“If anyone has a head on straight, it’s you, Mom.”
Rachel told her about Dorothy’s call and Janet’s intrusive behavior.
“Don’t you dare let Grandmother or Mrs. Hollis or anyone spoil this relationship. Tell them to keep their noses out of your business.”
“I wish you were in the States so you could meet him soon; Karen, too. He’s asked me to marry him.”
“When?”
“January, or sooner if he retires from football.”
“Has he given you an engagement ring?”
“No, we didn’t want it to appear as if we’re rushing things.”
“I hope you can wait until we return to have the wedding so we can celebrate with you two. If not, go for it. Daddy’s been gone for fifteen years, and you deserve this chance for happiness. You did a good job rearing me and Karen, and we’re grateful. We both love you. This is so exciting; I bet I won’t sleep a wink tonight. My mother getting married…”
“It is exciting and unexpected, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but I’m thrilled for you. I bet he’s fantastic.”
“He is, and more, much more, Evelyn.”
“It sounds as if you’re head over heels in love, Mom.”
“I am, and so is he. I’ll write as soon as we make plans.”
“Write, nothing; phone me the minute you set a date.”
“I will, and thank you for being so supportive. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mom.”
They talked for another five minutes, then Rachel lay on the bed unable to go back to sleep in her elated state. She wished Quentin were there to share this special moment with her, to hold her, to kiss her, to make passionate love to her. You’ve spoiled me already, Mr. Rawls. Rachel Rawls…Mrs. Quentin James Rawls…Heavens, that name sounds good. Thank you, Lord, for bringing him back into my life and making me happy.
As soon as Quentin finished making a video and taking pictures of some of the rooms in Rachel’s house, he joined her in the laundry room where she was washing and folding clothes. He leaned against the counter and said, “That does it, I’m ready to plan my renovations. I’m meeting with Scott on Monday at his office. I think he’s taking my job.”
“That’s wonderful, Quentin; I know you’ll be pleased with his work.”
“I think so, too; he certainly understands what I want. I just hope I can afford his price; construction out-of-state is expensive, he said. I’ll know after our appointment. If we agree, we’ll sign the papers.”
“That’s one matter almost settled.”
“Yep, only two more to go: football and you.”
“I didn’t realize I was a problem to be resolved,” she teased.
“Until my ring’s on your finger and you’re living in my home, our home, I won’t be satisfied, woman. Maybe you’ll be more compliant if I make your new surroundings more familiar; these ideas and Scott’s skills should help accomplish that goal,” he said, tapping the cameras.
Rachel laughed. “You don’t have to change your house to suit me.”
“Why not? You have some things here we’ll enjoy. I know women require ample closet space, love cozy bedrooms and bathrooms, and like for things to look pretty and be comfortable.”
“Any place I lived with you would be cozy and comfortable.”
“Even in a sparse line shack without a bath on a ranch?” he jested.
“Well, maybe I wouldn’t go that far,” she quipped and grinned.
“You’re in a sunny mood today after that call from Evelyn. I’m glad she reacted as she did to our news; that’s another load off my mind. One daughter down and one to go.”
“Karen will react the same way, so don’t worry. I just hope your family does the same.”
“They will,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I called them this morning and they’re eager to meet you. My friends are eager to meet you, too. I’ll be surprised if you don’t like Perry, Vance, and Ryan; they’re great guys. I also phoned Bill and told him the facts I’ve gathered. I Express mailed my report, brochures, maps, video, and pictures to him before I came over; he’ll get them on Monday and can make a decision on the suitability of this location. If he needs for us to check on anything else for him before I leave, he’ll call Monday night and we can handle it Tuesday. He said to thank you for your help.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
Rachel put aside the towel she was folding to embrace him and return his hot kisses and stirring caresses. “Is this how he said to show his appreciation?”
“He didn’t say, so I’ll use my imagination.” Following several more passionate kisses, he murmured, “I wish I didn’t have to leave Wednesday.”
“I understand, but let’s take full advantage of the four days we have left.”
“How do you propose we do that?” he asked in a husky voice.
“Like this for starters,” she murmured, and began to undress him.
Quentin’s gaze softened and gleamed as Rachel used her hands and lips to lavish stimulating attention upon his body. Within fifteen minutes, it seemed as if only a few inches of his towering frame had not been tantalized and ignited and pleasured. “Great day, woman, that was dizzying, a real treat. Now, It’s your turn.” He stripped her and lay her on the counter so his deft fingers and talented tongue could give her supreme ecstasy, which they did in record time in her highly aroused state.
Rachel writhed and moaned as he carried her to the brink of bliss, held her there for a while in exquisite delight, and then toppled her over its enticing edge. He didn’t stop his titillating actions until every spasm ceased and she relaxed on the hard surface, deliciously weak and satisfied. She sat up and hugged him, unmindful of her nudity. “You’re a dream come true, Quentin Rawls.”
“So are you, Rachel Gaines, and I love your reality. I love you. I’ve never been more relaxed or happy in my life, and I have you to thank for it. Yesiree, retirement is looking real good to me with you sharing it. You don’t mind if I help you with the laundry again, do you?”
Rachel fingercombed his black hair and caressed his face. “I’ll consider it a slight and a loss of interest if you don’t.”
As he kissed the peaks of her breasts, Rachel sighed dreamily and began to warm anew. “We’d better go take cold showers and get dressed or we’ll have the Coopers and Brimsfords wondering where we are.”
“Ah, yes, dinner at the country club and a movie with our friends.”
“You do like them, don’t you?”
“Yep, both couples. You have good friends and excellent taste.”
“I do like things with a superior flavor,” she said, licking her lips.
“So do I, and yours is tops. Get up and get moving or we’ll be late. You’re much too provocative like that.”
“So are you. Oh, well, duty calls.”
Quentin pulled into Rachel’s driveway at eleven forty-five and walked her to the door. “I can see even more why you like the Coopers and Brimsfords and why you’ll miss Becky and Jen; they’re nice people. I enjoyed myself.”
She noted his strange mood. “Aren’t you coming in for a while?”
“It’s late and we have church in the morning. You need your sleep; for rest, not for beauty. Lordy, if you looked any better, I couldn’t take it. I’d be fighting men off you with a stick, a big one.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but I have the only man I want. We could have a glass of wine and talk for a while.”
“Trying to coax me into your silky web, woman?”
“Why not, when I know how you behave there?”
“I’ll be with you all day tomorrow. I should go. It’s almost midnight.”
“If you’re worried about neighbors seeing you leave later, don’t.”
“We have to care, Rachel; you’ll be here for months while I’m gone.”
“You’re right; I’m being foolish and greedy.”
“Stay that way until tomorrow afternoon, okay?”
“I will. Good night, Quentin. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Good night. Pick you up at ten-fifteen sharp.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting. Drive carefully and lock your car doors.”
“I will. Now, you get inside and do the same.”
Rachel entered the foyer, smiled, and closed the door. She sensed something was bothering him and wondered why he didn’t disclose it. He almost seemed in a rush to leave, and hadn’t even kissed her good-bye. She then told herself she was being silly and insecure. She shrugged, went upstairs, and got into bed, longing for him to be lying beside her.
As Quentin drove off, he scowled in annoyance. He saw the car that was parked up the street from her house follow him at an assumed safe distance to avoid being noticed. He had recognized it in passing and knew the concealed driver was Todd Hardy. Obviously the irritating reporter forgot he had a giveaway license plate. He hadn’t wanted to spoil a wonderful evening by telling Rachel they were being watched by the pesky reporter; that would worry and upset her. He would deal with the nuisance on Monday.
After church on Sunday, Janet approached Rachel and Quentin before they could escape. “You look nice, Rachel, glowing like a bright candle.”
“Thank you, Janet; that’s very kind of you.” I know you’re trying to put me off guard, make me relax, so you can plunge a knife in my back.
She turned her attention to Quentin. “Mr. Rawls, I’m surprised to see you still in town. You must be having an exceptionally wonderful visit with our Rachel to hang around for such a long time. She must be getting terribly behind with her many projects.”
“I try not to interfere with her schedule, but Rachel’s a kind and generous person, as you must know. And how are you today, Cliff?”
Before her husband could respond, Janet murmured, “Things must be getting serious between you two if you’d bring him to church with you again.” Janet laughed. “Next, you’ll be introducing him to your parents. Oh, I forgot, they’re deceased. But I’m sure you’re anxious for your girls to meet him. And how are Karen and Evelyn doing?”
“They’re both fine and happy; thank you for asking about them.”
The offensive woman eyed Rachel in her stylish turquoise suit with black braid outlines, a Nehru collar, and matte golden buttons. “Rachel looks good for a woman with grown daughters and two grandchildren, doesn’t she, Mr. Rawls?”
Quentin glanced at his companion and smiled. “I’m sure women of any age would do anything to look as gorgeous as Rachel does. I would imagine she’s mistaken more for her daughters’ sister than their mother.”
“Too bad they’re away and you can’t meet them to test your theory.”
“I’ve seen lots of pictures of them. They’re lucky they favor Rachel.”
“You two must be spending a great deal of time together. Am I right?”
Rachel waved and said in a faked cheerful tone, “There’s Jen. I need to ask her a question about the homeless shelter project. Excuse us, Janet, I need to catch her before she leaves. It was good to see you, Cliff.”
The couple departed before Janet could detain them further.
Following embraces and cheek kisses and while Quentin chatted with Adam to one side, Rachel whispered details of the incident to her friend.
“What a little witch. Obviously she didn’t learn anything from the minister’s sermon this morning. Why do we have anything to do with her?”
“If Cliff wasn’t my banker, advisor, and a good friend, I wouldn’t.”
“You may have to find another banker if matters get worse.”
“I can’t; that would cause hard feelings. Besides, Cliff is sweet and smart, so I’ll ignore her ridiculous antics as long as possible.”
After they left church, they stopped by Rachel’s house and then Quentin’s room to change into sports clothes, picked up chicken at Wife-Saver, and went to Clarks Hill Dam for a picnic and stroll.
When they finished their outing, they sneaked to Quentin’s suite to relax, talk, and make love away from any prying eyes.
When Quentin arrived at Rachel’s house midafternoon on Monday, he told her about Todd’s spying on them Saturday night and how he threatened the pesky reporter with a refusal to interview him if he didn’t halt his actions. He said Todd was miffed and tried to act innocent, but realized how vexed Quentin was and promised not to shadow him again. Of course, Quentin did not trust the sneaky man and would take precautions to elude him.
He rushed to change the subject. “So, my love, what have you been doing today? Catching up on those projects Janet said I was keeping you from?”
Rachel laughed to calm her tension over his initial news. “No, I’ve been writing for most of the day. When you asked if I had a career in mind, I didn’t tell you I was trying to become an author. I was keeping it a secret. Maybe I should write a murder mystery with a villainess and victim like Janet.”
Quentin chuckled. “Sounds fun and interesting to me.”
Rachel observed his reaction as she asked, “You don’t think it’s silly I want to write books at my age and without professional training?”
“Nope, it’s a great idea, and I bet you can do it. A clever southern murder mystery should become a best seller. I have a friend who’s an editor at a big publishing house. He’s been after me for years to co-write my life story.”
“Why don’t you?”
“I’m not old enough or done enough living and learning yet to make a good tale,” he jested. “Seriously, I’m not interested in doing a tell-all and that’s the only thing that would sell with my name on it. I value my privacy and peace too much, what little of them I’m allowed.”
“Lots of guys would be delighted to read about a football hero who came from a small town and made it big.”
Quentin caressed her cheek. “I have a better idea: you do your story and I’ll give it to my friend to read.”
“What if he hates it but is too nice to say so?”
“Friendship never overrides a business decision with a smart man. If it needs work, he’ll tell you. If it’s rotten, he’ll be honest. If it’s good, he’ll buy it. All I can do is get your foot in his door; walking inside and staying will be up to you. Look at me, I’m still playing football at thirty-eight, and I’ll be starting a new career soon. I’ll retire only when I’m forced to quit. Lots of people think I’m silly and too old but it doesn’t faze me. We can’t live by other people’s ideas or we’ll miss out on great opportunities and things which would make us happy. We can’t let others tell us what to say and do, how to live.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Most men have always been able to do and say what they please in public or in private with few if any repercussions. When a woman tries that freedom, she’s labeled an aggressive bitch and is viewed as being unladylike and unfeminine. That old double standard still exists no matter who says it doesn’t. Women can’t get away with the same things men do. You rarely see a man’s reputation injured when he makes a mistake; but let a woman do the same, and she’s trashed.”
“Unless you’re in the limelight and the media pounces on you. I was trashed for having two bad marriages and for dating what the public viewed as a lot of different women. I was linked as a couple to anyone I saw more than once. There were plenty of times I just needed an escort for certain functions; but to hear the media tell it, a hot romance was in force.”
Rachel had to ask, “Has the media ever ruined a promising relationship by dogging you?” Like Todd’s doing to us?
“No, and I’ll be careful they don’t intrude on our relationship.”
“I’m almost fortunate I became a widow rather than a divorcee, because so many women in that category are slighted. As I told you, my inlaws didn’t approve of Daniel’s choice and never accepted me into their family.”
“Did Daniel get along with his parents?”
“Yes and no. They were and are domineering; they always want everything to go their way, but he usually stood his gro
und. I didn’t give them a male heir to the Gaines bloodline, so I’m a failure in their eyes. Would you like to have a glass of wine?”
Quentin realized she was dropping the painful subjects of her miscarriages, her baby’s death, and troublesome inlaws. “Suits me. You would have plenty of peace and privacy to write at the ranch; I could get Scott to build you an office. You could even write my life story; that way, I know the book would be in my favor and be accurate. If you marry me, woman, it can include a beautiful romance and a happy ending.”
“You’re right, maybe we’ll do it together.”
As they gazed into each other’s eyes, they knew there was something else they wanted to do together at that moment…
As Quentin undressed near the bed, Rachel’s body came to life and a fiery flush teased over it from head to feet, spreading through every inch of her receptive frame, lying naked within his reach. Suspense and eagerness washed over her, cleansing her of all thoughts except of him and what was in store. Anticipation mounted as he joined her and cuddled her in his embrace, just as a violent storm broke overhead and a deluge of rain began.
As when they were in the tropics long ago, Quentin wanted to bask in the radiant glow of her being, to share another sultry and passionate adventure with her. There was never a dull moment when she was present, and he missed her when she wasn’t. His quivering fingers trailed over her arms, and his hand closed over her breast as his mouth claimed hers. At first, he kissed her tenderly and slowly, then with swiftness and hunger.
Their tongues touched, teased, savored. They clung together as his seeking mouth wandered down the silky column of her neck, and her fingers traced the path of his spine. His teeth gently nibbled at her collarbone and his tongue danced in the hollow of her throat before his quest continued. It was a provocative and stimulating journey which Rachel enjoyed and encouraged. He was skilled and generous in his lovemaking. She moaned as he fondled the firm mounds of her breasts and deftly thumbed their peaks. With desires increased and passion’s flames heightened, their limbs entangled as they stroked and pleasured each other.
Anything For Love Page 21