Loving Justice (El Camino Real Book 2) (11 page)

Justice tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “You mean, you were that close all this time and you never picked up a damn phone?”

She wanted to explain, but she just wasn’t ready. Many times she’d rehearsed in her mind how it would be to confess to him about their baby. About half the time she fantasized he would throw his arms around her in comfort and other times she imagined he wouldn’t believe her. So she just waited, even though she knew it wasn’t fair to keep him in the dark. “I wanted to. My world was turned upside down, Justice. I hated Curtiss Parker. My relationship with you had deteriorated.” Charlee closed her eyes. “I’ll do my best to try and make it up to you.”

“Okay, I think maybe I can make some recommendations how you could do that.” She glanced over at him and saw his eyes were twinkling. Good, they could never stay mad at one another long. And it would be interesting to see if he would try for a repeat of that kiss. If he did, she might not stop him this time.

“I’m open to suggestions.” 

“I’ll make a list.” Justice grinned as he slowed because they were nearing ranch property. His list might surprise her. “We’ll get the four wheeler and ride out there. You can look at it and tell me what our next step should be.

As they drove under the arched gate, proudly displaying the name EL CAMINO and their brand, the crowned K, a sense of homecoming warmed Charlee. In many ways, she was coming home. This place and the people in it were more important to her than anything else. For a few seconds, she let herself imagine that nothing had changed. She could get out, run in, and pick up where she left off. Charlee and Justice. Just like old times.

Except it wasn’t.

She didn’t belong any longer. Still, that truth didn’t inhibit the pleasure she felt when she took it all in—El Camino. On either side of the paved lane was a wrought iron fence. And on the other side of that fence was vast acreage covered in lush grass, hay meadows, and deep blue ponds. Purebred cattle and horses grazed to their hearts’ content. Groves of pecans and peaches flourished in their season and cotton was still king. Wooded areas housed exotic game for supervised hunts and oil and gas wells were strategically placed to offer the earth’s resources yet maintain its beauty.

The Kings were rich, and she’d been almost grown before she realized how wealthy. Yet, they’d never acted like it or made her feel any less—in any way. Charlee’s heart hurt with homesickness when the big rambling stone house came into view. But he didn’t carry her to his home. Instead, they veered left toward the ranch offices.

Once they parked, he came around to help her out. “The four-wheeler is right outside the back door.”

Her eyes looked around El Camino hungrily. “There’s been a lot of changes.” And growth. She could see new barns and a pavilion behind the main house. Dozens of cattle grazed on bales of hay. A few looked up at them and lowed.

“Well, you’ve been gone eight years, what did you expect?”

“You don’t seem to have changed.”

Justice climbed on and motioned for her to join him. “Don’t be so sure. Hold on to me.” He gave her a sexy grin.

Oh, this was not a good idea. Touching his shoulder lightly, she crawled on behind him. “Okay.”

“Hands around my waist, Charlee.” He waited.

“Fine,” she ground out. Touching him didn’t use to be a big deal, but times had changed. Sliding her hands around his chest, she was aware of how solid, strong, and warm he was. Lord, she could get used to this. Charlee had to steel herself not to meld to his back and lay her head against him. Taking advantage of their proximity, she whispered, “Just don’t drive too fast. I don’t want to hit a tree.” Revving the engine, he took off—up one hill and down another. “King! What am I going to do with you?” She hid her face in his back, pretending fright. Actually, she could have held him forever. He felt so good in her arms.

“You didn’t use to be such a chicken,” Justice yelled over her shoulder.

“I’m older and wiser now,” Charlee countered.

He slowed down, and she peeped over his shoulder. The sight that met her eyes caused her to gasp. The sinkhole had grown. Clasping Justice’s hand, she let him help her down. “Look, I see bubbles. This place is unstable.”

“Yea, my foreman was standing here the other day and watched a stand of fifty foot pine trees just sink to oblivion. The county agent estimates this hole is seven hundred fifty feet deep.”

“Jesus,” Charlee whispered. She let go of his hand and began to walk the perimeter. “How far away is Lavaca Creek?” She turned to look to the south. The stand of cypress which marked the bank could be seen in the distance.

“A half mile, maybe?”

Charlee began to walk. “I’d like to take some soil samples and get some ground penetrating radar out here and see what size opening we’re dealing with beneath the surface. What we need to do is fill it up and level out the water table. That would be easier than trying to fill it up with dirt.”

“You’re talking about diverting the flow of the creek?” Justice sounded skeptical.

“Hey, the Mississippi River flowed backward once, this should be a piece of cake.”

Justice laughed. “I think that was due to an earthquake, a force of nature.”

“Ha!” Charlee grinned at him, winking. “I’m a force of nature.”

“Yes, you are.” He was staring so hard at her mouth that Charlee had to look away.

“Don’t worry, I know how to do this, and we have some great engineers. I just need to get a lay of the land so I’ll be able to make some recommendations. Plus, I want to walk this area and see where the original road bed lies.” She looked toward the highway, skirted the hole, and walked to what remained of the fence line. “Most people don’t realize the roadway they drive on doesn’t necessarily follow the original El Camino trail, not exactly. There are still actual wagon ruts visible and other trail remnants can be found in the woods. What we need to do is locate any of those remains on your property and try to find an alternative route for traffic to flow that won’t lay asphalt over anything of historic significance.”

“You mean, we need to propose an alternative route for the existing roadway?”

“Yes, one that’s safe. I know you don’t want to lose too much acreage to imminent domain, but we could try to work out a deal between you and the other land owners if possible, so no one bears too much of the burden. If we can do this without tampering with ancient artifacts or disturbing anything, that’s what we need to do.”

“I understand. There was an uproar up around Nacogdoches, some drilling company poured a concrete slab over a section of the trail. No one wants that to happened, least of all me. Jase would kill me, you know what a history buff he is.”

“True. Do you think I could bring one of your horses out here? This isn’t something I can do from the back of a four-wheeler and it’s too long of a trek to make on foot.”

Justice always counted himself to be a pretty smart guy. He could recognize an opportunity when he saw it. Holing up his hands, he surrendered. “Okay, okay, you convinced me. I’ll sacrifice myself and spend the night with you in the woods.”

“What?” She laughed. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

“You have miles to cover. Most of it is wooded or has thick ground cover. It’s too cold for snakes, but we have other wildlife. You’re going to need me to protect you. Going back and forth would be a waste of time. Don’t you remember how we used to camp out here? Don’t tell me you’re scared.” He gave her a challenging look.

“Scared? Hell, no.” She was terrified. Not of wolves or wild cats, she was petrified of herself. How could she be alone with Justice for that long and hide the fact that she loved him?

Charlee was in deep trouble.

She suffered through the ride back. Holding on to Justice and not kissing his neck or rubbing her tits against his muscled back took great discipline. When they reached his office, he helped her off. “I have to call my family and catch them up. Meet me back here in half an hour, and we’ll saddle up. I’ll bring the food.”

He seemed so eager and happy, she hated to be a spoilsport. “Don’t you think it would be wiser to wait till daybreak? I need to make some phone calls myself.”

“Heck no, do it now. I have sleeping bags, food, a tent, and all the gear we need. It’ll be fun. Like old times. We’ll build a campfire and tell ghost stories.”

Yes, this was the Justice she remembered. “All right. Don’t leave me, I’ll hurry.” She repeated words she’d said to him a million times when they were young.

“That’s my girl.” He felt a wistful longing. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

As she started to the parking lot, she remembered he had given her a ride. Dang, she was so excited, she was losing it. “I don’t have wheels, I rode with you.”

“Take my truck. Catch.” He threw her the keys, which she caught deftly with a smile.

He watched as she left, a big smile on his face. When she was out of sight, he let out a yell of triumph and fist-pumped the air.

*  *  *

“Charlee’s back in town. Charlee’s back…Charlee’s back…” Justice whispered as he sat at his desk after informing Jase and Shiloh about what he’d learned from Charlee. As it turned out, they were more interested in the fact that Charlee was his contact than they were about the possible answers to their problem. Leaning back in his chair, he smiled, fantasizing…

She stood in the doorway of his bedroom, the smile on her face a sensual promise. “Are you sure you want me, Justice?”

Her hesitation bothered him. How could she question his need for her? “Come to my bed, Charlee, where you belong.” Justice leaned back on the headboard, beckoning her to join him. “I’ve waited for you forever.” He was naked, hard and hungry for this beautiful woman who began to undress before his eyes.

“You don’t have to wait anymore. I’m here.”

Justice leaned forward, his gaze devouring her image. She was magnificent, just as he imagined. Full, high breasts, a perfect fit for his hands. Succulent pink nipples, the same color as her luscious mouth. A graceful body with a narrow waist and flared hips, legs long and supple. He couldn’t wait to feel them wrapped around him.

She came to the bed and placed one knee on the mattress, then crawled forward slowly. Her breasts hung down, and he licked his lips. “You are so sexy.” Her face was dear to him—at the same time familiar and intriguing. Big eyes framed by dark lashes, a delicate nose, high cheekbones, and a mouth with a short upper lip that he planned on sucking like candy. “Kiss me.” He touched her shoulder, her soft skin feeling like velvet to his fingertips.

“I crave you, Justice King.” She came to him, and he settled her on top, her legs straddling his thighs, her hot sex cradling his rock-hard cock. Charlee nestled against him. He didn’t know if she desired heat or protection. Justice offered both. He longed to give her anything her heart desired.

Framing his face with her hands, she claimed his lips. A tender tentative caress that quickly changed, she melded herself to him, eating at his mouth with ardor. Her fingertips rubbed his face, as if memorizing the contours and her tongue…her tongue mated with his, licking, swirling, tasting. Justice’s lust rose hot. He ached for this woman as he never had for another. He ran his hands over her back, kneading the soft flesh, wishing he could pull her into him, merge her being with his.

She held him tight, kissing his lips, then running her mouth over his jaw and down his neck. Nipping, licking, scraping her teeth and leaving a mark. With a whimper, Charlee rubbed her tits on his chest back and forth, butter-soft mounds crushed against hard muscle. He could feel her puckered nipples tangling in his chest hair and the gasps of pleasure she made.

It wasn’t enough, never enough.

Justice took her by the hips and held her steady as she worked her pussy over his cock, scrubbing up and down. The soft lips of her womanhood fitted over his rod, enveloping him, using him for her satisfaction. “Justice, Justice…oh, God, Justice!”

Justice groaned. The sounds she made were the hottest thing in the world. Men would go to their knees, cumming just from listening to her enjoy herself. And he was the instrument of her pleasure. “I need you, Charlee.” He lifted her. His swollen cock ached to be inside of her. “Let me in.” Justice held her still and when she took him in her hand, he almost came—just from her touch. But nothing, nothing on God’s green earth came close to the heaven of being inside of her. Slowly, deliberately, she sank down on him, enveloping his straining erection deep inside the silken heat of her pussy. “Oh, God, fuck, baby,” he moaned.

“Take me, Justice. Please.” She gave herself over to him, and he moved forward, laying her down on her back. Still connected, he lay on top of her, supporting himself by his arms, urging her to wrap herself around him. They were one. They were joined. “Fuck me, Justice,” she whispered. “Fuck me hard.”

As if given the keys to the kingdom, Justice began to ride her. Sliding in, pumping, thrusting, taking what belonged to him. “Oh, God, feels so good,” he growled. Over and over again, he pounded into her, kissing her neck, twining his fingers in the long dark silken strands of her hair. “Charlee, how have I ever lived without you?”

She clung to him, her sweet pussy clasping him, massaging his dick. This…this was what he was born for. As he felt her body tighten, milking his cock, he let go, exploding, jetting his seed deep within her.