by Roni Adams
His hand slid downward and then up just as smoothly, bringing the material of her skirt with him. The cooler air of the room felt good against her bared leg and, when his hand squeezed her thigh, she whimpered with need. The voice inside her grew fainter as her body's needs and her reaction to Tyler overcame sanity.
His fingers brushed the moistened silk between her thighs, and she couldn't help the cry that escaped her, or the way her hips lifted to encourage him to touch her again.
He pressed his mouth to the swell of her breast, his hand skimming up to lift her in his palm and circle the nipple with his tongue. She couldn't take much more and writhed in his hands. He was touching her just enough to set her on fire but not enough to satisfy her. Tyler knew what he was doing, and he knew exactly how she liked to be loved. He used all that information now to turn her into a puddle of desire.
He took her nipple in his mouth and suckled. “So beautiful,” he whispered.
Beth lowered her hand to sift through his hair, finally opening her eyes to see his dark hair at her breast only made what was happening all the hotter.
Tyler sucked harder, tracing her nipple with his tongue, nipping her with his teeth, making her lose her mind with barely any effort. Her hands on his shoulders pulled him closer.
When he released her breast to trail his fingers down her stomach, he raised his head, watching her expression as his hand covered her panties and teased the swollen bud. She gasped. He tugged her panties until they slid down her legs and she kicked them off. Her thighs spread of their own volition and he slid one deliciously large finger inside to stroke her.
She jerked. “Oh God, Ty! Ohhhh..."
He toyed with her, torturing her and giving her a taste of what she wanted but not fulfilling any of her needs; he was only making her forget everything but the sensations running rampant in her body.
Her breath hissed when he suddenly took his hand away. “No, oh, what's wrong?” She was right on the edge, right on the brink, and he stopped. She tried to pull him back to her, but he held himself completely rigid.
"We're not taking this any father until you believe that I had no idea what Chase was planning."
What she believed was that they should discuss this afterwards. She wanted him right now, right here. “Okay, Ty, I believe you,” she grunted.
He shook his head. “No, you don't."
Beth swallowed hard and looked deep into his eyes. He needed her assurance and she wasn't sure she could give that to him. She could lie, just to get what she wanted, but then what would that make her? “Okay, part of me doesn't believe you,” she replied honestly.
His expression made her heart drop. He pushed away and stood.
Humiliation washed over her. She'd all but begged him to make love to her and he was going to walk away.
"I can't do this,” he said, frustration lacing his voice. He adjusted himself and ran a shaky hand through his hair. “Either we're together or we're not. I can't pretend I don't care that you don't trust me."
Beth sprang to her feet, pulled her blouse closed and crossed her arms to cover herself. Her face burned with humiliation, and her body ached and throbbed for the release he promised but denied her. “Get out of here,” she choked.
Though he turned, he didn't make a move to leave. “Don't build it up in your head that I don't want you either. I want you more now than ever before, but it's all or nothing. I can't give you only the parts you want and keep the parts you don't to myself."
"I don't want any part of you.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “What almost happened here, that was your last chance and you blew it. You said it's all or nothing? Fine, I choose nothing."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twelve
Tyler fiddled with his Stetson where it rested on his knee. He glanced at his brother. How could he look so comfortable and at ease in this office?
"Here you go Cord, black and strong just as you like it.” Their attorney's secretary, SueAnn Richardson, brought in a tray of coffee. “I also baked these muffins this morning and thought you might want one.” She beamed at Cord, and Tyler bit back a grin. Some things in Sweet Meadow never changed.
"Thanks, SueAnne, your lemon muffins are legendary.” Cord smiled and took one off the platter.
The woman's entire face lit up. She handed one to Tyler but he waved her off with his hand. “No thanks, not good for my figure, you know.” He winked to soften his rejection.
"Oh, go on, as if any of you Weston boys need to worry about your looks.” She directed the last part to Cord.
A red flush crept up the back of his brother's neck.
"Jake's on his way,” she continued. “He had to stop off at his Mama's place. She's having some ‘issues', don't you know.” Her voice had lowered as if confiding in them, but Tyler knew damn well SueAnne had probably told half the town already what ‘issues’ Jake's mother was having.
When she closed the door, he turned to his older brother. “If she was a puppy, her tail would be wagging and there'd be a puddle on the floor. That girl has it bad for you."
Cord shifted in his chair and set the rest of his muffin on the tray. “She's got it bad for any eligible guy over twenty and under eighty. Then again, I'm not so sure about the under eighty part. SueAnne's wanted a husband since she was five years old."
"She sure can bake.” Ty nodded to the full plate of treats.
"Yep, and run her mouth, too. No thanks.” Cord took a long drink of his coffee, grimaced and set it back on the tray. “Bake maybe, but she can't make coffee that's for dang sure.” He picked up the rest of his muffin and took a bite. “Listen, let's talk a minute before Jake gets here."
Tyler frowned. They'd already discussed everything. “Talk about what?"
"You know. Chase's plan was for you to move back there, work under him some more, and take it over."
"Yeah, but things have changed."
Cord held his gaze. “I understand, but do you know things with you and Beth are going to work out? I'd hate to see you pass this by when it could just be the answer to what you've always wanted."
"I want Beth."
Cord twisted in his chair and faced him. He clasped his hands loosely and dangled them between his legs. “I'm going to be straight with you, and then you make up your own mind."
Tyler nodded. Here comes the fatherly lecture that Cord was famous for.
"You left home because you couldn't work under me or Buck anymore. You hated that we knew your business, all that you were about, and that we had no problem, as family, with voicing our opinion."
Tyler nodded. “Yeah."
"Nothing's changed, Ty. We're still the same annoying family you grew to resent. I have the responsibility of this family on my plate, I have a business to run, and I can't spend time molly-coddling you if you don't like a direct order or we hit heads on something."
Tyler knew he'd have a struggle if he had to turn to his brother for permission with everything he did, but he had an idea for a new horse project in partnership with Sara. He'd only mentioned it briefly to Cord so far but...
As if reading his mind, Cord added, “And the horse project with Sara hasn't even been brainstormed yet."
Was he going back on his promise to listen? Tyler focused on Beth and a life with her, but the old resentment surfaced.
Cord tipped his head. “Who writes the checks? What happens when you think we need a bigger facility or a purchase that I don't agree with? I know you, Ty. I know how hot-headed you get when you're told ‘no'."
"I'm not five. It's not like I'm going to throw a temper tantrum.” He impatiently brushed the dirt from the brim of his hat.
Brown eyes bore into his. “No, but you might take off."
Tyler glared back.
His brother raked a hand through his hair, a sure sign he had more to say and wasn't sure how best to do it. “I know you and Beth—"
"We're not your business."
Cord leveled him with a harsh
glare. “Those girls are my business. I have an obligation to each of them and I won't let them down."
Tyler scoffed and rolled his eyes. “First of all, they're grown women. They don't need you to hover over them and make sure they eat their cereal each morning."
"You don't get it, do you? You really don't.” Cord stood. “I thought maybe this past year away you'd grown up, but you're still the same wet behind the ears brat you were when you left."
Tyler stood and faced him, glaring down. “I'm not going to let her down."
"You already did, and, quite frankly, I think you will again. It's only a matter of time. What I'm saying is, you really should think about this position at the Circle S. It would solve all your problems. You'd be the boss with no one to answer to. Not to mention, you and Charli get on just fine; she doesn't want the control of the business and so would defer to you."
"I'm not leaving Beth."
Cord threw up his hands and walked to the window. “Maybe it's time you sat down with Beth and asked her what she wants. In my way of thinking, if she loves you like you say she does, then she could go with you.” He turned around. “Maybe that's the solution, Ty; you and Beth both head out and have your own life away from us."
He shook his head. “She'll never leave Sweet Meadow, and I won't ask her to. She has her practice here."
"She's a damn good vet; she can start a practice there."
Tyler would love nothing more, but he wasn't about to ask Beth to do that.
A piece of him wondered if she would. Would she go with him, knowing how much this position would mean to him? In the time he'd been at the Circle S, he'd formed a bond with Chase. His former employer showed him respect, and they'd worked great together. He already knew everything there was to know about the spread. A couple times Chase had even gone out of town and he'd taken over, but only for a week or so, never longer than that. He admitted the offer was a good one but he couldn't put that choice on her shoulders. It wasn't fair.
The door opened and Jake walked in. The older man glanced at the two brothers and sighed. “Now what? You Westons are the most ornery, stubborn men I've ever met."
"Second only to you, huh, Jake?” Cord replied. “How's your Mama?"
The lawyer slipped his reading glasses on and sat behind his desk. “Driving me crazy, that's how she is. But I'm sure SueAnne filled you all in on that, so let's get down to business.” He lifted the papers and then gazed at Tyler over the top. “You do realize that Chase intends for you to be in charge of all this?"
Tyler let his breath out. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But I'm not going to be. I'll help Cord and Chase find someone to oversee the property. If I need to, I'll fly out there a few times a year, maybe even once a month, but I'm not moving there."
Jake glanced at Cord, and Tyler's temper rose.
"I think Chase intended you to be on the property managing it. I don't know if the deal is going to be the same if you aren't there."
Tyler shook his head. “It's not like we asked for this. He wanted to know it was in good hands—his words. I'm not moving to Abilene."
Jake nodded and read through the papers, then slipped off his glasses and leaned back in his chair. “I gotta tell you, Tyler, as your attorney, this is a sweet deal. Adding this to the Double B holdings is going to be a tremendous amount of wealth down the road. Chase wants his daughter's future protected and he trusts you to do that. I would seriously think about this before turning it down flat."
Tyler glared at the other man. “I'm staying. I plan to make a life here with Beth."
Jake steepled his hands. “And what does Beth say about all this?"
"Beth has a thriving business here. She has patients, friends, and her family around her; she wants to settle here."
"And you? Do you like being surrounded by family? Folks you grew up with, known all your life; folks who have no problem knowing and/or getting into your business."
This again. “In a perfect world, maybe not,” he replied honestly. “But I'm part of this family. Maybe you don't believe it, but in the time I was away I grew up. A lot. I learned what I want and what I don't want, and I'm ready to make this commitment.” He turned to Cord. “I let you down once. I won't do it again. I have strong plans and ideas. I'll make this work and I'll make her happy. I promise."
Cord held his gaze and then put his hand out. “Okay.” He grinned and nodded. “Okay, then."
Tyler clasped his brother's firm handshake.
Cord laughed and pulled Tyler into a quick hug and then turned to Jake. “Here's what we'll do. Tyler and I will head to Abilene in a few weeks, and we'll spend some time going through everything with Chase, and find out exactly what he needs. We'll review his current staff, see who's there. If no one makes sense to groom as an overseer, then we'll start the process of looking for someone. There's good men out there who would jump at this chance."
"You think Chase will go along with that?” Jake asked.
Cord nodded. “Yeah, I'll talk to him. I'll assure him it will be under our control. I'll fly out there if I have to every month. Hell, it's only an hour by helicopter."
Tyler raised one eyebrow. “Charli would certainly be more than happy to have you visit often."
Cord ran his hand around his reddening neck. He regained his composure and shook his head. “I need to talk to her, too. She's a brilliant chef who, for some reason, is wasting her talents sitting around her father's ranch."
That's his brother, making sure everyone lives up to their potential.
"Yeah, as if you need someone else to take responsibility for,” Jake quipped.
Cord shrugged. “Chase and my father were friends and he's been good to us over the years. He's devoted his entire life to raising his daughter and building the business. For some reason, Chase is obsessed that he's going to die young like our father. He deserves to be able to spend some time fishing or doing whatever he wants to. He can't do that unless he knows we're taking care of things. He trusts us and we won't let him down."
* * * *
"This was a great idea.” Susan picked up the plates from the table and walked to rinse them. “It's so rare the three of us get to spend time together alone."
Beth cleared the condiments and put them in Sara's refrigerator.
"I can't believe it took us until now to find time.” Sara pushed her chair back.
"Don't,” Beth scolded.
"We've got this. Relax, would you?” Susan shook her head as she accepted the silverware Beth handed her.
"I'm so sick of everyone thinking I need to rest all the time,” Sara groused, but pulled out another chair and settled her feet on it.
Her hands rested on her swollen stomach and Beth couldn't stop staring.
Sara caught her look. “It's amazing isn't it?"
Beth brought the tray of leftover Christmas cookies to the table. Going down on one knee, she put her hands on her sister's belly. As if on cue, the baby kicked, and she smiled up at Sara. “I never get tired of feeling that."
Her sister smirked. “Well I do—especially at three in the morning."
Beth bit her lip. “I can't help but wonder what Mama and Daddy would have thought."
Susan brought the cups over. “I think Daddy would have been beside himself with worry, and Mama would be acting the same way Flo does, as if it was the first baby born on earth."
She stood up. “How about the work Sam did on the cradle, did you see that? I mean, that thing's been through how many babies and it looks like it was just built yesterday."
Sara reached for a cookie. “Well, all I know is this was not the way I thought life was going to work out. Everyone thought it would be you getting pregnant first. Hell, this was the farthest thing on my radar."
Beth poured the hot tea that had been steeping and the cinnamon fragrance filled the room. “What does Flo always say? Something about the road of life never being straight?” She shook her head. “I don't know, something like that. But yeah, two years ag
o, I never would have thought things would be the way they are."
"What I wouldn't give for a cup of coffee,” Sara complained, pulling the hot mug towards her.
"How are things with you and Tyler?” Susan sank to a chair. “That Christmas morning snow stunt was quite the romantic feat if you ask me."
Beth flashed back to the wonder of seeing all that white snow. It had been something she'd dreamed of and wished for her entire life. Riding in the wagon with him had been magical. The kiss he gave her afterward still curled her toes. She picked up her tea, took a sip of the too-hot liquid and winced. “To be honest, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster."
Susan and Sara exchanged a knowing glance.
Beth frowned. “What?"
"Teddy seems to think he had a big scoop.” Susan lifted one eyebrow. “He said that you and Tyler decided to have ‘a friends with benefits’ type of relationship."
Beth's face flamed and she shifted in her chair. Her relationship, or whatever it was, wasn't anyone else's business. She bit her lip again. Then again, maybe her sisters could help—after all, who knew her better than these two? “Okay, I'm going to put something out here, and I don't want anyone passing judgment or whatever, just tell me what you think, understand?” She leaned forward and glanced fearfully at her pregnant sister. She knew Susan wouldn't judge, but Sara was far more conservative, more of a mother figure than she liked to believe.
Taking a fortifying drink, she hesitantly began her confession, “Tyler and I, well, things happened the night I lost Cole's horse and the foal. I was upset, he was there, it happened.” She glanced at each of them, but neither seemed surprised. She lifted her hands in resignation. “Let me guess, that's old news around the family gossip chain, right?"
Sara shrugged.
Beth frowned. “Fine. Anyway, we both were confused about everything. Obviously when he left, I was devastated, broken-hearted, but what I didn't know ... was that he thought I had abandoned him too.” She glanced outside, remembering the first time she read the note and the horrid ache of thinking how hurt he must have been when she didn't show up. “He left me a note, but I never read it, not until recently. In the note, he had asked me to meet him in Abilene that first September."