Strictly Business Page 9
Realizing that her efforts now were only increasing the ache, she stopped. After washing, she dried off and went to bed. Even the sheets rubbing against her made her throb. She groaned quietly. This was going to be a long night.
Chapter 15
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. It would be a beautiful day, although probably hot. Jess got up, still exhausted, but no surprise there. She hadn’t slept very well. Oddly enough, she had spent the entire night having erotic dreams. Mmmm, I wonder why that might be...
She stood in the bathroom looking at the mirror, debating. She was in her jeans and T-shirt. She had the long-sleeve shirt in her hands, but she really didn’t want to put it on. She was having the same debate with her contacts and her hair. The hair was less of an issue, figuring she would have it pulled back later anyway, just because of heat. She decided to put it up, but only in the chopsticks, not in the full bun. It was a little looser and a bit more comfortable. She decided to skip the long sleeve shirt, but she did put in the contacts. She’d worn them for more than half her life, it just felt weird to not wear them. She put on her standard makeup, mascara and lip gloss, and headed out to the kitchen. She really needed some coffee. She refused to admit that her change in appearance had anything to do with Jake. She was just adjusting to the weather.
She was rethinking the decision as soon as she walked into the kitchen. Since it was Saturday, breakfast was a little later than it was the rest of the time. That meant that at seven thirty the room was full. All the hands that lived in the bunkhouse were in the kitchen. And they were all staring at her. Just as she was about to back out of the room and get her shirt, Jake walked in from the other side.
* * * * *
Damn, she looked good. Better even than his dreams. This woman had a body men drooled over and women envied. And everyone in the room was staring. He went through a quick internal debate. Did he want to grab her and cover her up, or did he want to enjoy the view? He also knew that this meant she was more comfortable here after last night. Or at least she was until these creeps started gaping at her. When he finally made it up to her eyes, he noticed two things. One, they were brown. Two, she was getting ready to bolt.
“Good morning everyone, how are y'all today? Marsha, you look good.” Jake headed over to get some coffee, making his way into the room in the process. “Did y'all have a good time at the bar last night? We have a new colt to show for our efforts here.”
He was talking louder and more than he ever did. Marsha noticed and looked over from Jess to Jake. When he caught her eye, he nodded slightly. Marsha took the hint and joined right in, adding to the conversation and the distraction.
“A colt, huh. Well we’ll just have to go on over and take a look at him when breakfast is done, won’t we? Boys, does anyone need any more coffee? There’s just a bit left and I need to start a new pot.” Marsha bustled around, freshening up a couple of their cups.
* * * * *
After another minute or so, the conversation slowly started to return to the room. By the time Mike walked in behind her, the noise level was almost normal. She heard him walk up to her and turned just in time to catch him staring at her too. When he looked all the way up to her eyes, he nodded slightly before his, normally ever present, smile returned. Mike leaned in and kissed her head, his standard greeting. And then he sauntered into the kitchen to grab some coffee. She knew his deliberate choice not to comment on her attire was designed to put her at ease. As she followed in his steps, grabbing some coffee herself, she sent him a quick smile. He winked at her and headed to the table. She glanced over to see Jake heading outside. He looked back at her and, for just a second, she could see the heat flare in his eyes. Then he was gone.
While she grabbed a plate, she could feel their eyes watching her butt. But so far, no one had said anything, so she started to relax a little. Still, she headed outside to eat on the porch swing. When she walked out, she saw Jake sitting there, waiting for her. She smiled. She couldn’t help it.
“I was hoping you’d come out here this morning. So, now that we’re out of earshot, you look amazing. Really amazing.” He patted the seat next to him. “Sit with me?”
She sat down, set her plate on her lap and put her coffee on the ground. All of a sudden, there was an awkward silence. They both ate their food while Jess wondered what to say next.
After a few minutes he finally asked, “Are you sorry? About last night?”
His voice had taken on the husky quality that sent shivers up her spine. She looked into his eyes. “Are you?”
“No, not at all. I don’t think I could be less sorry.” He moved a little closer to her. She felt his fingers in her hair. “I like it better down, but this looks good too.”
“I was going to leave it down, but I want to go riding, and it’s going to be hot this afternoon.”
“I’m glad about the contacts though.” His hand traced down to her neck. “That silver… Well, it kind of does something to me.”
He kind of laughed a little, sending a little shiver racing up her neck. “Plus, I’m not at all sure that room full of guys in there could have handled the whole package. You pack quite a wallop, darlin’.”
Jess had never felt sexy in her life. She had mostly felt out of proportion. But right now, looking in his eyes, she could almost believe him. Although, she kept missing half of what he said. She was distracted by his fingers tracing lazy circles on her neck.
“So, you’re going riding this afternoon? Going out alone?”
“Umm, no. Mike’s going with me.”
She felt his body tense next to her. His muscles got tight and his hand froze in mid circle. After just a second, he seemed to loosen up. Right before he pulled her into a kiss.
Finally, his mouth was on hers again. It was a soft slow kiss but it was still enough for her to feel that flare of heat zip through her body. She leaned in, tracing his lips with her tongue. He sucked her tongue into his mouth, causing her to whimper.
He pulled back on a groan. “Well... wow.”
“Yeah, wow is right.” Jess could still feel that kiss in her toes.
“So, I have some stuff to do today with Ben, but maybe we can go out to dinner sometime soon. Just me and you. Would that be okay?”
She smiled up at him. “I’d like that.”
She wasn’t sure how long this new situation with them would last, but she was going to enjoy it while it did.
* * * * *
She and Mike went for their ride that afternoon. She was on Lady, and Mike was on the same horse he’d taken that first day. Jess had found out his name was Sam. Sam was of indeterminate breed, but he was strong and sturdy. He was a pretty horse in a pedestrian way. He would never win any shows, but she kind of liked him all the better for it.
They rode in silence for a while. When they got to a shady spot, she slowed Lady and hopped down. She thought it might be nice to just sit under the tree for a bit. Mike got down too and ambled over to flop down beside her.
“So, I saw you follow Jake out this morning. It seems like last night might’ve done you some good.”
Jess almost choked on the water she was drinking. How could he possibly know about last night?
“Did you guys bond over the new colt? I like the new look by the way.”
She smiled at him. The colt, right. “Yeah, last night was good. He actually apologized for being so horrible and said he’d try to be nicer. Then the colt was born. That was just amazing. Mike, you have no idea. It makes me excited to see Dana’s new baby. Although, I don’t think I’ll be in the room for that. It was just phenomenal.”
Jess saw the quick scowl, but barely had time to register it before he was talking again.
“Come on babe, let’s get back to the ranch. We have an early start tomorrow.” He pulled her to her, feet, following her back over to the horses.
Chapter 16
The next couple of weeks passed in a blur. Everyone was really busy. The house was moving along
pretty well. All the utilities had been run out to the home site, the foundation was poured and starting Monday they would begin framing. There had been a city road construction crew out this past week, working on the road in and out. She had never asked specifically, but based on the speed with which things were getting accomplished, Jess was pretty sure that Jake had money. Real money. She didn’t care one way or another, but she could recognize the signs when she saw them. She had grown up with that kind of money and power. If she felt inclined, she had that kind of money and power. Considering their timeline was now under four months for completion she appreciated all the speed she could command. She needed to get Jake to start thinking about cabinets. They were still a ways from needing them, but cabinetry and flooring took time once ordered. Especially if he chose any custom cabinetry. She was still a bit miffed about doing a job that wasn't truly hers to do, but the more involved with this house she got, the more she wanted to see it through. So, she would round him up and make him find some time to go with her to Evanston to pick out the dang cabinets.
She gave a little shiver at the thought. She hadn’t had any time alone with him since they’d had breakfast on the swing almost two weeks ago. It wasn't as if they could sneak off without everyone else noticing. Since she didn't even know what was going on between them, she figured letting other people know was a bad idea. Plus, there’d been so much going on. He’d been out of town for a couple days. He was in Virginia, looking at a line of race horses. And there’d been more deliveries. She’d missed them all, they’d all happened during working hours, when she was at the home site. Since it was finally Friday, everyone was heading into town to Gilroy’s. It’d been a couple weeks since the guys had cut loose and apparently they were overdue. She wasn’t sure if Jake was going or not, but she was hoping. She had already agreed to go with Mike and the others.
She thought back over the last couple weeks. There’d been a few lingering glances, a couple that were hot enough to get her system zipping again. A few times, he had even brushed by her, running a hand down her arm or across her waist. But they’d always been in a room full of people. She wondered how anyone got together out here. Or better yet, how Jake had even been conceived. Maybe she should ask him? She chuckled a little at that thought. She figured it was probably easier when everyone on the ranch knew you were a couple. And when you shared the same bedroom every night. If she had a bit more courage, she might have tried to sneak down to his room. On a sigh, she gave up on the wishing. It just wasn't her.
As she walked into the kitchen to grab some food, she noted that one really good thing had come of the last couple weeks. She was a lot more comfortable in her own skin. The guys had quit gaping at her. It’d only taken a couple of days. Now, some of them, like George, would even pay her a compliment or two sometimes. Always very polite and very respectful. She was starting to feel a little better about her figure. Apparently it wasn’t quite as bad as her family seemed to think.
It probably didn’t hurt that she had managed to shed those last five stubborn pounds. She’d been worried when she first got here. Afraid that with all the food at her fingertips, combined with no gym handy, she might actually gain some weight. But apparently all the hiking around, working on the house and horseback riding more than counteracted the extra food she’d been eating. And she had been working. She hated feeling useless and normally she would be designing another building at this point, so she pitched in at the home site wherever Mike said he could use her. And she tried to help Marsha out as much as possible, although she wasn’t much of a cook. She made a really good taco soup. It was kind of like a chili. She’d made that one night last week, giving Marsha the night off.
She had just made her plate, and was grabbing a bottle of water to take with her out to the porch swing when Jake walked in. She looked up at him and felt the breath whoosh out of her lungs. He was fresh out of the shower, clean shaven with wet mussed hair. He was gorgeous. He was also looking at her with those midnight blue eyes of his. To anyone that cared to look, those eyes said he wanted to eat her for dinner, skip the meatloaf. She knew she was blushing so she looked away, grabbing her food and heading to the back porch. She heard the guys asking if he was going with them tonight, although she was too far away to hear the answer.
It was twenty minutes later when she felt him join her on the swing. She’d already finished eating and was just relaxing and drinking her water, watching the sun set. He sat down right next to her and put an arm on the back of the swing. He started to gently tug on little strands of her hair, tracing those lazy little circles on her neck again. She’d shoved it in the chopsticks after her shower, to come down and eat.
“So, are you going out with everyone tonight?” She really hoped he said yes.
“I don’t know. I was kind of hoping maybe you and I could go out. Or stay in.” He reached up and pulled one of the sticks from her hair.
She swallowed hard. “No, I already told Mike I would go with them. I’ve already cancelled on him twice. I have to go this time.”
“Well then, I guess I’m going too.” He leaned in closer. Just before his lips touched hers, she heard the inside door opening. He sat back, moved his hand and scooted over a little bit.
Jess jumped up. She needed to get away from him before she lost all her inhibitions and threw herself across his lap, people be damned. “I need to go get ready. I’ll see you later?”
Jake just nodded. She couldn't quite tell if he was disappointed or relieved by the interruption. He really looked kind of pissed off.
Jess debated for all of thirty seconds before she decided to leave her hair down. Her clothes were a little harder. She wore jeans, but she skipped the boots and went with some strappy brown sandals. They had a two inch heel, so she was a little taller without looking like she was wearing ‘fuck-me’ pumps. Then came the shirt. Her jeans were very low waisted, sitting just above her pelvic bone. Her stomach was nice and flat now, and more toned than it had ever been, so she’d decided this was a good time to wear them. Cindy had picked them, and packed them, but Jess had never worn them before. She found a shiny red silk T-shirt-style top that stopped above her waist, but cut down in a vee in the front. It had a wide scoop neck, so there was just a hint of cleavage without really showing anything. She decided that would work, slipped it on and admired the results. She thought about removing the contacts but left them in. She wasn’t quite ready for all the questions that would cause. She dabbed on a reddish tint lip gloss and her standard mascara, and decided she was ready.
She felt pretty good about the way she looked until she walked outside and saw all the guys standing there, staring at her. This time, she wasn’t going to stand meekly by while they all gaped at her. “Okay, come on now. This is ridiculous. Ya’ll need to quit staring and go on about your business.”
Apparently, it was the right approach, because they all kind of chuckled and started piling into cars. George told her she looked very nice. Ben stopped and kissed her hand, and commented, “Don’t mind all of them. It’s not often we get someone as pretty as you on this dusty old ranch.”
Mike walked by and kissed her head before he climbed up into the backseat of the truck, next to George and Ben, just as Jake walked over to her. He touched her elbow and those stupid tingles shot through her arm.
“Nicely handled. And I loved the ‘ya’ll.’ Apparently you do have a little Texas in you somewhere. When you’re not freezing me out, that is.” He walked her over to the front seat of the truck and opened her door for her. “And by the way, you look stunning.”
* * * * *
All the way in to Evanston, Jake kept reminding himself that they were in a car full of people. He also had to remind himself that he had no claim on her, and therefore had no right to be upset that she was flirting with Mike. He told himself all of this while he participated in the inane conversations going on around him. And he still had to force his hands to stay on the wheel instead of grabbing her. By the time they g
ot to the bar, he had to touch her. He went around as quickly as he could to help her out of the car and kept his hand on her lower back, just under her shirt hem as he led her inside. Just having that skin to skin contact helped him rein in the primal instinct screaming out inside him to claim her. He had never in his life felt like this, not even with his wife. As much as he wanted her, he was still leery about this odd lack of control he felt around her. When they got inside, Jake was quickly swamped by people greeting him, asking him how the ranch was, commenting on all the foals they’d had. Small town talk.
He watched her walk away to join Mike and the others. Watched her order a drink, watched her take her first sip. Watched Ben claim her for a dance. He was communicating, answering people’s questions, asking the appropriate ones in return, but always he knew where she was. She danced at least once with almost every guy from his ranch. And finally, Mike got hold of her. They did a quick two step and the band followed that with a slow dance. Before anyone else could cut in, Mike pulled her up against him. She seemed to go willingly enough. He was pretty sure he growled at old Mr. Johnson who’d been telling him about his new grandbaby. The look on the man’s face was priceless.
As he excused himself, trying to get over and cut in, he felt small female hands. One slid into his hand and the other onto his butt. He glanced beside him to see Bethany.