“Jess.” Johnny snuggled up behind her in bed. It was still dark outside, but he needed to get back to the ranch. Mainly he didn’t want the employees to see his truck parked next to hers.
“Jess,” he whispered, and drew her closer. God, he didn’t want to leave her.
She moaned and rolled over. “Johnny? Is it time to get up?”
“No, but I should get back to the ranch. And I don’t know when the workers start at the bakery.”
She raised her head, and brushed back that gorgeous blond hair of hers. He shivered, recalling the feel of the silken strands against his body.
“We have time,” she told him as she glanced at the alarm clock. She leaned forward and kissed him, slow and easy, at the same time moving her luscious body against his.
She pulled back slightly. “Maybe you have some time for a little more instruction.”
He laughed. “I’ve created a monster.” When they’d made love the first time, she’d been shy and he loved being able to give her pleasure. And she learned quickly to give it back to him in return. That could be dangerous. If he didn’t stop soon, he might never.
All the argument went out of him when she looked at him with those big eyes, her lips full and inviting. His gut tightened with need. A need for this woman. He was afraid that feeling would never go away.
He placed his hand around the back of her neck and lowered his mouth to hers. “I guess I can stay another thirty minutes if my boss doesn’t care.”
“Not if you give her some of your special attention.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He covered her mouth, already knowing there wasn’t enough time in the world to show Jess everything he wanted to show her.
* * *
At 6:30 a.m., Jess hurried downstairs to the bakery. She felt heat rush to her face as she came through the back door and found Carol and Molly already busy at work in the kitchen.
She wasn’t late exactly so why did she feel guilty? Not to mention a little giddy. It was surprising what a little loving could do for her disposition.
She recalled last night with Johnny. He’d made love to her twice, showing her all the things that she’d missed in never having a real relationship. She and Chad had been groping kids compared to how Johnny made her feel.
This morning, he was gone when she woke, but he’d left a sweet note.
“If I woke you, I would never leave. See you later. J.”
She tried to hide her smile as she tied on her apron, but Molly was wise to her. “What’s going on with you today?” her friend asked. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you got lucky last night. I’ll bet it was with Johnny, wasn’t it?”
Jess froze and Molly caught the hesitation. Her friend grabbed her by the arm and walked her into the front of the store. It was empty and they could have some privacy.
“Spill it,” her friend said. “Who put the smile on your face?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“That’s only because you never have anything to tell.” Molly folded her arms and waited. “Don’t make me hurt you.” She got a strange look on her face, then said, “Johnny. It was Johnny, wasn’t it? I talked to him at the bar and you danced with him, and you were out to dinner with him the other night.”
“Yes, it was Johnny.”
“Damn. I’m jealous.” Molly raised a hand. “Not the way you think. Just tell me he treated you good.”
“Oh, Molly, I never knew it could be this way.”
“Okay, that morning-after glow will wear off soon. I just don’t want you to get hurt. He’ll be leaving, Jess.”
She didn’t want to think about that. Not now. “I know. And I don’t expect anything from him.”
Molly didn’t look convinced. “You’re not the type to jump into bed with a guy unless you’re half in love with him.”
Jess tried to hide any emotion but it was useless with her friend. “Can’t you just be happy for me?”
Molly hugged her. “Oh, darlin’, that goes without saying. I just hope Johnny Jameson knows what a lucky guy he is.”
* * *
“Hey, Johnny!” Brady called to him. “Look!”
Johnny had been watching for the past hour. “I can see you,” he called to the boy on the back of his pony. They’d been working the past hour, but the boy showed no signs of wanting to quit. He had to smile watching Brady with Beau. The two had become good friends in the past week.
Using the commands that Johnny had taught him, Brady trotted toward him, then stopped the pony right outside the barn. “Was that good?”
“You did great!” He patted the horse. “You can’t do it much better than that.”
The boy grinned. “Now can I go see Storm?”
Johnny was taken aback by the boy’s determination. They’d spent about an hour this morning with Wes, and two sheep, trying to show Brady how to ride for the Mutton Bustin’ event. And after lunch, he came back out to take a riding lesson on Beau. All the time he kept asking about Storm.
“I’m not sure your mother would like that.”
“Why? You fixed Storm. He’s not mean anymore.”
“I know, but you’re still a kid. I’m not the boss of you.”
The boy watched him a moment. “You mean like being my dad?”
That froze him in his tracks. He wasn’t sure how to answer that one. “That means, I’m not your parent and there’s no one else around. We could go to his stall and see him. I want to make sure he gets used to you being around.”
“Oh, boy.” Brady swung his leg over the back of Beau. Johnny helped him reach the ground. Together they put the pony back in his stall. Johnny had showed the boy how to take care of the horse. Although the saddle was too heavy, the child helped muck out his stall and brush the animal.
After the gate was closed, they walked toward the back of the barn where Storm’s stall was located. Brady slowed.
“You don’t have to do this, son,” Johnny told him.
“But I want to pet him. I want to be Storm’s friend.” He raised his arms. “Will you hold me up?”
“Sure.” Johnny lifted the boy and settled him on his arm. They went the rest of the way to the enclosed stall. Johnny opened the top door and swung it open. The black horse immediately came over.
Johnny stood back as to not frighten the boy. “Hey, Storm. I brought someone who wants to meet you. Storm, this is Brady Calhoun. Brady meet Night Storm.”
The child laughed as the horse whinnied and bobbed his head up and down. Keeping his body between the animal and boy, Johnny stroked the horse. “See, he wants to be friendly. Horses like other horses and people around them.”
“Hi, Storm. Grandpa loved you the best of all his horses.” Johnny was surprised when the small hand reached out and touched Storm’s face. The animal stood perfectly still, allowing it.
Brady gave one of his sweet smiles. “He likes me.”
“He does. He knows now you won’t hurt him. He’s starting to trust people. Sometimes that’s hard to do, especially when people hurt you.”
Brady leaned toward the horse, causing Johnny to take a step closer. The boy eagerly placed his arms around Storm’s neck. “I won’t hurt you, Storm. Johnny and Mom, Wes and Uncle Holt won’t let anybody hurt you ever.”
Johnny felt his heart tighten as he watched the two begin to bond, starting to build a trust and friendship. It was incredible to see, the big horse and the little boy.
Johnny turned and saw Jess watching them. There were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.
“Mom,” Brady said. “Look, I’m touching Storm. He’s soft like Beau. And he doesn’t want to hurt me.” The horse blew air out of his nostrils and shook his head.
Jess was still choked on her emotions from seeing this beloved horse with her son. “Storm is a sweetie.” She came up and stroked the animal, too. “Johnny did a wonderful job with him.”
They were all clustered around the horse. So close, Jess could feel the man’s heat. She inhale
d the scent that was pure Johnny.
“He just needed to know we weren’t going to hurt him,” Johnny said as he eyed her closely. It reminded her of last night when his gaze combed over her body. She shivered as if feeling his touch.
“Are you going to kiss Mom?”
Jess felt the heat rise to her face. Johnny smiled, then leaned down. “She’s so pretty I think I will.” He placed a sweet kiss on her lips.
That satisfied her son, but not her. She turned to Brady. “What are you two doing here? I thought you were learning to ride Beau.”
“I already did that. I want to watch Johnny ride Storm.”
“I needed to make sure it was okay with you before he’s around the horse,” Johnny told her.
“I’m not comfortable with Brady in the corral yet, but I don’t have a problem with him watching you work him. I’d like to watch, too.”
Johnny set Brady down. “Of course. Storm needs to be around people. He did fine this morning with Randy and Wes.” He had trouble concentrating on what he was saying. Thoughts of last night and this beautiful woman kept distracting him. He glanced at the horse. He was in big trouble if he couldn’t concentrate on his job.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, Johnny walked Storm out of the barn. More like the saddled horse followed him into the corral. That was how Johnny liked it. When trust was finally formed between him and the horse. That meant that his job was nearly finished.
Johnny knew that he wasn’t going to be needed here much longer. Randy and Wes knew his technique well enough to train the dozen other horses that resided at the Double Bar C.
He’d already been approached by a few ranchers in the area to run a clinic to help with other problem horses. Johnny still wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. When he left this place, he needed to make a clean break.
He glanced at Jess and Brady sitting on the railing waiting for him. That was what he couldn’t handle. He didn’t want people to have expectations of him. He was good with horses, not people. Next week was the Little Buckaroo Rodeo. That had to be his deadline. He had to leave then, especially after spending the night with Jess in his arms.
Jess saw Johnny climb onto Storm’s back. A thrill shot through her as she realized she was in love with this man. There was nothing about him that she didn’t like. His way with animals, her son and with her. She sighed. Last night, he’d showed her his gentleness when he’d made love to her. He was a special man.
She watched him run Storm through a routine of commands. It still amazed her, the gentle power he possessed on horseback. She couldn’t help but wonder about the kid he’d been. She knew his mother hadn’t seemed to care about him. His father he couldn’t find.
She so admired the wonderful man he’d turned out to be. That was the man she didn’t want to give up, and she would fight to keep him.
CHAPTER TEN
THAT evening Johnny paced around his apartment, thinking seriously about driving into town for a strong drink. If not, he might end up back at the ranch house with Jess.
He’d barely made it through supper with her sitting across the table. He should have gotten up and left, but he told himself he needed to be cordial. The truth was he didn’t want to leave Jess at all.
Okay, that right there meant trouble for him. That meant he was getting too close.
When she went upstairs to put Brady down for the night that was when he’d left. He had to stop putting himself in positions that made him think he could be a part of a family. He’d tried it once and it hadn’t worked. He doubted it would work with Jess.
There was a soft knock on the door and he went to open it.
Jess stood on the small porch. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
He only shook his head.
Jess’s heart was already drumming a fast pace, then she saw Johnny’s bare chest and his jeans partly unbuttoned and nearly lost it.
“I’m sorry,” she began. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I… Never mind. I’ll go.”
Before she had a chance to take a step, Johnny reached for her and pulled her inside, then shut the door. “Why did you come by here, if only to leave?”
She swallowed back the dryness. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should. I agreed to no strings.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re not welcome. Although I’m not crazy about everyone knowing what goes on in my personal life.”
“You mean the ranch hands?”
He nodded. “It’s for your protection, Jess. Your reputation.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Johnny, I’ve survived a lot worse.”
“You deserve better.”
He walked to the sofa and pulled on a T-shirt. She wanted to object when he covered his toned chest. The memories of her touching his heated skin, feeling the defined muscles, flashed in her head.
Johnny didn’t want Jess sneaking around at night as if she were doing something wrong. He didn’t want her to be the cause of gossip after he left town.
“I don’t like you talking about yourself that way.”
“Look, Jess. You’re a Calhoun and part of this community. Your family has been in this area for generations. It isn’t the same for me. I couldn’t tell you about my kin if I wanted to. At the very least their values are in question.”
She went to him. “There had to be someone good in your life, Johnny. Someone who cared about you or you wouldn’t have turned out to be such a good man.”
He ignored the question. “So is there a reason you came by?”
“Cheyenne wanted me to ask you if you’d ride in the opening ceremony for the rodeo.”
He frowned. “Why me? It should be a Calhoun who participates around here.”
“For one thing, all my siblings are out of town at the moment. And if you wanted to, Johnny, you could be a part of this town,” she said. “People would welcome you with open arms.”
He glanced away. “Come on, Jess. I told you I like having my truck and trailer, so I can stop and go whenever I want. That’s all I need.”
“Are you sure?” She took a step closer. “Have you ever had a reason to make a home somewhere? Somewhere where there’s family?”
He smiled, but she could see he was masking the pain. “It’s been a lot of years since anyone in my family cared where I was.”
His silver gaze locked on to hers. “Not all mothers are like you, Jess. Mine would definitely never make Mother of the Year. Not when she chose to stay with the guy who beat her, rather than take her son to safety.”
Jess ached to go to him. She wanted to tell him that there were other people who loved him. “Who raised you?”
His expression softened. “I pretty much took care of myself, but Will Nichols was there to knock some sense into me if I needed it.” A smile slowly began to appear. “He managed to teach me some table manners and a lot about horses.”
Jess relaxed with Johnny opening up to her. “So he’s the one who taught you the training skills.”
“Yeah. Will was something to see.”
“I think you’re something, too. I couldn’t believe that Storm could be saved. Yet that’s what you did, Johnny. You saved him. I know it’s crazy, but that horse was such a big part of my father.”
“No, it’s not crazy,” he told her. “The two had a strong bond.”
She nodded. “I know one thing, my dad would be very grateful that Storm is doing so well.”
“He’s getting there…a few more weeks.”
She blinked. “That’s all?”
Johnny nodded. He knew that he had to tell her. Let her know he would break it off between them when he packed up and left. Warn her before he made it worse, for both of them. He put on a smile. “Isn’t that what you wanted, for Storm to get better?”
“Of course it is.”
He couldn’t help but stare at this beautiful woman. After the night in Jess’s bed, he knew he’d crossed the line, and if he wasn’t careful he’d never be able to give her up. R
ight now, he wanted nothing more than to grab her and continue what they started last night. Problem was, wanting Jess Calhoun was something that wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.
“I guess I better go.” She turned to leave and something inside him ached to have her.
He reached out and took her arm. When she didn’t protest, he drew her against him, then his mouth came down on hers. It hadn’t been even twenty-four hours since he’d made love to her and he was hungry for her again.
He tore his mouth away. “I’ve wanted to do that since I left you this morning. All I could think about all day was you.” He kissed her again. “How it felt to hold you in my arms. Damn, Jess. I should make you leave, but I can’t seem to let you go.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head back down. “Then don’t.”
He closed his eyes, feeling her body pressed against his. He wanted her. “I’m no good for you.”
“I believe my father was a good judge of character. He wouldn’t have hired you if you weren’t a good guy, Johnny Jameson.” She kissed him softly. “I’ve seen you with people and with the horses. I know firsthand your tender touch.”
He’d never met a woman like Jess and he was beginning to care too much. But the fact was, he was capable of hurting her. God knew he didn’t want to, but he would walk out of her life. He had to. It was all he knew.
“I can’t give you what you want, Jess.”
Jess had to hold her disappointment in check. She didn’t want this man to see how his words hurt her. “Did I ask for anything you couldn’t give me?”
He shook his head.
Jess didn’t need to ask. Johnny Jameson was everything she wanted in a man. She’d never felt so treasured, so…loved. He had to feel it, too. “And I never will. And if you want me to leave now, I’ll go.” She had to get out of there before she humiliated herself. She turned around and reached for the doorknob when she felt Johnny’s hand on her arm.
“I can’t let you go, Jess.” He touched her face and made her look at him. “This might be a really bad idea. I can’t offer you anything but this. Right now.”
She stepped into his embrace. “I told you, Johnny, I’m not asking for anything more,” she breathed against his mouth.
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