Rules of Protection (Tangled in Texas) (Volume 1)

by Alison Bliss

  I peered around his big head. “I’ve never seen this many stars before.”

  “Yeah, they don’t have starry skies in Chicago,” Jake replied dryly.

  “No, that’s not what I mean. The atmosphere is different here. No honking horns, no cars, no city lights—just the sounds of nature. It’s quiet, like I’m the only person in the world seeing this.”

  “You might be cut out for country life, after all.”

  I laughed and sat up. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “Well, I was looking for you because Big Jim and the twins haven’t met you yet.”

  “Excuse me?” I nearly choked on the saliva in my mouth.

  Jake stepped to the side and pointed across the yard to a large man with a beard standing next to two toddlers. “His wife, Amy, talked to you earlier and wanted him and the twins to meet you before they left. It’s past their bedtime.”

  I stifled my giggles while we talked to them, but every time Jake called him by name and referred to his twins, the laughter bubbled in my throat. I’d met too many people to remember all of their names, but some stood out more than others. Big Jim was one of them. Then again, I wasn’t bound to forget Catfish or Slick, either.

  After making our rounds to say good night to the guests who were leaving, Jake ended up back over near the ice chests with his boys. I gathered empty beer bottles from a neighboring table.

  “Hey, Jake, everyone’s leaving. Why don’t we all go down to The Backwoods for a few drinks?” Cowboy suggested. “They have a live band tonight.”

  Jake’s back was to me, but I saw him give Cowboy a noncommittal shrug. “Nah, that’s okay. It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to take a shower and turn in.”

  “Come on, Jake. It’s been a long time since we’ve all been out together.”

  “Emily’s a homebody,” Jake argued. “She wouldn’t want to go.”

  They all looked at him as if he was crazy, but Ox spoke up. “Your girl? You’re kidding, right? She has party written all over her. What’s the real reason you don’t want to go?”

  “Look, guys, Emily can’t—”

  “I had a headache earlier,” I said, approaching from behind. “But it’s gone now. Why don’t we go, Jake? It sounds like fun.”

  Jake shot me an unappreciative look. “No.” His definite tone meaning “end of discussion” was easily deciphered.

  “Why?” I asked. “I wouldn’t mind—”

  “I said no, and I meant it,” he snapped, rubbing his hand through his hair with irritation. Then he got up and stomped off.

  My blood boiled, driven mad by the injustice, though I pretended to blow it off when Judd asked, “Anyone else notice how strange he’s acting?”

  They all looked to me for an answer, but all I could do was turn my hands up and shrug. “He’s probably just tired.”

  “Well, then we should get going, let him get some beauty rest,” Cowboy said. “He knows where we’ll be if he changes his mind.”

  …

  There were a few stragglers left when Jake and I went to the cottage. He wanted to shower, and I got ready for bed. At least that’s what Jake thought.

  After his friends left, I had asked Slick for directions to The Backwoods. He was thoughtful enough to draw me a map on a napkin and told me which landmarks to look for. Guess he’s not the only one who’s slick.

  I sat on the bed and kicked off my sneakers. Jake stripped his clothes down to the dark gray boxer briefs riding up his legs. I don’t know how I’d never noticed before, but Jake had a small round scar on the front of his thigh. Guess when he was naked, I was looking at something other than his leg.

  “What happened?” I asked, blatantly staring.

  “It’s nothing,” Jake said, unwilling to elaborate. He stepped into the bathroom and turned on the water.

  As soon as the sliding glass door closed behind him, I threw on the little red off-the-shoulder number given to me by Junior’s daughter. I grabbed my heels, my fake identification, and the keys to the Explorer before sneaking out the front door.

  Maybe I went haywire by blindsiding Jake, but it was the only way to get out the door hassle-free. I didn’t waste time formulating a plan. One hour. It’s all I wanted. Then I’d return and face Jake’s wrath. I’m sure it would be in full swing by then. Minor thrills always have major repercussions, but the long-term boredom and monotony was getting to me.

  I barely made it to the Explorer when someone behind me said, “Going somewhere?”

  “Holy shit!” I said as Junior stepped out of the shadows. “Don’t do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

  He grinned, then lifted his head toward the cottage. “Where are you off to by yourself?”

  I raked my fingers into my hair, giving it a nervous flip. “I’m going to The Backwoods.”

  “Jake know?”

  It was my turn to grin. “Cowboy and the others will be there,” I said, avoiding his question.

  “You know I have to tell him.”

  “Oh, come on, Junior.” He gave me a yeah right look. “Okay, well, how about giving me a head start?”

  “Woman, you’re asking for trouble.”

  “Pleeeease?”

  His face softened, though his eyes stayed as bright and rock-solid as ever. “Two minutes.”

  “Two minutes?” What the hell is up with these people and giving somebody only two minutes? You can’t do shit in two minutes!

  “Take it or leave it.”

  I threw my arms around him and hugged him, though he didn’t hug me back. He seemed more surprised than anything. “Thanks, Junior.” I got into the Explorer, but turned back to him. “Hey, uh…one more thing. Do you know how Jake got that scar…the one on his thigh?”

  “I’ll let Jake tell you.”

  “I asked, but he didn’t want to talk about it.”

  “Give it time. Scars need a lot of time to heal. You of all people should know that.”

  “But I don’t have any scars.”

  “Some scars can’t always be seen with your eyes,” he said, “Doesn’t mean they aren’t there.” He gave me a terse nod and glanced at his watch. “Two minutes,” Junior reminded me.

  …

  The Backwoods was packed and just what I needed—an adult’s playground—even if I hadn’t acted like much of an adult sneaking off without telling Jake. By now, Junior had surely ratted on me. I pictured Jake punching the air with his fists until a vein popped out on his temple. It made me glad I wasn’t there when it happened, though I doubted he’d be much calmer by the time I got home.

  I stood at the bar, waiting for the bartender to look my way, when Cowboy slung an arm around me. “You are one big bucket of crazy, you know that? No, actually, crazy doesn’t begin to cover you.”

  “Did you see me come in?”

  “No. Junior called to let me know you were on your way here. He was about to do the same for Jake when I hung up with him.” He smiled wide. “You’re going to get the whooping of your life when Jake finds out. Hell, I’ve got half a mind to do it myself,” he said with a wink. “I’d probably enjoy it too much, though.”

  “I’m surprised they don’t call you Playboy instead of Cowboy.”

  “Some of my female friends do.” He motioned across the room, where Judd and Ox sat at a table. Ox gave me a thumbs-up. “We had a bet on whether you’d come tonight—with or without Jake,” Cowboy said. “Ox won. I’m buying the next round.”

  “You didn’t think I’d come?”

  “No, I didn’t think you’d come without Jake knowing. That’s suicide, darlin’. Now, whatcha drinkin’?”

  I grinned. “Whatever you’re buying.”

  Cowboy sent me to the table and joined us a few minutes later with a handful of shots. He doled them out to each of us.

  “What is it?” I asked, eyeballing the golden brown liquor.

  “Ass.”

  “Excuse me?”

  They all chuckled. “It’s a shot of
ass,” Cowboy explained, wearing a shit-eating grin. “It’s a combination of three liquors, none of which will keep you from taking off your clothes.”

  I swigged a small sip and coughed. “Eww. This does taste like ass.” They all laughed as I downed the rest of it and made a face. I laughed, too, but stopped when my eyes snagged on something across the room.

  “Oh, damn. I think I need another drink.”

  The boys followed my gaze with their eyes, and then three shot glasses slid across the table simultaneously.

  Unlike Elvis, Jake was in the building.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I couldn’t down the three amber-colored shots fast enough.

  Ox grimaced. “Shit. The warden’s here.”

  Jake strode over, his eyes flicking to each of his friends as disapproval colored his face. “You bought her a drink?” he asked, disbelief rooted strongly in his tone. “Never figured you three for traitors.” Jake gave them a harsh, cold-eyed stare that made my heart pound against my rib cage.

  “Glad you could make it,” Cowboy said with an unconcerned smile. “About time you got here.”

  “Had some catching up to do,” Jake replied, still looking at me.

  I glared over at Cowboy. “You knew he was coming!” It wasn’t a question.

  “Are you kidding? Have you met Jake?” Cowboy looked back at Jake. “How’d you get here, anyway?”

  “I borrowed Hank’s pickup. I’ll need you to bring the Explorer back tomorrow. I’m driving Emily home in the truck.”

  “God, Jake. You’re such a buzzkill.”

  “And you’re a sneaky little—”

  Cowboy got up, scraping his chair on the floor. “We’ll give you two a few minutes alone.” He motioned to Ox and Judd to follow him toward the bar.

  As soon as they left, Jake started in on me. “I can’t believe you lied to me.”

  “I told you I wanted to go out. I was honest…ish.”

  “Are you hardwired to drive me insane? If so, you’re doing a damn good job of it. I’ve never seen a grown woman act like such a thoughtless, thickheaded, temperamental, tantrum-throwing toddler.”

  I could almost admire the alliteration of his words if it hadn’t been meant as an insult. “Jeez, Dr. Seuss, tell me how you really feel.”

  Jake gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. “Why do you have such a lack of commitment to your own safety?”

  I sidestepped his question with one of my own. “Why does your concern feel more like control?”

  “Because you can’t seem to restrain yourself from giving in to impulses.”

  “God, you don’t know how to have fun, do you?”

  “Sure I do. I’ll show you how much fun I’m going to have dragging your ass back to the house,” Jake said, pulling me out of my chair. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

  I drew back from him. “No. I just got here.”

  He tightened his grip on my arm and shook me. “You don’t want to go there. I’ll throw you over my shoulder and force you if I have to.”

  A big guy at the table next to us stepped over, sizing Jake up before his eyes settled on me. “Is there a problem?”

  The cords in Jake’s neck muscles tightened, but he let go of my arm. Jake was itching for a throwdown and obviously had the urge to punch something. Since I knew he wouldn’t hit me, I worried he’d just found his target.

  “No, no problem,” I told the big guy. “Right, Jake?”

  Cowboy, Ox, and Judd must’ve been watching from a distance. Suddenly, they stood next to Jake, awaiting the showdown brewing in the air. Or maybe they just wanted to take part in it.

  “You need any help getting her out of here?” Cowboy asked, tauntingly eyeing the overgrown man next to me.

  “Nope. She’s stubborn, that’s all,” Jake said, making his friends grin, and me roll my eyes.

  The big man wasn’t keen on the idea of fighting once he became outnumbered. He backed off and sat in his chair without another word.

  “Yeah,” Cowboy said with a triumphant grin. “She does offer a unique set of challenges, doesn’t she?”

  Jake closed the physical space between us and wrapped his arm tightly around my waist. With a commanding presence, he tried to maneuver me toward the door.

  I planted my feet firmly on the floor. “Jake, if you try to pull me out the door, I’m going to scream. I’ll cause an even bigger scene than I did at Dairy Queen.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” Jake said, eyeing me.

  I tilted my head to the side, crossed my arms, and lifted my eyebrows, daring him to try me. We glared at each other in silence, both of us trying to will the other to back down. Meanwhile, the other boys talked amongst themselves, though we heard every word.

  “Oh hell, they look like two bulls with their horns locked,” Ox said, laughing. “Who do you think will win this round?”

  “If I know my boy, Jake’s got this one,” Cowboy said with certainty.

  “I don’t know. She’s smooth,” Judd said. “Jake may have finally met his match.”

  Jake didn’t care for Judd’s remark. “She’s not smooth…she’s stubborn. There’s a difference. She’s not any worse than a stubborn heifer that doesn’t want to be loaded into a stock trailer, and I’ve dealt with plenty of them. That’s what cattle shockers are for.”

  “Twice today you’ve referred to me as a cow,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Once more and I won’t speak to you for a week.”

  Jake grinned. “Promises, promises.”

  I grinded my teeth together, but thought it would be better to offer a solution. “We’ll compromise. One hour, then I’ll go willingly.”

  “That’s not a compromise. That’s you getting your way,” Jake argued. “Besides, I don’t have to compromise. I can force you to go now.”

  “Not without a scene, you can’t.” I smirked, knowing the last thing he wanted was to draw more attention. Then I stole a note from Junior’s book. “One hour. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

  “Emily…” Jake glimpsed around at the packed bar and swore under his breath. “One hour,” he agreed. I cracked a smile, but he pulled me roughly against his chest. “But the next time you pull this crap, I’m going to call you on your bullshit and see just how far you’re willing to go to put yourself in danger.”

  Once he let go, I rubbed at my side where Jake’s fingers had dug into my flesh.

  Cowboy grinned. “So, date night, then?”

  “Yeah, whatever,” Jake said, stopping a waitress and asking her to bring him a bottle of water.

  “Water?” Judd asked. “What’s up with that?”

  “Someone needs to be the responsible one. Besides, the best part of being the designated driver is figuring out who’s drunk and who’s stupid.” He said, tossing a look my way.

  “So now I’m fat and stupid?”

  Cowboy, Ox, and Judd bit their lips.

  “I’m not taking back the stupid comment,” Jake said, “But I did not say you were fat.”

  Barely paying attention to him, I rambled on. “It’s because my cheeks are chubby, right? Squirrels aren’t fat, but they have chubby cheeks.”

  He shrugged. “You could pack a few nuts in there…”

  I gave him a warning look. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”

  Jake sighed. “You’re not fat.”

  Cowboy patted Jake on the shoulder and threw his arm around my shoulders. “Jake, pull your foot out of your mouth and tell Emily how beautiful she looks tonight.”

  Jake’s eyes touched upon my curve-hugging, off-the-shoulder dress. “Where’d you get the gown?”

  “It was in one of the bags Junior brought over for me. It fits, but it’s a little tight,” I said, adjusting my breasts as Cowboy’s eyes slid down my chest.

  “A little?” Jake said with disbelief. “It’s practically painted on your ass.”

  “Aw, Jake. It can’t be that damn tight,” Ox said, trying to be
the voice of reason. “It doesn’t even show her panty lines.”

  I smoothed my hands down my dress and laughed. “Who said I was wearing any?”

  Their heads whipped toward me. They all looked stunned, including my so-called hero sitting at the table next to us. With as large of a breath as they each sucked in, I was surprised there was any oxygen left in the room.

  “Damn, woman,” Cowboy said, looking me up and down with his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth. “You have to stop saying shit like that. Men aren’t corkboards you can keep pinning messages to.” His eyes smiled at me as he tightened his grip, pulling me closer.

  Jake watched closely as I rubbed a finger down Cowboy’s lips. “Now, now,” I teased. “You know what they say about coveting your neighbor’s—”

  Cowboy didn’t allow me to finish. “They also say ‘do unto others as they do unto you’…and damn, girl…you don’t know what the hell you’re doing to me.”

  That comment prompted Jake to speak up. “Look all you want, but keep your hands to yourself.”

  Cowboy frowned. “You’re no fun at all.”

  “I wasn’t talking to you,” Jake said, nodding toward me.

  His friends laughed and I couldn’t stop myself from joining in.

  “Well, if I can’t touch them, then I guess that means you’re dancing with me.”

  “I’m not in the mood right now,” Jake replied. “Get one of them to twirl you around the dance floor a couple of times.”

  “Performance anxiety?” I asked, making his friends smirk. I grabbed Judd’s hand. “Come on, Judd. Dance with me.” Reluctantly, he let me lead him to the dance floor.

  Judd put his hand nervously on my waist and moved me around the floor. “I’m not a good dancer,” he said. “The other guys say I can’t walk over a painted line without tripping.”

  “Why do they say that? I think you’re doing fine,” I lied, stumbling around the dance floor with him.

  “I’ve got fifteens,” Judd explained.

  My face bent with confusion. “Are we talking about tires?”

  “No, we’re talking about the size of my boots,” he said with a grin. Then he stepped on my foot.

  “Ouch.” I stopped to rub my foot and caught Jake watching us from a distance with a grin.