The Texas Rebel [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Sarah slowly turned and smiled. Steven looked through the lenses and froze. Feeling as if something had punched him in the gut, his breathing started to race. His hands were clammy. His heart began to ache. He slowly lowered the camera and looked at her. Her eyes, those magnetic sapphire-blue eyes, were looking at his soul. Steven stood there staring at her. Oh, God, he thought to himself as the unfamiliar feeling hit him.

  “Steven, are you going to take the picture?” she asked, smiling at him. Trying to shake off the feeling, he fumbled with the camera and hit the button.

  “Come here and sit with me. You have to see this. It’s magical up here,” she said, raising her hand toward him. Steven slowly walked toward her, feeling the pull of her moving his legs forward. If he wanted to turn and run, he couldn’t. He was being drawn to her. As he reached her, his hand raised to place her small hand in his, and he felt the warmth of ten thousands fires burn through him. He sat next to her as she showed him the beauty of the hillside. He listened to her talk. Her voice sounded like angels as he stared at her. The wind blew and surrounded him in her scent. Dear God, he thought to himself.Take me now, for today I will die a happy man.She smelled of lavender and chamomile. Together they sat there on that hillside and looked out toward the beauty of Scotland.

  “Are you two done? I’m starving over here. I need food!” William yelled, breaking the magical moment Steven was having. Sarah turned and laughed at her future husband. Getting up, she smiled at Steven and ran down the hill into William’s waiting arms.

  Sitting there with the camera in his hands, he shook his head. “Stupid, stupid, what are you doing? She is your brother’s. You’re an idiot,” he muttered to himself.

  “Steven?” she whispered.

  Quickly brought back to the present, he turned to find her standing there with a towel wrapped around her. Her hair was still wet as she emerged into the room. Walking over to the bed and grabbing a pair of stockings she had laid out for the occasion, she returned to the bathroom.

  “Sorry, Sarah. Pop wanted me to come get you,” he said, turning around to give her some privacy.

  “I will be down in a minute,” she muttered.

  “Okay,” he said, getting up and heading for the door.

  “Steven?”

  He froze. “Yes.”

  “Please stay,” she whispered, walking toward the walk-in closet.

  “Sarah,” he said with his hand on the doorknob, looking at the white-paneled door that he made for his brother.

  “Steven, please. I don’t think I can do this without you. Please stay,” she quietly said. He took a deep breath and turned. He found the room empty again. Hearing her move around in the bathroom, he went back to the bed and sat. Trying to think of anything to say to take his mind off her, he asked, “Did you make it to the top?”

  “No.”

  “How far this time?”

  “I had about another ten feet till I tripped and fell.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Just some scratches. I will survive.”

  “Okay.” The silence in the room was deafening. He sat there waiting for her to emerge, and when she did, his heart skipped.

  She emerged wearing a soft-blue dress that fell to her knees. Her hair was swept up atop her head. She wore no makeup, but she really didn’t need any. Her soft porcelain skin glowed. Her rosy cheeks shimmered, and her plump, pink lips looked as soft as rose pedals. She was a beautiful woman, curvaceous and sensual. Sitting there staring at her, he couldn’t help but be amazed.

  “You think she will have a cow if I wear this?” she said, turning to him.

  “That bitch can burn in hell.”

  “Well, yes. I agree with that. I just don’t want any more problems.”

  “There won’t be.”

  “Steven, I—” she started, but he stood, interrupting her.

  “Sarah,” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders. She had to raise her head to look at him. “I give you my word. If that hell bitch says or does anything, I will take care of it.”

  She smiled at him, and then she raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist, hugging him. He didn’t know what to do. She had never hugged him before. Yes, they kidded around, but never had she been this close to him. Her head lay against his chest, and her arms slid around his waist. He felt the warmth of her all over again, as the memory of that day on the hill flooded back into him. Her arms moved up his back, holding him tightly. She laughed a little. “Steven, it’s a hug. You can hug me.”

  “Sorry,” he said, coming to his senses and wrapping his arms around her. He closed his eyes as he held her. She fit perfectly in his embrace.

  She never did belong to him, and he knew it. But he was there, in his brother’s bedroom with his brother’s girl. In a room that William had wanted to share with her as they started their life together, Steven felt like an intruder.

  He knew she loved William. He was her whole life. She was devoted to him and everything they were. He sighed, resolved to the fact that she would always love his brother. Even though his brother was no longer alive, he could not have her. He loved his brother that much, and respected the bond the two of them had. Resolved to being her friend and friend only, he broke the embrace.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s go say good-bye.”

  Together they walked out of the room.

  Chapter 2

  Texas, that same day

  Tiptoeing through the room, she found the drapes and opened them slowly. It was almost six o’clock in the evening, and he needed to get out of that bed. Though she didn’t know why she volunteered for this endeavor, anyone who did was shortly fired and soon looking for another employment. She knew this was a suicide mission, but she was determined not to succumb to his evil ways. He was just a man, and like any other man she met, he just needed a firm hand and focal point to keep his mind on track.

  But everything depended on his mood.

  Would she have a job tomorrow or not?

  Walking over to the table next to the door, she picked up the tray and walked it over to his nightstand. Quietly placing the silver tray laden with hot coffee, five eggs, four pieces of toast, sausage, a bowl of fruit, and the evening post, she took a deep breath and gently placed her hand on his shoulder and gently shook him.

  He didn’t budge.

  Trying once again with no luck, she sighed.

  “Okay. Have it your way, boss,” she muttered. Taking several steps back, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver whistle. Placing it in her mouth and taking a deep breath, she blew!

  He felt shaken to his bones by the loud, high-pitched ringing.

  Sitting straight up, he shouted, “Mother of God!” His heart was still racing as he looked around the room. The evening light flooded into his eyes. Reacting to the light, he quickly closed his eyes and fell back against the bed, taking the comforter with him.

  “Boss, it’s time for you to get up,” she said firmly.

  “Hum,” was all he could utter. Rolling back over, he tried to forget the horrible intrusion and prayed she would go away.

  She didn’t. Damn it!

  The whistle blew once again.

  “Olivia?” he mumbled.

  “No, sir. You fired her last week. I’m Margaret.”

  “Margaret?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You blow that whistle one more time and you won’t like where I put it.”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied demurely. Lowering the comforter a smidge, he watched as she walked over to his bed and prepared his coffee. “How many sugars this evening, sir?” she asked.

  “Surprise me.”

  “Your brother has called and left several messages for you. I placed them next to your playbook.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Is there anything else I can do for you?” she asked smoothly.

  Laying there with his eyes closed, he smiled.r />
  Well…now that he thought about it.

  Rolling over, he lowered the comforter and looked at her. She was a sure sight. A tall blonde with big brown eyes, the body of a goddess, and legs! Dear God, did she have some legs. “Well, now that you mention it,” he said, with his signature devilish grin that seemed to get all the ladies hot for him.

  Margaret just smiled and shook her head. “Anything but that, sir. I aim to keep my job.”

  “But I’m not well, Margaret. I need some special attention. You don’t mind, do ya, honey?” he drawled slowly. He might be a scoundrel or a cad, but damn it…he was still a man. His body ached for some companionship of the female persuasion, and this little delicious treat before him was what he wanted to eat.

  Reaching out to grab her hand, he pulled her onto the bed and quickly wrapped his hands around her waist. “Come on, darlin’. Nurse me back to health.”

  “I have heard about you. The girls that nurse you, as you say, don’t tend to stay around very long.”

  “But I’m hungry, Margaret. Please, don’t ya wanna feed me? I am a lot better when I have something to eat. I’ll be nice, I promise,” he whispered against her neck, trailing kisses along the way.

  She moaned as he moved his lips across her throat and up to her ear. When his roaming hand came around and cupped her ass, she quivered.

  “There ya go, sugar. You taste delicious,” he said as he took her mouth. Damn, she tasted sweet. A bit of honey and chocolate invaded his mouth.

  Heaven help him, but he loved the ladies.

  Making no arguments about it, he was known for his extracurricular activities as well as his stamina on the field. He loved his job, his life, and the ladies that intertwined themselves into his bed. They were all beautiful, smart, and very, very willing. He had never met a woman that he couldn’t corral into doing his bidding. He never apologized for anything, and he took everything.

  Taking his time with his new treat, he inhaled her scent and let his body come alive with desire. Her was skin was soft as butter, and she had the perfect mouth for kissing. He always disliked the women who had the thin, pursed lips. He preferred the full lusciousness of plump, rosy lips. The better to nibble on, he thought.

  “Sir?”

  “Sir is my father. Call me Mark,” he said, taking her mouth once again.

  “Mark, we…” She tried to utter a rebuttal, but when her shirt fell open, he took her nipple into his mouth and she seemed to forget about everything.

  Mark had always loved the ladies, and thanks to his morning hard-on, he desperately craved the woman before him. He could smell her arousal as her scent surrounded him. Such an intoxicating bouquet, he wanted more.

  Licking his way down her chest, he quickly hoisted up her skirt to find a daintily clad pussy. Heaven!

  Ripping the barely there thong away, her neatly shaven cunt was glistening, beckoning him to drink from her. “Damn, sugar, you’re ready for me already. I’m gonna feel so much better after you take care of me, darlin’.”

  Mark spent the next two hours feeding his need.

  * * * *

  Sarah and Steven made their way through the crowd. All that attended said their “Sorrys,” “My condolences,” and “You’re in my prayers.” All she could reply was “thank you for coming” to everyone that stopped them. The rain never let up, and the cold invaded her body. She was chilled through and through. Steven removed his coat and wrapped it around her as they walked back to the cars.

  “Steven, I can’t sit with her,” she said, stopping before they reached the limo.

  “You can ride with me. Come on. Let’s get out of here,” he said, ushering her toward his Jeep.

  They rode in silence from the cemetery.

  The rain was coming down harder now as they made their way through the wet streets of Portland. They only stopped once for coffee and headed toward the house. As they approached, Sarah sighed.

  Looking over at her, Steven grinned. “Come on, beautiful. Just a little longer and then they will leave.”

  “Steven, take me away from here. I can’t go in there,” she said, looking out the window. “Please, Steven, take me anywhere.”

  Stopping at the red light, he turned to her. He reached up and turned her face to meet his. Her face was somber, and the anguish in her eyes subdued him. “All right, beautiful. Where would you like to go?” he asked.

  “I don’t care. Take me anywhere but home.” She smiled.

  “Your wish is my command,” he said. Turning back to the light that had turned green, and making a left, he headed for the interstate. He didn’t know where he was going to take her, but he, too, didn’t want to go back to what awaited them. He hated funerals. After the death of his mother at the age of seven, he swore he would never attend another one.

  “Ever think of that day, Steven?” she asked, looking at the cars going by.

  “What day?” Steven gripped the steering wheel harder. Hell yes, he thought about that day. That day had plagued him for the last year. “No,” he lied.

  “We sure had a good time that day, didn’t we?”

  “Yeah, we did,” he said, relieved.

  “You ever think we’ll be happy like that again?” she asked solemnly. Still looking out her window, she sighed. “That day was magical. You felt it, didn’t you?”

  “Sarah, what are you talking about?” Steven asked because she wasn’t making any sense.

  “Never mind.”

  “Sarah, everything will work out. It always does.”

  She turned to look at him and said, “I’m leaving, Steven. As soon as everything is settled, I am leaving.” He turned to look at her but said nothing. Turning his attention back to the road, he didn’t know what to say.

  “I can’t stay here anymore—” she started to say, but he interrupted her.

  “Sarah, please. Let’s not discuss this right now. We can talk about it later, okay?”

  “Now is the right time. I don’t want Pop upset any more than he already is. That’s why I’m telling you now.”

  “Where are you going, back to Louisiana?”

  “I haven’t decided yet, but I know there is nothing left for me in Washington,” she answered with a little sadness in her voice.

  The tension on his face was evident. He couldn’t control it any longer.

  Stop her, you idiot. Give her a reason to stay!

  “Are you okay? You look angry,” she said, turning in her seat and looking at him.

  “I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting you to say that. I thought you would stay, go back to work, and keep going on. I never thought about you leaving. Kind of shocked me, that’s all,” he lied.

  “I’m sorry. Maybe I should have waited to tell you, but there are always people around. I don’t think we’ve had a moment’s peace since all this craziness started.”

  “I should have helped you out more, but the business is so busy. With William gone, I have a lot on my plate at work.”

  “I know.”

  “I know you do. I just should have been there for you. Pop shouldn’t have had to help you, and as for Catherine, well that’s a whole lot of trouble right there. I am sorry if she has been a pain in the ass. Pop should have never married her,” he said. His voice trailed off into thought.

  “You’re not too upset with me, are you?”

  “No, I guess I kind of knew you would leave. You never could sit still for more than a minute.” He laughed a little. He turned to look at her and said sincerely, “Just give me fair warning before you disappear, okay. Give me the chance to say good-bye.”

  “Sure thing.” She smiled.

  They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity when the sounds of screeching wheels on the pavement brought them both back to reality. Steven turned the wheel hard to try and miss the truck in front of him, but he overcorrected. The Jeep skidded and flipped, rolling several times before hitting an embankment and crashing to a hard stop.

  The Jeep came to
a stop upright. The roof was gone, and the rain pelted them, soaking everything around them. They lay there unconscious.

  Vehicles skidded to a stop as people jumped from their vehicles to lend their assistance.

  Running toward the accident, Sarah barely heard people yelling, “Call for an ambulance!” She slowly turned her head to look at Steven. He was smiling at her. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her, and then they slowly closed.

  She smiled back and softly said, “Steven,” before she, too, closed her eyes.

  She felt herself falling through the darkness, letting it surrounded her in a blanket of warmth. She kept falling deeper and deeper, as the darkness never ended.

  Chapter 3

  October 5th

  The room was stark white. The sounds of little beeps were all she could hear as she tried to focus her eyes. It didn’t take long for her to remember what had happened and to figure out where she was. Trying to sit up, she felt the pain. Her whole body ached, but as she did a quick inventory, she realized that all of her limbs were still working. She also figured since she could wiggle her toes, she could also walk. Sighing in relief, her attention went straight to Steven. Where was he? Was he okay? Was he badly hurt?

  Searching for the call button, she found it lying next to her. She grabbed it and pressed the button. It didn’t take long for a nurse to walk into the room.

  Generally happy to meet and greet anyone, Sarah was shocked when a young man walked into the room, wearing purple scrubs with little yellow balloons all over them. She couldn’t help herself. She giggled.

  “I know. Not what you expected, right?” He smiled as he walked over to the machines next to her and started adjusting the controls.

  “What are you wearing?” she managed to say between laughs.

  “I am just filling in on this floor. I generally work the pediatric unit. The kids love the scrubs.” He smiled, seeming unoffended at her laughs. “So, Ms. Mitchell, how are you feeling?”

  “A little sore, but I guess I can’t complain too much, considering.”

  “Well, other than a nasty bump on your head and a couple of bruises, I would say you are a very lucky woman. I will go get the doctor. Is there anything I can get you?” he asked as he made his way toward the door.