by Wendy Vella
“Well, hell.”
Bailey didn’t back down from the anger she saw in his face. Not anymore. She was stronger now, and she wouldn’t be intimidated again.
“My life is uncertain at the moment, as I told you. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I do know that if we did this... it would change things, everything. I don’t want or need that.”
“And change is bad?”
He relaxed slightly, his stance easing, hands unclenching, but the bunching of the muscles in his jaw told her he was still not happy.
“Just leave it, Joe. Please. This, us, is not going to happen, nor should it.”
“Why is your life a mess? What’s going on?”
“That’s my issue, but the point here is, you’re where you want to be, Joe, whereas I have no clue. This is about me, not you.”
He lifted a hand. “Oh hell no, you did not just say the standard brush-off line.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Bailey glared at him.
“My brothers have that on the back of their business cards.”
“Very amusing.”
“For the record, I didn’t think you were the type I’d sleep with and run from, Bailey.”
“I never—”
“You did, and while I want you, Bailey, I sure as hell don’t want you if that’s the opinion you have of me. Especially considering our history, and how much I owe you. And, again, for the record, I don’t have my life completely together.”
Frustrated, Bailey walked away from him and did another circuit of the room. It was what she usually did when her emotions threatened to get the better of her.
“What are you doing?”
“Calming down?”
“Why? I’m angry, why the hell can’t you be?”
She circled back to stand before him again.
“I like to be in control of my emotions.”
“Emotions are real, Bailey, suppressing them is not. I’d rather see you yell and scream, like you used to, than try and control them.”
His green eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. Bailey dug her toes into her shoes to stop retreating.
“I-I don’t do that. Couldn’t do that.”
He stopped before her, close enough that she could see his chest rise and fall with each breath.
“Who told you not to do that?”
She looked away from his all-seeing eyes. “I need to go.”
“Stop running, dammit!”
“You have no right to demand anything of me, Joe Trainer. Now step aside.” Bailey lifted her chin, but he simply crowded her space.
“Cutting loose now and again is good for you. Laughing like you mean it, or yelling when you’re angry, is showing honest emotion and part of who we are. It’s what makes us different.”
“I don’t want to be different, and I definitely don’t want to cut loose, whatever the fuck that means.” Horrified, Bailey realized what she’d said. She never used that word. “I-I’m sorry—”
“If you try and apologize for saying fuck, I’ll shake you,” Joe said.
Bailey pushed at his chest as he moved closer, so close she could feel his heat again, and inhale his wonderful scent.
“I’m not even sure why we are having this conversation,” Bailey said. “I told myself we could be friends, or at least acquaintances, but we can’t. There’s too much between us.”
“Yes, we have a history, but a good, warm history. What this is, between us, takes that to another level.”
“No, it doesn’t!” Bailey could feel the temper she usually controlled flare to life.
“Did you just shriek, Ms. Jones?”
“No!”
“Sure as hell sounded like it.” He looked amused.
The heat in her cheeks grew, and she felt an uncontrollable urge to scream something at him again.
“Go on, I dare you,” he taunted.
“You don’t want to keep annoying me,” Bailey said through her teeth. “The last person to do that was my brother, and he couldn’t walk upright for days after.”
He laughed at her, a loud, head-thrown-back laugh. After admiring the deep sound as it rolled through his large body, she lost it. Years of bottling up her feelings were finally finding an outlet. Heat filled her face, her head felt strange, and suddenly she was grabbing his arm, just like Beau had taught her to. She dropped her shoulder into his stomach, then flipped him. She nearly did it too, but too late she realized he knew the move, and had countered. Seconds later she was flat on her back with him on top of her. He let her down gently, so there was no pain, but she was still breathless.
“Nice try.” He breathed the words against her neck.
Bailey wasn’t done yet. She went limp, then tried another move; surprise gave her the edge, and she got him off her, but he grabbed her wrist as she got to her feet, and swung his legs, bringing her back down on top of him.
“You’re good,” he said. “What belt?”
“No belt,” she wheezed. Bailey pressed a hand to his chest and tried to lever herself upright. The feel of all that muscle beneath her was good, but she didn’t need good, she needed to reclaim her sanity. What the hell had she been thinking, trying those moves on Joe of all people?
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. I could have hurt you if you hadn’t known what I was doing.”
His hands gripped her waist and held her still.
“I know a few moves, and you’re a lot smaller than me, so I was able to counter. Nice to know you can take care of yourself, though. Who taught you?”
“My brother.” Bailey felt the hardness of Joe’s body pressed into hers. “He spent four years living in Boston before heading to Paris.”
“Why didn’t you get any belts?”
She shook her head. “Let me up now, Joe.”
“Why not?” he said, ignoring her words.
“Because my grandfather didn’t want me hurt, so I studied with my brother in his home until he left. I practice as often as I can when I have the space.”
Bailey closed her eyes as he ran a finger down her cheek.
“This grandfather. Did he control all of your life?”
Her eyes shot open. “H-how d-do you know that?”
“A wild guess.”
Bailey felt his eyes roam her face and settle on her lips.
“Let me up.” Bailey whispered the words, but there was no force behind them; instead it sounded like she was begging him for something else.
“I like having you here.” He cupped her neck and eased her closer. “Really like it.”
He kissed her again, slow and sweet. Her hands dug into the muscles at his shoulder as he took it deeper. There was nothing gentle about it, it was possession, and branding, and heaven help her, she wanted that. Wanted to brand him right back.
She felt his fingers under her clothes, touching her ribs, leaving heat wherever they went. It was bliss, her body aching for more. His weight moved, and then the hand was on her breast, rubbing the hard bud of her nipple through the satin cup of her bra.
Joe stopped suddenly. Seconds later he was on his feet, and dragging Bailey to hers.
“Hi.”
Bailey made herself turn to face the woman who was entering the room with Jack Trainer. She had long auburn hair, and stunning, soft hazel eyes. Her skin was creamy, with a scattering of freckles, and she looked pretty in a denim skirt and cream off-the-shoulder top.
Dear God, had they seen her lying on top of Joe?
“Hey, Angie, you’re back.”
“We just came from the house to find you,” Jack said, his eyes going from Bailey to Joe.
“I’m just giving Bailey a tour, as her family used to own this place. She likes riding, and I said she could come here anytime she liked and we’d sort her out with a horse.”
“No worries.” Jack smiled. “You want a ride now?”
“Oh, I-I don’t think I have time. But thanks.”
Bailey wondered why she didn’t fee
l anything when Jack smiled, like she did with Joe. But of course she knew why. He’d always been the one in her eyes.
“So how’s my man?”
The ice started in her feet and traveled upward. My man? She watched the woman Joe had called Angie come toward him. The smile on her face suggested intimacy, as did the arms she wrapped around his neck.
Joe cleared his throat, no doubt feeling awkward because minutes before, those lips the woman wanted to kiss had been on her.
“Angie, this is Bailey Jones. She’s come back to Ryker for a visit.”
The woman lowered her arms, and held a hand out to Bailey. The smile on her lips didn’t meet her eyes.
“Hello, Bailey. I’m Angie McGregor.”
How dare he lock lips with her one minute, and introduce Bailey to his partner the next. Bastard!
“Hello,” Bailey shook the hand. “Please excuse me, as I have to go now. Thanks for the tour, Joe.”
She made herself nod in Joe’s direction, then walk by Jack.
“So, Bailey.” Jack followed her down the stairs. “You keen on that ride now, because I’d sure like to hear what this place was like before you left.”
She wanted to ride, so why shouldn’t she? Damn Joe Trainer, she wasn’t letting him make her run for cover again. At least now she had a reason to stay away from him. She’d thought the man she’d seen since arriving back in Ryker was a good one, but now she knew different. He was a two-timing asshole. This should make her happy; at least now she had a reason to stay away from him.
It didn’t. In fact, it hurt like hell.
“Yes, please, Jack. I’d really like a ride.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Joe watched Bailey leave without looking at him again. She would be justifiably pissed off and confused right about now, and thinking him the lowest life form... which he kind of was, but not really. It was complicated, but to his mind, the short version was he and Angie never had anything but a casual relationship. He’d just need to get Bailey to understand that now.
“Angie, we need to talk.” He said the words because he knew it was time to stop any further contact but friendship with this woman. Not that he thought she’d mind, especially if Luke had been right and she was seeing Ted from the lodge.
If he and Bailey ended up in bed, which he’d be doing his best to make happen, he didn’t want to be involved even slightly with another woman. Besides, whatever this was between him and Miss Jones, he had a feeling it ran deep, way deeper than any other relationship he’d ever had, which was a damned scary thought, but one he’d put away for another day.
“Okay, sure, but first let me tell you about what happened while I was visiting Uncle Carl. He fell, and they had to put him in hospital, and while he was there they carried out tests. It’s not good, Joe.”
So maybe now wasn’t the right time, he thought thirty minutes later as Angie sniffed. She was upset about her uncle, and he didn’t want to talk about not seeing each other again while she was emotional.
“I missed you, Joe.”
“Sure, and I’ll always be here as a friend, Angie. How about we go out to dinner on Wednesday? I’ll get Em to cover?”
Her smile was wide. “Yes, I’d love that.”
“Great, I’ll make the booking, and pick you up at seven.”
She got to her toes and kissed him. It was Joe who eased back, because he felt nothing.
“I’ll walk you down to your car.”
“I have to work tonight, you want to come over later?”
Angie worked at the lodge.
“I’m tired, and have an early morning. I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“Okay, Wednesday it is. So, Bailey. You guys go back a bit?”
“Kind of. We knew each other before, but it was some time ago.”
“Is she here long?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It’s nice of you to show her around here, Joe. Can’t have been easy coming on the property that had once been her home.”
He made an agreeing noise. In fact, what he’d done was kiss Bailey at the first opportunity. The hell of it was, he now wanted more of her.
He listened while Angie talked about her trip some more, then waved her off. He then went back into the stables hoping to find Bailey, but she and his brother had gone. He was outside waiting for them to return when Fin ambled up the drive minutes later.
“I came to have a beer with your brother, but you’ll do.”
“Thanks. Jack’s out riding.”
“She must be pretty because an hour ago he told me he had a cold beer in the fridge if I wanted to share?”
“She is,” Joe said without thinking it through.
“Who?”
“The woman he’s out with.”
“Yes, but who is it?”
He couldn’t lie, Fin would know, so he went for distraction.
“I thought you had work?”
“Nope, not in till tomorrow because I swapped with Doofus.”
“You know his name’s Dudley, right, and if he hears you calling him Doofus he’s gonna be pissed, Fin.”
“Sure, just adds to the fun. You working the bar tonight?”
“Night off. Em’s running things.”
“Beer it is, then. Why are you frowning?
Joe didn’t answer, instead he went back inside and to the fridge, took out two beers, and popped the tops. He found his friend sitting in one of the deck chairs Jack used when he wanted to clean tack outside. Buzz was crunching a biscuit.
“We discussed the biscuit thing, Fin. My dog’s getting fat.”
“You discussed, I didn’t listen. So, Angie, she’s back.”
Joe grunted his agreement.
“That wasn’t convincing.”
“Women are confusing.” Joe took a long pull on his beer. “Hell of a thing to try and get it right all the time.”
“Amen.” Fin lifted his in a salute. “But then I’m not an overthinker like you.”
“It’s called intelligence.”
“Ha.”
They drank in silence a bit longer. Fin was one of those people who could do quiet. He didn’t fidget like Jack. Or crack his fingers like Luke. Then there was Pip, who had a foot that moved up and down. Not Fin, he just sat.
“So who is Jack riding with?”
“Bailey,” Joe sighed.
“Okay, I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“It.”
Fin pointed his beer at Joe, and he had no idea what that meant.
“So, Angie?”
“She’s a really nice person, Fin, and like I said to my brothers when they grilled me about her, we’ve only ever had a casual relationship, and rarely for the last two months.”
“Got that, actually. And have to say, the woman is not the exclusive kind.”
“You saw her with Ted too?”
“Nah.” Fin shook his head. “He told me, but he’s moved on now.”
Joe grunted. He liked Ted, and had no problem if he and Angie ended up together.
“The fact you’re not angry pretty much tells me she’s not the one, Joe.”
Joe let the statement settle between them while he drank some more. He looked up at Phil, and wondered way back, when he and his family had settled in Ryker, if he’d had trouble with some woman.
“So, Bailey, is she the one, Joe?”
“One what?”
He felt Fin’s eyes on the side of his face.
“The one to wallpaper your lounge, you idiot. You know what I mean. Does she float your boat?”
“You did not just say that.”
“Light your fire?”
“Marginally better.”
“Is that Maggie coming down the driveway?”
Joe squinted. “Sure looks like it.”
“Saved by the striking redhead.”
“Did you just call a woman striking, Fin? Is there something you need to tell me?” Joe decided to rattle his friend’s cage as a bit
of payback.
“No.”
“Sure you did, and if we’re being honest, you and she have always had that thing.”
“The hell you say!” Fin got to his feet and glared at Joe. “There is no thing, we’re friends.”
Joe got slowly to his feet, hiding his smile.
“If you say so, bud, but you sure as hell are pretty defensive about it, if you ask me.”
“No one’s asking you,” Fin snarled, walking away to greet the ‘striking redhead.’ Joe kept pace with him. Buzz beat them both to greet Maggie.
“She’s got that look about her when she walks.”
“What look?” Fin asked.
“Don’t mess with me, world, I’m Maggie Winter.”
Fin snorted, but didn’t add anything.
“Hey, Maggs. How come you’re not at the shop?” Joe moved forward to kiss her cheek; Fin did the same. Maggie stiffened a bit. Interesting , Joe thought.
“Bill’s working this afternoon, and after Bailey called, I thought I’d join her.”
“They just headed out. I can help you saddle up Sandy, and you can head out?”
“Why do all your horses have female names except Arthur?” Fin asked.
“They’re women that Luke and Jack have had in their lives.”
“You have to be shitting me?”
Joe laughed at Fin. “No, it just kind of happened that way after the first few horses arrived with those names, so now we keep it going—unless of course they’re male horses, because that would be just plain wrong.”
“It would, and while this conversation is riveting, I need to get out on a horse and blow a few cobwebs out of my head,” Maggie said. “Plus your sexy brother is out there with my friend somewhere, and I need to chaperone them.”
Joe didn’t like the flash of jealousy he felt at Maggie’s words. A, because he wasn’t the jealous type, and B, he was never the jealous type with his brothers.
“He’s a quick worker, that boy,” Fin said.
“Bailey’s not like that,” Maggs snapped, before Joe could. “She’s not the type to get involved with anyone who doesn’t mean something to her.”
“I didn’t mean any offence, Maggie.”
She sighed. “I know, sorry, it’s been a long day.”
“You doing okay there, sweet cheeks?” Joe slung an arm around Maggie’s shoulders.
