Savage storm

by Conn, Phoebe

  As always, Jason radiated confidence and Cabrielle did not doubt he would surmount each obstacle in their path, but she had never felt so inadequate. "You plan to be a farmer now, is

  that it? You'll no longer guide wagon trains to Oregon?" That she'd not even thought to ask him that question when he'd proposed filled her with dismay.

  Jason shrugged. "I'll do whatever I must to keep a roof over our heads, but let's worry about next spring when it comes, Gabrielle, not before. It is not essential that we buy everything tomorrow. We can come back into town several times if need be. I know you'll want to attend your friends' weddings so that will give us the opportunity to stock up on anything we've forgotten."

  Gabrielle took a small sip of her champagne and then another. She doubted this was the way a wedding night was supposed to begin, but it was only late afternoon and she had hopes Jason's mood would become more romantic. "We'll need chickens to have eggs, and feed for them," she suggested absently, her interest clearly not in their task but in her new husband.

  Jason began to print the items they decided they'd need. Finally, he felt they had a comprehensive list prepared. When their supper arrived at seven, he was amazed that they'd spent so much time talking about provisions. The waiter was even more surprised to find a honeymoon couple engaged in such a mundane activity. The young man produced a white linen cloth for their table and, after serving their plates, left promptly, deciding discretion was called for even though he could detect no evidence to justify the need for such diplomatic behavior.

  Gabrielle found the poached salmon very tasty, but she had little appetite. She'd not thought being alone with Jason would prove to be so awkward. She felt every bit as self-conscious as she would have had she wed a total stranger. He had very fine manners, and as always, she found him so attractive he was a delight simply to observe. Still, she wanted so much more from him than he seemed to think it necessary to give that she had difficulty hiding her growing depression. She had known it wouldn't be easy to win his love when she'd accepted his

  proposal, but she'd not realized how much pain the aching emptiness of his promises would cause. She reminded herself she'd have to be patient, but that did not ease the hurt his indifference continued to cause. She wanted him to speak of love on their wedding night, but he seemed to have no interest in doing so. Instead, he spoke at length about the prosperity he knew it was possible to achieve from farming with conscientious effort.

  Jason found Gabrielle's melancholy gaze increasingly discomforting. Clay's note had admonished him to respect her youth and innocence, but she'd never seemed naive in her views, nor was she as innocent as his partner believed. He was sorry now that he'd not just taken her home, where they could have been completely alone. She'd always been so affectionate when they'd been together, but he knew the atmosphere of the small hotel room did little to create a romantic mood. He was as ill at ease as she, and that was no way to begin a marriage. However, he could think of nothing to do or say to lift her spirits. He was certain she was thinking of Beau. Surely he was the man she'd meant when she'd said she'd planned to marry a farmer who would be able to teach her what was required of his wife. Beau was the husband she'd hoped to have, but Jason dared not mention the man's name when he knew her response would be a most furious one. As time passed, she replied to all his attempts at conversation with no more than one-word replies, and finally he gave up his efforts to amuse her and became as silent as she.

  After the red glow cast by the setting sun had faded away, Jason got up to light the two small lamps the hotel had provided, but rather than creating an intimate warmth while they dined, they merely threw eerie shadows upon the walls. He finished his supper as slowly as possible in an attempt to allow himself sufficient time to devise some clever means to charm Gabrielle. Unfortunately no idea of any merit occurred to him. She was still sitting opposite him, waiting for him to devour every morsel on his plate, her food all but untouched.

  Her glance was rather curious now, but he remembered the soft glow passion lent to her bright blue eyes too fondly to be satisfied with anything less. When she spoke to him, he was startled by the sound of her voice, for she'd been unnaturally quiet all afternoon.

  "This has been a remarkable day, Jason. It began with me trying to explain to Michael why marriage was out of the question for me and now I find myself dining with my husband. I am sorry I have been such poor company for you, but surely tomorrow will not prove to be so confusing.''

  No longer able to hide his own apprehension, Jason suddenly blurted out the truth. "I can make no promises about tomorrow when my mind is so preoccupied with tonight!"

  Gabrielle tried not to laugh, but she could not help herself now that he'd admitted he was as nervous as she. She rose quickly from her chair and, seeing he'd not a scrap left on his plate, sat down upon his lap and put her arms around his neck, hugging him warmly. "I think you're right, we've spent far too little time together. All we need for a successful marriage is the chance to grow comfortable in each other's company."

  Jason put his arms around Gabrielle's tiny waist to hold her captive upon his knee as he began to nuzzle the silken skin of her throat with affectionate nibbles. "You already know all a farmer's wife truly must, my pet. Don't worry that you'll ever fail to please me."

  Gabrielle closed her eyes as she snuggled against him. She wound her fingers in his dark curls and ceased to concern herself with her lack of housekeeping skills, so dehghted was she to be in his arms. She found his kiss delicious and was sorry she'd become so angry over his sketches because the disagreement had depressed them both deeply. Perhaps they would have spent the late afternoon in a far more interesting fashion if she'd kept still about what she'd found. He'd offered to forgive her for having a terrible temper, but could she forgive herself for having that fault when it caused them both such needless pain?

  Jason had saved the last of the champagne and when he poured them each a glass Gabrielle drank hers, toasting his health with a lilting laugh. Then he lifted her into his arms to carry her the short distance to the bed. When he could not seem to unfasten the small pearl buttons on her blouse, she pushed his hands away and did it herself. "Since this outfit constitutes my wedding dress, Vd like to preserve it if I may."

  Jason leaned back to watch her disrobe, his pleasure undiminished for he'd never known a woman who could remove her clothes with the slow, sensuous grace Gabrielle always displayed. She rose from the bed to lay her garments aside, seemingly unaware of the beauty in her fluid motions, but he savored it with a wide smile he made no effort to suppress. Thinking that she'd be his forever was a delightful prospect. He'd spent many years relishing the pleasures of life whenever he could, but Gabrielle would share his bed until his last night on earth and he now felt having a wife was the only sensible way for a man to live.

  Gabrielle turned and, finding Jason doing no more than observing her with a satisfied grin, asked pointedly, "Do you plan to sleep in that suit? If not, may I suggest you hang it in the wardrobe where it will not become wrinkled because if I must undress you myself I'll simply toss your clothing upon the floor. And if you object to the way it looks in the morning, you'll have to press it yourself."

  "That's hardly fair," Jason observed slyly.

  "It's your choice." Gabrielle was still clad in her chemise. She saw no reason to don her nightgown when she knew how quickly Jason would remove it.

  "I don't care how these clothes look in the morning. Come here." Jason held out his hand and when Gabrielle put her fingertips in his he drew her back upon the bed, his lips too hungry for hers to debate the state of his attire another second. She returned his ardent kiss, but then began to tickle his ribs as she reached for the buttons on his shirt. Her touch was light, teasing, and he soon had to give up the pretense that he could

  ignore her enticing charms. He pushed her away with a playful shove and, standing up, removed his apparel with such haste she had time to draw no more than one breath before he rejoi
ned her upon the comfortable bed.

  Gabrielle whispered softly as she drew him near, "I am so sorry for becoming angry with you. I do not mean to yell when rd much rather do this." Her tongue traced the shape of his lips with a tantalizing caress before she deepened her kiss. She adored her husband and needed little in the way of encouragement to show him the extent of her affection. Her fingertips moved lightly down his spine and over his slender hips as she pressed his body closer to her own. His skin was so warm, his sleek form superb. She let the touch of her hands convey the same erotic message which filled her kiss. She wanted him, badly, her need too compelling to be construed as anything other than a deep hunger for his love.

  Jason was captivated by the lissome beauty in his embrace. Again she was the irresistible vixen whose fiery passions he longed to ignite. He gave no verbal response to her apology but wound his fingers in her deep red tresses to hold her still so he could enjoy her teasing kiss before responding with a demanding intensity. Sensing his urgency, Gabrielle slipped off her chemise and lay back in his arms, nearly purring with pleasure as his lips strayed lower to caress the flushed peak of her breast. As always he treated her most tenderly, cherishing the gift of her affection, but he did not trust himself to pay her any coherent compliments. So he spoke none of the pretty phrases which would have pleased her as greatly as his tantalizing touch. He wanted only to lift her heart to the rapture they knew so well, but she moved against him, the soft curves of her body luring him past the bounds of reason with a magical spell woven in so subtle a fashion he was entranced before he realized how easily she'd again conquered his will.

  Enveloped in the lamps' soft glow, the room took on an air of mystery which Gabrielle found far more exciting than the clear blue sky under which they'd last made love. Unable to

  passively accept Jason*s generous kisses, she slipped from his embrace, the flowing strands of her auburn hair brushing his chest with a silken caress as she leaned down to kiss him. His mouth clung to hers, but she pulled away, not content with such innocent play when she knew how to please him in another far more intimate way. She trailed light kisses down his throat and across his broad chest, then slowly over the taut bronze skin of his flat stomach. Finally, he could take no more of her seductive affection, and with a deep laugh, he caught her in a close embrace and pushed her down upon the feather pillows.

  'This is our wedding night. Will you not even pretend to be an innocent bride?" he asked with an amused chuckle, for what she'd been about to do was not something the innocent girl Clayton thought her would not even know was possible, let alone perform so expertly.

  "Would that please you more?" Gabrielle replied in a husky voice which sounded as sweet as music to his ears.

  "No," Jason responded truthfully, "I can't complain since all you know you have learned from me." And you have taught me far more, he thought suddenly. But he hadn't time to admit that when his need for her was so very great. He moved his hand slowly down the velvet smoothness of her hip, his fingertips playful as they reached her thigh and then strayed toward his real goal. His caress now grew teasing, arousing her desire until her breath came in hoarse gasps as she moaned his name and he knew his pleasure would be shared in full measure. He gave up the effort to exercise restraint then and eagerly sought the ecstasy she was so willing to share. As he shifted his position, her body welcomed him with a rush of warmth which seared his very soul and he lost himself in the beauty of her loving, not caring in the least that she had not come to adore him as she had Beau. He had a liftime to win her love. If he had to devote each night to filling her body with pleasure before he touched her heart, he would consider his time well spent. He surrendered that thought to his own needs,

  passionate desire flooding his powerful body. His sudden intense pleasure was close to pain, so powerful it was stunning. Again he was shaken to the very marrow by the depth of the joy she had given him. With Gabrielle, making love had always been perfection, each experience uniquely rapturous. But he knew no words to express how greatly she had pleased him. A part of Jason even feared it had been a fantasy of Gabrielle's making, that to her he was Beau in her waking dreams.

  Late the next morning, when the enticing aroma of crisply fried bacon and steaming cocoa teased her senses with a fragrance too delicious to ignore, Gabrielle opened her long-lashed eyes slowly and began to smile, delighted with the surprise. "Why, Jason, you've brought my breakfast to me? How very considerate of you." She raised the pretty blue and white quilt for modesty's sake as she sat up, and he placed the white wicker tray he'd brought from the hotel's dining room across her lap. In addition to slices of bacon and hot cocoa, the tray held a plate of freshly baked muffins drenched in butter and a small crystal vase containing a single pink rose.

  "I've already eaten and this will take less time than eating downstairs," he explained logically, but his engaging grin let her know he appreciated her compliment.

  "Oh, of course," Gabrielle responded happily, knowing even if he refused to admit it, he'd brought her breakfast solely to please her. "Nevertheless, this is a rare treat and I appreciate your thoughtfulness." She took a sip of cocoa and then began to eat one of the feather-light muffins. She'd eaten so Httle for supper she was ravenously hungry, but she tried to take dainty bites so as not to appear lacking in manners. "Everything is delicious, but if you continue to pamper me like this I shall become dreadfully spoiled," she teased, giving him an impish smile between bites.

  "You're already so damn spoiled this small gesture won't harm you!" Jason replied with a hearty chuckle.

  "I am not spoiled!" Gabrielle argued, but she, too, broke into laughter. When Jason drew a chair up next to the bed and

  produced a handful of gold rings, she was so astonished she nearly upset her tray and had to grab the cup of hot cocoa to keep it from spilling all over the attractive quilt. ''Where did you get those?"

  'Trom the jeweler/' Jason took her left hand and slipped one of the gleaming wedding bands upon her third finger. "I wasn't certain of the size but ifone of these doesn't fit properly ril go and get some more."

  Gabrielle thought the plain band very tasteful, but it was a bit too large. "Is there one slightly smaller?"

  Jason sorted through the rings to select another. "Give this one a try," he suggested agreeably, seemingly in no hurry.

  The second ring was more delicate than the first, its design a spray of ivy leaves entwined to form a graceful circle. Gabrielle loved it instantly and was delighted when the ring fit perfectly. "This is the one I want. I've never seen another ring as lovely as this. May I keep it please?"

  Jason could scarcely respond, he was so touched by the sweetness of her question. She seemed so young that morning, and her pretty blue eyes were filled with such an enthusiastic sparkle it was difficult for him to believe she was the same exotic beauty with whom he'd spent the most erotic of nights. He took her hand tenderly in his and brought it to his lips.

  "This ring was my favorite too," he finally admitted.

  "Why didn't you say so?" Gabrielle asked curiously.

  Embarrassed by her question Jason released her hand with a gentle squeeze and rose to his feet. "Because I wanted the choice to be yours, not mine. Now, finish your breakfast. The maid will draw a bath when you're ready. I'll just return these other rings to my friend, and then I'll borrow Clayton's wagon so we can go shopping."

  "I'll be ready when you get back," Gabrielle promised sincerely. She wanted to please him, and if time were of the essence then she'd not keep him waiting.

  Jason was glad he'd thought to borrow the wagon as it was soon filled with the useful items he and Gabrielle had spent the previous afternoon discussing. He'd not even been out to his home yet, but he was certain their needs were many. He knew no matter how thorough they'd attempted to be, they'd surely overlooked something. ''Why don't you buy some fabric for gowns? You know how to sew, don't you?"

  "I'd rather buy material to make curtains as I imagine we'll need new o
nes. Perhaps I should wait until we can take the measurements though; I want to be certain I purchase enough."

  Gabrielle looked over the bolts of fabric stacked upon the shelves behind the counter in the dry goods store. "They have several bright prints, but I'd like to see the house first before I make my decision."

  "You don't want to make any new dresses?" Jason asked skeptically. "All your clothes are lovely, but surely you must want some new ones."

  Gabrielle shook her head. She'd need new dresses all right, with each passing day she was more certain of it, but she'd not begin fashioning loose-fitting gowns until she absolutely had to. "First let me sort out my wardrobe. I'll buy some yardage later if I find there's something I need."

  Jason lifted a well-shaped brow quizzically. "There is a fine seamstress here in town. You needn't make your own clothes if you don't know how."

  "I do know how!" Gabrielle responded heatedly. Then she forced herself to be calm. "Please let's not argue about so foolish a question as the extent of my wardrobe. I'm anxious to see your house, can't we go out there now and worry about new dresses for me later?"

  Jason leaned close to whisper. "Money is no problem, perhaps you did not realize that, but you needn't be so damn thrifty when there is no reason to be."

  Gabrielle blushed deeply for she'd not given the extent of Jason's resources the slightest thought. "I am certain you will

  be able to provide for my welfare, but from what you say there will be so much to do Til scarcely have time to sit down and sew for several weeks. Fabric is the last thing I need to buy today. Now, may we please go?**