The Taming (The Black Thunder Series) (26 page)

“No Jack, don’t kill him,” Kate’s eyes filled with tears at the thought of that beautiful animal being taken down.

“If I don’t do it, some other rancher will,” he said knowing it was hard for her to hear.

“I couldn’t bear it, knowing it was you,” Kate started to cry
. “Promise me, Jack, promise me you won’t kill him.”

“Kate, I
-” Jack couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Promise me Jack,” she pleaded again as she fell into his arms
. “I’ll do anything you want. I’ll move in with you. You can have me anytime you want, but please don’t be the one to kill him.”

Jack felt the bottom of his heart rip straight up through his chest
. “You would do that for a horse?” Jack shook his head. “No, Kate. I’m not that kind of a man. I thought you knew that about me.”

“I do Jack
.” She laid her head on his chest. “That’s why I want you to promise me, because I know you’re a man who does not go back on his word. It would put a wedge between us if you were the one to kill him. I couldn’t bear that.”

Jack lifted her chin with his hand and made her look at him
. “I don’t want to put a wedge between us Kate but I don’t want you to put one there either,” he said as his eyes burned dark with longing. “I want you to move in with me. I want to have you anytime I want, but I want it because you want it too, and not because of some promise I make not to kill a blasted horse.”

“What are you saying Jack
?” She looked up blue eyes fixed to his green.

“Ah hell,” he rolled his eyes as
he heard his own words. “I guess I’m saying you can’t make me promise not to kill a horse in order to have you by my side just as I can’t force you to move in with me unless you want to do it on your own.” he grunted hating to say it. “But just because I say it doesn’t mean I have to like it and I don’t like it.”

“I know
. Thank you, Jack.” Kate leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll think about your offer.”

“Well don’t think too long Kate or you’ll drive me insane
. Tonight, you can sleep in one of guest rooms at the house till you decide. I’ll have Mark bring your things back to the carriage house if that’s what you really want.”

“I’m not sure yet,” she stated
. He nodded respecting her honesty. “Does this mean I can go back to cleaning the bunkhouses?”

“Oh no, you’re staying right where you are
.” He was stone serious. “Just for the record you belong with me Kate and I aim to have you by my side but for now I’m loosening the rope a little. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re still going to clean and cook for me among other things.”

“Maybe we can work out a deal?” she said smiling up at him.

“You and your Californiacator deals and promises.” He finally laughed and shook his head. “You’re going to negotiate me to death, aren’t you Kate?” She just shrugged. “It’s getting late and I don’t want us out here after dark,” said Jack as he took her hand in his. “You okay to walk?”

“I think so.”

Jack nodded and they started walking, heading for the canyon. Kate’s back was a bit stiff and she couldn’t take large steps like she was used to. Jack saw her difficulty and frowned.

“Ah hell, Kate,” he said as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her.

“What are you doing?” She gasped.

“What does it look like I’m doing
? At the pace we’re walking we couldn’t possibly get out of here by nightfall, and with no flashlights I’m not about to be attacked by coyotes or worse, mountain lions.”

“There are mountain lions out here
?” Kate grabbed him tightly around the neck and looked over his shoulder to see if she could spot one.

“Yes baby, like I said before, it’s not safe to be wandering around
out here unprotected.” Kate looked at Jack and thought the same about him. “I’m the least of your worries, trust me,” he laughed sensing her thoughts.

Jack made it out of the canyon in the nick of time
. When he reached the carriage house, twilight was upon them.

“I can walk the rest of the way,” said Kate.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He smiled at her. Jack carried her to the main house, up the stairs and through the front door. He didn’t put her down until he reached his bedroom and the rod-iron bed. Jack laid her gently on the plush mattress.

“You are a mess, Kathryn Harris,” he smiled at her
. “You’re covered in dirt from head to toe. I’m going to start you a bath.”

Kate didn’t object
. She sat quietly on the bed as Jack disappeared into the bathroom. Several minutes later he returned. He knelt down by Kate’s feet and removed her shoes. He rose and offered her his hand to help her stand. Kate placed two bare feet on the carpeted floor before lifting her hands over her head while Jack removed her camisole and bra. He unzipped her pants and lowered them with the rest of her undergarments. He held her hand as she stepped out of her clothes then he led her into the bathroom.

“I need to clean that gash on your back so it doesn’t get infected,” said Jack as he turned her around and instructed her to put her hands on the sink
. Jack retrieved some gauze and peroxide from the medicine chest. He soaked the gauze in the clear liquid then proceeded to clean the wound on her back.

“Be gentle, it’s sore,” stated Kate.

He was gentle, stroking the gauze over the gash making sure all the debris of dirt and dust was cleaned away.

“All done, baby,” he said discarding the gauze in the trash
. “Let me help you into the tub.” Jack lifted her into his arms then set her feet in the heated water. Gently, he eased her into the tub. Kate felt the water sting against her back. Within seconds it subsided and she was able to lean back and rest her head on the edge of the tub.

Jack pulled out a bottle from the medicine chest and poured two pills in his hand
. He filled a glass of water and walked back to the tub. “Here, take this.”

“What is it?” Kate asked as he placed it in her hand.

“Ibuprofen,” said Jack handing her the glass of water. “It will help with the pain and also with any inflammation.”

“Thanks
.” She popped them in her mouth, took a drink, and swallowed then handed the glass back. Jack placed it on the floor, then knelt down by the side of the tub and reached over Kate to retrieve a washcloth along with a bottle of her body wash.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m going to wash you, baby,” he smiled as he opened the lid and smelled the sweet fragrance.

“You don’t have to do that, Jack,” she said feeling a bit awkward and placed her hand on his preventing him from going any farther.

“I want to,” he whispered. “Let me do this for you, please Kate.”

She moved her hand away and he dipped the washcloth into the water then dowsed it with the liquid soap
. Jack lifted Kate’s foot from the water and proceeded to wash her moving upward over her leg. He gently returned it to the water then repeated the procedure on the other side. Jack moved up her body, washing her belly and then her chest, sweeping it gently around each rounded breast. Kate closed her eyes and relished in his sweet touch.

“Does it feel good, baby?” he asked with genuine concern.

“Yes, it does,” she murmured through closed eyes so he wouldn’t see the emotional tears forming.

“Sit up so I can wash your back.”

Kate sat up and Jack soaked the washcloth again adding more body wash. He began to scrub her back clean. He was tender and gentle, making tiny strokes avoiding her bruise and leaving a film of soap. Jack splashed the water over her back and watched the tiny suds run off her back and into the water.

Jack moved to her face
. He delicately brushed the cloth across her forehead, then over her freckled cheeks and chin. “Tilt your head back so I can wash your hair.”

Kate complied as Jack reached for the shower head and ran it over her hair
. He poured the shampoo in his hand. It smelled like mango and coconut. He liked the way all her female products smelled, and he liked that they were in his bathroom. He needed to remind himself they would be leaving tomorrow along with Kate. He pushed the thought from his mind.

Jack rubbed his hands together, then massaged the shampoo through Kate’s hair
. He worked up a good lather and kneaded her scalp with his fingertips. A sweet purr escaped her lips. His touch felt good, and she got lost in the selfless act. No one, not even her ex had ever washed her body much less her hair before. It was soul-touching and tear-shedding as the warm water fell over her face.

Jack rinsed her hair then applied conditioner, running it down the strands of hair
. It was silky and soft as it lay flat against the middle of her back. “Your hair is pretty,” he whispered as he ran his fingertips along the satin like surface.

Kate’s warm smile encircled her mouth and he leaned down and gently placed a light endearing kiss to her lips.

“You know I’m sweet on you,” he said lingering by her lips. “Tell me what I need to do to make you believe me?”

“Just what you’re doing now,” she whispered as a tear fell on her cheek
.

“Why are you crying?” Jack kissed the tear away.

“I don’t know,” she said as he kissed the other side taking the salty taste to his mouth.

He finished rinsing her hair then turned off the water
. “You ready to get out?” Jack asked as he stood from the tub.

Kate nodded and he helped her to her feet
. Jack watched as she brought her hair to one side and wrung it free of excess water. He wrapped the towel around her body then lifted her from the tub, setting her feet on the mat. With another towel he ran it over her hair and soaked up its wetness. He dried her arms and legs then tucked the towel between her breasts.

Kate felt like a small child, being tended to so lovingly by this strange and wonderful man
. Once more Jack took her hand and led her back into the bedroom.

“What do you want to wear tonight?” he asked her as he opened the drawer of the dresser filled with her clothes.

“You decide,” said Kate in a little whisper still feeling quite childlike.

“It’s warm tonight,” said Jack looking through the assortment
. “Something light I think, unless you want to wear one of my t-shirts?”

“Your t-shirt would be fine,” said Kate as her heart skipped a beat
.
He wanted her to wear one of his t-shirts.
It made her feel all school-girly inside.

Jack knew exactly which t-shirt he wanted her to wear
. He had envisioned her wearing it for the last month. He retrieved the shirt, pausing momentarily to pick up her hairbrush along the way. He laid the brush on the bed then rolled the t-shirt in his hands as Kate let her towel slip to the floor. Jack slid the shirt over her head and through her arms. The shirt fell over her hips and rested on her thighs.

An ache formed in his belly seeing her
. How could she look more beautiful in person than in his dreams? Jack sat on the bed and motioned for her to sit in front of him. Kate slid between his legs and he began to brush her hair, freeing the wet tangles with gentle strokes. After a minute it lay smooth across her back. He continued his light strokes running it down the silken wet hair.

“Kate,” his voice was soft and gentle
. “Are you sure you want to sleep in the guest room?”

“No.” The word spilled from her mouth.

Jack placed her hairbrush on the nightstand. “I need a quick shower,” he said. “Why don’t you climb under the sheets and I’ll be back shortly.”

She
nodded. Jack rose from the bed and Kate crawled under the sheets. She watched him disappear into the bathroom. She lay listening contently to the sound of the shower, her soul feeling one with her surroundings and the man.

Jack didn’t take long
. He emerged wearing only a towel tucked around his hips. He was tall, rugged muscles popping from his chest and arms. Kate sighed. She could get used to seeing him all naked and raw. His sandy hair seemed dark from the dampness of his wet locks. It was tasseled and messy like he had rubbed a towel over it to dry.

Jack dropped his towel
. She saw his strong muscular cheeks. God, he had the finest backside she had ever seen. Jack opened his dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of gym shorts. It wasn’t the way he liked to sleep, preferring his bare skin against the sheets, but for tonight he did it for Kate. He was discovering that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her as he tied the string at his waist.

Kate could not take her eyes from him as he walked over to his side of the bed and pulled back the sheets
. He climbed in beside her, leaned over and turned off the light. Kate couldn’t help but smell the light musky fragrance coming from his body. It made her heady and she leaned closer breathing in his alluring scent.

Jack rolled to face her
. “Come here baby, I want to hold you.”

She
shifted over and laid her head in the crook of his arm. He wrapped his arms around her and lightly ran his hands up and down her back. She closed her eyes, getting lost in the feeling.