by Loc Glin
Harold shot Nate a look filled with venom. What was that all about? Shamika wondered. Harold was the one that suggested Nate in the first place. What did it matter to him who took her on this tour anyway? Nate didn’t seem to notice. Maybe he was so used to those looks that it didn’t faze him anymore.
Nadine started to fill the saddlebags. It wasn’t the makings of a romantic picnic lunch, just a few sandwiches. They looked like they were chicken cutlets, some potato chips, and macaroni salad. For something to drink, she added some Snapple peach tea and some water. The bags were thermal lined, so Nadine put a few ice packs in to keep the drinks and the salad cold. “There,” she said as she closed the bags. “You two take your time. Harold, make sure you take her by Hangman’s Gulch. That’s a good place to eat.”
“Mrs. T., you need help around here, your wrist –”
“I can manage for one day, Mika. Besides, you need a break. You’ve been helping every day since you arrived, if the paid help deserves a day off, so do you.”
“But…” Shamika tried to protest.
“No buts about it. You’re taking the day off.”
She could think of better ways to spend a day off, so she frowned.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I can think of better ways to spend my day off, too.”
What? Was he reading her mind? Her surprise must have registered on her face because he smiled. She liked his smile. “You should do that more often, it looks good on you.” Had she just said that out loud? Harold wrinkled his brow in confusion, so she must have. He cleared his throat. Was he trying to cover his embarrassment?
“Are you finished with them, Mom?” Harold reached for the bags.
“Be careful when you put them on the horse. Your father broke a bottle of wine once.” Closing her eyes, Nadine’s face softened as she seemed to slip away into her memories.
Shamika smiled at Nadine’s apparent pleasure. It was nice that Nadine had good memories to get lost in. When she glanced at Harold, he was shaking his head and smiling, too. Apparently he was thinking the same thing. Since he’d stopped scowling at her every minute, she’d discovered that they seemed to think alike. Now, that was disconcerting given the fact that her body was reacting to him, too. If she wasn’t careful she could start to like this guy.
Harold turned to her. With that smile still in place, he said, “Are you ready?”
Crap. Her hands went to her stomach. What was it with these butterflies and this guy? And her pussy was getting wet, fuck. “Apparently,” she muttered.
His brows knitted together, questioning.
She flashed him a smile. “As I’ll ever be,” she replied on a sigh and then turned toward the door.
Nate opened the door for them. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he joked.
“Is there anything you wouldn’t do?” Harold replied sarcastically.
“Not much.” Pride coated Nate’s words.
Shamika snorted, so did her horse. “My thoughts exactly,” she muttered. “Nate’s a little full of himself, isn’t he?” She rubbed the mare’s nose. The mare’s head bobbed in agreement.
“I’m glad somebody else thinks so, too,” Harold said as he secured the bags onto his horse. He swung himself up into the saddle. “I was beginning to think I was jealous of the son of a bitch.”
His handsome face was smiling down at her. She swallowed, trying to tamp down her attraction to him. “Nothing for you to be jealous of there.” Her foot hooked into the stirrup and she pulled herself into the saddle.
“Is that so?” he asked, looking at her oddly.
Mika turned her horse. Why had she said that? He might get the impression she liked him and wanted him to be jealous. She was mortified. This was no time to get shy. Just because they were talking to each other instead of ripping each other apart with words didn’t mean she should start to be coy. This was no time to stop telling him exactly how she felt. She decided to be honest even if it embarrassed her. Harold moved his horse so it walked next to hers.
“I’ve known too many men like him. They stopped impressing me a long time ago. A person’s drop-dead good looks mean nothing when there’s nothing inside of their head or heart.”
“I’m surprised.”
“At what?”
“Most women fall all over Nate. They don’t seem to care what’s inside of him. I’m surprised you realize which is more important.”
She quirked her eyebrow. “Thank you, I think.”
They rode for quite some time. Harold pointed out boundaries and told her what the various areas were called. The day grew comfortably warm. The constant rocking in the saddle lulled her into a languid state of being. The beautiful scenery and the fresh air made her feel good. She was enjoying herself. Talking with Harold was pleasant and the silences were comfortable. For the first time in years she felt content, like she fit in. Was it this place? This way of life? Or was it this man?
“This is Hangman’s Gulch,” Harold said.
“Oh.” Shamika roused herself from the haze she’d slipped into and looked around. “Wow, that is some tree.” The tree was beautifully round and the branches spread out over thirty feet. The trunk had to be three feet in diameter. The slight breeze rustled the leaves, making them whisper.
“That’s why Mom told me to bring you here.”
“It’s not what I was expecting.”
“We’ll eat in the shade under the tree.” He dismounted. “What were you expecting?”
“Come on, Hangman’s Gulch? That reeks of dried and cracked ground with gullies created by flash floods, unmarked graves and a tall dying tree with a noose dangling and swaying in the wind.”
Harold chuckled. “I suppose it does. This property once belonged to a man called Hammon Glutch. He was the very first settler. Over the years his little piece of land was swallowed up by a bigger spread. Back then it was pretty wild around here. Since Hammon Glutch and Hangman’s Gulch sound so similar, all it took was one hanging to change it to Hangman’s Gulch.”
She dismounted. “But it’s so beautiful. It seems unfair that it has such a lousy name.”
He spread out the blanket and sat down. She knelt down and started to unpack the lunch.
“Then, what would you call it?” He leaned back onto his elbow, stretched out one leg, and bent the other knee. He pulled up a piece of grass and started to chew on the end of it. He was looking at her intently.
“Oh, I don’t know.” She looked up into the thick foliage above her, and then closed her eyes. “How about, the Whispering Wood?” She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He shifted on his hips. She couldn’t miss the bulge at his crotch, or the look of hunger, that had nothing to do with lunch, in his eyes.
“So, you’re a romantic at heart?” His eyes seemed to twinkle as he teased her.
Her hand went to her stomach to quiet those butterflies again. Nice Harold did things to her. She could feel her pants moisten and the heat going to her face as she remembered the feel of his body from the day before. “I never gave it much thought.” She lay down and supported her torso on her elbow. “I’ve seen so much that has nothing to do with romance that I wouldn’t consider myself a romantic.” She pulled out a piece of grass of her own.
“If not a romantic, then what?”
“A realist.”
“When it comes to men?” He twisted the grass between his fingers.
“In most things, but especially where men are concerned.”
“I take it a man has hurt you?” Harold’s face took on a concerned expression. It made her feel that he actually cared.
“Yes, someone I expected better from hurt me, but that’s not why I said it.”
“Then why?”
“I’ve been through quite a bit in my life. I’ve learned not to expect much, or to trust people.”
“The man did that, didn’t he?”
It sounded as if he really understood, possibly from firsthand experience with betrayal?
“The trus
t part, yes, but people in general let you down.”
“I agree.”
“But not your father, not this family. All of you make me remember that there are good people in the world. New York collects the best and the worst of humanity. Unfortunately, I came into contact with the worst.”
“Why do you stay if you don’t like it?”
“It’s become home, even though I have no one there that I really care about and no one who cares about me. The only people who will notice I’m not there are my regulars.”
“Your regulars?”
“You don’t have to be coy. I know that you know what I do for a living.”
“Do you enjoy what you do?” He seemed to be holding his breath. He even looked worried and concerned.
“No.”
“Then why do you do it?”
“It became a matter of necessity. My career tanked and every other job I tried didn’t pay enough. In the beginning, normal hours on a job restricted the time I could audition, so a nine-to-five job was out of the question. You see, I thought I had a big talent.” She curled her lips into a sardonic smile. “I could sing, dance, and act. I was going to make it big.” She snorted. “Well, I found out that you need more than a big talent, you need spectacular talent and a lot of luck. I didn’t want to go home a failure, so I stayed. I may not be happy with my life the way it is, but I’m comfortable with it.”
“Why don’t you change it?”
“I never wanted to before.”
“Before? Does that mean you want to now?”
“The thought has crossed my mind since I’ve been here. I’ve even considered going home for a visit.”
“You’ve never gone home?” His eyebrows arched into two high peaks.
“It’s silly, I know, but my pride got in the way.”
He hesitated a moment and appeared to be deep in thought. “Would you stay there, at home, I mean, if you did go back?” That worried look crossed his features again.
“No. It’s been too long.”
He looked relieved. He even sighed.
“Would you consider staying here?”
That surprised her. She thought he didn’t like her. The butterflies visited her stomach again and hope fluttered in her heart. “Are you asking me to say?” Now she held her breath.
“Maybe.” He glanced away and then he seemed to force himself to look at her.
“Maybe?” Her eyebrow rose to punctuate the question.
“Well, I’ve treated you badly. Yesterday I spanked you, and worse.”
“Worse?” She laughed. “If by worse you mean the sex? Well, that was a man reacting to a woman, and a woman reacting to a man. I will say that it could have happened under better circumstances, but I won’t say I didn’t enjoy it.”
“But, you do sex for a living.”
“That is business. I rarely enjoy it.”
He looked like he was trying to suppress a satisfied smile. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I’m not sorry about it. It keeps things in perspective for me. I know I’m not loved. Sex without love is just business.”
“Could you give up the business for the right man?”
“In a heartbeat.” She closed and then opened her eyes. “I’ve given up on finding the right man, though.”
“Don’t give up on it. There is someone waiting for you to come along.”
“Now who’s the romantic?”
He snorted. “Don’t be so pessimistic. You’re a good person at heart. Everything you do around here shouts that out loud and clear. I just didn’t want to see it. You made me think about my sister, you two are so similar. I don’t want to insult you, but I have to ask. Do you use drugs? I mean for pleasure.”
He was holding his breath again and that worried look was back. Her answer seemed to be really important to him.
“I never have, and I never will. I’ve seen nothing but heartache come from it.”
“Thank God,” he said as he exhaled.
She had to smile. “Why does it matter to you?”
“Because I like you. I may even be falling in love with you. I can’t get you out of my mind. Look at me.” He pointed at his crotch. “My body aches for you. No woman has ever had this effect on me.”
She blinked. What had he just said? Like? Love? She must have imagined it. The butterflies were back. Wouldn’t it be nice if it were true? She looked at his crotch and smiled. “Never? I find that difficult to believe. You seemed quite experienced yesterday.”
“You know what I mean.” He smiled that smile that melted her heart.
She smiled back at him. “Yes, I do.”
Nice Harold definitely affected her.
“About yesterday.” He seemed a little nervous as he twirled the grass between his fingers.
“I thought we cleared that up.”
“I want to apologize for spanking you. I was so pissed off, I lost control.”
“Why were you pissed off?”
“I’m not sure. It started with you cussing. Maybe it was the clothes you were wearing. Maybe it was because you weren’t leaving, or maybe because you were. I don’t really know. But once my hands touched your body I was lost, everything changed. Your ass was so soft. It looked so inviting. My blood was already pumping. Things got out of control.”
“And you’re sorry for that?” Her hopes began to plummet.
“Hell no, I’m sorry it happened the way it happened, but I am glad it did. After I left you, I went to the family cemetery. I had a long talk with Cecily, and I was able to get my head screwed on straight.
I realized a few things about myself that I hadn’t seen before. To make a long story short, I’d like to start over. Can you forgive me for being such an ass? I hope I haven’t blown my chances with you. I want to get to know you better, much better.” He took her hand into his and kissed her knuckles.
His eyes had a puppy dog beseeching look about them. Warm feelings filled her heart and her body. Moisture began to settle between her legs. Resistance was futile. She wanted nice Harold and wonder upon wonder, nice Harold wanted her, too. She looked at her hand in his. This was the way it was supposed to be, it just felt right. She took in a deep breath. It was time to get back on the right road.
“I want to get to know you, too.”
He looked so relieved.
“But I have to know something.”
“Anything, what is it?” He squeezed her fingers.
She suddenly felt embarrassed. She realized his answer could very easily affect the rest of her life.
“Does my hooking career affect your opinion of me? Will it be a problem?” Air filled her lungs, but exhaling seemed impossible.
“It will be a problem, if you don’t give it up after we are married.”
“Did you just ask me to marry you?”
“Not exactly, but I want my intentions to be clear. I’m half in love with you already. Are you willing to give it up for me?”
She pinched herself. The second time since she’d arrived that she’d felt the need to do that. “What did you do that for?”
“I had to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.”
He smiled at that.
“As of this minute I have retired from my hooking business.”
“Do you mean it?” His expression was so solemn.
“I am as serious about this as you are. I don’t want anything to ruin my chances of finding happiness with you.”
“I want to make love with you.”
“Here?”
“Here, now, tomorrow, you name it.”
She looked around and nibbled her bottom lip. “We are in the middle of nowhere, aren’t we? It is really private, isn’t it?”
“It certainly is.” He looked into the leafy boughs of the tree. “Since this is hangman’s tree, I say we use this location to put all our past differences to rest. We can hang them high and then bury them. Let’s start over by making love.” His eyes turned sultry, his thumb brushed over her knu
ckles. He tugged gently, urging her toward him. Truth be told, she didn’t need much convincing.
She fell into him, knocking him flat onto his back. He pulled her into him.
“Kiss me. Let me know you forgive me for yesterday.”
She lowered her lips to his. He let her control the kiss. His lips were soft and warm. Savor every moment and take this slow, that is what she wanted to do. “Now,” she whispered. “You can make up for yesterday. Show me what you feel in your heart.”
“With pleasure.” He took control and guided her lips to his once more, groaning as he deepened the kiss. The soft flesh of his tongue explored her lips before begging for entry into her mouth.
His tongue created an erotic dance around hers. She joined in the rhythm. Very quickly the tempo increased. Hunger, strong and sweet, filled her core, creating a throbbing ache of want and need. It seemed he felt the same. She wanted to take it slowly, but she was beginning to think it would be impossible to control her desire for this man, so she let him set the pace.
He touched her gently, almost reverently. Where was the passion from the day before? Maybe he wanted to make her feel that he respected her. She wanted to take it slowly, but not this slowly. “I said to show me how you feel in your heart, not treat me like a virgin.” She smiled. She hoped she hadn’t insulted him.
“I want to take the time to love you properly. Yesterday I made a fool of myself.”
“There is nothing proper about me. Just love me with your body.”
He groaned and turned her over onto her back. “You are so beautiful.” His fingers brushed her cheek expressing his adoration. Ever so lightly, his thumb played with her chin and lips. “I have trouble keeping my eyes off of you. I’ve wanted to do this since that very first day.”
“You fooled me.”
“I was in denial.”
She smiled at that. “I might have been, too.”
“I can’t deny how I feel about you now.” His fingers and thumb began to undo the buttons of her blouse and then moved to her belt buckle.
“Here, let me help you with that. Better yet, we can undress ourselves so we can watch each other strip.”
Harold’s eyebrows quirked as he said, “Sounds good to me.”