“Well.” His voice interrupted her thoughts. “Sweet bride of mine, is it what you expected?” He parked the Lexus and left the engine idling.
“It’s beautiful.”
Shutting off the engine, he opened the door, stepped out, and stood beside the car, hands on his hips, beaming as if he had created all this himself. Amanda smiled. In her perfect world, he had.
She hopped out of the passenger side and walked around to where he stood. “I wish we could go inside.”
“Your wish is granted.” He took her by the shoulders and pivoted her slightly. A green sedan had turned into the driveway.
A few minutes later, a man strode toward them, a set of keys dangled from his left hand. “Sorry if I kept you waiting. An office meeting ran longer than I expected.” He nodded at Amanda and extended his right hand toward James. “Mr. Jackson, good to see you again. The extra electronic items and special wiring are done.” He looked directly at her husband. “Quite a lot of fancy gadgets you installed.”
James elaborately put his finger to his mouth. “Ssh. It’s a surprise for my wife.”
Amanda smiled. It was just like James to do something special for her. But the entire house had her full attention now. The surprise could wait until later.
The Realtor laughed. “Okay. The water and electric are turned on. However, you’ll need to take care of the phone and cable yourself. As you can see the landscape is all new.” Perspiration dotted his forehead as if the September day suddenly was too warm for him. “Won’t take much work to keep your yard in tip-top shape. It’s left in its natural state. Mostly dessert.” He turned toward Amanda and chuckled. “And, of course, Mrs. Jackson, inside is completely furnished with items you selected online. They were delivered two days ago, and my assistant took care of furniture placement.” He slipped the key into the lock of the massive oak front door. Turning it sharply once then pushed it open. “I hope you find everything to your liking.” He moved aside to let Amanda and James enter their new home.
Amanda was speechless. She had stepped into a stunning Tuscan masterpiece. James said it was designed and built by a local architect. She wandered slowly through the house. The kitchen truly was a chef’s delight with the stainless steel appliances, and gorgeous knotty Alder cabinetry. If only she could cook something more besides macaroni and cheese, and a few egg dishes.
Walking over to the sliding doors on the patio, she stared out through the glass. The house sat on a spectacular lot, and the mountain views were phenomenal. She was a long way from Turtle Creek, Oregon and the rambling brick home of her parents, once the envy of the town. That was before her father’s unexpected death. Her mother had always battled a drinking problem and when her father died it became worse. But she didn’t have to worry about that part of her life any longer.
She turned to find James watching her.
“Do you really like your new home Amanda?”
“Absolutely, far more beautiful than I imagined.”
“Good.” Though a smile stretched across his face, it slipped a little. “Because I have some bad news. My boss wants me to go out on one of the infrequent trips I told you might come up. I have to leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Really.” Amanda couldn’t hide her disappointment. “But we just got here?”
“I know but this trip couldn’t be helped.” He walked toward her. “Fortunately, it will only be for a week.”
“A whole week?”
“It will fly by before you know it.” He swung his arm around the massive living room. “Look what you have to work with? You’ll be able to decorate the whole place just the way you want it without my being underfoot.”
Amanda pouted. “I’d rather have you underfoot.”
He laughed. “Come here, you.” His voice was low and seductive.
In an almost trance-like state she, moved close to him. She smelled his masculine scent and felt the heat from his body. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
Tiny, delightful shivers rocked through her. His warm breath tickled her neck arousing every inch of her body.
“I want to make love to you right now, Amanda.”
“James. The Realtor?”
“He’s gone, baby.” The words were barely out of his mouth when he scooped Amanda into his arms. “Let’s go upstairs and christen our new bed.”
“Absolutely.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Get going, my beautiful, perfect, big boy.”
A low growl rumbled from his throat. “Your wish is my command.” Taking two steps at a time, he carried her upstairs.
His stride never paused until he reached the edge of the new pillow-top, king-sized bed. With one hand he reached down and threw back the covers. Her legs were still tightly squeezed around him as he carefully lowered them both to the edge of the mattress.
“This is what I’ve thought about all day.” He slid his hands under her tee shirt and lifted. One quick motion and it flew across the room. His hands expertly moved down her back and with nimble fingers he unfastened her bra. A smile stretched across his lips. He leaned back and watched as the cool air from the ceiling fan caressed her warm naked breasts, tightening her peach-colored nipples to pointy tips.
When he leaned forward and nipped one stiff peak softly with his teeth, Amanda shivered and released a quiet sigh. “Hang on, sweetheart.” He pulled away from her and quickly removed his clothing. Naked, his eager arousal pointed toward her indicating his need for her. He tugged at her jeans, sliding them over her hips and down to her knees. Amanda bent her legs making it easier for him to pull away her jeans.
She lay before him, wearing only her new black lace panties he’d bought for her as a wedding gift, along with other fancy frilly undergarments. He slid his hands between her knees and pushed them apart. Before she could take a second breath, his mouth captured her opening. Warmth blew through the thin, black silk. A tingling of pleasure followed his breath. Amanda let out a soft cry. Her hips rocked slightly as his fingers slid under the elastic corners of her undies and stretched the material, moving them so he could make direct contact with her.
Just as she started to respond, he paused and lifted his head. Silently he looked at her as if a sudden thought had occurred to him. “You know, Amanda, I never dreamed loving you would bring me so much pleasure.”
“Why, thank you.”
He gave her a sweet smile, lowered his head, and slowly tongued the inner, wet folds.
Instantly Amanda mewled with pleasure.
Hearing her, James glanced up, his eyes glazed. “Has anyone else ever made love to you like this, Amanda?”
“No,” she answered breathlessly. “Only you.”
“Good.” Then with a quick tug to her panties, he ripped them from her body and tossed them over his shoulder. “Hook your legs around my neck, Amanda. I want to make you scream.”
An hour later, Amanda, freshly showered, found James standing out on the bedroom balcony. She stepped up beside him. “The sunset is beautiful from here.”
Pulling her closer, he bent and kissed her forehead. “Yes, it is.”
No other houses surrounded them, only mountains and desert. Amanda looked down from the balcony and followed the elegant tiled patio design. It stretched from the back of the house and ended with a three-foot-high border of red brick. Beyond the perimeter, the backyard extended a few feet more then came to an abrupt stop before a dangerous looking drop-off.
“James, I think we should build an extra fence along the back area. I’d hate to have someone accidently fall from the drop off because nothing was there to stop them.”
“Certainly. I’ll see to it as soon as possible.”
Satisfied, she studied a mesquite tree pathetically hanging on to life. Its roots entrenched into the crusty topsoil at the edge of the drop-off. She admired the tree’s determination to survive. Mentally she made a note to help it along by making sure it got plenty enough water.<
br />
The sun sat just below the western horizon. Beautiful pinks and lavender rays streaked the darker blue sky. Twilight had always been her favorite time of day. It was at those moments she believed anything was possible.
Twilight had also been her solace after her father died. It gave her time to her grieving and face a lonely mother arriving home drunk, again, and always with another man she’d picked up in a local bar. Sometimes a scum-bag drunk believed in ‘daughter like mother’ adage and made advances on her as soon as mommy passed out. Well, she learned fast how to discourage that sort of thinking.
Money had never been an issue for her mother or herself. Frank Spenser always looked out for his family. Trust funds were set up long before he died. One for her mother, one for herself, and one for Amanda’s future children, if any. All the Spenser estate was carefully choreographed so no unscrupulous lawyer or greedy relative could steal the money from his loved ones. Not even potential future spouses.
She was married now. Her spouse was Mr. Perfect. She was certain, if her father had lived, he would have approved of James, even change her trust fund to include him.
Only her trust couldn’t be altered once Frank Spenser died. Changing it really didn’t matter. James made more than enough money for the both of them to live comfortably.
Therefore her trust would safely be held for her and James’ children, making their trusts quite lucrative once they reached the age to inherit. Yes, her life was perfect.
“I love you, James.” She slid her arm around his waist and hooked her fingers into his back jean belt loop. Inhaling softly, she enjoyed the smell of his fresh after shave lotion. Also perfect. Just like him.
“What don’t you love, Amanda?”
The somber tone of his question gave her a pause. “Er...well. “ She studied the desert landscape below her. “I don’t love snakes. So, I guess I’ll have to say rattlesnakes now.” She gave a slight shiver.
“You need to remember, sweetheart, you’re in Arizona now. Reptiles are everywhere. And, there are other dangerous species here besides rattlers.” He leaned his mouth next to her ear and whispered, “Scorpions. You’ll want to watch out for them. They’re sneaky little bastards. Rattlesnakes will give you a warning first.”
She shuddered at the thought of coming upon either one of them.
He gave her a kiss, this time on the cheek. “Are you getting hungry?”
“Starving. What should we do?”
“Why don’t I drive into Cave Creek? Grab something quick. Say…fast food…or a pizza? I’ll bring it back, and we eat it here?”
“Pizza sounds good to me.”
“Great. I’ll grab a shirt.”
Amanda stayed put, enjoying the quietness and the beauty of the setting sun.
Minutes later, Amanda heard the Lexus roar down the long curved drive. James’s mission to find food was underway.
She smiled and leaned on the balcony’s railing. The moment her elbows touched the wrought iron, a long faraway howl floated toward her. Stiffening, she straightened and focused her attention toward the sound. Could it have been a coyote? But James told her they made a yipping cadence rather than a long drawn out howl.
Though dark now she could still make out forms of Saguaros and Jumping Cacti. She strained to see if she could spot anything unusual.
Again the eerie tone rose and fell like a lonely cry searching for something or someone. A cold rush of air swept across Amanda’s face. The breeze also carried sadness with it. She wrapped her arms around herself hoping it would ease her unrest. Normally she wasn’t afraid of something she couldn’t see, but whatever made the sound had to have come from somewhere. But where?
Amanda widened her gaze taking in the slanting land beyond the drop-off and the house, then gasped. Higher up on the slope, and from behind a rather large Saguaro, a human-like shaped appeared. Slowly, haltingly, it shuffled along as if looking at the ground for answers. She watched it abruptly weave toward another, much larger, Saguaro, its arms extended out like offering an open embrace. When the shape moved behind the cactus, she held her breath waiting to see when it would reappear.
It didn’t.
But something else did. A massively huge dog trotted from behind the cactus. It turned in Amanda’s direction and sat on its haunches. At that same moment, the earlier cool breeze changed. A feeling of warmth and protection now encircled her. Amanda unfolded her arms. For some odd reason, the change in temperature made her feel safe.
Surprised by her feelings, Amanda searched for the dog. Where had it come from? Was it lost or a stray?
She found him, still looking in her direction. As if he knew she’d seen him, he trotted away.
CHAPTER TWO
Turtle Creek, Oregon
“Amanda? Amanda? Nope. The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
Personal protection agent and P.I. Rick De Luca, sole owner of the Turtle Creek P.I and Bodyguard Service, gulped the last of his coffee and placed the empty cup on his desk. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Sorry, Sis. Can’t say as I remember her.”
Dawn DeLuca sighed dramatically. She glared at her big brother. “How could you not remember her? Amanda and I have been friends, like forever. The two of us used to tag after you all the time when we were in Junior High.”
An unexpected image of a skinny, little girl with the braces, and stringy, blonde hair popped into his mind. He chuckled. “Oh, yeah, now I remember.” He yawned and rubbed the stubble growing on his chin. Early this morning, he’d finished his recent job. An easy case, one with little trouble, but lots of long nights. “You’re still friends with her? After all these years?” Hell, once he’d joined the Marines, he’d lost contact with everyone he’d hung around with in high school.
“Yes. If you’d stayed around home instead of joining those crazy Jarheads, you would have noticed what a beautiful, young woman she had become. She scooted her chair closer and leaned her elbows on his desk. “Just do me a favor, Rick.” Acting as if she believed someone was within earshot, she whispered softly, “I have this horrible feeling. Amanda’s move to Arizona will take a bad turn. She’s going to need help. Your help.”
“My help? Why?”
“Someone has to keep an eye on her. I don’t know…” Dawn frowned. “I’m sensing something is coming after Amanda. It won’t be long either.”
Rick sighed. Eight years ago he would have laughed off Dawn’s premonitions, but after several tours in Afghanistan, he’d come to accept the idea of detecting things as a warning. Many a time, his buddies and him stayed alive, thanks to someone feeling something was off. “My work keeps me pretty busy here in Oregon and on the West Coast. My last case was exhausting. Can’t you find someone down in Arizona to watch over her?” He already knew her answer. When Dawn got a notion, she wouldn’t let anyone change her mind. She’d been that way ever since she was five years old.
“Absolutely not! You have to be the one to watch over her. Think about it being on a three-week break. I’m told Arizona is gorgeous during the fall.”
Black pants and a white shirt under a black leather jacket caught her attention first. A biker’s skull cap, pulled low over his forehead, distorted his features. He stood alone among two ancient tomb stones. Something about him seemed off. There was a distinct edge to him. Sadness, or was it anger, she couldn’t tell. He must have sensed her watching him, for all of a sudden, he turned to face her. He pointed and smiled. A pure evil smile. Words floated on the wind. “Someday…you’ll be next.”
Dawn shot up in bed, her heart pounding. It had happened again. Ever since she’d left Rick’s office the other day, all her night dreams were similar. Whatever danger stalked Amanda, would be coming for her next.
Shaking, Dawn collapsed back onto her pillow and pulled the bed covers tight around her. She was sure she’d seen the future as if it played out across a movie screen. Not only had she seen what was to come, she felt the past following. Dark and brooding
, the shadow of a man radiated hate and revenge.
For what reason? Why her and Amanda? What had they done to him?”
The dark bedroom gave her no answers. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand. The red illuminated numbers read 11:58. It would be a long night. Somehow she would have to get through it with no more dreams.
Dawn reached for her iPad and swiped it until she came to the app where she’d stored lullabies to help her sleep.
The instant Brahms’ Lullaby started, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, allowing the soothing music to wash over her. There was nothing else she could do tonight.
However…first on her list in the morning would be to call Amanda.
CHAPTER THREE
Amanda woke up to the loud chirping of birds outside. She rolled over and found James’ side of the bed empty. Often than not, it was the usual routine. Empty bed. James was gone. This morning she knew better. He’d arrived late last night from his most recent out of town trip. She grinned remembering how he’d crawled into bed and woke her with kisses on her neck, her cheek, and her lips. She’d wrapped her arms around his neck as he settled between her legs. And they made sweet love throughout the night.
She released a satisfied sigh and snuggled deeper into the bed. Slowly she ran her hand over the mattress on James’ side. A note rested on his pillow. She read it sleepily.
“Have fun today. Sorry had to go to the office. Be home around 6:00. Enjoyed last night. We’ll have to do that more often. If you want me to bring dinner, call my cell. Love, James.”
Amanda smiled, enjoying how funny and thoughtful her husband was.
James must have slipped away earlier to go to work, without waking her. Not many husbands would let their wives sleep in. If they had to get up then so should their wives. They expected them to have the house clean, laundry finished, folded and put away, and dinner waiting on the table when they arrived home. Her father was one of those types of men.
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