Waiting For Eden (Eden Series) (18 page)

And I’ll be damned if I’ll let that happen
, she thought to herself staunchly.  She knew the game.  And she deserved a night out - and in the company of a man like Michael Dalton.  He was young, gorgeous, and wealthy, although it was becoming increasingly apparent that his romantic interest was growing.

As Michael held the door for her, she
tried to thrust the nagging memory of the heat of Jamie Sheldon’s hungry mouth from her mind.

~~~~~~~

The interior of the
BMW was as dark as the night enclosing around it, but for the dim glow of the console.  The SiriusXM was silent, as it had been for the entire trip, but the low hum of the engine held a strangely maternal quality.  Relaxing against the smooth, buttery leather, Alex felt snug and comforted against the reach of the hungry blackness beyond.

Michael had driven for nearly an hour as the sunset diminished in the west, dimming in hue to
a quavering, fragile rust before giving way entirely to the strengthening dusk.  They had taken the path of lonely, back roads, whisking through deep hollows and over mountain passes with the guidance of Siri, and always, the dark line of trees struggled in vain to swallow them.  Alex had never experienced a night so seemingly thick and heavy, she felt as if the sleek vehicle was thrumming deep beneath the ocean.

To her relief, Michael had proved an exceptional conversationalist, picking up the pace when silence grew heavy, knowing instinctively what topic to turn to when she faltered or seemed ill at ease.

Eventually, they crossed over the border and into New York State before arriving at their destination: a small, quaint village called Willow’s Creek.  The village harbored a beautiful lake that glimmered as if alive when they drove slowly along its banks. 

Michael took her to a lovely little lakeshore inn, where they had partaken of fine red wine of the Finger Lakes region and excellent Italian cuisine.  In the warm, candlelit dining room, her unease had slipped away, and she had a surprisingly good time in Michael’s company.

Now, as she glanced at the numbers on the console, Alex wasn’t surprised that the time glared 10:35.  The hours had seemed to slip away into the enjoyment of the evening.  She slanted a look at Michael, who was concentrating on the poor road conditions leading to the ranch.  His features were nearly indistinguishable, but for the slope of his patrician nose.  He growled low in his throat as the Beamer took the abuse of another pothole.  She couldn’t hold back her own giggle.

“This isn’t amusing,” he muttered.  “Your township supervisors should be shot.”

“But you’re an exceptional driver, Michael.  I’ve hit my head on the roof every single time I’ve driven this stretch myself.”

He was silent for a long moment, and then eventually chuckled at her comme
nt.  “I’m just not used to back-woods living.”

“Oh, it grows on you.”

“Not on me, Alexandra.  Not on me.”  When they turned into the ranch, Alex heaved a sigh of relief, feeling uncomfortable now, sensing his discontent.  Michael shut the motor off, and the gleam of the porch light struck through the interior.  In the play of shadow and light, he appeared predatory as he watched her. 

He smiled
then, and his face was once again openly handsome.  But she realized that she didn’t want to invite him inside.  Not tonight, not yet.  She wasn’t ready.  She wasn’t even sure she was attracted to this man.  He was nothing like Jamie.

“Are you staying at your weekend home, or are you driving all the way back to Binghamton tonight?”

He stared at her for a moment, his smile gone, his black eyes penetrating, and Alex knew with a lurch of her stomach that he had hoped to spend the entire night with her.  Before she could breathe, Michael leaned toward her, brushing his lips across her own. 

When she didn’t pull away, he deepened the kiss, and she felt the hot flick of his tongue in her mouth.  Her heart began racing,
and she realized with a start that it was fear, and not desire.  The thick musk of his cologne seemed instantly overwhelming.

Alex placed a hand against his chest, and gently broke the kiss.  Disconcerted
by the nauseous feeling in her stomach, she tried to smile at him.  “Thank you, Michael.  It was a lovely evening.  I... it was really nice to get out again, I just...I’m very tired, and...”

“It’s all right, Alexandra.  It’s a little too soon for you?”

She blinked at him, faintly relieved at the excuse he provided.  “Yes…. That’s very true.  I suppose that’s what I’m feeling.” 

Over dinner, she had told him about Richard’s accident, little bits and details of her life in Washington, and a skimmed down version of how she had come to own Eden Ranch.  He had been an avid listener, and had seemed genuinely interested in her life, past and present. 

But she’d given him no reason to think that her marriage had been unfulfilling.  And that sudden, predatory kiss was not the kind given to a woman so recently widowed.  It unnerved her, and shook the marrow of all of her initial perceptions.

“I hope you know that I’d like to see you again.  Soon.”

She licked her lips nervously, and he touched her arm.  “Alex?”

She gave a little start.  “Oh
... of course, Michael.  Like you mentioned on the phone, perhaps you would like to watch a session with one of the horses?”

He nodded, settling back into his seat.  Alex felt some of the tension drain from her body when there was distance between them.  She could smile again.  “That would be great,” he murmured.  “I’ll give you a call.”

“Good night, Michael.”  She scooted from the BMW and with a little wave, closed the door, and slipped into the house.  Standing just inside the door, she listened to the crunch of wheels as he rolled down the driveway.

“Damn it,” she muttered, dropping her purse and keys onto the television stand.  “What the hell is wrong with me?” 

What move was the correct one now?
  Michael was a client, and an important one.  But his sudden and intense romantic interest unnerved her.  He had the wrong idea, for sure.

What a mess I make, everywhere I step
, Alex thought wryly, shrugging out of the blazer.  She glanced around the quiet living room, chewing her lip.  No way could she sleep.  She wanted to talk to someone.  Anyone. 

Not just anyone
, her brain crowed stubbornly,
admit it, you want to talk to Jamie
. 

All night, she had found herself comparing Michael to Jamie.  And although both were devastatingly sexy, they were as different as night and day.  Michael should have been more to her liking, the very type of man that Alexandra Aimee Winters would
have once found irresistible.  But why did thoughts of Jamie’s hot and insistent mouth on her own willing and eager one continue to overpower everything else?

“He must be royally ticked at me,” she grumbled admittedly.  She’d seen or heard nothing of him for the past week.  Diana had stopped by once, but there’d been no mention of Jamie in their talk.  Alex was too embarrassed to ask about him, afraid that the sharp woman would
know
.

Know what, Alex?  That you have the hots for her son?  That the two of you were going at it in the stable like a pair of randy teenagers?
  She flushed at her own thoughts.

She wandered over to the phone, and fingered it indecisively.  She noticed suddenly that the message light was beeping and pushed the rewind.  Maybe he had called.

“Hi Alex, this is Ginny.  It’s about ten- o’- clock Friday night.  I was afraid it was too late to call, but I guess not, ha!  You’re out.  But if you get in and want to do something, give me a buzz.”

Alex smiled at the bubbly message.  Ginny Lewin was the woman who had been her waitress at the North Fork restaurant on that first night in town.  Alex had run into her at the grocery store, and they had chatted in the canned vegetable isle for over twenty minutes, striking it off instantly. 

Ginny had promised to take her out soon, share a beer or two and continue their conversation.  And now she’d followed through with the promise.  Alex dialed Ginny’s number, suddenly hopeful that she wouldn’t have to spend the rest of the evening alone, after all.

Ginny was still game for going out, and Alex
ran upstairs to refresh her makeup and clothes, replacing the plum blazer with a silky black tee.  “I’ll keep the skirt,” she decided, studying her figure in the mirror with narrowed eyes.  “It’s Friday night.  What the hell.”

~~~~~~~

Hidden by the thick cape of night, Marcus Allen watched the pair of taillights disappear into the blackness.  His instincts were correct, for his demure, little Ms. Winters had been too keyed up to simply go to sleep so early on a Friday night.  No, she had called a girlfriend to pick her up. 

Marcus had identified a pale
female face framed with obnoxiously poufy red hair as the woman had pulled into the driveway.  “You lying little bitch, Alex,” he muttered, running three fingers through his thick, black hair.

He gritted his teeth.  Alexandra had not wanted him in her bed, not on this night anyway.  He marveled at the
roiling in his gut.  No woman ever turned him away, not after his mouth had laid such hot possession upon her. 

Marcus flicked the ignition over and adjusted the temperature control
within the BMW’s interior.  Sweat had broken forth on his brow; it was a humid night, filled with whirling insects and cloying pollen, stifling him.

His vehicle’s cl
imate-control system had a dust-pollen remover, and an activated charcoal filter that automatically re-circulated the cabin’s atmosphere upon detecting a significant increase in contaminates. Cool, sterile air streamed over him, and he breathed deeply, gaining control. 

So where had
Alexandra gone now?  She didn’t seem to be the partying type.  Perhaps she was a closet lesbian, and had gone out for a night of orgy with the red-haired slut.  His cock stirred in his pants, and he shifted slightly, intrigued by the image in his head, and again, that surprised him.  Alexandra had such a lithe, supple body, perfectly formed for the arts of pleasuring a man. 

Yet... perhaps it
was
women that turned on Ms. Winters.  Maybe he should require Andrea to join them for a while, and make her do things to Alexandra she had previously only dreamed about.  

“I could make your body hum, Alexandra.  I’d bet you’d even enjoy it this time around.” Marcus smiled, catlike, in the dark. 

While researching her late husband, Marcus had discovered that Richard possessed a small brain, and likely an equally small and untalented cock.  Not the case with Marcus.

Without thought, he shifted the
BMW into first, intent on following the car to its destination.  At the entrance to Eden Ranch, he paused, forcing his foot on the brake.  The car thrummed, patiently waiting for his command.

Marcus felt a glimmer of unease.  He had just spent the entire evening with the bitch, and not once had he thought of the
task that Ridgeway required of him.  And the payout was big.  But instead, his mind had focused only on Alexandra on taking her, possessing her.  Making her
his
.  Replacing Andrea with newer, sweeter flesh.

Breathing deeply once again, he focused on the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.  He concentrated on attaining the calm, calculat
ing focus of mind to which he was accustomed. He would NOT let his male compulsions rule, yet.

Gritting his teeth, he turned the BMW in the opposite direction that the red-haired bitch had driven.  Later, in the forced-air comfort of his hotel room, he could work on harnessing his baser desires into something lucrative.

Waiting for Eden

~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 14

It was
very close to midnight when they pulled into
the parking lot at the North Fork.  Alex was surprised to find the place hopping with music and activity. 

Ginny giggled at her
bemused look.  “Folks like to party it up around here.”

“I guess so.” 

The bar was dimly lit by lantern, deepening the atmosphere, and some of the tables had been cleared away to make room for dancing.  It was packed with people of all ages.  Alex noticed several grayer heads bobbing in time to the lively music. 

Although the jukebox was loud
itself, the room was overpowered by the sound of laughter and ribald talk.  She had expected a small town bar to host whiskey guzzling men, with rough-looking bikers in one corner, and shady, cowboy types in the other.  Pleasantly surprised, she observed the whole room jostling together as one sociable unit, bouncing and swaying to the pounding beat.

“Let’s fight our way to the bar,” Ginny yelled, and pulled Alex behind her through a sea of unfamiliar faces.

“Hi, Randy.” 

The tall and lanky bartender grinned and nodded back at them. 

“Give us two lagers, would’ya?” Ginny grinned back saucily.

“You bet, Gin.  Who’s your lady friend?”

“This is Alex Winters.  New in town, but here to stay.  Right Alex?”

Alex laughed.  “Yeah, I’m stuck here now.  I’ve got myself glued to a pile of debt and hungry animals.”

“Well, Alex Winters, this is a fine place to be stuck.”  Randy pushed a chilled, foam-capped mug in front of her.  “On the house.  Welcome home.”

“Thank you, Randy.”  He winked at her and then Ginny was pulling her to the dance floor.  Alex managed to slurp the first sip of her beer en route before it could spill down the front of her skirt.  Then
, they were bumping and grinding like teenagers, with their beers held at arm’s length for safekeeping.

Strange faces waxed and waned in front of them, some leering, some open and friendly, and Alex just grinned and nodded at them all alike.  Ginny knew everyone, and introductions filled her brain until she couldn’t possibly absorb another
name. 

“Wait a minute, Ginny, I’ve gotta sit for a minute,” she breathed heavily into the wriggling woman’s ear.

“Okay, grab a booth for us.  I see Kenny Richards, and I’ve got to give that randy bastard a big wet sloppy kiss.”  Ginny shimmied through the throng and disappeared. 

Alex scanned the room as best
as she could, looking hard for an empty table.  She spotted one, high-backed and private in the far corner.  She fought her way there, and slid onto the smooth, wooden bench.  Sipping her beer, now flat, she contemplated muscling her way to the bar for a second, fresher mug. 

“Not worth it,” she mumbled
, eying the thick mass of bodies lining the bar.  She was happy for the moment just to watch the milling crowd in quiet.

~~~~~~~

Aaron turned to his brother and grinned.  “Wow.  That about sums it up, big brother.”

Jamie slanted an annoyed glance in his direction.  “That’s your opinion.”

“I gotta admit, she’s got legs up to her neck!  What a body.  And she can move it too.  Sexy Curves Ginny looks like a cafeteria matron next to her.”

Jamie sighed, and tossed back the remainder of his beer.  “Happy wet dreams, Aaron.”

Aaron laughed, shaking his sandy head.  “I think you’re the one who’s gotta worry about that, bro.  Been awhile, huh?”

“You’re pushing it, Aaron.”

“All right, all right.  No need to beat the crap out of me again.  She’s just a yuppie, anyway.”

“Then shut the hell up.”

“Grumpy, aren’t we?”

“I need a refill is all.”  He picked up a coaster and twirled it between two lean fingers.

“James, you’ve had a stick up your ass all week.  And it seemed to get worse after old man Wilkens dropped in.  I can’t believe that old coot’s still getting around.  Hope I’m that peppy when I’m his age.  Hope I can still get my dick up, too.”

Jamie
simply ignored him now and feigned interest in a slim blond who was shaking her stuff near their table.  It was true. Ezra’s visit
had
gotten under his skin.  The old man had gushed over Miss Alex like she was an angel sent unto him from the good Lord above. 

Miss Alex is a feisty one... got that place
runnin’ ship shape, she does... never thought I’d be happy ‘bout sellin’ my land, but when I seen her face today, I just knew I done right by my Marta...

Miss Alex this,
pip-squeak that...  Jamie had finally pleaded a migraine and left the room.  But not before Ezra had forced a promise out of him that he’d continue to be a good neighbor and check in on Alex from time to time.

Check
in on her.  He thought of her pert bottom wriggling beneath the plum mini skirt, her hazel eyes flashing as she’d bumped slim hips against Ginny’s rounded ones.  Every able-bodied man in the place had looked in her direction more than once.  Including him.

He gritted his teeth.  Aaron slid toward the edge of the booth, and Jamie pushed a five across the table.  “Fill me up, little brother.”  Aaron winked and made his way to the bar while Jamie returned his attention to the blonde.  She was making doe eyes at him, sidling closer to his table with every song. 

He softened his surly expression and managed a half-hearted grin.  The girl shimmied faster, shaking her blonde mane that had been highlighted to the maximum load of platinum.

Aaron soon returned with a pitcher and two chilled mugs.  Jamie poured and downed the deep amber brew without thought.  He seldom drank much, but tonight.... tonight he had the urge.

Before he could pour another, the streaky blonde was suddenly in his lap, entwining her legs with his.  She giggled prettily.  He wondered if she realized those streaks made her look a bit like a skunk.

“Hi
, Jamie.”

“How do you know my name?”

She giggled again.  “Randy told me.”  She wriggled her bottom against his lap.  Chuckling, Aaron mumbled, “Since your hands are full there, bro...” and poured him another beer.

“How old are you?” Jamie questioned gruffly in the blonde’s dainty ear.

“Twenty-one,” she returned petulantly.  “Old enough.”

“Jamie’s an old ma
n,” Aaron quipped.  “I’m twenty-three, honey.  My lap might be... a little firmer.”

Jamie rolled his eyes as the girl giggled again.  “Maybe.  Maybe not.”  She slung her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts toward his face.  He smelled alcohol on her flesh, and thinking of Trac
ey, his stomach churned in response.

“Holy shit,” Aaron crowed, obviously enjoying the show.

The blonde swished her long hair and gave Aaron a hard look.  “You’re both gorgeous.  Actually, you know, I think you’re
both
what I need tonight.”

As Aaron thumped the table in glee, Jamie wondered how to disentangle the girl from his body.  She was drunk, and more than that,
she was really stupid.

“Well
, if it isn’t the Sheldon boys.  I thought I recognized your voices.”

“Hi
, Ginny.”  Aaron was holding his stomach to contain his mirth.  Alex was undoubtedly standing right behind her, but Jamie could see nothing but a straining bosom to his left and his brother’s asinine face laughing across the table. 

Gently, he pushed at the blonde.  She clung.  “Come on, give me some breathing room,” he muttered.  She flounced up abruptly, shooting a glare at both women.

“Try back later,” Aaron chuckled.

“Don’t count on it.”  She stalked away.

Jamie turned his gaze to Alex.  She was grinning, but her eyes were glittering dangerously.  Good, he thought, I’ve pissed her off. 
Touché.

“
You two are having fun, I see,” prodded Ginny laughingly.

“As always,” Aaron replied w
ith a wink in her direction.  “Hey, want to test
my
lap, Ginny? Am I strapping enough for ya, yet?”

“I’d smother you
, Aaron.”  She put her hands on generous hips.  “You’re still a bit young for my taste.  Got some growin’ to do, yet.”

“Yeah, but you’ve got a healthy appetite, Ginny.  And so do I.”

Alex cleared her throat at the ribald play, and Aaron slanted a pointed look in her direction.  “How about you, Alex.  You game tonight?”

“She likes her men tall, dark and handsome, Aaron.  A
young, blond thing like you wouldn’t do,” Jamie interjected wryly. “Not to mention, you’re poor. That’s the biggest sin of all.”

Alex rolled her eyes.  “Tonight I’m finding the entire male species a bit distasteful.”

Then she walked away. 

~~~~~~~

Alex turned and escaped the table filled with Sheldon boys, still steaming inside.  As she made her way through the crowded barroom, she noticed a familiar form hulking in the archway to the kitchen.  Mouse, quite obviously, the only man she knew who truly resembled The Incredible Hulk. 

While making a bee-line for him, s
he passed the drunk, streak-haired blonde, and returned the girl’s spiteful glare with equal vehemence.

Mouse grinned as she approached.  “Hi Ow-lex.”

“Mouse!  It’s good to see you.”  The jukebox fell silent for an instant, and the crowd milled about uncertainly.  A slow tune came on, wailing in lonely intensity.  “Hey, you wanna dance?” she inquired.

Mouse flushed, but nodded.  Alex took his giant, clammy hand and led him to the dance floor.  He dropped his large palms on her shoulders uncertainly and shuffled to the music.  Alex had to tip her head back to see his face.

“Having a good time tonight, Mouse?”

He smiled sweetly.  “Now ah am.”  It was amazing that only weeks before, his face had appeared so menacing to her.  Now the broad, thick features and the dark brown eyes
that shone so happily were both familiar and endearing.

“How is
thuh fencing, Ow-lex?” he questioned.

“It’s great, Mouse.  You did a wonderful job
, even Ezra said so.”

“Jay-me,” he mumbled in explanation.

“Jamie couldn’t have done it without you.”  Mouse’s grin widened, his palms gripped her a little firmer, and they danced.  When a second slow song came across the jukebox, Alex didn’t have the heart to leave him.

“Sorry Mouse, but I’m cutting in on this one.”  The familiar voice came from right behind her.

Alex groaned audibly.  Mouse patted her with a smile, and then released her into Jamie’s tugging grip.  She pushed against him initially, frowning.

“One dance won’t hurt you, neighbor,” he muttered in her ear, drawing her closer.

Heat filled her.  Anger, she reasoned.
I’m royally pissed. 

She felt h
is hand dip to the small of her back, pressing her into the rhythm.  Her body brushed against his.

“Space, Jamie.”

“This is a slow dance, city woman.  Out in the country, we do them close.”

She gritted her teeth.

“Bodies have to touch.”  His hips met hers briefly as he rocked her slowly.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she whispered heatedly.  The neighboring couple cast a strange look their way.

He only laughed, humming to the music in her ear.  When Alex felt his lips brush her earlobe, she involuntarily shivered. She knew he felt it, because he made a little “ummm” sound in the back of his throat.

Alex contemplated stomping on his toe.  “Your little
bleach blonde would be better suited to such beer-induced advances.”

“You jealous?”

“No!” she shot back.  “Just sick to my stomach.”

He dipped his palm between them and lightly touched upon her taut belly.  “Poor Alex.”

This time, she did stomp on his foot.  Unfortunately, she had switched her heels for flats before leaving the ranch.  He only grimaced and tightened the circle of his arms.

“Quit being such a prude and dance with me. Try being neighborly.
I know it’s real hard for you, Lovey, but try.”

“Fine.” 
Impulsively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her body firmly against him.  Tit for tat.

Jamie
stilled the exploration of her body with his hands, and groaned aloud.  Well, he’d goaded her purposely, ruthlessly almost, and she was going to pay him back.

She nibbled on his neck with warm lips
. 

“Quit that,” he growled in her ear.