Harnessed Passions

by Dee Jones

  "Hey, now hold up there. I's ain't the one who's started it. If'n ya want someone ta blame, try askin' his wife," Dourn pointed a long brown finger to Daniel. "Ivan and Henry says they's seen a woman ridin' 'way, right after the flames broke out; a woman with long dark hair."

  "It sounds like you're trying to find a scapegoat if you ask me," Harold said, preventing his friend from knocking the man's teeth out.

  "The boy ain't the one ta set that fire, Mr. Leonard," Rally insisted. "He were with me, fer certain sure when the alarm was rang."

  "Ya can ask Ivan and Henry, they's tell ya 'bout the woman," Dourn insisted, glaring at the anger shining in his employer's eyes. "How do ya know, it weren't that little prissy pants of his who burned the stables? Maybe she's in a hurry ta leave this place n' grew despert. She always was one ta have them sweet perky tits leadin’ her inta trouble. Maybe she was rollin' in the hay with one of the hands?"

  "Julia was with me that night, in my bed," Daniel growled in defense of his wife. The man stepped back from Daniel's anger as though he'd been physically struck. Daniel however didn't back down.

  “You can tell those ears you’ve been whispering in, that Julia is innocent and I intend to prove it. If I hear so much of a hint that you’ve been spreading rumors, I’ll be back and there won’t be a shovel small enough to pick up what’s left.” Daniels anger was full blown and he turned back to the older man next to him and glared.

  "Keep him away from my wife and keep his nose clean, Overton, until I can put an end to all of this or he'll answer to me…alone!"

  "I's will Mr. Brownin', ya can trust me fer certain sure."

  "I'd better be able to...this time," he snapped, turning back to the younger man and ordered, "I don't want you going anywhere near Julia, understand?"

  "Ya ain't got nothin' ta worry 'bout, Mr. Brownin'. Five years is too long a time ta be waitin' fer Miss Perky Tits ta come 'round anyhows," Unaware of how he had addressed the woman to her own husband; the younger Overton looked confident and snide. Daniel however didn't miss the slur on his wife's good name. His hand curled into a fist, his muscles bulged beneath the material of his shirt; his eyes narrowed in anger and his lips drew thin with the dangerous malice building inside him. Daniel's arm pulled back at lightning speed, his large balled fist striking against Dourn's face with such force, he knocked the man off his feet. Daniel's anger was released in an instant on the man who lay in the hay, panting and bleeding.

  "Don't you ever call my wife that again, do you understand? She's Mrs. Browning to you and you'll address her in that manner or you'll find yourself a bloody mess every time you see her." Dourn spit and sputtered, coughing the blood and remains of a tooth from his mouth. He'd forgotten how strong Daniel was and how powerful a fist he had; which was the only thing he could remember of their last fight together. Daniel turned on his heel to leave, but turned back abruptly glaring at the man still lying in the dirt. Dourn saw the anger and loathsome contempt in the man's turquoise eyes and cowered on the ground, fearing another deadly punch.

  "You have my wife's bridal garter," Daniel snapped, feeling his emotions throbbing wildly, demanding release and more than willing to supply them with one if the man resisted. "I want it back, now."

  "I's ain't got it," the man said struggling to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth and rubbing the painful swelling growing around his lips.

  "You told Julia you had it. Are you calling my wife a liar?"

  No sir, I's ain't; I's just sayin' I's ain't got it no more. I's lost it, the last time I's ridin' the fields. I's don't know where it is."

  "If you find it Overton you'll give it to me immediately, is that clear?" Daniel waited for the nod of acknowledgment before he turned and joined Harold on the path back to the house. The two Overtons watched the men disappear up the dirt path, before Rally turned back to his son.

  "Bastard," Dourn growled under his breath, rubbing the throbbing pain in his face, feeling the bleeding gap of his missing tooth with his tongue. "He deserves what he gets." Rally slapped the boy on the back of the head again before he answered in Daniel's behalf.

  "Ya just do what he says 'n stay 'way from Miss Julia or ya'all find yerself at the undertaker's or in the hospital prayin' ta be dead. I's warnin' ya boy; she ain't right fer ya 'n I's ain't gonna tell ya again." The older man turned and left his son still standing in the doorway of the stables.

  Dourn thrust his hand deep into his pocket and pulled out the slender silk fabric he had hidden. He wasn't about to let it go, not just yet. His fingers slid across the lace and satin as he played and toyed with the delicate object; the strain of his libido tightened beneath his breeches and he chuckled at his own discomfort. He wasn't done with Julia yet, either. No matter how much her husband threatened him, there were some things worth dying over and he had very specific plans for Miss Perky Tits.

  “You alright, pal?" Harold asked as they neared the house.

  "I swear Harold, if that bastard comes near Julia, I'll..."

  "Don't say it partner," the man warned softly. "Don't even think it. A person could find himself in a whole lot of trouble with thoughts like that."

  "Don't lecture me, Leonard. I'm not in the mood."

  "What are you in the mood for? Blood? A little revenge perhaps? What good would that do Daniel? You still wouldn't have any answers and Julia would still be a suspect in many people’s eyes. There's more than one person who's looking in Julia's direction with word of a mysterious woman circulating around town."

  "Julia didn't do it, Harold," Daniel snapped.

  "I'm not saying she did, but there are those who think differently."

  "What do you think?" Daniel pulled his friend to a halt on the path, locking his turquoise gaze with that of honey brown.

  "I think you should keep an eye on Overton. I don't think he's at the root of whatever it is that's been happening around here, but he may know more than he's telling us. If he does, he may slip up and try something else regardless of how much you threaten him."

  "I am not using my wife as bait," Daniel argued, turning back toward the house.

  “I never suggested you do,” Harold insisted with a heavy sigh. “Things have been pretty calm around here lately, but how long do you think it will stay that way? You have to keep Julia under close supervision in order to provide her an alibi and hopefully put an end to the suspicions. We may be barking up the wrong tree; what if Overton isn’t behind any of this? What then?”

  Daniel thought about what his friend had said, what he had heard and wondered if there really was more, perhaps something they were overlooking.

  "If Dourn - Overton - whatever the hell his name is isn't responsible, then who is?" Daniel was eager for answers, and running short on patience.

  "I really can't say. I will tell you this much though, somebody's out to cause trouble for whatever reason and I think Julia's just been getting in the way."

  "So what do you suggest we do? Lock her up someplace until all of this blows over?"

  "Honestly?" he asked stopping on the path again to stare at Daniel who waited impatiently for his response. Harold knew he wasn't going to like his suggestion, but he had to offer his advice regardless. "Get her out of harm's reach, Daniel," Harold continued once his partner and friend nodded his consent. "Send her off on vacation somewhere. At the very least you can hope things will quiet down for a while, hopefully long enough to get this sale over with."

  "I don't know if I can do that Harold. It's hard enough letting her out of my sight for a few hours, but for days, even weeks? You're asking me to do the impossible."

  "Even if it's for her own safety?" Daniel stared at him for a long time in silence. Harold was right, no matter how much he wanted to deny it, she was at risk here. Perhaps he should send her away for a short time, just long enough to get things back to normal. It might just give him enough time to find out who was behind all of these accidents.

  "Alright, I'll suggest it to her. She has been wan
ting to go back to Boston and visit her aunt and uncle. This would be a good excuse to get her out of the way, but I'll want her back before the sales. Julia is still part owner of this place and she needs to be here when the clients arrive. I need her," he said the latter of his statement softly, realizing the pain in his heart was caused from the anguish of having to release her, even for a short time.

  "Do as you see fit. Perhaps working together, we can get things settled before she comes home."

  "And if we don't?" That was one thought, neither of them wanted to face. One way or the other, they had to find out who was behind all of this and put an end to it.

  "Did Harold leave?" Julia asked when Daniel entered the bedroom a half hour later. She sat in the bed against a stack of pillows; the single blanket tucked around her legs, a book propped in her hand. She had already bathed and was dressed only in a thin satin camisole as she waited her husband’s return. The soft glow from the lamp gave her a seductive appearance, but in his present mood Daniel really didn't seem to notice.

  "Yes, he's gone," he answered, coming toward the bed, a deep frown creasing his brow.

  "What did he think of the construction?" Julia couldn’t help the suspicion on his face as he sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.

  "Huh? Oh, I guess he liked the progress he really didn't say. There's not much you can say about a bunch of stalls made for a pack of smelly horses."

  "Is everything alright?" Julia's tone was filled with concern as she watched her husband play with the edge of the blanket. He looked worried, but she couldn't even begin to comprehend his reasons. "Harold wasn't upset because he lost to me at poker, was he?"

  "What?" Daniel looked at the woman and realized she hadn't missed the change in his mood. "No Princess, he wasn't upset about the money. In fact, I think it taught him a lesson. I don't think he'll be challenging you to a game of cards again; not for a while at least."

  "What about you? Will you challenge me again?"

  "Every chance I get," he assured her, stretching out beside her. Daniel took her in his embrace kissing her waiting lips. His mouth tasted and teased hers until she sighed.

  "Why are you so upset?" she asked a few minutes later as he began to undress in front of her eager eyes. Daniel stopped and turned his back on the woman. He didn't want to think about that right now, but he had to tell her something.

  "I wasn't upset," he lied, tossing his pants to the end of the bed and crawling beneath the sheets. "I'm just tired."

  "You were upset Daniel," she told him, calling him on his lie.

  "You know me so well; you can tell what I'm feeling?"

  "I know exactly how you feel," she teased and proved her point by wrapping her delicate fingers around his penis. Daniel growled and closed his eyes, allowing her to play with him for several long moments.

  “You are very good at feeling me out,” he teased her as he reached for her camisole and pulled it over her head. “Now it's my turn to know how you feel." Julia giggled as he began kissing her neck; his long fingers traveled across her breasts to her nipples where he pinched and tugged on them until she moaned.

  "Exactly what are you planning on feeling, Mr. Browning?" The sudden courage of her attitude enlightened and aroused him as he leaned down, her taking one hard nipple between his teeth.

  "Everything I can," he whispered against her flesh. "And so much more."

  Julia leaned back against the pillow relishing in the man's touch His lips played a wicked rhythm against her breast, his fingers traveling slowly down her stomach to dip into the heat radiating up from between her legs. She moved her knee so he could gain further access, allowing him to slide two fingers into her tight vagina.

  Daniel smiled against her breast as she moaned, then slowly and deliberately moved his mouth across her sternum, over her tummy to settle between her legs.

  Julia moved her legs wider apart to accommodate her husband’s shoulders as he began kissing and teasing the flesh beneath the dark curls. Daniel smiled at the soft moan she offered him when he opened her labia, finding and teasing the swollen bud of her clitoris.

  The sensations were driving her wild and Julia soon gave into them, relaxing into the deep thrusts his fingers were performing inside her; his tongue and teeth teasing and tormenting her throbbing clitoris until she felt the mind splitting dizziness that embraced her. She twined her fingers in his thick hair and held him to her as she cried out, finding and basking in the euphoria of her climax.

  Daniel allowed her to ride out the waves of passion before he rose above her, his strong arms bracing his weight as he gently moved inside her tight, wet vagina. Julia moaned; relishing the sensations that burned to life by the deep thrusts he provided as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Her hips lifted, her head fell back and her legs tightened as once again she felt the insanity overtake her. Her vaginal muscles tightened around him as he drove into her harder, faster and finally collapsing across her delicate frame as he spilled the heat of his desire inside her. Daniel growled a low, savage sound like a wild animal on the hunt and Julia smiled; in his arms was where she belonged and the only place she ever wished to be.

  Several minutes ticked by, before their breathing eased and they were able to think. Daniel rolled to his back pulling Julia against his side as he moved. They laid there together listening to the quiet of the room, the crickets outside and soft breeze blowing through the open door; billowing the curtains like clouds of powder blue cotton. Julia was more content than she had ever felt before. Every time this man touched her, she fell deeper in love with him.

  "I'd just like to know where you get all your energy," she whispered, snuggling closer to his side. Daniel chuckled contentedly, holding her with firm conviction.

  "I have a store of it and I keep it right here," he touched her gently between the breasts, his fingers feeling the steady beat of her heart beneath his touch. Julia smiled, lifting his hand to her lips and kissing his palm tenderly.

  "I love you so much," she whispered. He smiled as he brushed away the stray hairs that found their way across her cheek. The thoughts of earlier filtered through the passion and peace he had built a few minutes ago. He had to tell her he was sending her to Boston, but it wasn't going to be easy. His heart felt as though it was being ripped apart with the knowledge of what he had to do.

  "Daniel?" she asked him softly. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy?" Daniel forced the lump threatening his composure, down his dry throat.

  "I couldn't be happier than I am right now, with you in my arms."

  "Then what is it? You look upset and don't lie to me again. I want the truth. What happened between you and Harold?"

  "Nothing," he told her honestly. "He just suggested perhaps you needed a little more rest. He thought it might be a good idea for you to take a few weeks off and go visit you aunt and uncle in Boston."

  "He did...or you did?" Julia asked with suspicion edging her tone.

  "Actually we both did."

  "Why?"

  "Princess, I think you should have some fun for a change. You've been cooped up here for weeks and you have wanted to go back and see the new baby.."

  "Don't you want me here Daniel?" she sat up next to him, the sudden jump of her heart made her think he was trying to get rid of her for some reason.

  "Of course I do Julia," he scolded softly. "I love you. Letting you go to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done."

  "Then why are you doing it?"

  "Julia, please trust me. You need some time away and now is the perfect chance."

  "What happened tonight to make you decide to get rid of me?"

  "Princess please, you're making too big of a deal out of this." Daniel threw the covers aside and stood up out of bed, pacing his way to the wash basin where he poured some water into the porcelain bowl. Julia watched as he splashed water across his face before he turned to her and dabbed the moisture off on the soft towel.

  "I want the truth Daniel. Why do you
want me to leave?" "Dammit Julia, just trust me alright? It's the best thing."

  "For whom? I don't want to leave. I don't want to go back to Boston, I have a life and a husband here and I want to stay with both."

  "After everything that's happened lately, you're lucky to have a life to fall back on. Don't you understand, somebody's trying to kill you and I want you out of the way before they succeed?"

  "How do you know they want me dead?" She felt the chill of fear rip down her spine as she looked into the beautiful blue eyes that stared back at her. She could see his fears, his need and his pain, but at the moment her own emotion seemed to outweigh his.

  "Nobody had to tell me Princess, I have eyes of my own. You've been attacked twice now. If I had allowed you to leave when you first wanted to, we may have avoided the second attempt all together. I won't give them the chance to try again."

  "I see," was all she said before turning over and pulling the blankets up across her naked chest.

  Daniel felt awful, he hadn't handled any of this very well. He had hoped to convince her to take a vacation and have the time to clear things up before she got back. He wanted to have a life with her, a family, without the fears of speculations or the threat of danger to haunt them. He didn't intend to upset her or make her feel unwanted and he certainly didn't want to frighten her.

  "Julia, look at me," he insisted sitting next to her on the bed. Julia glanced up to see the intent sincerity on his face and felt a knot tighten inside her stomach. "I didn't mean to snap at you. I just think it would be better if you had some time away from the ranch. Please give me the chance to find out what's going on around here."

  "Have you heard about the mystery woman the hands claim to have seen the night of the fire?" Her question took him completely off guard.

  "How did you hear about that?"

  "Bridget told Mrs. Lester, who told Thompson. I just happened to overhear. You think it was me too, don't you?"

  "Of course I don't."