Annie And The Cowboy (Western Night Series 3) (5 page)

“No there’s no hope. I’m seven years too late to ever make amends. We’d best get back. I don’t want Mariette getting angry with me too.”

“Mariette would forgive you anything but leaving, but she tells me you intend to do that anyway,” Hardy said with a sad look in his eyes. Edward knew how much he would miss them, so could understand how they would be hurt at his intention to leave town.

“I can’t stay, much as I want to. I couldn’t ruin Annie’s life further.”

“Haven’t you ever wondered if Annie herself should be the one to make that decision?” Hardy asked curiously. “Maybe, even if you can’t forgive yourself for whatever this is that is causing you so much pain – and I will not pry my friend – she can? She strikes me as a very good woman, one who could forgive the man she loved almost anything.”

“That’s the problem, what I did fell way outside of that. Nobody could forgive me, should forgive me.”

“I still think you should let her make up her own mind. Now, come on let’s get you back home to your bed. You’re going to hurt like hell tomorrow!”

“I deserve it,” Edward said as he accepted Hardy’s help to get on Pinto’s back. He could already feel the discomfort in his buttocks that told him how badly they would be tomorrow. He shifted his weight a little in the saddle in the hope he would relieve the pain, but found no relief.

“I’ll tell Mariette you won’t be in tomorrow, get some rest,” Hardy said as he helped him into his tiny house. Edward grinned at him weakly.

“Thank you.” He hated being so dependent on anyone, but for once he accepted the assistance his friend was giving him to get up to his bed. Every bit of him was already stiffening up and he could barely move his legs or arms. He sank onto his bed gratefully and barely even noticed Hardy taking off his boots and lifting his heavy legs up onto the bed for him.

The sunlight glared down onto him suddenly. He shook his head and tried to get up, wondering why his drapes were open wide. Then the pain hit him as if he had just fallen off Pinto all over again. He groaned as he realised he couldn’t move a muscle. “You stay right where you are,” Annie’s sweet voice said firmly.

“What on earth are you doing here?” he demanded. He didn’t want her to see him like this. Didn’t want her to have to see him ever again. Who had told her about his fall, and then been crazy enough to let her come to nurse him. It could only have been one person – Mariette. She was the only person other than himself who had a key to his home. Hardy must have told her, and they must have decided to take things into their hands and try and push them together. Why couldn’t they have just left them alone?

“Hardy told me you fell off your horse. I knew you would be black and blue, so I came here last night. Mariette gave me her key. I would have broken windows if I’d needed to though so you can take that black look off your face, and stop blaming your friends for something that has nothing to do with them.” He glared at her, hating that she could still read his mind even after all these years.

“Why would you bother? I don’t deserve your care,” he said turning his face away from her in shame.

“Oh stop feeling so sorry for yourself,” she said impatiently. “I have spent the last seven years listening to a man feel sorry for himself, I’m sick of it. Whatever has happened is done. Move on from it, learn from it, but don’t dwell on it and let it rule your entire life.”

“But how do you do that? After everything that my actions have put you through, how can you say it is just in the past?”

“Because there is nothing I can do about it David. Feeling sad will not change what happened. Feeling hard done by because I never got the chance to marry and have my own family will not make those things happen. My Mammy always taught me that life goes on. You make the most out of what you have. I got to see my brothers and sisters grow into wonderful young people. They make me so proud and I know they would have made Mammy proud too.”

“You were always a better person than anyone I knew. I am amazed you still are despite everything. I am so sorry, so sorry,” he said bitterly ashamed.

“I know you are, and as I said last night, you didn’t shoot her. Gable walks his own line, and it was always going to end badly. I lay blame at the foot of the man who did the deed – not the one who found himself in a situation he could never have anticipated.”

Annie left him alone for a moment, and he found himself mulling over her words. If only he could just leave everything in the past. He had learnt so much from his mistakes, had learnt that the best way to bring corrupt politicians, and powerful men to change their ways was to expose them. It was why he had taken so well to the life of a newspaperman. Being a part of an organisation dedicated to exposing the truth had given him pride in himself once more. Maybe it was time to think about all the people his journalism, his printing had brought to justice – rather than dwelling on one terrible moment that changed him forever.

He heard the clank of a tray, and managed to find a smile to greet Annie with as she came in. She had brought him breakfast. A steaming cup of coffee, a large bowl of oatmeal and 2 boiled eggs sat on the tray. She helped him to sit up, he winced with every movement, and she grinned at him. “Come on you big baby,” she coaxed him. Once he was fully supported by his pillows she brought the tray to him and let him tuck in.

“You always were the best cook,” he said gratefully.

“And you always had a good appetite.” She winked at him cheekily, and it was as if nothing had ever happened between them for one moment. “Now, are you going to get up and come for a walk with me?”

“I can barely move and you want me to go for a walk?” he said indignantly.

“Movement is the best thing for bruised limbs, stops them from seizing up. Now stop being such a namby-pamby!”

She helped him up, and with his arm across her shoulder she helped him down the stairs. He didn’t want to let her take all his weight, but the weakness in his body gave him no choice. Being so close to her was such sweet torture, and he longed to have the strength to pin her against the wall and kiss her until she knew he was no weakling. “Annie,” he said cautiously. “Do you think there could ever be any hope for us again?” As soon as the words had left his mouth he knew it was too soon, he was asking too much of her.

“David, I have loved you my entire life. I have just been waiting for you to grow up,” she said with a grin. “Now, do you think you have managed that at last?” He laughed and gazed at her. He knew he should ever be surprised by her capacity to live life, to make the most of any situation and to do it with such love, such compassion and such forgiveness in her heart – but he was.

“Will you marry me then?” he asked boldly.

“Well, we have been engaged for twelve years now, we just need to set a date my love,” she said practically. She kissed him, crushing his lips with her own.

“Could we maybe save the walk until later,” he asked flirtatiously.

“Why are you feeling too tired?” she asked looking at him anxiously. He tried to hold back a chuckle.

“No, I just wondered if we might find a way to do some exercise here!” She slapped him playfully, and looked at him with a fire behind her brown eyes.

“Are you trying to ruin my reputation? Get me into trouble!” She said in mock horror.

“I promise I’ll make an honest woman of you once I can stand up unaided – and I promise you no trouble ever, ever again.”

“Well, I don’t think I will ever be able to get you back up those stairs again, so I hope you have a couch somewhere down here!” she teased.

“No couch, but I do have some very soft sheepskin rugs and a warm stove,” he said gazing at her longingly. She helped him to hobble to the front room, and assisted him as he collapsed onto the rug. The drapes were still pulled across the window, and so she sank down beside him, suddenly his aches and pains seemed irrelevant. He kissed her neck and felt her body shudder under his lips. He traced a finger over her collarbones, kissing each inch following his fingers in lazy exploration. She sighed and arched her neck, and he traced his finger from her lips to the top of her gown.

When he finally claimed her lips she was quivering with desire, her body pushing towards his. He could feel her slender thighs as they pressed against his, her pelvis gently jutting up against his, pushing his own desire to the very limits. Her hands fluttered at his chest, pushing up his shirt and caressing his belly. Impatiently she ripped at the shirt, revealing his chest. She traced a finger around his muscles, circling towards his nipples which she squeezed gently. He had never known them to be so sensitive, and he gasped at her touch.

Wanting to feel her skin against his he began to fumble with the buttons on her blouse, she took over when one of the tiny pearl buttons skipped across the wooden floor. She stood and stepped out of her skirt, then quickly loosened her corsets. Not looking the slightest bit ashamed, or shy she stood in front of him naked. He sucked in his breath, he had imagined her body and how it would look free of all the stays and petticoats. But his dreams had never given her such perfect creamy breasts, such raspberry pink nipples, or such a perfectly rounded belly. Her hips swelled gently and her legs were long and slender. He ran his hand up her calf, finding the skin soft and silky. She lay down beside him once more and he cupped the soft mounds of flesh, kissing and sucking lightly at her nipples. She moaned and clutched at his shoulders. He let his hand drift down over her belly, and down towards the apex of her thighs. He found her hidden folds moist and ready, and he gently moved on top of her, parting her thighs so he could enter her slowly, and smoothly. He felt her gasp, and saw her face crinkle with pain. “I’ll be so gentle,” he assured her.

“I know, it has passed,” she said, her voice filled with wonder and amazement. He eased inside her gently and she enveloped him fully as if they had been made perfectly for one another.  She pushed up towards him impatiently. He increased his rhythm, and soon he was lost in the sensation of moving together as one, lost inside one another. Her face was lost in passionate abandon. He kissed her, she bit at his lip and suckled at his tongue. He felt himself about to lose all control, but realised as he felt her contract around him that she was too. She began to pant, and he let himself go. “David, I love you,” she cried out as their climax came in perfect harmony.

“I love you more than anything you little minx,” he said playfully as he shifted over onto his side, and gazed adoringly at her satiated face. “Now, we need to set a date before you take advantage of me again!”

Epilogue

Annie sat on the porch of their new home. The ranch was only small, but it had enough land to raise pigs, and have a small herd of dairy cows. It was what they both knew best, and both in their hearts loved most. David had decided to come clean, to tell his story to their closest friends, but he would always be Ted to them all. He didn’t mind one bit. Ted had a new life, one that was full of love and hope. He had handed his notice into Mariette, had helped her to find a new printer. But he hadn’t been able to give up his passion to put right the wrongs in the world, and he wrote articles for her still. But most of his time was spent here, on their farm.

Their wedding had been planned as a small and intimate affair, but Mariette, in her usual generous manner, had decided to ensure that they had the wedding she thought they deserved. She had taken Annie off to her dressmaker in Dallas, and they had returned with a beautiful cream gown that showed off the warmth of Annie’s creamy skin, and the richness of her chestnut curls. It had been adorned with hundreds of tiny seed pearls, and was quite the most expensive thing she had ever owned. David had for a moment felt guilty that he had not been the one to buy her such a luxury, but he knew Mariette thought little of the money. For her it was about showing her love.

He walked up the steps onto the porch and moved towards his beloved wife. She put her finger to her lips, quietly shushing him as she continued to rock the cradle with her foot. He knelt by her side and gazed at the perfect baby boy, wrapped up warmly against the cool air. He had no clue what he had done to deserve to have such perfection in his life. He knew he was so very blessed, so very lucky that Annie had forgiven him. With her help he had even begun to come close to forgiving himself, and that was the biggest miracle of all.

Annie looked at her husband. Though she had been the one to lose her Mammy all those years ago, she had only lost the shell that had held her. Her thoughts, her words of wisdom had all stayed in Annie. As she moved through the days, she knew that she had always been the lucky one. Poor David had been plagued with fear and doubts for too long. But he was finally becoming whole once more, and she was so happy for him.

“Hey darling’” her Daddy’s voice called from inside the house. “Can you get the door for me?”

“Sure Michael,” David said as he moved to the screen door and opened it. A sober and clean Michael walked through the door carrying a large cake.

“Is our little boy all ready?” he asked excitedly.

“He’s fast asleep Daddy,” Annie said as her brothers and their wives, Katie and Brandon, then Margaret joined them on the porch. “And David’s family aren’t here yet either.”

“Mariette did say she would pick them up from the station,” David said with a mischievous grin. “She’s probably turned that damn carriage of hers over rushing to get them here!”

“Don’t you malign her, she may be fast, but she’s the safest driver I have ever seen. Now, everybody settle down, while I make us all some coffee.” Annie walked into her kitchen, and put the coffee on almost absentmindedly. The clattering of hooves as Mariette finally arrived had her rushing to the door. This would be the first time David had seen his family since his disappearance, and she knew he was nervous about it. His Mama had buried him, had given up hope of him ever coming home. She prayed everything would go well.

She stopped in her tracks, and rested against the door frame. Mrs Evans was cradling her son, sobbing her heart out. David was in tears too. Within moments she could no longer see her husband, as he was surrounded by his Father, brothers and his little sister Carrie. She wiped a tear from her own eye as Daddy came to stand beside her. He put his arm around her waist, and chucked her under the chin. “I am so sorry my darling girl. You deserved better than me, I let you and your Mammy down. She would have been so ashamed of me.”

“Yes she would, but like me she would have forgiven you too. Now, you go and finish fixing the coffee while I welcome our guests,” she chided him gently. This day was proving to be an emotional one, and she still had to introduce Mrs Evans to her grandson. “Mrs Evans, I am so glad you could come. It is such a long journey, we would have come to you.”

“Oh don’t be silly, and please call me Carole,” she said patting her warmly on the cheek. “Do you really think that a few hundred miles would get in the way of me seeing my son after all these years? Thank you for finding him, forgiving him and making us all whole again.”

“Would you like to meet Edward?” Annie asked as she lifted her son from the cradle. She placed him in Carole’s arms, and watched as the woman she had always believed was tougher than old boots burst into tears all over again. Annie looked over at David and smiled.

“I love you,” he mouthed.

“I love you too,” she mouthed back. “Now, who wants cake?”

THE END

BONUS 5 PART BOXSET

“WHY HE”

An Alpha Billionaire Romance

By: Nicole Price


Copyright 2015 by Nicole Price- All rights reserved.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

WHY HE Desires

BDSM Lust during the heat of the moment

Ricardo Alvez is quite possibly, the greatest paradox going. A playboy; the ego-sensitive CEO of a multi-national textiles company, inherited from his late father. A helpless slave to his senses and desires. You will bear witness to the lustful side of domination and submission; both being used as a business tool as Ricardo attempts to neutralize any threats to his late-father’s empire. The bank account he now possesses is as big as my hilltop villa, located near the border of Venezuela, with plenty of land to indulge himself in, as his second favorite pastime is of riding horses. The billionaire’s lifestyle is as luxurious and fun as everyone imagines it to be with private G5 jets and lavish yachts. Having money does make one happy, and Ricardo surely knows how lucky he is. The ripped muscular body of an alpha-male coupled with the good looks of a movie star just adds to his desirability. Oh, and his favorite past time? Full blown, dominating and sinful sex.

Ricardo Alvez was actually beginning to enjoy the new job as CEO of Alvez Exports Inc. He didn’t seem to get involved with much due to the faithful board of directors handling the day to day workings. That was of course, until today! I am Llana Jones, the representative of Almanec: a Japanese business rival seeking foreign wears. A few faithful politicians have managed to inform Ricardo as to how I have been underbidding Alvez Export’s existing contracts, drawing quite a lot of enthusiasm from the corrupt exploitive factory owners. Ricardo should clearly remember me from our Harvard days. I used to have a soft spot for him but nothing ever came of it after his flirtatious advances were always met with strong rejection. In fact, there is a meeting between Alvez Inc. and a potential contract later on this evening. The Alvez corporative minions are trying to hijack it with Ricardo himself planning to attend the meeting in an effort to secure an agreement. I’m sure our engagement will be heated, what with me trying to destroy his family business and everything, but I am only doing my job. It isn’t my fault that Almanec has begun to emerge here in Colombia, nor that an opportunity has arisen for which they seek to exploit. However, somewhere inside me I feel that it will be nice seeing Ricardo again after all this time, seeing how we have both evolved as people. I actually feel a bit intimidated to tell the truth. He always made my heart skip a beat and could always get me excited whenever we would speak to one another.

Ricardo’s olive oil looks and Latin charm certainly used to draw attention wherever he went as one can imagine. I used to be a timid, shy little blonde who quite simply, just didn’t want to become involved with boys. It was only until my first job and the string of office romances and nightclub encounters that followed that I really began to embrace my sexual desires and fantasies. The journey down memory lane is interrupted by the ringing of my cell phone as I get out of the taxi – it is my boss. He sounds anxious and instructs me to do whatever I can to stall Ricardo for an hour or so. That makes me laugh! Who do they think I am? Can’t they just pay somebody to block off a road or something? After a short argument where my boss promises to reimburse me handsomely, I cut the call. Maybe catching up on old times could actually take up 60 minutes.

During the conversation my boss revealed to me that a factory owner is going to try and contact Ricardo personally to see if they can agree to undisclosed terms. If I can keep Ricardo distracted long enough; his absence may just tip the balance into Almanec’s favor. I always knew my company would take advantage of my past friendly relationship with him and would be looking to capitalize on his well-known Achilles-heel regarding women. And with my thin waist and firm boobs, who knows; maybe something amazing will come of it all. Ricardo has decided to meet me at his hillside villa, to where I have just arrived. Maybe he wants to probe further into my presence in Colombia or hopes to loosen my lips for some juicy information. Any moment now I will be meeting him. It is a hot day today and I do not want to waste any time with games seeing as how we know each other quite well. I have opted for a thin silk white dress; no bra; no panties. The reason for this being it is simply too hot and my plan is to simply go in try and charm him into a temporary ‘ceasefire’, whereby Almanec will clinch a few more customers, and then I will leave. My body combined with my mind should help me. A few years have passed since we last saw each other and I wonder if I will even recognize him as he has kept out of the public eye ever since he took the helm. My cell phone rings and it is my boss reminding me to remain vigilant and pay special attention in regards to Ricardo mentioning anything about a trip to Cali. I make another tie of my headband around my silky straight hair and examine myself in the reflection of the window. My blonde curls are tied back and shining in the summer sun; the dress makes my breasts appear larger than they actually are as it hugs them equally with a snug fit.

I knock on a huge oak varnished door and my heart skips a beat. The handle turns and the door opens to no one other than Ricardo, appearing on the other side. Ricardo is standing in front of me, smiling his white tooth Hollywood smile. His black hair is slicked back and he is wearing a tight casual shirt and ripped designer jeans. I glance at both arms confined within the thin garment with their bulging 24 inch firm biceps in addition to his sculptured pecs, stretching the cotton fabric to its limits. Yes; a mass of rippling muscles and Latino greatness. I wonder to myself, what his penis must look like? “What? You don’t recognize me?” He bellowed, completely interrupting my lustful and dirty train of thought. “Of course I recognize you.” I laugh, glancing down at his ass whilst brushing past him. It is a nice compact steel unit that could have been sculptured out of the finest Italian marble. I imagine grabbing it with both my hands and pulling him inside me. God Llana! What are you like?! It is of no wonder the great Ricardo Alvez has managed to evade photographers’ and tabloids within this secluded mansion. It took me over four hours by car to get here. He closes the door shut behind me. He is even hotter than he was in college, I think to myself as he turns around looking at me up and down before nodding his head, “Llana you haven’t changed too much; still as gorgeous as always. I still remember all those times you rejected me back at Harvard.” I had loads of boys chasing after me but I just wasn’t interested. He removes the sunglasses revealing his greenish jade-like eyes that are only complimented further by his olive tanned skin. There is an awkward moments silence as we both take in each other’s appearance before my mind goes back to the assignment, “I suppose you are here to find out about Almanec’s latest ventures?” He laughs in response and I catch him quickly glancing down at my hard nipples poking through the thin, silk dress, “I’m going to cut to the chase Llana. We’ve known each other a long time now and I know what you are doing. So this is my attempt at mitigation and allowing you and Almanec to save face, and quietly leave Colombia.”

His Spanish accent makes my blood boil. He was always attractive, but not like this sex-god standing before me. “Don’t be like that. I’m just doing what my employer tells me to do.” I look around the room we are both standing in; it is a lavish affair with crystal cut chandeliers and a curious set of leather straps suspended from the ceiling. Sunshine is piercing through numerous gaps within the strewn up straw blinds hanging from various window arches. There is a curled leather brown whip on display above a large oak mantelpiece. I have heard all the stories about Ricardo’s, as being the setting for numerous orgy type parties and sinful evenings of debauchery. We are soon interrupted by one of his many house-servants who asks Ricardo something in Spanish to which he shakes his head and waves him out the room. “Forgive me! Please sit down and tell me what you would like to drink?” I place my purse down beside me as I sit upon the leather sofa, “Anything with ice in it.” He heads over towards a lavish bottle display and begins to make me something. It is quiet cool in the room with the gentle hum of the air conditioner coming from the ceiling. Ricardo hands me a glass, “Gin and tonic okay with you?” I gladly take it and nod. The ice cool liquid is refreshing as I quickly begin get the ball rolling, “I’m not telling you how to run your business, but you need to expect some competition. Alvez accounts for almost 80 per cent of the textile trade in Colombia.” Ricardo sits next to me; I smell his cologne and can see some feint sweat reflecting on his forehead. He is calm and succinct. “Llana we are not going to discuss business. I will deal with your bosses, they will not last long here in Colombia. They can leave now or wait, it is their choice. No, the real reason you are here is because I actually wanted to see you.” It may be his way of making me lower my guard or even to get me to speak, but upon hearing him I am taken away. The mansion is peaceful, the air is cool, and Ricardo is hot! I almost stumble over my next sentence, “Well, I’m…in a way I’m glad, because the last thing I wanted was for us to fight.” He smiles and places his arm slowly around me and leans back into the couch. The house-servant from before comes in with a tray of piled up strawberries and a can of whipped cream. Once he leaves, Ricardo remains seated, emitting pure confidence and control, “Tell me about you. What’s new?” I’m sure he can sense how I quietly yearn for him so I decide to flirt back, “I’m a bit more adventurous now.”  He looks completely through me with those Latino eyes; a fire raging behind them, “I know what you are doing Llana. I know why you are here. But I don’t care, I’m being completely honest with you, unlike your bosses.” I begin to feel a sense of guilt as to my intentions, when it went through my mind I imagined the dynamics to be a little different. I look at his muscular physique rippling within his shirt, begging to be freed. As he is speaking I let the slit in my dress part, revealing one of my smooth silky legs, “I watched you playing all those girls back in Harvard. All the time.” He leans forward, “Hopefully soon you will abandon those who don’t respect you for those that admire you. You can tell your bosses that Mr. Alvez was not home.” Ricardo swiftly finishes his drink and walks back over to the bottles.