by Dee Jones
"Not at all," Daniel said, standing to his full height. He took Julia's hand and held it gently, offering her his strength and support as she stood from her chair. The look he gave her said he still didn't believe a word of it, but he was willing to let it drop until later. "I hope you buy something I'll be interested in."
"Such as?"
"I don't care really, just make it accessible," he whispered against her ear, bringing a hot color to her cheeks. She could see in his actions his patience was about spent and her time of waiting was nearly over.
Daniel held the door for the woman who entered the foyer ahead of him, then left them to go upstairs and wash up before eating. Julia drew a deep breath and turned around smiling with determination to Margie.
"Okay, I'm ready. Where do we begin?" Leveling a look on the woman that said it was time to give the man a run for his money. Margie laughed as she walked toward the dining room, hearing the laughter of Maggie echo from the kitchen.
“First we eat lunch and get your husband out of the house and then we concentrate on getting you ready."
"What if he doesn't go for it?" Caution was warning Julia that Daniel may resist her attempts.
"Don't worry. I know Daniel. All you have to do is appeal to his masculine side, flatter him, pamper him, pretend to be demure and helpless and then when he's totally confused, move in for the kill. He'll be putty in your hands."
"I don't know if I can do all of that."
"That's why I'm going to teach you," Margie assured her with a wicked grin.
Julia sighed as she followed the woman into the dining room. The fear and anxiety of what lay ahead was as terrifying as seeing Daniel with Sharon Farnsworth. Whether it was jealousy or feminine possession that pushed her onward, Julia wasn’t sure, but she was more determined than ever before to have Daniel as her husband - regardless of the nerves screaming inside her soul.
Chapter Eighteen
Daniel's routine didn't alter in the slightest. He stayed at the stables helping with the construction until the sun began to set, making it difficult to see. Afterwards he helped settle the horses for the night and checked the feed they got from neighboring ranches, before he surrendered and came up to the house.
Supper had turned into a late event and the family gathered around the table at seven o’clock. Daniel looked around the room to Louise, noting the empty chair where Julia sat and frowned.
“She’s upstairs,” Louise stated before he had a chance to ask. “She was exhausted after Margie and the kids left and chose to retire early.” Daniel nodded his head and sat down. He smelled like sweat and horse shit, but he knew if he delayed supper any longer his mother-in-law would have a fit. The smell was one thing, having her schedule interrupted was another.
Julia had already put her plan into action by the time Daniel came home. She ate her meal in her room where she could spend the last few minutes preparing her plan of attack. Margie had helped her with everything; her hair had been freshly shampooed and brushed to a soft sheen. The long dark strands hung seductively across her shoulders, falling in soft natural curls to her narrow waist. She applied a hint of rouge to her already pink cheeks and dabbed a drop of cologne behind her ears and between the swell of her breasts.
The bed had been turned down and fresh sheets placed on the mattress with a dusting of powder between for added fragrance. Julia had ordered a hot bath be drawn for Daniel when dessert was served, then pulled the curtains closed across the doors to the veranda. Everything was ready, right down the chilled bottle of her father's finest imported wine. All that was missing was her unknowing victim.
Julia sat at her vanity inspecting her image as she counted away the minutes. Margie had insisted she wear one of the new nightgowns she bought when they went shopping together and loaned her the bees wax she carried with her to soften her lips. Her friend insisted that looking as seductive as possible would aide her attempt to a faster...climax, as she called it. Julia laid out his seldom used robe in the bathroom and lit a single lamp for light. The room was ready, the soft aroma of her cologne, filtered around the room, making her anxious to get started. The only thing missing was Daniel. Where the hell was he?
The clock on the bedside table read seven thirty-five. Daniel was usually up here by now. She couldn't help wondering what had gone wrong. Bridget had come in and filled his tub over fifteen minutes ago assuring Julia he had finished eating and was in the family room with Louise. Slowly she began pacing back and forth in the confines of the dark scented room like a caged animal waiting for a chance to attack. What if it didn't work? Her nerves continued to explode inside her, causing her stomach to tighten and twist. What if Daniel really didn't want her anymore? What if he felt trapped and decided to sleep in the room next door instead of in here as usual? What if she backed out, as she had before?
"Oh God," she whispered, softly. "Please let everything work out." At that moment the door knob jiggled bringing Julia back to reality with a jolt. She sat down at the vanity and picked up her brush pretending to be occupied with the long dark strands of hair. Her pulse was racing, her palms were sweating and she was certain she looked guilty as sin. If she hadn’t already eaten, she was sure she would have thrown up.
Daniel opened the door and cautiously stepped inside. He glanced around the room until he spotted Julia in front of the mirror. The room smelled of her, the lamp was low and the bed was turned down in a silent invitation. He groaned inwardly. He had worked himself into exhaustion every night just to avoid rushing her and then she goes and does this. Didn't she realize what she was doing to him? Didn't she realize how her desperately he wanted her? Her innocence was drawing all his strength and resistance out of him and it was growing difficult lying beside her every night and not trying to make love to her.
Daniel stepped up behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. God she felt good, her skin was soft and supple and smelled of flowers on a spring day. Her hair was as soft as spun satin and hung loose like a tempting seductress, her lips were moist and parted as he glanced at her image in the mirror's reflection. Her gown was much thinner than usual and revealed the delicate lines of her exquisite body, bringing a rush of heat to his sore, aching limbs. His eyes traveled slowly down her neck to the deep scoop of her nightgown, locking with the sight of her breasts, ripe and full, begging him to touch them...to taste them...to love them. He groaned again, this time shaking himself mentally. Patience was quickly becoming his undoing - not his virtue.
"I thought you'd be sleeping," he said, his tone husky and deep as he tried to avoid her eyes.
Why won't you look at me, Daniel? she felt like shouting. Instead she decided to just be patient and play this to the end as Margie had instructed.
"I was just about to turn in," she lied, hoping she sounded convincing. "I have a bath ready for you and I've laid out your robe." Why did she have to sound so blasted nervous?
"Thank you, I could use a bath," he kissed the top of her head again. Oh God, even her hair smelled wonderful. He walked to the wash closet and stepped through the door, hoping the water was ice cold so he could force his desires back into hibernation. Much to his surprise and disappointment it was warm, nearly hot and there was no trace of Julia having bathed in it. Apparently she had emptied the tub and had it refilled for him so he wouldn't have to do it. But why?
"How are the stables coming along?" she asked, still sitting at the vanity. Daniel tried to empty his mind, his thoughts were so consumed with the woman he could barely think beyond the image of her bathing naked in this very tub.
"They're looking good," he reported after clearing his throat. "We should have them finished well before the sales. When you're feeling better, I'll take you down and show them to you."
"How about tomorrow?" she asked, her tone was anxious and excited and it made him wish she would sound that way in his arms. Remember she's still recovering, he ordered himself.
"I think you should get your strengt
h back before you try anything so strenuous. Just be patient, Princess," he suggested to her gently as he lathered the length of his hair with the soap left beside the tub for him. He dipped his head into the water, trying to wash as much of the erotic images out of his mind as he could. When he emerged he saw Julia standing there in the doorway. The light from the room behind her, silhouetted her figure underneath the thin nightgown, making him vividly aware of how naked she was beneath the pale blue material. Oh God, how could she be so naive?
"To hell with being patient," she snapped, forgetting her quest and thinking only on his patronizing tone. "I'm not an invalid, Daniel. In case you haven't noticed, I've recovered quite nicely and I'm ready to start living again." She turned around and stormed out of the room, slamming the door as she left.
Daniel sat staring at the closed barrier. What she said stirred his blood and made the visions of her dance around his mind. Then with a low groan, he realized why she was so angry. She wasn't upset because he had refused to take her down to the stables - not entirely. It was because he hadn't mentioned the scene she had created in the next room. The soft light, the cologne, the turned down bed, even the hot bath and her revealing clothes led to only one possible answer. She was trying to seduce him, but she wasn't certain how to accomplish her task once she'd begun. How could he have been so blind? He should have recognized the scenario; had it been that long since he was last in a woman’s bedroom to recognize the romantic atmosphere?
He climbed out of the tub and dried off before slipping his robe across his tall muscular frame, leaving his rarely worn night shirt on the wash stand. He ran a comb through his long hair and smiled back at the reflection in the mirror over the washstand. This was her game and he would play it her way, even if it killed him, he promised. Cautiously he opened the door, carrying the lamp from the wash room with him.
Julia was in bed, the covers pulled to her chin, the lamp next to her no longer glowing. Daniel felt the thrill of the hunt burn to life inside him as he sat the lamp on the table next to his side of the bed and removed the robe, tossing it to the settee at the foot of the mattress. He crawled naked beneath the covers and smiled as he laid his hand on her shoulder.
Julia was trying very hard to keep control over her temper, but all of the painstaking hours of careful planning were blown all to hell by a few simple words. She realized it wasn't that Daniel didn't want her; it was just that he hadn't taken the time to notice she was alive! She heard the door open, saw the light from the lamp and felt the bed sag beneath his weight as he slid in next to her. The warmth of his touch surprised her and she quickly moved away, edging closer to the side of the bed. He touched her back and again she moved out of his reach. His hand slid down her back causing a trail of goose bumps to erupt across her body and she moved one more time. She heard him chuckle softly and closed her eyes as tightly as she could, trying to block out the effects of his voice.
"If you move any further away you'll fall out of bed," he teased her, touching her waist. She moved a fourth time and gasped as she felt the edge of the bed against her side. Daniel reached out for her and pulled her back before she tumbled to the floor, holding her close against his warm damp body.
"I wouldn't have to keep moving if you'd stay on your own side of the bed," she snapped, trying to dislodge the band of arms locked securely around her waist. Daniel chuckled again, kissing the skin beneath her ear.
"But I like your side of the bed, Princess," he whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending chills of anticipation running down her spine.
"Then we'll switch sides," she suggested, her voice less than threatening as her struggle to resist him began to weaken.
"But that would defeat your purpose my darling little wife," he enlightened her, informing her of his knowledge to her scheme. His hands moved up to cup her breast beneath the material of her nightgown, feeling her nipple tighten suddenly beneath his touch. Julia leaned back against him, the anger burned away by the heat of desire. His hand caressed the firm mound of her breast until she moaned her surrender.
"How did you know?" she whispered, hoarsely.
"Know what? That you were trying to seduce me?" his chuckle was soft, as he nuzzled her neck. "Where did you ever get the idea anyway? All you had to do was ask sweetheart, I would have given you everything you wanted."
"Margie suggested it."
"Margie?" he exclaimed with a gasp, leaning up on one elbow. Julia turned around in his arms and frowned. He stared down at her with curiosity and surprise, etching his darkly tanned features.
"What's wrong with that?" she demanded in defense of her friend.
"From what Harold's told me Margie is a rather...unique lover. She does things I would have thought you'd find embarrassing - or revolting."
"Like what? Nothing she told me was revolting...well, not most of it."
"Exactly what did she tell you to do once you got me lured into your web, my little temptress?" Julia narrowed her gaze on him. She couldn't believe he was questioning her motives.
"If you find my web so distasteful why don't you just..."
"Now Princess, thinking things like that is going to get you in trouble," he warned with a smile. "I never said your web wasn't interesting; just the opposite in fact. I'm very intrigued by what you had planned." He lowered his mouth to hers; kissing her with such passion she couldn't resist giving over to him. "Tell me what you had in mind," he whispered against her lips. Julia blushed, realizing she hadn't actually thought she would have to go through with any of Margie's suggestions.
"I'm not sure I can."
"Princess, there's no need to be embarrassed," he assured her, turning her on her back. "I'm not asking you to do anything you don't want to do. I'm just curious what my best friend's wife suggested my innocent, inexperienced wife should do. If you won't tell me," he said, leaning to whisper in her ear, "then show me." Julia found her courage in the tone of his voice and began feeling bold and daring.
She bit her lower lip, allowing her hand to travel down across his back to his firm hips feeling the muscles ripple beneath her touch. God, he was so masculine, so powerful and yet so gentle. She was as nervous as a bride on her wedding night, and then she realized this was her wedding night; a little late perhaps, but hers nonetheless. Her stomach jerked with fear, her heart pounded uncontrollably as she thought of what was yet to come, but just knowing it was Daniel in bed next to her somehow helped her find the strength to continue.
He kissed her neck softly, reveling in her touch. She was so shy, yet her curiosity outweighed her fear. She touched the soft matt of hair covering his chest with one hand, winding her fingers in it, teasing his small hardened nipple. Her other hand caressed and massaged his hip and thigh, before she cautiously moved around to the front. He thought he would lose his mind when her fingers began to stroke him, touching and wrapping around him like satin threads forcing a groan of tortured pleasure from his throat.
"Yes Princess," he whispered, against her mouth. "Touch me. Oh God it feels so wonderful. Don't stop, please don't stop." His words burned a deeper courage in her and she found the strength to wrap her hand around him fully, stroking his hard, firm penis as Margie had instructed. It seemed different than the first time he insisted she do it; this time she was in control. She was the master and he was her puppet; the thought made her feel braver and she carefully began to kiss his chest.
Daniel moaned again, tugging her clothes over her head and locking his lips to her breast. He cursed himself, ordering control back into his raging soul. If she kept this up he'd never survive!
Julia leaned up long enough for him to slip her nightgown over her head, but instead of laying back down against the pillow, she cautiously looked down to her hand. Daniel moaned as her eyes traveled across his strong, tone body. It was worse than her touch and his penis jerked in her hand.
“Tell me what Margie wanted you to do?” he whispered in a tortured, deep tone. Julia blushed; she wasn’t sure if she could tell h
im much less do it.
“She said…she suggested…” How could she find the words to tell him? What if he found it repulsive or was shocked and pushed her away.
As if reading her mind, he reached up and cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him. His eyes smoldered with passion and curiosity; his penis twitched in her hand and the smile on his lips was gentle and knowing.
“If you’re not ready, we’ll wait,” he whispered. Julia misunderstood; she had come this far, she wasn’t willing to stop now. Waiting was torture and not having him with her was worse.
With a strength she didn’t know she possessed, she leaned into him, gently kissing the tip of his swollen penis. He moaned as his hand began to caress her cheek. That wasn’t so bad, she thought, then did it again and smiled. She liked how he twitched beneath her touch. Curiosity guided her actions and she touched the tip of her tongue to the spot she had been kissing and glanced up when he groaned.
His eyes were closed and the expression across his face gave her the courage she needed to continue. Margie instructed her on what to do and she had always been an excellent pupil; she began caressing his penis slowly with the tip of her tongue, traveling up the shaft in a touch that caused him to moan again; his hand on her cheek moved to the back of her neck and she felt certain he would stop her. When he didn’t, she continued. She drew a deep breath and slipped the tip of him into her mouth and sucked a bit harder than she should have, causing him to jerk.
“Easy princess,” he growled, leaning up on his elbow. “Go slow and be gentle. Sucking is good, but not so hard.” She did as he instructed and sucked on him again, much softer as his hand began to caress the back of her neck.
“That’s much better,” he moaned. “Now take more in.” It seemed strange to have her husband telling her how to do this and she was quite certain, if her mother were to come in, she’d have her arrested for such a wicked act. But it was worth the risk as he held her gently, guiding her down across him.