Champagne and Candlelight

II

Jarrod pulled Jingo to an abrupt stop and turned Amber’s head to face him again. “That,” he told her sternly, “is not funny.”

Amber looked at him, bright blue eyes apologetic. “I know it’s not,” she responded quietly, “but it’s true nonetheless. My father was James Barkley.”

Jarrod was speechless. This beautiful woman, who’d given him one of the most intense sexual encounters of his life, was alleging to be his cousin. “You’re Uncle Jim’s daughter?” he asked incredulously.

“He and my mother weren’t married,” Amber tried to explain. “Mother…well, she wasn’t the type of woman a man like Jim Barkley would marry, but he sent money to provide for us, even wrote to me a few times. I’m not surprised he didn’t mention it.”

Jarrod urged Jingo into a walk again, trying to tell himself he didn’t initiate their encounter, but his sense of responsibility told him he should have made sure he knew who he was fucking before he did it. “But he did mention it,” he told her when he got his voice back. “We found a letter with his will after he died, telling us about a daughter back east. We tried to find you, but…”

Amber’s tone was tinged with regret. “My Mother died only a few weeks before I heard about my father and I wasn’t sure what I should do. I always wanted to come west and remembered my father had a brother in California, so it was as good of an excuse as any to work my way across the country.”

From her earlier actions, Jarrod was pretty sure he knew what ‘working her way across the country’ entailed.

Amber felt the stiffness and disapproval in his posture. “You’re judging me,” she accused, not even turning around. “Men enjoy it, even pay for it. Why shouldn’t a woman feel the same?”

Jarrod wanted to argue that it was different for men and women, but found he couldn’t. He believed women were as capable as men, even lobbied for women’s rights to education and to hold property just the same as a man. So why should the most basic of human interaction be any different? “What about children?” he said finally, thinking he might have grounds for a case.

“And you think a man is less responsible for fathering a child than a woman is for bearing one?” she scoffed.

Jarrod was struck dumb once again. He thought about his father and Heath, and now this new cousin and knew Amber had him. “No, I don’t,” he conceded. “Has anyone ever told you you’d make a good lawyer?”

Amber shook her head. “Not that I can recall.”

“When women are finally admitted to the bar, I’d recommend you apply.” Jarrod paused. “On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t. You might just put me out of business.”

“You’re a lawyer?” Amber asked curiously. “I thought you were a rancher.”

Jarrod chuckled. “Well, looks can be deceiving, my dear. But I can see how you thought that. I have been playing cowboy for the past two weeks, giving my brothers a hand. But they managed to hire a few more men before the drive was finished and I decided to head back home before the paperwork from my day job piled up too much.”

Jarrod smiled as he thought of the time on the trail with his brothers. They might tease him about his ‘lily-white hands’, but every time he joined them in some serious ranch work, he knew they actually respected him for his abilities with a horse and a rope.

“Do you mind if I ask what you’re planning on doing now that you’ve come here?” He remembered what happened in the grove of trees by the road and inwardly flinched, unable to reconcile that reality with the fact that Amber was his cousin.

Amber shrugged. If she was aware of his tension, she didn’t show it. “I don’t know,” she confessed. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Like I said, coming here gave me something to do. Thought I’d meet my cousins and go from there.” She reached back and gave Jarrod’s knee a squeeze. “I must say, it was quite a welcome.”

Amber’s hand on his knee sent a thrill of desire through Jarrod and he tried to lock it down. “Amber, we can’t…” he started, removing her hand. “We’re kin. What happened back there, it shouldn’t have happened at all.”

Amber heaved a deep sigh. She knew Jarrod was right, but the warm feel of his chest at her back was hard to dismiss from her mind. “I guess that means no champagne and candlelight,” she said, trying to keep her tone casual. Jarrod didn’t answer, but wrapped his arm more securely around her waist and didn’t object as she leaned back against him. The connection between them was almost too strong to ignore and the silence on the rest of the ride was charged with tension as they both tried to get past the feelings each other’s presence invoked.

They each breathed a sigh of relief when the ranch buildings came in sight.

Amber whistled in delight as she saw the white-pillared mansion. “I’m impressed.”

Jarrod helped her off Jingo’s back as Ciego came up to take the sorrel’s reins.

“Welcome back, Señor Jarrod,” the stableman greeted. “You beat your brothers home, eh? Señorita.” He gave a nod of the head to Amber as he led the horse away, used to the unexpected guests his employers brought home.

Jarrod led the way onto the porch and opened the front door, ushering Amber inside. She gazed around the foyer and he was mesmerized by the enchantment in her eyes. The surge of desire that came over him made Jarrod scold himself to stop it as he heard the swish of fabric that preceded Victoria’s entry into the room.

“Jarrod!” she exclaimed. “It’s so good to have you back home. It’s been so quiet with all of you gone.”

Jarrod gave his mother a kiss. “Well, if you don’t want quiet, I should have sent Nick home instead,” he said with a chuckle. He turned to Amber and took her hand. “Mother, I brought a guest. This is Amber Barkley. She’s Uncle Jim’s daughter.”

“Jim’s daughter?” Victoria regarded Amber closely. “We’ve been looking for months. Do you have any proof of your claim?”

Amber pulled a slightly crumpled envelope from her skirt pocket. “This is a copy of my birth certificate and a letter my father wrote me.” She handed it to Victoria. “You can compare the handwriting if you like.”

Victoria passed the envelope to Jarrod while she scrutinized Amber. She had the same brilliant blue eyes as Jarrod and her sandy blonde hair was the exact shade Tom and Jim Barkley shared. “I think I’ll let Jarrod be the judge of these documents, but I believe you are who you say you are.” She gave Amber a warm hug. “Welcome to the family.” Glancing around the foyer, Victoria turned a curious eye to her eldest son. “Jarrod, didn’t you bring in Amber’s luggage?”

Jarrod, in turn, looked curiously at Amber. She didn’t have anything with her when he’d picked her up on the road.

Amber ducked her head to hide her blush. “I left my bag at the train station. I didn’t want to carry it all the way here.”

“You walked from town?” Victoria asked in amazement.

“I spent the last of my money on the train fare. I didn’t think the walk would hurt me.” Amber glanced up and met Jarrod’s eyes. “Jarrod took pity on me and gave me a ride.” The bold look in her gaze made it Jarrod’s turn to blush.

“Well, I could head back into town and get your bag for you,” he said, trying to banish the thought of just what kind of ride he’d given her.

“Oh, no, dear, you just got home,” Victoria told him. “I’m sure I have some things I can lend your cousin until tomorrow. Unless there’s something you can’t do without?”

“Not at all,” Amber answered gratefully, “I’d hate to make Jarrod go all the way back just for my things.”

“Then it’s settled.” Victoria put her arm around Amber and steered her toward the stairs. “I’ll show you to the guest room and get you a change of clothes. I’m sure you’d like to freshen up before dinner. Jarrod can pick up your belongings tomorrow.”

If Amber thought she was impressed by the size of the guest room, the bathing room astounded her. At Victoria’s insistence, Amber drew herself a hot bath, a luxury she hadn’t had in weeks. The water soaked and soothed the scratches on her back, not that she regretted getting them. Jarrod might be her cousin, but, damn, he was hot. She knew she shouldn’t be lusting after someone as closely related to her as he was, but it was hard to banish the vision of his sultry blue eyes and charming smile, not to mention the sensual feel of his hands on her skin. Amber closed her eyes. Maybe what she needed instead of this bath was a cold ducking in the horse trough.

*

Amber came down the stairs dressed in a blue gown lent to her by Victoria, not feeling her traveling clothes were up to the standards of dinner at the Barkley mansion. She’d worn fine fabrics before, but even though it was years out of date, she never had anything that screamed ‘elegance’ and ‘class’ the way the borrowed dress did. She and Jarrod’s mother had been much of a size, and the fit was almost perfect, except in the bodice. Amber couldn’t help wondering what Jarrod’s reaction would be to the ample cleavage showing at the top of the dress and hoped nothing spilled out during dinner.

True to expectation, Jarrod had a hard time tearing his gaze away from her chest when Amber joined them in the parlour. Victoria gave a small chuckle, much to her son’s discomfiture.

“Thank you for lending me the dress, Mrs. Barkley,” Amber said. “I‘m lucky we’re almost the same size.”

“Almost,” Victoria agreed and sent an amused glance over at Jarrod, who had busied himself at the drink table. Even though Amber was his cousin, she guessed a man like Jarrod would have a hard time ignoring the ample charms displayed in front of him. “And I refuse to have you call me Mrs. Barkley. Your father was my brother-in-law, which makes you my niece. I insist you call me Aunt Victoria.”

Amber smiled graciously, the dimples in her cheeks reminding Victoria of both Nick and Audra.

“A drink, ladies?” Jarrod offered after fixing himself a scotch.

“A sherry, please, Jarrod,” Victoria replied. Jarrod poured and handed his mother her drink.

“Amber?”

“I’ll have a scotch, if you don’t mind.”

Jarrod poured the golden liquid and brought it over to her, and Amber smiled at the conscious effort he was making to keep his gaze at eye level.

“Thank you, Jarrod,” she said, taking a deep breath and bit back a giggle as Jarrod’s eyes reflexively looked down at her expanding chest. He gave her a stern look when he realized her action was deliberate, but there was a hint of amusement in the blue depths as well.

Silas came to the door and announced dinner was ready and Jarrod offered an arm to each woman. “Ladies.”

“So you grew up in Philadelphia, Amber?” Victoria asked after the meal had been served. She decided not to ask her questions earlier and let the young woman get settled first. But now seemed like the perfect time.

“Yes, I did,” Amber replied. “Before I left to come here, I’d never been out of the city.”

Victoria took a sip of her wine. “What made you decide to come to California?”

Amber shrugged, not really wanting to go into the details of her life, but this was family and they had a right to know at least some of it. “My mother passed on a few months ago. I didn’t… well, I didn’t really want to take up her line of work and California is the land of opportunity right now.” She gave a wry smile at the glances that passed across the table. “Yes, my mother was a whore. A high priced one, but she traded her favors for money. I grew up in a very exclusive bordello in one of the better parts of the city. Mother didn’t really want me plying her trade and my father sent us enough money until his death to make sure I’d have other choices. He even paid the tuition for me to attend finishing school.”

Victoria looked over at Jarrod, remembering Amber’s admission that she’d spent the last of her money on train fare, and an unspoken agreement passed between them. “Amber, when your father died, he left his estate to me in his will. I know Jarrod will agree with me when I say I’d like to hand it over to you.”

Amber shook her head in denial. “You don’t have to do that for me,” she protested, but Victoria was insistent.

“Nonsense. As you can probably tell, we don’t need the money. Jim left a letter asking us to make sure his daughter was provided for. And from what you’ve said, and the letter from your father you gave me shows, your father did care a great deal about your welfare.”

Amber made to protest again, but Jarrod cut her off.

“One thing you’ll learn,” he said, eyes twinkling, “is you don’t argue with Mother.”

Silas entered the room. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Barkley, but Josh Sykes is at the door. It seems Amy’s baby’s coming and she asked for you to sit with her while Josh fetches the doctor.”

“Tell him I’ll be right there, Silas.” Victoria dabbed her mouth with her napkin and rose from the table. “Will you excuse me? Amber, after dinner Jarrod can go over the financials with you. And please make yourself at home. You’re family and this is your home for as long as you like.” She left the room with Silas in tow, instructing him on what to pack for her to take to the Sykes’.

“You haven’t complimented me on my dress,” Amber said mischievously, breaking the silence that settled over the room when Victoria left.

Jarrod just raised an eyebrow before taking a long, deliberate look at the display in front of him. His gaze was so frankly desirous that Amber felt a warm flush come across her cheeks. “That’s not a good way to make me keep my distance,” she murmured.

“Sorry. But you started it.” Jarrod knew he shouldn’t look at Amber like that, but he couldn’t help himself. His mind wandered back to their encounter by the road and he got up from the table before his body did something he couldn’t hide. “Well, why don’t we go look at the accounts from my uncle’s estate? Accounting should keep us out of trouble.” He held her chair as she got up and led her into the study.

“Oh, you have your own billiard table!” Amber exclaimed with delight as she entered the room and gave Jarrod a coy glance. “Maybe you should teach me how to play.”

Jarrod showed her to a chair on one side of the desk, noting the gleam in her eyes. “How come I get the feeling you’d want to wager on the outcome?” he asked, smiling. “I’m sure you’ve lightened a few wallets that way.”

“Hey, can’t blame a girl for using her sweet, innocent demeanor to her advantage,” Amber defended.

Jarrod chuckled as he got some papers out of the desk. “I’ll agree with sweet,” he told her, “but innocent? I think I know better.”

Amber gave him a mock pout before leaning over the desk to look at the papers he showed her. Her position gave Jarrod an even better view of her creamy bosom and he looked away, trying to concentrate on the figures on the paper instead of the figure in front of him. He shifted awkwardly, readjusting the growing erection that was making his pants uncomfortably tight. Jarrod’s hand dropped to his lap and he unconsciously rubbed himself, trying to ease some of the discomfort.

“We sold Uncle Jim’s ranch shortly after the estate was settled, since there was really no one to work it,” Jarrod explained, trying to keep his eyes to himself. “But there’s shares in a few mines and lumber companies, plus the money from the sale itself…” Jarrod gave up, unable to focus with Amber’s luscious chest almost completely exposed in front of him. “Maybe we should do this later. When you have your own clothes.”

Amber looked puzzled for a brief second, then glanced down at herself and noticed Jarrod’s hand in his lap. “Your mother lent me this dress, you know,” she reminded him with a slow smile.

“And I haven’t decided if I should scold her or thank her,” Jarrod replied huskily. “We can’t do this, Amber.”

Amber nodded, regret evident on her face as she sat back in the chair. “I know, but it’s just so hard.” She blushed a little as she realized the other connotation her statement had, and Jarrod couldn’t help a chuckle as he looked down at the bulge in his pants.

“Amber,” he scolded, but his blue eyes were laughing.

Just then, Silas came in offering coffee.

Amber declined a cup, pleading fatigue from her journey and bid both men goodnight, using the houseman’s entrance as the convenient opportunity for an exit.

“Miss Amber seems like a nice young woman,” Silas observed as he poured Jarrod a cup of coffee.

“I don’t think that even begins to describe her, Silas,” Jarrod told him. Tempting, stimulating, ravishing, all those came to mind but nice would not be an adjective he’d choose to describe Amber Barkley.

*

Amber was in her room, brushing out her hair when she heard a soft tap on her door. She opened it to find Jarrod, dressed in a dark velvet smoking jacket and his pajamas.

“I believe I offered some salve for your back earlier,” he said, holding out a tin.

Amber smiled. “Does the offer include some help putting it on?” she teased. “I’d ask your mother, but she might want to know what happened.”

Jarrod’s gaze took in the curves that showed through the thin nightgown. “You don’t know what your asking, Amber,” he said, trying to keep control of his emotions and his body’s inevitable reaction.

“We’re both rational adults,” she reminded him, moving aside to let him enter and closing the door behind him. “We should be able to behave ourselves.” Jarrod sighed and stiffened his resolve as Amber sat on the edge of the bed. He sat behind her and reached up to touch her shoulder.

“May I?”

Amber loosened the fastenings of her nightgown and slipped it off her shoulders, exposing her back. Jarrod opened the tin and began to gently rub salve over the abraded skin.

“Thank you, Jarrod,” Amber said softly, reveling in the sensations Jarrod’s touch evoked. He finished applying the salve and closed the tin.

“You don’t have to stop,” Amber whispered.

Jarrod ran his hands over the top of her shoulders and kissed her neck. “I think I do,” he responded quietly. Amber turned to face him and he had a full view of her bountiful chest. He felt his manhood rise as he slowly pulled the nightgown up to cover her. “I need to say goodnight.”

Amber rose and walked with him to the door. “Goodnight, Jarrod,” she said and brushed her lips tenderly across his. Closing the door behind him, Amber couldn’t ignore the ache between her legs that Jarrod’s presence caused. She lay on the bed and slid her hand under her nightgown, fingers finding her nub of pleasure and she rubbed it firmly. She imagined it was Jarrod touching her and rubbed harder, slipping her fingers into her slick canal, picturing Jarrod’s steely maleness penetrating and filling her. As she pushed her fingers in as deep as she could, she worked herself feverishly and clamped down hard on the swollen bud. Her body arched into her hand and as she brought herself to climax, Amber couldn’t help the moan that escaped her lips.

“Jarrod…”

*

Jarrod returned to his room and climbed into bed. But sleep was impossible. Just thinking about Amber’s soft curves was enough to keep him hard and he finally gave in to desire. Slipping his hands into his pants, Jarrod began stroking himself. Using the moisture that gathered at the tip of his erection, his strokes became longer and faster as he envisioned burying himself in Amber’s sweetness. Jarrod’s hand squeezed his throbbing balls as the tingling sensation built in his belly and worked its way to his groin. The movements of his hand were hard and fast when suddenly his entire body tensed and his back arched off the bed. Clamping down on his hardened flesh, Jarrod braced himself and erupted in one long stream, followed by several smaller ones as he shuddered in the aftermath of his orgasm.

“Amber…”