He silently motored her out the front door and down the porch steps, limping as he tugged on her arm. Jo had to practically run to keep up with Chad’s long, angry strides. When they neared the barn she said, “Hey. Slow down, will you?” It was amazing how fast he could still walk with his bad knee.
“Sorry.” He released her and then opened the barn door for her to enter first. “Linda is playing games again. We still don’t have cell service out here. I need you to spend the night.”
“And where do you propose I sleep?” Jo made her way over to Black Jack’s stall to say good-bye. And because the thought of sleeping with him made it hard to look him in the eye. He might see how tempting the thought was to her.
“With me. So Linda’s seduction plans will be shattered to bits.”
“Seduction plans?” Jo rubbed Black Jack’s muzzle. “I thought you told her to get a hotel.”
“I did, but while you were in the kitchen, she got Ryan all pumped up. Promised she’d read all his favorite books before they went to sleep. He seemed so excited, I just don’t have the heart to turn her away now.”
She framed Black Jack’s face with her hands. “Chad’s nothing but a big marshmallow, am I right?” Jo made the horse’s head bob. “See, even he knows.”
Chad ran a hand down his face. “Jo, please. I promise there won’t be any touching.”
It wasn’t Chad she was worried about. It was her ability to keep her hands to herself. Two years without sex was a long time. “I can’t. I have a date tonight.”
“On a Sunday night?” Chad crossed his arms as disbelief wrinkled his forehead.
“It’s for the last night of a friend’s gallery showing. Shelby called me and asked if I’d fill in as his date as a favor.”
“Perfect. Then you’re not going to sleep with the guy. Come over after.”
“How do you know?” Jo slowly turned and faced Chad. “Maybe I’m planning to have a hot, one-night stand, Mr. Bossy.” She crossed her arms too. “You’re not the only one who can have those.”
He leaned down and whispered, “I’ll bet you’ve never even had a one-night stand.”
Damn him. He knew her too well. “Well, maybe it’s time I did!” He wasn’t the only one who could enjoy a night of mindless, faceless sex. She could too. Maybe.
What appeared to be sadness shone in his eyes. “I’d rather you didn’t. You’re not cut out for them, Jo. You talk tough, but you’re just a marshmallow too, underneath all that bluster. I’d hate to see you get hurt.” He turned and walked away. “Have a nice time tonight.”
Have a nice time? He wasn’t going to fight with her like he usually did? Did he really care that much if she had a one-night stand? He could’ve at least tried a little harder to convince her to come over after her date. What had she done to make him so sad?
Guilt rushed through her with the intensity of a flash flood. She wasn’t going to have a one-night stand. And he needed her help. He’d even almost asked nicely. That part could use some work, but that was Chad.
“Okay, wait.”
Chad stopped walking and turned. Hope shone on his face. “So you’ll do it?”
She kissed Black Jack’s face good-bye and then caught up with Chad. “Yes, but no touching tonight, or you’ll get double the strikes.”
“Deal.” He took her hand and weaved his long fingers with hers. “So let’s see. We’re even right now. That means if I have a lapse in judgment and earned a double strike, that’d still leave me with one?”
“Yes. But I’m serious, Chad.” She lifted her finger to drive her point home in his good shoulder but stopped. “You just did that on purpose, didn’t you? So I’d poke you, and you’d be in negative numbers again.”
“Busted.” He laughed. “Now look who’s training the trainer?”
“Keep it up, and I’ll just stay home tonight.” She poked him in the shoulder anyway. Just because it felt so good.
Since they’d returned from the ranch, Chad had done everything he could to avoid Linda. He’d worked out, taken a swim, shut the door behind him in his study, and then made them all a quick dinner. Luckily Heather had come back to distract Linda, who eyed the kid up and down, not at all liking there was a younger, prettier woman in the house. He’d texted Heather earlier and explained what was going on so she wouldn’t blow their cover.
Back in his study again, he reached for his phone and realized he’d left it charging in the kitchen, so he got up from his swivel chair to retrieve it. The display said eight thirty, and panic set in. Ryan’s bedtime. What would he do with Linda after Ryan was asleep? Where the heck was Jo?
He started for the den where Heather, Linda, and Ryan all watched some animated movie. Linda looked up and smiled. “Sit here, Chad.” She scooted over on the couch. His eyes darted around the room. Heather lounged in the big chair, so he had no choice but to sit beside Linda on the couch. “It’s Ryan’s bedtime. He has school tomorrow.”
Ryan wailed, “Nooooo. It’s almost over.”
Linda whispered, “Let him finish it. Then I’ll tuck him in. After that, I’ll tuck you in.”
The chime announcing the elevator’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. “That must be Jo.” He leaned his head back and called out, “We’re in the den.”
Linda hissed, “Why is she here?”
“Because she’s my fiancée and sometimes spends the night.”
After a few moments, Jo appeared in the doorway, wearing another pretty dress, with an overnight bag slung over her shoulder. “Hey, guys.” She looked around for somewhere to sit, and because there wasn’t a place, she flopped down on his lap and then kissed him. “Hi, baby.”
When Linda’s face clouded with anger, he couldn’t help his grin. “If you guys will excuse us, please. Jo has to get up very early for work, so we’ll say good night. Lights out by nine, Ryan.” He stood up with Jo still in his arms and made her yelp. She probably hadn’t expected him to be able to do that with his wounded knee. It hadn’t been easy, but it was the quickest way to get the hell out. “Not a minute later, Linda. Night, Heather.”
“Night, Mr. Jenks.”
He carried Jo out of the den and headed for his bedroom. They were both silent until they were inside and he closed the door behind him.
Jo grinned as he put her down. “I thought the top of Linda’s head was going to explode. I take it you didn’t mention I was spending the night?”
“No. And I might have implied she’d be doing me a great favor by keeping Ryan occupied so I could catch up with some much needed business in my study. And that I’d be very grateful later.”
“That wasn’t nice at all, now was it?” Jo laughed as she made her way to the bathroom. “I’m proud of you, marshmallow. You played her for a change.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and took off his shoes. “I’m learning. How was your date?”
“Horrible!” Jo called out over the water running in the sink. “But it started out good. He’s super good-looking and was very charming while we ate our sushi. He asked me questions about the café, and I asked about the real estate market. Things were going so well, I started to reconsider that hot one-night stand.”
His stomach clenched at the thought of Jo having a one-night stand with some jerk. “So what happened?” He stripped down to his boxers, threw his clothes in the hamper, and then waited on the side of the bed for Jo to finish up in the bathroom so he could get ready next. It was too early to go to sleep, but Jo had to be up by four thirty, so he’d read or something until he was tired.
Jo came out of the bathroom, her face freshly washed and glowing, her hair back in a ponytail. She wore an oversized T-shirt that showed off her long slender legs. She’d never looked prettier.
While he headed for the bathroom, Jo called out, “When we got to the gallery opening for his friend, he turned into a completely different guy. He slammed drink after drink and started getting really handsy. When I went to the bathroom, trying to decide if I
was going to ditch him or not, one of the other women made a comment about the nerve we had showing up to ruin Rochelle’s show. That’s when I found out Rochelle was my date’s ex and I was the revenge woman he was parading in her face.”
“Ouch.” Chad hid his grin as he joined her again. Jo probably let him have it.
“Yeah.” Jo was all settled into the other side of his king-sized bed. “I called Shelby on the way over here. She was mortified and couldn’t stop apologizing. She said she’d make it all up to me because Lori had another guy in mind, and this time she thinks she hit the jackpot. We’ll see.”
“Yep.” He didn’t want to talk about Jo dating other men. But it was familiar, and nice, talking with her as they got ready for bed after a long day like they used to. “Is it snowing out?”
“Yes. It’ll be a mess for the morning commute. Lucky for me, no one else is usually out as early as I am.” Jo plumped her pillow and laid her head down. “Did you and Linda talk about custody?”
“I was so busy avoiding her, we didn’t get the chance. I’m hoping to in the morning after Heather takes Ryan to school. If they don’t cancel school.”
“She was so mad when she saw me, she might not be speaking to you at all in the morning.”
“Maybe.” He grabbed his e-reader from the nightstand. “But it forced her to spend time with Ryan. He needs that.”
“I guess.” Jo grunted. “She seemed more interested in you today than Ryan.” She reached out and turned off the lamp on her side of the bed.
“I hope he didn’t notice. Will the light from my tablet bother you, if I read for a while?” He turned off his bedside lamp too. The room was still a little bright from the street lights reflecting off the snow falling outside.
“Nope.” Jo yawned and snuggled into her pillow like she used to before she fell asleep. It was cute. But he needed to stop thinking about Jo like that. He’d made a promise to keep his hands to himself. It was going to be a long night.
After a few minutes, she whispered, “Am I really that tough that I need a Rottweiler?”
He laid his tablet down. “I meant that in a good way. You’re a strong, smart, independent woman, and you need a guy who can handle that. It goes without saying that he needs well-developed pecs.”
Jo nodded. “I like guys who spend time in the gym.”
“There’s that, but he has to be tough enough to withstand the poking.”
A pillow smacked him in the face. Hard.
God, he missed her.
“Thanks, I needed another while I read.” He tucked the pillow behind his head.
She propped her chin up on her hand. “I’m being serious, Chad. I really want to meet a nice guy who wants a family too.”
He was tempted to tell her to give him another try, but all he’d do was hurt her when he started playing football again. “Your problem is that you’re attracted to powerful men, but most don’t get that way by sitting around pining for a family. Maybe you should go for someone much older.”
“No!” She scrunched up her nose. “I don’t want a card-carrying AARP member sitting next to me at our kid’s kindergarten graduation.”
He shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to keep swimming in the dating pond until you find the right catch.”
She groaned. “I hate dating. I was thinking tonight on the way over here that I might quit for a while. Put it on hold until after my restaurant is built.”
“Yeah, then you’ll go two and a half years without sex.” He rolled over and faced her. “That’s probably not healthy, Jo.” He stared deeply into her eyes, wanting her so badly, it took everything he had to keep his hands off her.
Her gaze wandered to his lips and then back to his eyes again. “Stop that.”
“What?” He grinned.
“Mind melding with me, nudging me to kiss you first.” She chewed her bottom lip like she was thinking about it.
“If you’re serious about not dating and just want to end your days-without-sex streak, I’m here to help. But I have to go back to San Diego as soon as my knee is better. I couldn’t promise you anything past that.”
She blinked at him but didn’t respond.
Please say yes!
As Jo pondered, his bedroom door creaked open.
He glanced over his shoulder. Ryan approached the bed, his bottom lip quivering. “Hey, Ry.”
Ryan stood at the edge of the bed with his fists clenched. “She left! Because of you, Chad!”
Crap. What the hell was Linda up to now?
Jo sat up in bed. “She left? In the middle of a snowstorm? That’s strange.”
“She didn’t even read a book to me.” He lost his battle with his tears, and it shot an arrow through Chad’s heart.
Jo held out her arms. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. Come here.”
Ryan circled the bed and crawled into Jo’s arms. “Can I sleep with you guys, Jo?”
“Of course you can.” Jo settled in with Ryan snuggled against her chest. The lucky guy.
Chad tucked his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. What was Linda up to? The snow had to have shut down flights for the evening. Would she stay in town and make more trouble or leave and stay out of their lives for another few months?
10
THE WEAK REVENGE. THE STRONG FORGIVE. INTELLIGENCE IGNORES.
Jo’s cell beeped incessantly beside her on Chad’s nightstand. She hit the snooze button and tucked her phone beside her pillow. Just ten more minutes. Then she’d venture out in the cold and snow. When the alarm rudely rang again, she turned it off and then rolled to her back. Ryan was still sandwiched between her and Chad, but he was curled up against his father now instead of her.
It was so cute, it melted her heart. She leaned over and laid soft kisses on both of their foreheads.
Poor Ryan. He didn’t deserve a mother like Linda, who’d abandon him like that. Twice now.
She quietly slipped out of bed and headed for the bathroom to get ready. Chad’s huge shower had multiple heads and was like a spa experience. She closed her eyes and relished the warm water massaging her whole body. She could seriously get used to a shower like that every day.
After she was dressed and ready, she went to the kitchen and made coffee, and then pitchers of smoothies for everyone, wishing she could still be all warm and snug in bed, taking a snow day like the rest of them probably would. But she’d have customers lined up as soon as she opened, wanting their caffeine and treats to help them face another long workday.
After her car slogged through the plowed streets with relative ease because of the lack of traffic, she made a dash through the lightly falling snow to the café, locked the door behind her, and headed for the kitchen to get her baking started.
While she prepared the biscuits, croissants, and pies for the day, her mind kept wandering back to what Chad had said the night before. He’d made no promises about after he left and returned to San Diego, but for now, he’d be happy to end her celibate streak.
As she rolled and punched dough, she considered the pros and cons of sleeping with Chad. It’d be for the short term. They’d both know that. And it’d be good, that was a certainty. She’d never slept with anyone better in bed than Chad, but then, she hadn’t had much experience before him, so maybe that wasn’t true anymore. Maybe he wasn’t—
“Hey.” Shelby appeared and scared the crap out of Jo. “Why the big frown on your face?”
“Was I frowning?” Jo picked up a tray of biscuits and headed for the oven. It’d been behaving all week. If she were lucky, it’d last just until the renovations were done. Then she’d sell the damned thing for scrap metal. “Why are you here so early?”
Shelby pulled out a stool from under Jo’s workstation and sat. “Because Nick wouldn’t let me drive in the snow. I figured some of the employees would have a hard time getting here. He said if I was coming in to help you today, I needed to ride in early with him. I swear, he’s gotten even bossier since I’ve been pregnant.
Who’d ever think that was even possible?” Shelby picked up one of the cooling croissants and devoured it in two bites.
“Like you don’t do whatever you want to do anyway. You wouldn’t also be here early, because you know I’ll be too busy to tell you about last night once we open, would you?”
“That too.” Shelby laughed and scooped up another croissant. “So, deets, please.”
“After I told Chad I was considering giving up dating until after the restaurant is renovated, he asked me if I wanted to get back together just until he had to leave for San Diego. Before I could answer, Ryan came in and wanted to sleep with us, putting the kibosh on any sexy times.” Thankfully. She needed to think things through before she took that leap. When Chad wasn’t around, her brain could have a chance to chime in over her neglected hormones.
Jo filled Shelby in on what Linda had pulled the night before, then said, “I feel sorry for Ryan. But I’m glad he has Chad. He’s really a good father. He’s changed a lot.”
Shelby’s right brow arched. “But you need to remember that he still plans to play football in San Diego for as long as he can.”
“I know.” Jo started on a pie crust. “That’s the thing that’s holding me back. But I wouldn’t mind having sex with a hot guy. One who I still have some feelings for, rather than having to start all over again and then figure out that relationship probably won’t work out in the long term either.”
“You still have feelings for Chad? That’s news. You’ve talked about Ryan far more in the last few weeks than you have Chad.”
“That’s because you get weird when I talk about him. Always picking apart what I say and digging for hidden meanings. But I love Ryan too.”
“I’m worried about you, Jo. They’re going to leave soon. I don’t want to see you go through the kind of grief you went through the last time Chad left and when you lost Bryce.”
“Then why were you so excited for me to rehab Chad?” She gently laid the crust into the pan and then slowly poured in the warm apple filling.
Perfectly Ms. Matched (Rocky Mountain Matchmaker Series Book 2) Page 10
