In love with him? Everything she said after that scattered like leaves in the wind. She was in love with him? "Julianna—"
"You wanna hear something really funny? You didn't have to give me this house to marry you. I would have married you without it. I would gladly have given you your revenge against my father, not only because I loved you, but because you deserved it."
God, she was beautiful worked up like this. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and with every gesture the curves of her body strained against velvet. Just watching her aroused him to the point of pain, and he hoped she'd be done soon.
"If you think you can buy me off with a deed, you better think again. I'll fight for you, Lucas. I love you too much to just let you walk away. I'll even fight that redhead bimbo. But you get this straight, this baby is mine, and I'm keeping it. Do you understand? I'm keeping it!"
She spun away again, and he was on her before she could reach the door. She struggled, but he held her firmly, though gently in his arms, waited until she calmed down. "You love me," he said with wonder.
"Of course I love you, you idiot."
He'd never heard sweeter words. "And you're having my baby."
"Yes."
She squeaked when he picked her up and swung her. Her feet hadn't even touched the ground before he caught her mouth with his. He poured himself into the kiss, drew it out with every feeling inside him. Her arms came around his neck, and she kissed him back with the same wild need.
Somehow they were falling onto the bed, arms and legs tangling as they rolled. "Julianna—" He pulled his mouth from her, needing to understand and needing to explain, before it was impossible to think. "I wasn't trying to buy you off. I deeded the house to you to give you a choice. I needed to know that you needed me, that you loved me, and that you were here because you wanted to be, not because of our deal."
"The house would mean nothing to me now without you," she murmured and pulled his mouth back to hers. "Don't you know that?"
He was only beginning to understand, though he still felt dazed. And confused. With tremendous effort, he yanked his mouth from hers. "What redhead bimbo?"
She sighed, then rolled away from him and sat. "The one I saw you with today. You helped her out of your car at the Four Winds. I was in the drugstore watching you."
It took a moment. "Oh, Linda. You saw her?"
She glared over her shoulder at him. "At least I have a name now when I rip that beautiful hair out of her beautiful head."
With a chuckle Lucas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her stiff body back down on the bed against him. "I'm sure her husband and three little girls will agree with you, except for the part about her being a bimbo."
"You're having an affair with a married woman?"
He rolled his eyes. "Linda is my real estate agent in Dallas. I brought her back with me because I'm selling the Four Winds."
Real estate agent? Julianna thought dimly. That redhead was Lucas's real estate agent? "You mean... you're not...?"
"Now who's being an idiot?" He traced the line of her jaw with the tip of his finger. "Why would I have an affair when I already have everything I want, more than I could have ever hoped for, right here."
He brushed his mouth against hers, and she parted her lips to deepen the kiss, then suddenly drew back. "You're selling the Four Winds?"
He nodded, dipped his head for another kiss, then murmured, "I've also closed down my Dallas office and sold off the majority of my stock in Blackhawk Enterprises. You're going to be a rancher's wife, dar-lin'. I'm starting up Blackhawk Circle B again. As of tomorrow, the Double H will no longer exist."
It was all too much to absorb. She touched his face and looked into his eyes, needing reassurance that this really wasn't a dream. "Your mother and father would be proud of you, Lucas."
His eyes softened, then he smiled and laid his hand, fingers spread, on her stomach. "We're having a baby."
The wonder in his voice brought tears to her eyes. She watched, a mixture of arousal and joy as he slid his hand to her hip, then pressed his mouth to her belly. She closed her eyes and slid her fingers through his dark, thick hair, loving the feel and texture.
"When?" he murmured, rubbing his cheek to her stomach.
"Dr. Glover says early March. Next visit he said he'd give me a date."
"I'm sorry I wasn't with you." He nuzzled the hollow of her hip. "I will be next time. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She touched his cheek, and he turned his mouth into her hand. The feel of his lips on her palm sent a wave of heat shimmering through her. "Better than fine, now that you're here."
"I was always here, Julianna." His hand slid over her stomach again, then moved up her velvet-covered waist. "You really bought this for me?"
Her breath caught in her throat as his fingertips traced the underside of her breast. ' 'Actually, I bought it to garden in."
He chuckled lightly, then cupped her breast in his hand. "It's a very hot little number, sweetheart. Just make sure that nobody but me ever sees you in it."
"The way it fits, I won't be wearing it long, anyway."
"Exactly what I was thinking," he said, covering her mouth with his as he reached behind her and pulled down the jumpsuit's zipper.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she luxuriated in the feel of his body against hers. "I love you, Lucas."
Lucas hadn't realized how desperately he'd needed to hear those words from Julianna, or how much he needed to say them. Lifting his head, he looked down into her desire-glazed eyes. "I love you, too, Julianna. I think I realized it ten years ago, but could never admit it, even to myself."
"Ten years ago?"
"I was working at the feed store, loading hay into a truck, and when I looked up I saw you watching me. The pity in your eyes infuriated me. I spent the next ten years not just working toward ruining your father, but trying to make something out of myself so you'd look at me differently, with approval, even respect."
"Oh, Lucas, that wasn't pity for you. For myself, maybe, but never for you. You were everything to me, even then. When you left town, I felt empty inside. If it hadn't been for my mother, I would have left, too." She started to cry again. "What fools we've both been. We wasted so much time."
"Don't cry, baby. Please don't cry." He gathered her to him. "We'll make up for lost time. Let's start now. Come here and kiss me."
That made her laugh, and he caught the beautiful sound on his lips. He tasted the salt of her tears, promised himself that he'd spend his life making her happy. Making them both happy.
Her mouth was so sweet, her lips soft as the velvet she wore. He deepened the kiss, stroked his hand up over her breast and felt the hardened tip press into his palm. He kissed her cheek, then her throat. He breathed in her perfume. "God, you smell as good as you feel," he murmured.
"Pulse Points," she sighed as he nipped at her ear-lobe.
"Hmm?" He slid his hand up and tugged at the neck of her jumpsuit, slowly pulling the garment down.
"That's what it's called, and where you put it." Breath held, she closed her eyes as he bared her shoulders.
"Is this a pulse point?" He pressed his lips to the base of her neck. "Uh-huh."
Velvet slid lower, over smooth, warm skin, baring her breasts. He kissed the valley between her breasts, felt the rapid beating of her heart. "And here?"
"Definitely," she said, squirming under him.
He moved over her breast, wet the hardened nipple with his tongue, then pulled her strongly into his mouth. She strained against him, dragged her fingers through his hair.
"I think I missed that one," she gasped.
Laughing softly, he moved over her body, inching the jumpsuit down around her hips. Her skin was like silk under velvet and he skimmed her hip with his mouth, then parted her thighs.
Her hands tightened on his head; her breathing deepened as he loved her. To know that she was really his, that he could bring her to this fever pitch, heightened h
is own arousal. She trembled under him, cried out sharply, then sank limply into the mattress.
Gently he stroked her hip while her breathing slowed, then slipped the jumpsuit down, sampling every enticing curve of her long legs. When he brushed his lips over the back of her knee she murmured weakly, "Pulse point," making him smile and linger there a moment.
She'd been floating somewhere, luxuriating in the sensations still rippling through her body. The rough texture of his hands skimming her calves and ankles brought a sigh to her lips. He loves me, she thought in amazement. He loves me.
The realization stunned her, left her as weak and dazed as did his lovemaking. Yet, at the same time, a sense of power filled her, a sense of pride. She'd never truly been alive before, not before Lucas. Her heart swelled with the love she felt.
"Julianna? Are you all right?"
There was concern in his eyes when he lifted his head. The tenderness with which he stroked her leg brought tears to her eyes. She sat and reached for him, pulled him closer to her. "You have too many clothes on," she whispered and proceeded to unbutton his shirt, then pull it off him.
His bare chest was hot under her hands. His eyes darkened fiercely as she spread her fingers, and the feel of his skin under her palms sent arrows of heat shooting through her. Nuzzling his neck, she slid her hands down, unbuckled his belt, then loosened his slacks. She savored the masculine feel and taste of him while she stroked the velvet steel of his body.
Her name on his lips was ragged, his breathing fast and harsh. Clothes fell away, tumbled to the floor even as their bodies tumbled back onto the mattress. He rose over her, the intensity in his eyes thrilling, the gentleness in his touch breathtaking. She watched him, in awe. He entered her, slowly, so incredibly slowly, that she moaned in frustration.
"I love you," she said and he smiled, repeated the words to her until he was deep inside her, completely filling her.
"I've thought about this for three weeks," he said roughly, holding her gaze with his. "I thought I'd go crazy without you."
Crazy. Yes, she thought, her mind reeling. What other word was there?
"Ah, baby," he moaned when she wrapped her arms and legs around him and tightened her inner muscles. "What are you doing to me?"
He moved inside her, slowly at first, gradually building the rhythm. White-hot pleasure flooded her, pleasure more intense, stronger than anytime before. Straining against him, she cried out his name as her release showered over her in brilliant streaks of light. On a groan, he shuddered violently, held her tightly to him as he drove himself deeper still, then over the edge.
It was a long time before thought was possible. When he rolled to his back, bringing her with him, she sighed and laid her head on his chest, listened to the wild beating of his heart.
"How long will we be able to do that?" he asked gently.
She lifted her head, smiled wickedly as she moved her hips against his. "That's up to you."
Chuckling, he cupped her bottom in his hands and stilled her. "That's not what I meant."
' 'According to the information Dr. Glover gave me, there are no limitations unless a problem arises."
His hands moved restlessly now over her back and hips. She folded her arms over his chest and relaxed against him, enjoying his caress. "You have a bruise on your shoulder."
"Do I?" He closed his eyes when she pressed her lips to it. "Nick will have to pay for that."
"Nick gave it to you?"
"And a sore jaw." He opened his eyes to slits, waiting for her to kiss that, as well.
She raised her head and stared at him, her eyes wide. "You and Nick were fighting? About what?"
"You."
Startled, she drew back. "What about me?" "I accused him of...well, I suggested that you and he..."
"Lucas Blackhawk!" She rolled away from him. "How could you think such a thing?"
"I'm sorry." He grabbed her arm before she could slide out of bed. "I know I was wrong. I'm a sick man, sick in love with you."
He dragged her back to him, kissing and teasing her until she was laughing and breathless. He rolled her to her back, laced his fingers with hers and held them over her head. "You know, Julianna, you seem to forget you were a little sick yourself."
Biting her lip, she stared up at him apologetically. "You won't tell Linda I called her a bimbo, will you?"
He shook his head with a grin. "I think that can be our little secret." Secret.
The word slammed into her. She knew that the time had come for him to know the truth. Fear knotted her stomach and pulsed through her veins. She knew if they were to have a future together there could be no secrets between them. No matter what he thought of her, even if he hated her, she had to tell him what she'd done, what she hadn't done.
Tomorrow, she thought. She would tell him tomorrow. Tonight was theirs, a night she would always remember and hold close to her heart, no matter what happened.
She closed her eyes, drawing in a breath, praying that the night would be long.
And when he kissed her again, tightened his hands on hers, there was no more thought at all.
Chapter Twelve
"I have another gift for you," Lucas said the next morning. Sunlight streaked in through the bedroom window and fell on Julianna's back. Not one to ignore a sign from the heavens, he kissed the curve of her shoulder.
"Another?" she muttered weakly. "Give a girl a chance to breathe, Samson."
He laughed softly, then clucked his tongue. "Is that all you have on your mind, woman?"
She opened one sleepy eye. "The only thing on this mind is food. One of* the side effects of being pregnant, not to mention an extreme exertion of physical energy."
Shaking his head, he rolled out of bed, pulling the covers off her. She reached for them, but wasn't fast enough, and with nothing else to cover herself, she
pulled the pillow from under her head and tucked it in front of her.
"You're a hard man, Lucas Blackhawk."
He grinned at her mischievously and wiggled his eyebrows. "You noticed."
Laughing, she threw the pillow at him, then sighed and sat up. Her skin glowed in the morning light, her lips were slightly swollen and rosy from his kisses. They'd made love most of the night and even now he wanted her, wanted to be inside that glorious naked body of hers. He thought he might never get enough of her.
He was still in awe that she was carrying his baby. That she actually loved him.
Her cheeks flushed under his intense perusal. Much to his disappointment, she reached for his pillow and hugged it to her. "So what's the gift?"
"Later, darlin'. I've got to go into town for a couple of hours first. I want you to meet me at the Double H at noon."
She looked at him sharply. "The Double H?"
Her voice sounded so small, almost frightened. He knew there were bad memories for her there, as there were for him. Which was exactly why they needed to do this thing together.
"We won't be there long." He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. "Now I'm going to feed you. What'll it be? Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, biscuits and gravy. Omelettes, waffles, steak, potatoes and toast or cereal."
"You can cook?" She stared at him with disbelief.
"Of course I can. Pick whatever you want, just as long as it's cereal."
She laughed softly and laid her head on his shoulder. "You should really think about expanding your menu...add a few items."
"Oh?" He felt the first swell of desire slam into him as her hands moved restlessly over his chest. "Like what?"
Lifting her face to his, she slid her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. "Like this."
At noon Julianna pulled into the brick-lined circular driveway of the Double H. The tall, leaded windows of the house were dark, covered with dust and dirt. The yard was overgrown, with vines already choking the unkempt rosebushes and flower beds.
Her father would be furious to see the house in such disorder. The
mansion had been his obsession, a monument to himself, a badge of his own self-importance. He'd commanded order in his home at all times. There'd never been warmth here. No love, no kindness. Mason Hadley's only love had been money and power.
She closed her eyes and let the feelings wash over her. She couldn't hate her father, though she'd tried. She pitied him. He'd been a lonely, bitter man, despised by the town he'd controlled and manipulated. No one had ever stood up to Mason Hadley and won.
No one but Lucas.
Lucas Blackhawk. Her husband. Father of her child. She smiled at that thought, then touched her stomach through the soft cotton of her skirt, still in wonder of it all. They'd made love slowly this morning before he'd left, and her body still hummed from the thrill of his touch. She loved him, and the knowledge that he loved her, too, gave her the strength to meet him and do what she knew she had to do.
She'd told herself on the drive over that she'd wait for Lucas outside if she arrived before him, but suddenly found herself walking toward the house, drawn by some invisible force to go inside.
The cold air closed over her when she shut the front door behind her. The house was empty, she realized with surprise. The furniture, paintings on the wall, drapes—everything was gone. The interior was nothing more than a hollow shell covered with dust and spiderwebs.
The sound of her flats on the marble floor echoed in the quiet, empty house as she moved toward the study. She hesitated at the doorway, then drew in a deep breath before she entered the room.
The desk was gone, as were the leather chairs and oriental rugs. The bookcases were cleared out, every picture, every painting removed from the wall. Except for one. Her father's portrait. She moved to the center of the room and stared up at the painting.
How lonely his life had been for him, she thought, looking into his cold gray eyes. He'd never been able to truly love, had never let anyone close enough to let them love him. Everything in all their lives could have been so different.
Secrets 01- Blackhawk’s Sweet Revenge Page 13