Another Man's Treasure (31 page)

“Next time, sweetheart. It’s late.”

“Ok, I am glad to hear that.”

“Hear what?”

Francine traced her finger across Ross’s chest and smiled.

“That there will be a next time. Thanks for walking home with me and for letting me in just a little.”

Ross bent down, kissed Francine and ran his hands through her hair. 
Jesus, her lips taste so good. She smells good and feels fantastic having her pressed against me.

“
The pleasure was all mine.  Good night, Frannie.”

“Good night, Ross.”

He stood there and watched her walk to the door.
What a fine ass.
Francine turned and waved before she shut the door.  Ross turned and walked back to Miranda’s house with the biggest smile on his face. 
Those tits aren’t bad either.
Frannie, you might be trouble but you are just the kind of trouble I like.

                                                        ********************

Francine walked into the foyer and yelled for her mom.  She knew they would still be awake.  Her dad was in the den reading and Mom was in the kitchen, as always.

“Mom, I’m home.”

“Frannie, sweetheart, who was that incredibly large man?”

“That, Mom, is Ross Guthrie.”

“Where did you meet him, dear?”

“He is Jude’s bes Jude’t friend from college.”

“Then he must be a good person if he is Jude’s friend.  I have always loved that boy.”

“Yeah, Mom, he’s good. 
Really
good
. 
I am going to say good night to Dad.  See you tomorrow.”

“Good night, dear.”

Francine kissed her mom on the cheek.  She had kissed her mom good night on the cheek ever since she could remember.  Francine peeked in the den and found her dad asleep with a book in his lap. She kissed his forehead, and then ran upstairs and across the walkway her Dad had made from the house to the garage. 
He wanted the apartment to have more than one exit in case of an emergency, so it might as well be connected to the house. 
She walked into her apartment and looked out the window to see if she could still see Ross.  He had left already, but Francine could still feel his lingering touch on her lips and the sensation that flowed through her body. 
I am going to have that man one way or another.  Watch out, Ross. I never quit until I get what I want.
Francine smiled and nodded her head at the thought.

Ross arrived back at Miranda’s and found a note pinned to the front door for him.

             
~Out with Mandy…take my truck home bud.  ~Jude

Ross smiled at the note.  He had a suspicion he knew what was going to happen on their drive. 
You got this Jude. 

Ross jumped in the truck and drove back to the farm house.  He could use a nice long work out to relieve some stress…and sexual tension.  He wanted Francine now, but knew he had to wait. 
There is no way I am going to lose myself in this woman, only to leave. 

He just wasn’t the fuck ‘em and leave ‘em type of guy.  Not that he
hadn’t had his share of one night stands, but Francine was different.  He felt different about her the first time he saw her.  Something about her could really snare him heart and soul, but he wasn’t going to put his heart out there like he did with Daphne just to lose again.  Ross changed his clothes and went to the basement.  He jacked up the mfusic loud and started his workout.  This would be a long session.  Ross had a lot of built up stress to relieve. 
Yeah, stress…fuck!

                                                                      **********

Rain started to fall gently as Jude and Miranda went for a drive.  They had put the top up on her convertible and Jude felt like a packed sardine.

“Damn, this car is small when the top is up.”

“I love this car.  I had wanted this for a long time.  Hank didn’t want me to buy it, so before I left I bought it and left him a picture of it.”

“Why didn’t he want you to have the car?”

“Control. He wanted me to depend on him for everything.  He didn’t want me to have any independence.”

“Fucking bastard.”

“I don’t want to talk about Hank anymore tonight.”

“How about we swing by Joshua’s Pond?”

“Sure. I hope it stops raining.  I love sitting by the pond.”

“We will sit in the rain if we have to.  It’s not like you won’t end up wet.”

Jude glanced at Miranda with his devilish grin. 

“You are NOT going to throw me in that frog infested pond, understand?”

“Oh, yes Ma’am.  You do realize I have other ways to make you wet?”

Miranda reached over and stroked Jude’s thigh.

“I realize all too well.  Just setting the ground rules.”

“You’re so bossy, sassy brat.”

“You love it.”

Jude parked the car near the pond and smiled.  It was raining hard but his smile could convince her to do most anything. Miranda opened the car door and got out and started to laugh and dance around.  Jude sat for a minute and watched her.
I love her so much.

“Come on
, Jude, this was your idea.  Come get wet with me!”

Miranda grinned and crooked her finger as she motioned to him.  She ran towards the pond and stopped where the light from the street lamp ended.  Jude got out of the car and walked over to where Miranda stood.  A rumble of thunder echoed in the distance and a flash of lightning reminded them of the approaching storm.  He too  Hk her in his arms and kissed her as the rain ran down their bodies. Jude held her so tightly Miranda could feel his erection straining against the fabric of his jeans.  He began to sway back and Miranda felt like she was floating on air. 

They slowly danced in the rain. Their lips locked together and they enjoyed the playfulness and silliness like they were teenagers again.   Jude knew this was the moment…the moment he had imagined for a very long time.  He took her hand, led her over to a large rock and sat Miranda down.

“Mandy, I would like to tell you this was all spontaneous, but it isn’t.  Well, maybe the rain wasn’t planned.”

“What are you talking about, Jude?”

“I made a promise a long time ago to two very special people. Your parents.”

Miranda could feel her throat close.  Just the mention of her parents brought tears and memories of their loss. 

“My…my parents?”

“I promised them I would take care of you, even if it cost me everything, no matter what.   I am making that promise to you tonight, right now.  I want to take care of you Mandy, forever.  I love you so much. I don’t want to know a single day or night without you with me.”

“Jude, I love you too, more than anything.  I am not going anywhere.  This is my home, here with you.”

Jude reached in his pocket and he held the diamond ring between his thumb and forefinger.  Miranda gasped as the street light caught the ring and it sparkled.

“I was hoping it would be the moonlight, but I don’t want to wait any longer.  Miranda Jones, will you marry me?”

Miranda covered her mouth with her hands and visibly shook.  Tears streamed down her face and mixed with the warm rain.  She stared at this gorgeous ring held between his thick fingers.  It was an unusual bypass setting made of platinum, like a snake wrapping around itself in many directions.  The setting was lined entirely with small diamonds which led to the large 1.5 karat round cut, flawless diamond, flanked by three smaller diamonds which made it appear as a Trilliant cut. 

Jude stood and watched Mandy…watched and waited. 

“Mandy?”

Miranda held out her left hand and Jude slipped the ring on her finger.  She stared at it on her hand,
and then looked up at Jude.

“It fits perfectly. It’s…it’s…beautiful.”

“I know it isn’t a traditional solitaire.  It’s a bit unusual, but then again, so are you.  I didn’t want you to have something everyone else could buy off the shelf.  I had this one designed for you.  It’s one of a kind, just like you.  Do you like it, baby?”

“No, I don’t
like
it.  I love it. It’s magnificent.”

Judsize="+0e smiled and could feel his emotions welling up in him.   He chuckled nervously and swallowed hard.

“Sweetheart, I’ll let you keep it if you give me the answer I am hoping for.”

“Answer?”

Jude laughed out loud, grabbed Miranda by her shoulders and drew her close to him. 
Jesus, she’s not joking.

“Miranda, I asked you to be my wife.  Are you going to leave me hanging here all night?  You’re killing me!”

“Oh my God, Jude…I’m sorry.  I am just so overwhelmed!  Yes, oh my… oh my god
YES
!  I would love to…Jude, I will marry you.”

Jude kissed her tenderly and wrapped his arms around her.
My wife. 
He slipped down and settled between the two large rocks.  He held out his hand and drew Miranda onto his lap.  She put her legs on either side of his thighs and straddled him.

“Mandy, this was the first place we had sex.  I can’t think of a better place to consummate our engagement.”

Jude pulled Miranda to his lips before she had the chance to answer him.  She returned his kiss with passion and desperate desire. 
She needed him right now…right here. 

She reached to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants, and freed his erection that had been held in far too long.  Jude pulled up her short jean skirt, tore the tiny
thong she wore and threw it to the ground.  He pushed his fingers between her wet folds and found her clit swollen and hard.