Alicia's Misfortune Read online

  Bill shouted for someone to open the gate that connected the enclosure to the cow shed. Moments later a herd of about thirty cows tramped into the enclosure, blowing dust with their hooves. The learners quickly ducked under the fence. Jack made for the cutting mare tethered to the fence and after untying it, he hoisted himself up. In the background, he could hear Bill speaking to the learners. Jack trained his eyes on the herd and searched for the calf with an X painted on it. He found the black and white calf and made towards it.

  Jack steered the horse quietly towards the herd, taking care not to upset the cows. If they got wind of his movements, they would all bolt in different directions. Once he got to the marked calf, he dropped his reins and whispered softly to the mare, an offspring of a cutting champion.

  The mare took charge then, by dropping its head and blocking the calf’s way. This was the part that got Jack’s blood flowing. The horse stood eye to eye with the calf, which sensed danger and reacted by turning to the left. Jack felt at one with the mare. He matched the calf’s rapid movements and desperate attempts to escape and rejoin the herd.

  The mare stepped sideways and weaved with the lightening quickness of lightening. The mare guided the calf to a small pen in less than two minutes. Jack heard cheering from the sidelines. Adrenalin rushing through is body; he patted the horse and jumped down. When he looked up, his eyes met Leila’s, hers wide with wonder and her pouty mouth grinning widely.

  ‘That was awesome,’ she enthused, when he walked towards her. ‘Can you teach me?’

  He looked her up and down with a frown. Very few women were trained in horse cutting and looking at her slim frame, he had serious doubts if she knew what would be in store for her.

  ‘What for?’ he said.

  She appeared confused for a moment then struck out her chin in defiance.

  ‘Most people do it for competitions,’ Jack explained.

  ‘Well, I might just want to compete myself,’ she said.

  ‘In that case, I would be happy to. Just don’t blame me when you find your pretty backside on the hard ground.’

  ‘I’ve ridden horses since I was a girl, I’m no amateur.’ Leila countered.

  He noticed then that she had changed clothes and now wore a sleeveless cream blouse tucked into a pair of well-fitting jeans. He drew a sharp intake of breath at the way the trousers hugged her curves. Damn Leila! He hated his body’s betrayal. The sooner he slept with her the faster he would get her out of his system.

  Jack smiled to himself, now that he had a plan of action. It wouldn’t be difficult to get her into bed, he thought, his eyes focused on her smoky grey ones. He remembered her responses to his kisses. She wanted him as badly as he wanted her. The only thing he would do was to keep his feelings in check.

  Chapter Six

  ‘Horace was a mistake I made in a moment of weakness,’ Leila admitted to Jack during dinner. ‘I was hurting and lonely after my parents’ death and for a while I enjoyed the partying that numbed the pain. After that it was downhill. Horace just never took to marriage.’

  To her surprise, admitting all that to Jack did not hurt one bit. It was as though she was telling him the tale of someone she knew a long time ago, rather than her own past. She sipped her wine and stretched. Being here at the ranch was so relaxing. Jack had a wonderful home.

  ‘I’m very sorry for what you went through,’ Jack said, sincerity flowing from his eyes.

  Leila shrugged. ‘Part of life I’m afraid. Are your own parents alive?’

  ‘Oh yes, they live on the other side of town. I’ll take you to meet them sometime,’ Jack said.

  Leila looked at her empty plate. Dinner had been delicious. Jack had more than made up for his attitude earlier in the day. She looked at him now, his face illuminated by the candles on the table and she felt a rush of desire. It amazed her how much he had gotten into her system. She remembered his prowess on the cutting horse.

  His wet t-shirt had clung to his muscles and his face had been a closed mask of concentration. Her body had reacted to the sheer strength and talent of the man.

  ‘Thank you for a lovely dinner,’ Leila now said.

  ‘Nothing but the best for a beautiful lady,’ he drawled, his eyes going down to her lips.

  It felt like a seduction and looking at Jack across the table from her, she felt special. He had complimented her all evening and paid attention to her. If this was what having a relationship with a man like Jack entailed, she would be more than happy to say yes to any proposal. Their open perusal of each other was interrupted by Camille, picking up the dirty dinner dishes.

  ‘Thank you Camille, that was lovely as usual.’ Jack said. ‘You can clear up the dishes in the morning.’

  Camille looked up in surprise, but other than that did not say a word. Leila blushed at the implication of Jack’s words. They would be alone in the massive house. She felt no fear, just a hardly suppressed excitement at what was to come. She knew that she was not capable of resisting him. She would go along with whatever he had in mind.

  ‘Yes, thank you so much, dinner was delicious,’ Leila now said to Camille.

  ‘You’re welcome,’ the older lady said and retreated.

  After a few minutes, Leila looked up to find Jack’s eyes boring into hers. She trembled slightly and smiled to hide the volcano growing in her body threatening to erupt.

  ‘Would you like to dance?’ he murmured.

  Leila nodded in reply. Her throat had gone dry and her brain could not formulate a single word. She watched him get up and go to a stereo near the living area. Soon, soft music flooded the room and she closed her eyes and let the sounds carry her off. She opened her eyes when she felt Jack’s hand on hers.

  She stood up and followed him to the center of the living room. He held her at arm’s length, his hands placed lightly in her waist. Leila followed suit and placed hers lightly on his shoulders though she ached to hold him tight. She felt as though she was captured in a dream as they danced, their eyes on each other, their feet moving slightly. Leila was aware of jack’s hands moving in circular motions massaging her waist. They moved further up to just below her armpits and a fire of desire ran through her. Leila had no idea how long she could maintain her calm stance.

  He closed the gap between them by pulling her against him almost roughly. Leila gasped. His mouth came to hers and she desperately clung to him. Her body did not belong to her any more. A hint of his aftershave and his fresh manly scent invaded her senses, intoxicating her. Horace, the only man she had ever slept with had never come close to making her feel what she felt now.

  His tongue played with her lips, brushing against hers and then dipping into her mouth to play with her tongue. In an instant the pace changed and his mouth grew more demanding. His hands lowered to her backside and he pulled her hard against his body. Her hands hung around his neck and she now moved them, running her fingers through his hair and sliding to his chest.

  He moaned in reply. She could feel her breasts rubbing against his chest. His hands lifted her dress and settled on her bare hips. His hands slid to her inner thighs and Leila thought she would die of longing at that very moment. Her own hands slid between them and she felt his hardness. He took a sharp breath.

  ‘Shall we go upstairs?’ he rasped.

  Leila nodded in reply. Hand in hand, they walked up the stairs, past the first hallway. She was surprised that instead of leading her to the master bedroom, he opened the door to the guest room. She did not dwell on it much for as soon as the door shut, she was in his arms again. She felt his fingers undo the straps of her dress and it fell into a heap at the bottom of her legs. He ran his hand over her back and stopped at the fastening of her bra. It came loose and her breasts spilled out.

  He stopped kissing her and bent down to lower her panties. Standing stark naked with the weak sun flooding the room, Leila felt a little shy under his stare and her hands rose to cover her breasts.

  ‘Don’t do that, you’re stunning
,’ he said.

  She dropped her hands and her embarrassment disappeared. He unbuttoned his own shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. Leila almost gasped at the muscles on his chest and the hardness of his tummy. When he dropped his boxers, she did gasp.

  ‘You’re so huge,’ she said in a frightened voice.

  He took her hand and led her to the bed. The moment she lay down, Jack was over her, kissing her hungrily, as though he was drowning. He braced himself above her and his hand strayed down below. Leila moaned in reply and arched her own body, hungry for his touch. His finger ran up and down, teasing her, sliding in and out. His hand moved away leaving her empty and found its way to her nipples.

  He circled her nipples and cupped each breast. The feeling of wanting someone so badly was alien to Leila. She moved her hands over his abs. He brought his mouth on her again, his tongue exploring every inch of her while his hand ran over her hips. She felt under attack from all sides, an attack she never wanted to end.

  Then he did something no one had ever done to her. He dragged his mouth away from hers and trailed kisses all the way down her body.

  ‘Spread your legs,’ he commanded, which Leila did, frightened of what would come next. He settled himself between her legs.

  When it happened, her brain stopped all activity and Leila thought she had just die and gone to heaven. His tongue made contact with her most secret parts and flicked in and out, igniting a fire each time it touched her. He swirled his tongue around and she reacted by pushing his head further down.

  The sensations tore through her, her pulse raced and she could feel herself sliding into ecstasy. Just as she was about to reach the peak, he stopped licking her. Leila heard the movement of paper and she knew he was wearing a condom. She gasped as a sharp pain shot through her.

  ‘Are you OK?’ Jack said.

  Leila glanced down to Jack’s manhood and back at him with frightened eyes.

  ‘It won’t fit,’ she murmured.

  ‘Don’t you worry about that. I’ll be gentle, I promise.’ Jack said in a soothing voice.

  He rolled his hips from side to side, all the while rubbing against her so that her desire returned with full force and her fear evaporated. Something about Jack made her feel safe. She tensed when she felt him push himself inside her again. He withdrew and then tried again, going further in by an inch. Slowly, taking his time, Jack finally entered her completely and in the next moment she felt a soaring pain when he withdrew and the thrust into her deeply.

  It reminded her of the first time she and Horace had made love. Except Horace had not being understanding at all. Foreplay had lasted a full minute before he penetrated her with a sudden thrust and Leila had screamed in pain. He had continued, undeterred by her tears. Late it had got marginally better but he had never taken her over the edge as Jack was doing now.

  The pain subsided and Jack begun to move again, her muscles stretching to accommodate his size. The pain lessened with each stroke and soon her body begun to respond. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he responded by lifting her hips further up.

  What seemed like hours later, Leila exploded with ecstasy and Jack followed suit, his brow wet with sweat. He collapsed against her and rolled over while she sleepily cradled into his chest. She woke up later to a dark room. She felt for Jack and found the side next to her empty. Disappointed she allowed herself to fall back asleep, with questions plaguing her brain.

  Why had he left? She had thought that after what they had shared, they would spend the night together in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Seven

  A woman that hot in bed and beautiful to look at was just what Jack needed in his wife. To cap it all, she wanted babies too. He would propose to her when the time was right, he now decided, as he led the young horse over colored poles on the floor. His thoughts returned to the previous night. Jack was not a saint and had slept with several women over the years but the experience with Leila stood out.

  For one, he had never slept with a woman that tight who was not a virgin. He knew it spelt of her inexperience, yet it did not show in bed. He had been right about her. Seducing her had been easy. The only problem was, he felt like sleeping with her over and over again when his lust should have disappeared last night.

  As long as he kept his feelings in check, Jack told himself. Despite the longing to sleep with her, her blond hair over his chest and her soft arms wrapped around him, Jack had eased himself off and tiptoed out once she had fallen asleep. That and keeping her out of his bedroom were the swords he would use to keep his feelings at bay.

  It was a struggle as it was. He remembered the feelings of protectiveness she had brought out in him when she spoke of her parents and her marriage. He had wanted to wring her dead husband’s neck.

  ‘Morning, you were up early.’

  Jack swung round to find Leila standing at the fence, one hand on her waist and the other shielding her eyes from the glaring sun. She had the most beautiful smile and he found himself smiling back in response.

  ‘I like to get an early start,’ Jack said.

  ‘I’m ready for my lesson,’ she said, still smiling.

  Jack noticed that she was in a pair of jeans again and her feet clad in knee length boots. God she was sexy! He wondered why none of the bachelors of California had snapped her up. Still, it was their loss, not his.

  ‘How about we go for a ride instead,’ Jack said, guiding the horse back to the paddocks.

  She followed him into the paddocks and down the stalls. He picked out a docile mare by the name of daisy for Leila’s first ride and for himself; he picked out a fiery stallion, who was already stumping his feet on the ground. Around them, morning activities were going on, with his stable hands brushing down the horses and others mucking out the stalls.

  ‘Can I help out here sometimes?’ Leila asked, leaning on the side of the stall.

  Jack looked up in surprise from where he was saddling the mare.

  ‘Sure if that’s what you want,’ he said.

  When the horses were ready, he handed Leila her reins and he led the way out of the barn. Once outside, they both got on their horses and Jack took the lead leading Leila to the tracks. His aim was to weigh how good she was on her horse; though he seriously doubted that daisy the mare would rise to the occasion.

  Daisy needed to be coaxed to do the jumps and only a skilled rider would be able to do so. Once on the obstacle course he took Leila to the beginner’s section. He motioned for her to stop and then demonstrated with his own stallion the jump over the chevrons. It was an easy jump but he didn’t want taking risks by starting her off with the more complicated jumps.

  Experience had taught him that people often exaggerated their prowess and it usually resulted to serious injuries. After his jump over the narrow, he rode his horse to where Leila sat on the mare.

  ‘Your turn,’ he said to her, admiring her confident stance on the horse.

  ‘Alright, here I go,’ she said with a traffic stopping smile and galloped some distance away from the obstacle.

  He watched her relaxed face and soon she had jumped over the chevron and afterwards, the mare continued galloping without losing its stride which told Jack that Leila was a pretty confident rider. He took her to the next obstacle, which were raised steps made of raised land bordered by wooden chunks.

  She did well here too, and he noticed her whispering softly to Daisy and that’s when he knew she was a genuine horse rider. Leila had sensed the reluctance in the mare to make the jumps and had deduced that the only way was to coax her through them. They went through higher levels of jumping until the most complicated ones which were combinations.

  ‘Alright, so I see that you were telling the truth, you can ride,’ Jack said grinning at her.

  ‘Did you doubt me?’ Leila asked, throwing her hair back.

  Her top clung to her body and he had to fight to keep his eyes from roaming over her body.

  ‘Maybe. You’ve earned the right t
o a ride. Come, I’ll give you a tour of the ranch on horseback.

  ‘Sounds like fun,’ she commented.

  They rode at an easy pace, with Jack explaining to Leila how the ranch got going. He took her past the ranch guest house, where guests basked in the outside terraces and waiters in black and white uniform dashed about.

  ‘Do you come here often?’ Leila asked.

  Jack shook his head. ‘Not quite my thing. I prefer to keep my business to the horse side of things.’

  She nodded her head in understanding. They finished the ride by galloping through the open steep plains and he was again impressed by how she handled Daisy on uneven ground. When they returned to the stables, his own back was caked in sweat. To his surprise, Leila proceeded to brush her horse down after removing the saddle.

  He aped her movements and brushed his own stallion down. Usually after a ride, he usually left his ranch hands to take care of the horses. He found himself admiring her more and more. As they returned to the house, she placed her soft hand into his and Jack found the gesture sweet and a little frightening.

  Upstairs, they stood at a loss in the middle of both their rooms.

  ‘Do you want to shower together?’ Jack found himself asking, his body longing for release.

  ‘Yes please,’ Leila murmured looking at him shyly.

  He opened the guest room and waited for her to enter before shutting the door. Jack went straight to the bathroom and opened the taps to fill the tub with water. His skin was alive with expectation and he breathed fast at the thought of what lay ahead.

  Leila walked into the bathroom then and when he saw her, Jack’s breath caught. She was completely naked and he stood for a moment admiring her curves. It felt odd to be fully dressed while Leila was completely naked. He took her by the hand and after feeling the temperature of the water, he helped her in.

  Her movements were graceful as she stepped in and she made him want to grab her and kiss her as she had never been kissed. At the same time, Jack wanted to hold her tenderly so that no one would ever hurt her. Realizing the train of his thoughts, he jerked his mind away and instead concentrated in what he wanted to do to her at that very moment.