Signed and Sealed

by Stretke, B. A.

  Elijah was up, as usual, at 5:00 a.m., but he told Will to stay in bed and relax for a while longer. No need for him to get up so early, he urged. He took a shower and got dressed right there in front of him. Will was impressed with what he saw. In their sexual encounters, Will hadn’t had the chance to appreciate Elijah’s form, and he was amazed at what he saw. Will assumed Eli thought he was sleeping, but actually Elijah knew he was watching him, and he enjoyed it. He could usually shower and dress in approximately fifteen minutes, but this morning it took him nearly thirty minutes. Before he left the room, he walked over to Will and, bending down, kissed him softly on the lips.

  “I’ll see you in the kitchen about seven.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and kissed him again. This time, his arms went around Will and gathered him up against him. The kiss lingered and teased until finally, Will put his arms around Eli’s neck and joined in the kiss. “Now that’s better,” he joked. Elijah let his eyes travel Will’s face over and over again, as he smoothed Will’s hair back from his face. “I’ll get your clothes from your room so you can shower and dress in here.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Eli laid him back down on the pillows and tucked the comforter up around him before leaving.

  Elijah marveled at the fact that he couldn’t seem to get enough of Will. He was never the type of man who cared much for kissing and touching. He never thought much about closeness or romance; before meeting Will, he didn’t even believe in romantic love. It was a dream, a fairytale for lonely individuals who longed to have something in their lives. Romantic love existed only in books and movies, not in reality. He was thirty-four years old, and he’d known many men in the past, but there wasn’t one of them that he’d ever wanted to stay. Not one had ever touched him beyond the physical. He admitted he’d treated most of them pretty badly, and never had he imagined the day would come when he would be willing to get on his knees and beg a man to please stay with him, to please love him. Now here he was, hip-deep in a love so overpowering and terrifying, yet fantastic and incredible at the same time. He ached every time he looked at Will. He laughed at himself. He knew now, as he knew that very first day, he could not lose him. He would do, he would give, and he would become whatever it took to keep Will.

  Will got up soon after Eli had brought in his clothing; the warmth and security he had felt in the room left when Eli did. Now he felt strange and uncomfortable there among Eli’s things. He felt like an intruder. After his shower, while getting dressed, he wondered about what people would think if they discovered he’d spent the night with Elijah. Nothing happened, he was a perfect gentleman, but who would believe that? He wouldn’t even believe it, and he was there. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into Eli’s trap.

  “Two days,” he reminded himself aloud, but it didn’t bring the relief that he’d hoped for. Instead, it brought regret and a touch of disappointment. Will decided not to analyze the feeling and pushed it aside as well as he could. Even his denial skills seemed to be getting rusty. Where Elijah was concerned, he had very few defenses left.

  Will quietly left Eli’s room, checking to make sure no one was in the hallway as he did so. He then slipped into his own room, cautious of the glass. Will needed to call Katrina and thought that his room would give him the most privacy.

  “He completely let me off the hook,” Katrina shrieked. “I am so relieved. What have you done to him?” She giggled. “He seems almost human.”

  Will’s stomach began to knot. “When did he call you?”

  “Yesterday. I thought that was why you were calling.” Katrina’s giggles subsided.

  “What, exactly, did he say to you?”

  “He said that I need not return. That you were staying, and he was not going to hold me to the contract,” Katrina told him and then added, “He is so in love with you, William. Can’t you see it?”

  “No, I can’t,” he burst out. “He doesn’t love me. How could he? There’s got to be something else going on here.” Will contemplated this new information as they both fell silent for a moment. “Have you ever heard of a man by the name of John Gerard?” Will decided to ask.

  “Only once.” Katrina paused to try and remember the circumstances. “I heard a couple of the ranch hands talking together. They didn’t know I was there. They said something like, ‘if Katrina doesn’t watch herself, she’s going to end up even worse than John’. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and at the time, I didn’t care.”

  A chill washed over Will, and he shivered. It really happened. It wasn’t just a story made up by John to taunt him. He needed to find out more about what had happened with John. Perhaps Kathy could tell him more?

  “What’s going on, Will?” Katrina insisted.

  “Nothing, really,” Will lied. “I’m glad that Elijah released you, and I will probably be heading home myself soon. I think it has all worked out for the best. Talk to you later. Good-bye.” He hung up the phone quickly before Katrina could beg for more answers. He didn’t want Katrina to be privy to his problems. Will realized with a grimace that he trusted Katrina even less than he trusted Elijah Hunter.

  On his way downstairs to the kitchen, he heard Elijah and Martin talking together in his study. The door was open, and he could hear them quite clearly. He stopped, knowing that he needed to listen, yet fearful of what he might hear.

  “You’re going to announce it tomorrow?” Martin asked.

  “Yes,” Elijah replied deeply.

  “Has he—” Martin began, but Elijah cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

  “Not yet, but he will.”

  Are they discussing me? he wondered. His heart told him that they were. He strained to hear everything but remained out of sight.

  “William is stubbornly independent,” Martin stated. “He thinks that you’re just playing with him. He isn’t taking any of this seriously.”

  “I know that, and that is why I am making the announcement tomorrow,” Elijah explained. “I already called Katrina and told her not to return. I didn’t want her and her drama coming back here and upsetting everyone. As long as Katrina doesn’t show up, then William will have to stay for a while longer.”

  “Do you think that’s fair?” That was all Will needed to hear. It was all true. All of his fears, all of his assumptions were true. Eli was lying to him. He was setting him up to make a fool of him, just like he did to John. Will ran past the kitchen and out the front door. He raced down the road to Kathy Graham’s small home and knocked wildly on the front door. He desperately needed to speak with someone, and the only person he even half trusted here was Kathy.

  “I heard the story,” Kathy told him as she poured him a cup of coffee and they sat together at her kitchen table. “It happened before I moved here.”

  “What did you hear?”

  “John was in his late teens, and he had taken a liking to Elijah. I think it had as much to do with Elijah’s wealth as it did his good looks. Anyway, John attempted to get into Elijah’s bed and get some cash out of the deal, and it ended very badly. That was the start of the rift between the Hunters and the Gerards.” Kathy paused to take a sip of her coffee. “Many of us thought that Elijah may have had feelings for young John, but when his gold-digger tendencies came to light, that flame died fast. The two ranches still have regular contact for business purposes, but nothing more. Elijah cut them off completely, socially speaking.”

  “What did Elijah do to John?” Will already had a good idea as to what had transpired, but he wanted Kathy to tell him.

  “He performed a series of tests on John; gave him access to some money and such, seeing if he would give in to the temptation of a large sum of money. John showed his true colors, much like your sister, and Elijah supposedly punished him for it. John couldn’t show his face in town for months, he was so humiliated.” Kathy stopped when she saw the look of disgust on Will’s face. “He was protecting his family and his ranch, Will, that’s all
.”

  “I think he plans the same fate for me,” Will stated with sadness and pain.

  “But why? You haven’t done anything,” Kathy argued.

  “Katrina did, and Elijah would have gotten very little satisfaction out of humiliating Katrina. She is so insensitive; I don’t believe humiliation is possible.” Will smiled despite himself. “It’s better to go after the soft one. The one who would feel the pain he seems so intent on inflicting.”

  “I find that very hard to believe. Elijah isn’t that sort of person. I really hope you’re wrong,” was all Kathy could manage to say.

  “I wish I were,” Will mumbled. Just then Will heard his small phone begin to ring. He’d forgotten that he had put it in his pocket. “Hello.”

  “I thought we had a breakfast date, Will?” Elijah sounded so pleasant that it sickened him that he now knew the truth.

  “I’ll be right there,” Will stated and hung up. He had to meet him, otherwise Eli’d know something was wrong. He needed time to figure a way out of this mess, time to save himself. He would continue to play along for today and hopefully get away before the announcement tomorrow.

  “Did you have a good time last night?” Mrs. Coleman asked them both as she served them breakfast.

  “Yes, it was a nice evening,” Will replied. He hadn’t made eye contact with Elijah since he sat down, and Eli seemed to be noticing it. Will turned to look at Eli directly and quickly discovered that he’d made a mistake. Eli’s face was so near to him that when Will turned, he instantly cupped Will’s jaw and pulled him in. The kiss that followed was devastating, to say the least.

  Eli pulled every ounce of self-restraint from him. His lips massaged and stroked Will into believing him. Will kissed him back; even though his mind fought against him and warned him to be careful, his nerves prickled at Eli’s attention and burned at his touch.

  “It was the most enjoyable night I have ever had,” Eli said breathlessly against his lips. “A night I hope to repeat often.”

  Mrs. Coleman turned to look out the window when their embrace began. She seemed to be on hand for most of their private moments, but it was a pleasure to see Elijah content and in love. She was happy for him. William was such a nice guy and easy to get along with. She would have no problem sharing this house with him.

  After they began to eat, the atmosphere became less charged and more calculated on both sides. “Mrs. Coleman tells me that John Gerard was here yesterday. She said that he was demanding to see you,” Eli commented.

  “I don’t know anything about him being here,” Will said and gave Mrs. Coleman a nervous glance.

  “I told William that it was a salesman, Elijah. I didn’t want to upset him,” Mrs. Coleman explained.

  “Would his being here upset you, William?” He seemed to be fishing again.

  “Depends on what he had to say.”

  Elijah grinned at Will’s artful sidestep to his question. “I’ll find out what he so desperately wanted to share and get back with you on it.” He sounded as if he were joking, but there was a tenseness to his features. John’s visit bothered him, Will concluded. Perhaps he feared that John would tell him about their previous relationship and subsequent humiliation, and then he would figure out Eli’s scheme before he could conclude it with his announcement tomorrow. The thought brought an intense frown to his face that he failed to suppress.

  Eli pounced immediately. “What is it?”

  Will quickly shook off the expression and tried to smile, but it was a feeble attempt. Elijah drew him to his feet and ushered him out of the kitchen. Without a word, he guided him down the hall to his study. He closed the door and then became insistent. Will pressed his back against the door as Eli leaned into him, face to face. He was studying Will’s every move and drawing conclusions. His eyes were unyielding in their intensity and power. Will tried to look away from him, but he forbade him to do so. He held Will’s face in his hands and forced him to meet him eye to eye. “Something has been bothering you since yesterday,” he finally said. “Tell me what it is. Give me a chance to explain or to help. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.”

  He said that to me yesterday too. He must be used to fixing things. With his money and power, there was probably little he couldn’t fix. Will considered telling him the truth and then decided not to. Eli would just tell him that he was confused or mistaken or making a mountain out of a molehill. He wasn’t likely to confess, so what was the use? “I’m fine.” He struggled with the words. Eli’s eyes demanded the truth, and it was impossible not to give it. “John called me,” he blurted out.

  Eli gripped Will’s shoulders and seemed ready to shake the details from him if he refused to tell him what he asked. “What did he want?”

  “He told me that… he was sorry for upsetting me the other day.” He wanted to tell Elijah about all he knew, that the jig was up and he was on to Eli’s plans, but in the end, it just wouldn’t come out. He wasn’t yet ready to confront him on this issue.

  Elijah stared at Will, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or just part of it. It was obvious to him that more occurred during this phone call than just an apology, but Will wasn’t willing to tell him.

  “He should be sorry,” Elijah said. “Why didn’t you tell me about this call earlier?”

  “It didn’t seem important.”

  Elijah turned away from him and started toward the desk.

  “Have you given any more thought to my proposal, William?” His sudden change of subject caught him off guard.

  “What?”

  “My proposal. Have you made a decision?” He bent and pulled out several files from his desk and laid them on the blotter. “Marry me,” he stated flatly. “If you do, your land will be safe, your home will be safe, and your sister will be safe.”

  “But will I be safe?” The query left Will’s lips before he had time to censor it. Eli’s expression was unreadable. He walked slowly back over to where Will was standing and slowly gathered him back into his arms. Will did not resist, to do so would have been futile. Eli’s hands were forceful and demanding. Eli made him look up at him as he spoke to him. His voice was rough with emotion.

  “I will never deliberately hurt you.” He searched Will’s face for something, anything. “Marry me, and I promise to love you and take care of you. I will make your life as comfortable and perfect as I can; I’m telling you the truth. You asked me before if I was testing you, and I said yes. Ask me now if I’m testing you. I didn’t lie to you then, and I won’t lie to you now.” He paused, hoping for an answer. “You have nothing to fear from me, William, nothing.” His hands gripped Will tighter, longing for a response from him that would assuage the ache in his heart.

  As predictable as Elijah’s statement was, Will was still shocked by it. He still believed that Eli truly intended to hurt and humiliate him. How easy it would be to believe him, to lose himself in Eli, and in the end… nothing but pain and heartbreak. He wanted to announce their wedding tomorrow and then move directly on to the bitter public breakup. Will wasn’t about to accommodate him with an acceptance to that proposal. Will was about to turn him down when Eli stopped him from speaking.

  “Don’t tell me now.” He had sensed Will’s mood and decided to wait. He didn’t want to hear what he was so obviously going to say. “I’ll ask you tomorrow. You can give me your answer then.” He turned back to the desk. “These files contain the tax information you promised to review,” he said, changing the subject again. “I’ll see you at dinner.” Before Will could respond to anything, Eli left, closing the door behind him with an audible slam.

  Anger and frustration engulfed Eli as he walked toward the stables. That man is going to drive me insane with his speculation and mistrust, he grunted to himself. He raked his hands through his hair and then swung at the stable door with his fist. He connected, and it alleviated some of his rage. Why is it that I can’t seem to make him believe me? Somehow I have to devise a way to gain his trust, but how?r />
  “Did that hurt?” Martin said from behind him.

  “Not enough,” Elijah stated gruffly. “I’m finding out that physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional variety.”

  “Last night, it looked like things were going quite well between you. Even this morning, you seemed pretty confident. You said that you were going to make the announcement tomorrow. What went wrong?”

  “I don’t know. He’s warm and agreeable one minute and cold and distant the next.”

  “It’s just that Will doesn’t trust you. He doubts your sincerity,” Martin told him.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Elijah retorted. He grabbed a brush and began brushing down the new stallion. He needed to work off this energy and think.

  “Steven just brushed him,” Martin said.

  “Then he’ll be brushed again, won’t he?” Elijah snapped. “I’m sorry, Martin. I just get so frustrated. I can’t seem to get through to him. I know he cares for me, but he refuses to accept me. There’s something that holds him back. Something about me scares him, and I don’t know, for the life of me, what it is or how to assure Will that I mean him no harm.” He angrily tossed the brush back into the bucket and closed the stall.