Obsession Down Under (13 page)

She wanted to turn and flee, but her feet refused to cooperate. Unwelcome tears pooled in her eyes and slipped over her lashes.

He wiped them away with the pad of his finger and then pulled her into his arms. It was where she longed to be, where she wanted to be for the rest of her life, but with enormous effort she pushed him away. “Can’t say, or won’t say?”

The silence was uneasy and the seconds ticked by like minutes while she waited for him to speak. He gave a single nod and then angled her chin and stared into her eyes.

“A bit of both, I guess. But like I said, Jessie Rose, it’s not what you think. I need you to trust me on that.”

The fragments of broken heart inside her chest came together. He’d never asked for anything before. To ask for her trust seemed such a negligible thing, something he shouldn’t have had to ask for at all. It should have been given without restraint. And she did trust him, but she also trusted her own eyes.

She palmed her forehead and closed her eyelids as she weighed her options. An immediate decision had to be made. He’d never lied before.

“I trust you,” she whispered, knowing it was true and launching into his arms as the words left her lips.

His face split in a euphoric grin that warmed to her bones. Broad firm lips covered hers. The kiss was deep and lingering and stole her breath.

When he at last drew back, he said, “I promise to tell you one day soon, but for now, you owe me a dance.”

She hesitated. To have the explanation now would have been nice, but she was prepared to wait so put her hand in his and he towed her toward the music. Twenty minutes later, Brenda interrupted them.

“The Mitchells are getting ready to leave. They’ve offered to drive Jessica back to the motel on their way home.”

Whip stopped dancing and tucked her under his arm while she held her breath. “That won’t be necessary. Jessie Rose is staying here.”

“But Jessica said she was going back to the motel.”

Brenda’s hands went to her hips, her bottom lip pushed out, and she glared with petulant eyes.

“If the Mitchells don’t mind driving me—”

“The only place you’re going is inside the house with me,” Whip snapped.

“But the Mitchells are waiting,” Brenda reminded them.

“Then skedaddle and tell them thanks, but no thanks,” Whip barked.

“But . . .”

“No buts, Jessie Rose.”

The decision was snatched out of her hands. She only hoped her next words would placate the teenager. “It’s only one night, and Whip’s promised to drive me back tomorrow. I’m booked on the four o’clock bus to Sydney.”

Brenda spun on her heel and whirled away mumbling, “I’ll go tell the Mitchells not to wait.”

Time, Jessica realized, was her other enemy. Her stay at the property had been cut short and there was nothing to be done about it. Tonight would be her last at Highland Glen and she was grateful for the reprieve. Tomorrow she’d be on a bus for Sydney. It was with a mixture of sadness and regret that her friendship with this wonderful man was being sabotaged on a whim by his teenage sister, but she just couldn’t risk calling her bluff. Perhaps given more time Jessica may have been able to win the girl over, but now she’d never know.

Chapter 17

The next morning, Jessica woke to brilliant sunshine, cradled in her lover’s arms, snug and comfortable. Whip had been demanding in their lovemaking last night, and the experience was earth shattering, his stamina incredible.

He was awake. She could tell by the huge morning erection poking against her bottom.

“I would have thought you’d be sated after last-night’s efforts,” she whispered, and wriggled against him.

“With you babe, never,” he replied, sliding his muscled thigh between her legs and lifting them apart. “I can’t get enough of you.” He nuzzled her neck between words, one hand cradled her breast while the other glided to her pussy and rigid fingers dipped between her folds. She was wet and oh so ready for what they both had in mind. Not to be left out, she tried to reach behind and caress his penis, but he wouldn’t have it.

“Not fair, Cowboy. If it’s good for you then it’s good for me.” She tried to grab for him again, but he blocked her move.

“No, babe, let me play. You just enjoy.”

Magic fingers massaged her hot spot as he planted little kisses along her clavicle, at the base of her throat, over her breasts. Her head dropped back, and he took the tip between his teeth and gave a gentle tug. She writhed and moaned as the exquisite sensation snapped down to her toes.

“You like that, babe?”

“Mmm, not sure. Perhaps you should do it to my other nipple, so I can make an informed decision.”

His laughter was deep, sexy, and instantaneous.

“An informed decision, hey? Well I guess you do need all the facts.” His free hand cupped her other breast, while his tongue circled the areole then licked over the center, teasing her sensitized flesh until it jutted. When he bit down, her body quivered and her nipple elongated.

She closed her eyes and moaned. “I think the answer to your question is a resounding yes. It feels wonderful.”

“Glad to oblige, ma’am, but now I think we’ll do something that I like.”

Okay, so he wanted head. Not a problem. But before she had time to move, he was between her thighs, his thumbs parting her folds, his tongue tormenting her clit in the most delicious way, and his fingers probing her deep.

Her climax came quick but her orgasm lingered as his tongue and fingers kept coaxing another and another out of her until she was spent and limp.

Whip climbed up her body. “You taste divine, and I love that you are always so ready for me.”

Her face heated, and she squirmed. “Well, Cowboy, you are irresistible.”

He laughed and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was deep and probing and the tang of her essence on his lips was strong.

“See how good you taste, babe,” he mumbled against her mouth, making her blush again.

There was no answer to that. Not wanting the kiss to end though, she thrust her tongue between the seam of his mouth and explored his inner cavern.

His hand curled around her waist, as the other glided down to her bottom and massaged. Their tongues tangoed, and the kiss deepened.

She would never get enough of this man.

When Whip broke the contact, she pushed his shoulders to the mattress. “My turn.”

His face creased in bewildered confusion, his mouth opened, but she forestalled words by placing a finger against his parted lips while her other hand curled around his shaft.

“Guess I’m in your hands.” His eyes rolled back and a slow smile spread across his face. His arms stretched across the bed as he relaxed.

“You think?”

With a practiced rhythm, she pumped the turgid member, a steel rod encased in velvet. Her mouth took possession, her lips gliding over the silky head, intent on giving pleasure. She caressed his balls with gentle fingers, her lips and other hand working his member until he exploded and relaxed against the pillows.

“You, babe . . . are . . . a goddess.” His words were husky and punctuated as he caught his breath.

She took her time kissing and nibbling her way up his body, mouthing his nipples with sharp little nips, working her way to his throat, his chin, and then, pressing her mouth to his, she threw her leg over and straddled his hips.

“I’m getting all hot and soooo so wet again.” She made her voice coy and stuck out her bottom lip as she enacted another one of their cybersex plays. “Is there something you want to do about it, Cowboy?”

“You better believe it, babe.” Quick as a blink, he flipped her onto her hands and knees.

“What are you doing?” she asked, all wide-eyed and breathy as he shoved her legs wide.

“Well, my pretty young miss, I’m going to take you from behind, drive my cock so far up inside you, you’ll splinter apart screaming my name. But first, I’m going to kiss your delectable arse.”

“Don’t you have to get to work?” She laughed and wiggled her hips.

He swatted her bottom. “It’s Sunday. Now get that arse in the air and spread those legs wider. I want to see what I’m feasting on.”

She did what he asked and rested her forearms on the mattress.

Whip kissed each cheek then tongued her center from her pussy to the top of her spine before entering her and making good on his threats.

Just when she thought she could take no more, they both splintered apart, and as predicted his name was on her lips.

Collapsing into a sweaty heap, they were a tangle of arms and legs. Whip was the first to recover.

“I’m going to miss waking up here with you beside me. Won’t you reconsider?”

“No, it’s best if I leave. I don’t want to come between you and your sister.”

Whip shook his head and drew his eyebrows together. “I don’t know what’s gotten into that girl, but I’ll talk to her and straighten things out.”

Glad that he was going to try but knowing it to be futile, she didn’t reply. Instead, turning to face him, she planted a kiss on his lips. “Whip, I’ve had the best holiday ever, you are amazing, and this place is something else. I’ll be sorry to go, but I’ll never forget you.”

“Well it’s not over yet. I’ve cancelled your bus ticket.”

“No, you can’t, I—”

“Shh, let me finish. I promised you a few days sightseeing in Sydney. We’ll leave after lunch, but first I’ve planned a picnic down by the creek, so hop to it and make yourself decent, or I might just be tempted to keep you in bed.”

“As good as that sounds, I really ought to leave now.”

Whip didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “You just leave Brenda to me.”

Jessica gnawed her bottom lip. It was her last day on the property. She wanted to make the most of it, and secretly, she hoped Whip could talk Brenda around.

“Okay,” she agreed. “But I need a shower first.” She sprang out of bed and streaked to the bathroom.

“Ditto,” Whip said, right behind her.

Chapter 18

The breeze on her face was like a lover’s caress, gentle and welcoming as the little mare cantered after the big roan. Jessica’s time at Highland Glen had been an adventure, each day a new surprise, and Whip was a dream came true. But like any dream, she had to wake up and face reality, and the reality was she’d fallen head over heels for her Aussie cowboy, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Trish had been right. It was a mistake to have come, but not for the reasons she’d feared. It would rip Jessica apart to leave, to return to an empty apartment, knowing she’d left her heart in this land she’d grown to love. But those thoughts were pushed aside too, and she pasted a smile on her face, determined to enjoy every minute and not let anything spoil this perfect day that Whip had set aside for them.

Whip’s days of being single were potentially numbered. Two weeks ago that thought would have knotted his belly. Not today. Today it put a smile on his face as wide as the outback. Today was the day the threads of his life were all going to come together.

The smell of leather and horseflesh filled his nostrils as he galloped across the wide expanse, the wind in his hair and his woman riding beside him, an aphrodisiac to his already-skyrocketing high. As he let the stallion have its head, he kept rehearsing in his mind the proposal he’d mapped out for Jessie Rose, trying to perfect the words, to get them just right.

He’d thought about popping the question in Sydney over a candlelit dinner but dismissed that as commonplace. Here on McGregor land seemed more fitting. He’d planned to propose at the end of the week, but Brenda’s uncharacteristic hostility toward Jessie Rose, which he still needed to sort out, had pushed it forward.

The weather was cooperating, shaping up to be another warm day with the sky a cloudless azure. Brilliant sunrays shimmered on the green creek water, painting the perfect setting as he reined in his horse and encouraged Jessie Rose to do the same.

“This is a favorite spot of mine,” he said, vaulting off the stallion. “I thought we’d drop the blanket here?”

Jessica nodded as he helped her down from Millie. Her riding skill had improved this week and she’d taken to station life like a duck to water, pitching in and helping out wherever she could. His heart swelled. He loved this woman, everything about her; her generous nature, her spirit of adventure, her wild wanton ways, and her courage. He admired her willingness to try anything they threw at her. Nothing fazed her, a city girl not afraid of getting her hands dirty. Just another reason he supposed why he was flat out mad in love with her. 

“Whip, this is gorgeous. I can see why you love it so.”

Jessica’s words snapped him out of his daydream. He watched as her eyes travelled over the dips and hollows of the landscape as if she was committing every tree, every rock, every blade of grass, to memory.

“It’s picture perfect,” she said, moving toward the creek where a cluster of gums, their trunks bleached white, shot fifty feet straight up, their branches casting cooling shadows over the spongy grass.

He saw it anew through fresh eyes. “It is,” he agreed, taking Millie’s reins and tethering both the horses. He untied the picnic basket from his saddle and followed her down to the creek bank where he spread the red and blue checked rug under the shade of the eucalypts. “Will this do?” he asked.

She turned and looked at the rug, her eyes twinkled, darting between the blanket and him and gleaming with mischievous intent.

“Well, the trees do provide a certain amount of privacy, so I guess it’ll do just fine.”

She smiled her siren’s smile and moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. Her expression called forth the other ways she’d used her lips on him, and he struggled to cast them aside.  Show some restraint, well, at least until the proposal is out of the way.

He tried to send his mind in another direction. “When I was a kid, I’d come here for some quiet time to escape the brothers. No one ever did figure out it was my secret hideout.”

“I’ll bet you were a precocious little boy always up to some sort of prank with Travis.”

“Yeah, we had our moments, gave Mum more than a few gray hairs, I’ll wager.” He laughed, remembering just how much of a handful he and his twin had been, but right now he had other pressing matters on his mind. This was the first time he’d ever proposed to a woman and everything had to be spot on. Gladys must have had an inkling to what was afoot because when she’d handed over the picnic basket, she tapped the side of her nose saying, “I’ve added a bottle of chilled bubbly, just in case.”

“I hope you’re hungry, there’s enough food in here to feed a small army. Gladys has even thrown in a bottle of champagne.”

“Oh, are we celebrating something?” 

Her husky tone held invitation and her eyes flickered with desire as he pulled her into his arms. “Have I told you, you’re my favorite fantasy?” she said into his ear.

“Favorite? You mean there are others?”

“Gotta keep you on your toes, Cowboy. So tell me, now that you’ve lured me to this isolated haven, what are you planning to do with me?”

Her fingers walked his inner arm, her sapphire eyes sparkled, and her tongue licked over her lips.

“Well, if we weren’t out in the open, I’d think about beginning our picnic by feasting on all that peach nectar between your thighs, then I’d push my fingers into that hot little pussy and work it until you were ready to come.”

Jessica rocked from her heels to her toes, the skin around her eyes bunched as she flicked another gaze over the landscape. Her pained stare dissipated as fast as it had appeared. She clutched his hand and with mischievous energy led him down to the riverbank.

“There’s no one around for miles, Cowboy, so I hope you’re not being a tease and are going to do more than just talk about it.”

This wasn’t how he’d planned the day to go. First, he wanted her promise to marry him, but when her fingers slid down the front of his jeans, massaging his cock and pulling him deeper into her sexual whirlpool he thought, what the heck, he was only human, and no one was around for miles. The proposal could wait a little longer.

He shuddered as she curled her fingers around his shaft.  Like always, the smoldering fires ignited into a blazing inferno that threatened to consume them both. 

Impatient as always, he lay her on the ground and stripped off her shirt in less time than it took to swat a mosquito. Her sexy red bra was another turn-on. He devoted a second to kiss the velvety skin of her cleavage, then unfastened her jeans and whisked them off just as quickly. Hooking his fingers into the elastic of her matching red panties, he eased them down her thighs and tossed them aside.

“God, would you look at you? You’re so beautiful.” The smooth skin of her inner thighs glistened with her dew in the sunlight. She parted her legs, and he dropped his head to the juncture of her thighs and went for it, no holds barred. He suckled her swollen clit into his mouth and she came on the second long pull.

“Take me quick,” she moaned.

He didn’t bother to remove his jeans. He just lowered them and obliged, pumping into her hard and fast to give her what she craved.  Small hands fisted in his shirt as she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist.

“That’s it, babe, get those legs higher,” he ordered, grinding his pelvis against her thrusting hips. Her tight little muscles gripped his steely cock like a fist, clenching and unclenching. His rhythm quickened with every stroke, and just when he was ready to explode, a stabbing pain shot up his thigh, and he stopped abruptly.

“Cowboy, I was almost there. Don’t play games,” she whimpered.

“Don’t move.” His bark was fiercer than he intended, but there was a very good reason for that. “Look over my right shoulder, tell me what you see.”

“Oh my God, Whip, there’s a big black snake crawling away into the scrub.”

He felt her shudder beneath him as he withdrew from her body and rolled onto his back, his erection deflated. He knew the exact moment the penny dropped.

“Shit, you’ve been bitten, haven’t you? Is it poisonous? Are you okay?” Jessie Rose sprang up and pulled on her panties and jeans as she spoke, her face ashen, her voice shrill.

“Are you sure it was black and not brown?”

“No, I’m not sure. I thought it was black, but it could have been dark brown, but it looked to have red underneath as well.”

“A red-bellied black, damn nasty snake that.”

“Tell me what to do!” Her eyes were wide and she gripped his shoulder with probing fingers.

“There’s a cloth in the hamper, get it out and wind it tightly around my thigh.” His words weren’t rushed, and he spoke with a measured calm in an effort to allay her fears. No sooner had he stopped talking when Jessica sprinted away, grabbed the tablecloth, and bolted back to him before he had time to blink. She was scared, but as his instructions were carried out her breathing became even, her muscles relaxed, and her movements methodical.

“I’m finished, what next?”

She was all business now, the panic tones replaced by quiet confidence, and he felt a certain pride.

“Ride home and get one of the men to bring the Ute back. The less I move around, the slower the poison will circulate.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“You have to. Just take it easy, I’ll still be here when you get back.” He hid a grimace. The bite hurt like hell, but she didn’t need to know that.

“I hope I don’t get lost.” She leaned down and pressed her lips to his forehead.

He watched as she raced over to the horses and, to his astonishment, mounted the roan. “No, Jess, you’ll never handle him.”

“He’s faster. Don’t worry, I’ll be back with help in a jiffy.”

With one last glance his way, she kicked Rocket in the flanks and galloped off.

“Be careful,” he called, but his voice was carried away on the breeze.

As he lay on the ground going numb with shock and trying not to move, he thought about what he’d planned for today.  It was supposed to have been one of the most exciting days of his life. He was in the place he loved most in the world with the woman he loved more than life itself, about to propose marriage, when of all the stupid dumb luck, a fucking snake decides to take a bite. Damn, he could hardly credit it.

He was terrified for Jessie Rose, though. Even his brothers couldn’t handle the roan. Travis had tried a few years back and damn near broke his neck. As he thought about her actions, his chest swelled with pride. The way she’d stayed calm in the emergency indicated she was going to make a fine rancher’s wife. That was, if she’d have him.

He hoped he hadn’t read her wrong. She’d been sending all the signals of a woman in love, but after this fiasco it might be a little too much reality for her. Perhaps city life was entrenched in her blood. Although they were rich, they all worked the property, and station life was hard.

He pushed those thoughts from his mind. At the end of the day it would be her choice, and all his worrying about it wouldn’t change a thing.

He closed his eyes, and although he was keeping still he began to sweat profusely. He’d seen a few snakebites over the years but this was the first time he’d been on the receiving end, and damn, his thigh burned like a bitch.

To stay conscious he started to count to one hundred. Time ticked by. Nausea set in and his leg felt as if a river of molten laver ran through his veins. He started to drift and had to remind himself to keep counting.

Jessica rode hell for leather in the direction of what she hoped was the homestead. Her hands gripped the reins as she tried to steer the roan, but Rocket had his own ideas and never missed a beat as he thundered across the paddocks, his hooves kicking up divots. She just prayed the big horse knew his way home as she let him have his head.

She held on tight, her knees gripped his flanks, her body crouched over his neck. It was a long way down from the back of the big horse to the ground, but her fear for Whip far outweighed her fear of falling.

As she galloped along with her hair flying behind her, she recited every prayer her father had taught her until she could make out men working on the fences in the distance.

The gap shortened and it became clear that the men were Mark and Cyril, and thankfully the Ute was parked nearby. The smaller figure with them though was Brenda, and her spirits sank for the briefest moment.

On reaching the trio, she yanked on the reins. Rocket came to a grinding halt, nostrils flaring, flanks heaving, and as he pawed the ground she almost flew off.

“Jess, what’s happened? Where’s Whip?” Mark yelled as he rushed over and grabbed the reins, steadying the temperamental animal.

“Why are you riding Rocket?” Brenda’s tone was harsh and accusatory.

Jessica flicked a quick gaze over the teenager and then turned away and addressed Mark.

“Whip’s been bitten,” she rasped, trying to catch her breath.

“Bitten!” Brenda screeched. “By what? Where?”

“Let me give you a hand.” Mark reached up and Jessica fell into his arms as he helped her down. “Steady on, girl, take a breath and tell us what’s happened.”

“Snake bite.” The air was pumping in and out of her lungs like a bellows. It was hard to believe riding hell for leather could leave her so out of breath.

“What kind of snake exactly?” Mark asked, his fingers biting into her arms.

“He said a belly black and red snake or something like that.”

“A red-bellied black, damn nasty snake that,” Cyril muttered, echoing the words Whip had said earlier. “Best get the Ute, boy.”