Texas Hellion (8 page)

GRANT

How did I let myself get talked into this mess? What was my throwing a party going to do? The whole town already thought she was pining over the loss of that fool and I wasn’t too happy about that. I didn’t want people believing that my woman was gone over some other dick; the shit was infuriating. My woman, I like the sound of that.

I haven’t had time to explain my sudden absence and from the way she behaved when I went over there unannounced didn’t give me hope that she was in a listening mood. It was just that when the alert came through it was in the middle of the night and there was no way for me to get word to her that I had to leave.

Some asshole had been rustling my damn cattle for a few months now and I was always too late to catch the son of a bitch. This time the boys and I had set some traps and they’d paid off. When I’d got the call to come out to where the crew had the bastards hogtied I hadn’t thought of anything but getting out there to deal with their thieving asses which I did and I had the bruised knuckles to prove it.

But now in retrospect I realize that she might take that shit the wrong way. The next time, and there bloody well will be a next time; I’d see things through to the finish. I should probably have sent her some flowers or some shit but I wasn’t sure where the hell we were with that. Something I was going to fix soon.

No more holding back, no more excuses. I had five years of buildup to work off. I’d missed the shit out her though and that’s no lie. It got so that just the thought of her and a strong wind was enough to get me hard enough to pound nails. I figured when I finally get my hands on her again it’ll take a week to slate my lust, or at the very least bring it down to controllable levels. I still didn’t know how we were gonna do this, but I knew for sure that marriage was going to be in there somewhere whether her hard headed ass agreed or not.

It’s been two days since I last saw her, since she ran like a scared rabbit from me. That’s okay though, though she may not know it, there was a time clock in my head and her time was almost running out. I’d gone there as sort of a test to myself as well that day. I wanted to see if the attraction was really that strong, or if it had just been the heat of the moment.

Seeing her there, looking so vulnerable, I’d wanted to take her then and there. I’m sure that would’ve gone over well, Brady would’ve probably taken his gun to me seeing as how that whole family seems to be trigger happy. It was seeing her and not being able to touch her that had solidified things for me. I don’t know how I’ve been able to go this long without doing something about this, about us, but I knew there was no way in hell I could go another five years without taking her into my home, into my bed.

She was of age, there was nothing stopping us, nothing standing in our way. Last I heard Joel was still shacked up with the librarian and the last fling I had was already a distant memory. That reminded me, I’d told Marcy that things were off between us, but that girl has a way of hearing what she wants to hear. It wasn’t the first time that I’d broken things off with her, but somehow she always finds a way to finagle herself back into my bed.

This time there was no question though. I pride myself on being honest, especially with myself, and there was nothing honest about taking one woman to my bed while my heart was so completely involved with another. I’ll just have to be on my guard for the next little while until I staked my claim once and for all, so that the whole county knew that she was mine. I didn’t want anything getting in the way of what I had planned, starting with tonight.

One good thing about this idea of her daddy’s, it will bring her to me. I’m sure I can find a place to whisk her away while the festivities were going on. We needed to talk and I needed to get my hands on her one more time, needed to reassure myself that it wasn’t a fluke, that what I’ve been imagining the last couple of days was real. Okay that’s just an excuse. I have a sore dick and the fond memories of her riding that dick to convince me. I just wanted in her again in the worst damn way.

There was still a lot that we needed to work through, she was as hard headed as a two headed mule and I was sure she was going to hold my bad behavior against me. That’s why I needed to get in there and get things started. Brady had let it slip that already there were more than a few suitors sniffing around like vultures on carrion, but I’m afraid if she even looked at one of ‘em I’ll be the one with the gun next time.

It was amazing, but after having her under me, over me and any other way I could, it was damn near impossible to breathe without her. I know I said I’d give her time, but that didn’t seem like a good idea anymore either. After tonight we’ll see, either way there was no way I was going another night without being balls deep inside her, even if it meant climbing through her daddy’s window.

***

I must’ve checked the door six damn times before I caught myself. What the hell was I doing, acting like a high school kid at his first prom? Of course I wasn’t about to treat her the way I had all the others, but I wasn’t going to act like an ass either. Camille just has that affect on men I guess. She’s a throwback to a gentler time when men kissed women’s hands and bent over backwards to please them

I was willing to give her all the genteel she wanted, but I wasn’t about to play the sap. One of my fears had always been that because of the way she was raised she wouldn’t be able to handle my rough and rugged ways, but since we’d crossed that bridge she’ll just have to deal.

I made sure everything was as near to perfect as it was possible to get. I hope she didn’t notice that I’d chosen all her favorite treats for the night’s menu, or that the place was overrun with her favorite flower. These were things I’d picked up along the way over the years, things I never thought to have any use for.

I checked myself in the hall mirror one last time and tried to remember the last time I was this nervous before seeing a woman. Finally acknowledging that that’s what was going on was the catalyst I needed to snap me out of it. any sign of weakness and she’d have me balls on a platter.

I’ve never been the nervous type, and the fact that I had screwed up royally the last time I’d held her in my arms wasn’t about to change that. If all went as planned tonight, I was about to erase that memory from her mind and fill it with something better.

***

CAMI

I’m a nervous wreck and there’s no hiding it. At least mama and daddy thinks my nerves are because it’s my first party since the engagement debacle, but there was one person in the family vehicle who knew better, and if he smirked at me one more time I am going to wring his neck.

I kept my head forward and avoided looking at him at all cost. “Well Grant’s place seems to be coming along. There was a time there when I didn’t trust his grandpa’s judgment in leaving his spread to a city slicker, but it seems the old man knew what he was doing.” Gramps stuck his head out the window.

We were already on Grant’s land, making our way down the long driveway that literally went on for miles as it meandered through paddocks on both sides and miles of grass as far as the eye could see. The house was a great monstrosity up ahead that beckoned with its million lights with the setting sun as its picturesque backdrop.

My face caught fire when we reached the place where we’d been that day. The memories came flashing back like a windstorm and suddenly the care felt too closed in. I was almost tempted to jump out and make a run for it, but that seemed a bit extreme.

“The boy is smart, has a good head on his shoulders and wasn’t too proud to ask for help when it was needed. Old Angus would’ve been pleased. I don’t think he could’ve asked for better.” Daddy was always a champion of Grant’s, since the very beginning. I don’t know why that should please me, but it did.

“He’s getting along in age though isn’t he, what is he thirty-two, thirty-three? High time a man that age settles down and has a few children. What’s the sense of working so hard with no one to come home to at the end of the day?” I’m going to open the car door and chuck him out on the paved driveway, the old meddler.

“Wasn’t he interested in that Marcy girl? A fine young lady from an upstanding family; he could do worse. Say wasn’t she in your classes at school dear?” If I didn’t know better I’d think the lot of them were setting me up. I turned to mama with a saccharin smile, not once giving away my true feelings. That Marcy was a bed-hopping termite who had made more visits to the free clinic than the people who worked there. Okay that was a bit of an exaggeration, but the girl did have a reputation.

It would serve Grant Colfax right if he ended up with her as the mother of his children, the jackass. Since he had the nerve to cast me off like refuse, he deserved nothing better than to spend the rest of his days with someone who was sure to keep the town guessing as to the true lineage of his offspring.

Okay so I’m feeling mean, but can you blame me? Why in the blazes would daddy get it into his head to ask Grant of all people to throw a party? “Yes she was but we were never close remember, since you forbade it?” I had no interest in discussing my old nemesis, especially since we were pulling up in front of the mansion just then.

There were quite a few people there already, most of them probably waiting to see the jilted bride, but I had news for them. If they were expecting a spectacle they were going to be sorely mistaken. I’d made sure and outdone myself while getting dressed because I knew I would be on display. I had given the town way too much fodder already, and besides, I didn’t want people thinking I was so weak as to still be pining after that ass Joel.

“Good evening.” Crap, I wasn’t quite ready to see him yet. I thought for sure the maid or someone else would answer the door. I composed myself before looking up at him. Yep, he still had that effect on me. I was very aware of my family at my side, and one more thing, his scent. His essence tickled my nose and did something strange to my insides. I swallowed audibly and forced myself to look him in the eye even though it took all my willpower.

He was a cool one that’s for sure. Not even a twinge of discomfort on his face. Fine, two can play that game. “Good evening Mr. Colfax, thanks for having us.” I bypassed him, ignoring mama’s harsh inhalation of breath at my obvious rudeness. I’ll have to apologize for my crass behavior later; right now I needed a drink. It promised to be one hell of an evening.

GRANT

So that’s the way she wants to play it, fine by me. I had to throttle back because of her family, but first chance I get I’m going to show little Ms. Politeness, who’s in charge. That’s another thing, she’s been so spoilt all her life how in the hell is she going to be able to conform to my way of thinking, of doing things?

It’s true that both times I’d taken her we hadn’t done much talking except ‘put your leg here, or harder, faster’ and a few grunts and moans, so we were in definite need of some vertical conversation.

I watched her as new guests arrived, listened as people offered their apologies for her broken engagement. I knew her so well that it was easy for me to tell that she was more putout by their constant reminders than by the act itself. That was good to know, because although I’d convinced myself that she hadn’t really been in love, that her heart hadn’t really been engaged, there was no real way for me to know that.

Halfway through the festivities as I was talking to one of the other ranchers is when I realized what the hell I was doing wrong. In life I’ve always been a go-getter, anything that meant anything I went after with a vengeance. Here I am, after years of wanting her from afar, still letting things slip away. I’d already made up my mind, so there was no need for the hold up was there? Not to mention the fact that every swinging dick in the place seemed to think that she was fair game.

And who the fuck had dressed her? Instead of one of her usual country lady of the manor getups, she was showing a little more skin than I would’ve preferred. Not to mention the way the off the shoulder number hugged her curves and made her breasts look more bountiful than usual. No wonder these hick assholes were all but salivating all over her.

Her obvious avoidance of me started to rub me the wrong way and there was a slight chance of me losing my shit, and letting everything hang out for all to see. If she thought this high school bullshit was gonna work with me then she really must think I’m no better than Joel; the fuck with that.

Her laugh rang out one time too many and I wondered if anyone but me noticed the false tinge to it. False or not, the idiot she was fawning all over didn’t seem to realize that she was putting on a show; the young fool was eating it all up; another green behind the ears clown who she could lead around by the balls. I didn’t even think about my next move, just went with my gut.

“Let’s dance, excuse us.” I dragged her away from the latest admirer none too gently and over to the emptiest corner. I didn’t care that there might be others watching; let them make of my actions what they will. My eyes met her father’s over her head and his nod of approval and lifted cognac snifter was enough to tell me that he didn’t have a problem with it. Of course he had no way of knowing that this was just the beginning of what I had in store for his little darling.

“Are you insane? That was very rude, Reggie was just telling me about his new horse.” I looked down at her beautiful face, for the first time allowing myself to appreciate it openly without fear of reprisals. “You were flirting.” I held her a little tighter to me as we swayed in place to the music. Damn she felt good, like she belonged there.

“I was not.” She tried pulling away but my hand around her back kept her in place, just where I wanted her. “Yeah you were and I don’t like that shit. My woman does not laugh and bat her damn lashes at other men, make this the last time.” Her mouth was open wide enough to catch flies and I could see her gearing up for one of her fits.

“Your woman? What in the blazes has gotten into you?” I could see confusion written all over her face, I wasn’t too far behind. I should’ve known that there was no way to do things the right way when dealing with her. I’d planned to sit down somewhere like two civilized people and talk this out, not just throw it out there like that, but it was too late to take it back.

“You heard what I said hellcat. Now is not the time or the place for this, but now you know, so if you do anything else to piss me off it’s your ass.” Her thorns came out and she got prickly. “Did grandpa give you some of his special blend? Because you’re not making any sense; and no one tells me what to do, I’ll flirt if I want to.” Shoulda known she was gonna be stubborn as hell too.

“You do and I’ll tan your ass later. If you misbehave in any way this evening I will kiss you in front of all these people and you’re not ready for that. Now be quiet and listen very carefully. After tonight I’m giving you exactly one month to publicly get over your farce of an engagement.” She stiffened up in my arms but a quiet little shake soon had her calming down again. “Behave.”

“As I was saying, publicly we’ll let everyone think you’re giving yourself time, but privately you’re going to get to know me, all of me.”

“What in the hell are you talking about Grant, have you lost your mind?” “Shut up and listen. It took me a while to figure out why you went off in my arms the way you did each time I turned to you.”

She tried giving me the lost at sea look, but it was too late, the pulse beating wildly in her throat told me all I needed to know. “From now on we’re not going to dance around each other you and I. It’s up to you what you want to tell your family and when, but make it quick because I don’t plan on sneaking around behind your daddy’s back.”

“And what makes you think that I’m interested?”

“I didn’t ask.” Yeah that stumped your ass didn’t it! “Just as well that you know from the get, I’m not one of these little boys that you’ve been playing around with all your life. I happen to be a real man who will not think twice about heating up your ass if it becomes necessary. I do not fear you or your daddy, best you remember that.”

If I didn’t know better I’d think that shit turned her on, the way her eyes went all glazed on me. I’ll have to test that theory later. Right now I eased up on the stranglehold I had on her waist and soothed it with a slight caress. Without looking I was sure that we were the center of attention, if only because everyone was watching her to see if she was really okay.

“Do you understand what I just said to you? Tell me you understand.” She took he sweet time but in the end she nodded her head. That was easier than I thought, almost made me suspicious until I remembered the way she’d melted into me that last time. The noise of the crowd finally intruded and brought me back to the here and now where I had been about to kiss her.

If it was up to me I’d ask them all to leave and drag her upstairs so I could put an end to this damn throbbing in my dick, but I’d already told her I’d give her time. Already I was thinking of ways of sneaking her out of her father’s house though, so I could play with her a little. At the risk of giving shit away I lowered my lips to her ear.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on you.” I heard the catch in her breath and raised my head again. “Don’t look like that babe or everyone would know you’re in heat.” Joel my ass, I bet she never went up in flames for him the way she did me out on my lawn. And I know the little shit never made her tremble with mere words the way she was doing now at my whispered promise.

“By the way, I didn’t run out on you, something came up on the ranch that I had to take care of. It’s not for my woman to dwell on so I won’t share, just know that I didn’t leave you intentionally.” She seemed to relax after that and some of her thorns went away.

“I’m going to let you go mingle with your friends because I don’t want them thinking you’re still hung up on your ex, but no more flirting.” Knowing her she’d do that shit just to get under my skin, but this was her first trial, let’s see how she does. I’m hoping she heeds my words of warning, because it’s a fact that the good people of Sutter’s Ville, has never seen the darker side of me. Not unless they were sitting across from me in the boardroom or on the wrong end of my gun barrel.

I led her over to the corner where a group of high school cheerleader type debutantes were watching our every move. I wonder if she knew that some of them had tried to find their way into my bed at some point or other over the past five years? Some of them still looked hungry, but I ignored them. Just before I left her to them I whispered one last thing in her ear. “ By the way, you look very fucking mountable.” She almost fell over her own feet.

“Ladies.” I gave her one last look of warning before turning and walking away. The whispers and hushed tones started before I crossed the room. I was soon caught up with the men who always wanted to talk shop at these things, and though my mind was full of her, I could always talk a good deal. It was a good cover, kept anyone from noticing my preoccupation with her.

An hour or so after our little talk a surprise guest showed up. I should’ve known she would find a way to get herself invited; she was resilient if nothing else. This shit complicated things though, added an extra wrinkle that I wasn’t expecting. I wasn’t surprised when she made her way over to me though. “Marcy, what’re you doing here?” I didn’t trust the smile that came across her face, or the way she reached for me.

“Well that’s not very nice, aren’t you glad to see me?” The jackass she was with didn’t have the good sense to be offended by her behavior and I couldn’t very well march her out of the room since everyone there was probably aware of our history. Not to mention I’d just told Cami she couldn’t even look at another man, and knowing her penchant for firearms I wasn’t willing to take that chance.

“Okay then, enjoy.” I escaped after evading her claws and my eyes went right to the last place I’d seen my little hellcat. She might pretend all she wants, but there was no disguising that look of green in her eyes. I would smile at my little victory but I was pretty sure she’d get back at me somehow.

It sure was strange seeing her through the eyes of her man, as opposed to the neighbor who had always tried to avoid her at all cost. Now that I’d thrown down the gauntlet it was easier to admit certain things to myself. Like the fact that I liked everything about her, even her annoying ass uppity attitude. Or the way she looked down her nose at me like I was beneath her. I knew now that that was nothing more than a defense mechanism she’d put in place to keep me off her scent. Plus it only made me look forward to fucking all that attitude out of her all the more.

It was eye opening to realize that the same way I’d spent all these years trying to hide my true feelings from her and everyone else, she’d been doing the same. And I knew all this from just being inside her body. There’s no way that what I’d felt that day was new to her. No woman lit up for a man like that unless there were some serious feelings involved. Now she was giving me looks because she’d seen the little byplay between Marcy and I.

Come to think of it, Marcy has always had a strange fascination with my girl. I used to think it was some left over high school drama, but now I’m not so sure. Cami tends to bring out the worst in some people and I could see her being one of those females that all the other women despised. I let my eyes scan the room and wasn’t surprised to find Marcy off in the other corner keeping a watchful eye on Cami and her friends with a not so friendly look on her face. Well shit.