City Girl Turns Country [Traveler/Vampire07]

Richard nodded. "That's pretty normal stuff, then. Not too unexpected for some all-American girls in college." He cleared his throat. "John tells me that he told you, Ms Cruz, about his relationship with the Michaelsons?" He glanced over at Donna to see if she knew what he was talking about. "Yes... they're half-siblings, actually. They share the same biological father."

The attorney put a file in front of Donna for her perusal. "The father died when John was about three, about a week after John's mother died from a fall from a window." He sat down and poured himself a coffee. "There's a favorite rumor in town that Mr. Michaelson raped Elise and conceived John, then did it again when he was three and that she killed herself as a result. Another rumor has it that Mr. Michaelson killed Elise, threw her out the window, and that her pappy done killed the bastard and made that look like an accident. We'll never know."

He took a sip of coffee. "So. Anything between you, Lillian, and John, that I should know about?"

John looked surprised. "I said that there wasn't anything going on."

"I know," Richard said. "I just want to hear it from her."

Lillian nodded. "I told Donna about John's past. I'm sorry John." She said as she looked at him in hopes he understood that she had to. Though she was caught by surprise when Richard asked if there was anything going on between the two but had to giggle when John spoke up.

"John, its fine." Lillian tried to assure him this wasn't a problem but yet maybe it was for him. "Mr. Kiley, there is nothing going on between us. He's at my ranch often to get a Mustang use to him and waited until she had her foal but as he waited he helped with chores. He and Aunt Mae has been over for dinner plus one of them is with me when there is work to be done."

"Well that's good. Because it's likely that the defense will bring up Bridget." Richard began to heartily eat his dinner, indicating that the others should do the same thing. At Donna's questioning look, Mr. Kiley motioned for John to explain it to them.

John seemed stunned that his attorney would bring up such a thing, but then he began to explain what that was all about. "I... dated a girl in Vet school. Bridget White. She was a fellow student and we shared a few common interests. We... ah... sharedafewfetishes." He licked his bottom lip. "Long story short, I'd taught her a few knots. One weekend she was, ah, alone and taking care of her, ah..."

"Oh for heaven's sake, boy. Spit it out." Richard put down his fork. "They used to tie each other up. She got lonely one weekend while John was out on a residency and she accidentally strangled herself using the wrong knot. End of story. But the defense might make it out to be more than it is, if they think that there's anything going on between the two of you. They'll say that John convinced the brothers that Lillian wanted to play gang rape and then John changed his mind, or that John set them up as revenge for his mother's death, or some shit like that." He took a bite of pasta.

"We have to make sure that the trial's a slam dunk or the boys will be out lickity split. Can't have that. You'll both wind up dead or wishing that you was if it does."

The color drained from her cheeks when John told them this but he didn't need to tell her at all. Seeing Donna and Richard eat without worry but Lillian got to her feet. She walked across the floor and pulled her heels on.

"I.." She looked at the three of them but she didn't know what to say. Turning away as she slipped out of the office in silence. Her heart was humming as she stood in the hallway with her leaning against a wall. John was into such things but what got her was hearing he had a lover. Yet she stood there looking at the floor wondering why did it bother her so much? Did she like him? If she did then he didn't share the same attraction. Tilting her head back as she locked away her feelings and perhaps she had to move on from him. Perhaps she should stick to city men may be Leon will take her back.

Back in Richard's office she had left her purse but her cell phone was on the table. It rang as it danced on the wooden table. Donna looked at it and smirked. "It seems the tall dark and handsome wants to see how Lillian's doing." She said ate her salad but noticed Lillian had been gone for some time now that her pasta was cold.

John watched her walk out, his brows furrowed in worry. "Aren't you going to go check on her?" He asked the attorneys.

"Dinner's getting cold," Richard said, indicating the pasta. Donna just watched the ringing phone with a smirk on her face.

With a frustrated growl, John went out after Lillian. He found her leaning against the wall and looking really upset. "Ma'am? Ms Cruz?" He was concerned that he'd scare her off. They had been working together for a while now, but he was worried that she'd see him as some kind of monster now that she knew more of his past.

"I'm sorry about all that... it was a long time ago. I don't know why Richard thinks that it might come up, but obviously he didn't want you to hear about it for the first time in the courthouse tomorrow." Although John approached her he made sure to keep enough distance to not make her feel threatened. "I understand if you don't want me to come around your ranch anymore. I... I should have told you about her death before... I just didn't think it would come back up."

Lillian held her hand up to him as she gave him a soft smile yet the smile didn't show in her eyes. "No its ok Mr. Tanner. I think this day was just getting to me that's all." She said softly as she took a few steps across the hall to where a window was to look out of it. "I have no place in your life to know that part of you but its your attorney's job to keep you out of jail so he was right. I needed to know it in case they tried to ambush me with it."

She could see his reflection in the window panes but she couldn't bring herself to even walk past him. "So don't apologize to me about it. I can see why you were unsettled about the videos." She brought it up as she turned to face him. "I just thought you couldn't stand to see that but I can see it reminds you of back then when it brought you pleasure."

He drew in a sharp breath. She had put the pieces together, and she was right. Hard as it was, John brought his eyes to hers and held her gaze. "That was... a long time ago. It was all pretend until the day that Bridget died, and I haven't done anything like that since." He rolled his jaw as he absorbed the scorn he felt was emanating from her. "There's a lot of difference between playing in the bedroom and actual rape..."

Why was he explaining himself to her? She probably only saw him as a disgusting pervert now, and he felt like his entire position in the community was being threatened. Once it was all brought to light no one would want him to work on their daughter's 4-H horse or to come to their ranch when their wives were home alone. He'd forever be branded as a dangerous person, even though he'd never hurt anyone.

John closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't know why, but the slight hint of condemnation in her voice hurt him deeply. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Wordlessly he turned away and began walking out of Richard's office. They had a long day tomorrow, but John wasn't sure that he would be able to sleep after what happened today.

Lillian wasn't upset about his fetish but he left before she could say anything about it. Looking down as he disappeared and she rubbed her arm in silence.

Donna looked up seeing John walking out of the building but Lillian walked in and grabbed her things. Seeing this look and knew it well. "See you tomorrow, Richard. Try to steer clear of this Bridget business." She said as she escorted Lillian out and drove her home. Once Lillian was home Donna left for her hotel room but Lillian noticed Leon had called. Sighing as Lillian actually called him back.

The two seemed to catch up but in the end she told him they can talk after the trial was over. "Yeah...There is a picnic in the town square....Yeah I'd like that." Smiling faintly as she hung up but yet she felt like she was betraying John for returning to her ex. Sighing as she shook her head. "I'm not John's type and I can't change that." She said as she looked at her horses seeing they were taken care of then returned back to her house where she stripped and settled in for the night.

He wasn't her type. As John drove his truck down the road he figured out why he was so upset; he wasn't Lillian's type. Her type was the metrosexual, well-groomed, soft-handed men who had large wallets and who paid to have their oil changed. She liked vanilla men; ones who would do as they were told and made sure that every stroke and kiss was pre-approved.

John wasn't like that. He was wild in the bedroom. Spontaneous and forceful; he liked to mix in a little bit of power and pain with a lot of pleasure, and that... was not what Lillian was like.

But why should it matter to him? He wasn't in love with her. He barely liked her! She was just a client who happened to get into trouble and he was there to help her out of it, that was all. Right?

He pulled into his driveway and checked on all the clients before turning in. Even though he was certain that he couldn't sleep, he fell asleep almost as quickly as his head hit the pillow.

When morning came Lillian didn't call John nor Aunt Mae but she left for the courtroom. Once there Leon walked out and helped her from her truck. Her head was pounding by now as he escorted her up the steps and down the hall. Donna approached Lillian. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes just a headache that's all." Lillian couldn't stand to have Leon touching her and it was clear as she kept moving his hands from her. "Leon, I'm fine!" She snapped at him and Donna knew this couldn't be good but knew they had to get inside. Donna grabbed Lillian and pulled her into the room where Richard was sitting with John. She made sure the two were kept apart but as the trial went on as the defense took charge and made it seem John was the bad guy by planning the whole thing. They painted John as the man who taught the brothers how to tie knots. Donna sat back and watched Richard work his magic to tear this defense apart with character witnesses and even had Lillian get on the stand. He asked if there was anything between her and John. She said no of course but it wasn't a hesitant "no" but a stern "no".

After a few hours the jury left then came back with a verdict of Guilty for all three brothers but the time they'll be serving was three years. The reason it was so short? There was no solid evidence that this was a constant behavior. Though Lillian had grown tired of dancing around John so when they were let out she didn't alert him of her approach. Instead she grabbed his shirt collar and yanked him aside then shoved him against a wall. "I'm tired of dancing around you..." Leon at the time appeared and she turned snapping at him. The sleek man raised his hands backing off. It seemed John sparked something in Lillian as she was never this snappy. Lillian turned her eyes onto John as her hand still held on to him.

"I'm tired of dancing around you. Is this about last night? Do you think I'm upset or disgusted about your fetish?" Sighing as she let go of his shirt. "John, I am not upset about that. I was..." She couldn't tell him how she felt since she wasn't his type of woman. "I was shocked to hear that part of your past." Finally she gave him a smile that showed in her eyes now. "I wish I was brave like you to explore stuff like that.." She admitted to him softly so only he could hear her confession. Though Leon seemed to be impatient as he reached over taking her hand and yanked her away from John.

"Come on Lillian. Let me follow you home so you can rest." He spoke softly to her but she placed some distance between her and Leon. Though as Leon lead her out she looked back at John with soft doe eyes before she disappeared with Leon.

John looked like he hadn't slept all night, which was the truth of the matter. He'd been restless all night, and then he got called out to take care of a horse that was acting colicky. He had barely enough time to get home and shower before the trial started again that morning. By the time the trial was over, though, he was certain that his image in the community had been irreparably stained. Even though there had been no assignment of guilt to him, his Aunt Mae had received about a half dozen cancellations on his work, especially with families who had young horsewomen in the family. They were concerned that he would corrupt their daughters because of his revealed preferences and his re-exposed connection to the Michaelsons.

He was surprised afterwards when Lillian grabbed him and pushed him against the wall. He half-expected her to kiss him, but instead she told him that she was tired of dancing with him. He was about to answer when Leon came by, and then he waited for her to explain herself when her boyfriend backed off. His ears perked up when her voice softened, and he wanted to say something to her but that jerk of a boyfriend reached in and grabbed her by the hand and yanked her away.

"Come on Lillian. Let me follow you home so you can rest." He spoke softly to her but she placed some distance between her and Leon. Though as Leon lead her out she looked back at John with soft doe eyes before she disappeared with Leon.

John had about a moment to digest what had just happened. He pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against and ran out of the courtroom to intercept Lillian's boy toy. The doctor used his thumb and forefingers to wretch Leon's hand off of Lillian's and then to twist his arm around so that the city slicker had to go to his knees to lessen the intense pain shooting through his arm. "Out here in the country we don't yank our girlfriends away when they're in the middle of a conversation," John instructed him.

Mr. Kiley saw what was happening and left Donna's side to keep his client out of jail. "John! John!" He put a placating hand on the man's shoulder. "Come on... let him go. I think Ms. Cruz's lawyer needs to see her, anyway."

Reluctantly John let go of Leon's hand, allowing him to get back to his feet.

"We're all a little tense," Richard continued. "Why don't we all go home and just... relax?"

Lillian was shocked to hear John said she was Leon's girlfriend. When Leon was released he laughed. "You're getting worked up about a woman whose out of your league. Why would any woman like Lillian go for someone like you?"

She couldn't contain herself as she slipped between the men and punched Leon hard enough that sent him to his ass. Leon looked at her in shock. "How do you know what I like in men? I am finally free from the city and I know who I am. Leon, I may not like men like you." She turned her back on him. "I agreed to spend time with you as friends but you're pushing it." Trembling in disgust. "Besides I like men who are actual men not fakes." She said it loud enough for John to hear her but before she could say anything, Donna whisked her away.

Leon rubbed his jaw as he was use to slaps but a punch. That was bit of a turn on for him. He got up and left to the parking lot. Though Lillian stood talking to Donna about the processing and there was a chance the brothers can get out earlier than 3 yrs. "What?" Lillian shook her head.

"That's why I suggest gun range and hand to hand defense. Do you know anyone who can teach you?"

Lillian shook her head as she knew this is one more thing she needed to work on. Sighing as she said goodbye and left in her truck and went to the feed store and ran her errands but when she got home the mare nickered hello and the teenage boys were there. "Mind helping me unload?" They nodded and congratulated her on the trial and they turned putting the feed away and helped with her food. As a thank you she gave them a few bucks as a tip. The two were about to refuse but she shook her head. "No take it. Its a thank you."

Richard was there to pull John away as Donna dealt with her client and her client's boyfriend. He suggested to John that he lay low for a while, stay away from Lillian except for official business, and worry about improving his stance in the community. Half-seriously the attorney suggested that John attend church and start to rebuild what small bit of respect that anyone might have for him back up. When John got home his Aunt looked at him with sympathy and handed him his messages for the clinic. Business had just taken a hit.

After a few beers that night he fell into a listless sleep. He had had enough of women and courts to last him a lifetime, he thought, his dreams drifted into a strange nightmare about Leon tying Lillian down and fucking her while she laughed at John, echoing her city friend's words that she would never want a country hick. When the early morning light finally woke John up he felt more tired than he had before he fell asleep.

He asked Aunt Mae to go with him to get the mare and her foal. It wouldn't do for him to continue working with them on the Cruz Ranch. Not now... not with the chance that he was going to cause more problems for Lillian. So it was that they rolled into the driveway at about eight to finalize the transaction. John had worked out a balance sheet, and though he was hard-pressed for cash he included a check for the foal with the envelope. He figured that they were squared now; she didn't owe him anything and she could chose any vet she wanted for her future needs.

Lillian was working with the thoroughbred when the pair drove up. Getting off as she approached John but the aura he was putting off stopped her in her tracks. Looking at him seeing the bill he handed to her. Though she noticed the check and this hit her hard.

Mae knew that look and it hurt her as well.

Lillian handed him the check back. "I don't want your money but here..." She went inside and came back handing him the cash for gelding the quarter horses plus the vet care of her horses. "We're even." She said as she hung her head then turned from him to hide her tears. Gritting her teeth as she walked to Valor then swung up in the new English saddle. Without looking back she took off at a full gallop.

Aunt Mae looked at John when he got into the truck. "You're a foolish boy, Johnny. When will you let the past go and look forward?"

John tried to protest that he was the one who owed her money, not the other way around. He had deducted the vet care from what he thought the mare and foal were worth, but Lillian seemed like she didn't want to look at him. When he climbed into the truck to put away the money and grab the halter he shook his head at his aunt.

"She can't stand me," he corrected her. "She has every right to want me out of her life, Aunt Mae. You didn't hear firsthand everything that was told in that courtroom, or see the way she looked at me when she found out about my past."

He shook his head as he pulled on his leather gloves for handling the horses. "She needs a friend right now, and I hope you'll continue to be that for her... but I can't be around and keep her from forgetting the fact that..." he paused. His aunt didn't need to know that he was moved by the video of Lillian's rape. It was too personal. Too raw. "I just have to give her space."

John was able to halter up the mustang relatively quickly, but she had not been in a trailer since she was a foal. Eventually he got her to load up, and then her filly followed. Soon they were locked in and John Tanner was driving out of the Cruz Ranch driveway for what he thought was certainly the last time. A little part of him began to ache at the thought that he was not a part of Lillian's life any longer, but he was used to losing the women he cared about. First his mother, then Bridget... and now Lillian.

Mae reached over and grabbed his shoulder. "Baby, her heart is broken. You broke her heart by this...Also from what I heard is right then her punching her ex-boyfriend and standing up for you. That's not disgust she's watching your back. Johnny...I think she may have a soft spot for you or why do you think she kept inviting you to come by for dinner or to grab a drink? And this...Handing her a bill when you two settled a way to cover it. To her this bill tells her you won't be around ever."

She sat there looking at the boy. "You know us women talk. When she first got here she didn't know who she was. But when you were around she felt safe enough to explore. I can tell she out grew those pretty boys and wants a man. Now the man who sparked her interest has removed himself completely from her."

John shook his head. He wouldn't tell his aunt that she was wrong, out of respect, but he wasn't the type of guy to push himself on anyone. "Aunt Mae, that might have been the case before but you didn't see her eyes. She said that she wasn't upset, but her eyes... she was disgusted. I like her. But... even from when we first met she didn't want to have anything to do with me. I offered to look at her ankle when she twisted it and she just ignored me... and when I tried to give her advice about that stud of hers she was furious that I'd give her any guidance."

"I don't know. Richard said to lay low for a while, and I'm going to take his advice."

"Well Richard doesn't know everything there is to know about women." Mae retorted.

John smiled. "Yes Ma'am," he answered, turning down his driveway. "I'll think on it."

Several days had passed, and business was so slow that John had a lot of time to spend with his new horses. He was in the round pen, putting a saddle on the mustang mare early that day. The clouds were soft and plentiful, making the warm sky less harsh, and there was a hint of water in the air. With any luck they'd have a nice summer storm in the next twenty-four hours. He loved summer rainstorms; the hot water washing down always felt so good to him, and he tended to sit out on the front porch and drink in the lightning show whenever it came around.

Aunt Mae had been calling Lillian to keep in touch and on days she left John there by telling him: Going to Lillian's! You're than welcomed to come! Yet he made good on his word on keeping his distance from the woman. Aunt Mae finally asked Lillian to be honest with her about what happened. So while John was working with the Mare Mae walked by.

"She likes you but that night in the hallway...It hit her that you're not attracted to her and believes she isn't your type." Mae said to him bluntly. "I had enough of these childish games you two were playing so I asked." She told him bluntly. "Time to grow up and be the man I know you can be. Stop running." That was all she said as she went into the clinic to handle what she could but noticed there was out of town people coming to see them.

Lillian had been asking about the best firearms teacher and it kept returning to John. "No..." God! This was opening up a wound. Today she bit her lip and saddled Valor up and rode him down the trails to the clinic. From where she sat on the large horse she could see where he was. Slowly she rode over to the pen. "Hi, John..."

"What? She thinks she's not my type?" John tried to protest. "What about that greased lizard, Leon? She seemed happy enough to see him... well... up until the point where she punched him." A car pulled up to the clinic and Aunt Mae excused herself, leaving John to work with his mare alone. He got her saddled and had climbed up on her and off a few times, getting her used to the attention. Soon he had her going in circles, stopping, and turning around. He didn't notice that another horse was in the vicinity until the mare's ears flicked forward in greeting to Valor.

John looked up and saw Lillan and he instantly felt guilty. "Hi... Lillian." He thought that she looked good on the horse. "How have you been?" The mare stood there and watched the other horse. Soon she relaxed and began to lick her lips. John drew in a breath. "I missed seeing you. I kind of got used to, ah... " he smiled. "I got used to the idea of seeing you every day. It's been strange not to."

Walking Valor over to the fence as she leaned against it. "I missed you being there....I assumed you were staying away because of Leon. He's my ex for a reason and he and I are friends until he slung that insult at you." Smirking as she showed her right hand where there was bruising from her punching him.

"I haven't seen him since then." Looking down as she pulled out a cold beer from her pack and held it out to him. "You were always welcomed to drop by and check in but I need to talk to you. I've been talking to some people and they say you're the best teacher when it comes to firearms. I was hoping you would help me get better with pistols. So what do you say? Take this woman under your wing to kick some ass?" Smiling as she still liked him but accepted the fact he wanted a true country girl and she wasn't a country girl. She was an outsider.

"You should have a doctor look at that hand," he said, dismounting. He put the reins over the mare's head and looped it loosely over the saddle horn before climbing the fence to meet Lillian. The strange awkwardness from the other day had mostly faded, which made him very glad.

"Thank you," he said, accepting the beer. "They're right, but I would think that you wouldn't want to spend too much time around me." He eyed her. "Do you still trust me, even after everything that they talked about in court?" He unscrewed the cap and stuck it in his pocket before taking a sip. "I'd be honored to teach you how to handle a pistol. You already demonstrated that you know how to handle a rifle."

John looked her over as discretely as he could, appreciating the way she filled out her jeans. "You might want to consider some hand-to-hand as well, for those times that you can't carry a pistol." He tilted his head and looked at her. "I could teach you that, too."

Smirking as she smacked the rim of his hat. "I trust you with my life you ding bat!" Laughing as she smiled at him while he drank his beer. Then he mentioned on hand to hand combat that he could teach her. "I was hoping you'd offer actually."

She leaned against the fence as she liked the way the sun glistened over his muscles but after a moment she looked away. "So where is the gun range and would I be working with your gun or will we get my own then work with it?" She was blushing as her feelings for him hadn't died. Aunt Mae didn't tell her that John liked her since he gave his Aunt the "This stays between us"vibe. Mae did ask Lillian who gave permission thinking John would laugh it off and say he was flattered then that would be it.

He had to smile at her. He really.... really liked her, and he couldn't help but notice the way his pulse was quickening at her presence. When she leaned against the fence her breasts strained against her shirt, revealing the lines of her bra. John had to look away before he was aroused too strongly by the peek at her underclothing under her shirt. It was one of those things made more alluring because it was 'forbidden'.

"Well," He gripped the glass bottle and put some of his frustrations into the grip. This made his arms flex slightly as he directed his gaze back to her. "There's a nice county range off of the highway a bit; I use it for concealed carry classes, and sometimes for combat carry class..." He looked at her and he couldn't help but grin. "I don't often let others handle my weapons, but for you I'll make an exception. Besides, you want to shoot a few pistols before you buy one for your daily use."

He liked the way her cheeks had flushed. It gave her a bit of an innocent flair, and he knew that in many ways she was still untried. She was... somewhat pure. Just experienced enough to not have to be handled like a flight risk.

"Let me see your hands." He set his beer down on the top of the fence post and reached for her. "Come on, I won't bite. Much. I want to see what kind of reach and strength you have in that grip of yours."

"Oh you bad boy!" She giggled as she got off of Valor and tied him up to a post. Slipping into the pen with him as she put her hands out to him. To her John was a man that she'd hear again from other stories. She dreamed of someone like him just taking her into his arms and just holding her tightly.

She had disappeared off into her own little world but she noticed John was standing before her. Now she felt like an idiot for spacing out. "Ok what exactly were you looking for again?" She looked down at her hands as she thought of asking him to teach her about knots but that may be a sensitive subject.

"I want your hand."

John looked at her. "Your hand... so that I can see what kind of grip size and strength you have." He pulled his leather gloves off, one by one, and tucked them into his belt. Then he took her hands in his. "Tell me about your experience with firearms. I don't want to reteach you anything that you already know... though I'm not adverse to spending time with you."

"I think that you'd be a good student no matter what you were being taught." He ran his fingers across her palms and looked at her eyes as he said that. "You said that you wanted to be brave enough to explore new things. I wouldn't mind teaching you." His hands moved over hers and he closed her fingers around his forefinger and middle finger. "Squeeze."

His other hand traveled up her forearm and then rested on her elbow. "Are you afraid of holding power in your hands?"