Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense (8 page)

Jordan pushed
upwards to his feet. 'Hey, can I have your attention everyone?' He knocked a
fork against his stubble bottle. 'For everyone that doesn't know this young
lady, her name is Zoe Montgomery. Zoe has been living with one of her aunts for
the last fifteen years.' The roar of the crowd reverted to a mumble of whispers
leaving a hum in its place.

Jordan looked
at Zoe. 'Can I tell them about the missing part?'

Zoe nodded and
Jordan continued. 'Zoe has spoken with Constable Berry here in Munna and
discussed the circumstances surrounding being listed as missing. Zoe was
unaware she was listed as missing. Tonight she's another local trying to get a
feed and get on with life.'

A few voices
called out, 'Yeah, thanks Jordan.' Another called out, 'She's a hot one.'

Zoe stared at
the table.

'Looks like
you've dug your claws into her already, Townsend.'

'Yeah well a
leopard doesn't drop his spots when he loses a mate, he continues with hope.'

Embarrassment
highlighted every part of exposed flesh Zoe owned, she was sure of it.
Something about a leopard doesn't drop what, spots, loses a mate? Her stomach
tensed as Jordan eased down on his seat. She looked at him and mouthed a thank
you. He did the job well, and the bubble of curiosity reverted to chatter and
laughter. In the background, a jukebox hammered out one of the latest songs.

'You look
good, Zoe,' Samantha said across the table.

'Thank you.
Um. Did we know each other...well...before?'

'Yes. We were
all good friends.'

Zoe relaxed.
They were strangers and for the life of her, she wished she could remember
these lovely people. They were friendly and it was apparent they wanted to
re-connect.

She flicked an
uneasy glance about.

'Zoe is doing
a great job with Montagreen. You should see it.'

'Jordan lies.
He's the one that has transformed the place.'

The night
continued without any disastrous interventions and Zoe relaxed in the company
of Jordan's friends. Her steak dinner was superb and not overdone.

'I'm so full.'

'I gather you
still have a hankering for steak.'

She gave
Jordan a strange look.

'I'm sorry
Zoe. You use to love steak. Never stopped raving on about how it's good for you
and contains...what was it...iron.'

Her lips
thinned. 'Well I still enjoy it.'

'So I
noticed.' Everyone laughed.

'I was
hungry.'

'I don't know
where you put it all.'

'She's always
had holla legs.'

'Very funny,'
Zoe said, and loved the playful banter as Jordan's friends joined in.

'We should go
Jordan. Samantha here tires out a bit earlier these days.'

When she
stood, Zoe's eyes widened, spotting her swell. 'Oh, I had no idea. You look
wonderful. When are you due?'

'Four weeks
from yesterday.'

'Congratulations,'
Zoe said, and noted the way Mark put his arm around his wife. They made a
lovely couple.

'When we
settle back in the area, you'll have to come over for a barbeque?'

'I'd love
that, thank you.'

Zoe could see
her life turning out well. Everything was going according to plan.

'We can take
Luke back with us mate, if you'd like to spend some more time with Zoe and lend
us your wheels.'

Zoe looked at
Jordan who gave her a quick glance.

'I could give
you a lift home,' Zoe suggested.

Jordan looked
up at Mark. 'Yeah, thanks mate. We could talk some more about well...things.'
He dug around in his pocket for his car keys and handed them to Mark.

Luke stood and
turned to Zoe. He reached out and gave her the biggest hug she ever remembered
receiving.

Jordan spoke
up, 'Hey matey, easy on her. You might break her neck.'

Zoe grinned.
'I'm not that easily broken.'

'That I'm
beginning to find out.'

Jordan waved
Luke off with his friends and settled on his seat. 'Would you like another
wine?'

'Thank you.'

When Jordan
returned with a wine and a beer, he placed the wine glass on the table and sat
on the vacant seat beside her.

'Thank you
Jordan. Samantha and Mark are lovely people.'

Jordan
explained some of their childhood and when he'd finished she found out they
were tagged with the name the awesome foursome. At least an hour had passed and
Zoe realised for the first time in her life she was comfortable and relaxed.
Her jaw was beginning to ache from laughing so much. 

'I've got an
early start in the morning,' Jordan said.

'That's right,
I'm giving you a lift.' She flicked him a sideways glance.

 'You scared
someone is going to run off with me if you leave without me?'

'There's a
possibility.' She grinned.

He chuckled.
'Come on. Let's head off.' He pushed to his feet.

When she
stood, Jordan's hand rested over the small of her back and it didn't move until
they were out on the footpath heading toward her car. His hand felt good, and
Zoe couldn't shake the feeling that this man had touched her heart more than
the few jackaroos she'd met at the Pattersons.

Moonlight
filtered from behind a cloud, and not a puff of wind disturbed the still night.
They walked side by side under the soft glow of a few streetlights.

'It's a beast.
It's been making a few strange noises lately but it goes.' She flicked Jordan a
nervous glance.

'It got you
here, that's all that matters.'

When they
reached her ute, Jordan climbed into the passenger seat while Zoe sat behind
the steering wheel and turned the ignition. Her jaw dropped. She turned it
again and let out a huff.

'God no. The
damn thing won't start, and only moments ago I said it was running okay.'

'Pop the
bonnet. I'll take a look.'

Zoe popped the
bonnet and Jordan walked around to inspect whatever he thought was wrong with
it. Zoe didn't know a thing about cars. Either they started or they didn't.
There were always plenty of men about the Pattersons that were only too willing
to help her out when her car needed attention, and she never bothered with the
basics.

'Try turning
the ignition again,' he called out.

She popped her
head through the window. 'What?'

'Try starting
it up.'

Zoe turned the
ignition again. Nothing.

Jordan closed
the bonnet with a bang, and returned to the passenger door. 'Looks like a flat
battery. You've got no lights, nothing. How long have you had the battery?'

'Um...since I
bought the ute some years back.'

Jordan shook
his head. 'Stay put. I'll see who's left in the pub I know.'

Zoe glanced
about. The street was almost empty and the heavy shroud of darkness closed
around her. She flicked her gaze to an alleyway not too far down, then back to
the pub.

It wasn't long until Jordan
appeared tossing something up and down in his hand. He stopped beside the ute,
and Zoe got out. He opened his palm, revealing a set of keys.

'I've got a
loan. I know the guy who owns the pub.'

'Thank heavens
for that. I thought we'd be stranded.'

He shot her a
quizzical look. 'Not in Munna. Everyone helps everyone out here. Come on. His
vehicle is parked out back.'

Zoe locked her
car, and they walked down the alley she'd spotted earlier, and around to the
back of the pub where a silver four wheel drive was parked outside the back
door.

'Fancy
vehicle.'

'Yeah. Barry
only got it last week.'

Zoe's eyes
rounded. 'Last week. It's new. But we can't. What if...'

'Do you want
to walk home? It's a hike.'

Zoe didn't add
more, and waited until he unlocked the vehicle and she climbed up onto the
seat. The smell of new leather wrapped around her, and she ran a hand along the
edge of the seat, feeling its texture.

Jordan sat
behind the steering wheel.

'Let's get out
of here. I'll get a new battery for your ute in the morning and bring it out to
Montagreen.'

'Um. Thank
you.'

'It'll be
before ten.'

'Thanks
Jordan.'

An hour later,
Jordan pulled up in front of Montagreen, and left the engine to idle. 'You'll
get through all this.'

She smiled. 'I
hope so. Memories make a person. I wish I remembered my mother. It would be
comforting.'

'She loved you
Zoe. You can count on that.'

'Um...would
you like to come in for a coffee? See what the house looks like at night. It's
beautiful with the lights on.'

'Okay, a quick
coffee.'

Zoe unlocked
the door and as she walked in, she turned on the foyer light. She heard the
door click behind her, while he remained close.

'Wow. I know
what you mean. The lights do it justice.'

'It's
beautiful. Come on.' She made her way into the kitchen, switching on the lights
on the way, to put the jug on.

'New jug
also.' He smiled and it lit up his face, reached his eyes.

'Yes. Snazzy
little thing, don't you agree?'

Zoe busied
herself making the coffees. Although Jordan worked in the house, and had been
there earlier, nothing prepared her for that night, especially when he walked
around into the kitchen.

He didn't pick
up his cup. Instead his arms moved to her waist. Zoe stood stock-still. Her
gaze met his and he whispered against her lips while coaxing her closer. She
seemed to fit so well against him, hip to hip, thigh to thigh.

The warmth of
his lips melted against hers, and her arms snaked around his neck urging him
closer, if that were possible. Her breasts were already hard against his chest.
One of his hands eased downwards and his heat radiated to her body. And as
though she wasn't already hot enough he broke the kiss, and nipped a soft
sensual passage down her neck and up again, kicking up a deep yearning low in
her belly.

He levelled
his eyes with hers.

'I'm sorry. I
couldn't help myself.'

'No need. It
takes two. But...'

He repeated
the kiss and his hand slipped under her shirt until his fingers found her
nipples. He moved back a little.

'What. No
bra?'

She gazed into
his luxurious blue eyes, swam under them and for the life of her she was losing
her ability to breathe properly. She smiled, took his hand, and together they
walked to the steps.

'Zoe. You've
had a few wines tonight.'

'Yes.
Meaning?'

'Are you
sure?' They reached her bedroom door. She tugged his arm and before long they
stood beside her bed. She rolled back the quilt, revealing the lilac satin
sheets, and switched on the bedside lamp, casting a soft glow around the room.
Turning back, she smiled.

Jordan thought
his birthday had come early but he wanted to be sure she wanted what he did.
God, he didn't want. He needed. He reached out and started undoing the buttons
on her pretty blue top, one that drew his attention during the night,
especially to her cleavage where it revealed mounds that were unknown to him.
He could barely control himself.

'Are you
sure?'

'Yes. I'm
sure.'

And when he
dropped her top to the floor his breath left his lungs in one giant release of
surprise, before he dragged another back. He gazed at her face. Her eyes were
delirious, full of passion, full of want, and it bowled him over. He struggled
to contain the emotions whipping up a mighty storm through his body. After all
this time, he couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe he was about to make
love to little Zoe.

She undid his
shirt, one button at a time. Her gaze glued to his torso, while her hand fell
to his belt and he heard his fly sliding downwards.

'Come on.' He
urged her against the bed and lowered her slowly before he crouched down as she
undid her jeans. She slipped them to her thighs, and he took over tugging them
over her legs.

'Oh God, Zoe.'
Tiny, red lacy knickers caught his attention, and so did her smooth, flat
stomach and long legs. He was a goner that was for sure.

Joining her on
the bed, and feeling how slippery the sheets were he almost laughed as he
pictured them on the floor together. He moved in, kissing her repeatedly with
little nips, feeling softness and sensing eagerness that he hadn't imagined Zoe
would return.

His hand
trailed slowly toward her breast and when he moved down, she let out a moan,
arching backwards. This was one night he'd never forget, never, and he wondered
if it were some terrible dream he'd wake up from, like many of the dreams he'd
had over the years.

***

Zoe opened her
eyes and stilled as it took a few moments to realise where she was and what
she'd done. She smiled. Being with Jordan seemed so natural. She'd secretly
craved him since the first day she'd met him. Even when he worked on the house
outdoors, wearing only a pair of shorts and a tool belt, he'd taken her
imagination to places she certainly had never been. Although, last night was
more than her imagination could ever conjure. It was perfect. He was perfect.
Was she falling in love with him?

A scary thing to
admit, knowing it couldn't be anything more than what it already was, but it
was early days. Her memory might return and she'd remember all the good things
he'd told her and everything else to make her whole.

Jordan moaned,
and rolled over facing her, moving a hand over her tummy. She braced herself
and pulled the sheet up.

'Morning,
bright eyes.'

She blinked
and smiled. 'Good morning. What will Luke and your friends do? Won't they be
worried that you didn't go home?'

'I gave them a
call last night after you fell asleep. They didn't mind keeping an eye on Luke
and he was already asleep when I rang. He's okay.'

'He's a lovely
little boy.'

'Yeah. I love
him to bits.'

Zoe smiled
again and he pulled her against him. Their lips met in a slow sensual kiss before
she moved back.

'I can't
believe it. I really can't.'

'What.' He
turned to one side, the weight of his body on his elbow.

'This. Us.'

'It's taken a
while to believe it's not a dream, that it's real.' You're beautiful Zoe. You
always were.' He traced his index finger slowly down her cheek. 'I have to go
soon, get the battery for your ute, and see to Luke.'

'I'm sorry to
put you out. You said you had an early start.'

'You haven't
put me out at all. Luke is playing soccer this morning. Do you want to come
with us?'

'I'd love to
but...it's a little soon. Spend some time with Luke. I can do without my ute
for a day.'

'I'll drop it
by later this afternoon.'

'Thanks.'

He climbed
from the bed, and Zoe couldn't take her eyes from the rippling muscles set across
his back.

'Do you want
round two?'

'I thought you
said you have to go?'

'Yeah. Worse
luck. Can I take a rain check?'

She grinned,
and pushed hair from her eyes. 'Try me and find out.'

'You're not
giving much away.'

'Ha. Ha.'

She slipped
from the other side of the bed but wanted to take the sheet with her, and as
she pulled it, it refused to budge. She turned.

'Can you let
go of the sheet?'

'No secrets,
are there?'

Warmth charged
through her body. Some secrets were worth remaining secret. No one had to know.
'Um...not really. But...'

'I saw
everything last night.'

Zoe wondered,
but if she were to have a true relationship, one that would grow with honesty,
conviction and love...she hesitated and took a few steps and the sheet dropped
back onto the bed.

Jordan's
expression changed in a heartbeat, while the rush of embarrassment coursed
through her veins. She closed her eyes, then opened them.

Jordan walked
the few steps toward her, and took her hands. 'My god, what happened to you,
Zoe?'

Welts patterned
her left thigh, and her buttocks on the left side of her body.

'The result of
my aunt's outrage.' Tears dropped to her cheeks. 'I'm sorry you found out like
this. Sorry you had to find out how ugly my body really is.'

'Ugly. For
crying out bloody loud. You're far from ugly. Oh Zoe.' He took her in his arms
and held her for long moments. His right hand moved and he stroked the softness
of her silky hair.

He drew back.
'You reported her to the police, didn't you?'

'It happened a
long time ago. She stopped using the strap when I turned sixteen.'

'You mean to
say you spent three years of being locked up, herded about like cattle, and
beaten to an inch of your life and the woman got away with it?'

She noticed a
glimmer of heat in his eyes deepening them into a stormy darker blue.

'I don't want
go back to that time. She doesn't know where I am, and I'd prefer if it
remained that way.'

Jordan shook
his head. 'I'll respect your wishes...for now.'

'Jordan.
Please. Please don't say or do anything.'