usual, she would be left to deal with her pain alone. “I’ve decided that if I can meet the will’s demands, I’ll be perfectly satisfied to have my one-sixth of the company.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, Kit, I’m honestly not. As it is, I’m going to have enough of a battle to meet Father’s conditions. But even though I may be going right down to the wire with it, I believe I can. After that, I don’t want to wage any more battles. I’ll be happy.”

  “If you’re serious, that’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.”

  “I couldn’t be more serious. Anything else?”

  “No. I guess that’s it. But, Tess?”

  “Yes?”

  “Good luck.”

  She smiled. Admittedly, Kit’s tone when she’d wished her luck had been somewhat reluctant, but it didn’t change the fact that she had said the word. She would take it. “Thank you. Talk to you later.”

  “Yeah, sure. Bye.”

  Tess hung up the phone, still smiling.

  The phone rang again. This time it was Jimmy Vega. “Hi, Jimmy.”

  “Hi. Just called to report that things are finally settling down and going our way. No broken drill bits or equipment. The last few days have been smooth as silk.”

  “Great. That’s music to my ears. Now if we can just hit the oil on schedule…”

  “It’ll be a couple more months, but I’ve got my money on your instincts. There’s a lot of oil down there, and we’re heading right for it.”

  “Thanks for the confidence, Jimmy. Talk to you later.”

  After hanging up, Tess leaned back in her chair. She ticked off the good things that had happened so far this morning. Kit had done the previously unheard of thing of actually wishing her good luck. Jimmy had called to report good news. And then there had been last night.

  Nick had showed up and made love to her with an intensity that had been even stronger than the night before. But once again, when she awoke this morning, he was gone.

  That night became a routine that was repeated over and over.

  Just when she was certain Nick wouldn’t show up, he did, hungry for her. Without words, they would fall on the bed and make love until they were both exhausted.

  Even after their lovemaking, they never said much to each other. She didn’t ask how his work was going, and he didn’t question her about her drilling. But their tacit agreement to focus on lovemaking and forget about any other subject encompassed far more than their respective jobs. Anything personal was also strictly off-limits.

  Tess knew why she remained silent. She was afraid that her words would in some way reveal to him how very much she loved him. She was convinced that if he were to find out, he would disappear even faster than he eventually would anyway. As to why he remained silent, it was no doubt as simple as her reason was. He didn’t want to say anything that she might misconstrue as a commitment.

  And so it continued, days of work, nights of passion. During the day, when rational thought was possible, she tried to warn herself to remain more objective about what was happening between Nick and her. But during the nights, when he held her in his arms, she would realize that she was already so deeply in love with him, and so desperate with wanting him, that when he left, she probably wouldn’t survive.

  The night was bright, with a full moon. Its light illuminated the terrace with a silver brilliance and streamed through the French doors into Tess’s bedroom, providing light for the two entwined lovers as they lay on the bed, facing each other, recovering from an exhausting bout of lovemaking. Only the waves of the Gulf breaking onto the shore, along with their ragged breathing, interrupted the silence of the night.

  Nick held Tess to him with a possessiveness that surprised even him. But then, right from the first, nothing about his feelings for Tess had been normal. He was still inside her and he didn’t want to pull out. As long as he remained inside her, he could pretend she was his. And as long as she remained content to be held, he planned not to break the connection.

  Slowly, gently, so as not to startle her, he lifted a hand and pushed her damp hair away from her face. “Are you sleepy?”

  “I’m tired,” she replied softly, “but not ready to go to sleep yet.”

  “You work long hours.” He was very aware that he’d just crossed a line that had been drawn by both of them, though it hadn’t been intentional. Thinking only of her, he had been trying to find out if he should leave her alone and let her go to sleep.

  “Yes.” Her answer was short and simple.

  His hand lightly followed the smooth curves of her waist and hips. “I’ve been wondering about something.”

  She moved, breaking the sexual connection that he’d wanted to maintain as long as possible. “What’s that?” she asked, rolling over on her back and stretching like a cat.

  Desire stirred in his loins, but he did his best to ignore it, something that with Tess was almost impossible. Still, he tried. “The first night we met—it was your birthday party.”

  She looked at him, a faint smile on her lips. “I remember.”

  “From a couple of remarks I overheard, I gather it’s an annual event, with only the party’s location changing from year to year.”

  “Right. The change of location keeps it fresh and fun.”

  “I also gathered that you’re the one who throws the party.”

  “Uh-huh.” She raised an arm and rested it on the pillow above her head. The movement lifted her breast.

  He had to consciously make himself stare into her eyes. “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you have to throw your own birthday party? What about your family? Or your friends?”

  Her brow puckered, and she didn’t answer him right away. The silence stretched out so long, he wasn’t sure she was going to answer him.

  Finally, though, she spoke. “I suppose either Kathie or your grandmother throws you a party every year?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, they do. Even though I’d just as soon not make a big deal out of it, it’s important to them.”

  “Did you have a party every year when you were growing up?”

  The question surprised him. “Of course. Doesn’t every kid?”

  “Yes,” she said in a tone that made him think she was answering the question with extra care. “Were your parties fun?”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  “With cake and ice cream and gifts?”

  “That’s what a birthday party is, isn’t it?”

  She swallowed. “Back to your original question, I enjoy throwing my own parties. It’s the only way I can insure that everything is just as I like it.”

  “So what you’re basically admitting is that you’re a control freak.” He’d meant the comment to be funny, but she didn’t smile.

  “I suppose so. Anyway, why all the questions about my birthday parties?”

  “I just thought it was odd that you throw your own parties, that’s all.”

  “Not everyone was raised the way you and Kathie were raised, Nick.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She shook her head. “Never mind.”

  “Are you saying you weren’t given birthday parties when you were growing up?”

  “The lady who has worked for my uncle for years always baked me a cake. She did the same for my sisters. And that’s the last thing I’d like to say on that particular subject. I think I’m sleepy now.”

  “Hey,” he sa
id softly. “I didn’t mean to dredge up any sad memories.”

  “Don’t worry. You didn’t.”

  But he had, he thought. He would give money to know the true story, but he would probably never hear it. One of these nights, when he walked into her bedroom, she was going to tell him to leave. It might be after they struck oil on the rig and she was getting ready to return to her Dallas office. Or it might even be sooner. Quite simply, she could grow tired of him arriving every night and expecting her to welcome him with open arms.

  With their objectives so diametrically opposed, it was a wonder she even let him through the door. But she reveled in their lovemaking as much as he did. Pure and simple, they pleasured each other, though pleasure was too tame a word for the passion they ignited in each other night after night.

  But he wasn’t kidding himself. Soon she would either leave Corpus or grow tired of him. Or both. She had a whole other life in Dallas. As for him, if he got lucky, and nothing happened on her rig to disturb the Águila’s site, he would be in Corpus for the next few years. After that, he would return to Austin and his teaching.

  He couldn’t see a future for the two of them, but his need for her continued to grow. Consequently, each night when he drove into her, he could feel himself becoming more and more desperate.

  If only there was some way to make her need him as much as he needed her. If only there was some way to make her his permanently. But there was nothing he had that she wanted. Besides, she was too independent. If nothing else, the fact that she threw her own birthday parties told him that.

  Their worlds were completely different, except when they were in bed. Here they could shut out the world. The problem was, he knew he couldn’t count on this relative peace to continue for much longer.

  Ten

  Tess stood at her office window, staring at the Gulf, wondering what Nick was doing at that exact moment. It was a familiar position for her. Every minute of every day, she worried about him. Each night, when he came to her, it took all her willpower to resist begging him to give up the deep-water diving.