I've missed this story so much!![]()
I've missed this story so much!![]()
Loved the update, looking forward to the next!![]()
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."
Mae West
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Sue Ellen watched and smiled as her son ran past everyone toward the stands. He was excited at the prospect of sitting with the Ewing’s during the rodeo. Everyone else followed more sedately leaving her and J.R. bringing up the rear. Sue Ellen glanced quickly at the man who walked beside her before returning her gaze forward. J.R Ewing wasn’t what she had expected. She had seen his picture in the paper and in magazines but pictures didn’t prepare her for the sheer masculinity of the man. He was tall. Something that surprised her. She hadn’t thought he would be over six foot. Her experienced eye and how well his jeans fit told her he was well- toned but not overly muscular and she wondered how he looked nude. Sue Ellen felt her face heat at the direction of her thoughts.
J.R. found himself surreptitiously admiring the woman who walked beside him. Normally he wasn’t immediately taken by a pretty face or packaging since he knew both could and often did hide a myriad of faults but there was something different about Sue Ellen Shepard. She was beautiful, but even more than she had the indefinable quality about her that marked her a lady. Few women he knew had that quality that marked them as a lady- his mother, Miss Ellie was one along with Mavis Anderson and the third woman, if he were honest was his sister-in-law Pamela, even if she was a Barnes. They all possessed that something that marked them as a true lady, something that J.R. recognized in Sue Ellen Shepard and it intrigued and captivated him. J.R. noticed Sue Ellen’s blush and wondered what she was thinking.
‘Could she be thinking about me?’ he wondered as he glanced at her. Before he could wonder more about what was causing her blush so prettily, she spoke.
“Mr. Ewing…,” Sue Ellen began, not sure how to voice what she wanted to.
“J.R., please,” said J.R. “The only Mr. Ewing I know is my daddy,” he replied, grinning.
Sue Ellen’s breath caught at J.R.’s grin. ‘My god…no one should look that good…,’ she thought. She gave herself a quick mental shake before she stopped walking and spoke.
“J.R., I appreciate your taking the time to listen to A.J.’s proposal and how you treated him as an potential business partner. But I am sure you have better things to do with your time then to act as a matchmaker,” said Sue Ellen. “I’ll just tell A.J. that after thinking over his proposal that you don’t have the time to assist him with it,” Sue Ellen added in a rush, smiling to take the sting out of her words. Sue Ellen turned to walk away, only to be stopped by a hand to her arm.
“Who says I don’t have the time?” asked J.R. For some reason the idea of him not having the time to help A.J. in his search to find a potential husband for his mother irritated J.R.
“Come on,” scoffed Sue Ellen. “You’re gonna tell me you have the time to help my eight year old son find a potential husband for me while running a multi-billion dollar oil company, not to mention all the other Ewing holdings you handle? Please, I know better,” Sue Ellen said, cocking her hip and glaring at J.R., her embarrassment over this entire situation now turning back to irritation.
J.R. glared at Sue Ellen. Crossing his arms across his broad chest he replied, “I do have the time. And even if I didn’t, I would sure as hell make the time now to help him.” J.R. moved closer to Sue Ellen. “Let me tell you somethin’ Miz Shepard, I don’t like bein’ told what I can and can’t do,” he said. “You can ask anyone in Dallas…hell, in the entire state of Texas!”
“Well Mr. Ewin’…,” sneered Sue Ellen. Sue Ellen stepped closer to J.R and continued, “I don’t care if you like it or not. I am tellin’ you, I don’t want or need your help to find a date, a man or even a husband!” She emphasized her words by poking him in his chest with her finger just above his crossed arms.
J.R. uncrossed his arms and stepped even closer to Sue Ellen. He bent forward, his hat tipped back until he was almost nose to nose with her. “Well, Miz Shepard it don’t matter to me if ya want my help or not. A.J. and I shook hands on the proposal so you’re stuck with me,” mocked J.R. Straightening up, J.R. stepped back and pulled his hat low over his eyes. “Now Sugar why don’t ya tell me what type of man would interest you or are you too chicken?”
“What!?” squawked Sue Ellen indignantly.
“Oh, did I hit a sore spot?” smirked J.R. “Is that why ya don’t want my help? Are you afraid I might succeed where you failed?” asked J.R.
Sue Ellen planted her hands on her hips. “Let me tell you somethin’ J.R. Ewing....I am not nor have I ever been afraid!”
“I think you are,” replied J.R.
“No, I’m not,” argued Sue Ellen.
“Then prove it! Prove that you aren’t scared. Give me six months,” he said. “Six months to find you a potential husband.”
“Why should I?” asked Sue Ellen. “Six months doesn’t prove anything,” she added.
“See…you are scared,” crowed J.R. grinning.
Sue Ellen gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. “No, I’m not. What would it prove? Huh? Nothing…that’s what. In six months, a lot could happen. I could probably even find my own husband in that length of time,” she said.
“I bet you couldn’t,” said J.R. determinedly.
“Excuse me?” said Sue Ellen.
J.R. crossed his arms over his chest and condescendingly drawled, “I bet you couldn’t.”
“Oh, you don’t think so, do you?” Sue Ellen bitingly replied.
“Nope. I don’t,” smirked J.R. “I think that’s why A.J. approached me for help because you…,” J.R. emphasized his words by pointing a finger at Sue Ellen. “You haven’t been able to find even a date in lord knows how long. It’s sad that such a beautiful woman is reduced to….”
“How much?” interrupted Sue Ellen.
“How much what?” asked J.R.
“How much are you willing to bet that you can find me a potential husband in six months?” asked Sue Ellen. She wanted to wipe that smirk off J.R. Ewing’s face.
“Name your price,” said J.R. confident in his ability to find a potential husband for Sue Ellen Shepard.
Sue Ellen tapped her finger against her lips as she contemplated the price. She paced back and forth for a few minutes pondering the details of their tentative bet. Reaching a decision on what her price would be she smiled and turned back to face J.R.
“My price is after six months, from the starting date we agree on, if you fail to find me a potential husband you have to model AND be photographed wearing Valentine’s newest line of men’s fashions, including underwear,” said Sue Ellen, positive that the J.R. Ewing she had read about would never agree to such terms.
“And if I don’t fail?” asked J.R.
Taking a page from J.R. book, Sue Ellen replied, “Name your price.”
“If I succeed in finding you a potential husband then you have to agree to spend a weekend, alone with me anywhere I choose,” said J.R.
Sue Ellen’s eyes widened at his terms. “But…,” she stuttered.
“Those are my terms. Take ‘em or leave ‘em,” J.R. replied confidently.
“Fine,” replied Sue Ellen, she held out her hand.
J.R. looked down at her hand then back up at her. “Before we shake hands on the deal, I think we better agree to some rules,” he said.
“What rules?” Sue Ellen asked suspiciously.
“Just some ground rules,” answered J.R. “First rule: All potential dates will be introduced to you by me. Agreed?” said J.R, holding his hand out.
“Agreed,” said Sue Ellen, shaking J.R.’s hand.
“Second rule: You can’t refuse a date unless there is a good reason.” J.R. held his hand out waiting for Sue Ellen to shake it.
“What do you consider a good reason?” Sue Ellen asked.
“Family emergencies. You or A.J. being sick. You being uncomfortable with a potential date, although this shouldn’t be a problem since you will have already met any any potential dates prior to actually having a date. Agreed?
“Agreed,” she said, shaking J.R.’s hand.
“Third rule: Any problems and I mean ANY problems with your dates are to be brought to my attention immediately,” J.R. said sternly.
“Why?” asked Sue Ellen.
“Because you are under my protection,” replied J.R.
“Excuse me?” said Sue Ellen indignantly. “I do not need a protec…”
Before Sue Ellen could finish her statement J.R. interrupted her. “Now before you get all riled up just let me explain. The men you will be going out with are successful, rich and used to getting what they want when they want. This can be a dangerous combination. Most aren’t scared of anything except ME! I am not being egotistical when I say that, I’m just stating a fact. Fear of me and the knowledge that you are under my protection will guarantee your safety. But just in case one or two forget…,” J.R. grinned evilly before continuing. “I’ll be more than happy to remind ‘em.” J.R. held out his hand for Sue Ellen to shake. “Agreed?”
“Agreed,” said Sue Ellen shaking his hand before releasing it.
J.R. dropped his hand to his side and asked, “Can you think of any other rules we need to agree on?” Sue Ellen shook her head no.
Raising his hand once more, J.R. held his hand out for the final time and asked, “So you agree to our bet and the rules?”
“Yes,” replied Sue Ellen, grasping J.R.’s hand in hers, shaking it.
“Good,” J.R replied releasing Sue Ellen’s hand.
TBC
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."
Mae West
This is going to be VERY interesting indeed! Who will he pick, other than himself?
Great update! More soon please![]()
Thank you Jessie. Yep, this is definitely gonna be good!
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."
Mae West
OMFG! This is my favourite update so far! The banter between JR and Sue Ellen was incredible![]()
Great update
Really great. Who will he set her up with not Cliff Barnes for sure
Great update Tina.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it."
"I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure."
Mae West
Just catching up on this now and it's fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations, more soon please!!!!
Bookmarks