Harnessed Passions

by Dee Jones

"Rumor has it everyone else does. The woman had long dark hair and rode a chestnut colored horse. I'm the only one within ten miles of here who has a mare of that color."

  "In case you've forgotten, you and I were in bed when the fire broke out, remember? There's no way you could have been in two places at once."

  "Did you know there have been other sightings of a woman with dark hair around the stables?” she continued, ignoring his alibi for her. “She's been seen every time there’s trouble. One hand claims it was me and he even spoke with me. He swears I was wearing a white satin gown, but disappeared as soon as he turned his back, like a phantom or a demon in the night."

  "Julia that's crazy. Why would you want to jeopardize your safety or that of the people on this ranch? This is your home."

  "According to Bridget, I'd do anything to get out of our marriage and out of my father's will; even if it meant burning the place to the ground."

  "I think it's time Bridget found another position," Daniel growled reaching for his pants.

  "My father wrote about the woman in his journal," she told him, stopping his hand in mid motion.

  "How did you know about that?" Julia picked up the book she had been reading and handed it to him. Daniel eyed the black binding before looking back at her.

  "Do you still think I'm innocent?"

  "Yes I do," he confirmed with a deep tone. "Most of those things happened before you ever returned here. I don't know who this woman is, but I'll be damned if I'll let rumors destroy your reputation."

  "What reputation Daniel? Most people around here still think I killed Heather out of a fit of jealousy. How many do you think will believe I'm not behind everything else? Hell, I'm surprised I haven't been accused of starting the civil war."

  "Julia, listen to me, I don't know who's behind all of this, but I do know it's not you. There's no conceivable way on earth you could have tried to drown yourself. You're not suicidal and you're not crazy. I'll do whatever is necessary to put an end to all these rumors once and for all. I’m just asking you to give me time and to trust me."

  "Perhaps I am crazy," she replied softly, staring at the ceiling. "I've seen ghosts, remember? How many sane people have seen spirits from beyond the grave?"

  "I don't want to hear anything more about that," he snapped, shaking her shoulders roughly. "You didn't see a ghost and Heather Farnsworth is not out for revenge."

  "You can't be certain though, can you?"

  "Julia, go to sleep," Daniel's temper and mood was becoming dangerously out of control. He stood and walked to his side of the bed and fell to the mattress. "I don't want the subject to come up again, understand?" She didn't respond, instead she turned her back on him offering him her stubbornness as companion.

  "When would I leave?" she asked, after several minutes of tense silence. Daniel didn't answer at first. He wanted to tell her he'd changed his mind, but knew he had to get her out of the line of fire.

  "As soon as we can make the arrangements." Julia fell into silence again. Neither of them wanted to face this moment, yet they didn't know what else to do.

  "I'll wire my aunt tomorrow and book passage for this Friday." Daniel growled under his breath. It was too soon. Three days, that was all he had left with her. Three days to hold her, to touch her, to love her. Three days to make sure she never forgot she was his...heart and soul.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Thursday night came all too soon for either Julia or Daniel's comfort. They had barely spoken more than two sentences in private since the decision for the trip to Boston had been made. They tried to act as though all was fine, eating their meals together, talking about the day's events, the trip and even the upcoming sales, yet the air was thick with unspoken emotions and by evening Daniel felt certain he'd suffocate on the tension.

  Julia was in a constant state of misery. She felt annoyed with herself; she should be happy to finally be returning to the city she loved so much, but instead the idea of leaving Kentucky and Daniel made a lump form in her throat that just wouldn't go away. She had wired her aunt Lena telling of her plans to visit for a couple of weeks and booked passage for herself and Louise, who had agreed to Daniel's request to accompany her daughter on the trip. All was set into motion and the time to leave was approaching fast, but the feeling of regret made the anticipation of the trip less than pleasant.

  Her bags and trunk had been packed earlier that morning and even Margie stopped by to bid her farewell, giving Julia a list of items she wanted her to purchase while in Boston. Dinner was served earlier than usual since Louise was determined to get as much rest as possible before the trip. She swore they'd get no sleep whatsoever on the train and certain they'd be beyond exhaustion when they arrived Saturday morning.

  The summer breeze blew through the open doors of the veranda and the twilight of evening found Julia and Daniel alone in the family room, silence surrounding them like a tomb. They didn't speak or bother with the pretense of conversation; in fact they barely looked at each other as they sat next to the hearth of the large fireplace. Finally, out of desperation and a deep growing depression, Julia silently excused herself and went upstairs to her room.

  Daniel watched his wife leave, his eyes fixed on her posterior until she disappeared behind the winding stairs. He felt as though his heart was being ripped apart at the seams. He didn't want Julia to leave him, he didn't want to be without her even for an hour, yet he knew he had no choice. She was in danger here, the longer she remained the worse things seemed to get.

  With her out of the way he could use his time to investigate, question everyone involved and perhaps find a few answers. He was certain he could put an end to the mysteries surrounding the ranch before she returned and he was determined to learn the true identity of the mystery woman many claimed was his beloved wife. Even though he tried to convince himself leaving was for Julia's best interest, he found letting her go excruciating.

  Nearly forty minutes passed before Daniel could convince himself to follow Julia to their room. The past two days had proven to be anything but passionate. She had refused his attention, both in the bedroom and out. She always managed to be asleep when he came to bed and would push him away if he tried to wake her. She refused to go with him to the stables and even refused to ride her horse, now that the danger of the animal's mating was out of the way. She was determined never again to ride Biscuit until this mystery woman had been caught. She did her best to avoid eating her lunch with him and rarely remained in the room alone with him after her mother retired for the evening. The distance and her cold manner made Daniel's anxieties about letting her leave, fester.

  Julia didn't seem to follow her usual suit tonight. When Daniel opened the door, expecting to find her asleep or at the very least in bed, he found her instead sitting at her vanity. She was in her nightgown, her hair hanging loose about her shoulders, a small bag sitting beside her on the floor to remind him of the events of the following morning.

  Daniel hesitated a moment before stepping up behind her. The dim light of the lamp shined like fire against the moist drops streaming down her cheeks. He felt like joining her with tears of his own, but rejected the idea quickly, eager only to soothe her pain. He knew her agony, had in fact fought a battle within himself since first deciding to send her to her aunt; so he understood the reasons for the tears and the feelings of total depression.

  "Princess," he whispered when she turned away from the eyes watching her through the mirror's reflection. She picked up her bottles of cologne and sat them gently in the bag. Her hand had barely lifted from the action when it was snatched in a warm, gently vice.

  "Don't turn me out tonight," he begged, lifting her fingers to his lips and kissing each one tenderly.

  "It's your choice," she reminded him, pulling her hand away before he had the chance to work his magic and make her forget all logic; converting her into a spineless, writhing lump of desires.

  "It's for the best, Julia. We've already discussed this."

/>   "No Daniel, you've discussed it. I wasn't given a say in the matter." She stood up and walked to the bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

  Daniel watched her for several agonizing moments before stepping to her side. He could feel her anger, felt too her deep need for revenge and knew he would have to be the one who suffered for those feelings tearing loose within her.

  "If you really don't want to go..." he began, hearing the words before he had the chance to stop them from spilling from his lips.

  "I have to. I've already told my aunt we'd be there and the tickets have been paid for. I won't throw money away."

  "Forget the damned money!" Julia witnessed Daniel's own anger first hand as he grabbed her by the shoulders, lifting her off the bed and shaking her so hard, she was certain her teeth rattle. "If you don't want to leave than don't, but quit making me feel like a vulture for wanting to keep you safe. Dammit Julia, I'm just trying to protect you."

  "Who asked you to?" she growled back, matching Daniel's anger, degree for degree. "I don't need your blasted protection and I'm getting rather tired of play knights with you."

  "Then quit playing!" He tugged her against the hard wall of his chest, pinning her arms behind her back, holding her prisoner for his assault. His mouth claimed hers in the heat of the moment, ravishing and punishing them for allowing him to send her away.

  "Julia," he ground out, his lips still against hers, his hands holding hers pulled her hips up hard against him. Julia tried to fight, she wanted to stay angry and to punish him for the way he was treating her, but having him so close to her was wearing down her resistance - fast.

  His touch was warm and eager against her lips as he held her wrists prisoner in one hand while the other began to massage her firm buttocks. He urged her to respond to him as he teased her with his tongue until she did, bringing a wholly different form of heat searing through her limbs. She was weak - too weak when it came to this man, and the urgent demands he made her feel screamed with liquid fire inside her veins. Her back arched into him, surrendering to the desire and passion with a groan of disgust, for she was breaking her silent vow to remain chaste where her husband was concerned.

  "Tell me you don't hate me," Daniel pleaded, guiding her gently down to the bed as he stretched her arms above her head; he lay next to her, covering her thighs with his strong leg. She was his prisoner; willingly and wanting to reunite them once again. Julia couldn't speak, emotion and desire had robbed her from answering; making Daniel think she did indeed hate him.

  Her lips trembled beneath his and he felt her sobs vibrate within her chest, the salty taste of her tears mingled with their kiss. Daniel was hurting her, perhaps not physically since he was being as gentle with her at that moment as he would if he held a newborn babe, yet he knew he was raping her soul; leaving her to fear the future.

  "Don't cry Princess,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for everything I’ve done; I love you, I need you."

  "But you're sending me away,” she sobbed. “You're trying to get rid of me after you promised you never would."

  "I'm not trying to get rid of you. Is that what you think? Oh, Julia," his tone was urgent, yet soft as he let go of her arms and sat up next to her, forcing her to look at him with a strong finger beneath her chin.

  "I expect you back here in a few weeks. You have to help me with the sale; I barely know the buyers names, let alone how to deal with them. I was hoping you would guide me through all of this." He pulled her against his chest, holding her gently in his arms with the security and warmth she had grown to rely on.

  "I can't allow you to leave me; not forever. You're the only reason I'm alive. I realize now I was born to be with you, to love you, to spend the rest of my life with you. If you don't come back by the end of next month, I'll be forced to hunt you down and drag you back in irons if I must."

  "Do you mean it, Daniel?"

  "Not only would I love to see you tied up, I will bring you home and keep you as my willing prisoner in this very room. I won’t let you lose until we’re both so old and senile we can’t remember our own names. Even that will be sooner than I wish.”

  “Swear it Daniel," she ordered urgently, sitting up out of his grip. "Swear you'll always want me."

  "I've never lied to you Julia and I never will. You are my life, you're my reason for living and I don't ever want you to ever forget it. I love you." He wrapped her in his embrace again, easing her down to the mattress as his fingers began caressing her ear lobe and neck.

  "I thought you were trying to get me out of the way for some reason."

  "Like what? You've already seen me mate your bloody horse, what other reason could I have to get rid of you?" Julia laughed, sniffing her tears away.

  "I thought perhaps there was another woman."

  "There is only you, Princess. There will only be you."

  "Promise?"

  "With all my heart," he whispered, nuzzling her neck with the heat of his lips. "Don't leave me like this," he pleaded. "I don't want to think of you in Boston without remembering our last night of passion. Love me Julia, let me love you." Julia nodded her head softly unable to speak; giving her silent agreement to her husband.

  Within a few quick movements, her nightgown was eagerly removed and lying on the floor. He moved her on the bed so her arms were above her head and smiled into her emerald eyes.

  “I want to play with you, so you’ll never forget me,” he assured her and quickly left her side as he went to his dresser and removed the silk strips of cloth he had brought with them from his flat, along with a brown wrapped package. Julia bit her lower lip, smiling as he tethered her gently to the headboard. He stood at the foot of the bed, admiring her beauty as he slowly removed his own clothes.

  Daniel smiled wickedly at her as his hands began to caress her inner thighs then moved her legs further apart so he could restrain them. Julia knew what was about to happen and forced the excited giggle back down her throat. She had wanted him to tie her up for days, but wasn’t exactly sure how to ask him. It was only then that she understood what he meant by playing; she was forced to surrender her trust to him and in exchange, he would provide her with endless pleasure and fun.

  “Are you ready?” he asked in a husky whisper as he lay slowly began to unwrap the brown paper from the package. Julia nodded silently and watched him remove a black leather riding crop from the wrapping. Again he smiled at her as he slowly trailed the leather tip up her inner thighs.

  “I got this for Roustabout,” he told her as he gently slapped it against the bottom of her feet; first one and then the other, smiling as she gasped. “I suppose I’ll have to find him something else; I plan on keeping this for private use from now on.”

  Daniel caressed her legs once more with the tip of the crop, then quickly flipped it, striking her tender flesh gently. Julia closed her eyes; this was the most erotic feeling she had ever experienced. He continued to slap her gently across her legs, her lower abdomen, across her ribs and up to her breasts. He captured her gaze with his as he flipped the leather against her breasts, moving it up to slap her erect nipple and over to the opposite breast.

  “Do you like it?” he whispered and she moaned, nodding her head. “Shall I continue?” he asked with a seductive grin. Again she nodded and watched as he smiled, flipping the crop against her curls.

  Julia gasped and moaned as he flipped the tip against her again, the reached down and opened her labia, slapping the tip against her swollen clitoris. She gasped and bit her lower lip, causing him to frown at her.

  “Did that hurt?” he asked and she nodded, then smiled.

  “Don’t stop,” she begged, seeing the relief visibly cross his handsome face as he raised the crop again and let it slap against her moist body. Twice more the leather struck her and she moaned deeply; taking and absorbing each strike to its passionate limit.

  Daniel slipped two of his fingers inside her and tossed the leather stick aside as his lips fell to her clitoris, suckling and te
asing until he felt her vaginal muscles tighten around his long digits. He sucked her swollen bud into his mouth and gently bit the tender flesh, sending her over the edge. Julia tensed beneath him and cried out; a deep moaning plea for more escaped her lips and she felt him move to sit between her legs.

  A moment later and her legs were free; lifted high above her as he pressed the tip of his erection against her wet body. Slowly he pressed forward, slipping the full length of his penis into her quivering body and smiling as she moaned again. He knew it would take one more, tight grip of her muscles around him before he filled her with his seed, insuring that she remembered what it felt like to be in his arms; making her eager to return to him.

  The next hour was spent in passionate love making, while Daniel worked to convince his wife just how much he wanted her and how badly he was going to miss her. Their orgasms continued until late in the night; neither willing to release the other from the grip of need until they were too exhausted to move.

  As Julia lay in his arms, sleep began to take her over and she smiled. The beating of his heart beneath her ear made her feel content and happy, as his hands caressed and massaged her firm buttocks.

  “Never forget me,” he whispered through the stillness of the room.

  “Never,” she assured him as she drifted into a restful slumber.

  Morning arrived with a flurry of activity while all the final details were attended to; the bags loaded to the Dearborn, breakfast eaten and clothes changed for proper traveling attire. As they waited to board the train, Julia found herself fighting the urge to run home screaming. She didn't like this, she wanted to stay here with Daniel, but she also knew how much he needed her reassurance she wanted to go. She had spent nearly half an hour that very morning, telling him how much she looked forward to visiting her friends and cousins, even though they both knew it was a lie. Now the time had come to say good-bye and she was feeling the flutter of confusion deep inside her stomach.

  "Just remember," Daniel said, pulling her into a strong embrace, "I expect you home next month. You're a part of the stables and I need you with me."