Savage storm (12 page)

Puzzled by that comment, Jason moved close as he whispered, "Are you ashamed to have kissed me? Is that it?"

Gabrielle's creamy complexion took on a delicate blush of rose as she tried to think of some way to deny the truth of his accusation. She had done far more than simply kiss him, she'd allowed him to cover her whole body with caresses which had left her lying limp in his arms. She was not simply ashamed, but mortified, dreadfully embarrassed by the way he could make her forget everything she'd been taught about how a respectable young lady was supposed to behave. Since she would not admit that truth, she looked away, focusing her gaze on a group of children playing a game of tag through the wheels of their wagons.

"Gabrielle, look at me," Jason commanded sharply, yet when she turned her incredible blue glance upon him he found it difficult to recall what he'd meant to say and had to clear his throat to stall for a moment to collect his thoughts. "If you'll come with me tomorrow we can discuss the way you feel. I'd say you owe me that opportunity, wouldn't you?"

Gabrielle could hear the children still, their happy laughter ringing in the clear air of the evening but Jason's gray eyes glowed with the shine of the finest silver and she could think only of him. Perhaps he was right. What harm could there be

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in going riding together? He seemed sincere in his request for her company and there had been a few occasions when she had actually enjoyed his. Knowing it was evil to hate anyone, no matter what the reason, she reluctantly agreed.

"All right, I will come with you, but only if you will promise to treat me no differently than you have all the others.''

Jason broke into a wide grin. "Of course, until tomorrow then." Before she could refuse his attention he took her elbow and escorted her back to her wagon where he left her with a teasing wink that promised far more excitement than the others had seen.

Never one to ignore an interesting situation. Erica moved close to whisper, "Wasn't that the 'snake' who just bid you such a charming good-night?"

Gabrielle glared at her friend, "Yes, I did call him that and believe me it was deserved. He seems to want to change my opinion of him now though and I am trying to be fair, that's all. Stop smirking!"

Erica's grin grew wider. "Just mention my name to him, will you? I'd still like to go riding with him someday soon."

"I'll try to remember to tell him that," Gabrielle promised flippantly, but she knew Erica Nelson's desires would be the last subject she would ever discuss with Jason.

After Jason had given the order to turn out the next morning and had made sure all the wagons were proceeding at a brisk pace, he went to find Gabrielle. He wasn't at all certain she wouldn't change her mind and refuse to accompany him that day, or possibly invite one of her friends to join them. He had foreseen both possibilities and planned to behave in a charming fashion no matter what she suggested, for clearly she didn't trust him and he wanted to win her respect. If he had to be content to wait until another day or to entertain two young women that morning, he was prepared to do so. However, to his immense relief, Gabrielle returned his wave and rode forward

to meet him. The two staUions eyed each other warily, neither pleased by the sight of the other, but they were well-trained animals who responded to their masters' commands without giving serious complaint.

Gabrielle had scarcely closed her eyes the entire night. Still, both frightened and intrigued by the prospect of going riding with Jason, she felt elated rather than tired that morning. His smile was warm, not threatening, and she immediately decided to give him the benefit of the doubt on his promise to behave as a gentleman should.

"What is your mount's name? I think he is almost as handsome as Sunny." She teased him with a playful sweetness, her good mood instantly apparent.

Responding with the same ready wit, Jason agreed. "I told you I thought Sunny a beauty, but Duke is as good a horse any day."

"Duke? That's not a very original name, Mr. Royal." Gabrielle observed the horse closely for both his conformation and light beige color were handsome.

"It is a fine name, strong yet concise, and I like it," Jason responded proudly. Then with mock irritation he inquired, "Will you never remember to use my Christian name?"

"I will try," Gabrielle promised, but truly she thought calling him by his first name would only encourage the closeness she wanted to avoid. The others all called him Mr. Royal, how could she address him in a more familiar fashion and not arouse their suspicions? "Why didn't you ask the rest of the women to call you Jason if it is so important that I do?" She glanced at him through the thick fringe of her dark lashes, as if she were still admiring his horse rather than watching for his reaction to her question.

"You must know why without asking, Gabrielle," Jason commented slyly. Why she refused to admit their relationship was far different from the one he'd had with the others in her group, he still didn't understand. Women could be exasperat-ingly dense at times, but he was certain that was not her

problem. "Must I simply tell you outright that you are my favorite?"

Shocked that he would be so bold, Gabrielle reminded him quickly of his promise. "I wish to be treated as if I were the very least of your favorites, Jason. I thought I'd made that clear when I said I'd come with you today." Before he could respond, she offered a challenge. "Do you see thai tree in the distance? I will race you to it!" With a lilting laugh she was gone, Sunny's red hide no more than a blur as she streaked past Jason.

Jason urged Duke to take up the pursuit with a burst of speed which brought them close, but the buckskin stallion did not have the speed to catch the far swifter roan and Jason had to concede the race when he finally drew to a halt beneath the shade of the lone tree. The rolling hills which surrounded them were covered with the bright blossoms of the wild flowers that grew in profusion each spring. The way was easy here as they neared the river known as the Little Blue, and Jason hoped the beauty of their surroundings would lull Gabrielle into a less cautious mood. That she had begun such a wild race had astonished him, as did the fact she'd beaten him so handily. "You might have given me a little more warning, but I will admit you beat me."

The wagon train was no more than a tiny puff of dust in the distance now and Gabrielle wondered for a moment if she'd not just outsmarted herself again, but Jason made no move to dismount and draw near. "Yes, I'll admit that was rather unfair of me, but since Duke had to carry the greater weight I'd say the two horses are probably near equals."

"Shall we trade mounts and try it again? That would be a proper test of your theory," Jason replied with a ready grin, surprised that she'd made such a gracious attempt to save his pride.

"Perhaps later. We should give the horses time to rest, don't you think?"

"Oh, definitely. Let's go as far as the river; I want to see how

it has changed since last spring. Rivers are a lot like women in many respects, he stated quite casually. "They are very unpredictable." Instantly he was sorry he'd made such a remark, but Gabrielle did not seem to be insulted by that jest and he relaxed sigain. "The Little Blue and Big Blue intersect just above Turtle Creek. We'll follow the path of the Little Blue up toward the Platte."

Gabrielle was surprised that Jason wanted to give geography lessons, but she listened with rapt interest for he seemed to know the terrain over which they would pass as well as some people knew the streets of Kansas City.

"Do you never get lost, Jason?" Truly interested in his response, she had used his first name without thinking.

"Never," Jason responded confidently. "You needn't worry that I will be unable to return you to your wagon safely this afternoon."

Blushing, Gabrielle stammered a denial. "No, please don't misunderstand my question. In every direction the land is so lovely, but how do you know where the river lies? I couldn't even guess.

"I use the sun as a guide in the daytime and the stars at night, exactly as a mariner does at sea. It is not really all that difficult," he pointed out, glad to explain since she seemed not to understand.

"Oh, yes. I see what you mean." But as they made their way toward the river, the sky began to darken and dense clouds built up on the horizon. As the wind increased the storm moved toward them, obscuring the light of the sun and casting a deep gray haze over the bright landscape. Worried that they'd be caught in a sudden downpour, Gabrielle turned toward the handsome man at her side. "Shouldn't we turn back before it begins to rain?"

Jason looked up as the first large drops began to fall, hitting the ground around them with audible thumps. "There's no time for that, we'll have to make for the shelter of those trees just ahead. We've no time to switch horses as we planned

before we raced again/' With that comment he dug his heels into Duke's sides, urging the stallion to a ready gallop which to his chagrin Gabrielle quickly overtook and passed. Sunrise simply moved with a far smoother gait, his hooves seeming to fly over the grass without touching the turf. Jason knew it was not a matter of weight which determined the winner, but the roan horse's greater strength and ability. Gabrielle had already dismounted by the time he drew Duke to a jarring halt beneath the Cottonwood trees. He kept a small tent rolled up behind his saddle for use in just such emergencies, and after leaping down from his horse's back, he quickly untied it.

"Do you always carry a tent?" Gabrielle asked suspiciously.

"Always. For the weather is frequently inclement in the spring. We have been lucky so far, that is all; it may rain on us many times before we reach the Platte." In a matter of minutes he had set up the small canvas tent, securing it between two of the trees. Taking Gabrielle's hand, he led her inside. The smooth canvas floor nestled down into the grass to provide a mat for seating as they arranged themselves in comfortable positions, but there was no way they could avoid brushing elbows and knees in the close confines of the small enclosure. Noticing Gabrielle's blush, Jason attempted to reassure her that the rain had been completely unforeseen. "You can't blame this storm on me, Gabrielle, for I can't control the weather any more than I can control your opinion of me."

The raindrops slid off the angular planes of the roof and rolled to the ground, soaking the grass with moisture and at the same time providing the sound of a comforting pitter-patter. The trees shielded them from most of the water while the heavily leafed branches provided shelter for the horses as well. "Do these storms last long?" Gabrielle finally asked, hoping the clouds would pass as swiftly as they had appeared, but Jason shook his head.

"It might rain all day." He could not suppress a smile at that delightful prospect, for he'd never expected the good fortune which had befallen him. To have Gabrielle practically seated in

his lap was far more than he could have hoped for.

The auburn-haired beauty swallowed nervously. "All day?"

"Maybe even into the night," Jason remarked with a teasing grin. "The wagon train will have stopped so everyone can escape the downpour in their wagons. We will not be missed so you needn't worry so."

Straightening her shoulders, Gabrielle replied confidently, "Everyone knows I am with you, they all saw us leave together."

"And Fm certain they'll notice when we return together too. Is that your worry, that there will be gossip?" There would be, of course; he knew that without asking.

Since she was certain he knew exactly what was worrying her, Gabrielle shook her head. "It is not what they might say that matters."

"What is important then?" Jason asked softly, fascinated to be able to observe her delicate features so closely. Her lashes were long and thick, but her brows were as gracefully drawn as a china doll's. In every way he thought her the most exquisite beauty he had ever seen. He could not imagine another such woman existing anywhere on the face of the earth.

Gabrielle looked him straight in the eye as she replied breathlessly, "What really does happen between us, not what they might imagine."

Jason extended his hand slowly so as not to frighten her. "Put your hand in mine, Gabrielle."

A thousand warnings flashed in her mind, but Gabrielle did not heed them. After a moment's hesitation she placed her hand gently in his and watched as his slim, tan fingers closed over hers. She was certain he could feel the erratic beat of her pulse, but what could he expect when they sat so near? He had left one of the tent flaps open so they would have fresh air, but that courtesy did not seem to help her breathe more easily and she was certain he could see her tremblingif hedidnot feel the tremor in her hand. "Please, Jason, we must not—"

"Gabrielle, don't be so afraid of your own emotions for they will never betray you." With that tenderly worded advice Jason pulled her across his lap, his mouth finding hers, as before, eager to accept his kiss as his fingertips moved slowly down the tiny buttons of her bodice so he could slip his hand inside to caress the flushed tip of her breast. Her skin was fair, cool beneath his touch, but he held her gently, not wanting to frighten her this time. He wanted her to be ready to accept the generous amount of affection he wished to give. He savored each moment, his kiss deep and slow, his touch tantalizingly smooth and sweet.

Despite his reassurance, Gabrielle knew instantly that her emotions had indeed betrayed her again as his marvelous kiss drove all thought of resistance from her mind. She slipped her hands beneath his shirt, sliding her fingertips through the dark curls which covered his chest, and she felt his breath quicken too. That her effect upon his senses was the same as his upon hers came as something of a shock, but she did not draw her hands away. SheJet her nails tease the taut skin which covered his ribs, and when he sat up abruptly to pull his shirt over his head, she made no move to escape him. The bright blue of her eyes, veiled now by a soft mist, filled with tenderness as she again placed her hands on his bared chest and returned his smile as he lowered his mouth to hers.