by Mona Ingram
The bedside clock, an old-fashioned one with luminescent hands read one thirty five. The house was still. Had Josh come back from the barn, or was he still sitting up with the calf? Heart pounding, she slipped into her wrap and opened her door. The hallway was dimly lit by night-lights. Josh’s door was closed. Was he there?
There was only one way to find out. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob. The door opened silently, and she entered his bedroom.
His presence filled the room and she gasped silently, her eyes riveted on the figure that lay sprawled on the bed. His head was turned away from her, moonlight highlighting the angular planes of his face. His chest rose and fell steadily, drawing her eyes to the curly dark hair that started below the hollow of his throat and trailed lower, disappearing tantalizingly under a sheet. Even in repose, the muscles of his abdomen were starkly defined, and she had to restrain herself from reaching out and running her hand along the tight flesh.
She pulled her wrap more tightly around her body, and the whisper of fabric against her bare skin was dangerously arousing. Standing perfectly still, she watched him sleep. Who was this man? Was he the smooth talking poker player she’d first met, or the steely eyed former commando? At this moment he was neither. He was the man she had fallen in love with, and the sight of him on the bed was so powerfully erotic that she could not tear her eyes away. The silky fabric of her robe brushed against her sensitive nipples and she moaned softly as a delicious heat throbbed in the pit of her stomach. God, but she wanted him.
Her instinct was to take a step back as he started to roll toward her, but her feet wouldn’t move.
His eyes opened slowly and the smile that followed made her heart stop. “Olivia. You look like an angel standing there in the moonlight.” He sat up and reached for her, his eyes heavy with desire. “Am I dreaming, or is it really you?”
“You’re not dreaming.” She opened her robe and it slid to the floor, a rustle of silk to accompany the beating of her heart. His eyes raked over her body, lingering on her high, firm breasts, her flat stomach and her long, slender legs. As though in slow motion, his hand moved to cup her breast, his eyes holding hers as his thumb caressed her already erect nipple, noting her sharp intake of breath. His eyes mirrored her growing passion, and he kissed her tenderly, brushing his lips across hers with a feather light touch that left her gasping for more.
“Olivia.” The intensity in his voice made her legs tremble. “I want to make love to you until you beg me to stop.” A slow, confident smile curled his lips. “If I had my way, that would be never.”
“That makes two of us.” She laid her palm flat against his chest, emboldened by rapid beating of his heart. “Make love to me, Josh.”
Rising from the bed, he swept her into his arms, grinning down at her. “With pleasure.” He peppered her face with kisses.
Olivia stretched sinuously in a patch of moonlight as his eyes devoured her from head to toe. His hands skimmed over her body, awakening a sensuality that had been dormant for too long. She writhed with pleasure as he took his time discovering her most sensitive areas. Finally his mouth found her breast. His tongue circled her nipple in a slow dance, and the sweet pleasure made her come alive, her body pulsing with need. “Hmmm. Your skin is sweet.” Moving to the other breast, his tongue flicked expertly, sparking jolts of desire in the soft flesh between her thighs. His hand feathered over her stomach, and she held her breath as his fingers moved lower, exploring the silky thatch of hair at the apex of her thighs. Crazed by the waiting, she lifted her hips, whimpering as he slid his finger between the lips of her sex. A deep primal growl rumbled in his chest as he stroked her knowingly. Every square inch of her body tingled with anticipation as his finger slid inside her, driving her to the brink of an orgasm. She opened herself fully to him, holding nothing back. In response, he kissed her deeply, his tongue probing her mouth in an erotic accompaniment to his thrusting finger.
“Josh,” she gasped. “I want to feel you inside me.” She reached for him. He was thick and hard, and her fingers closed around him with a sigh of pleasure.
“Ah, my love.” His voice was hoarse as he positioned himself between her legs. “Give me your eyes.” With a knowing smile, he watched her eyes widen as he guided himself inside her. For a long moment he remained motionless, holding her with a tenderness that made her heart ache. Then he began to move, every stroke heightening her pleasure as he adjusted to her needs.
She wrapped her long legs around his waist, threw back her head and abandoned herself to the pleasure of his lovemaking. She felt him holding back while she adjusted to his size, and when her hands clutched at his hips, pulling him closer, he started to move with assurance, filling her completely with every stroke. Relaxing completely, she put herself in his hands as be brought her closer to release.
“Olivia, I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you.” He lifted her hips and thrust up inside her. Deep down inside her body a coil of heat started to build, growing stronger until it spiraled up with an explosion that was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Her body shattered, pulsing around him in waves of pleasure. His eyes smiled down into hers, sharing her pleasure before plunging into her one last time with an unrestrained shout of joy.
As their heartbeats slowed, her fingers crept up to his lips. “Did you really want me?” she asked. “Tell me again.”
“I wanted you then and I want you now.” The declaration was simple and forthright. “And I have only one regret.”
She tried to sit up, but he held her pinned against the bed. “My regret is that we didn’t do this sooner.”
Falling back onto the pillows, she nodded her agreement. “What time did you say Dirk is arriving?”
“Why you little hussy!” He lay back, feigning exhaustion. “I do believe you’re propositioning me.”
“Absolutely.” She slid her fingers into the hair on his chest, following it down his muscular torso. “If you think you’re going to get any more sleep tonight, you’re sorely mistaken.”
“Then come with me.” He pulled her up from the bed, leading her into the shower.
They emerged from the shower greedy for another round of lovemaking. With hands, lips and tongues, they took turns arousing each other, each balancing his own desires against the other’s needs. Their bodies melded together in the pale moonlight, Olivia’s long, slender limbs an erotic counterpart to Josh’s muscled frame. Lowering herself onto him, she sighed contentedly, a gurgle of pleasure in her throat as she threw back her head. He watched her through eyes heavy with desire, and then slipped his hand between her legs, stroking her expertly until they erupted together, sharing the moment of passion before they slid down into the sweet aftermath of total satisfaction.
* * *
Olivia opened her eyes to find sunlight streaming in the windows. Josh lay beside her, his head propped up on one hand, studying her as she slept.
“Good morning, my love.” His fingers brushed against her cheek. “I’m afraid you have a bit of whisker burn. Care for some more?”
She groaned theatrically. “You’re insatiable, Josh Morgan.”
“Look who’s talking.” The heat in his eyes belied his words. “But if you insist…” He parted her thighs, and she welcomed him with a soft murmur of delight.
* * *
“Good morning, you two.” Maisie’s quick eyes darted between Josh and Olivia as they entered the kitchen. “I hear there’ll be three of you for dinner tonight.” Setting two coffee mugs on the table she poured the steaming liquid before bustling back to the stove.
“That’s right. I’m flying to Helena to pick up Dirk and we’ll be back late this afternoon.” He looked at Olivia. “Would you like to come?”
“No thanks. I think I’ll stay right here. I might take a ride if that’s all right, or maybe even work on my notes.”
“Feel free. The ranch is yours.” He paused, coffee cup part way to his mouth. “I’m glad you’re here, Olivia.” H
is gaze strayed to the windows, and the rolling country beyond. “I wanted you to see how I live.” His voice was hoarse with emotion. “This land means everything to me. I’d do anything to protect it.”
She laid a hand over his. “I believe you, Josh.” Spoken softly, her words seemed to bring him back from a long distance.
“I’m counting on that,” he said, and a faint shimmer of apprehension stirred the hair on the back of her neck.
“Here you go,” Maisie announced proudly, setting an enormous stack of pancakes on the table between them. A platter of fried eggs, bacon and sausage followed, accompanied by a pitcher of warm maple syrup. “You two young people need to keep up your energy.” She glanced pointedly at Olivia’s red cheeks.
“I never eat this much,” said Olivia, accepting generous portions of the delicious food. She looked across the table at a grinning Josh, and for a moment she wondered if it were possible to be any happier than she was at this moment. “But then, I’ve never been to Montana.”
Josh grinned as she poured syrup on her pancakes. “That’s my girl,” he said proudly, following her example. Maisie hummed happily in the background, beaming her approval.
* * *
The morning sun was high in the sky as they walked hand in hand toward the barn. Josh lifted Olivia’s hand to his lips. “I hate to leave you.” He lowered his voice. “Especially now that I’ve found you.”
“And I’ll miss you. But you’ll be back.” A deep, sensual laugh bubbled up from her throat. “You know, I’ve been thinking. Even if Dirk is here, we can still be together. I’ll come to your room later.” Her pulse raced at the memory of their bodies entwined in the moonlight. “That is if you still want me.”
“I’ll always want you.” Squeezing her hand, he guided her toward the barn. “Remember that. But are you sure?” He smiled down at her and her heart skipped a beat. “After all, you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Look who’s talking,” she murmured as they walked into the comparative gloom of the stable.
Clint led them to a stall where the cow jealously guarded her calf. “I thought I’d let you check everything out before I let them outside. I’ll keep them nearby in that corral for a few days, but the vet stopped by this morning and says the calf’s good to go.”
“That’s great.” Josh observed the calf for a moment, his smile indulgent. “We saved him, Clint.” Their eyes met, and Olivia sensed a deep emotional connection between the two men. Clint looked away first. “I’ll give you a lift to the airstrip.”
The foreman led the way to the Jeep. “I topped up the fuel this morning. Are you going alone?”
“’Fraid so.” His tone was gently teasing. “Olivia prefers to stay with you.”
“Well of course she does.” He gave Olivia a conspiratorial wink.
* * *
Josh did a thorough pre-flight check and then climbed into the cockpit. Sleek and powerful, the aircraft lifted off halfway down the runway. Watching it grow smaller, Olivia experienced a strange emptiness. It was remarkable how he had become such a big part of her life in a short time. If only Dirk had stayed away for a few more days. She gave herself a mental shake. She had no right to entertain such thoughts. Dirk had played a key part in the success of the mission, and it was churlish to resent his arrival. He had proven himself to be a good friend, and she would remember that.
Olivia turned back to the Jeep, where Clint waited patiently. “You know, I barely remember arriving here the other day.” Her gaze darted about, studying the windsock, and then drifting beyond it to the runway, searching for something familiar. Nothing rang a bell.
“I’m not surprised. You and Josh were mighty tired.” He lounged against the Jeep, one foot on the running board. “I have an idea. How would you like to drive back to the house? Give you a chance to get used to driving on the right side of the road.” He walked around to the passenger side, chuckling at his play on words.
Olivia hesitated. “Do you think I could do it?”
“Of course. The boys learned to drive this thing as soon as they could see through the windshield.”
“The boys?” She frowned.
Clint pulled down his hat, refusing to meet her questioning eyes. “Yup. All the young kids for miles learned to drive in this old Jeep.” He opened the driver’s side door. “Hop in.”
It was odd, driving on the right-hand side of the road, but by the time they reached the main house, Olivia was handling the vehicle easily.
“Park it over there, beside the drive-in shed,” Clint instructed. “That way, if I have to go anywhere early in the morning the noise of the motor won’t wake anyone.” He climbed out. “We usually just leave the keys in the ignition.”
“Aren’t you worried about it raining?”
He squinted and looked up into the intense blue of the sky. “Nope. No rain this week. I should take you into town and buy you a hat. The sun is strong out here, what with no pollution and all.”
Olivia was beginning to appreciate this gentle man. “That’s kind of you but I won’t be here long enough. I have to leave on Thursday.”
“That’s too bad.” He regarded her gravely. “If you don’t mind me saying, you’re good for Josh. He’s never brought anyone here before. It’s good to see him smile.” He watched for her reaction.
“Thank you.” She felt a blush creep up her neck but didn’t try to hide it. “He makes me smile, too.”
“All right, then.” He tipped his hat and headed for the stables. “I’ll see you later.”
* * *
“Steaks for dinner tonight.” Maisie greeted Olivia as she wandered into the kitchen. “And baked potatoes and green salad. Strawberry shortcake for dessert. Would you like some lunch?”
Olivia laughed. “Maisie, I’ve never been fed so well. I think I’ll forego the lunch.” She spotted a map on the far wall. “Montana,” she said dreamily. “It’s every bit as beautiful as Josh said.” Her fingers traced the outline of the state, and zeroed in on an enlarged section. “This must be the ranch.”
Maisie looked up and nodded. “That’s us.”
Olivia studied the map for a moment. “You’re a fair distance from these big towns.”
“Suppose so.” Maisie continued slicing strawberries. “Out here we think nothing of driving a couple of hours to go shopping. We prefer it that way.”
“Are there neighbors close by? Clint mentioned teaching young boys to drive the Jeep.”
Maisie looked up sharply. “He did, did he?” She sprinkled a generous amount of sugar over the berries. “The nearest ranch is eight or ten miles down the road. Around here, that’s close.” Turning her back, she placed the bowl in the refrigerator.
Olivia wasn’t sure if Maisie was being intentionally vague, but she decided not to probe any further. “I’ll be in my room then, if you need me for anything.”
“Righto dearie.”
Was that relief she saw on the housekeeper’s face, or was her imagination working overtime? Lost in thought, she went to her room.
The eagle feather lay on the dresser and she picked it up, running her fingers over the delicate surface. One of the beautiful predators of the world, it hunted unobserved by most of the population.
She fingered the feather, her thoughts drifting. She had seen the hunter in Josh, when he raised the rocket launcher to his shoulder and fired at the ammunition storeroom. He hadn’t hesitated; the expression on his face had been one of cold, calculating vengeance. Wandering to the bay window, she sank down on the cushioned seat. There had been something else as well, but it escaped her. Closing her eyes, she searched her memory, sorting through hazy impressions of that early morning helicopter ride.
* * *
Sun flooded the interior of the helicopter. Josh was down on one knee, muscles tensing as he balanced the rocket launcher on his shoulder. His body recoiled slightly as he launched the rocket and his lips moved. What was he saying? She couldn’t make it out. In her memory, he
turned to look at her, his face victorious. At the time, it had been all that mattered.
With a brief shake of her head she returned to the present. Last night, they had taken each other to new heights of pleasure. Just thinking about it made her body tingle, made her ache for a repeat performance. But did one night of lovemaking mean anything to Josh? Still clutching the eagle feather, she twirled it between her fingers, lost in thought. He made all the right moves, said all the right things. So why did her heart tell her that he was still free–like the eagle–while she stayed here on earth, bound by those impossible rules?
* * *
She awoke to the sound of voices and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. Stretching, she grinned to herself. Was it any wonder she had fallen asleep, after last night? She checked her appearance in the mirror and her eyes fell on the diamond ring. Another confusing reminder of Josh. Making a snap decision, she slipped it on her right hand and went downstairs to greet Dirk.
“Olivia!” Dirk crossed the floor of the great room and gave her a friendly hug. “You’re looking much better than the last time I saw you.” Pale blue eyes studied her approvingly. “Life out here in the wide open spaces seems to agree with you.”
“It’s good to see you, Dirk.” It was true. His breezy good humor would be welcome as she tried to sort out her feelings about Josh. “How is everything on the Costa del Sol?”
“I spoke with IATO headquarters this morning, and our sources tell us that Blazek’s organization is in a shambles. The results are even better than we thought. The dealers are all blaming each other, and our little caper seems so have caught Interpol’s interest. Our intelligence reports that the smaller arms brokers in the area are scattering like seeds in the wind. It’s bloody marvelous!” He shot a quick look at Josh. “I also spoke with Colin about Olivia’s story idea. He didn’t turn it down, but he says he’d like to talk to her about it.” He turned to Olivia and shrugged good-naturedly. “Sorry, love, that’s the best I could do.”