Bobby Does Dallas (Hill Country Heart) Page 14

  Scarlet’s mind and emotions was topsy-turvy. Could this really be happening, or were her heart-felt fantasies making more of this than it actually was? With a soft touch, Alex caressed the hand he held. Scarlet took that as a gentle urging for her to say her part. Holding Alex’s gaze, she began to speak. “I, Scarlet Rose Evans, take you, Phillip Alexander Stewart, as my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, till death do us part.” Her voice cracked just a bit, and Alex’s hold on her hand tightened, as if giving her courage to continue. “I promise to be true and faithful to you. For better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.”

  Scarlet paused again, her eyes big question marks, and Alex nodded his head, as if telling her that she was doing great. “All my worldly goods to you I give, and with my body I will worship yours. Alex, I adore you, and marrying you would make all my dreams come true.”

  Alex noted the futuristic wording of her last sentence.

  “Is there a ring?”

  “Yes, there is.” Alex reached into the pocket of his coat. He brought out a glimmering eternity band and slipped it on her finger. “Scarlet, with this ring, I thee wed. With this ring, I offer you my heart, my life, my trust and my eternal devotion.”

  “I don’t have a ring for you,” she whispered.

  In answer, he just kissed the ring on her finger.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  Slowly, Alex drew her to him. It was a tender kiss, a slow meeting of the lips, a cherished moment of utter devotion. Pulling back, Alex gave her the sweetest smile that she could have ever envisioned.

  “By the power invested me by the great state of Texas, I now pronounce you man and wife.” Turning them to face the crowd, he announced. “It is my pleasure to be the first to you introduce you to, Mr. & Mrs. Alex Stewart.” A crescendo of music followed and Alex swept Scarlet down the central passageway, past prying eyes and countless questions.

  He picked her up and held her close. “Oh, my darling. I love you so.” He kissed her then, like he had wanted to up at the front. Boldly. Voraciously. She kissed him back, and then laid her forehead against his chest to get her breath.

  “That seemed very real, Alex.” She didn’t know exactly what to say, but she was holding on to him with both hands, just as tight as she could.

  “It was real, baby. Very real.” They stood still; he braced himself for her reaction, not knowing what to expect.

  There was a moment of silence, and then much to Alex’s shock and amazement, Scarlet stood on her tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck and began to cry. “I don’t understand, but I love you. This is the most incredible moment of my life. Explain, please. What does this mean?”

  Picking her up, Alex walked swiftly to the house. He carried her straight to his room, so he could be sure that they would be undisturbed. Sitting on the bed, he held her to his chest. “Scarlet, I know I’m probably treading on thin ice, love. But, there was no way that I was letting you walk out of my life. I had to make you understand that you have a future, with me.” He placed something in her hand.

  “What is this?” she asked in a tear-streaked voice.

  “Look at it, babe.” His words were said with enough hope and commitment that it was a tangible presence in the air.

  Scarlet dropped her eyes, an for a moment, she didn’t comprehend what she was holding. It was a card, a plastic card that was engraved with her name – or her new name: Scarlet Evans Stewart. Scarlet turned it over and over. It was emblazoned with the name of Alex’s company and a prominent, national insurance carrier. “An insurance card?”

  Scarlet looked up at him in wonder. “I can live?”

  Her simple little question almost brought him to his knees. “Yes, baby. You can live. With me. Forever.”

  It was the sweetest thing Cecile had ever seen. She had been able to tell the exact moment that Scarlet realized that the rehearsal was actually her wedding. Her eyes had gotten big and she had become weak in the knees; Alex had gladly pulled her close and given her his support. All during the time they were reciting their vows and listening to the pastor explain the sanctity of marriage; Alex had been stealing kisses and wiping away Scarlet’s tears. Before they said ‘I do’ there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

  The impromtu bride and groom rushed off for a night in the honeymoon suite in the Driskell Hotel and Ethan drew Annalise into the house, telling her that he wanted to explain to her part of what was going on. Cecile couldn’t imagine what the circumstances were that would make something so wild and irregular necessary.

  “Cecile, is that you?” She had been waiting for Bobby, who had taken over the host’s role for the evening since everyone else seemed preoccupied with something more important. Turning to see who had called her, Cecile was shocked to see Erica Uvalde. They had graduated high school together and Cecile hadn’t seen her since their ten year reunion. “Cecile Fairchild, I can’t believe it’s you.”

  Erica was one of those people that was palatable only in small doses. “Hello, Erica.” They hugged and Erica held her at arm’s length to look her up and down. “You look so good. What have you been up to?”

  “I live in Dallas, I’m a editor at a publishing house. How about you?”

  “My husband owns interest in an oil and gas company. He’s friends with Ethan and Alex. Did I see you making sexy with Bobby?” At Cecile’s blush, her school chum pounced. “Mee-ooow,” she made a catty noise. “Isn’t he a little young for you? Are you practicing your cougar skills?” If the woman had slapped Cecile, she wouldn’t have been more hurt. Humiliated, she looked around to see if anyone else had heard. Bobby was approaching, so she mumbled something unintelligible and was grateful when he took her by the hand and led her away.

  He was speing for a few seconds before Cecile could force herself to understand his words. “I wanted to tell you before, but Alex swore me to secrecy.”

  “What did you say?” she honestly had missed the point.

  Bobby pushed a strand of her hair back and traced the path a tear had taken down her cheek. “You cried. That’s so sweet.” He doctored her sorrow with a kiss. “I was trying to tell you that Scarlet needs a kidney. It’s very serious, she has to have a transplant or go on dialysis or she will die. Having no insurance, she was fast running out of options. Now, Alex has given her those options – and his heart”.

  “You mean he’s marrying her to save her life?” Cecile started crying in earnest.

  “No, he’s marrying her because he can’t live without her.” Bobby said simply and drew her close. Talking about Scarlet and Alex had pushed Erica’s rudeness from her thoughts. “Come with me. I’ve got to have you – now.” With determined strides, he pulled her into the house. By the time they were behind closed doors, he had his clothes halfway off. “Undress, Ceelee. Now.”

  Bobby’s forceful, take-control attitude turned on Cecile more than she would ever have suspected. With trembling fingers, she obeyed. Her mouth went dry when she saw how hard and erect he was. His cock was fully aroused and dripping precum. “You want me,” she stated simply and with wonder as she began a slow strip tease that she hoped would further enflame Bobby’s out-of-control desire. It did. He threw off the last shred of clothing and hauled her up against his big, hard body.

  “You’re asking for it, Fairchild.” He didn’t kiss her – not this time – he consumed her. Cecile had never imagined a kiss could be an erotic assault. He ate at her lips and sucked her tongue – holding her head still with both hands. There was no escaping his possession and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Pushing her hand between them she found his cock and began to rub it, entranced by the liquid that was leaking from the tip.

  “I ache,” she begged.

  “Turn around, lean on the bed and bend over,” he ordered. “Stick that sweet ass in the air – I’m going to drill my way to heaven.’ His words were like gasoline thrown on a fire. Cecile followed his
instructions and presented herself like a mare in heat. And she was in heat. Bobby was big, so when he leaned over – she was covered. He pulled back her hair and bit her on the shoulder – right next to her neck.

  “Oh yes, touch me, please. “ she whispered. This was going to feel so good. He hadn’t entered her, yet he was rubbing her all over, prepping her, gentling her – rousing her to his level of excitement. With broad sweeps of his hands he soothed her skin, then ran his hands under and cupped her breasts, massaging and pulling at the nipples, tweaking them – milking them – making her writhe with desire. “Are you wet? Are you ready for me? Do you want me to claim you as my own?” His voice was almost a growl.

  “Yes, I want you, so much, please,” she begged. She pushed her ass up in the air – knowing that she was pushing him to the limit. He moved one hand down to tease her clit – swirling it with three fingers. Cecile groaned, and as she tossed her clutched the sheet until her knuckles were white, he rammed home. “I love you!” she screamed, unable to hold back her declaration of love.

  He was big, thick hard as a rock – and all male. He might not belong to her forever – but, by God – he was hers right now -so, she laid her head on the bed and enjoyed every thrust – every pump. She felt taken – ravished – owned. If only it could be forever..

  Bobby surrounded her. He tried to pull her little body into his own – absorb her into his very soul and spirit. Watching his brothers with their women tonight had only made him want to strengthen his connection with Ceelee even more.

  Bobby pushed as deep in her as he could get – balls deep. She was so tight! Damn! She was perfect for him in every way! “Does it feel good, baby? Do you like my lovin‘?”

  “Yes, God-yes,” she spoke into the mattress as he pounded into her from behind. He didn’t let up – it was a triple play – he rammed into her pussy, fondled her breasts and stroked her clit until she was screaming. He could feel her cream running over his fingers and down her leg and he swelled even harder and bigger with pride as well as passion.

  “Lord, baby-doll. I’m coming – I can’t hold back. Come for me treasure. Come for me.” He pressed hard on her little pearl – rubbing it, pinching her nipples and grinding so deep into her pussy that he was nudging her very womb. With a cry – her whole body jerked and she flew apart in his arms – quaking with frenzied little movements. Her beautiful response triggered his own climax and he jettisoned his seed deep into her body. She belonged to him – and he intended to keep her.

  Cecile lay in his arms and wondered what the hell she was doing. She was thirty-one freakin’ years old and she was lying next to a twenty-two year old Greek god who was going to wake up any day and ask her what the hell she was doing in his bed. It was just a matter of time. Erica was right. This was laughable. Go girl! Yeah, go; get up and go to your own room, that would be the smart thing. Running her hand through the sexy hair on his chest, she rubbed her face on his shoulder – Lord, he was perfect. ‘Please, God. Let me keep him,’ she prayed. And prayers are always answered – she knew that. But sometimes the answer is ‘no’. “What’s your middle name?” Cecile asked as she traced hissmall flat nipple with her forefinger.

  “Sexy,” Bobby grinned at his own joke.

  “No, it’s not,” but it could be, she admitted to herself. “Tell me. Your first name is Robert, isn’t it?” She laid her hand on his chest and rested her chin on it, enjoying their fleeting time together.

  Wrapping a lock of her hair around his finger, he twirled it tight and then let it loose. “Yes, I’m Robert Jaidon Stewart.” His real last name was Powers, but he had laid that down years ago. He was a Stewart now, and proud of it. “What’s your middle name, Ceelee-mine?”

  His endearment made her want to sigh in happiness. “Cecile is my middle name.” She traced a heart on his chest and then drew an arrow through it. “My first name is Madeline – Madeline Cecile. Isn’t than a mouthful?”

  “Ooh, provocative word?” he got a gleam in his eye. “How would you like to have a mouthful of,” in a stage whisper he gave her raunchy instructions – which she followed to the letter.

  “Did you have a good time?” Annalise smiled slyly at Scarlet as she hurried into the powder room with her dress. Cecile was already dressed and was putting hot curlers in Lise’s hair.

  “Yes, I did.” Miss Scarlet answered primly, unwilling to get down and dirty with her sister and Cecile. Scarlet wasn’t as used to talking about sex as the other two.

  “The Stewart brothers all know their way around the bedroom…” Cecile laughed when she realized what she had said. “Or so I’ve heard.”

  “Look at us,” Annalise sighed happily. “We’ve all found happiness at the Heartbreak Hotel.” Annalise had shared with all of them what she had thought when she had first turned down Lonely Street in search of the Bed and Breakfast. Looking in the mirror, she saw that Scarlet had an odd look on her face. “What’s wrong, Sis.”

  Scarlet walked up to her sister and pulled out a chair and sat down near her. Now that she had married Alex, the future was a much brighter place. It was time to tell Annalise the truth about her health. “I’ve been hiding something from you.”

  Cecile instantly felt uncomfortable. “Do I need to leave?”

  Scarlet stopped her. “No, it looks like you’ll probably be a member of the family, too. I want you to stay.” sat beside the other two, pleased with the thought of family and sisters – and Bobby, of course.

  Scarlet took Annalise’s hand. “I have kidney problems.”

  Annalise didn’t say anything. She stared at her sister, trying to read the gravity of the situation. “What do you mean? A kidney infection?” That couldn’t be too serious.

  “No, it’s more than that. When I had the surgery to fix my foot, there was a complication.” Annalise squeezed Scarlet’s fingers to the point it almost hurt. “The anesthesia they gave me damaged my kidneys. I was allergic to it.”

  Annalise shook her head. “What does this mean? How sick are you?”

  Scarlet took a deep breath and smiled. “I came to your wedding thinking that this was the last time that I would see you.” At Annalise’s horrified expression, Scarlet hurried to explain. “Alex changed all of that. He found out about my problem – it’s embarrassing, but he found my bucket list.”

  “Scarlet! Why didn’t you tell me?” Annalise was about to have a conniption fit, so Scarlet hurried in her explanation.

  “I didn’t have insurance and I refused to be a burden to my family.” At her sister’s vehement glare and sputtered response, Scarlet covered Annalise’s mouth. “Listen – it’s okay now. Alex is my knight in shining armor. We are hopelessly in love and he has made it his business to save my life.” Scarlet’s eyes were shining. “He gave me an insurance card for a wedding present. Isn’t that the sweetest thing? I’m going to live – because of Alex.” By the time she got through talking, Cecile and Annalise were both shedding tears of happiness and relief. Gathering their things, they headed to the pool house to finish all final touches before they got ready to march down the aisle.

  “Has anyone seen the guestbook?” Annalise fretted as she tossed first one thing off the counter and then the other. Cecile picked stuff up as fast as she threw it down.

  “Would you settle down!” she tried to calm her friend. “Everything is perfect. We’ll find your guestbook.”

  Grabbing Cecile and hugging her, she took a deep breath. “I know, I know. I just can’t believe this day has finally arrived. And finding out about Scarlet, it’s almost too much!”

  Scarlet joined them in their huddle and hugged them both. “Today is going to be a wonderful day. I’ll ind the guest book. You two eat some chocolate or something.”

  *****

  Scarlet threw her hands up, ‘Where did I put the guest book?’ She was very tired, but there was no way she wanted anyone to know. Scarlet wanted Annalise, Alex and everyone else to enjoy the day, and not worry about her. Heading into the house, she t
ried to remember where she had seen it. Taking one step toward the hall, she walked straight into somebody. It was a man. At first, she assumed it was Alex, and almost put her arms around him. But then her body, so used to Alex’s touch, instinctively knew that this individual was too soft and not broad enough. Backing up a step, she looked up to apologize. Recognition was her first reaction, then a wave of uncomfortable trepidation assailed her. “Rick?”

  “That’s right, church mouse.” Rick didn’t give her a chance to get away. He grabbed her roughly by the shoulder and spun her around, pinning her arm painfully behind her back. “You and I have got some serious talking to do.”

  Alex had been watching the house and knew that Scarlet had already had ample time to find what she needed and return to the yard. An uneasy feeling was niggling at his mind. Unable to shake it, he went to see about her.

  Scarlet gulped with pain and then she asked in a small, defeated voice. “My childhood wasn’t anything to write home about. You, of all people ought to know that.” With another crashing blow, he hit her again. Desperate, she asked. “If I say what you want me to say, will you let me go?”

  “I can’t promise anything, but let’s try it, Sis.” Rick’s mind was obviously affected. He kept one hand around her throat and the other kept an unforgiving pressure on her arm and elbow. “Say: “I am nobody.”

  “I am nobody.”

  “Say: No man will ever want me.”

  “No man will ever want me.”

  Entering the house, he heard voices. Scarlet’s he recognized, and the other sounded oddly familiar. Following the sound, he couldn’t believe his ears. What the hell?!?! When he rounded the corner and saw that monster LeBeau, with his cruel grip on Scarlet, he almost vaporized with fury. And when he heard what that little shit was making her say, he lunged.

  “You let her go, you piece of trash!” Seeing Alex, the former Longhorn linebacker, rushing him, LeBeau slung Scarlet to one side like so much cotton batting. “What do you mean treating her like that? What did she ever do to you?” Alex didn’t give him time or air to answer, he picked him up and flung him out in the hall, and when he landed in a heap, Alex followed him and repeated the process. As soon as he got him outside the B&B, Alex called Bobby over to hold his ex-employee, while he returned to find his baby. God, if that idiot had hurt her, he would kill him with his bare hands.