The Payment (25 page)

Gently and tenderly Dane let his hand's
slide over his wife’s body, after kissing her with hot hunger, his
mouth traveled along her jaw line, down her slender throat. Along
her collarbone and down to the lush full breast he so gently
kneaded in his hand. He captured the tight tip of her nipple
between his lips, drew it into his mouth, and suckled lovingly.

Soft whimpers of pleasure escaping her,
India buried her fingers in Dane’s hair as his hands and mouth set
her body on fire. When his hand slipped down and settled between
her thighs, she arched her hips and cried out as a wave of rapture
washed through her.

Dane kept his own need and hunger under
tight control, gently he stroked between her thighs wanting her to
be as ready as he could make her to accept him. His mouth left her
breast, and he gazed up at her with his heart in his eyes. “Roll
over on your side sweetheart. Tell me if I hurt you love.”

Her eyes fluttering open from Dane’s softly
spoken words, India smiled and cupped his cheek, at the moment
unable to speak. Her eyes widened slightly at his request, then
understanding she lifted her head gave him a lingering kiss before
she rolled over so her back faced him.

Dane settled behind her, he lifted her leg
and placed it over his. Reaching down he guided himself between her
thighs and gradually eased himself inside of her. With her being so
large, he didn’t want to take the risk of making love to her the
usual way.

A sigh of pleasure spilled from her lips as
Dane slowly slid inside of her, arching her head back, she
whimpered as Dane captured her mouth with his.

It was agony and it was ecstasy being back
inside of her. He kept his pace slow; his mouth seared hers with
hot vital need as his hand rested lightly on her stomach.

India tore her mouth free from Dane’s and
gasped for air, his slow thrusts into her body were driving her
mad.

His hand slid up her stomach and gently
captured one of her breasts as his mouth swept down the column of
her neck and up again. His hand leaving her breast it slipped
caressingly down her body and stopped at the nest of curls between
her thighs.

“
Oh God Dane, I can’t stand anymore.”
India whispered her passionate plea and when Dane slipped his
fingers between her thighs, she cried out and convulsed as wave
after wave of rapture washed through her.

A harsh growl tore from his throat as India
clasped tightly around his aroused flesh buried inside her. His
mouth found hers in a wild hot kiss as he gently thrust into her
repeatedly. He felt the rush of his seed building and with one more
thrust it exploded from him in a rush of unmitigated pleasure.

His kiss softened, he drew his hand up from
between her thighs and rested it lightly on her stomach.

Breaking the kiss, he worriedly searched her
face for any sign that she might be hurt. He let out a relieved
sigh when he saw the satisfied smile break over her face.

Still joined, he held her tenderly in his
arms. He could barely believe she finally came home, that she
actually returned home to him.

For a while, India lay content in her
husband's arms, she missed him so much. After awhile she turned to
gaze at him, his head resting on the pillow behind her. His eyes
closed and a pleased smile on his face, she could not help but
think how handsome he looked and hoped that they would be able put
the past behind them.

The feel of his wife’s eyes on his face,
Dane lifted his lashes and gave her heart-felt smile; he lifted his
hand and gently cupped the side of her head. “Are you all right
sweetheart?”

India nodded. “I’m fine.”

Dane pulled out of her and carefully turned
her around to face him. He knew now would be the time he faced what
he had done to his wife. Holding her in his arms, he met her
curious gaze with his own. “India, I want to tell you how truly
sorry I am for what happened. Being drunk and angry is no excuse,
and I know it might be impossible for you to ever forgive me. I
love you so damn much, and if you can find it in your heart to
forgive me, I promise I will never do anything to hurt you or make
you regret giving me a second chance.” He held his breathe; his
heart barely beat in his chest as he waited for her answer.

The last of her pain over what happened
slipped away; India could see how much he regretted his actions
that day. She also perceived the love shining in his eyes and knew
he would never hurt her again. “I know Dane, I know you regret what
you did, and I believe you love me. I love you as well, and I just
want us to be happy.”

His emotions nearly overwhelming him, Dane
wanted to crush her in his arms and never to let her go, instead he
held her gently. His mouth came down and covered hers in a kiss
that spoke of all that lay in his heart and promise of the love he
would have for her in the future.

FORTY-SIX

Before leaving his sleeping wife, Dane spent
time discovering the changes in her body with his hands. He spent
time feeling their child moving in her womb and felt so humbled and
so utterly lucky. Even though reluctant to leave her, he knew his
brothers would want to speak to him. He quickly dressed and
returned down stairs.

He heard voices coming from the study and
hurried towards the room; he pushed the door open and stepped
inside. Chin Li, Mason, and Tye were the only ones not in the room.
Taking his seat behind the desk, he tried to catch up with the
conversation.

A break in the conversation when Dane came
in the room, Jesse turned to look at his brother and felt relieved
when the haunted look no longer resided in his eyes. It could only
mean things between Dane and his wife must be resolved.

A genuine happy smile on his face, Dane
gazed around at each of his brothers.

Devon finished speaking and looked over at
Dane; he didn’t quite understand everything that happened between
Dane and his wife. Nevertheless, it would not take him long to find
out.

“
I gather everything has been worked
out between you and India?” Jesse asked.

His grin widening, Dane nodded his head.
“Yes and thank you for bringing her home.” He noticed Devon eyeing
him with disbelief and speculation. “One day Dev you’ll find a
woman who will tie you up in knots, and you’ll be willing to lay
down your life for her.”

Appalled at the thought Devon gave a snort
of disgust. “That will never happen. Now let’s get down to
business. You can explain to me later what in the hell is going on.
Now, the way I see it, your mother wants the ranch, tried to have
Dane killed, both Reese and Traye framed for murder. Which I am
afraid they will still be facing charges for. So far, though I
can’t yet tie King in with the whole business.”

Quickly, Jeff’s mind sorted through the
information stored inside his head and he sat up straight when he
found it. “I think I may have the answer. I could be wrong but it
makes sense. I read our fathers notes he wrote that every summer
King is always short of water. Every year King would try to
convince father to let his stock water on the Bar M, father always
refused. Telling King there wouldn’t be enough water for two
herds.”

A quick nod of his head Jeff leaned back in
his chair. “I also read King wanted to arrange a marriage between
his daughter and one of his sons, preferably Dane. Father laughed
over it, in his notes he wrote that if his sons had any brains none
of them would ever marry.”

“
Well I’ll be, so King is helping her
to get his hands on the water since Dane went off and got himself
married. Well, I’ll be a son of a bitch.” Reese laughed
coldly.

For the first time since Dane entered the
room Traye spoke up. “That woman only wants to get her hands on the
ranch, so she can sell it to old man King.”

When Traye finished speaking everyone
started talking at once. It took a few minutes before things calmed
down, and they went about making plans to stop their mother and
King.

Nearly suppertime when she came awake, India
lay in bed smiling. Things would still be a little rocky between
herself and Dane, in her heart though she knew that in the end they
would be happy again.

With a satisfied smile, she tossed the
covers aside and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Just as
she tried to push herself up on her feet, the door opened and Dane
stepped inside the room. She gave him a disgruntled look and waited
for him to help her.

As he entered the room, pleased to see his
wife awake, Dane chuckled when he observed her struggling to stand.
He quickly stopped laughing when his wife threw him a deadly
warning look. He hurried forward and sat down beside her. “Tell me
sweetheart how much bigger do you think you’ll grow?” He tried to
hide the humor in his voice but by the scowl his wife gave him,
knew he failed.

India tried not to be irritated by the
laughter in Dane’s tone. “This is all your fault and you best hope
I don’t get any bigger.”

Dane leaned down and kissed her brow. “Come
on sweetheart let’s get you up and dressed. Everyone’s waiting on
you to come down. Supper will be ready shortly.”

“
Well let’s not keep them waiting,
they’re libel to pitch a fit if I’m late and Chin Li throws their
dinner away.”

Laughing, Dane carefully aided her to stand
his and helped her dress, it took longer than it should have
because he could not stop touching her or exploring the changes in
her body. When at last he finished doing the last button up on her
dress, he swept her up in his arms and carried her down stairs.

India felt so loved over the way Dane fussed
over her, she also felt unashamed of her body because he couldn’t
stop admiring the changes in it or stop touching her. She felt no
lingering doubt that he truly did love her. When he picked her up
in his arms, she knew without doubt he truly did love her and
regretted hurting her. From this moment on, she would never think
of his near betrayal again. He loved her and that was all that
mattered.

Still another half-hour before supper, Dane
placed his wife gently down on the sofa. After kissing her, he
headed for the kitchen to fetch her a cup of tea. While Chin Li
fixed the tea, he broached him about his concern. “Chin Li I’m
worried about India, she’s so big, and she still has some time to
go before the baby is born.”

Chin Li finished with the tea, turned and
grinned at Dane. “Missy get bigger still, but no worry babies come
out just fine. Chin Li make sure but you no pester Missy anymore
until Chin Li says so.”

Stunned, staggering over to the nearest
stool, Dane collapsed on it and stared at the old man in disbelief.
“Babies? Are you sure? We’re going to have twins?”

A cackle of laughter, Chin Li nodded his
head.

Well, I’ll be damned.
Twins.
They were going to have twins. Dane's chest
swelled with pride and a wide proud grin spread across his face.
“Does India know she is having twins?”

“
No Missy think only one baby, I leave
you to tell her happy news. Now tea is getting cold, out of my
kitchen.” Chin Li smiled with pride as he watched Dane reach for
the tray.

“
Thank you Chin Li.” Dane said and let
the old man see just how much he loved him.

Chin Li felt tears prick his old eyes. “Chin
Li love you too.” He waved Dane away and moved over to the
stove.

Dane swallowed the lump in his throat,
picked up the tray and left the kitchen. He could hardly wait to
tell India they were going to have twins, but he would wait for a
more private moment to share the news with her.

FORTY-SEVEN

As he lay in bed, Dane cradled his wife in
his arms. His hand gently slid over her stomach. “I spoke to Chin
Li earlier, I don’t know how you're going to react sweetheart but
he’s positive we’re going to have twins.”

Nearly asleep, India’s eyes flew open.
“Don’t be ridiculous, you’re joking right?” Good Lord twins, no she
did not want to believe it.

Dane chuckled at the disbelieve he heard in
her voice. He kissed the top of her head. “No Chin Li wouldn’t say
such a thing if it’s not true.” His hand gently slid over her
bulging stomach and a wide grin spread across his face.

India closed her eyes, not wanting to
believe such a thing but she reluctantly admitted it might be true
though. It already frightened her enough just giving birth to one
child. But two? She shivered in apprehension.

Worried when he felt his wife trembling in
his arms, Dane’s hold on her tightened slightly. “Don’t be
frightened sweetheart, I promise you everything will be all right
and nothing will happen to any of you.” He would do everything he
could to keep the promise he just made, he refused let anything
happen to any of them. He swelled with determination not to lose
his wife again, and he swore to find some way to keep her safe.

India knew Dane tried to reassure her and
forced herself to relax, but still it did not ease the fear she
felt and she doubted anything would. All they could do is pray that
nothing would go wrong and she and the babies would survive. Good
Lord twins, she still found it nearly impossible to believe.

As the days passed without any major
incidents, the tension eased in the house but nobody let down their
guard. Dane knew he could not put it of any longer, the time came
for him to confront Traye. He didn’t look forward to it, but since
Traye returned home, the strain between them grew nearly
unbearable.

He found Traye alone in the barn. Drawing in
a long breath of apprehension, he approached him. “Traye can we
talk?”

His head whipping around Traye looked warily
at Dane, before he turned around and shrugged. “What’s to talk
about? You’re no better than the bitch that gave birth to us. India
deserves better.”