The phone rang, waking Janice from a sound sleep. Her clock showed the time, two thirty. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Whores and whoresons suffer the consequences of their actions.”
“Who are you? What do you want?” Janice screamed into the phone.
“Retribution is coming soon.”
She slammed the phone down. This was the first call in three weeks. She’d thought whoever the prankster was he’d stopped and gone away. There’d been several calls the week after she’d received the first one, similar words and threats. After the third call, she’d gone to the police and made a complaint. They’d tried to track where the calls were originating from, but each time it was a cell phone bought and discarded, never to be found. She’d received four or five more calls before they abruptly stopped, and she had sighed with relief.
Sitting on the side of her bed, Janice pushed her hair out of her eyes. She didn’t know what to do. The police had been little help. She walked around the dark house, peeking out windows. Nothing.
She’d be tired tomorrow, and grouchy. Truthfully, she’d been grouchy since she’d returned from her dream date. No matter how hard she tried to forget Drake and get her life back on an even keel, it hadn’t worked. These phone calls hadn’t helped, either.
Today was Friday. She’d have the weekend to rest and figure out whether she had any other recourse to end these calls. The police had hit a dead end.
Unable to sleep, she curled up on the sofa with a book. Her alarm clock ringing in the bedroom woke her at seven. Last time she’d looked at the clock, it had been four thirty. After a quick, cold shower, she dressed and drove to work.
By nine o’clock she was yawning. She’d reported the call to police and got little reassurance they could do anything.
Maybe if I changed my phone number, whoever he was would quit calling. Still, I’d have to contact so many people the number wouldn’t be secret for long.
She took a big swallow of her coffee and then closed her eyes. Her phone rang almost immediately.
“Hello?”
“What’s the matter?” Drake asked.
“Are you back, or is this a call from the outer limits of space?”
“I’m home. Got in last night. I’m hoping I can convince you to go to dinner and a play with me tonight?”
Her heart had jumped a beat at the sound of his voice. She wanted to see him, and yet it wouldn’t help her get over him.
“I’m really tired. I plan to go straight home and climb into bed.”
“I don’t suppose you want company?”
She heard the teasing note in his voice. “I might, but I don’t like to share.”
“Ah, that damnable commitment phobia you have.”
Again, she heard the teasing note. Why did he want to see her? She didn’t dare let herself hope.
“Tell me, what does a man have to do to convince a woman he’s serious about her?”
A tiny speck of hope jumped to attention. Down, girl, he’s just asking a rhetorical question.
“I suppose the answer would differ between women.”
“Let me be more specific. What would it take for you to be convinced I’m serious about settling down?”
Stunned, Janice didn’t say anything. How to answer? Was this just a joke?
“Janice, are you still there?”
“Drake, I’m tired and irritable, and this isn’t funny.”
“I didn’t mean for it to be. Just answer the damn question.”
“You don’t have to get testy. All right, for me he’d have to do something specific. For example”—she was angry now, and tired—“you’d have to buy a ranch or something, change your career, want children, convince me you were serious enough for me to take a chance. There, is that what you wanted?”
He laughed, and she saw red. Steam must be coming out of my head.
“That will do for now. What if we have dinner and go to the play tomorrow night? I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“I’m surprised you have a best behavior. But I suppose I can find the time tomorrow.”
“Your eager acceptance warms my heart.” The phone clicked off, but not before she heard another chuckle.
The man was simply impossible, and she feared somewhere along the way she’d fallen in love with him.
* * * *
Drake put down the receiver. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Good. He’d had it too easy in the past. Anything worth having was worth fighting for, and he intended to win.
Dressed in old jeans and a T-shirt, he went out to his garage. He opened the side door and the window, and sat at his work table. He enjoyed working on wood projects while he thought about his plans. Picking up a piece of sandpaper, he began to rub the side of a model airplane he’d started before his last trip.
He’d been distracted the whole time he was gone. Thoughts of Janice kept popping up during the day and night. One of his strongest traits was an ability to focus, concentrate on what was happening around him. This time, he found himself asking someone to repeat a statement. They’d looked at him strangely several times. He’d lost his edge, and Janice was to blame. Never had he ever allowed a woman to disrupt his life in any way, and certainly not his work.
Several women he’d dated in the past made overtures to him, but he found himself uninterested. There was one lady he’d dated on and off the past three years that he took to dinner. She’d been expecting more.
“I’m sorry, Camille. I’ve met someone, and I’m surprised to say I believe it’s serious.”
“I wondered when and who would catch your heart. I must admit I had hoped over time we might become more involved.”
“You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure you’ll find a man that will appreciate all your lovely qualities.”
“But it won’t be you?”
“I’m sorry. No.”
She’d been gracious. He’d kissed her cheek and taken her home. In his room that night, he’d considered the differences in the two women. Camille had black hair, smooth white skin, and stunning blue eyes. She stood out in any group. She was sophisticated, able to navigate in the political circles where he often found himself. If he just wanted to get married, she’d have been an excellent choice, and would have understood the demands on his time. They’d have probably agreed to not have children.
Whereas he found himself enamored with a tall redhead, with completely different ideas. Drake put down the sandpaper and moved to stretch. His knee bumped the edge of the table. He heard a crack and jumped. The shelf above his head came crashing down on the work bench, smashing his wooden plane.
“What the—” Drake wiped dust from his face. A small block of wood had flown up and hit him in the cheek, making it bleed.
Drake bent to inspect the bolts. He thought he’d put those in good and tight, but apparently not. He’d clean the place and go to the store for new bolts and another plane kit. There went his relaxing afternoon. The hell with it. He’d have a professional do the shelf this time.
After calling the cabinet maker, he ordered flowers sent to Janice at work. He suspected she’d hate the attention, but she might as well get used to being spoiled.
* * * *
Janice went through four outfits before deciding on an emerald-colored blouse and a matching wrap skirt. She added a simple gold chain necklace and gold earrings for jewelry. Patent leather sandal heels and a matching purse completed her attire. She was just in time. Drake was due in the next few minutes. After grabbing her purse, she headed into the living room.
The two dozen red roses had the whole room sweetly scented. She’d taken much ribbing from her coworkers about who sent them. She’d kept them guessing, refusing to give them a name.
Although her first instinct had been to be annoyed that he’d had them delivered to her place of business, she had really been surprised and pleased. The flicker of hope from yesterday was growing.
The roar of his sports car
alerted her to his arrival. She smiled. The weather was perfect for a ride with the top down. She’d put a scarf in her purse just in case.
Her heart beat double-time when he knocked. When she opened the door, he stepped in, kicked the door shut, and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her thoroughly before stepping back and giving her the once-over.
“Perfect. I love you in that color.” His hands cradled her face and tipped her chin up. He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her chin, and then captured her mouth again. His tongue teased hers. One arm brought her snug against his arousal. “Feel my hard cock. I want to bury myself in your hot pussy.”
Shivers ran up her spine, and she pulsed below with a deep yearning. His words had shocked her, and set her whole body aching for him.
Forcing herself to take control, Janice pushed against his shoulders. “Let me go. This is not the way to convince me you care.”
Reluctantly, he did. “I know. I have to buy a ranch, and prove I can settle down.”
“That will happen in a blue moon.”
“You’ll eat those words. I’ll make a pact with you. If I buy a ranch, quit my present job, and settle there, you will marry me.”
“I’m sure it’s safe to say yes. It will never happen. You on a ranch. What do you know about running one?”
“It can’t be too hard?”
She laughed. “I’ll be a little old lady before you run a ranch.”
“Let’s go. We’ll be late for dinner and our play.” He put his arm around her and walked her to his car. “Do you mind the top down tonight?”
“I love it. It’s cool and so pleasant out. I have my scarf.”
He turned left, heading to the outskirts of the city. “A friend of mine runs a great Mexican restaurant near the playhouse. Sit back and relax, we have about fifteen miles to go.”
Janice did as he said. The cool air was scented with the fragrance of spring flowers blooming. The moon and a sprinkling of stars shone against the velvet black sky. All the tension from the past two months began to fade.
As usual, Drake drove fast, but competently. They’d just gone around a curve when she heard him swear. The car swerved before he regained control. He frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“The brakes are gone,” he said tersely. “There’s an S curve ahead. We won’t have slowed much before we hit it.”
She saw the curve coming toward them fast. She kept her eyes on him. He hadn’t panicked. He was focused on the road.
“I hope to hell we don’t meet anyone.” He let the car go into the curve, staying in the middle of the road then sliding more into the left lane on the following curve. The tires squealed and fear rushed through Janice.
They made it out of the curve and onto a flat, straight road. Drake let the car gradually slow until he could safely pull to the side. He flipped open his cell and called for assistance.
Turning to Janice, he said, “They’ll be here in about twenty minutes. This day isn’t going quite the way I expected. First, a shelf barely missed falling on my head this morning, and tonight we almost have a wreck because of bad brakes. I’m going to give my mechanic hell when I see him.”
“Maybe it wasn’t his fault. Can’t brakes just wear out?”
“Not when you have them checked frequently.” He glanced at his watch. “Looks like it will be dinner or a play. We won’t have time for both.”
“Dinner, I’m hungry.”
“I’ll call and change our reservation.” After his call, he sat back and stared at her.
“What? Did I forget to powder my nose?”
“Come here.” He slid his seat back and pulled her onto his lap. “We have a few minutes before we’re rescued. I intend to enjoy them.” His warm fingers began to unbutton her blouse. “You have this fastened up like a spinster schoolteacher. There.” He’d undone the first three. His hand moved inside her blouse and bra and cupped her breast.
Exquisite pleasure exploded inside her at his touch. His thumb rubbed across her peaked nipple, sending heat straight to her pussy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
His tongue did a sensual dance with hers, setting her whole body afire with desire. She wriggled around to lie more closely against his broad chest.
“Do that again and you’ll find yourself making love in a sports car. Not too comfortable, but manageable.” His husky tone deepened her hunger.
She maneuvered her leg across his lap and straddled him. His pulsing, hot cock was right against her lower lips. His hand slipped inside her panties, and his finger caressed her swollen nub. His mouth covered hers, and his teeth bit lightly on her bottom lip. At the same time, he put two fingers into her pussy.
“Ah, yes,” she moaned into his mouth.
“You’re wet and hot. Damn, I may explode if I don’t get inside that pussy soon.” He pulled back from her and flipped his cell open. “Jack, come pick us up.” He gave the directions and closed the phone. “Now, my sweet, unless you want to be embarrassed, you’d better get back in your seat. I see a wrecker coming over the hill.”
Janice jumped across and into place just before the wrecker got close. At least, she hoped he wasn’t near enough to see what was going on. She took off her scarf and busied herself with combing her hair out. If she looked at the man, she’d blush.
Laughing, Drake got out to greet him. Drake handed him a card and the man nodded, and then went to his wrecker and turned to back up to the sports car.
“You’ll have to get out now, darlin’, unless you want to ride in the car to the shop.”
She ignored his teasing. The man had no inhibitions. He’d probably have just said, “Hello, give us a minute, pal. We’ll be right with you,” and not felt embarrassed at all. She was shocked at her own behavior. She’d never ever put herself in a position where she was in the open, and anyone coming along could see them.
“Sure you folks will be all right out here until your ride comes for ya? It’s getting darker.”
“Thanks for the concern. We’re fine. My chauffeur will be here shortly.”
“All right.” The man sounded dubious, but got in his truck and started off, towing the fancy sports car behind.
“I never thought I’d see the day that baby would fail me,” Drake said.
“It’s just a car. They can break down.”
“Just a car! Honey, that’s a Lamborghini.”
“It still has mechanical parts that can fail.”
“Obviously, you don’t know cars.”
She shrugged. “They’ve never been important to me.” She had to laugh at his expression. “I think it’s a man thing.” She wasn’t sure, but he might have groaned.
The wrecker taillights went out of sight, and the sun was sinking fast. “Will your car be here soon?”
Drake wrapped his arms around her. “You’re not frightened of the dark are you? I promise I can handle any thing or person who comes along.”
“You sound very confident.”
“Believe me, I’ve been in worse spots.”
The tone of his voice made her stare at him. He peered off into the distance. The lines of his face drawn and his mouth tight. She started to ask him about what he meant, and stopped. Something warned her away from that conversation. He pulled her close to his warm body. She wrapped her arms around his middle and leaned into him.
He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. “The first thing I noticed about you was your hair. The gold and red strands glowed in the sunlight. The wind blew against your clothes, molding the material to your curvy body. You took my breath away.”
His words ran like warm honey through her veins, warming her from the inside out. The love she’d been fighting flooded through. What was she going to do? She didn’t really believe he intended to change. His lips softly touched hers, and he held her snug. She felt the beat of his heart.
She might as well enjoy what he offered her. She’d hurt when he left, and either way, at least i
f they made love she’d have her memories.
Chapter Four
He was right, his chauffeur was fast. “We’ll go on to dinner. I’m afraid your wild mood has passed,” Drake said.
“For the moment,” she said, and smiled.
“Really? That’s an encouraging statement.” He helped her into the back seat of the plush limousine. “We’re not too far from the restaurant.”
Fifteen minutes later, the limo pulled into the parking area. The owner, a tall, slim, blond man greeted them at the door. “So you had trouble, my friend. Unusual for you.”
“True, but we made it. Frank, this is Janice Dedrick. Janice, Frank Primus. We go back a long way. He surprised all his friends when he and his wife opened this restaurant.” Drake looked around. “Business is good.”
“We’ve been lucky. Of course, my wife’s culinary skills help. She’ll be out later to see you. I’ve arranged your favorite table. Jack can eat in the kitchen with us.”
Frank led them to a secluded table by a window that looked out on a lighted pond. Orchids hung from baskets, among the greenery.
“How lovely,” Janice said. She’d moved along the booth close enough to get a good view of the garden. When Drake’s leg brushed hers, she turned to find he’d sat beside her. “There’s a seat across from me.”
“I know.” He gave her his heart-stopping smile. She swore she forgot her name when he did that.
“Here are your menus. I’ll be right back.” Frank handed them menus and left.
“You all know each other well.”
“Frank and his wife did some business with me. They met Jack during that time. What do you want to eat? I can vouch for anything on the menu.”
Frank returned with chips and salsa. “Are you ready to order?”
Janice stared at the long list of options. “I can never decide. I’ll stick with the chicken enchiladas.”
Drake ordered steak fajitas and a bottle of merlot. Frank hurried away with their order. A young, lovely, dark-haired girl brought the wine to their table.
“Maria, you’ve grown beautiful,” Drake said. The girl blushed. “Maria, I want you to meet a special lady, Janice Dedrick. Janice, Maria is Frank’s daughter, and I’m her godfather. Doing good in school?”
Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 3