Whispered Promises (13 page)

“W
hen will we be leaving for Houston, Dex?”

Dex gazed across the breakfast table. The shadows under Caitlin's eyes indicated she'd had a sleepless night. His mouth tightened. “Does your eagerness to leave San Antonio have anything to do with the phone call you got around three this morning?”

Surprise flared in Caitlin's eyes. She set her coffee cup down. She hadn't wanted Dex to find out about that call and wondered how he had. Him knowing would only compound the problems already existing between them.

“How do you know about the call?”

The kitchen grew tense and silent. Caitlin couldn't help noticing the angry lines creasing Dex's forehead and mouth.

“I couldn't sleep and was up watching television. I picked up the phone the same time you did,” Dex replied. He would not mention the reason he hadn't been able to sleep was because he couldn't get her off his mind. He'd lain awake remembering how long it had been since he'd been intimate with a woman. But his body hadn't wanted just any woman, it had wanted her. And it still did, which wasn't helping his attitude toward her this morning.

“Were you going to tell me about the call, Caitlin?”

Caitlin met Dex's gaze as his question hung in the air between them. There was a certain coolness in the charcoal-gray eyes staring at her. She immediately picked up on the dark, brooding, hard-edginess of his mood.

“No, I wasn't going to mention it to you. I have to fight my own battles.”

Dex laughed harshly as he stood. “And just when did you begin fighting your own battles, Caitlin? I was under the impression you totally enjoyed being told what to do and when to do it. You must have done a hell of a lot of growing up over the past four years.”

Outrage flushed Caitlin's cheeks as she stood. Her chin lifted and she met his blazing gaze head-on. “You're right. I have done a lot of growing up over the past four years. And I won't let you or anyone else push me around. I meant what I said, I don't need you to fight my battles.”

Dex couldn't help noticing the fire in Caitlin's eyes and the way she had straightened her spine and placed her hands on her hips. If ever he'd seen a woman who was ready to draw blood, this was the one. But he had no intention of letting her fight anything alone.

He closed the distance between them. “As your husband, I have certain rights and obligations. One of which is to protect you from any type of harm or danger. You're my wife, and I won't take threats made to you lightly.”

There was a tense silence as they stood staring at each other. Dex spoke again, this time his tone was somewhat gentler. “As long as there is breath in my body, Caitlin, nobody will threaten you and get away with it.” He took her face in his hands and leaned toward her, capturing her mouth with his.

A hot rush of desire surged through Caitlin when Dex's mouth took hers, making her melt under the heat of his passion. Her arms crept around his neck at the same time she opened her mouth to him. Fire leaped into her veins and a shiver coursed through her body as Dex deepened their kiss.

Caitlin was fully aware that his hand was moving, pulling her even closer to him. Her body, with a will of its own, arched closer, not wanting the moment to end. She was glad Jordan, who'd gone to bed later than usual last night, was still asleep.

Caitlin whispered Dex's name when he trailed his mouth across her face and kissed her eyes. He pressed her head against his neck.

“I'm sorry for losing it and blowing up at you like that,” he said in a husky voice. “But when I listened in on that call, I got madder than hell. And knowing he's probably the same guy who harassed your father, made me—”

Caitlin pushed herself out of Dex's arms. “What do you mean, he's probably the same person who harassed Dad? What do you know about this, Dex?” Sparks suddenly flared in her eyes. “And if you do know anything, you should have told me. You have some nerve getting mad with me for not telling you about that phone call, when you're keeping things from me.”

“Look, Caitlin. You had enough to deal with. I didn't want to—”

“You didn't want! Who made you an expert in knowing what's best for me? I'm not some damsel in distress. I happen to be a very strong woman who doesn't need you in my life to survive. Jordan and I were doing just fine without you.”

Dex frowned. “There's no need for you to cop an attitude.”

“Cop an attitude?” she repeated in a low, lethal tone. “You want an attitude, Dex Madaris, then I'll show you an attitude.”

Dex shook his head. He had to constantly remind himself that the woman standing before him was not the meek and mild twenty-one-year-old he'd left in San Antonio four years ago. She was a twenty-five-year-old woman who didn't mind showing him how stubborn she could be, nor how independent. He had to force himself to admit that he actually found the new fiery Caitlin more intriguing, and she looked so sexy when she got angry.

“We can stand here and argue till night, and the only thing we'll accomplish is waking up Jordan,” Dex said in a calm tone. “I suggest we go in the living room and discuss this like two adults, and I'll tell you everything I know.”

Caitlin hesitated briefly before following him. Together they sat on the sofa. Dex then told her about the letter Dr. Flores had given him, and about his visit to the police station. He saw a lone tear flow down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away.

“I can't believe anyone would be that cruel, that heartless. My father was a sick man. He didn't need that kind of aggravation in his life.”

Dex pulled her into his arms. “I know, baby.” After a while he said, “Tell me something about this property Malone Land Developers is interested in.”

“Shadowland is property that's been in my father's family for generations. His great-great-grandfather was Blaze Abrams, a Black Seminole Indian and a scout for the United States Army. Blaze fell in love with Vashti Randolph, the niece of a retired Buffalo soldier. Vashti's uncle Robert had been like a father to Blaze and when Robert Randolph died, he willed Shadowland to Blaze and Vashti in hopes they would marry one day.”

Caitlin smiled. “I remember the stories my grandmother used to tell me. They were stories about the Black Seminoles and how they helped the government keep law and order along the Mexican border.”

Her smile widened. “But my favorite story was of Blaze and Vashti and the rocky romance between them, and the love and happiness they shared when they eventually married. As you know, following the Civil War, many blacks in these parts owned land. And there were a number of prosperous all-black communities in the area, as well. There were a number of land-grabbers who tried to say as an Indian, Blaze couldn't inherit land, but he and Vashti were able to hold on to it. Each of their descendants since then have promised never to sell Shadowland and to keep it in the family. There's a lot of history behind Shadowland. Rich history that my parents and I have always been proud of.”

Caitlin's eyes reflected the depth of the emotions she felt. “There's no way my father would have ever sold it, and I feel the same way. It's part of my heritage, and now Jordan's. Shadowland has been in my family for over five generations, and I intend for it to remain there for many more.”

Dex thought of his uncle Jake and his huge ranch, Whispering Pines. Just like Shadowland had been in Caitlin's family for generations, Whispering Pines had been in the Madaris family for just as long.

“You said Shadowland's located near Eagle Pass?”

“Yes It's out in the middle of nowhere. Why anyone would be interested in it is beyond me.”

“I'd like to see it. How do you feel about me, you and Jordan taking a little ride?”

“But I thought you had to get ready to fly to Austin for your meeting on Friday.”

“Caitlin, there's no way I'm going to Austin now. I'll contact Trevor to go in my place.”

“I don't want my problems to interfere with your job.”

He smoothed back a stray tendril of hair from her face. “They won't, and they aren't your problems, they're our problems.” Dex stood. “How soon can you and Jordan be ready to leave?”

“In thirty minutes or so.”

“Good. I need to leave for a while. I'm going to pay a visit to Malone Land Developers. I'll be back shortly.”

“You've got to be kidding, Corinth. Please tell me you aren't serious about buying anything out of this place.”

Corinthians's dark brown eyes sparkled. She glanced around the posh room filled with scantily dressed mannequins wearing all types of sexy lingerie. “I most certainly am serious, girlfriend, and I didn't bring you along to try and talk me out of it. I need help picking out a few items.”

Brenna stared at the mannequin in front of them wearing a sheer, short nightie. The outfit brought a blush to her light brown cheeks. “I hope you know what you're doing.”

Corinthians frowned. “Of course I know what I'm doing. I'm doing what I should have done years ago. I'm going after the man I love. Of all people, I thought you'd be happy for me.”

Brenna turned to face her. “I don't have a problem with what you're doing, Corinth, but I do have a problem with how you're going about it. Blatant underhanded seduction isn't your style.”

Corinthians lifted her chin. “And just what's wrong with me finally taking the initiative and going after who I want? He's free and so am I. I'm also older and more self-assured than before. The timing is right.”

“Don't you dare get an attitude with me, Corinthians Avery. I'm your best friend, remember. All I'm saying is that you haven't seen Dex Madaris in over four years. He may not be the same man you remember—the same man you supposedly fell in love with.”

“And why wouldn't he be?”

“People change. You've even said he's been married and divorced since you've seen him last. A bad marriage changes some people. I just don't want you to get hurt. All Dex Madaris ever wanted from you is friendship. How's he going to feel if you suddenly force yourself on him?”

Corinthians tried concentrating on a matching edible pair of panties and a bra, and not on what Brenna was saying, but couldn't. The two of them had been friends since grade school, and deep down she knew Brenna had her best interests at heart.

“I'm not forcing myself on him,” Corinthians finally said as they continued walking around the store. “All I'm doing is letting Dex know I want more than just friendship.”

“But what if he doesn't want more? That will place a strain on the relationship the two of you already have. No man likes to feel cornered.”

“I have to take that chance, Brenna.”

Brenna shook her head. “I just hope you know what you're doing.”

“I do.” Corinthians stopped in front of a mannequin dressed in a sexy, black-lace Merry Widow stretched over a G-string bikini. Garter straps held up a pair of black stockings.

Corinthians waved a well-manicured hand toward the outfit. “Well, what do you think?”

“I think you've lost your mind.” Brenna smothered a laugh. “And I think the person who sees you in that is in big trouble.”

Duncan Malone looked uncomfortable as he gazed up at the man standing across from his desk. The man's eyes were dark and piercing, and appeared to be the color of smoldering ashes.

Duncan was baffled by the man's apparent enmity. Was he someone he should know? His secretary had indicated a Dexter Madaris had wanted to see him and that he did not have an appointment. He had just finished telling her he was not taking any unscheduled appointments when the man had barged into his office with his frantic secretary running behind him.

“Should I call security, Mr. Malone?”

Duncan Malone sat upright, refusing to stand for his intruder. He cleared his throat. “No, Lynn, I'll handle this.”

When his secretary left the two of them alone, he turned to the man. “Mr. Madaris, what can I do for you?”

Dex met Duncan's intense stare before the man lowered his eyes. “I want you to stop harassing my wife, Malone.”

Duncan shifted uneasily in his chair. “Look, mister, I don't know you, and I don't know what you're talking about. I want you to leave my office.”

“Does the name Caitlin Parker Madaris sound familiar? She's Halston Parker's daughter, and I believe there's a piece of property you're interested in buying from her.”

Dex's ever-observant eyes took in the expression that Malone unsuccessfully tried to hide.

“Mr. Madaris, you've been misinformed. I'm sure this has been a rather dramatic time for your wife, with the recent loss of her father and all, but I assure you, no harassment has been going on—at least not by me. Although we would like to acquire the Parker land, we will never resort to such crude tactics. I have not spoken with Ms. Parker to see whether or not her decision will be any different than her father's.”

“The lady is Mrs. Madaris and her decision won't be any different. She's not interested in selling.”