Chapter 7
As the week went on, Audrey spent her days with Cora, helping her choose the perfect assistant. As Cora's former assistant, she was able to tell each applicant what was expected of her and to give some insight into what the position entailed. Cora valued her opinion, and the two of them chose the perfect person to fill the role.
With that task out of the way, they spent the rest of the week enjoying each other's company. Audrey's evenings were reserved for Beau, though. She accompanied him to his folks' house for dinner as promised, and she had a wonderful time. She met his sister and immediately developed a bond with her. They vowed to stay in touch after Audrey returned to the Big Apple.
One night, they spent the evening with Dale and Cora, another, they went out. But by the time the weekend rolled around, both knew they wanted to spend her last two nights in Texas alone. Beau had even convinced Cora to let him take Audrey to the airport on Sunday.
When he picked her up on Friday night, he took her to his cabin. The two of them prepared dinner together and ate by candlelight at the table in his kitchen. It was perfect, nothing like anything Audrey had ever done before. The simplicity of it blew her away. More and more, she was growing attached to this peaceful, laid-back way of life. She was dreading the trip back home and the fact she'd be back in the fast-paced life of a single New York girl almost immediately after returning.
After the dinner dishes were washed, they walked hand-in-hand outside to his porch swing. Audrey had also learned to love sitting on that porch, especially in the evenings. It was so different than the rooftop of her loft in New York City. She and some of the other tenants often sun-bathed on the roof during the summer months, but the sounds of the city were all around them.
"I love it out here," she said as they began to sway back and forth slowly in his porch swing. The creaking of the swing as it moved, along with the birds singing in the background and the gentle Texas breeze rustling through the nearby trees, lulled her into a sense of euphoria.
"So do I," he replied as he kissed the top of her head and tightened his arm around her. "I hate to see you leave. It won't be the same for me. I often come out here in the mornings with my first cup of coffee. But when I come out here to relax after supper, it's really going to hit me."
"Beau, we both knew I would be going home."
"Yes, we did. But what I didn't count on was the fact that in two short weeks, I'd go from thinking you to be a rich, arrogant, uptown girl with big-city ideas to a sweet, caring and beautiful woman. You're smart, you know your stuff when it comes to the publishing industry, and you come from money, big-city money. But you're not that girl I thought you were when I met you that night at Cora's. And first impressions aren't always right. That first time I met you, I had a preconceived notion in my head about you. It didn't take long for me to realize I was very wrong about that."
"I guess I have a confession to make too," she said with a giggle. "I thought you were a big know-it-all that first night. I convinced myself you were nothing more than a cowboy who was trying to make it as an artist. I thought you didn't know half of what you were talking about. How could a cowboy know about publishing and cover art?"
"And now?" he asked.
She laughed. "Cora showed me your work the next day, and I was blown away. I couldn't believe it. The more I was around you, the more I realized you did know about being a cowboy, but you also knew about book covers, models, art, and a whole lot more. I hope it all works out for you to work for Cora full-time."
"Being a cowboy is something I've enjoyed; it's just not what I want to do for the rest of my life. The publishing world interests me, and if Cora's business keeps on growing, she'll need a full-time cover artist. Of course, I know that would entail a whole list of other duties, but I think I would enjoy being a part of that world."
"I've seen you at work. I see the joy on your face when a cover is completed. I see the love and effort you put into each one. It's a talent, Beau, one that shouldn't go to waste."
"Now, what about you?" he asked. "I know Cora offered you a job. It can't compare to New York, I'm sure, but is there any way you'd ever consider it?"
"It would take a lot of thought. I'd have to weigh all the pros and cons. Then there's my boss Camille to consider. And there's my family, what would they say? Moving across the country from the city to a small town is a big decision to make."
"If Texas Flame continues to grow, that offer won't last forever," he reminded her gently.
"I realize that, and I hope Cora will give me one last chance to decline before offering it to someone else."
"I'm sure she will. Nothing would please her more than for you to be her partner in crime again. She's talked so much about the old days with you in New York."
"She has? We had some really good times. I'll never forget when she and Dale were finding their way back to each other. It was like a romance novel unfolding in front of our eyes."
"They belong together, always have. I knew them way back when. They're a great couple."
"Yes, they are. I envy them at times. I've never had that kind of love with anyone."
"Audrey, I could change that. I know I could. This thing between us can grow, given a chance. I feel it, and I know you do, too." He pulled her close, leaning down so that his face was close to hers.
She lifted her face to his and closed her eyes. She knew he was going to kiss her, and she wasn't going to fight him. She wanted to feel his lips on hers, wanted to feel the fire that spread through her limbs with every touch. She wanted him to take her breath away. She needed the memory of that to take home with her.
He didn't disappoint her. His lips gently grazed hers just before they devoured hers in a heart-stopping display of his feelings for her. The kiss deepened as her arms went around his neck. She turned slightly, and he pulled her closer. He lifted her effortlessly until she was sitting on his lap on that old porch swing. He pulled away long enough to look into her eyes for a few seconds and claimed her lips again.
Her stomach turned flip-flops, her mind oblivious to the world around her. Nothing mattered at that moment in time but the taste of Beau's lips. The newfound desire flowed through her body; her toes curled. Never had a man's kiss had this effect on her. What was it about the cowboy that set every nerve ending in her body on edge? She didn't know, and she didn't care. She just knew she didn't want it to end.
She broke the kiss and leaned her head back. Taking a deep breath, she touched his chest, her manicured fingers finding the opening between buttons to gently caress his bare skin.
"You can't tell me that didn't affect you," he murmured.
She looked up into his gorgeous eyes and nodded.
"Let's go inside; the skeeters are starting to bite," he said as he set her on the ground.
She laughed. "We're fixin' to go in so the 'skeeters' don't get us. I love it."
"Tease me all you want, uptown girl. That New York accent of yours is kind of cute too, you know."
He walked into the kitchen and took two beers from the fridge. Handing one to her, he sat down on the couch. "I know we have a lot of differences and a whole lot of things to consider here, but at least promise me one thing," he said solemnly.
"What's that?" she said as she took a swig of the cold brew and tucked her feet under her in the chair.
"When you go back home, promise to stay in touch with me," he said. "I think the opportunity will present itself for us to see each other again. There's more to this than a vacation fling."
"I can promise that much," she replied with a smile. "There are things you don't know about my life in New York, though, Beau. Things I'm not ready to talk about. You might change your mind if you know."
"Audrey, we both have a past. And maybe there are some things about me you don't know yet, things that could change your mind about me. We'll discuss them later, if we decide to pursue this further."
She nodded, thinking that nothing he had done could compare to the subm
issive lifestyle she'd chosen in New York.
The rest of the evening was spent in each other's arms in front of the TV. Beau was a perfect gentleman. She knew that he probably would have loved nothing more than to sweep her off her feet and carry her into his bedroom, to make such passionate love to her that she'd never want to go back to New York. After all, he was a perfectly healthy, red-blooded, American cowboy. Oh, boy, was he ever! Maybe she should suggest… no… it would only make leaving him worse.
Several times throughout the evening, Audrey found herself gazing at his face as he laughed at something funny on the program they were watching. It was as if she was memorizing his features to take home with her.
He looked at the clock and said, "I'd better get you back to Cora's. Tomorrow, I have some work to do, but when it's wrapped up, how about I give you a call? I'd like to take you to dinner. Maybe Dale and Cora can get a sitter and join us."
"I'll mention it," she answered.
He pulled her close to him in the front seat of his truck on the way back into town. Neither of them spoke, but there was a newfound closeness between them that couldn't be denied. He kissed her goodnight, waited for her to go inside and left.
Cora and Dale were up when she walked in.
"Oh, hi, I wasn't sure you'd come home tonight," Cora said with a grin.
She laughed. "You know me. I've never spent the night with any of my dates before, so why start now?"
"Audrey, you know my job offer still stands. If you get back home and decide you might want to discuss it further, call me."
"I appreciate that. I have a lot of things to think about when I get home. Oh, by the way, do the two of you have plans for tomorrow night?" she asked.
Cora looked at Dale, who nodded. She looked back at Audrey and said, "I guess we don't. What's up?"
"Beau and I are having dinner, and he wondered if the two of you would like to get a sitter and come along."
"That sounds great to me," Dale said. "Honey, which grandma do you want to call?" he asked his wife.
"I'll bet your folks would do it. I think mine are going out with friends."
"I'll call Mom in the morning. If she can't, maybe my sister will."
"Sounds like a plan."
"I think I'm going to turn in and let the two of you have some girl time before this vacation is over," Dale said thoughtfully as he stood up and yawned.
"Thanks, Dale. I'll see you in the morning," Audrey said.
"I'll be in later, babe," Cora replied.
After Dale had left the two of them alone, Audrey said, "Beau asked me to stay in touch."
"I figured he might. You know he hasn't dated anyone for a while. I had no idea the two of you would find any common ground, let alone hit it off like this."
"How could you have predicted that? You've known me a long time, and you know how picky I've been about men. You also know I've never gotten serious about any of the guys I've dated in the past. You'd all about given up on me, I think. My family decided long ago I was going to be single forever. They no longer try to fix me up with the single men from their club."
"So, why this man, what is so different about him?" Cora asked.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because he is so different from anyone I've ever known. Did I tell you he saved me from a rattlesnake the other day?"
"Wow, no, you didn't. You really got a taste of the country, if that happened." Cora collapsed into a fit of giggles. "I'm sorry," she said as she wiped her eyes. "I know that had to be frightening for you, but it's just so not you."
"There's just something about his place that's so peaceful to me. He is so different than what I've always known. It's something I've dreamed about but never actually thought was real."
"You were so dissatisfied and restless when you first got here. Are you telling me you've had dreams about Beau?"
"Not Beau, per se, but I have had a recurring dream lately about being in a calm and serene place with a man. The day we had our picnic, it was as if my dream had come true."
"Maybe your inner psyche is trying to tell you something. Maybe you're meant to lead a different life than the one you've always known."
"All I know is, when I go home, I've got a whole lot of soul-searching to do."
"This trip may have been just what you needed, after all," Cora said kindly.
"Seeing you and your wonderful family is always what I need; you know that."
"Ah, but I think this trip in particular will be one you'll never forget. Have you, by chance, mentioned—"
"My lifestyle choices?" Audrey interrupted. "No, I haven't. I just didn't see a need to, since this was only supposed to be a vacation fling."
"You know that if it becomes more, you should tell him, don't you?"
"I know, and it scares me to death. What if he is totally turned off by it and decides he wants nothing to do with the likes of me?" Audrey asked.
"Oh, Audrey, I don't think that would happen. If he really cares for you, he'll accept you and not judge your past. Look at me. I wasn't turned off by the fact Dale had become a Dom. I was willing to compromise. Maybe Beau would, too. Have you—"
"Slept together? No, we haven't," she interrupted again, reading her friend's mind. "I don't know. After all, he's a good ol’ Texas boy, a churchgoing family guy. I don't know what he'd say about my lifestyle, former lifestyle, really, since I've not been an active sub for a while now."
Cora laughed. "Oh, believe me, he's been quite the rounder in his time. He's had a lot of girls. He's not squeaky clean by any means."
"Well, if the time comes, I'll have to tell him, but for now, I'm going to keep that quiet."
"Whatever you think is best. Now, we should get some sleep, but remember, my offer stands."
"I won't forget. Goodnight." Audrey turned and walked to the bedroom she'd occupied for the past two weeks. She hated to leave. The Bartons' home had always been a welcome haven for her.
She got ready for bed and was just snuggling under the covers when she heard a ping. Picking her cell phone up from the night table, she saw that it was a text from her sister in New York.
When are you coming home? Big family powwow on the horizon, but they're waiting for you.
She wondered what that was all about.
I'll be in late Sunday night, and I have to work Monday. I can meet any evening or next weekend. Let me know. What's it about?
Her sister answered.
No clue, maybe Pops is retiring.
That couldn't be it.
He's a bit young to retire, don't you think?
Her sister answered again.
I don't know. We'll find out soon, I guess. Goodnight and enjoy the rest of your visit. Tell Cora I said hello.
Great! Just one more thing to wonder about.
She told Cora about the message from her sister, over coffee the next morning.
"What do you think that's all about?" Cora asked.
"I have no idea. My sister thought maybe Dad might be going to announce his retirement, but I don't think that's it."
"Has he ever mentioned retirement?"
"Not that I can remember. He's only in his fifties," Audrey replied as she got up to add more coffee to her mug.
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," Cora said reassuringly.
After breakfast, she and Cora decided to take the children to the playground. Audrey enjoyed the morning and knew she would miss Cora's munchkins when she'd gone back home.
When they returned to the house, she said, "Little Dale, that was fun. Come and give Aunt Audrey a big hug. I'm going back to my house in one more day."
The little boy ran to her and put his chubby little arms around her neck. "I'll miss you." Turning to his mother, he added, "Mama, at school they call me Dale. I think I'm too big to be little Dale."
Audrey and Cora looked at each other in surprise. Finally, Cora said, "Okay, but your Daddy is Dale, too, so won't that be confusing to have two Dales here at home?"
Dale, S
r. walked in and asked, "What's going on? Did you guys have fun?"
Beth Anne ran to him and gave him a hug. "Aunt Audrey swinged me on the swing."
He chuckled. "She swung you on the swing. I'll bet that was fun."
The little girl went to Audrey then and climbed onto her lap. Audrey hugged her.
Cora informed her husband, "Little Dale doesn't want to be called little Dale anymore, it seems. He's called Dale at school. What do you think?"
"I agree," her handsome husband replied seriously. "You're a big boy now, aren't you?" He looked over at his son.
Little Dale nodded. "But Mama says we can't have two Dales."
"How about Dale, Sr. and Dale, Jr.?" his mother asked.
"That's quite a mouthful," Audrey offered. "Forgive me for getting in on a family discussion, but how about DJ for Dale, Jr.?"
"You're family, Audrey, you're not intruding," Dale, Sr. said. "I like it. What do you think, DJ?"
"I like it," the little boy said.
"I think it's perfect," Cora added. "Beth Anne, can you remember to call your brother DJ instead of little Dale from now on?"
"DJ," the little girl repeated.
"That's settled then. Thank you, Aunt Audrey," Dale said. "By the way, I called Mom, and she said she'll come over tonight to watch the kids. Dad's got something going on with some of his buddies, anyway."
"Perfect," Cora said. "I wonder where we're going."
"Beau said he'd call when he was finished working, so I'll ask him."
"Let's go out for lunch. It's your last day here," Cora said suddenly.
"Why don't the two of you go? The kids and I will stay here. Get your last bit of girl time in," Dale suggested subtly.
"Are you sure?" Cora asked.
"Go on, get out of here," he said. "Since Beau's taking her to the airport, it may be your last chance at some alone time."
They took him up on the suggestion, and Cora chose a nearby chain restaurant. After the two friends were seated and had placed their order, Cora began, "I really hate to see you go this time. More so than any other of your visits. You've been such a help to me with business matters, and we've had some good talks, too."
Her Texas Dom (Dominant Men Book 4) Page 8