Tierra was not amused by the taxi driver’s humor. The man was making jokes about the midday traffic, and the midday traffic had just about taxed her very last nerve. She tried to fake a smile but she was hardly in the mood to pretend anything. It felt like it was taking forever to get back to Briscoe Ranch.
She’d been playing the entire day over and over again in her head, trying to figure out how things could have gone so incredibly wrong in such a short period of time. Just hours earlier she and Travis had been making love to each other. As they’d landed back in Dallas, she’d been just about ready to commit to them having a future together. Then just like that she wasn’t even sure if Travis would even speak to her.
Tierra sank back against the vinyl seat, pulling her fingers through the length of her hair in frustration. The confusion she’d been feeling for the past week had lifted the moment Damien had found his way back home. The moment she’d laid eyes on him she’d known without a degree of doubt that there was nothing left between them. Damien Porter wasn’t even a flicker on her heart’s radar.
The more Tierra thought about it, the clearer it became that she hadn’t been in love with Damien since forever. What she had been enamored with was the idea of being in love. Tierra realized that she had been holding tight to her childhood dreams, the fairy tale that promised her Prince Charming and unconditional love and affection. But Damien had not been genuine.
Tierra was kicking herself for having given up so much of herself to a man who had proven time and time again that he didn’t deserve her. Tierra had known early in their relationship that Damien wasn’t much interested in committing himself to a relationship with any woman. But she’d been holding on to hope since she’d been fourteen years old that he might change and be a better man.
Her grandmother had often told her that you can’t change a man, so there was no point in trying. You either accepted him with all of his shortcomings or you moved on. Tierra had tried to accept Damien, but doing so had broken her spirit more times than she cared to count.
Tierra had gotten caught up in the illusion. She’d dreamt of a perfect relationship and had gotten caught in the fantasy of what that was supposed to be. Daydreaming hadn’t done her an ounce of good. But reality was proving to be a true guardian. Thoughts of Travis suddenly ran through her heart.
Tierra liked what she felt with Travis. Travis left her smiling from the inside out. The man made her giddy, and just thinking about him left her feeling like everything was right with the world. Even in her sadness, believing that her broken engagement was the end of her world, Travis had left her feeling on top of the world.
Their extended weekend had brought her joy like she’d not known before. Even in the short span of time they’d shared together, Tierra had known, beyond any doubt, that he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She wanted to wash his dirty clothes and have dinner ready on his kitchen table when he came home from work at night. She wanted to have Travis Stallion’s babies and raise his children to be as kind and as loving as their father. Travis was the man she wanted to sit on the front porch with when they were both old and gray, holding his arthritic hand in her own. Tierra smiled at the thought.
As the taxi pulled into the circular driveway, Tierra took a deep breath and then a second breath and a third. Her nerves were frazzled, anxiety tightening knots in the pit of her stomach. Travis had to know how much she wanted him. No matter what it took, she was determined to convince the man of her love.
Moving into the home, Tierra headed straight for the kitchen and family room. Eden stood in the kitchen flipping through a stack of monthly magazines. The woman looked up, surprised to see Tierra alone.
“Hey, girl, when did you get back?”
“A few hours ago. Have you seen Travis?”
Eden shook her head. “Didn’t you two come back together?”
Tierra heaved a deep sigh. “Eden, everything is such a mess! Damien was at my apartment when we got back.”
Her best friend groaned, pushing her magazines from in front of her. “Say it’s not so, Tea!”
“Mama Dee and Tingin found him waiting for me. He was still there when Travis and I got back.”
“I really hope you threw his butt out, Tea!”
“I did, but Travis saw us kissing and left before I could explain anything.”
“Why were you kissing Damien?”
“I wasn’t. He kissed me and I slapped his face. Popped him good, but Travis didn’t see me do that.”
Eden shook her head. “They never do. Hold on,” the woman said, reaching for a walkie-talkie sitting on the countertop. A minute later she smiled widely. “The housekeeper says Travis is in his room. She said he came in and went right upstairs.”
Tierra twisted her hands together, her mind racing. “I need to go talk to him. But first…” She paused, her eyes skating from side to side. “Will you help me, Eden?”
“Tierra, you know you don’t even need to ask. What’s up?”
Tierra grinned. “Is there anything left over from breakfast?”
Travis imagined that he smelled burnt bacon. He sniffed the air, the aroma of overcooked pork filling his nostrils. He couldn’t begin to imagine what someone was cooking downstairs, the breakfast hour long gone.
The unexpected knock on the door pulled him up off his bed. He couldn’t imagine who in the family had gotten news of his return, but he still wasn’t ready to be bothered with their queries about his trip or his time with Tierra. He was tempted not to answer at all, just wanting to revel in the pity party he was throwing for himself. The knock came again, more persistent the second and third time.
Crossing to the other side of the room, Travis pulled the entry open. Surprise registered across his face. Tierra stood on the other side of the door, a tray of badly cooked breakfast foods in her hand. Travis met her nervous gaze, a wide grin spanning his face as recognition set in.
“Okay, so I know it’s not breakfast time, but I figured what the heck,” Tierra said, pushing her way inside. “You and I always seem to do breakfast so well.” She placed the tray onto the dresser, turning around to face the man.
Travis stood still holding onto the doorknob. He took a quick glance out into the hallway to see if she were alone, then finally closed the door, secreting the two of them away from any prying eyes.
Moving to her side, he stared down at the mess spread across the china plates. He looked from the food to Tierra and back again. “Did you cook this all by yourself?”
Tierra shrugged her thin shoulders skyward. “It had its challenges.”
“What’s that?” Travis asked, pointing to the lemon-colored mush that puddled in the center of a plate. “Buttered grits.”
Travis chuckled. “So, am I to understand that cooking isn’t one of your strong points?”
“I am much better at takeout!” Tierra answered with a warm smile.
He shook his head and laughed.
Tierra moved to the bedside, dropping down against the mattress. As the two continued to eye each other, a pregnant pause filled the space between them.
“So…” Tierra finally said.
“So…” Travis responded.
An air of awkwardness rose like morning mist.
“Okay, so I did not kiss Damien. He kissed me, but I did not kiss him back. It really wasn’t what it looked like. And I’m sure it looked like a lot.”
Travis nodded. “Okay.” He didn’t sound convinced.
“And I’m not, I repeat, not interested in reconciling with Damien. I also made it clear to Damien that there was nothing else between us.”
The man’s head continued to nod.
“And I’m really mad at you!” Tierra’s expression was animated, her hands flailing excitedly at her proclamation.
His eyebrows rose questioningly. “What are you mad at me for?”
“You left. You assumed the worse and you left. I thought you loved me!”
“I do love you, Ti
erra. More than you realize.”
“Then promise me that you won’t ever leave me like that again. I didn’t appreciate that.”
The man’s smile was consuming. “Tierra, I had to give you some space. I know that—”
Tierra cut him off, shaking her head vehemently as she pointed a finger at him. “No, you were pouting, Travis Stallion. You thought I was going to give Damien a second chance, and so you had assumed the worst.”
The man sighed as he moved to the bed and sat down beside her. “I wanted to give you a second chance, if that was what you wanted for yourself.” Travis grabbed her hands, clasping them to his chest. “Tierra, I would understand if you really don’t feel anything for me. I know that all of this has happened very fast. But more than anything, I want you happy. And if Private Porter makes you happy, then I would gladly back off and get out of his way.”
Her smile was illuminating. “I would much prefer you claim me, Mr. Stallion. I can’t be a good wife to you if you aren’t willing to claim me.”
Travis chuckled softly. “Yes, ma’am. Do you want to be my wife, Tierra? Because I am still very serious about us being together.”
Tierra kissed his palm, pressing it to her cheek. “I have never, in my entire life, felt more loved than when I’m with you, Travis. I would do anything to make sure I never lost that.”
Tierra and Travis savored the moment, trading easy caresses. They allowed the silence to swell fully around them. Outside, the sun was shining brightly.
“So,” Travis said finally. “What now?”
Tierra pressed a manicured hand to his chest, drawing it slowly down his abdomen until she reached the waistband of his slacks. “Why don’t we get you out of these,” she whispered, her sultry tone sending a shiver of energy down the man’s spine. “They’re in the way of something I want.”
Travis sucked in air. “And what might that be?” he asked as Tierra unbuckled his belt.
Tierra’s voice dropped to a loud whisper. “It’ll be easier if I just show you,” she said as she dipped her hand into the front of his pants and pulled down his zipper.
Travis was suddenly craving her touch. The wanting was intense, desire surging thick and full. He suddenly felt starved, desperate to be nourished by the nearness of her. He wrapped his arms around her torso, pulling her on top of him as he fell back against the mattress top. His mouth met hers in a frenzied kiss, the two of them consumed by the sweet ache that had taken control of their spirits.
Pulling at her clothes, Travis was gifted with her beautiful body. Inch after inch of caramel flesh became exposed, teasing him into submission. He was distracted by her breasts, the small pillows begging to be fondled. Grasping both in his hands, Travis leaned to suckle one and then the other. He slowly traced his tongue over her hardened nipples. He felt her shiver against him as he took her into his mouth, gently biting down against her flesh. Tierra inhaled swiftly, pleasure sweeping through her bloodstream.
She whispered his name, the lull of it sweet to his ears. In that moment, with the lilt of her tone caressing him from head to toe, he knew beyond any doubt that Tierra loved him with everything in her. He also knew that he loved her even more.
Tierra placed her lips against his, the deep kiss arousing every nerve ending through his body. Aching for more, she inched her tongue into his mouth, sliding it along his tongue. Travis caressed her neck as they kissed, then let his hands glide the length of her back and sides.
Travis felt her slip her small hands between their bodies, her fingers kneading his abdomen and sliding across his chest. She pressed her pelvis against his, her hips slowly grinding into him. Travis groaned, arching his body up against hers. The length of his erection was solid steel as he pushed himself against her, eager to feel her body wrapped around his.
“I want to be inside you,” Travis whispered into her ear, his deep vibrato pained with lust. “I want to feel you.”
Kissing him again, Tierra hummed her consent into the man’s mouth. Travis gestured to the nightstand and the box of condoms that rested there. Tierra pulled one from the container and ripped it open.
As she stretched the condom over his appendage, she stroked the length of him up and down between her palms. Travis groaned with rapture as the woman climbed above him and straddled his body. Lifting himself into her, Travis was awed by the sensation of Tierra’s body locked around him, her inner lining clamping down hard against him.
As Tierra rode him, sliding him in and out of herself, she looked down into his eyes, her gaze locking with his. He clutched her hungrily, his hands gripping her buttocks as he pulled and pushed her against himself. Desire rushed like a storm wind between them, tears misting in both their eyes.
“You are so beautiful,” Travis murmured, his stare sweeping across her face. He hugged her tightly, crushing her chest to his as he kissed her again and again, his tongue and lips dancing across her skin.
The moment was frenzied as Tierra’s pace quickened, the reverie of the moment magnified tenfold.
Air caught in the young woman’s chest as her breathing intensified. She was panting with want, perspiration beading against her skin. “I love you. God, how I love you!” Tierra cried, an orgasm ripping through her body.
And as Travis exploded with her, he screamed out the same, telling Tierra once again just how much he loved her.
Chapter 18
Tierra could only imagine what the Stallion family had to be thinking about the two of them. She and Travis had been closed up behind his locked door for two whole days, the staff leaving their meals on a tray outside the room.
It was either Matthew or John who’d knocked to make sure things were well, and once Travis had assured his family that they had nothing to be concerned about, everyone else had just left them alone.
They had been talking nonstop, ever since Tierra had delivered him that uneatable midday breakfast. Talking, making love and just enjoying the comfort of holding each other close. There was so much about each other that they didn’t know, and the couple was trying to pack as much into the short time they had together as they could muster. Both were acutely aware that Travis didn’t have much more time before he had to leave.
Tierra rolled her body against him, pressing herself along the line of his back as he slumbered peacefully. His body temperature was warm, inciting a wave of heat straight through her. Wrapping her arms around his torso, she pressed a damp kiss to the center of his back. The man felt so good in her arms.
Travis woke up in the middle of the night, a black sky peeking past the room curtains. Not even a partial moon shimmered in the dark. Tierra was wide awake, cuddled down in his arms, marveling at how much being in his arms felt like summer sunshine, banana pudding, a warm bubble bath and everything else she loved so much. Being in Travis’s arms felt everything like home to her.
“Why aren’t you asleep?” Travis murmured into her neck, kissing the soft flesh right behind her ear.
Tierra wiggled her backside against him. “Too much on my mind,” she answered.
The man nodded his head against her.
“What’s your favorite color?” Tierra asked.
“Red.”
“Your favorite food?”
“Chicken, fried. And any kind of potato.”
“Do you like animals?”
“Most. I’m not partial to anything too exotic. Iguanas and sheep don’t give me any warm-and-fuzzy feelings.”
Tierra laughed. “Iguanas and sheep?”
Travis shrugged his shoulders.
“Do you want children, Travis?”
“I’d love to have a child.”
“Me, too. I definitely want kids. At least two.”
“We will have as many as you want.”
“Have you thought about living anyplace other than Texas?”
“I would consider living anyplace that benefited us and our family.”
“Do soldiers make a good living? I mean, are you able to take care of a wife
and family?”
Travis leaned up on his elbow, his head resting against the palm of his hand. “I make a very comfortable salary, and since I haven’t had a whole lot of living expenses, the bulk of it has been invested or banked toward my savings. Suffice it to say, though, following my cousin John’s advice has served me well, and I have quite a substantial portfolio and more than enough cash in the bank to live quite comfortably. I own a substantial amount of real estate, and truth be told, I’m what some might consider independently wealthy. You’ll be able to have your house, the picket fence, two point four kids and a dog, in any state across the nation and most European countries, if that is what you want. If nothing else, Tierra, you can trust that you will want for absolutely nothing, and all you have to do is ask for everything you can possibly wish for.”
Tierra giggled. “Whoa, I might like that.” She paused, collecting her thoughts. “So, why do you stay in the military?”
“Because I love it. It gives my life a purpose. It honors everything I trust and value. I never imagined myself doing anything else. Why do you teach?”
Understanding blanketed Tierra’s face. “It’s what I was meant to do.”
Travis pressed a damp kiss to her cheek. “So, what about you? What do you bring to the table, Ms. Braddy? Because you are hardly a woman who needs or wants a man to take care of her.”
Tierra smiled. “You’re right. I don’t need a man. I’m not as wealthy as you by any means, but I do very well for myself. I am tenured, so there is job security, and like you, I’ve invested my money well over the last few years. I own my home and also share a vested interest in my grandmother’s property with my brother, should anything ever happen to her. My grandfather also left my brother and me a nice little nest egg when he passed.”
Travis nodded. “You’ll always have happiness and security with me. I believe in working hard, but I like to play hard, as well. I’d like us to kanoodle on the French Riviera while we sip expensive champagne!”
Promises to a Stallion (Kimani Romance) Page 13
