“What is it?” she asked. Her eyes just above the gate peered into the dark corners. When her eyes adjusted and she saw it for the first time, she was shocked. “Is that… is that a camel?”
“Yup!” came his quick retort.
She hopped down and brushed her hands off on her jeans. “A camel? Holy heck! How did you end up with a camel?” she asked, still stunned by such a strange sight in the middle of Texas.
Angel grabbed her hand and began walking her back. “Long story short, I went to a county fair and saw the poor animal. He was ill. I offered my services, but the owner said he didn’t have the resources to pay me. I offered to take the animal off his hands as he was at death’s door. The owner agreed to hand him over after I threatened to report the beast’s poor health condition to authorities.”
Jemma’s heart warmed even more toward him. “Being a vet is more than just a job, a profession, to you. You really love the animals!”
“I do. I couldn’t allow the poor creature to remain so ill. So, I took him in and brought him back to health. I call him Abu.”
“Adorable! Is he friendly?”
“Yes, very. He was in the petting zoo for quite some time. He had a tooth infection that went unnoticed and it led to a blood infection. I treated him, and he’s as right as rain now. The fair he traveled with had just a few animals left, but they obviously didn’t have a certified veterinarian on staff.”
She could see the thought of that made Angel angry.
“Why did he bray or whinny like that? Is he hungry?”
“Camels bleat and growl,” he corrected her. “I think he wants to go outside. I already fed him this morning, and will again before I head to bed, but he does like to graze as well.”
Jemma shook her head in wonder and laughed. “Wow, a freaking camel. He must be quite the sight grazing in the pasture. What other kinds of animals do you have?”
Angel’s eyes lit up as he told her about the myriad of creatures he’d taken in. “I have an owl that hops around in the barn. He had a broken wing and can’t fly for long periods of time, so he sticks close by. Love him, he keeps the bats away.” He winked as Jemma laughed. “I have two goats somewhere around here. One pig, but she’s about to give birth. A chicken coop out back, ten of them, three horses, two dogs, four cats, and a three-legged deer. His leg had to be amputated after getting caught up in some barbed wire. I found him dying on the side of the road.”
“Did you operate on him here?” Jemma asked. They were once again at the front of the barn.
“I could’ve if I wanted to, but no. I did the surgery in San Antonio and brought him here afterwards to recover. He leaves from time to time, but stays close by. He got used to me feeding him, I guess.”
“That’s awesome, Angel.”
“Thanks. I’ve always loved animals.”
“Except bats,” she reminded him teasingly.
“Yes, except bats.” He laughed. “Now, let me get the horses ready. We can go for our ride.”
“Can I help?” Jemma offered, wanting to be of use. No longer nervous, she found herself enjoying being with Angel.
“I can handle the saddles. But how about you get the picnic basket I left on the table. I’ll meet you out front with Goldie and Snake Eyes.”
Jemma’s eyes widened. “The horses’ names, I gather.”
“Yup, and I’ll ride Snake Eyes, and you’ll get Goldie. She’s a sweet, gentle mare.”
“Sounds good.” Jemma left Angel to his chores and headed back to the house to gather the picnic basket.
Jemma thoroughly enjoyed riding but hadn’t been in quite some time. She was able to easily control the gentle mare. Nothing like being back in the saddle! She might be a little sore tomorrow, though, she thought, as she was exercising muscles she hadn’t used in a while. Though she had never owned a horse herself, you did not grow up in her part of Texas without learning how to ride. Her father had taken her over to Pops’ ranch to teach her when she was just four-years-old. She started on a small pony until she was big enough to ride a horse.
She told Angel about it as he occasionally pointed out features of his own ranch and asked her questions. “I learned to ride when I was four. My dad would bring me to his friend’s place. He had a lot of horses and even a pony for me to ride. My dad died when I was barely a teenager, and then I lived with my aunt until she passed away of cancer six years ago.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. So, it’s just you?” he asked. He was enjoying the afternoon and getting to know Jemma. So far, he liked everything about her.
“Yes, and no. My mom ran off when I was a toddler. I don’t remember her. As far as I know, she’s somewhere in Tennessee.” Well, last she heard. Her mother had requested her friendship on social media six years ago when her aunt passed, but Jemma hadn’t accepted it. She still felt angry about her mother leaving her. She had glanced at her Facebook account, but had not learned much about the woman who had abandoned her. She didn’t really want to know her, truth be told.
“So, no other family?” Angel asked.
Jemma’s head tilted to the side, eyes lost in thought. “I believe I have a cousin somewhere in Florida. My mom’s brother died when he was young. My father never met him, but I was told he had a daughter who now lives in Florida.”
“Never met her?”
Jemma shook her head. “I Googled her once. Thought about looking her up when I was in college. Her name is Isabella Chase. After I read a newspaper article saying she had robbed a bank, I figured there was no point.”
“No kidding?” He smirked. “No teacher I know wants to be known as the cousin of bank robbers, I guess.”
“I know, right?” Jemma laughed. Her cousin Isabella from the photo she had seen was quite beautiful, but since she had never met the girl and had never even known of her existence, she had seen no reason to reach out to her. She sighed. “Not much luck in the family department, I guess.”
Angel felt bad for Jemma. It had to be hard to have no family. His mom had been an orphan and adopted by a wonderful man. His grandfather. He and his grandmother, who couldn’t have children of her own, had doted on their daughter and loved her to the moon. And when she’d gotten married and had three boys of her own, his grandparents had doted on them all. It was his grandfather who had taught him to give back to his community, who had instilled in him the value of kindness. His grandfather had been a Marine in Vietnam, and seen combat. Using the GI bill to help pay for college, he had gone on to become a veterinarian. In fact, he’d been a veterinarian and volunteer firefighter, and Angel wanted nothing more than to follow in his footsteps and make him proud. He missed his grandpa terribly when he passed away over a decade ago from complications from his Parkinson’s disease. But, he had gotten to see him graduate from college at least. Angel didn’t mention all that, though. He’d been surrounded by a loving family and felt bad that Jemma no longer had any family to call her own.
“Understandable,” he replied.
However, Angel did tell her all about his brothers, who worked for the Coast Guard. He himself had been in the Coast Guard, too. He pointed out the small lake that edged his property. “I like to swim in the lake during the summer.”
“So, you must be a good swimmer?” Jemma asked, eying the lake with trepidation.
Her father had tried to teach her in the creek that ran in front of her home, but she had always been nervous about the fast-flowing water sweeping her away and the things that brushed against her legs that she could not see.
“I am. I know you mentioned you’re not much of a swimmer. Care to learn?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I mean, I will go in a pool. As long as I can stand on my own two feet and see what is below me, I’m good. But once when I was little, my father took me swimming in the creek in front of our house, and something brushed against me. It scared me, and I went under and swallowed some water. Needless to say, I was reluctant to repeat the experience, and never wanted to go in the cre
ek again.”
“I can teach you, if you like. There’s not much life in this lake, and the bottom is smooth.”
Jemma thought about it. He loved to swim, and she would love to go with him. Watching from the shore would be fine by her, but being with him in the water might be more fun. “Maybe.” She would think about it. It was hard to get past those childhood fears.
“How about we have our picnic now? Would you mind having it by the lake? We could sit in the shade under the pine trees.”
“Sure. Sounds good. I’m famished, actually.”
And she was. The last few hours had passed amicably, and she found herself enjoying herself immensely. The nervousness she’d felt when she first arrived had dissipated, and Angel had been nothing but charming and a perfect gentleman which had done wonders to put her at ease. It was still early in the afternoon, and they had ridden completely around his property. She could see the house and barn off in the distance.
“Great. Follow me,” he beckoned as he led his horse to the copse of trees by the lake.
When they got to a clear spot, Angel helped her down from her gentle mare, and then tied the reins of both their horses to a nearby tree so they wouldn’t wander off. He left long enough leads that they could reach the lake. Jemma patted Goldie as she lapped at the lake water, while Snake Eyes munched on the long grass.
After Angel unhitched the basket from Snake Eyes, he called to Jemma. “Here. Catch.” He threw Jemma the blanket that had been rolled on top of the basket. “Lay it over there by those rocks.” He pointed to a smooth area twenty feet away from the horses. “I’ll lay out the spread after you get the blanket situated.”
Jemma did as she was told and admired the spot he had picked out. The view here is spectacular, she thought as she took in the landscape. His land was hillier than hers. But, she had a spectacular view as well on her land. In fact, she loved sitting out by the water, near the creek that flowed past the front of her home.
After she spread the blanket down, Angel told her to sit and relax while he began to lay out the food he’d prepared. Stretching her legs, she felt the familiar ache in her hamstrings and her inner thighs from the long horseback ride. She was glad for the reprieve and watched as he carefully laid out a gourmet spread before her that made her stomach rumble at the sight of the delicious looking food. He’d made a fresh pasta salad, fried chicken, and a green salad. There was a container of kalamata olives, and another of fresh strawberries, and a tub of whipped cream. After he handed her a plate and told her to dig in, she didn’t hesitate.
“I forgot to tell you how pretty you look today.” Angel smiled and took another bite of his chicken. “How forgetful of me.” His tone was mocking, but the sparkle in his eyes hinted at more.
“Thank you.”
She blushed under his praise. She’d taken particular care in choosing her outfit for the day amongst the items she had packed for the weekend trip to San Antonio. She didn’t have many fresh clothes to choose from. Calliope had given her a pretty blue blouse to wear. It had a scalloped front, and white daisies in the pattern. She had worn her hair long, along with another pair of her faded Levi’s. It was her favorite pair, and comfortable for riding. Underneath, she wore a white lacy bra, with matching panties, just in case. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that kind of intimacy just yet, but better safe than sorry, Calliope had teased her.
After she polished off her own piece of chicken and the delicious salads, she sat back and sipped the bottle of lemonade Angel had handed to her.
“Strawberries?” he asked.
“Maybe later. I’m much too full right now.” She patted her belly. And she was.
She was tempted to lie down. Angel cleaned off their plates and went to rinse them in the lake water while she watched him. Without thinking, she lay back on the blanket and relaxed while he cleaned up.
When Angel turned around and saw Jemma lying on the blanket, he was sorely tempted to join her and do the wicked things he’d dreamed of doing to her last night. But she had told him she was a virgin, and he wanted it to be on her time. At her pace. She was special, and her virginity was a gift to be given.
He packed up the remains of their lunch and put everything back in the basket, feeling her eyes on him the entire time. It was testing his limits not to throw himself down on top of her. He was just about to suggest they head back to his house, when she leaned up on one elbow and patted the blanket beside her. “Join me?”
His eyebrow quirked up. The temptress had no idea what he’d been thinking.
“It’s only two-thirty. I don’t need to leave until around six,” Jemma added.
Her words were a suggestion. “Whatever shall we do with that time?” he asked mischievously.
“I can think of a few things,” she said daringly. The man was so darned attractive, and now with a satiated belly, she wanted nothing more than to touch him, to kiss him again.
Angel wasted no time in joining her. He lay down beside her and put his arms behind his head as she stared down at him with a small frown. She looked slightly perplexed, and maybe even a little disappointed that he hadn’t immediately taken her into his arms.
“Darlin’, I don’t want to rush you into anything you’re not ready for. But from that frown, it looks like you want to be kissed pretty badly, my beauty. So, how about you take the lead?”
Jemma’s eyes widened, and she could not help but blush to her roots at his suggestion. Again, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. His offer had been so sincere and sweet. This man was incredible. A true gentleman. Jemma’s heart swelled with courage. She leaned over Angel and pressed her lips to his. He tasted of chicken and vinaigrette, but something earthy, too. She nibbled his bottom lip and slid her tongue across the seam of his mouth to ask for entrance.
When he parted his lips, she tentatively darted her tongue into his mouth. He captured it with his teeth before he allowed her further entry. Then he let her in. Her stomach tightened as she stroked his tongue with her own and felt a deep heat engulf her core. When his hands gripped her arms, and she felt the powerful man under her shudder while she kissed him, it emboldened her further. She needed, no, yearned, to be closer to him. She swung her legs over his body and got onto her knees, placing one on each side of his lean hips so that she half lay astride him. The connection was intimate, and she could feel him grow hard at her apex where their bodies touched through their jeans. His erection against her femininity, even through her clothes, made her body come alive. She thought the position would ease some of the ache inside her, but it only made it worse. She gently pushed against him, and they both groaned in unison at the pleasure that pressure created.
Angel wanted Jemma. Badly! Her simple action unleashed a desire in him he had to quench, but knew he couldn’t. Not yet. Not with Jemma. Not until she said the words. Not until she asked him to make love to her.
But he did need more. He wanted to touch her and feel her and make her come alive. And so did she, if he knew women. From the way she was squirming and rubbing against him, he knew she needed more so he slowly took charge, and when he was sure she was willing, he flipped her, so she was on her back.
“Can I touch you, Jemma?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” she murmured when he broke the kiss long enough to ask the question.
Without hesitation, he cupped her breast until he found her erect nipple. And like in the truck, he teased her until she became even more excited. Next, he withdrew his free hand and slid it down her flat stomach until he could slip it below the waistband of her jeans.
When her eyes fluttered open and he saw the slightest bit of worry crease her brow, he promised, “Just a touch, my love, nothing more, until, you say the word.”
At her nod, he continued, slipping his hand into her silky panties and over her mound. She was hot and wet. His finger stroked her seam as she shuddered beneath him. He captured her lips before he inserted the tip of his finger into her vagina. He stroked her and she moaned
and squirmed beneath him, but didn’t pull away. His finger lazily stroked her up and down, and up and down again.
“That feels, so, so amazing,” she choked out. At first, it felt strange, but the more he did it, the more she began to enjoy it.
“It can feel better.”
“Please, yes,” she whispered, before she dug her fingernails into his back. Yes, God, yes, she wanted more. He was taking his time with her, and her heart swelled in anticipation of what he might do next.
Her body nearly jumped off the blanket when he touched her clit. The nerve bundle was tight, and his first touch sent shock waves through her. No one had ever touched her like this before.
“Relax. Breathe, Beauty,” Angel coached her. “Deep breaths.”
His face was tight with his own desires, but as long as she trusted him, he would please her. When she relaxed and took several breaths, he continued what he’d been about to do. And once more, he slid his finger over her sensitive clit, softly at first, and he watched her eyes as she breathed and took it in.
Jemma couldn’t help but push against his fingers, as what he was doing felt incredible, but she knew there was more coming. She felt something building inside of her. It felt like waves of pleasure, and when his strokes got faster, harder, she had to focus on breathing slowly, not knowing exactly what was coming. Then it happened, an explosion that rocked her world, a release so sweet and fierce she wanted to weep. And it wasn’t stopping. She cried out her pleasure as Angel’s lips descended again to capture her cries. His hand that had done that magical thing, now clasped her breast and pinched her nipple to bring out the sensations and make it last. He kissed her until she relaxed and the waves subsided, and when she opened her eyes, she was breathless, but sated. Angel stared down at her with this huge smile as bright as the Texas sun.
“Oh my, that was my first orgasm.” She knew she was blushing, but she wanted him to know how special that was for her. “That was amazing.”
Fighting For Jemma Page 6