by Alta Hensley
"So do you!" she shot back. "What's this project all about? This is your way of hiding from your demons. Yes, I have created my own protective bubble. I agree with that. But you have done the exact same thing with this town!"
"Mandy, you need to calm down. I won't allow you to continue to shout at me," Jason warned.
"I'm tired of you telling me what to do. You're my brother, and only my brother. You don't get to control me!"
"I’m the man of this house and the leader of this community. If you continue to push me on this, I will make damn sure you never see that boy again."
"You can’t keep us apart!" Her voice was shrill as she began to pace the floor. The fire behind her seemed small compared to the blaze of ferocity she radiated.
"Mandy, listen to me. It is my job to make sure that all the single women and men are put in the best situations for this community. I’ll make sure you’re happy, so you’re just going to have to trust me." He took a few steps toward her and reached to pull her in to his arms.
She pulled away harshly. "You aren’t God, Jason! You don’t get to control love."
"It’s not about love! Marriage right now is about creation. Forming this society to what we have envisioned. You sound foolish, Mandy."
Mandy shook her head. "No, Jason. You’re the fool. You’re the naïve one. I feel sorry for you, and after hearing what you said, I feel sorry for Taylor."
She turned on her heels and ran out the door, brushing past Taylor, who stood motionless in the archway with tears brimming her eyes. Jason suddenly realized that Taylor had witnessed the argument.
He walked toward Taylor and wrapped his arms around her. "I’m sorry you had to witness that. She wants to marry Josh O’Keefe, and as you can tell, I’m not fond of the idea."
Taylor stood enveloped in his arms with a knife stabbing her heart. He placed soft kisses on her head as she tried to choke back the sob in the back of her throat. Hearing Jason, seeing Jason, brought a pain to light, a realization she had not allowed herself to see before.
Her body tensed. Jason pulled away and scowled. "Don’t tell me you’re going to take her side?"
Taylor stood in silence. The threat of her hopes and dreams crumbling around her.
Jason lifted her chin so she had no choice but to stare into his eyes. "Hey, what’s going on? Why do you look so upset? You look like you’re going to cry."
A single tear made it past her eye and trickled down her cheek.
"Taylor? What’s going on? Why are you so upset?"
She had agreed to marry him. She had agreed to be his wife. To give him a family, a home, everything he wanted. He had agreed to do all the same. But neither had declared their love.
She looked down at her feet, the tears now freely falling. "You’ve never said ‘I love you.’"
Jason stood silently.
"You asked me to marry you, but you never said you loved me."
"Taylor…things have happened so fast…and…"
Taylor shook her head and pushed away from his embrace. "You only wanted to marry me because of this stupid community. You only wanted to look good to all the leaders. You don’t love me. You don’t truly want to be married to me. You just worry about how you’d look if you didn’t."
Jason stood silently once again.
"You’ve lost yourself, Jason. You have lost yourself in this project. But what’s even worse is that you’re going to lose Mandy…and you’re going to lose me."
She turned and ran up the stairs, leaving the man she truly loved behind.
****
The day Jason had stepped into that ridiculous shop of hers, he had known there was something special about Taylor. Although it was not until she stormed into his house, like a ball of fire, that he had realized just how much he wanted her physically. Once moving to the ranch, he had realized how much he wanted her in his life. He wanted to keep her as his. She belonged to him. He wanted the marriage to happen. Was this love?
The thought of losing her tore at his soul. It left an aching pain he could not explain. No woman had stood up to him before and, in the same breath, surrendered so completely. No one had ever made him strive to be a better man like Taylor. He woke up every day thinking about how he could make her life better. Was this love?
Yes, he cared about this project. Gave everything he had towards it. It had consumed his life for years, but it was not worth losing what mattered to him most. Mandy was everything to him, and now that he had Taylor, he could not risk throwing that all away. He could not let Taylor just walk away, thinking he did not love her. He did. Yes, this was love.
His own stubborn blindness had kept him from seeing Mandy for the exquisite lady she was. Of course someone could love her and want to be with her. Why would he try to step in the way? She was not a woman like most, but her laugh and her positive spin on life was like a rainbow on a dark day. He loved Mandy more than he could ever express. So why in God's name would he question if the O'Keefe kid could feel the same? His controlling ways were making him act and look like a fool.
Jason leaned against the mantle and closed his eyes. Yes, he was a fool in more ways than one. He had been entrusted to lead this new town. To make it the dream so many had. Yet he was struggling leading his own household. He glanced up and noticed, for the first time, a needle point pillow that one of the girls must have made. Stitched neatly, with yellow thread, it read, 'A Love, A Family, A Future.' Yes, he had that. He wanted that. He wanted all of that with Taylor.
Jason had to go to her, apologize to her and declare his undying love. He needed to make this right. Taylor deserved to know how much he truly loved her and would continue every day from this point on. Jason wanted to make Taylor understand that she had his heart, and he wanted hers. He just hoped it was not too late.
Chapter Seventeen
The knock on the door made Taylor's heart leap out of her chest. She did not want to face the man she was so desperately in love with, only to see the feeling not returned. She did not answer the door nor reply. Silence was the only thing she could offer.
"Taylor?" To her surprise, he did not try to open the door. He did not demand his way in, furious that she had stormed away. "I'd really like to talk to you if I can."
She did not want to be dramatic and storm out of the house, call off the marriage, or any other rash decision that ran through her head. At the end of the day, she loved Jason completely. He was everything she could ever dream of. Taylor wanted to make this work. She had already surrendered her love and given her submission.
She opened the door to his calm request. "Okay, I guess we should talk."
"Can we go for a walk?"
Taylor reached for his hand and linked her fingers through his. She offered a smile, finding it impossible to be angry at the man before her. Jason squeezed her fingers tightly between his as a shiver of delight went through her. The simplest touch confirmed that Jason was the only man for her.
Jason pulled her into his embrace and just held her, his breath warm against her cheek. After a few moments, he pulled back to look at her and rested his palm against the side of her face. "I'm sorry."
Taylor nodded. A glimmer of tears shone in her eyes as the pain in her heart subsided. Jason reached out unexpectedly and gripped his hand around her waist. In one swift movement, he lifted her off the ground and pressed her hard against his chest. So hard, she could feel his heart beating. His mouth came down powerfully on hers, his tongue plunging past her lips as if he were claiming her, possessing her as his. Taylor clutched at his arms as the world whirled around them, leaving nothing but overwhelming love.
Arousal sparked in Taylor's body as if Jason had lit her on fire. She parted her lips, her hands desperately clinging to the fabric of his shirt. Their tongues danced together as electric currents rippled through her body. Her sex dampened at the sensation of Jason's body pressing against hers, her mind spiraling out of control with the knowledge of the erotic gratification they could bring each other. S
he melted into his embrace as he lowered her down to the ground and, very gently, led her down the stairs.
They walked beside one another on the expansive land of the ranch. The sun began to reach the western horizon, casting a pink glow amongst the clouds. A cool breeze blew softly, causing Taylor's curls to escape from the loose bun she wore.
"I want to show you something," Jason said as he reached for her hand.
The soft touch made Taylor's pulse quicken. Despite his feelings, or lack thereof, she wanted to be closer. She wanted more of his touch.
Jason cleared his throat. "I owe you an apology." He continued to lead her to a part of the ranch she had not seen yet. "Moving here was everything I had dreamed of. I worked hard to make everything perfect. I admit that I did get caught up in it, I did let it consume me." They continued to walk up over a small, grassy hill. "But that's because when I really want something, when I really love something, I allow it to consume me. But I want you, and our love, to consume me from now on. I only want you."
As they reached the other side of the hill, Taylor squinted her eyes to block out the sunlight and make out the stunning picture before her. In nicely-lined rows of five stood at least twenty newly-planted trees with white ribbon wrapped around each trunk.
Taylor stared at the trees with bewilderment and awe. "These are beautiful! I've never seen anything so pretty."
Jason took a deep breath. "They're lemon trees. Mandy told me you loved fresh lemons, and I used the ribbon because you told me you like white, and—"
"You planted this orchard for me?" Taylor interrupted. She turned to gaze into his eyes. "You did this for me?"
Jason grabbed both of Taylor's hands in his. "Well, it isn't quite an orchard yet, but it will be. I plan on giving you everything you could ever want. You love the acoustic guitar, so I plan on learning how to play. You love cheese, so I plan on setting everything up so we can make it from scratch." Taylor giggled, causing Jason to stop and look deep into her eyes and smile. "Ever since you moved here with us, I have felt complete. You've changed and improved my life. You've given me something I didn't even know was missing. You've given me love."
Jason walked them both so they were standing in the middle of all the lemon trees. He brushed his lips lightly against hers, giving a delicate kiss. "I asked you to marry me before. But you deserved better. You deserve romance, and a fairytale story of the day your husband proposed. I didn't give that to you...until now."
He smiled and got down on one knee. Taylor began to cry at the sight of this strong, powerful man, bended on one knee, finally giving her the proposal she fantasized of.
"I've fallen head over heels in love with you, Taylor. I was a damn fool for not saying it to you earlier." Taylor's heart pounded so loud she could barely hear him. "I want you in my life because I love you. Not because of this damn town, but because I don't go a moment without thinking of you, without wanting you, and without loving you."
Taylor wiped at the tears streaming down her face. A sob escaped her throat as she stared down at the most handsome cowboy she had ever seen, kneeling before her.
"Taylor McKnight, will you please do me the honor in being my wife? Will you marry me?"
She threw her arms around his neck, knocking him to the ground. She straddled him on the grass, kissing him deeper and with more passion than she had ever done before.
Jason pulled away after a few moments of kissing her back with just as much fervor. "Is that a yes?"
Taylor nodded and laughed alongside her tears. "Yes, yes! I love you! I love you! I love you!" She gave him a few more kisses and pulled back enough so she could see his entire face clearly. "I think I fell in love with you the moment you stepped into my shop, because I would've never gone along with your crazy plan if I didn't think there was something more."
He laughed and kissed her lightly. "I love you. And I'll tell you those words every day of our lives. Yes, everything we've done has been crazy, but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm so glad you agreed to come with us."
Taylor's eyes burned, her heart swelled. "I want nothing more than to be your wife."
With his eyes growing tender, Jason pressed his lips softly to hers. "I want you to remember this feeling you have right now. This massive amount of love we feel. Because as your husband, I vow to make sure you feel this every day, for the rest of our lives."
Taylor leaned against Jason, content and at peace as she gazed up at him. "I love you, Jason. And I love your dream. I'm so proud of you for what you've built."
"It would be nothing without you. I want a family with you. You, me, Mandy—"
"We still need to discuss Mandy," Taylor interrupted.
"I know." He kissed the top of her head. "I can admit when I'm wrong, and I'm wrong. She should be able to experience this amazing feeling I have right now. I won't get in the way of that."
Taylor was quiet for a long moment, enjoying his embrace. Feeling his breath dance with her hair. Hearing his heart beat against her cheek. Taylor closed her eyes and luxuriated in the feeling of sincere, genuine, true love. Finally, she whispered, "I love you."
Jason laid his forehead against hers, staring deep into her eyes. "I love you. Thank you for making everything I ever wanted, and all my dreams come true."
The End.
About The Author
Alta Hensley loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at www.altahensley.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @AltaHensley.
Other Books By Alta Hensley:
Traditional Love
Is finding true love as simple as finding a strong man who spanks?
In hopes that she can rebuild her broken life, Neely moves back to her hometown and becomes roommates with her best friend, Caine. Living together, they soon discover that their feelings go far beyond just friendship. Neely is surprised to learn that Caine believes in spanking as a way of life. He lives and passionately upholds a lifestyle known as Domestic Discipline. He is a man who believes in loving, cherishing, and spanking his women!
But can Neely let go, and trust in Caine? Can she submit to his way of life, and emerge herself in his like-minded group of friends? Is Domestic Discipline just what Neely needs? Or will the uncertainty of the lifestyle tear them apart?
Traditional Terms(Book 2 Traditional Love Series)
She can submit to the man. But can she submit to the love?
Being an erotica author, Coley can turn words into a lusty scene in seconds. She can write about sex, but is finding it difficult to write about love. She just cannot find the hero for her book...or in real life, for that matter. She needs to find the passion to write again. She needs to find passion...period.
With one kiss, Coley soon discovers that a long time friend may be the man she has always been looking for. Vance is strong, sexy, loving, and extremely alpha. Coley also knows he lives a lifestyle of Domestic Discipline. He loves, he leads, and he spanks his women.
Has she found her real life hero? Can Coley surrender to his love? Can she truly submit to his Traditional Terms?
Deep in the Heat of Texas
Los Angeles Times reporter, Maggie Wright, is assigned to do a story on the dying dude ranch industry in the south. When the newspaper offers to foot the bill for Maggie and her two friends, Payton Evans and Sophia Foster, to stay at the legendary Weston Ranch in Valentine, Texas, they jump at the opportunity. While it’s not the Caribbean cruise they wanted, how bad could it be?
Expecting a tired farm with dusty old cowpokes, the three big-city friends are taken by surprise when they are each assigned to a dashing cowboy or two for some good, old fashioned ranch training and a whole lot of rough riding. Their limits are tested in ways they never imagined, both in the bedroom and out on the range. After two weeks, will the women run back to the bright lights of Los Angeles without so much as a backward glance? Or will these skilled cowboys have them longing to stay for just a little bit more of their Texas-style heat?
Indulgence: Tales of the Cirque
Romani
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…" the Master of Ceremonies echoes every night. These are the words that launch a night full of entertainment, magic, seduction, debauchery, and desire.
Cirque Romani is a troupe like no other, a carnival full of true mysticism, power and dark seductive secrets. It travels from town to town, performing to an audience and consisting of a cast of creatures that folklore tales weave stories about.
Cirque Romani is a troupe full of magical, dark, and fascinating people that choose to entrance others, rather than hide in the depths of the shadows.
We introduce to you...Indulgence: Tales of The Cirque Romani.
Let the show begin...
Table of Contents
Of Yesterday_1
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Of Yesterday_18