by K. Anderson
The few steps led to a columned entry and through Italian double doors which were flung wide open.
“Come on in,” Jack called over his shoulder.
“Thanks,” Leila mumbled, overwhelmed by the size and magnificence of the house.
She found herself in a formal dining room and beyond it a seating area furnished with cream leather seats. Side tables were decorated with period pieces and pictures of sweeping landscapes on the walls.
“This is the dining room and the living room. Come I must show you the deck, it’s the loveliest part of the house.” Jack said.
Indeed it was. It seemed to tower over everything else and to her amazement she could see the guest house at a distance but most of all was the view of the sky and the valley below.
“It’s beautiful,” Leila said.
She looked at Jack and was startled by the raw desire she saw in his eyes. Her own body responded to his obvious attraction and she longed to be held in his arms. He moved away then, breaking the sexual tension that simmered between them. Leila stifled a nervous laugh. She had never been this attracted to a man and she could have given anything to kiss him.
Leila barely saw the kitchen, only noting its granite countertops and shiny wooden floors.
“This is Camille, she lords over the kitchen,” Jack said, his tone gentle.
“Hello,” Leila said to the dark skinned lady’s cheerful greeting.
Before following Jack out of the kitchen, she noticed a cozy breakfast nook for two, under large bay windows and couldn’t quite picture Jack seated there. Up the stairs was a huge hallway and beyond the door at the end was a smaller hallway with two doors facing each other.
“This will be your bedroom and I’m right here if you need anything,” Jack said, his eyes on her mouth.
Leila had noticed that her mouth had an effect on most men and she was happy to see that Jack was no different. He pushed open the guest room and entered. Leila followed him into the large room flooded with light. The bed was huge and centrally placed and the floor covered by a pretty wall to wall carpet.
Everything in the home spelt luxury and Leila admitted to herself that she liked it.
“The bathroom is through there,” Jack said, pointing to a door.
“OK, thanks. I could do with a wash,” Leila said, blushing at the images her words conjured up.
In her mind she saw Jack leathering her up paying particular attention to certain areas of her anatomy. Thank God that he could not read her mind otherwise he would be horrified by the thoughts in her mind. Unconsciously, she shook her hair loose from the pony tail and threw her head back to push it behind.
When she looked up, it was to see the strain in Jack’s face. Veins crisscrossed his forehead and the muscles on his arms seemed to twitch. Her eyes went down to the lower part of his body and she saw the unmistakable bulge. She grew hot at the sight and she licked her dry lips.
Before she knew how it happened, Jack had pulled her into his arms and his lips were devouring hers. He swept his tongue inside her mouth and she parted her lips to grant him easier access. She wrapped her hands around his shoulders and loved the hardness of his skin. He smelt of pure manliness and the scent intoxicated her senses.
She felt his bulge pressing harder against her and his hands running over her back and backside. He lifted up her sundress and she shivered when his hands touched her panty line. It had been so long since a man had kissed her in such a way and she found herself pressing her body against his. Theirs was like a wild dance with hands exploring each other desperately. His hand found its way into her lacy panty and at that moment some sense came into Leila. She gently removed his hand and stepped away.
They looked at each other and both broke into nervous laughs.
“I don’t do that the first time I meet a beautiful woman,” Jack said apologetically.
“I should hope not,” Leila quipped, her comment breaking the tension between them.
“I’ll leave you to your shower now,” he said, though his look told her he would have loved to be in there with her.
Chapter Five
Jack was annoyed at himself. He had reacted to Leila like a hormone driven teenager, jumping at her as though it were his first time to see a woman. The moment he had seen her, it was as if some long forgotten fire in him had been lit. He had longed to rip off the sundress and kiss every inch of her tanned skin.
She was beautiful in an understated sort of way. She also had a gorgeous figure and she was all natural. Her mouth, damn! Her lips invited you to kiss her.
His eyes had raked over her slim yet curvy body, the top of the dress giving a hint of a cleavage and nothing else. The wind had blown and her dress had wrapped itself around her hips and his desire had taken an overdrive. He longed to bury his face on her bosom and suck and lick her nipples until they became as hard as his manhood.
Leila could be dangerous, Jack told himself, walking to the deck to cool off his body. He leaned over the railing, his eyes seeing none of the beauty of the valley. He recalled her musky smell and the sweetness of her mouth. What was it about Leila that had evoked such desire in him? She was beautiful but he had been with women who were more if not just as beautiful.
Her beauty was unique though, as it was coupled with a kind of innocence. He had never felt such an overpowering hunger to possess a woman. Her reaction had been just as passionate and Jack looked forward to uncovering that passion that he sensed in Leila. As he took in the afternoon breeze, Jack admitted that Leila had taken him by surprise.
The internet picture did not do her any justice. It covered up her sexuality and her raw beauty. Jack knew that his reaction had nothing to do with emotions, just a passionate man meeting a similarly passionate woman. He thought back to Clarissa. While she was a beauty, she did not possess the passion that Leila did.
Her responses had been more automatic, geared towards getting the deed done rather than immersing herself wholly in it. The one thing he would not allow himself to do was to fall in love with Leila. Her purpose was to be a companion and to provide for him a family. He had learned his lesson hard with Clarissa. He had no intention of getting hurt again.
As if to prove his point, Jack popped into the kitchen and gave instructions to Camille.
“Would you please tell Leila that I’ve gone to the stables? Give her some refreshments and tell her I’ll be back later,” he said.
“I will sir,” Camille said, though he had told her countless times to address him by his name.
Pleased with his decision, he left the house. The less time he spent with her the better. Besides, he needed some time to cool off after his performance in her bedroom. Jack went to the fenced-in practice range where he could see Bill, the head trainer giving lessons to a group of men and women. All were usually overnight guests at the ranch, and usually stayed a week or so getting lessons on cutting horses.
Jack propped one leg on the fence and watched. Ranch J boasted some of the most popular and award winning cutting mares. Bill, the trainer caught sight of him.
“Hey there Jack, want to give a demonstration?” he bellowed.
“Sure,” Jack responded and stooped to get into the enclosure.
Bill shouted for someone to open the gate that connected the enclosure to the cow shed. Moments later a herd of about thirty cows tramped into the enclosure, blowing dust with their hooves. The learners quickly ducked under the fence. Jack made for the cutting mare tethered to the fence and after untying it, he hoisted himself up. In the background, he could hear Bill speaking to the learners. Jack trained his eyes on the herd and searched for the calf with an X painted on it. He found the black and white calf and made towards it.
Jack steered the horse quietly towards the herd, taking care not to upset the cows. If they got wind of his movements, they would all bolt in different directions. Once he got to the marked calf, he dropped his reins and whispered softly to the mare, an offspring of a cutting champion.
The mare took charge then, by dropping its head and blocking the calf’s way. This was the part that got Jack’s blood flowing. The horse stood eye to eye with the calf, which sensed danger and reacted by turning to the left. Jack felt at one with the mare. He matched the calf’s rapid movements and desperate attempts to escape and rejoin the herd.
The mare stepped sideways and weaved with the lightening quickness of lightening. The mare guided the calf to a small pen in less than two minutes. Jack heard cheering from the sidelines. Adrenalin rushing through is body; he patted the horse and jumped down. When he looked up, his eyes met Leila’s, hers wide with wonder and her pouty mouth grinning widely.
“That was awesome,” she enthused, when he walked towards her. “Can you teach me?”
He looked her up and down with a frown. Very few women were trained in horse cutting and looking at her slim frame, he had serious doubts if she knew what would be in store for her.
“What for?” he said.
She appeared confused for a moment then struck out her chin in defiance.
“Most people do it for competitions,” Jack explained.
“Well, I might just want to compete myself,” she said.
“In that case, I would be happy to. Just don’t blame me when you find your pretty backside on the hard ground.”
“I’ve ridden horses since I was a girl, I’m no amateur.” Leila countered.
He noticed then that she had changed clothes and now wore a sleeveless cream blouse tucked into a pair of well-fitting jeans. He drew a sharp intake of breath at the way the trousers hugged her curves. Damn Leila! He hated his body’s betrayal. The sooner he slept with her the faster he would get her out of his system.
Jack smiled to himself, now that he had a plan of action. It wouldn’t be difficult to get her into bed, he thought, his eyes focused on her smoky grey ones. He remembered her responses to his kisses. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. The only thing he would do was to keep his feelings in check.
Chapter Six
“Horace was a mistake I made in a moment of weakness,” Leila admitted to Jack during dinner. “I was hurting and lonely after my parents” death and for a while I enjoyed the partying that numbed the pain. After that it was downhill. Horace just never took to marriage.”
To her surprise, admitting all that to Jack did not hurt one bit. It was as though she was telling him the tale of someone she knew a long time ago, rather than her own past. She sipped her wine and stretched. Being here at the ranch was so relaxing. Jack had a wonderful home.
“I’m very sorry for what you went through,” Jack said, sincerity flowing from his eyes.
Leila shrugged. “Part of life I’m afraid. Are your own parents alive?”
“Oh yes, they live on the other side of town. I’ll take you to meet them sometime,” Jack said.
Leila looked at her empty plate. Dinner had been delicious. Jack had more than made up for his attitude earlier in the day. She looked at him now, his face illuminated by the candles on the table and she felt a rush of desire. It amazed her how much he had gotten into her system. She remembered his prowess on the cutting horse.
His wet t-shirt had clung to his muscles and his face had been a closed mask of concentration. Her body had reacted to the sheer strength and talent of the man.
“Thank you for a lovely dinner,” Leila now said.
“Nothing but the best for a beautiful lady,” he drawled, his eyes going down to her lips.
It felt like a seduction and looking at Jack across the table from her, she felt special. He had complimented her all evening and paid attention to her. If this was what having a relationship with a man like Jack entailed, she would be more than happy to say yes to any proposal. Their open perusal of each other was interrupted by Camille, picking up the dirty dinner dishes.
“Thank you Camille, that was lovely as usual.” Jack said. “You can clear up the dishes in the morning.”
Camille looked up in surprise, but other than that did not say a word. Leila blushed at the implication of Jack’s words. They would be alone in the massive house. She felt no fear, just a hardly suppressed excitement at what was to come. She knew that she was not capable of resisting him. She would go along with whatever he had in mind.
“Yes, thank you so much, dinner was delicious,” Leila now said to Camille.
“You’re welcome,” the older lady said and retreated.
After a few minutes, Leila looked up to find Jack’s eyes boring into hers. She trembled slightly and smiled to hide the volcano growing in her body threatening to erupt.
“Would you like to dance?” he murmured.
Leila nodded in reply. Her throat had gone dry and her brain could not formulate a single word. She watched him get up and go to a stereo near the living area. Soon, soft music flooded the room and she closed her eyes and let the sounds carry her off. She opened her eyes when she felt Jack’s hand on hers.
She stood up and followed him to the center of the living room. He held her at arm’s length, his hands placed lightly in her waist. Leila followed suit and placed hers lightly on his shoulders though she ached to hold him tight. She felt as though she was captured in a dream as they danced, their eyes on each other, their feet moving slightly. Leila was aware of jack’s hands moving in circular motions massaging her waist. They moved further up to just below her armpits and a fire of desire ran through her. Leila had no idea how long she could maintain her calm stance.
He closed the gap between them by pulling her against him almost roughly. Leila gasped. His mouth came to hers and she desperately clung to him. Her body did not belong to her any more. A hint of his aftershave and his fresh manly scent invaded her senses, intoxicating her. Horace, the only man she had ever slept with had never come close to making her feel what she felt now.
His tongue played with her lips, brushing against hers and then dipping into her mouth to play with her tongue. In an instant the pace changed and his mouth grew more demanding. His hands lowered to her backside and he pulled her hard against his body. Her hands hung around his neck and she now moved them, running her fingers through his hair and sliding to his chest.
He moaned in reply. She could feel her breasts rubbing against his chest. His hands lifted her dress and settled on her bare hips. His hands slid to her inner thighs and Leila thought she would die of longing at that very moment. Her own hands slid between them and she felt his hardness. He took a sharp breath.
“Shall we go upstairs?” he rasped.
Leila nodded in reply. Hand in hand, they walked up the stairs, past the first hallway. She was surprised that instead of leading her to the master bedroom, he opened the door to the guest room. She did not dwell on it much for as soon as the door shut, she was in his arms again. She felt his fingers undo the straps of her dress and it fell into a heap at the bottom of her legs. He ran his hand over her back and stopped at the fastening of her bra. It came loose and her breasts spilled out.
He stopped kissing her and bent down to lower her panties. Standing stark naked with the weak sun flooding the room, Leila felt a little shy under his stare and her hands rose to cover her breasts.
“Don’t do that, you’re stunning,” he said.
She dropped her hands and her embarrassment disappeared. He unbuttoned his own shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. Leila almost gasped at the muscles on his chest and the hardness of his tummy. When he dropped his boxers, she did gasp.
“You’re so huge,” she said in a frightened voice.
He took her hand and led her to the bed. The moment she lay down, Jack was over her, kissing her hungrily, as though he was drowning. He braced himself above her and his hand strayed down below. Leila moaned in reply and arched her own body, hungry for his touch. His finger ran up and down, teasing her, sliding in and out. His hand moved away leaving her empty and found its way to her nipples.
He circled her nipples and cupped each breast. The feeling of wanting someone so badly was alien to Le
ila. She moved her hands over his abs. He brought his mouth on her again, his tongue exploring every inch of her while his hand ran over her hips. She felt under attack from all sides, an attack she never wanted to end.
Then he did something no one had ever done to her. He dragged his mouth away from hers and trailed kisses all the way down her body.
“Spread your legs,” he commanded, which Leila did, frightened of what would come next. He settled himself between her legs.
When it happened, her brain stopped all activity and Leila thought she had just die and gone to heaven. His tongue made contact with her most secret parts and flicked in and out, igniting a fire each time it touched her. He swirled his tongue around and she reacted by pushing his head further down.
The sensations tore through her, her pulse raced and she could feel herself sliding into ecstasy. Just as she was about to reach the peak, he stopped licking her. Leila heard the movement of paper and she knew he was wearing a condom. She gasped as a sharp pain shot through her.
“Are you OK?” Jack said.
Leila glanced down to Jack’s manhood and back at him with frightened eyes.
“It won’t fit,” she murmured.
“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll be gentle, I promise.” Jack said in a soothing voice.
He rolled his hips from side to side, all the while rubbing against her so that her desire returned with full force and her fear evaporated. Something about Jack made her feel safe. She tensed when she felt him push himself inside her again. He withdrew and then tried again, going further in by an inch. Slowly, taking his time, Jack finally entered her completely and in the next moment she felt a soaring pain when he withdrew and the thrust into her deeply.
It reminded her of the first time she and Horace had made love. Except Horace had not being understanding at all. Foreplay had lasted a full minute before he penetrated her with a sudden thrust and Leila had screamed in pain. He had continued, undeterred by her tears. Late it had got marginally better but he had never taken her over the edge as Jack was doing now.