“Excellent,” he crooned, smothering her breasts, devouring them with his mouth, “but I think you need to give me just a few more minutes.”
“Just a few?” she moaned.
“Well…as many as it will take,” he smiled, dropping his fingers between her legs, moving his thumb around her clit.
“Derrick, I can’t get enough of you,” she groaned.
He rolled her on to her stomach, and kneeling behind her, he pulled her hips against his pelvis.
“Your butt is so red,” he said softly, tracing the outline of the handprints he’d left.
“It stings,” she whimpered.
“As it should,” he smiled, placing his cock in position, “and if I have to spank you every day to keep you safe, that’s what I’ll do,” he growled, smacking her lightly, at least, while you’re here.
“Yes, Sir,” she cried, arching her back as if presenting her bottom for more of his discipline, and I want you to. I need you to, and I wish I didn’t have to go away.
Sliding into her warm, moist, inviting cunt, he held her cheeks in his palms, squeezing as he thrust, and with the wind and rain their backdrop, he consumed her body, all the while gazing at the beautiful crimson backside that had paid for her mistake.
Sometime later, after they’d showered and dressed, and Emma had cooked them up an easy but delicious concoction of sliced chicken and tomatoes fried in butter and topped with cheese, the rain finally stopped and the wind calmed. Having started in the early hours of the morning, the storm had raged throughout the day.
“Shall we take a look?” Derrick asked.
“Sounds quiet out there,” she nodded.
“I reckon we’re good,” he said, walking to the door.
Lifting the thick bar and sliding it back, he pushed open the heavy door, and with Emma directly behind him, he stepped outside.
“I absolutely cannot believe it,” she gasped, walking past him. “It looks like a tornado has swept through here.”
Tree limbs were everywhere, the vintage hitching post that had run around the outside of the verandah was gone, and the steel garage showed a pattern of dents, both from the hail and whatever other debris had flown through the air and found its mark.
“Have you ever seen that before?” Emma asked, folding her arms against a gusty wind that was still kicking up.
“Never, and I’ve never seen that before either,” he remarked, pointing further afield.
“I can’t even make it out,” she declared, moving forward and peering ahead. “Is that water, a pond?”
“Yep. Land must have hollowed there. Damn that was some rain!” he exclaimed. “I’m going to get the phone. We have some tours booked and I need to tell Ron about this.”
As he marched inside the cabin, Emma walked off the porch, staring at the mayhem surrounding her. She’d seen the debris field of a tornado when she’d joined a storm chaser to record a season of Tornado Alley in the Midwest, and what she was staring at looked eerily similar.
Surely the roof of the cabin would have been ripped off, and the garage would never have survived.
Moving carefully forward, she found her feet sinking into the wet sand, but not so much she couldn’t continue. There had been a cluster of trees a fair distance ahead, and she wanted to see the state of them, but she could hear Derrick’s voice in her head.
You know better than to take such crazy risks, don’t you, Emma. Perhaps one day you won’t need reminding.
Pausing, she turned and saw him standing on the verandah, the phone at his ear. He was watching her, almost like a parent would watch a child.
Am I being foolish? Am I venturing into an area that I shouldn’t?
Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked back to the cabin, and as she approached, though he was still talking on the phone, she saw Derrick break into a huge smile.
“Good as gold, Ron. I’ll ring you tomorrow.”
“What did he say?” she asked as he ended the call. “Are there reports of the storm back in Sydney?”
“Yep, it was a beaut all right. Ron’s sending out a crew. They’ll be here sometime tomorrow and that’s when we’ll leave. They’ll have cleared the road on the way in, and they’ll be staying here to get this place cleared up a bit.”
“That’s great,” she sighed.
“I thought you said you’d be happy staying here for at least a month,” he winked.
“I could, and I meant it,” she winked back.
“Did you find anything interesting out there?”
“Uh, not really, but I had a feeling I should come back.”
“You did? Are we getting somewhere?” he grinned.
“Um, I think maybe we are,” she replied, feeling oddly coy.
“I was so happy to see you turn around. Would you like me to tell you why?”
“Of course,” she declared.
“You were going over to check out the trees, right?”
“I was, I wanted to see the damage. I think a tornado was very close to us.”
“I’m sure of it,” he nodded, “but those trees are home to some very nasty spiders.”
A sick feeling rumbled through her stomach, and she stared at him, wide-eyed.
“Holy crap, you’re kidding!” she breathed.
“I’m not kidding. Who knows how many are crawling around over there. I would have called you if you’d gone much further.”
“What about here?” she asked, her eyes darting around her.
“Could well be. Just stay aware.”
“Damn, I’m really freaking out right now,” she exclaimed, almost afraid to move.
“Take a deep breath. As long as you’re in those solid boots you’ll be fine.”
“I’ll try to remember that,” she nodded, “believe me.”
“I’m interested in going over to those trees myself. I can already see they’re badly damaged.”
“Maybe we can look at them when we leave tomorrow, rather than walk over there,” she suggested hastily.
“That’s a plan,” he agreed, knowing her terror of spiders would make any hike extremely uncomfortable for her. “I’m going to pull the shutters back in place, and see if the garage door will still open.”
As he started towards the windows, she moved slowly into the house, her eyes on the ground with every step, and terrified that the creepy crawlies might make their way inside, she closed the door behind her. Putting the kettle on, she sat down at the kitchen table, feeling an unexpected wave of fatigue, and by the time Derrick returned, though she’d made the tea and put some biscuits on a plate, she was yawning.
“You look weary,” Derrick remarked, walking to the sink to wash his hands.
“I am. I don’t know why. We spent the day in bed,” she replied.
“That could be your answer right there,” he grinned, moving to the table to join her.
“You might be right,” she smiled. “Did you get the garage door open?”
“Just, but now it won’t close. The car will be fine there for one night.”
“How can there be such a big storm like that, after a dry dust storm? They seem opposite.”
“Happens out here, and usually the wet stuff follows directly after the sandstorm. I’m no meteorologist, but it has to do with hot air and cold air, the change of the seasons, the usual stuff you hear the weathermen talk about.”
“It’s fascinating,” she yawned, drinking her tea.
“It’s been a whirlwind of a trip for you, hasn’t it?” Derrick asked kindly.
“I guess it has,” she sighed. “I really do feel exhausted.”
“Early night for you, and a good sleep in.”
“I need it,” she nodded. “I really will be sad to leave here. It’s been absolutely fabulous.”
“Yes, it has,” he sighed, reaching across and taking her hand, “and it won’t be the last time we’re here together, I promise you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
When the crew arrived
the following afternoon, they declared that the track leading to the main road had only been impassable for the last couple of miles leading to the cabin, and they’d had no problem getting it cleared.
“My guess is a small, rain wrapped tornado came through, just missed the house,” Max, the leader of the small group announced, “you’re good to go, you won’t have any troubles. There’s one thing I do want to show you though, over by that water,” Max added, leading Derrick away to the pond the storm had left in its wake.
The Land Rover was already out of the garage and packed up, and having no desire to wander with the men, Emma snapped a few last photographs before climbing in to wait for Derrick.
“You sure you’ve got everything?” he asked, finally joining her and settling behind the wheel.
“I am,” she sighed.
“Let’s go look at those trees,” he declared.
Winding the car carefully around the bigger branches still strewn on the ground, he reached the point of the track that the crew had cleared, and pressed down on the accelerator. A few minutes later, as they neared the small clump of trees, Derrick let out a low whistle.
“We were lucky, Em,” he declared, dropping the end of her name.
“No kidding,” she replied quietly, staring at what was left of the trees.
The barren trunks stood as a dark testament to the storms wrath. The branches were gone, hurled far afield, with only a few scattered around the base.
“I see why Max said it just missed the house,” she remarked.
“I’ve been coming here all my life, and I’ve never seen that.”
“Banjora was right,” she nodded. “I hope he’s okay.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. Aborigines know better than us how to cope on this land.”
“Derrick,” she said softly, “I really liked how you called me Em just now. It was, I don’t know, sweet.”
“That’s ’cos you are,” he grinned, and leaning over the console, he kissed her languidly, instantly feeling the result in his trousers. “I guess we’d better get to the plane. We’ll get into Orange just as the sun’s setting.”
There were more indications of the storm as they drove, but no havoc compared to what had surrounded the house, and when they reached the airfield they found the tarmac was clear, and the only sign of a storm was behind the hangar where some garbage cans had fallen over.
“It must have touched down just in the area we were in?” Derrick remarked, picking them up and replacing the lids.
“I saw that in the Midwest,” she commented. “A twister would hit one side of a neighborhood, leaving the other completely untouched.”
Opening the hangar, he checked the plane, rolled it out, and in no time they were airborne. As she gazed out the window, knowing she was leaving the wild and strangely beautiful world behind her, thoughts of the life to which she was returning began to filter through, and she couldn’t help but wonder why Ben was trying to reach her so urgently.
Ben Mason was her literary agent, and had been since her career had taken off. He was a calm, methodical man, and he would only be chasing her if he had a solid reason to do so.
God, I hope there’s no hitch in this book. It’s going to be incredible. The picture of that stand storm coming at me, just by itself is a winner.
The recall of the moment, and the spanking that followed, brought a wry smile to her lips. While it had been an intense afternoon, it had led to the true beginning of her relationship with Derrick, and she had no regrets. Glancing over at his handsome face, the cowboy, or stockman, as he liked to call himself, was MIA. Aviator glasses, no cowboy hat, and a regular white cotton shirt, suggested he was a hunky pilot.
I can’t decide what I like the best, the cowboy or this sexy airman. I guess it doesn’t matter. I’ve fallen for you, regardless of the role you’re playing.
The flight seemed to be over before it started, and as he gently landed the plane she glanced down at her watch. They had been in the air less time flying back, but it still felt like five minutes. He maneuvered the plane to the hangar, rolling it to a stop, and as they left the cockpit he was met by one of the airport personnel. While he was busy signing some paperwork Emma retrieved their bags, then waited patiently for him to join her.
“Would you like to have dinner here in Orange or go back to the station?” he asked, kissing her lightly on the cheek.
“Home, please,” she smiled. “I need to check my emails and see if I can reach Ben, my agent, find out what all the fuss is about.”
“Let’s go then,” he declared, picking up the bags and heading for the car. “You know by the time we get back it’s going to be the perfect time to call. We’ll be home around six, and that will be just about noon time there.”
“Perfect,” she nodded. “That’s great.”
“Any idea why he’d be trying to reach you?” Derrick asked, as they settled into the car.
“Not really, though he usually calls when he has a new idea for a book. Can’t imagine why it’s so important.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” he remarked.
As they left the airfield and drove through the quaint town, Emma sighed, leaning her head against the seat. They were back in civilization. Cars, trucks, and shops; it was an odd, surreal feeling.
“Feeling a bit weird?” he asked, glancing across at her. The look was a familiar one, and he’d seen it many times when people returned from the outback.
“I am,” she muttered. “It’s so difficult to believe that just an hour away there’s nothing but crocodiles and snakes and aborigines and nothingness.”
“It’s common, what you’re feeling, and you had a remarkable trip. A few people meet up with a sandstorm, and some, our crazy spring storms, but not both. That’s unusual.”
“I’m really glad it all happened,” she smiled. “Funny thing though, unusual stuff seems to happen when I travel.”
“Why am I not surprised?” he chuckled.
They were soon on the open road, and as the landscape whizzed by, Emma felt herself slip deeper into the odd mood. Soon she’d be talking with Ben, doing a quick scan of the many pictures she’d shot, and then she’d be headed back to Sydney for her flight home.
While Emma was pondering, Derrick was getting lost in his own thoughts. If Emma’s guess was right, and her agent wanted to discuss a new book, it was safe to assume she’d be traveling again soon. He’d been toying with the idea of asking her to say for another week, but if she had to bolt back to America there’d be no point, and he didn’t want to put her in a position where she’d have to choose between him and her work.
Memories of saying goodbye to Suzy all those years before rumbled through his mind. He’d convinced himself that they’d figure it out, that she’d grow weary of the glitzy lifestyle and come home to him, but that hadn’t happened. To his chagrin he’d come to learn that Suzy had often dreamed of escaping to the big city, and once she’d started making her way in the world, she’d told some mutual friends she’d never return.
The town came into view, and as he slowed down and drove past the familiar landmarks, he let out a sigh. He loved his little community, and always felt better when he was home. Turning down his road, he looked across and saw that Emma had dozed off.
“Hey, Em, we’re home,” he said softly, reaching across and touching her leg.
“We are? Wow, that went so fast,” she yawned.
As he pulled the car up the driveway and stopped in front of the house, Bonny and Bounder came racing across the paddocks, barking happily. Stepping from the car, Bounder jumped up to say hello to Derrick first, then made a beeline for Emma.
“He hasn’t forgotten,” Derrick laughed.
“Apparently,” Emma replied, crouching down to reciprocate the dog’s unbridled affection.
Derrick pulled out the bags, and Emma followed him in the front door, and up the stairs to his bedroom.
“Shower and a cuppa?” he asked.
“
That sounds divine,” she smiled, flopping on the bed. “Why don’t you shower first, I need to see what emails there are from Ben.”
“Just use the landline and ring him,” Derrick offered. “I call the States all the time, no worries. Dial O11, then the number.”
“Really? Okay, thanks.”
Derrick pulled off his shirt, and Emma found herself gazing at his chest, and deliciously strong arms.
No wonder he can spank so hard, those damn muscles.
“What?” he grinned, seeing her stare.
“You’ve just got a scrumptious, you know, chest and everything,” she stammered.
“So do you,” he winked, “and it’s just as well you’re not coming in to shower with me, or that agent of yours would have to wait several more hours.”
She laughed out loud, and picking up the phone, put the call into Ben, eager to find out what all the fuss was about.
“Thank God!” Ben exclaimed. “Where have you been? I know, I know, the outback, and they don’t have phones there I assume.”
“Not exactly,” Emma replied. “What’s going on? Why the panic?”
“My dear girl, you will not believe this.”
“For Pete’s sake, just tell me,” she begged.
Derrick, standing at the counter in the bathroom with just a towel around his waist, stepped back into the door of the bedroom, deciding whatever the news he wanted to hear it sooner rather than later.
“Jimmy Valentine,” Ben began.
“Jimmy Valentine, what about him?” Emma asked.
Derrick frowned. Jimmy Valentine was a huge rock star, and between his endless hits, he spent his life touring across the globe.
“HBO is doing a Jimmy Valentine special, and the illustrious Mr. Valentine wants you to be the official photographer. You’ll be on tour at least six months, shooting everything from the jets, to the shows, and all the stuff behind the scenes.”
“You’re joking,” she exclaimed, stunned at the news, “but I don’t shoot rock stars. I shoot rocks,” she quipped, flashing back to the boulders in the outback, “but not rock stars.”
The Cowboy From Down Under (Cowboys After Dark: Book 2) Page 14