An Outback Affair, page 12
“Make it quick. Your lips are blue and your hair’s sticking out in frozen clumps.”
“Gee thanks, I was feeling okay until you put me right.”
She left him and went into Sam’s room. He was tucked into his bed, his pajamas clean and crisp. He was looked after here at Oriole as well as she could have.
Sam tugged her sleeve. “Hi,” she said.
“You got lost in the rain,” he declared. His bottom lip pouted. “And I wanted you home here with me, but you didn’t come.”
“I know. I’m such a silly billy. I just couldn’t find my way back.”
“Uncle Joel found you, didn’t he, Aunty C?”
“He did.” She touched her lips to her nephew’s cheek.
Sam’s eyes brightened with mischief. “He came on his big black horse and he said, ‘I’ve found you, Aunty C.’”
“And I said, ‘Oh, Uncle Joel, I’ve been so scared until you came for me.’”
“And he said, ‘Well, I’ve found you now and I love you too much to leave you in the rain by yourself.’”
“Yes, he did.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I said ‘Thanks, Uncle Joel.’”
He shook his head impatiently. “No, you said, and I love you too, Uncle Joel.”
Her throat closed over and she wondered why. “Oh, yes, that’s right. I did say that.”
“Nana cried and so did Uncle Joel, but I didn’t. I knew you’d come home soon.”
Had he? Had Joel cried when she was lost and alone in the bush? Or was it just a young child’s ramblings? She kissed Sam’s rosy cheek again. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“Yep,” he murmured and outstretched his tiny arms. “This much.”
Rising from the bed, she leaned over and ran a finger down the lush warmth of his satin smooth skin. His Buzz Lightyear cuddled beside him, one tiny arm thrown protectively over the doll. She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the side of his mouth. “Sleep tight, sweetheart,” she whispered.
She made a brief visit to Queenie who, so glad to see Cassie, hugged her tight. Once assured that Cassie was alive and kicking, Queenie allowed her to leave.
Back in his bedroom, Joel was playing an instrument similar to a xylophone. Their gaze met and he smiled. “Hi. I’m keeping in practice.”
“Practice? It sounds awful.”
He showed her the instrument. “It’s a Marimba, a primitive African xylophone. In fact the modern orchestral instrument evolved from this.” His laugh was low, throaty. “Another piece of useless information for you.”
“I’ll write it up in my useless information book.”
Placing the instrument carefully on the floor, he approached her. “You look beat.”
“I feel as though I’ve mustered an entire herd.”
“Hold up your arms,” he ordered gently. Tired, and desperately needing to sleep for hours, she obeyed. With one deft movement, he removed the sweater along with her T-shirt.
“Lean forward.”
Her nose buried into his chest, the warmth of him tingled her skin. His musky odor overwhelmed her senses. She loved his smell. She loved the power of him and knew that as long as she was with him no harm could ever come to her.
His hands fumbled with the hooks of her bra. The bra joined her shirt on the floor. He knelt in front of her and removed her shoes, vigorously rubbing her feet until her tingling toes changed from blue to bright red. Standing, he said, “Stand up.”
He tugged the elastic of her shorts. She placed her hand over his. “Don’t, I can do it.”
“Leave off,” he said and tugged harder.
She clung on tighter. The elastic pinged. “I’ll do it. You turn around.”
“What don’t you want me to see?”
“My Bridget Jones panties. They’re comfortable for riding.”
“So what?”
“I look so great in my black bikini.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“I don’t want you disappointed.”
“Give off, Cassie.” And with one hefty tug he jerked down her shorts and panties. She stepped out of them. Naked. Nipples peaked. Goosebumps paraded across her skin like Braille. Bugger, this wasn’t what she had in mind — she’d wanted slinky, seductive, him panting at the bit, that sort of thing.
He looked down. She’d shaped her pubes into a strip. He grinned. “Landing strip?”
She grinned. “Need ground control?”
“I’ve never needed directions.”
She trembled as his fingers traced the curve of her spine, his other hand resting lightly on one hip. “You’re freezing.” He wrenched a cotton blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her. “Wait here.”
Taking deep breaths, Cassie endeavored to gain control of her emotions and her chattering teeth. She heard the sound of running water. He returned to her. “I’ll look after you.”
Her body jerked when his hand brushed against her thigh. “What?” she mumbled. “What did you say?”
“I’ll massage your neck and shoulders. It’ll get your blood circulating. You’ll be warm in no time.”
He sat on the bed slightly behind her. His hands strong but gentle as they pressed into the sore muscles of her shoulders.
Her head fell forward as his fingers threaded through her hair. Rubbing. Stroking. Grazing. Please God, don’t let me drool.
The feel of his skin beneath her fingers made heat explode deep in Cassie’s belly and desire, as old as time, captured her.
He shifted until he faced her. She brushed her mouth across the soft curve of his cheek. She sucked in the lush fullness of his bottom lip. Electric sensations flowed in the most necessary places at the luminous glow of his eyes.
He brushed the tip of his tongue across an eyelid. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her down on top of him. The blanket fell away. His arms entwined around her waist; she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him all over his face, neck, and chest, sucking his nipple.
He needed no further invitation. His hand explored the lines of her back, her waist, and her hips, while she caressed the length of his back.
His passionate kiss … Demanding. Total. It filled her with an amazing sense of completeness.
He spun her beneath him. Their lips joined in a kiss of such unutterable sweetness, a wave of tenderness, and another deeper sensation, one she couldn’t fathom, a strange sweet feeling that swept over her like the gentle hush of a mountain breeze.
His hand slid down to grasp hers.
The sounds of the night echoed. The wind swaying through the trees. A soft hoot of a barn owl. Out in the hall, the tick of the tall grandfather clock. Yet she knew nothing except him.
“I think the bath’s full. I’d better go and turn off the taps or we’ll be swimming.”
As he left the room, she called, “I like it hot.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And plenty of bubbles.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He returned and scooped her into his arms, and carrying her into the bathroom, he lowered her into a steaming bath smelling of lavender. Such caveman antics left her breathless.
She’d always taken control. If she’d fancied a guy, she’d ask him out. If she wanted him in her bed, she’d take the initiative. But here now with Joel, she didn’t know, she just didn’t know. Her barriers, her defenses she’d built up over the years were shattering and she didn’t know what to do about it.
He knelt and, lifting a sponge, bathed her with gentle strokes of his hand. Cassie’s head dropped back on to the rim of the bath, her eyes closed.
“Lean forward.” He ran the water through her hair. Adding shampoo, he massaged her scalp with strong strokes. Erotic. Pleasurable. A sensation beyond sensation. He rinsed her hair clean and pushed her back against the tub.
She offered him no resistance. Wanting him to take control.
He lifted her from the water, towel dried her, wrapped her in a huge terrycloth robe and, carrying her to the bed, lowered her on it.
He leaned down and kissed her mouth. Warm, so totally warm. Her body snuggled into the deepness of the mattress. She was sinking lower and lower.
His hands were everywhere now. Wonderful. Exciting and so warm. “Oh, yes,” she muttered. “Yes. Ye-s. Yess-sss — z-z-zzzzzzzzzzz.”
• • •
Cassie bolted upright. “What!” She glanced at the luminous clock. Six. Her hand spread over the other side of the bed. Where was Joel? What had happened? Had they made love? She hit her forehead with the heel of her hand. “I fell asleep. While the man was making love to me I snored off.”
Humiliation upon humiliation. How could she have fallen asleep? Why did he not wake her?
“Bugger.”
Showered and dressed, Cassie moved downstairs. Joel was in the kitchen drinking coffee. He smiled when he saw her; she cringed inside.
“Are you somewhat restored after your ordeal?”
“Greatly.”
“Nasty experience being lost in the bush. One I’m thankful to say I haven’t experienced.”
“And not one I care to repeat.”
“Don’t go out riding on your own again. Okay?” He cocked his head to one side. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Don’t you?”
“No. I want you safe and sound and with me.”
“That sounds nice.”
“So you’ll do as you’re told?”
She saluted. “Sir. Yes, sir,” she promised as she sat in a chair next to him.
“With everything that’s happened to you since you arrived here, you’ll be glad to leave Oriole.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m getting used to all the excitement.”
He grinned. “I would have argued that the outback was safer than the city.”
“None of it was your fault.”
“I want to protect you — and Sam.”
“I can’t tell you how happy Sam is here at Oriole. It’s as if he’s lived here all his life.”
“This is his home.”
She wanted to question this statement and say that this wasn’t his home. His home was with her in Melbourne. She dismissed the idea. Now was not the time. “You’re his hero.”
“I rather like that role. I hope I never do anything to change his mind about me.”
“I doubt that you ever could.”
“Thanks for saying that.” He turned back to the stove. “Bacon and eggs coming up.” He turned his head slightly. “We’ll leave for our camping trip in the morning.”
“It’s a wonder you still want me to go.”
He chuckled, his back now to her. “Aw, I don’t know, seems to me you make things um, well, interesting.”
Should she bring up last night? Apologize? God, no, he must think she played for laughs now without adding fuel to fire.
Let them act like nothing untoward had happened between them. All politeness and light. And that’s the way she intended to keep it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cassie stretched her legs down the bed. She had been surprised and pleased when Joel had talked about their camping trip. She wasn’t sure why, but she’d imagined, after her little girl lost routine, he would change his mind and not want her to go with them. Yet he’d told her that he was making plans for them to leave early today, before the heat of the day made travelling far too unbearable.
She woke before dawn with a feeling of intense excitement. Like when she was a kid and the day had held some special treat in store for her — a birthday or Christmas.
Could this feeling of excitement come from the fact that she would be alone with Joel and things between them may progress beyond a kiss? Bloody hell, was she a masochist? Hadn’t she made a vow of chastity where Joel was concerned? And here she was planning her next jump-his-bones.
She turned on to her back and stared up at the grey shadows streaking across the white ceiling of her room.
Swinging back the sheet, she padded to the shower. By seven, she had packed their gear. Lugging their overnight bags, she trailed Sam downstairs. She left their bags near the front door. Taking Sam by the hand they went into the kitchen. Berta was moving about the room preparing breakfast, and it flashed through Cassie’s mind that no matter how early she rose, Berta was always up before her.
Cassie lifted Sam on a bar stool as Berta placed a bowl of cornflakes, milk, and chopped banana in front of him. “Eggs and bacon, Cassie?” she inquired.
Cassie shook her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. Toast and coffee will be fine.”
“We’re going camping, Berta,” Sam said, swallowing a mouthful of cereal.
“Heard that, Sam,” Berta answered, placing a mug of steaming coffee in front of Cassie.
He pushed out a foot. “I’ve got on my new boots that my Uncle Joel bought me and they came on the plane with Bluey.”
Berta smiled and studied the proffered foot. “Hmm, wish I had me a pair of those boots, then I don’t reckon my feet would ache as much.”
“Aunty C can get you some, can’t you, Aunty C? You can have the same color as me, can’t she, Aunty C?”
Cassie laughed. “If Berta wants. Be quiet now, Sam, and finish your breakfast.”
The door of the kitchen flew open and Joel stood there surveying the scene in front of him.
The sunlight, pouring through an open window, danced on the lushness of his hair. Her gaze fixed to his and her heart locked in her chest.
“Want another cup of coffee, Cassie?”
“What?”
“Coffee. You know the stuff you drink.” She gave a deep chuckle. “Or have you forgotten the ordinary things of life?”
She flashed Berta an annoyed look. She didn’t need her wicked humor so early in the morning, but her heart sank a little in her chest that maybe Berta was seeing right through her, knew what she was thinking.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Berta. And no coffee, thanks.”
“Ready?” Joel asked.
She nodded, slid off the stool. “I left our luggage near the — ”
“In the back of the car already.” He looked at Sam. “Ready?” he asked. Sam’s whoop of delight was deflated by Cassie telling him to clean his teeth.
A few minutes later they left the house and made their way to Joel’s Toyota Camry parked in the driveway.
He opened the front passenger side door for Cassie, secured Sam in his booster chair in the back and slid behind the steering wheel. “Okay, we’re on our way for the adventure of a lifetime.” He looked over at Cassie, “Navigator ready?”
Cassie gave a quick salute. “Ready and able, sir.”
Joel glanced back at Sam. “Animal and bird spotter, ready?”
Sam gave a stiff salute. “Ready and able, sir.”
The car roared into life. “Then let’s go bush.”
They travelled along the Great Northern Highway until they reached Fitzroy Crossing, then another twenty kilometers northeast to Geikie Gorge, formed by centuries of water eroding through an ancient limestone reef.
“It’s a good source of fresh water and there are all sorts of fish, birds, and other animals,” Joel told them as they drove deep into the magnificent gorge.
She drew in her breath at the multi-colored cliffs reflected in the placid waters of the Fitzroy River, which flowed through the gorge.
Joel pulled up at the side of the road. They left the car and lifting Sam high upon his shoulders, Joel insisted they climb to the top of a massive hill. He waved his hand across the space between them. “Welcome to my Shangri-La,” he expounded.
Camera slung around her neck, Cassie held up her hand for him to stay where he was. She took several shots until he said enough.
Cassie drank in the breathtaking view of the surrounding spectacular limestone cliffs. “Joel, oh it’s truly beautiful.”
Joel gently tugged one of Sam’s legs. “What do you think, Tiger? Bit of all right?”
The boy untangled the fingers that were gripping Joel’s hair and clapped his tiny hands. “It’s real beaut, Uncle.”
“I didn’t realize Australia was so beautiful,” Cassie whispered linking her gaze with his.
“There’s much more to come,” he promised.
• • •
It was late afternoon when they arrived at a mangrove-fringed estuary where he decided they would set up camp. A flock of pink and white galahs greeted them wildly on their arrival. The immediate area was filled with wild flowers — red and green kangaroo paw, vivid blue leschenaultias, and dryandras with their large, spiky flowers.
Joel unpacked their gear and set up camp, throwing orders in her direction every few minutes. She was pleased to help. He laughed when Sam got into the act and carried the smaller things, such as the tin billy for making tea, their backless wooden and cloth-seated camp chairs, and the first-aid kit.
I’ll make us something to eat,” Joel suggested and moved with Sam to the back of the car.
Cassie wandered around, taking in her surroundings but not allowing Sam to be out of her sight. It certainly was a pleasant place to camp.
“Uncle Joel has made us some sandwiches,” Sam called to her.
She joined them, and sat on a campstool next to Sam.
Joel spoke to Cassie. “Hungry?”
“Starving.” She placed her hat on top of a large boulder and eagerly accepted the sandwich Joel was offering her. It was large enough to feed an army. “It’s huge.”
