Lorraine Heath

by Sweet Lullaby

  Jake sat up and put an elbow on his knee, rubbing the bridge of his nose. It occurred to him he could just tell Frank it was none of his business. He sighed. “Do you swear that what I tell you won’t go beyond this campfire?”

  Frank eagerly scooted up. “Yes, sir. I swear it.” He made an “X” across his heart. “I swear to God.”

  Jake’s eyes held Frank’s, making sure the man understood the seriousness of what he was about to say.

  “Jacob was two months old the first time I made love to Reb.”

  Frank’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in disbelief.

  “You mean … you mean she’s like the Virgin Mary?”

  Jake couldn’t stop the grin from forming as he shook his head. “No. She loved someone else, and he loved her, I reckon. But he left not knowing she was pregnant. So I married her.”

  Frank was astounded. Not so much because Rebecca was pregnant when Jake married her, but because Jake hadn’t made love to her as soon as it was legal to do so. “But if you were married, why’d you wait? You could have had her on your wedding night.”

  “Because I didn’t want to ‘have her.’ I wanted to make love to her, and I wanted to wait until it was what she wanted too.”

  Frank digested the information. “Hell, that sure as hell don’t help me any.” He eyed Jake warily.” ‘Less you’re thinking I ought to wait until it’s what Arlene wants?”

  “You have to decide how much you love her, Frank. Do you just want her once or for the rest of your life? She’s the one that’s got to respect herself afterwards.”

  Frank nodded. He had expected the answer to be simple.Goddamn, love wasn’t simple at all.

  At the sound of an approaching rider, they both rose to their feet, hands resting easily on their guns. In the firelight, Jake saw his beautiful wife dismount.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I don’t like sleeping alone,” she said as she slipped her arms around his waist. “Who’s watching Jacob?”

  “Maura and Brian. I gave them our bed for the night. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since they’ve slept in a bed together? She was blushing like a bride when I left.”

  Jake’s hands traveled up and down her back.

  “Frank, there are some cattle straying off at the far end. You need to get them back to the main herd.”

  “Yes, sir,” the youth said as he headed for his horse, knowing full well Jake couldn’t see any cattle straying off.

  “Take Reb’s horse. It’s already saddled.”

  “Yes, sir.” Frank smiled as he mounted. “Probably take me a while to get them rounded up.”

  Jake’s eyes met Frank’s. “On the other hand, why don’t you head on in. Reb can help me watch the cattle tonight.”

  Turning to his wife, he said, “Come join me by the fire. I’ve been doing some thinking.”

  As Frank rode away, he heard Rebecca’s laughter filling the night sky. Maybe Jake was right. It certainly would be nice to know the woman wanted him as much as he wanted her.

  Not long after Frank left, Rebecca was snuggled up against her husband’s firm body, feeling his hands caressing her bare back. The fire crackled, throwing out its warmth. The black heavens blanketed the night.

  She tilted her head back, and Jake began moving stray strands of hair from her face.

  “Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” he asked.

  She reached up, outlining his brow with her thumb. “You tell me all the time with your eyes. You have such expressive eyes.”

  He drew his arms more tightly around her. “I’ve been thinking—”

  She began to laugh. “Why am I not surprised?” She had enjoyed watching the herd with him in Kentucky, but it didn’t even begin to compare with the pleasures of watching the herd with him in Texas.

  “Oh, no, not that kind of thinking. I’ve been thinking about your house. Now that I understand how assets and collateral work, I’m thinking we won’t have to wait as long to build your house. And I was just wondering what kind of house you wanted.”

  She began drawing figure eights on his chest with her fingertip. “Can it be my dream house?”

  Jake smiled down on her. “Certainly.”

  Her foot began a slow caress of his calf. “I’d like to have a turret on each side and at least two bay windows in the front. I’d like a porch that goes all the way around the house. All the bedrooms would be on the second floor, and our room would have French doors that lead out onto a balcony.”

  “You don’t want something fancy?” His eyes teased her as much as his words. The house she wanted was exactly what he wanted to give her, finer than anything he’d ever lived in, grander than the house she had shared with her father.

  Her eyes grew warm. “I’m content with what I have, Jake. There’s really no need to build a house before you take your cattle to market.”

  “What you have is so much less than what you had, Reb.”

  “No, it’s not,” she said softly. “In many ways it’s so much more.” She gave her husband a lingering kiss.

  “I think those cattle are going to be watching themselves tonight,” Jake said when her mouth left his and began traveling along his neck.

  “Yes, they are,” she admitted.

  She straddled his lap as he began pressing kisses between her breasts, his tongue tasting her sweet flesh. His mouth moved slowly along the side of a breast, then his tongue circled the tip before his mouth covered it, suckling gently. She dropped her head back as her fingers gripped Jake’s shoulders. He brought a hand up to the back of her head, tilting her head down towards him as his lips sought hers, his tongue delving deeply into the sweet recesses of her mouth, hot and moist. Her throaty sounds sent shivers through his body.

  Gently he rolled her over onto her back, his body nestled between her legs, his lips slowly pressing hot, moist kisses along her flesh as his body traveled down the length of hers. His tongue tasted the flesh of her breasts, of her stomach, before running down her thighs.

  She felt his warm breath fan her thighs, so close to the apex where they melted into her body. She felt the slight rustle between her legs, the way she imagined a tree would feel in a gentle breeze.

  “I love you,” he said.

  Then she felt his tongue caress the most intimate of places, the gasp that escaped her lips brought on by sheer pleasure. His velvet tongue slowly stroked her silken folds, sending sensations reeling through her. She gave herself up to the sweet bliss, so intense and yet so soft, calling out his name in her ecstasy.

  He moved up, kissing her fully on the mouth. She tasted herself, wanting to feel shocked, but instead finding herself wanting to give as much to him.

  He lifted himself above her, and when he would have entered her, she stayed his actions with both hands pressed to his hips. She pushed him onto his back, kissing him tenderly before beginning her descent, placing kisses along his chest, down his stomach, along his thighs as he had her. He threaded his fingers into her hair, bringing her head up, his eyes locking into hers.

  “You don’t have—”

  “I want to,” she whispered hoarsely as she lowered her lips. She felt the slight shudder run through him, and his fingers tightened their grasp on her hair, his reaction thrilling her.

  Jake gave himself up to the swirling sensations until he thought he’d be able to stand it no longer. Reaching down, he lifted her, settling her back down to sheathe him, his hands helping to guide her movements. As she arched back, his mouth began to seek out new trails along her flesh.

  Rebecca felt the sensations mounting, one on top of another. From the top of her head to the tip of her toes, no part of her body was spared the tingling that deepened with each thrust. She felt suddenly desperate to consume this man, and she grasped his face in her hands and brought her mouth down hard on his, his scent and her scent mingling, pressing her body as close as she could, wanting all of him, wanting to touch him the way he touched her, not just
her body but her soul. His caresses touched more than just her flesh. His passion seeped down to her innermost core, always leaving her more than she was before. She cried out, her body arching away from him as his strong hands braced her back, pulling her back to him as he buried his face between her breasts and his final thrusts brought his release.

  Seeking to steady his own breathing, he held her close, compliant on top of him. Their arms tightened around each other, and though she had never voiced the words, Jake was certain she loved him. How could she give so much to him if she didn’t?

  Chapter Fifteen

  FRANK RODE HIS horse like a posse was on his tail, and it was all Jake could do not to laugh. The young man pulled up beside him, his smile threatening to reach his ears.

  “Goddamn, Jake. You’ll never guess who’s up at the house.”

  Jake shook his head, grinning. “No, I probably won’t.” “Brett Meier.”

  The grin as well as the blood left Jake’s face, and he prodded his horse into a gallop. Frank watched him ride off, his response to the news not at all what the younger man had been expecting. He found himself wondering what it was about Brett Meier that had scared the hell out of Jake.

  “Hello, Rebecca.”

  Rebecca felt the breath leave her body as she slowly turned from the stove to face the open door. The sight of the man standing in the doorway, his blue eyes piercing her, assaulted all her senses. Her knees weakened, and her heart began pounding in her ears. His handsome features had faded in her memory. His black hair was almost blue, his blue eyes a deeper, richer hue than her own. He had grown a thick dark mustache that rested over his full lips, the ends even, raised up the same amount on each side over his sensuous smile.

  “Hello, Brett,” she whispered, surprised she could speak at all.

  In four long, sure strides he was standing before her.

  “I had one hell of a time tracking you down. Your father wouldn’t tell me shit. Giles told me you were pregnant, had married Jake, and had come to Texas. You have any idea how big this damn state is?”

  The sound of wood hitting wood near the hearth made him turn. Openly, he watched the baby pounding his rattle on the hard floor. Based on what Giles had told him, after a little monetary incentive, he had little doubt that the child she had been carrying when she had left the Lazy A was his. It had taken all his charms to seduce her. Charms Jake Burnett did not have. “Is this my son?”

  If Rebecca had made love to a hundred men that night, she still would have known which man had fathered her son. The boy was a miniature replica of his father.

  “Yes. He’s six months old now,” she said, as though Brett would be unable to calculate his age.

  He knelt down beside the boy, who placed his tiny hand around the offered finger, taking it into his mouth and gnawing on it with zeal.

  “What did you name him?”

  She hesitated, uncertain what his feelings would be about the name she had chosen. “Jacob.”

  He nodded, releasing the child’s hold on him and standing up to face her.

  “I have some land in Montana, two thousand head of cattle, a house that’s more than one room. I want you and my son to live there with me.”

  She took a step back, shaking her head. “It’s too late, Brett. I’m married.”

  “And who the hell in Montana will know that … or care for that matter. People will know only what we tell them. You’ll be my wife in every other way, and the boy is already my son.”

  “Brett, I can’t. Jake has been so good to us.”

  His eyes searched hers, blue into blue, deep, discerning.

  “I know it was cruel of me to come here. My heart and my conscience fought every step of the way.” He gave her a seductive smile. “My heart won. Rebecca, I couldn’t walk away, not without seeing you. If I’d left you with no intention of returning, it would have been different. But I didn’t. Your father thought I wanted his land, not you, said he’d disown you if I married you. So I had to find us a better start than the one I could have offered you in Kentucky. I always planned to return to your waiting arms.”

  “You didn’t say you’d come back,” she said in a pained whisper.

  “I thought you knew, woman.” His fingers lightly caressed her cheek. “Didn’t I tell you what was in my heart? Didn’t I show you?”

  Without warning, his lips, hot and searing, were on hers, his tongue penetrating, his mouth devouring. She released a whimper as his arms drew her against his hardened frame. Along with his handsome features, the feel of him, the taste of him had faded in her memory. Everything came rushing back … everything … every memory … every kiss, every embrace, the one night they had shared, the only night they would ever share. Her mind told her it was too late for them, but her heart held on with a fierce determination. She heard the clearing of a throat and jumped back, her breathing labored, her cheeks crimson. She started to move around him to face Jake, but Brett caught her shoulders, retaining her, his eyes holding hers with force.

  “I love you, Rebecca. I want you to come with me to Montana. I know you and Jake have some things to work out. I’m staying at the hotel in town. I’ll be there until noon on Monday. If you haven’t come to me by then, I’ll know your answer.” His gaze intensified. “I won’t come for you again.”

  He released her, turning to face Jake, knowing Rebecca had no decision to make. Brett had everything to offer her. Jake had nothing. He extended his hand. Jake hesitated, then wiped his sweaty palm on his thigh before shaking Brett’s hand.

  “I appreciate your taking such good care of Rebecca and my son. And for whatever pain we cause you, I’m sorry.”

  The velvet brown eyes flew to Rebecca, but she avoided his gaze. Jake thought maybe someone had leveled a shotgun at his chest and fired at point-blank range into his heart. Brett walked out of the small house.

  Bending down, Rebecca picked up her son, holding him close to her heart as she turned back to the stove.

  “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon, Jake. Supper’s not ready. If you want … I can fix you something quick right now.” A tear dropped onto the skillet and sizzled, followed by another. She twirled around. “I wasn’t expecting Brett either. I swear, I didn’t know he’d come here.”

  Jake strode across the room, each step he took echoing throughout the house. Why was it that everything about Jake was so noticeable? Brett had glided across the room, and she hadn’t heard a step he took. Placing a callused thumb on her cheek, Jake wiped the tears from one side and then the other.

  “I didn’t come for supper. Frank told me Brett was here. I just … I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears as she nodded her head. “I’m fine.” Then she felt compelled to add, “I didn’t know he was going to kiss me and when …”

  His thumb fell to her swollen lips, so thoroughly kissed that even if he hadn’t seen, he would have known. “I know. I should have made my presence known sooner.” But he had wanted to hear her reason for staying, wishing now with all his heart that he hadn’t. He placed a light kiss on her forehead, realizing she needed time to herself. “I need to get back to the herd. Will you be all right?”

  Sniffing, she nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

  When he left, she took the skillet off the stove. Then she lay down on her bed, curled herself around her son and cried. Brett had come for her, but he had come too late.

  Jake sat on the hill, looking out, but he didn’t see the ripples the wind created across the pond nor the playful shadows the sun threw against the earth. All he could see was how perfectly Rebecca’s body had melded against Brett’s, how well matched they were standing there together, ebony hair, blue eyes, facial features shaped to perfection by Someone’s loving hand. He had promised her he’d do everything he could to see she had no regrets. He dropped his head, his chin resting against his chest, wondering if she’d be there when he got back.

  The sky had turned a m
idnight black, a thousand stars lighting the velvet darkness before Jake returned. Rebecca lay in bed, her eyes aching and swollen. She heard the door open, heard him setting his boots beside the door, and even without his boots, she heard him walking across the floor, hesitating, and then continuing on past the hanging quilt. She listened as he removed his clothes and then stubbed his toe on something. His “dammit” was followed by a “shh!” as he scolded himself. And she smiled. Even when there was no one to notice, he was polite.

  The bed dipped under his weight, and she knew he was leaning up on an elbow watching her. She had come to know so much about him since the night she had married him.

  “I waited supper,” she said.

  “One of the watering holes was poisoned. We had to move the cattle.”

  “How many did you lose?” she asked. “We lost four.”

  She was hugging the far side of the bed, lying on her side with her back to him. Any other time, she would have shot up in bed, angered that someone would poison a watering hole, any watering hole. He reached out, placing a hand on her waist.

  She sighed. “I’m really tired, Jake.”

  He withdrew his hand, rolling over to his other side, his back to her. He had only wanted to hold her. He knew she wouldn’t want to make love with him after seeing Brett today. But, damn, he had needed to hold her.

  The scent of fresh-baked biscuits brought Rebecca out of her fitful sleep. Her eyes stung, and her whole face felt swollen. Jake walked in bearing a plate of biscuits and gravy, laying it on the bed beside her as she sat up.

  “Morning, sleepyhead,” he said.

  Rebecca squinted. “The sun’s barely up. You make it sound like I’ve been sleeping the day away.” She fingered the plate. “I don’t know why you have to be so good to me.”

  Because I love you, he thought, but he no longer dared to say the words out loud. Already he felt a constriction around his heart that he knew would only worsen in the next few days.