Part 10
Dora Mae welcomed J.R. and Sue Ellen to the Oil Baron's club, as they stepped out of the elevator. She showed them to their table and told them their waitress, Cassie, would be with them shortly. J.R. looked around to see if he recognized anyone. Sue Ellen glanced around the dining room, and inhaled sharply when she saw Cliff Barnes and Marilee Stone walking toward their table. She tightened her grip on J.R.'s hand to get his attention. J.R. rolled his eyes, as an exasperated sigh escaped him. He stood up from the table, as Cliff touched Sue Ellen's arm. Sue Ellen flinched and tried to pull her arm away. Marilee elbowed Cliff in the ribs and said in a shrill voice, "I want to leave, Cliff. I want to leave - now!" J.R. said, "Barnes, you better do what your escort tells you to do . . . " Sue Ellen covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. Marilee stormed out of the room, leaving Cliff standing next to J.R. and Sue Ellen's table. Cliff looked around, unaware that Marilee had left the dining area. Cliff threw his hands in the air and started mumbling something about 'women.' J.R. sat down again, only after he was sure that Cliff was gone. Cassie brought out a bourbon for J.R. and a club soda for Sue Ellen. After they were served their meal, J.R. paid their check and they left the Oil Baron's to go dancing. J.R. approached the band at the night club, and requested a song. The band played the first chord of the Tango as J.R. pulled Sue Ellen into his arms. The dance floor cleared as J.R. and Sue Ellen danced. They danced together so gracefully, as if the song were written exclusively for them. J.R. dipped Sue Ellen with the unbridled flair of a professional dancer. Sue Ellen danced as if she were floating on air. The crowd applauded their display as the song ended. Sue Ellen looked around the room, smiling at the crowd. J.R. pulled Sue Ellen closer to him, and gently kissed her. The crowd gathered closer around them and continued applauding their efforts on the dance floor. J.R. waved to the crowd, as the band started to play the next song. J.R. and Sue Ellen danced the entire evening. J.R.'s eyes followed Sue Ellen's every move. Sue Ellen looked around the dance floor, and she realized it must be getting late. She and J.R. were the only couple left in the entire night club. J.R. tipped the band as he and Sue Ellen left the club.
J.R. stopped at the door of his car and pushed Sue Ellen against the door. He kissed her as his hands held her arms. Sue Ellen looked at him as her eyes reflected her need for him. J.R. said, "I don't think I can wait 'til we get back to Southfork, Sugar." Sue Ellen breathlessly whispered, "Neither can I." J.R. walked her around to the passenger side of the car and held the door for her as she climbed inside. J.R. quickly walked around the car to the driver's side and opened the door. They fastened their seat belts as J.R. dialed information on his cell phone. He asked the operator for the telephone number to the Hilton Suites by the Galleria. The operator connected his call to the hotel. J.R. reserved their best suite for the night. Sue Ellen glanced at him. Her eyes were dark with passion. J.R. started the cars' engine and raced out of the parking terrace. The Hilton's valet parking attendant met their car, as it stopped in front of the hotel. J.R. handed the attendant the keys and a rather large gratuity. J.R. held Sue Ellen's hand as they walked into the hotel. The concierge handed J.R. the pass card to their hotel room. J.R. signed the charge card receipt, and put his arm around Sue Ellen's waist, as they hurried to the waiting elevator. Sue Ellen impatiently watched as the lighted numbers on the elevator panel revealed the passing floors. J.R. was aware of the surveillance camera inside the elevator car, and resisted paying too much attention to Sue Ellen. The doors opened to the floor for their room as J.R. waited for Sue Ellen to step out into the hallway. J.R. struggled with the pass card until the green light flashed, and the door opened. He held the door for Sue Ellen, and closed and locked both security locks. He turned on a small table lamp as he pulled Sue Ellen into his arms. J.R. kissed Sue Ellen. She stiffened in his arms as his hands slid beneath the straps of her gown. J.R. watched intently, as the gown fell to the floor. Sue Ellen reached for J.R.'s tie, as he turned off the table lamp . . .
J.R. awoke and gazed at Sue Ellen. She was sleeping next to him. He gently pulled a strand of hair away from her face. Sue Ellen slowly opened her eyes and smiled her most brilliant smile. J.R. rolled over onto his back, as Sue Ellen moved over to lie on his chest. She kissed his chin and ran her fingers through his hair. J.R. put his arms around her waist. He kissed her lips, she smiled and touched his face. His eyes held her gaze for a few minutes. He softly said, "Sue Ellen, I love you. Thank you for last night." Sue Ellen could feel her face turning red, and she lowered her eyes. J.R. lifted her chin and said," You don't have to be embarrassed, Sugar." Sue Ellen looked deep into his eyes. Her look was met with an intensity that almost took her breath away. She huskily said, "I love you, too, J.R. I'm not embarrassed, I'm just not sure what to make of the look in your eyes, sometimes." J.R. turned her over onto her back and covered her mouth with a kiss. When he pulled away, Sue Ellen searched his face. She had always wanted their relationship to be like this, and it saddened her to realize how long it had taken them to reach this point. J.R. saw the change in her eyes and asked, "Is anything wrong?" Sue Ellen quickly shifted her thoughts and smiled at him, and said, "No, Darlin'. Everything is perfect." She pulled his head closer to her face and kissed him, giving in to her need for him, again.
John Ross opened the door to his room and walked across the hall to his Daddy's bedroom. He and Christopher came back to the ranch after spending the night at one of John Ross' friend's house. He knocked on J.R.'s bedroom door. When he was satisfied that the room was empty, he opened the door. The bed was made and appeared to have been let empty overnight. John Ross shrugged his shoulders and smiled. He hoped that his Mamma and Daddy had spent the night in Dallas. It was good for them to be alone together. They needed to get reacquainted, he thought. He closed the door to J.R.'s room, and walked across the hall to Sue Ellen's room. He gently knocked on the door. He turned the doorknob and peered inside the room. It was also empty. John Ross closed Sue Ellen's door and walked downstairs. He walked into the kitchen and saw Miss Ellie and Clayton sitting at the kitchen table. He said, "Morning Grandma and Grandpa Farlow. Do you know where my Mamma and Daddy went to this morning?" Clayton put down the newspaper and said, "I think they spent last night in Dallas, John Ross. Is there anything we can help you with?" John Ross smiled and said, "Nah, I was just wondering where they were." He kissed Miss Ellie on the cheek and hugged Clayton. John Ross ate his breakfast, then asked if someone would give him a ride to soccer practice. Clayton said, "I'd be happy to drive you into Dallas, John Ross. Let me grab my keys." John Ross said, "Bye, Grandma. I love you." Miss Ellie hugged him and said, Good-bye, John Ross. Have fun at soccer practice." Miss Ellie watched as Clayton and John Ross walked out of the kitchen. Miss Ellie reached across the table and grabbed the newspaper Clayton had been reading. Christopher came into the kitchen and said, "Good Morning, Grandma. Where's Grandpa Farlow?" Miss Ellie patted the chair next to her at the table, motioning for Christopher to sit by her. She hugged him and said, "You Grandpa ran John Ross into Dallas for soccer practice. Are you hungry?" Christopher smiled and said, "Yeah, I'm starvin'." Miss Ellie laughed as she fixed him something for breakfast.
J.R. and Sue Ellen drove back to the ranch. Sue Ellen held J.R.'s hand as his eyes scanned the road ahead of them. Sue Ellen was lost in thought when J.R. lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. She looked over at him and smiled. She said, "Thank you, again, for last night, J.R. I had a wonderful time." J.R. replied, "Me too, Sugar. This morning was quite memorable, too. Wouldn't you agree?" Sue Ellen blushed at his comment. J.R. was thrilled that he could still cause her to blush, even though she was far less reserved when it came to sex than when they were first together. J.R. found it refreshing that he was still able to affect her that way. J.R.'s cell phone rang. Sue Ellen handed it to J.R. It was Bart, the foreman from J.R.'s offshore drilling site. The initial series of bore hole tests were positive. J.R. said, "Damn, Bart. You don't know how happy this news makes me. Thanks for callin', bud. I'll talk to ya soon." Sue Ellen looked at J.R. inquisitively and asked, "Who was that, Darlin'?" J.R. told her what Bart had told him and she grabbed his arm and said, "That's fabulous news, Darlin'. I'm so proud of you." J.R. tightened his grip on her hand and said, "Thank you, Sugar. I'm so lucky to have you back in my life. Things are only gonna get better for us now, Sue Ellen. That's a promise." Sue Ellen leaned against his arm. She prayed that he was right. The last thing in the world she wanted now, was for their relationship to backslide.
J.R. parked the car in the driveway at the ranch. He opened the door for Sue Ellen, as she climbed out of the car and looked around the ranch. The driveway seemed empty, except for both of their own cars. Sue Ellen smiled at J.R., hopeful that they were alone at the ranch. They decided to walk around to the front of the house, in an effort to avoid potential questions about their whereabouts from the night before. J.R. opened the door and saw John Ross seated at the top of the stairs. Sue Ellen eyes quickly fell to the floor. They had been caught. John Ross stretched his intertwined hands out in front of him, and said with a mischievous grin, "Why are you guys dressed up so early this morning." J.R. and Sue Ellen walked up the stairs and J.R. messed up the hair on John Ross head. He said, "Uh, we stayed in Dallas last night, son. We went out to dinner, then we went dancin', and lost track of the time. When we finally realized how late it had become, we checked into a hotel, because we were too tired to drive back home." John Ross said, "Oh, so that's what you call it, huh?" Sue Ellen's mouth fell open in shock, as she looked over her shoulder at John Ross and said, "You are just like your Daddy, John Ross. You're both incorrigible." John Ross laughed out loud as he watched them walk down the hall to J.R.'s bedroom. John Ross walked downstairs as he heard the door to J.R.'s room shut in its frame.
Sue Ellen and J.R. removed their clothes from the previous night, and showered in J.R.'s bathroom. After they had dried off from the shower, they changed into fresh clothes. Sue Ellen wore a simple sage green, sleeveless sweater and a pair of lighter sage colored linen pants. She styled her hair in loose waves around her face. She applied a small amount of make-up to her face. She wore a pair of silver hoop earrings. J.R. wore a light blue button front shirt, and a pair of jeans. He put on his back cowboy boots and smiled with delight, as Sue Ellen stepped out of the bathroom. He walked over to her and put his arms around her neck. She reached up and rubbed his arms with her hands. Her eyes held his gaze. He said, "I had a wonderful time last night, Sugar, I really did. Thank you." He kissed her forehead and she said, 'Thank you, J.R., last night was wonderful for me, too." She leaned forward, and kissed his mouth. J.R. moved his arms around her waist and pulled her deeper into his kiss. He hugged her to him after he kissed her, and she closed her eyes. It felt so good to be held in his arms, she thought. She had missed the way it felt when J.R. held her close to him. It had never been like that with Don, she recalled. Don was almost too gentle for her liking. J.R. was different. The passion that existed between them was unlike any she had ever known, with any other man. J.R. knew her so well, he knew what she liked, and how she liked to be treated. A soft sigh escaped her lips, as J.R. held her in his embrace. He leaned his head back to see what she was thinking. His answer came in the form of an incredibly sensual kiss.
Later that evening, the family dined on the patio. Miss Ellie and Teresa had prepared a buffet style supper. J.R. held out a plate for Sue Ellen and John Ross. Sue Ellen touched his back with her hand as her other hand took the plate he offered to her. They filled their plates from the variety of food set out for their supper. The meal was delicious and the conversation was pleasant as the entire family ate together on the patio. J.R. and Sue Ellen thanked Miss Ellie and Teresa for the wonderful meal. The rest of the family thanked them, as well. Sue Ellen and J.R. sat at the table, holding hands, as John Ross and Christopher asked if they could go swimming in the pool. J.R. told John Ross that he might want to wait until his food had a chance to digest before he went into the pool. Bobby said the same to Christopher. Miss Ellie, and Clayton helped Teresa clean up the dishes. Bobby asked Sue Ellen about their wedding plans. J.R. gave Bobby a cold look. J.R. wondered why Bobby would even care, given the fact that J.R. and Bobby were on less than civil terms, and had been for a couple of years. Bobby ignored J.R.'s icy stare and continued talking to Sue Ellen. She told Bobby that Miss Ellie was going to help them with their wedding plans, and that it would be a simple wedding, with just the family in attendance. Bobby looked surprised. Their last two wedding ceremonies had brought hundreds of guests to Southfork, to witness the proceedings. Weddings at Southfork were both famous and infamous, especially when J.R. and Sue Ellen were involved. Bobby folded his arms across his chest and speculated that J.R. and Sue Ellen's impending nuptials would be eventful, even without a large group of wedding guests.
