“Drake, don’t go out. We’re on our way. I was right about the mechanic.”
“I know. We left our dinner party early, and he met us outside. He’s dead. I see the judge and his wife heading our way. Got to hang up.”
Judge Dedrick pulled his daughter into his arms. “You are all right?” he asked Janice.
“Fine, thanks to Drake.”
Her mother held out her arms, and Janice went into her embrace.
Janice was trembling, and Drake wanted to pick her up and carry her away, but sensed she needed the attention from her parents. Her father turned to him and frowned.
“What’s going on here? Was this person after you? Did you put my daughter in danger?”
“No, Daddy.” Janice spoke before Drake could answer. “This man had been stalking me and wanted Drake dead because I cared for him. He admitted he killed Ted, too.”
“Apparently, sir, he’s been obsessed with your daughter for years,” Drake added. The older man had gone pale. Drake took his arm and walked him inside to a chair. Janice and her mother followed. “We’d better call the police,” Drake said.
The judge took a deep breath. “Already did. I think I hear their sirens.”
Drake left the others and went back outside just as the first patrol car drove up, followed almost immediately by his brother and his men.
“Damn, I’m embarrassed,” Brent said.
“Why?”
“I almost got you and Janice killed.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Still I feel like I missed something. The police brought that guy, Clyde, in for questioning. The one she used to work with years ago. He didn’t want to talk, but when they told him if you two got hurt he’d be charged as an accessory, he changed his mind. “
“I hope he gets charged for this attack,” Drake said and stared across as the attacker’s body was carried away.
“I can’t see why he won’t be. I had a guard on your assailant’s house, so after that phone call from the police, we forced our way in. He was gone. The sucker had a tunnel running from his house to the back street, and as I see from that wig lying over there, he must have worn a disguise. I called you as I headed this way.”
“You didn’t fail us, Brent. The man was crazy, but very intelligent in a twisted way. He’d been planning to get Janice for a long time.”
He and Brent walked toward the police. Looking more himself, the judge, with all his pompous self showing, joined them. It was going to be a long night.
Drake glanced at the door. Janice stood in the entrance, a worried expression on her face. Whatever they’d had to go through, it was all worth it to finally know she was safe, and she’d be his wife soon. He winked at her, and then turned to join the others.
Chapter Twelve
Drake stood at the front of the church with his father and two brothers by his side. The pews were filled to the brim. Everyone had wanted to come to Judge Dedrick’s daughter’s wedding. The air conditioner blew the scent of flowers around the church. Drake kept his eyes focused on the doorways to the sanctuary. He waited impatiently for his bride to arrive.
Judge Dedrick and his wife had insisted on an elaborate wedding. Janice had agreed and gotten caught up in the excitement of the showers, making the arrangements, and generally having fun. Drake had been surprised to see his level-headed fiancée actually enjoying herself in all the madness. He’d been determined to control his restlessness, and sat back happy to see her pleasure. But finally, it was over. The time was now, and in a few hours they’d fly to his private island for their honeymoon.
The organ began to play, and the wedding party began to walk down the aisle. Several of Janice’s closest friends were her bridesmaids, and her maid of honor, Samantha, followed them.
Then, Janice and her father appeared in the doorway. Drake’s heartbeat jumped at the sight of his red-headed love dressed in a gorgeous white gown, walking down the aisle toward him. Her sweet smile went straight to his heart.
* * * *
Janice’s hand tightened on her father’s arm. “Nervous?” her father asked.
“A little, mostly excited,” she whispered as they moved into the doorway to wait for Samantha to reach the altar. “You do like him, Dad?”
“I don’t know that he and I will ever be good friends, Janice. We’re too different, but I respect him, and I do believe he sincerely loves you.” Her father nodded to the front of the church. “Time for us.” He put his hand briefly over hers where it lay on his arm, and then they stepped onto the carpet leading to the front.
Janice glanced down at the heart-shaped bodice of her gown and the full satin skirt with embroidery trim. When she looked back up, she saw Drake’s eyes looking at her with love, and her whole body warmed. Without speaking, her heart heard his words, I love you.
The ceremony didn’t take long, but the party afterwards was going on forever. Janice and Drake walked around thanking their guests for coming. She hugged Drake’s father and mother before turning to hug Brent and Ty.
Janice leaned back and stared at Ty. “I’m so glad you decided to come. You’re all right?”
“I’m fine. You didn’t think I’d miss my big brother’s wedding, did you?”
“I hoped not. Who’s taking care of the ranch?”
“Our foreman.” Ty leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Promise me you won’t waste a minute of your life. Hold him close and love him every day.”
“I will, and I know he’ll do the same for me. But, I want you to promise me something.”
Ty raised his eyebrows. “What?”
“Let your heart open to love again.”
He started to frown at her, and his hands tightened around hers. He took a deep breath.
“You two look very serious.” Drake walked across to them from where he’d been standing talking with the rest of his family. “What’s up?”
“Janice and I were just talking. Isn’t it about time you two left on the honeymoon?”
“I’ve been ready,” Drake said. “Can we get out of here, honey?”
“Sure,” Janice said. She turned to go with Drake and Ty touched her arm, stopping her. He whispered into her ear. “I’ll try.”
Her hand curved around his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Should I be jealous?” Drake spoke in a teasing manner.
“Silly man. Let’s go say good-bye to everyone.”
* * * *
The jet landed late in the afternoon. When Janice had suggested they go to the decadent bedroom onboard, Drake said no.
“We’re going to celebrate our first joining together as man and wife at my villa. It will be very special,” he’d said.
“My, I think I married a romantic, and here I thought I was getting a dangerous, mysterious man.”
“I’m dangerous and mysterious, just not in the way you thought.”
Janice smiled, remembering his words as they rode to the villa high on the hill. The windows reflected the many colors of the sunset as it had on her first visit. “This is the most beautiful time of day,” Janice said.
“I agree, but early morning is special, too. You’ll see tomorrow.”
“That’s right, I didn’t get to see the sun come up before because you wanted a fling.”
“Just shows how stupid we men can be at times.” He kissed her mouth and squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you taught me different.”
Keoni drove them right up to the front door, where Ulani greeted them with a big smile and two of her tall, sweet island drinks. “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Terrell,” she said.
“Thank you, Ulani,” Drake said, and Janice added her thank-you.
“Keoni and I will be leaving on the jet. You can reach us anytime you need to.” Ulani handed Keoni a bag and got in the truck with him. “See you in a week.” They waved as the truck wound back down the winding road.
Janice put her arms around Drake’s neck and leaned against his body. She was fully aware of his aro
usal. “We are all alone for a whole week?”
“Yes. Scared of being here with this dangerous, mysterious man?”
“Should I be?” Her lips brushed across his mouth.
“I intend to spend the majority of my time pleasuring you.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“This can’t be hurried. We’re going back to our first date here. We’ll walk in the gardens. Eat a delectable meal that Ulani left for us, and then I’ll show you my room. But first you’ll use the room with a good view of the sunset to change. Go in here.” He opened his bag and gave her a present. “Wear this for me.”
Janice opened her gift as soon as she got in the bedroom. The dress was short, and made of a silky, gold material. She took her time showering, combing her hair out, letting it fall around her shoulders and down her back. Then, she pulled the dress over her head. The material clung to all her curves and stopped at mid-thigh. She was glad she’d brought gold sandals with her. She put them on, sprayed her perfume around her shoulders, and stepped out the door to go to the main room.
Drake stood facing the windows, watching the last of the sunset. He’d changed into casual black slacks and a white shirt. She saw the brief flare of fire in his eyes when he spotted her. She began to swagger across the space between them. He stared fixedly at her, lust and love in his expression.
“I thought that dress would be perfect for you when I saw it in the window. But I was wrong. You’re perfect—the dress only emphasizes your beauty.” His hands reached out and touched her hair. “This is what first caught my eye, and then”—he glanced down—“your beautiful, long, legs came second.”
“How long did it take you to get to my face?”
“I’m not sure, many minutes.” He grinned and she laughed. She stepped all the way into his space and rubbed her body against his. His cock pulsed against her stomach. “Sure you don’t want to visit your room first, and then eat?”
“I do, but I’m not going to. Come, let’s walk in the gardens.”
He took her arm and led her out and down around the terraces. The sweet, tropical scents surrounded them. In the distance, waves lapped gently against the shore as the moonlight began to shine across the ocean. A breeze blew over them.
Janice looked around her and back to the villa. “Will you keep this now that you plan to be a gentleman cowboy?”
“Yes. We’ll come back on vacations and anniversaries, plus my family loves to visit, and I don’t doubt Jackson and Samantha will want to celebrate some of their anniversaries here. Do you agree?”
“Absolutely. I just wasn’t sure if you could afford the expense of this place, the ranch, and the house in Houston.”
“Well, at least I know for sure you didn’t marry me for my money.”
She was puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Honey, I’m surprised your dad or Samantha or someone didn’t tell you. I’m one of the owners of the TRC organization.”
“TRC the name sounds familiar.” She thought hard. Where had she heard the organization’s name? Then it hit her. Her father and his partner had been talking with Ted, one day shortly before her wedding and his death. They’d said if they could get TRC signed, they’d be their biggest client.
“What do the letters stand for,” Janice asked Drake.
“Terrell’s Ranch and Conglomerate. It started out just as Terrell’s ranch, but as we all spread out in other directions, we decided together we’d have more control and clout.”
“You’re very rich?”
Drake laughed and pulled her to him. “Yes, I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
“It just takes some getting used to. I don’t know why I didn’t figure it out, but I guess between falling in love with a handsome playboy and having a stalker calling me in the middle of the night, I had other things on my mind.”
Drake kissed her. “I love you.”
Janice wound her arms around his neck. “When are you going to feed me so we can get to the most important part of the evening?”
He chuckled, put his arm around her waist, and directed her back to the house. “We’ll find a cold meal in the refrigerator. But first we need music to accompany our food.” He went to a cabinet and pushed a few buttons. Soft music began to play from hidden speakers. Outside the windows the moon shone bright and numerous stars dotted the night sky.
Drake nodded toward the patio. “Go and sit. I’ll bring the food.” Janice went out and found a seat at a table to the side of the open glass doors. She took in a deep breath of the sweet air. This had to be the most beautiful and romantic place in the world for a honeymoon.
She watched as Drake brought out two plates filled with shrimp and several cold salads. He sat them down and then went back and returned with two glasses of white wine.
Lifting his glass, Drake said, “To us. May we always be healthy and happy.” His dark eyes looked into hers, sending a bolt of desire straight to her core. Janice sipped her wine and tasted the food. “Ulani is an excellent cook.”
“She is, and she and her husband take good care of all of this while I’m gone.” Drake spread his arms to encompass the house and island. He pulled his chair closer to her.
Janice smelled his cologne and the heat from his body warmed her. “Do I have to clean my plate before we go to your room?”
“No. I’m sure I’m not going to last much longer before I carry you off.”
“It’s been your choice, not mine.”
“I know, but I wanted you to relax and I wanted just the right atmosphere before we went into our room.”
She looked at him, puzzled. “The right atmosphere?”
“Come.” He took her hand and led her inside and down the hall. Standing behind her, he reached around and opened the door. “Go on in.”
The cover over the glass ceiling had been slid back and moonlight from all the windows and overhead poured into the room, highlighting the dozens of white orchids that lay across the end of the bed and were on every available space in the room. On one pillow a gold chain glistened with a huge emerald hanging from the center. Janice stood amazed at the beauty laid out before her. A flowery aroma permeated the air, and a cool breeze blew the billowing, thin, white drapes surrounding the bed.
She laughed with joy. “A movie set could not have been designed more lovely. I can see why you wanted full nighttime with the moon up for the most beautiful effect.”
Drake scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedside.
“I can’t wait another moment to see you lying across my bed.” He moved his hand behind her and pulled down the zipper to her dress. The dress fell off, showing she’d worn no underwear. He picked up the necklace and clasped it around her neck. The emerald hung right between her breasts, glowing against her white skin. She trembled with the intense need to feel him inside her.
The look on his face, his dark eyes, his sexy mouth raised her temperature to boiling. “I want you, inside me, around me, touching me all over,” she whispered as he lifted her and placed her on his bed.
* * * *
A stab of desire hit him so hard it almost brought him to his knees. His cock was rock-hard. He’d been hard most of the evening, but he’d waited. He wanted her to see the room in its most beautiful state. Her face had reflected her pleasure. He followed her down, covering her smooth, hot body with his.
He bent his head and kissed her soft lips. A breathy sigh escaped her mouth. His tongue slipped into her sweet warmth to tangle with hers.
“You have on too many clothes,” she whispered.
He rolled on his back, bringing her up and over him. “Then undress me.”
Her fingers brushed across his chest as she unbuttoned his shirt. Just her light touch sent electricity zinging up his spine. When she’d undone his belt buckle and the snap on his pants, his cock pulsed with hunger.
She pulled his zipper down and closed her hand around him. Then she leaned close to lick the spot of moisture from the ti
p. Her dark red hair spilled over his hips as she took him into her mouth. She’d moved down where her legs straddled his and now began to move her lips up and down his throbbing cock. His pleasure rose to an almost painful level. He gripped her silky hair and groaned.
She raised her head and smiled, and then spread her hands across his chest, her fingers rubbed his nipples, her lower lips brushed across his supersensitive cock. She straightened. Her full breasts with rose-tinted nipples stood out, as her slim hips settled across his. Her porcelain skin shone in the moonlight. Red hair curled around her sweet face and down her bare back. She was stunning, enchanting, in the light of the moon and stars.
He let his fingers trail across her pebbled nipples and down her curves to the curls covering her clit. His fingers felt for the tiny nub and rubbed. Her body arched.
Drake placed his stiff cock at the opening to her wet pussy and slid into her heat. Her pussy’s inner walls clenched tight around him. His heartbeat pounded with desire, a raging passion for only her.
She moved slowly at first, up and down as his fingers caressed her breasts with one hand, and the other rubbed her clit. Her head fell back, her long hair swaying across her shoulders and back. Her tempo began to move faster, and an incredible, all-consuming blaze of heat spread across his nerve endings. He took hold of her hips and pounded into her, a voracious hunger leading him on. She met his every move, her hands touching, her mouth kissing his body and following the rapid pace he had set, plunging toward the pinnacle of delight.
He felt the tightening in his balls, the fire and hunger, the need sending him exploding over the crest of the wave. In the distance, he heard her cry of joy as she collapsed on top of him. Their breathing ragged and fast and their hearts pounding against each other’s chests. He held her tight as her inner walls convulsed around him, sending more pleasure spiking through his body.
When they’d recovered, he glanced down at his pants still around his ankles. He kicked off the rest of his clothes. “Guess there wasn’t much finesse in my performance,” he said. “Give me a moment to recover and I’ll do better.”
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 13
