Rachael allowed him to lift her out of the helicopter and they walked hand-in-hand up the walkway leading to the house. All of the lights were on inside, and the pool area was lit with what appeared to be a million twinkle lights.
“It’s gorgeous, Travis. Who helped with this?”
“My dad is the only one who knows.”
“Mr. Baxter?”
“This was my grandfather’s place. His private island getaway. My dad and his cousin inherited it. It has always been special to me. I’ve dreamed of bringing you here.”
“It’s amazing. I didn’t know that Adam became a helicopter pilot.”
“We may be small-town, but we dream big.” Travis squeezed her hand and tugged her inside behind him. Soft music played on a stereo, candles were lit on the countertops and tables, and even a buffet of shrimp, tuna steaks, and sushi awaited them.
“Wow, Travis. Did you bring in a cook?”
“We have one. She’ll be back tomorrow.”
Rachael wished in that moment she’d had something more elegant on. Something other than her short cutoffs, a pale yellow tank top, and flip flops.
“Would you like something to eat?” He gestured to the buffet, pointing each item out to her. He walked over and poured them each a flute of champagne. Rachael made herself a small plate, but honestly she was too nervous to take even a bite.
“To us, a long, blessed marriage, filled with happiness, love, and chemistry.”
“Chemistry?” Rachael giggled.
“Well, we want it to be there don’t we?”
“Let me make a toast.” Rachael raised her glass and stared him directly in the eyes, “To us, a long, blessed marriage, filled with happiness, love, and amazing nookie.”
“Did you just say nookie?” Travis grabbed his belly laughing.
“Yes, I did. I’ve waited long enough for that haven’t I?” Rachael stopped joking and walked over to the bedroom door. She slipped out of her short shorts, tossing them backwards to hit Travis’s feet. She tugged her tank top off over her head and threw it onto his chest, pegging him in the center of his sternum. Finally, she turned to face him. She wore the string bikini he’d liked from the party weeks before. “Come and get it, cowboy. Or are you going to make me beg?”
That last bit was all the invitation Travis had needed. He took two short steps and claimed her mouth, devouring her with a hunger he’d held at bay for three long years. Rachael could feel the level of his desire from her head to her toes. Everything was afire and only one cowboy could put out those flames. Rachael had waited for this moment and through it all, she’d been relatively good. Tonight was a different story altogether. She wanted Travis and he was finally hers. He matched her spirit and tenacity. Movement by movement, step by step, he carried her further down the backroads he’d described only months before. And just when she thought it would end, he carried her higher and higher. The ride was long and deserved. One which she was glad to have waited for. He was everywhere at once. In her mind and touching her most intimate of places. And when they finally joined their bodies as one, Rachael knew it was something that no one could separate. A bond formed between two people that only they understood.
#
A few hours later, Rachael lay, her legs tangled up with Travis’s. Her body ached in places she hadn’t known had feeling. She wanted him still and wondered if she’d always feel this way. He lazily traced a finger down her backside and up her ribcage ending just beneath her chest.
“I love you, Rachael Harte Baxter.”
“I love you, too.” Rachael glanced at her brilliant eternity band and large diamond ring. “I have no intention of hiding this, Travis. I’m going to waltz in there tomorrow and show everyone my ring. I don’t care what they think.”
“Your father may shoot me tomorrow, but I don’t care.” Travis wound a blond curl around his ring finger. “My father knew I couldn’t make it to June, and honestly, this was the only compromise he and I could come up with. Elope. I knew my mom and yours wouldn’t be overjoyed, but they couldn’t kill me either.”
“So, there wasn’t any actual carousing with loose women?” Rachael teased.
“No, but I will confess to having to nearly hogtie myself these last few months to keep my hands off of you. That night you came over and things got heated- I almost lost my cool. I knew I was sliding down a slippery slope.” Travis raised up on his elbow and met her gaze. “No regrets?”
“No regrets. Who could regret this? I’m a very happy girl, Travis.”
“Well, then, eat up because round two of this rodeo is coming your way soon.” Travis climbed out of bed and walked stark naked across the room. It seemed now that they were married he wasn’t worried in the least bit about her seeing all of his manhood completely naked. Rachael didn’t know why she felt differently. She’d paraded around in swimsuits for years, but now she felt truly naked in front of him. He held his hand out to her and waited. Sheepishly, she crawled from bed, bringing the sheet with her.
“You cold?” He grinned at her.
“No,” she couldn’t lie.
“Then, leave the sheet. It’s just us here,” he gently laid it back on the bed, while kissing her tenderly. Without another word, he led her out to the pool and down its steps to the hot tub. He wrapped his loving arms around her once more and lifted her to him in the warmth of the water.
Rachael kissed him back, knowing that there was no need for any awkwardness between them. Their newfound closeness was only that- new. And when you trusted someone completely, there was no place for embarrassment.
Chapter Fourteen
Rachael awoke, fearful that their tender lovemaking had all been a dream. She rolled over and looked out the large picture-window that overlooked the ocean. The waves lapped at the shore, one by one, each making its small undeniable mark. Travis sat in a chair nearby, freshly shaved.
“I’m sorry about the beard, baby. I saw I chafed your neck a bit last night.”
“I didn’t even notice. I was more focused on other things.”
“Me too,” Travis wore a simple pair of swim trunks. “Would you like to stay the week, Mrs. Baxter?”
“I would,” Rachael smiled sweetly.
“Only if you’re sure. Because I will stay here and let you hold me hostage, on this small remote island, if you want to.”
“As much as I hate to, we have to go back eventually. Besides, I have to move before school starts again in January.”
Travis looked like a small child on Christmas morning.
“You’re moving in?”
“I am.” Rachael announced.
Travis leaped onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her with a newfound intensity.
“We should tell the parents today.” She advised when she came up for air.
“I think they know. We kind of disappeared yesterday and when you didn’t make it home, my dad confessed. Let’s give it twenty-four hours.”
“Poor Mr. Baxter.” Rachael truly felt sorry for him. She knew that between her parents and his mother, that had to be tough.
“My mom called it collusion. Collusion between my father and me. Oh well,” Travis kissed Rachael’s back down to her hipbone. “At least we aren’t pregnant like Maysie and Tristan.”
“Pregnant!” Rachael shrieked.
“Yep, and don’t act like you didn’t have a hand in that.” He rolled over and jumped up off of the bed.
“I didn’t.” Rachael sat up. “Well, I knew they were…that they had…okay, I knew they’d had sex. But I didn’t know about any baby.”
“Yep, three months pregnant. I was pissed at first, but then I’d be a serious hypocrite. I’d love to have you pregnant.”
Rachael threw a pillow off of the bed and nailed him in the back as he was sprinting out the door. “You better not be trying for a baby, Travis.”
“Not yet,” he called from the kitchen.
Rachael couldn’t trust the family planning to him! He wa
s a man and they didn’t consider all of those possibilities. Rachael bit her nail, anxiously.
“You’re not pregnant.” He carried a coffee tray in with breakfast.
“How do you know?”
“I took precautions.”
Rachael smiled thinking of Maysie.
“It’s not okay. Quit grinning like Mr. Rogers.”
“Of course it’s okay. Maysie and Tristan are in love. They moved up the wedding. So what? A baby’s a blessing. Always.”
“Okay, so I want to hear you saying the same thing in nine short months.” Travis chided.
Rachael threw another pillow hitting him square in the head.
“Travis Baxter, if you get me pregnant I’ll simply kill you.”
“It takes two to tango. Remember the bull pasture? That day where you swore I wouldn’t need to teach you about the birds and the bees?”
“Okay, so no nookie for you until we graduate. How do you like them apples?”
Travis immediately started back peddling. “I’ll take control of the situation. Don’t worry. I’ve got it covered.”
“Well, you should. You are the man after all. I can’t be expected to maintain this figure and that too.” Rachael took a bite of toast.
“What happened to my sweet, quiet girl?”
“I was never quiet. You must be remembering some other girl. I specifically remember you saying it was in me and it had to come out.”
“Hurry up and eat. We have a fun-filled day awaiting us.”
Rachael disappeared to the bathroom where she discovered a small overnight bag. Travis had gone and bought her a few things. Among them was a black teddy and thigh high stockings. Rachael would save those for later. She knew they weren’t appropriate Jet Ski or boating attire. Instead, she opted for a sensible large pink t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The t-shirt hung nearly to her knees and she frowned at herself in the mirror. She glanced in the bag and found all of the t-shirts were just as roomy. A sound behind her alerted her to his presence.
“Nothing but a few pairs of shorts, loose t-shirts, and a black negligée?”
“The essentials. I’m a guy, remember? I think I did pretty good if you ask me.” He took a swig of his iced tea and raised a brow at her. “Besides, after all those really tight tops I figured you’d want something a little looser.”
Rachael shot him a look. She’d wondered if he’d seen all of her outfits- and now she knew he had. The only question she had was how he’d accomplished it.
“The pink tank top you wore line dancing, the crop top, and I think my least favorite was some sort of halter top with large flowers where your boobs are.”
Rachael blushed fiercely. “How do you know about all of those?”
“Guys talk. And then, I followed all of your friends on social media. Yep, nothing goes unnoticed.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because you’re too sweet and innocent. You would never keep tabs on me via social media.”
“I might now.” Rachael tied her bikini top at the back of her neck.
“I had to know what you were doing. It was driving me mad. Then, the pics you kept posting. That only made it worse. It was you- and as much of you as you could show without getting arrested- on display.”
“Travis, I told you a long time ago I wouldn’t change my style of dress for anyone.” Rachael set the bag down.
“Yep, that’s the reason I got you the cute tanks and tops hidden under the vanity.”
“Travis Baxter, quit aggravating me.” Rachael pulled them out and studied them. All of them were fitted and had various designs. They were actually very nice.
“Don’t you think that’s my job now? But in all honesty,” he came over to hug her, “the halter top with the strategic flowers. I hate the thing. If just that one disappears after you move in don’t hate me.”
“I think I can live with that,” Rachael selected the top covered in ash blue tea roses and slipped it on.
“You look gorgeous,” Travis kissed her sweetly. “Now, let’s go outside for a while before I decide to take that thing off of you.”
Rachael sprinted past him and out the doors past the pool and gazebo. She got to the jet skis first and took off. Travis followed her and the race was on. She had no idea where they were going, but she let him chase her anyway. She still couldn’t believe that Maysie was pregnant. Not that it was that much of a surprise either. Life was moving so swiftly and Rachael felt that things were changing- forever. She contemplated Shannah and Wade. Would they move to Lake City permanently? Rachael feared they would. Being related by marriage, they’d still see each other- but not as often as Rachael would like. Life was a complex thing and if Rachael’s experiences with her own mother and father meant anything, everyone might have moves and swift changes in their future.
For now, I’m certain about only one thing. I married the love of my life and he’s mine.
Travis followed her to a shallow area with a visible sand bar. Rachael anchored there and jumped in. Travis didn’t waste any time joining her in the waist-deep water. He pulled her to him.
“What made you so sure I’d say yes? You had a lot of time in planning this.”
“Yep,” he bent his head and kissed her ear.
“How long, exactly?”
“Well, I started working on it the day I wrote you the note stating we needed another plan. I knew then that you wouldn’t be interested. You’d be convinced it’d work out just fine with us waiting until June. I talked to Daddy then. He said to give you some space. So, I did. But neither of us handled that well. We were both so darned fired up and torqued, that plan was doomed. Then, Wade and I came up with this plan.”
“Don’t tell me that Shannah is on some island nearby.”
“Nope, she won’t let him get close enough.” Travis laughed.
“What do you mean?”
“Poor Wade can’t get beyond a goodnight kiss. It’s driving him insane.” Travis started belly laughing and Rachael knew there must be something more they’d discussed.
“What?”
“I can’t tell you.” Travis jested. “Maybe in like ten or twenty years.”
Rachael belted him in the stomach. “Have you and Wade been discussing us?”
“All the time.” Travis tried to change the subject. “Want to go fishing tomorrow?”
“Nope, I want to know what y’all talked about.”
“I’m not telling you. Not yet.” Travis shook his head, walking over to his jet ski.
“If the poker and other stuff hasn’t scared me off, I don’t think anything could.”
“And while I agree, there has to be some things I keep to myself. I can’t betray Wade, or myself.” Travis squinted out into the inlet, watching gulls soaring just above the water’s shimmery surface. “It’s feeding time. Get out of the water.”
Rachael climbed on her jet ski and revved its engine. “Fine, don’t tell me. But you should know that my friends and I discuss you all the time.”
“Really? I like the sound of that.”
Rachael was hoping to annoy him, but it clearly had the opposite effect. He liked it and she could see him sit up a little straighter.
He peeled away leaving her in his wake. Rachael followed him skirting around this island and that island. One time she nearly ran aground on a marshy area. Travis shook his finger at her jokingly and led her out of the tall grasses. By midafternoon, Rachael could feel the sting of a minor sunburn creeping into her cheeks. She knew it was time to head for home. Travis skirted the inlet which led to their small island oasis. They docked and walked up the wooden boardwalk hand in hand. The sun was setting low in the west. Travis stopped, looking towards the candlelit home, and took a deep breath.
“What is it?”
“I just can’t believe we’ve gone and done it. On our own terms. No one dictating to us. It feels good.”
“It does.” Rachael tugged him with her. “I want to take a hot shower- with
you.” Rachael grinned over her shoulder at him. Surprise played across his face. “I remember a day not too long ago where you pretended to lay on the shower floor, passed out and drunk.”
“I was hoping you’d fall for it and take pity on me. Climb in and rescue me.”
Rachael shot him a look that spoke volumes.
“Can you blame me for trying? I’m a man, not a monk.”
“I remember you telling me that once before.”
“Thank goodness I don’t have to pretend to have pure thoughts about you now. I may not share them with you, but they’re there. Always. That’s the way we’re wired.”
“At least you sex-crazed Baxter men are.” Rachael turned the water on.
“I wouldn’t call us sex-crazed. I think that’s a bit over the top.” Travis climbed into the shower ahead of her and tugged her into the chilly water.
“Travis, that’s cold!” Rachael squealed.
“You’ve got this sex-crazed Baxter man to warm you up.”
Chapter Fifteen
Maysie had been ringing Rachael’s cell nearly every afternoon with some sort of wedding crisis. From the caterer to the live band, every call brought a new five-alarm fire and catastrophe. The wedding was less than two weeks away and while Rachael was sure that mid-March would prove to be the perfect time of year for an outdoor country-style wedding, Rachael hoped the rest of it would fall into place as well. Rachael had received her dress in a box over a week ago and she didn’t have the heart to tell Maysie that it needed alterations- severely! The dress was enormous everywhere else in order to be able to fit Rachael’s bust and hips. The midsection, meant to be snug and svelte, was baggy and ill-fitted. Marta at the hair salon told her not to fret, claiming to know a seamstress nearby that did excellent work and could have the dress finished before Rachael drove home in a week.
The only appointment the seamstress had available was seven o’clock on Friday morning. Rachael woke up before dawn to the sound of Travis taking a morning shower. He’d gone running and returned, always showering first, and then, bringing Rachael coffee in bed. While he hated the stuff he knew that she had to have it.
Cowgirl Coed (Redneck Debutante Series Book 4) Page 16