Promises to a Stallion (Kimani Romance) (14 page)

Tingin sat watching her, allowing his words to seep in and take hold. He rose from his seat, shrugging as he stared down at her. “But hey, that’s just my opinion.”

“Where are you going?” Tierra asked as her brother crossed to the other side of the room.

“To hang out my shingle… Tingin Braddy, romance therapist at your service.”

Tierra shook her head. “I hate you.”

Her brother chuckled. “You said hate. I’m gonna tell Mama Dee.”

Tierra threw him an indignant look. “I did not.”

“Did, too.”

She flipped her pinkie finger at him.

“What’s that for?”

“People who don’t deserve a full salute.”

“Girl, you are so stupid!”

Tierra came to her feet, reaching her arms around her brother’s waist. She dropped her head against his chest and hugged him tightly. Since they’d been little, her big brother had been her rock, not allowing her to fall too far astray. Whether as a prepubescent tomboy, or the swan she’d evolved into, Tierra had always dived headfirst into everything she endeavored. And when catastrophe hit, Tingin would reel her out to the best of his ability. This time was no exception, her big brother knowing she needed to hear what he had to say.

“I love you, big brother.”

Tingin hugged her back. “I love you, too, nuisance. Now please, go find Travis. He fishes, and I want a brother-in-law who fishes.”

T
he ride back to the ranch felt like it was taking forever. The concierge at the front desk had hailed a cab for him. Travis sighed, a mournful groan that made the driver eye him curiously in the rearview mirror. Travis tossed a weak smile, his mouth bending ever so slightly. A slight nod of Travis’s head moved the man’s gaze back to the road in front of him.

Right then, as they sat in midday traffic, Travis was wishing he hadn’t sent the limousine back. He would have much preferred the solitude of a backseat with a privacy screen between him and the driver.

It had been too good to be true. Travis couldn’t help but think that he had been naive to imagine that he and Tierra could have had a happy ending. But he had been foolish to think that he could have been much more than just a rebound relationship for the woman. He had truly believed that the two of them could have made things work.

He heaved another deep sigh, his thoughts spinning through his head. There really wasn’t any reason for him to stay on in Dallas. He definitely didn’t want to be in town while Tierra and Damien headed off to the chapel to make their union legal. Just the thought of Tierra promising herself to that man splintered his heart into a million pieces.

Arriving back at the ranch, Travis was glad that none of his family was around to greet him. As he climbed the front steps and stood in the quiet of the foyer he had no desire to share what had happened with anyone, and the Stallion clan would have had a million and one questions for him to answer. Climbing the stairwell, Travis hurried to his room. Behind the closed door he wouldn’t have to pretend that he was okay with anything that had happened.

Tierra was not amused by the taxi driver’s humor. The man was making jokes about the midday traffic, and the midday traffic had just about taxed her very last nerve. She tried to fake a smile but she was hardly in the mood to pretend anything. It felt like it was taking forever to get back to Briscoe Ranch.

She’d been playing the entire day over and over again in her head, trying to figure out how things could have gone so incredibly wrong in such a short period of time. Just hours earlier she and Travis had been making love to each other. As they’d landed back in Dallas, she’d been just about ready to commit to them having a future together. Then just like that she wasn’t even sure if Travis would even speak to her.

Tierra sank back against the vinyl seat, pulling her fingers through the length of her hair in frustration. The confusion she’d been feeling for the past week had lifted the moment Damien had found his way back home. The moment she’d laid eyes on him she’d known without a degree of doubt that there was nothing left between them. Damien Porter wasn’t even a flicker on her heart’s radar.

The more Tierra thought about it, the clearer it became that she hadn’t been in love with Damien since forever. What she had been enamored with was the idea of being in love. Tierra realized that she had been holding tight to her childhood dreams, the fairy tale that promised her Prince Charming and unconditional love and affection. But Damien had not been genuine.

Tierra was kicking herself for having given up so much of herself to a man who had proven time and time again that he didn’t deserve her. Tierra had known early in their relationship that Damien wasn’t much interested in committing himself to a relationship with any woman. But she’d been holding on to hope since she’d been fourteen years old that he might change and be a better man.

Her grandmother had often told her that you can’t change a man, so there was no point in trying. You either accepted him with all of his shortcomings or you moved on. Tierra had tried to accept Damien, but doing so had broken her spirit more times than she cared to count.

Tierra had gotten caught up in the illusion. She’d dreamt of a perfect relationship and had gotten caught in the fantasy of what that was supposed to be. Daydreaming hadn’t done her an ounce of good. But reality was proving to be a true guardian. Thoughts of Travis suddenly ran through her heart.

Tierra liked what she felt with Travis. Travis left her smiling from the inside out. The man made her giddy, and just thinking about him left her feeling like everything was right with the world. Even in her sadness, believing that her broken engagement was the end of her world, Travis had left her feeling on top of the world.

Their extended weekend had brought her joy like she’d not known before. Even in the short span of time they’d shared together, Tierra had known, beyond any doubt, that he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She wanted to wash his dirty clothes and have dinner ready on his kitchen table when he came home from work at night. She wanted to have Travis Stallion’s babies and raise his children to be as kind and as loving as their father. Travis was the man she wanted to sit on the front porch with when they were both old and gray, holding his arthritic hand in her own. Tierra smiled at the thought.

As the taxi pulled into the circular driveway, Tierra took a deep breath and then a second breath and a third. Her nerves were frazzled, anxiety tightening knots in the pit of her stomach. Travis had to know how much she wanted him. No matter what it took, she was determined to convince the man of her love.

Moving into the home, Tierra headed straight for the kitchen and family room. Eden stood in the kitchen flipping through a stack of monthly magazines. The woman looked up, surprised to see Tierra alone.

“Hey, girl, when did you get back?”

“A few hours ago. Have you seen Travis?”

Eden shook her head. “Didn’t you two come back together?”

Tierra heaved a deep sigh. “Eden, everything is such a mess! Damien was at my apartment when we got back.”

Her best friend groaned, pushing her magazines from in front of her. “Say it’s not so, Tea!”

“Mama Dee and Tingin found him waiting for me. He was still there when Travis and I got back.”

“I really hope you threw his butt out, Tea!”

“I did, but Travis saw us kissing and left before I could explain anything.”

“Why were you kissing Damien?”

“I wasn’t. He kissed me and I slapped his face. Popped him good, but Travis didn’t see me do that.”

Eden shook her head. “They never do. Hold on,” the woman said, reaching for a walkie-talkie sitting on the countertop. A minute later she smiled widely. “The housekeeper says Travis is in his room. She said he came in and went right upstairs.”

Tierra twisted her hands together, her mind racing. “I need to go talk to him. But first…” She paused, her eyes skating from side to side. “Will you help me, Eden?”

“Tierra, you know you don’t even need to ask. What’s up?”

Tierra grinned. “Is there anything left over from breakfast?”

Travis imagined that he smelled burnt bacon. He sniffed the air, the aroma of overcooked pork filling his nostrils. He couldn’t begin to imagine what someone was cooking downstairs, the breakfast hour long gone.

The unexpected knock on the door pulled him up off his bed. He couldn’t imagine who in the family had gotten news of his return, but he still wasn’t ready to be bothered with their queries about his trip or his time with Tierra. He was tempted not to answer at all, just wanting to revel in the pity party he was throwing for himself. The knock came again, more persistent the second and third time.

Crossing to the other side of the room, Travis pulled the entry open. Surprise registered across his face. Tierra stood on the other side of the door, a tray of badly cooked breakfast foods in her hand. Travis met her nervous gaze, a wide grin spanning his face as recognition set in.

“Okay, so I know it’s not breakfast time, but I figured what the heck,” Tierra said, pushing her way inside. “You and I always seem to do breakfast so well.” She placed the tray onto the dresser, turning around to face the man.

Travis stood still holding onto the doorknob. He took a quick glance out into the hallway to see if she were alone, then finally closed the door, secreting the two of them away from any prying eyes.

Moving to her side, he stared down at the mess spread across the china plates. He looked from the food to Tierra and back again. “Did you cook this all by yourself?”

Tierra shrugged her thin shoulders skyward. “It had its challenges.”

“What’s that?” Travis asked, pointing to the lemon-colored mush that puddled in the center of a plate. “Buttered grits.”

Travis chuckled. “So, am I to understand that cooking isn’t one of your strong points?”

“I am much better at takeout!” Tierra answered with a warm smile.

He shook his head and laughed.

Tierra moved to the bedside, dropping down against the mattress. As the two continued to eye each other, a pregnant pause filled the space between them.

“So…” Tierra finally said.

“So…” Travis responded.

An air of awkwardness rose like morning mist.

“Okay, so I did not kiss Damien. He kissed me, but I did not kiss him back. It really wasn’t what it looked like. And I’m sure it looked like a lot.”

Travis nodded. “Okay.” He didn’t sound convinced.

“And I’m
not,
I repeat,
not
interested in reconciling with Damien. I also made it clear to Damien that there was nothing else between us.”

The man’s head continued to nod.

“And I’m really mad at you!” Tierra’s expression was animated, her hands flailing excitedly at her proclamation.

His eyebrows rose questioningly. “What are you mad at me for?”

“You left. You assumed the worse and you left. I thought you loved me!”

“I do love you, Tierra. More than you realize.”

“Then promise me that you won’t ever leave me like that again. I didn’t appreciate that.”

The man’s smile was consuming. “Tierra, I had to give you some space. I know that—”

Tierra cut him off, shaking her head vehemently as she pointed a finger at him. “No, you were pouting, Travis Stallion. You thought I was going to give Damien a second chance, and so you had assumed the worst.”

The man sighed as he moved to the bed and sat down beside her. “I wanted to give you a second chance, if that was what you wanted for yourself.” Travis grabbed her hands, clasping them to his chest. “Tierra, I would understand if you really don’t feel anything for me. I know that all of this has happened very fast. But more than anything, I want you happy. And if Private Porter makes you happy, then I would gladly back off and get out of his way.”

Her smile was illuminating. “I would much prefer you claim me, Mr. Stallion. I can’t be a good wife to you if you aren’t willing to claim me.”

Travis chuckled softly. “Yes, ma’am. Do you want to be my wife, Tierra? Because I am still very serious about us being together.”

Tierra kissed his palm, pressing it to her cheek. “I have never, in my entire life, felt more loved than when I’m with you, Travis. I would do anything to make sure I never lost that.”

Tierra and Travis savored the moment, trading easy caresses. They allowed the silence to swell fully around them. Outside, the sun was shining brightly.

“So,” Travis said finally. “What now?”

Tierra pressed a manicured hand to his chest, drawing it slowly down his abdomen until she reached the waistband of his slacks. “Why don’t we get you out of these,” she whispered, her sultry tone sending a shiver of energy down the man’s spine. “They’re in the way of something I want.”

Travis sucked in air. “And what might that be?” he asked as Tierra unbuckled his belt.

Tierra’s voice dropped to a loud whisper. “It’ll be easier if I just show you,” she said as she dipped her hand into the front of his pants and pulled down his zipper.

Travis was suddenly craving her touch. The wanting was intense, desire surging thick and full. He suddenly felt starved, desperate to be nourished by the nearness of her. He wrapped his arms around her torso, pulling her on top of him as he fell back against the mattress top. His mouth met hers in a frenzied kiss, the two of them consumed by the sweet ache that had taken control of their spirits.

Pulling at her clothes, Travis was gifted with her beautiful body. Inch after inch of caramel flesh became exposed, teasing him into submission. He was distracted by her breasts, the small pillows begging to be fondled. Grasping both in his hands, Travis leaned to suckle one and then the other. He slowly traced his tongue over her hardened nipples. He felt her shiver against him as he took her into his mouth, gently biting down against her flesh. Tierra inhaled swiftly, pleasure sweeping through her bloodstream.

She whispered his name, the lull of it sweet to his ears. In that moment, with the lilt of her tone caressing him from head to toe, he knew beyond any doubt that Tierra loved him with everything in her. He also knew that he loved her even more.

Tierra placed her lips against his, the deep kiss arousing every nerve ending through his body. Aching for more, she inched her tongue into his mouth, sliding it along his tongue. Travis caressed her neck as they kissed, then let his hands glide the length of her back and sides.

Travis felt her slip her small hands between their bodies, her fingers kneading his abdomen and sliding across his chest. She pressed her pelvis against his, her hips slowly grinding into him. Travis groaned, arching his body up against hers. The length of his erection was solid steel as he pushed himself against her, eager to feel her body wrapped around his.

“I want to be inside you,” Travis whispered into her ear, his deep vibrato pained with lust. “I want to feel you.”

Kissing him again, Tierra hummed her consent into the man’s mouth. Travis gestured to the nightstand and the box of condoms that rested there. Tierra pulled one from the container and ripped it open.

As she stretched the condom over his appendage, she stroked the length of him up and down between her palms. Travis groaned with rapture as the woman climbed above him and straddled his body. Lifting himself into her, Travis was awed by the sensation of Tierra’s body locked around him, her inner lining clamping down hard against him.