Jared sat back, enjoying the company of the people around him. He couldn’t remember ever having a Hastings family barbecue. Funny, he’d only known Chance, Joy, Dana and Evan for such a short but they were more family than he’d ever known. There were times, like today, when he wanted to fit in. And he would miss this when he left.
He stole a glance at Dana and recalled the kiss they’d shared in the barn. There were a lot of other things he would miss. Like seeing Dana the first thing in the morning with her eyes still hooded from sleep, and her hair hanging loose….
Dana got up to tend to the children. His attention went to the white shorts she had on. The day was a hot one and it was getting hotter by the minute. He shifted in his seat as his gaze examined her rounded bottom and long legs. Her sandals exposed small narrow feet, with dots of pink polish on each toe. She wore a tank top that highlighted her trim arms with enough muscle to show she was in shape. Ranching was hard work, and Dana didn’t slack on her duties. She worked just as hard as the rest. He wished she didn’t have to. The consolation was that she loved the ranch. He had to admit that he, too, was enjoying the time he spent on the Lazy S. And the time he had with Evan and Dana.
Chance patted his flat stomach. “That apple pie was top-grade choice.” He winked. “Dana, as long as you have pie, you can ask me for help anytime.”
Dana smiled. “So that’s Joy’s secret way to get you to do things.”
Chance grinned at his wife. “Let’s just say it’s one of the ways.”
Jared watched the couple exchange an intimate look. It was almost if everybody else around had disappeared. They were so unaware of anyone but each other. Damn, he envied that.
Dana’s eyes locked with his and heat surged through him. He thought about how much he wanted to kiss her again. Right now, right here. He knew it was more than he had a right to, but he couldn’t help it.
Dana was taking longer than usual putting Evan down for the night. And of course the child wasn’t cooperating.
“But I’m not tired,” he argued. “I want to stay up. Please…” He stopped and yawned.
“How about a story?” she asked.
“I want Uncle Jared to read to me,” he demanded.
“I’m sorry, but he’s busy. I can read to you.” She started to pull out his favorite book, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel.
“That’s a baby book.” Evan pouted.
“Hey, partner, you giving your mother a bad time?”
They both looked to the doorway where Jared stood. “Uncle Jared, Mom says you’re too busy to read to me.”
“Well, I did have some chores to take care of, but I’m finished now.” He pushed away from the doorway and walked into the room. “Maybe I can take over for your mom.”
“Yeah, you can read me a story.”
Dana gladly gave him the book. Their hands touched, sending electrical shock waves through her. Dana turned and kissed Evan good-night, then went downstairs and outside. The mess from the barbecue had been cleaned up and the chairs put away. Jared had been busy.
A cool breeze caught Dana’s hair and brushed strands against her face. She pushed them back and released a long breath, trying to banish Joy’s words from her head.
Let Jared know how you feel.
She thought about Jared’s touch…how his kiss made her skin tingle. Her body was wound tight, and aching for something she knew could hurt her. It had been so long since a man had wanted her. Having Jared around just made her more aware of that fact. She knew that he wasn’t going to be here for much longer, so why was she wasting precious time?
“Dana…”
Dana turned around when she heard Jared’s voice. He didn’t say any more as he moved across the deck and stopped in front of her. Silently he cupped her jaw, leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers. The kiss was soft and achingly tender, and she wanted it to go on and on.
“Jared…” She didn’t realize she’d spoken his name until he broke the kiss.
“What is it, darlin’?” He smiled. “Tell me what you want.”
Her heart raced so fast she didn’t think she had the breath to speak. “You…”
She barely got the words out before his mouth was back on hers in a searing kiss. His tongue moved into her mouth, dueling with hers, asking for more. His hands caressed her back, then moved to her breasts. She gasped when his fingers teased her nipple through her T-shirt.
“You want me to stop?”
“No, oh no,” she whispered.
Jared had reached his limit. He wasn’t going to walk away this time; he couldn’t. He started to take Dana into the house when he heard his name again. This time it was a male voice.
He broke off the kiss, but cradled Dana against him. He turned to see an embarrassed Owen at the edge of the yard. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Jared, but I need to talk with you.”
Jared looked at Dana. “Why don’t you go inside and I’ll see what Owen wants?”
Dana nodded and left as Jared walked toward the ranch hand. “What is it?”
“Bert would be angry if he knew I’d come to get you….”
“Come and get me? Why? What’s wrong with Bert?”
“I think he’s hurt. He slipped and fell.”
Jared took off toward the bunkhouse. He kept his gait at a quick efficient walk, trying not to worry Owen. What had the old man tried to do? Too much probably.
Inside the long room, he found Bert sitting at the table. “Hey, Bert. I hear you took a fall.”
The older man glared at young Owen standing in the doorway. “Looks like someone has a big mouth. I told the boy not to disturb you and Dana.” Bert absently rubbed his arthritic knee.
“Owen was just worried.”
“No need. I’ve fallen before.”
Jared didn’t want to overstep his boundaries. “You want me to call your doctor?”
The foreman gave him an incredulous look. “And he’s just gonna tell me what I already know, that my knee isn’t worth the powder to blow it up.” He turned away. “Said I need to have one of those fancy surgeries.”
Jared wondered if Dana knew about this. “Maybe he can give you something for the pain.”
“I have a box full of painkillers. Makes my head fuzzy. I can’t work like that.”
“Why don’t you take one to help you sleep tonight? The effects should be worn off by morning.”
They finally got Bert to agree, and after one pill, Jared helped him into bed, promising himself that he’d talk with the doctor in the morning.
On the way back to the house, Jared’s thoughts returned to Dana. Damn, it had been nearly an hour since he’d told her that he would be right back. He closed his eyes momentarily, recalling how close they’d come… Maybe it was better this way. He would only hurt Dana in the end.
He went into the house, shut off all the lights and went upstairs. Dana’s bedroom door was closed and no light shone under the door. Pulling his shirt from the waistband of his jeans, he walked to his room and went inside. There was a soft glow from the lamp beside the bed and he froze when he discovered Dana sitting on top of the blanket. She was wearing a sheer gown and her hair was lying wild against her shoulders.
He began to tremble. “Dana…”
She smiled. “Hi.” Her greeting was breathy.
“What are you doing here?”
She rose and walked toward him. “I’m waiting for you,” she whispered. “What took you so long?”
“Just a little problem Bert needed help with.”
“Is everything okay?”
“It is now.”
She raised her arms and placed them around his neck. “Good. Then you don’t have to leave again.”
Her breath whispered against his mouth and she kissed him. He remained motionless, trying to hide his torment. She pulled back to look up at him.
“And Evan’s asleep so I don’t have to leave, either. Unless you don’t want me here,” she said.
Jared closed
his eyes as desire ripped through him. Of course he wanted her here. He wanted her so badly, he hurt. But he said, “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. I mean now that…we’ve had a chance to think about…” She raised up and pressed her body into his, then her hands moved over his chest. He couldn’t take any more. “Dana…”
She stopped and looked up at him, her green eyes dilated, her face flushed, her mouth so tempting. His body instantly grew hard.
“Are you saying you don’t want me?” she asked.
“No,” he breathed. “But I don’t want you to have any regrets later.”
Her finger touched his mouth to stop his words. “I don’t want to think about anything but you right now.” She drew a ragged breath. “Jared, I want to be your wife…for as long as we have together.”
She took hold of his hand and led him toward the bed. In the dim light, Dana stood before him. Her fingers were shaking as she slowly reached for the gown straps and slid them off her shoulders. Jared’s breathing stopped as he watched the feathery fabric leisurely float to the floor.
“I want you to make love to me.”
Dana’s heart drummed in her ears as the seconds passed. She found herself wanting to cover herself as Jared just stared at her. She knew she wasn’t a raving beauty. She was more muscular than the average woman. Maybe her body wasn’t as perfect as those he’d been used to.
Unable to stand Jared’s apparent lack of interest any longer, she grabbed for her gown. “Sorry, I won’t bother you again.”
“No, Dana, wait.” He reached for her. “Don’t ever doubt that I want you. But I’m trying to be noble here and you’re making it damn difficult.”
“You want me?”
“More than my next breath,” he admitted and swept her into his arms.
In a single motion he claimed her lips; his tongue plunged inside. She eagerly accepted the invitation and tasted him, too. Skimming his hands over her shoulders, then down her back, he cupped her bottom as he drew her closer. She moaned softly as so many feelings rushed through her, thrilling and frightening her at the same time.
Jared’s chest heaved. “Dana, this is your last chance to change your mind.”
Her only comment was her hands going to his shirt and stripping it off his shoulders. “I think you have too many clothes on.” Once the shirt was disposed of, she went to his belt and removed it. Then she paused and placed a few kisses against his chest.
Seconds later, his boots and jeans joined his shirt on the floor. He jerked back the blanket and laid Dana down on the cool sheets, then stretched out beside her. She’d never been like this with a man before. They were both exposed, but she realized she trusted Jared and felt safe with him.
With one long finger, he traced the curve of her breasts. “Perfect.”
She returned the favor and trailed her finger over his chest, toying with his hard nipple. She was delighted when he made a low guttural sound of pleasure.
Jared was losing control fast as he closed his eyes under the assault of Dana’s hands and mouth.
He pushed her on her back and rose over her. “It’s my turn,” he said as he let his fingertips whisper over her breasts, causing her to moan. Her nipples hardened instantly. “You like that?” He leaned down and circled one tight bud with his tongue, then teased it with his finger.
“Yes…” she breathed, arching her back, so he would repeat the pleasure.
Jared smiled. Dana might have been the one to entice him into bed, but he doubted there had been a man in her life since Marsh. It took everything he had in him, but he needed to go slow with her. Protect her.
Protection.
He grabbed his jeans off the floor and pulled a condom out of his wallet. Once he prepared himself, he came back to her.
“Look at me, Dana.” She did. “What we’re doing is crazy, but I want you too much to stop.” Brushing her legs apart, he moved over her. He grasped her hands and laced his fingers with hers.
“I’ve wanted you from the first moment I saw you.” He stared into her green eyes, knowing she was the most dangerous kind of woman. She was sexy as hell, but wanted more from a man than just a brief mating.
Jared’s breathing grew ragged as he leaned down and nipped at her mouth, then down her neck to her breasts again. She whimpered and rotated her body against his, causing him to lose control. His hand moved down between her legs. Feeling her wetness, he slowly pressed into her sweet body.
Dana wanted Jared so badly she couldn’t think straight and didn’t bother to try. He filled her so completely, nothing had ever felt so wonderful.
He moved agonizingly slow. “Please,” Dana cried, knowing she could never get enough of him.
“You want more?” he whispered against her lips.
“Oh, yes.” Dana writhed beneath him, then locked her legs around his hips to let him know that she wanted all he had to give. Jared didn’t disappoint her. With each stroke, he coaxed her until her body tightened in pleasure and finally her shuddering release tossed them both over the edge. With one last groan, Jared collapsed on top of her, then rolled away, pulling her to his side.
Only their rapid breathing interrupted the silence as Jared felt the damp weight of Dana against him. He was still trying to recover from their lovemaking, but doubted he ever would.
Damn, he had to have been crazy to let this happen. It was going to be hard enough to walk away as it was, now it was nearly impossible. She made him dream of things he couldn’t have.
Jared got out of bed and grabbed his clothes. “I’ll be right back.” He took a trip to the bathroom, then returned dressed in jeans. He stood just inside the door, afraid that he wouldn’t be able to leave if he got too close.
“Dana, maybe we acted a little rash here. I should spend the night in the bunkhouse.”
Dana sat up, exposing her naked body to him. “Why?”
He sucked in a long breath. How could he want her again so soon?
She leaned against the pillow, but refused to cover her sweet little body. “Are you saying that you don’t want to come back into bed…with me?”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “You know that’s not true, Dana.”
“Prove it.”
Dana didn’t live in the real world. “You know I’m going to be leaving soon.”
Wrapped in a sheet, she climbed out of bed and crossed the room. “You’re not leaving tonight, are you?”
He fought to keep from backing away. “No, not tonight.”
Dana gave him a slow, sexy smile. “Then come back to bed.” She reached for his hand. “I don’t want to sleep alone.”
Jared resisted with his last ounce of strength. “If I do, I’ll make love to you again.”
“That’s perfect, because I want you to. Unless you’re not in the mood.”
He didn’t answer her question, just swung her up in his arms and carried her back to bed.
Damn, he was going to be tired in the morning, but he was looking forward to it.
Chapter Ten
The bright sunlight streamed through the window, across the bed and right into Dana’s eyes. She rolled away, wanting to go back to sleep, but there was no escaping the sun’s glare. Which was strange since her room faced the west. Suddenly, memories of last night flooded her head. She gasped and sat up, grabbing the sheet to cover her nakedness.
Naked!
Dana glanced around and realized she was in her parents’ bed—no, Jared’s bed. Alone. The clock read eight twenty-five. Oh, no, she’d slept through breakfast. Wrapping the sheet around her, she ran to her bedroom. After grabbing some clean clothes, she went to shower.
Why hadn’t Jared wakened her this morning? Her thoughts turned to last night and her body warmed in remembrance. Jared had made love to her two more times. Neither one of them had thought much about sleep until he curled up behind her somewhere around 2:00 am.
Now, it was almost nine. Dana, dressed in jeans and a red blouse, headed downstairs. A little nervous,
she realized she didn’t know exactly how to behave. How would Jared act toward her? Suddenly she didn’t feel as brave as she had just twelve hours ago when she’d lured him to bed. Seeing the empty kitchen, she was happy for the temporary reprieve, but finding the stack of dirty dishes in the sink didn’t feel that great.
Deciding she couldn’t hide out all day, Dana walked out the back door and headed to the barn. Once inside the cool interior, she started down the center aisle, passing the newly built stalls. That was when she heard Jared’s voice. Her breath quickened at the memory of his lovemaking and the familiar, deep-throated tone with which he relayed his need and encouragement to her. The man not only had bedroom eyes, but a voice to match. She hung back until he finished his instructions to Owen, taking the opportunity to check on Sweet Brandy.
Dana went inside the stall. “Well, how are you this morning, Miss Brandy?” she crooned as she stroked the horse’s face. Brandy shifted closer. “You want some attention, don’t you?”
“Don’t we all?”
Dana turned to find Jared at the gate. “Hi,” she said. He looked wonderful, wearing faded jeans, a chambray shirt and an old Stetson. Heat rushed to her face as she thought about how he looked without those clothes. She glanced away.
“Good morning,” he greeted her.
She forced a smile to cover her nervousness. “I almost missed the morning part. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“I did,” he said, his smile spreading. “You told me to go away.”
Dana couldn’t imagine ever telling him to go away. Her body tingled, making her aware that she still wanted him. “I shouldn’t have slept so late,” she said. “There’s work to be done.”
Jared shrugged. “Isn’t that the reason we hired Owen? So you didn’t have so much to do.”
Jared's Texas Homecoming Page 12
