by Vivian Arend
Now she was in his house in the room next to his. What was his ma thinking to let a girl sleep in the basement with three grown men? Not only was he next door to her, but Matt and Daniel slept downstairs temporarily as well. If they were still living at the Peter’s on the east section of the ranch, this whole situation wouldn’t be nearly as complicated. Blake now wished like hell they’d never agreed to rent the house to that single mom for six months.
Sleeping would be tough, but supper tonight—watching her lick the stew off her fork—was another kind of torment altogether. He’d only had brief touches of what her mouth and tongue could do, and he wanted another round and more. More of Jaxi touching him, loving him.
More of what he could never have.
“What’s the long sigh for, Blake? You feeling sentimental about shipping our trees to somebody else’s house?” Joel asked as they finished packing the furniture into a crate, hammering the lid in place.
Blake looked up in surprise. “Did I sigh?”
“Like a dog that’s been run ragged all day and just flopped down in front of the fire.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s Jaxi, I bet.” Blake jerked. Joel leaned back on the worktable, his arms crossed in front of him and a knowing expression on his face. “Listen, Jesse told me to talk to you, so remember if you have the urge to punch me out you have to save half of the pounding for him. What do you think of Jaxi?”
Blake hesitated. What could he say in response to that kind of open-ended question?
“She’s a good friend and it’s going to help Ma a great deal to have her here. I appreciate her kindness.” He looked around the shop for something to do with his hands. There was no way he could stand here and talk about Jaxi without fidgeting, and Joel was no dummy. He’d know Blake was pissing into the wind with his “good friend” comment if he fidgeted.
“You sure?”
“Why are you asking?” Blake found a table leg that needed hand sanding, and he sat to smooth the piece as he spoke.
“He’s asking because he and Jesse are hoping to sweet-talk the girl into kissing them. I’m right, ain’t I?” Daniel asked, joining them in the workshop.
Joel grinned. “We want more than kisses, but I’d settle for starting there. She’s the sweetest kisser—”
“How do you know?” Blake demanded.
Daniel snorted. “You missed that one? The boys hogtied her back in high school, what was it, tenth grade? I heard about it for weeks, couldn’t get them to shut up about how much fun they’d had, how soft her lips were, how she fit between them so well.” Daniel shook a finger at Joel. “This habit you two have of going for the same girl at the same time isn’t very socially accepted around these parts, you know. You better step real careful around the girls’ daddies until you know for sure they don’t plan to shoot one of you.”
“You say that as if we’re the only ones in this family who’ve shared a woman. Bullshit on that.”
Daniel grinned. “Yeah, well, that might be true. But you boys take it to the extreme—do you even know what to do with a woman without a backup?”
Joel shot him the finger, and they both laughed.
“You and Jesse kissed Jaxi? At the same time?” Blake was still reeling from the thought. “Was this before or after she went out with Travis?”
“Before.” Joel plopped on the bench next to Blake. “I still don’t understand why she ever dated him. I know he’s our brother and all, but sometimes he’s such an ass. Of all the guys she could have gone to Grad with, why’d she pick him?”
“I still don’t believe she kissed you and Jesse. Together.”
“Well, it wasn’t her idea, Blake. We were rather insistent. And she kissed us one at a time. It’s not as if I want my lips right next to Jesse’s. I’m not into that.”
Daniel sat across from them on a stool and joined in. “I kissed her once.” Blake barely stopped his jaw from hitting the floor. “Yup, only it was kiss her or kill her. She rode Thunder without permission, and when she managed to get him back into the barn without getting killed, I kind of lost my head.” Daniel winked at Joel. “You’re right, she is a sweet kisser.”
Joel poked at Blake. “You ever kiss her?”
“No! Course not. She’s just a little girl. I’m surprised at you, Daniel. She’s five years younger than you.”
“If I had been fifteen and her only ten, it would be have been a problem,” Daniel said. “She was old enough and she knew what we were doing. I didn’t give her much choice in the matter either. Looks like you’re the only Coleman boy she hasn’t kissed yet, Blake. Maybe we’d better set you up or something.”
Joel bristled. “Hey, Jesse and I—”
“When did Matt kiss her? He’s been going with Helen forever,” Blake interrupted. All his brothers had kissed her. He didn’t quite know what to think. He didn’t expect her to be some kind of saint who’d never kissed anyone, but…all five of them?
“Oh, that. Matt kissed her when she was thirteen. She told me about it.” Joel shrugged. “We were all down at the swimming hole, and Travis was teasing her how she didn’t need to wear a girl’s swimsuit yet, that she could still join them like she had as a little tyke, shorts and nothing else. Matt stopped the ass from being himself, then escorted her home. Jaxi told me he talked about changes, and how she would be a beautiful woman and not to worry when and where things would grow. Then he kissed her. She didn’t remember exactly what he said because she’d been surprised but it was something about a kiss for the woman she was going to become.”
“You talk to her a lot, Joel?” Daniel asked.
“Until she finished school. She’s been so busy since, it’s been like trying to track wildfire. Now that she’s here, right in the house with us, Jesse and me figured it was a good time to make a move. We’re all old enough.”
“Old enough for what? You weren’t planning to do anything under Ma and Dad’s roof you wouldn’t do in front of them, right?” Daniel demanded.
Blake kept his lips buttoned tight. The thoughts flying through his brain weren’t suitable for speaking out loud. Jaxi had kissed them all. Except him. He picked up the smooth leg and deposited it with the rest of the wood. He needed a ride to clear his mind.
“Blake, you ain’t told me yet what you think.”
“About…?”
“Jaxi and Jesse and me.”
Blake stopped and stared at his little brother. “Why are you asking me? She’s the one that’s got to decide if she wants you.”
Joel glanced quickly at Daniel before he spoke. “We like her, and we want to see if she likes us. But if you ask, we’ll wait until you get a chance first.”
“What? What makes you think…?” This conversation had taken a turn for the worse, and fast. “Just because I’m the only one in the family who hasn’t kissed her—”
“Blake, I know you care for her. A lot.”
“She’s too young for me. Be my guest and go for it, I don’t think of her that way.” Sweet mercy, what a bunch of bull. He thought of little but Jaxi. It was no use though. She was too young. She still looked up to him as a big brother, and he wasn’t going to step over that boundary like some hormone-crazed animal. Blake ignored his aching gut and turned to head out the door when Joel called after him.
“You’re lying through your teeth.”
Blake paused and shook his head. “Am I now?”
“Damn right, you are. You remember camping in the back fields during calving season?”
“Yeah.”
Joel jostled past him and paced backward for a few steps to stare Blake in the eye. “You talk in your sleep. You haven’t kissed the girl, but don’t lie about how sweet she is to you. Think on it and let me and Jesse know when you’ve made up your mind. Only don’t wait too long or we’ll decide for you. One way or another.”
3
“Oh God, oh God, yeah.”
Matt groaned out his agreement as Helen dragged her nails down his ba
ck, her body writhing under his. “Come on, baby. It’s good, isn’t it?”
She whimpered lightly, a sheen of sweat glowing on her skin from their fooling around, and Matt smiled. Yeah, she was close. After nine years together, off and on, there was no mistaking the signs. He knew by the tightening of her neck muscles, the soft moans escaping her lips, along with the increase in pressure where her nails dug into his shoulders.
He canted his hips to the left on the next thrust, opening up enough room to slip a hand between their bodies. When he touched her clit she jerked, then let loose a cry of approval as her sheath squeezed his cock tight.
“Matt, ohh…”
He dropped his head to her shoulder and buried himself deep, welcome relief and intense satisfaction hitting as his release jolted from his body.
It had been too damn long.
He was still brain-fuddled when Helen squirmed and pressed him away. “I need to pee.”
Matt laughed. “You’re so romantic.”
She wiggled her brows. “I try.”
The mattress dipped as he rolled and collapsed onto his back, muscles quivering. Helen scrambled upright and off the bed, and he watched her butt flex as she moved away from him toward the bathroom. Every curve of her body so familiar and attractive. He hadn’t had enough of her yet.
“You want to grab some dinner at Casey’s?” Helen asked, her voice carrying from around the corner.
No. Heading out was the last thing he wanted right now. “I already ate with the family. I can make you something here if you’re hungry.”
“I’d love a burger, and there’re none in the freezer. I need to go shopping in the morning. Karen was supposed to stock up before she left.” The toilet flushed and the water in the shower turned on.
Matt sat up, a rumble of discontent hitting as he dealt with the condom. After two months apart, he wanted a little more time alone with her before he had to start sharing again. He’d been thrilled to see the message she was back in town, rushing over as soon as he could get away from the family. “I don’t mind hitting the store. Want me to run out quick and bring something back?”
There was no answer. She was probably under the water, the noise interfering with his question. Matt shoved off the bed and strolled to the door of the bathroom. Hmm, there were other ways to get her attention. He tugged the curtain aside, admiring how her muscles flexed as she washed, swirling the sponge over her tanned skin. There were all kinds of things he could do to her wet body. “Want some company?”
She shut off the water, already reaching past him for her towel. “Nahhh. I’m starving, and I promised the gang we’d meet them in a bit.”
Frustration made his words harsher than he intended. “Shit, Helen. You’re back in town for a couple hours and we’re already heading out? I hoped we’d get some more time to catch up.”
She stopped in the middle of rubbing her hair with the towel, her mouth arranged into a delicate pout. “You sex fiend. Haven’t had enough yet?”
Fuck. He hadn’t come over with the intention of falling into bed. At least not first thing—that had been her idea. “That’s not what this is about.”
Helen pressed her naked body against his, and his instant response put lie to his words. She stroked a hand over his cock and raised her brows, the smooth arcs perfectly in place. “It’s okay. I’ll be game for more later. I just want to see the gang. I’ve been gone all summer working, and I missed them.”
His sigh escaped involuntarily. “I missed you.”
She relaxed against him, all familiar curves and well-known touch as she reached out to capture his waist. “I missed you too.”
They stood for a moment, and the tension between them faded slightly. Matt breathed in deep, soaking in her scent, the rightness of having her back in his arms. The awkwardness was normal after being apart. And since neither of them was any damn good at emailing or phoning, not with the ranch chores or her remote summer job at the kids’ camp, it had been a long time.
He had to show more patience, although that’s all he ever seemed to do with Helen. Even making the moves on her the first time—he’d planned it for days before getting up the nerve. It had been worth it. Their first kiss had been magical, stolen by the bleachers at the high school between football practice and chores.
He smoothed her wet hair away from her face, “You remember our first time?”
Helen kissed his chest, running her fingers lightly over his ass. “Sweet sixteen and fumbling around in one of the trailers in the back of the ranch. You were so scared we were going to get caught.”
That wasn’t all of it. “I was scared I was going to blow before I got in you, let alone make sure you enjoyed yourself.”
She scratched him as she pulled away, mischief in her eyes. “I always enjoy myself with you, Matthew Coleman. First time to now, you are one fine lover.”
Happiness welled inside, covering some of his earlier frustration. “I love you, you know. Not just love having sex with you.”
She blinded him with her smile. “You’re kinda my favourite fellow as well.”
A sharp tug hit his gut. She never said the words. Never said I love you back to him. “Someday you’re going to forget and actually admit you’re crazy in love with me.”
Helen yanked on her clothes, her mischievous expression teasing him. “Now, Matt, they’re only words. I don’t deny you turn me inside out with lust, and spending time with you is one of my first choices. But I don’t think love—”
“Is real, or forever? I know.” He dragged a hand through his hair and headed for the shower. Since it seemed they were going out on the town, he’d better get cleaned up as well. He couldn’t leave this conversation at that, though. She had to get past this issue at some point. “Just because your parents called it quits doesn’t mean love isn’t real. Look at my folks. Look at lots of couples right here in Rocky.”
He rinsed off quickly while Helen used the mirror, talking over her shoulder. “Yeah, but my folks didn’t call it quits, they blew up world war three around us. Their split was more than nasty, it was mean. If that’s how they could act after nearly twenty-five years together, and always saying ‘I love you’ to each other all the time? Total bullshit.”
Matt grabbed a towel. Having this discussion again caused extreme frustration because nothing ever seemed to change. “I hear you. I still wish…”
He trailed off as Helen turned to face him, arms crossed in front of her chest. “Matt, I’m not ready to commit to anything else. Now I’m hungry, and you promised me burgers. We can talk about this in a few days when I’ve got myself back on a regular schedule. Two months of s’mores and campfires every night is more than one woman should have to bear.”
“Does that mean a discussion about us moving in together will be happening sometime after burgers and seeing the gang?”
Helen stared, the naughtiness in her eyes as she looked him over making him regret having agreed to going out. “I have to admit knowing I would get to see more of this view regularly is a positive incentive to that idea. Now get cracking.”
He snagged his clothes from the floor where he’d tossed them in his hurry to get naked. “Was that a yes?”
“It’s a maybe. Dammit, Matt. I’ve been tossing and turning on a wooden-slatted bunk for months. Eating wieners and beans and way too many marshmallows. Food before serious conversations, all right?”
He backed down. Hell, he could see her point. When he came in from finding calves or working the far fields for weeks, all he wanted to do was sit and toss back a couple of cold ones and vegetate in front of the idiot box. There was something to be said for batching it with his brothers at times. They understood completely about having not even one more iota of energy left to be civil, let alone be caring and giving.
He grabbed his jacket and ushered her forward. “Deal. I’m officially moving that discussion onto the future list. I’ll give you a little time.”
When she would have danced out the
door, he tugged her to a stop. Held her against him tight as he planted a huge kiss on her mouth, tender but firm enough she couldn’t avoid him without really kicking up a fuss. He kissed her until the tension drained away, and she was all soft and warm in his arms.
Helen smiled sweetly, licking her lips, her gaze darting over his face. “Well. That was a lovely welcome home.”
“That was the intention. I’m glad you’re back, darling.”
He held her close for another moment, their hearts synchronizing as they stood together in the gathering darkness.
Yeah. She was back and maybe this time he’d be able to find a way to convince her that what they had was good enough to take a chance on. To move beyond being good, to being even better.
Jaxi was grateful Marion didn’t rise at five a.m. like usual to start her day. Maybe it was the painkillers, or sheer exhaustion, but the boys were already fed and watered and headed out for their day before Jaxi had to switch into her nursing role.
“We need to go to town today and hit the thrift shop, Mrs. C.” Jaxi helped the older woman out of her husband’s robe and into the tub. She set up a few towels to keep Marion’s cast dry, then stepped back to give her privacy. “You can’t wear oversized clothes until you heal, and I don’t think we should cut up all your regular clothing so your arm will fit.”
Marion sighed. “It’s a little like trying to stick toothpaste back into the tube. You’re right, we can go this afternoon. What else are you up for today?”
Jaxi paced around the room, making it as one-handed-friendly as possible. “I can do whatever you tell me needs doing. I’m here for you, to make things easier. Cook, clean. There are vegetables in the garden to harvest soon, and the apples you picked before you fell. You want those canned or dried? I didn’t plan on making coffee and sitting around all day. I never have enjoyed lazing.”
