Just Practicing (Hearts for Ransom Book 2)

by Georgia Evans

  “Want one?” he offered as he sat by the table to eat.

  “I think I’ll get ready for bed.” Her face was still red. “It’s been a long day, and I’m really tired. Is it okay if I take one of the pillows and top blanket?”

  “Take whatever you need to make yourself comfortable. I’ll shut off the lights and hit the hay myself as soon as I finish eating and brush my teeth. I hate waking up with onion breath.” He chuckled, hoping to put her at ease. She was acting skittish, making him feel guilty. He couldn’t keep from feeling relieved at the discovery that all his parts were still in good working condition, but he wasn’t some horny, young teenager about to pounce on her.

  She took the small bag she had brought for the night and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later, he heard something he couldn’t believe. Jan was in there cussing like a sailor. And her mom seemed to be the impetus for the colorful language.

  He left his last hamburger on the table and walked to the bathroom door.

  “You okay in there?”

  “No!” She let loose with another string of profanities. His wife had a dirty mouth! “My mother repacked my suitcase for me.”

  “What’s the problem?” Bo couldn’t believe she was losing her temper over a few packed clothes. Had her mother taken her favorite nightshirt out or something? He always heard red-heads were hot tempered, but even when Jan was angry with him that one time she hadn’t acted like this.

  “There is nothing decent in here!” He heard what sounded suspiciously like feet stomping. “It’s all…nasty!”

  Oh. Her mother had evidently taken all of Jan’s nightshirts out and replaced them with something more…revealing. Then he had an idea.

  “Want one of my T-shirts? It’ll be as big as a nightgown on you.”

  She was silent for a minute. “Okay,” she finally answered.

  He went to his bag and rummaged through until he found his black T-shirt. He brought a couple, thinking he might decide to wear one to bed tonight.

  “Here.” He stood at the door.

  She opened it just far enough to reach out and take the shirt. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” At least she had calmed down.

  He returned to his seat and his last sandwich. His last bite of hamburger had just gone down when she came out of the bathroom. If he or Jan, either one, thought wearing one of his T-shirts would look less sexy than a revealing nightgown, they had both been very, very wrong. He felt blood rush to his nether regions again, and was doubly thankful he was across the room from her.

  “I’ll use the bathroom now.” He stood and turned away from her. “I need a shower.” A really long, cold shower.

  He took his bag and went into the bathroom. It was going to be a long night.

  “This is breathtaking.” Jan and Bo were “behind” Niagara Falls. It was a good thing neither of them were claustrophobic, since they had ridden a small elevator and then walked down a long, dark tunnel to get there. The view was worth it.

  “Want to take some pictures?” He held out the waterproof disposable camera he’d bought for her.

  “Please.” She took the camera and snapped several photos from different angles. “Is that the boat we’re riding tomorrow?” She pointed to a ship motoring precariously close to the falls.

  “Maiden of the Mist?” He craned his neck. “Yep. That’s it.”

  “No wonder we have to wear ponchos.” She was almost hopping up and down with excitement. “Look at how close they’re getting.”

  She handed him the camera. “I’d better save some film for the boat ride.”

  He handed it back to her. “I can afford another camera, Jan. Take all the pictures you want.” Bo seemed unhappy with her.

  She looked into his eyes and realized his feelings were hurt. “I didn’t mean anything by that, Bo. I just don’t see the sense in taking several pictures of the same view when we’re going to visit other places I’ll want to photograph.” She hadn’t meant to offend him.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice was gruff. “I just can’t…your mom paying for everything like she is just doesn’t sit right with me.”

  “I understand.” This was something she could relate to. “I’m used to taking care of myself and Seth, remember? Now, not only is Mom footing the bill, I have a husband who won’t even let me buy my own breakfast.”

  “That’s different,” he insisted. “I’m the man of the family. It’s my job to take care of you and Seth now. You shouldn’t have to work so hard anymore.”

  “Ugh. You, Tarzan. Me, Jane.” She rolled her eyes. “What century do you think we’re living in? I never intended for you to support Seth and me. I thought you understood that. It’s enough that you’re letting us live in your new house with you.”

  “As long as we’re married, it’s our house,” he said stubbornly.

  “As long as we’re married…” A heaviness took hold of her heart.

  “I didn’t mean it like that.” He took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “I mean because we’re married, it’s our house. Okay?”

  She nodded, but Jan firmly believed his first words had been spoken instinctively and were true. He was already thinking about their so-called marriage ending. This was truly a five-year deal. As soon as Seth graduated high school and was all set to go to college, they would explain to him they were good friends who loved him, but not each other. He would be old enough to hear the truth and understand, and her mom would no longer be able to do anything about it, since he would legally be an adult.

  “Are you ready to go?” she asked.

  He gave her a puzzled look. “Whenever you are.”

  She silently started back down the long tunnel that would take them to the elevator. He took the camera from her hand and stuck it in his jean’s pocket before lacing his fingers with hers and holding her hand.

  “Nobody’s watching.” She tried to free her hand.

  He grinned. “Just practicing.”

  Jan suddenly realized something. She wanted him to hold her hand. She wanted him to kiss her. She was very strongly attracted to this handsome man—who she was temporarily married to.

  Maybe if she could just keep her heart out of the mix for the next five years, she’d have it made. Right.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Bo was truly puzzled by his wife’s behavior.

  Jan silently shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

  They had been sitting in the restaurant talking about their afternoon ride on the “Maiden of the Mist,” when their waitress brought their dinner. The waitress no sooner turned and left, when Jan was overcome by a fit of giggles. Try as he might, Bo couldn’t figure out what was so funny. Maybe after two solid days of sightseeing, she was exhausted. He didn’t have any experience with hysterical women.

  “I’m…okay,” Jan managed to say. She kept giggling the entire time she was eating.

  Bo silently ate his huge steak and baked potato. He’d already made three trips to the salad bar and planned on having a couple of slices of pie for dessert. Jan had eaten her salad just fine, but she was barely getting any of her dinner down during these fits of giggles.

  “Jan, please tell me what’s going on.”

  “I c—can’t. L—later.” She went back to eating her meal and laughing. At least she wasn’t loud enough to attract attention from the other tables. Not that it would bother him; it took quite a bit to embarrass Bo. He wasn’t sure if an audience would embarrass Jan, though.

  After another forty minutes of her giggle-eating, they were both finished with their meals.

  “Are you sure you had enough to eat?” He was worried about her. It couldn’t be normal for a woman to laugh like that for so long.

  She nodded, nearly overcome by yet another fit of giggles.

  As soon as he paid their check and they were outside the restaurant, she doubled over and burst into loud laughter.

  “I’m missing something. What is so cotton pickin�
�� funny?”

  “My…my trout was staring at me!” She barely managed to speak. “I h—ad to cover his eye with m—my biscuit before…I could eat him.”

  Bo had kind of been grossed out by the fish being served whole, and he noticed that she laid her roll across it, but had no idea why. Now that she told him, he joined in with her laughter.

  “Come on.” He took her hand and led her toward their rental car. “People are starting to look. We need to get you back to our room so you can have your fit in private.” He was still chuckling, but she couldn’t seem to stop laughing.

  She didn’t stop during their drive back to the hotel or on the elevator ride to their room. She was still going strong when he closed the door behind them. Did people make themselves sick from laughing too hard? She was probably this way because she was overtired and stressed. He needed to help her stop. Talking didn’t seem to faze her. He really had only one other option.

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Much to his surprise, her laughter immediately stopped, and her hands reached up and tangled themselves in his hair. Bo lifted Jan up so he wasn’t bending over so far, and she jumped a little to end up with her legs wrapped firmly around his hips. He was now standing with the softest part of her flush against what was rapidly becoming his hardest.

  Before, she jumped away when he became aroused. This time it seemed to add fuel to her fire, and she pressed even tighter against him. He suddenly held a lit firecracker in his arms.

  Her hands left his hair and reached down between them for the hem of his shirt.

  “Get this off,” she demanded, tugging at it.

  He turned and laid her on the bed before pulling his shirt off.

  My turn.” She sat up and pulled her own top off. Then she reached up and pulled him back to her.

  Careful not to put his weight on her, Bo hovered above her, their lips the only thing touching—until he couldn’t stand it anymore. He maneuvered them until they were on their sides facing each other and, without breaking off their kiss, had her bra off in seconds.

  Then he pulled her against him, bare chest to bare chest.

  “More.” Her breath was warm on his lips. He felt her hands unfasten his jeans and then he was being tightly grasped. If she kept that up, he wasn’t going to last very long.

  “Just a minute.” Bo hadn’t felt this out of control since he was a fifteen-year-old skin-covered hormone factory. “Give me a minute.” He couldn’t believe this ball of fire was the Jan he’d known for over a year.

  She slowly released him, sliding her hands off in a way that nearly launched him into space.

  As soon as he could, he reached down and unfastened her jeans. While he pulled her jeans and panties down, she kicked her own shoes off. He had never managed to get his own pants and shoes off so fast before in his life.

  Then they were next to each other with nothing between them. Bo took control, slowing things down. He wanted to explore every inch of this beautiful woman. He picked her up and placed her head gently on the pillow before he scooted down and began at her feet. Touches, whispered words, kisses…it was unbelievable, but it wasn’t enough for Bo. He wanted to be inside her.

  “I want you…now,” she ordered, tugging his hair.

  “Let me get protection,” he murmured, starting to pull away.

  “I’m on the pill.” She pulled his head down and rose to kiss him. “Are you clean?”

  He nodded. Bo never had sex without using a condom before, but at that moment, there was nothing he wanted more.

  “So am I.” She was pulling on his shoulders. “Come on.” She wrapped her legs around him again, opening herself for his penetration. Bo took it slowly. Jan was so small…he didn’t want to hurt her. Then she took the decision out of his hands when she suddenly tightened her legs, and jerked them together, completely burying him in her all at once.

  He groaned with pleasure. Nothing had ever felt this good before. She didn’t release his hair as he started to move. In a dance with her that felt as natural as breathing, he brought her to a loud climax and soon followed.

  Afterward, Bo lay there holding his wife. He had never experienced such earth-shattering sex in his life. Never even imagined it. He held her close and felt her breathing even out as she fell asleep. His last thoughts as he drifted off to sleep were of how perfect they were together.

  The sound of a ringing phone woke Jan up. Memories of the night before—what she and Bo had done—came flooding back. She had never been sexually aggressive, or allowed a man to forego use of a condom in her very limited past experiences. But, with Bo, she just hadn’t been able to let either of them stop. What must he think of her?

  “Bo, the phone is ringing…” She shook his shoulder to wake him up.

  He opened his eyes and gave her a lazy grin. “Good morning.”

  “You need to let go of me so I can answer the phone,” she said softly.

  His eyes opened wider. “Oh.”

  He released her, and she slid out of bed and walked over to the phone. She couldn’t imagine who would be calling them while they were on their honeymoon. Suddenly, her stomach turned. She hoped nothing was wrong.

  “Hello?” she answered.

  “Am I in trouble?” It was Seth.

  She was confused. “Why would you be in trouble, Seth? What did you do?”

  “Grandma told me I couldn’t call you guys while you’re on your honeymoon, but I miss you. I snuck in here and did it anyway. Am I in trouble?”

  Her heart melted. “No. I’ll talk to Grandma in a minute and tell her it was okay for you to call. What have you been doing?”

  “Grandma and I spent one day with Mrs. Harper. I think we finally got all of her boxes downstairs. Just wait until you see what she gave me. It’s a medal from World War II that her husband got. She wants me to have it. Ain’t that neat?”

  Jan smiled. “It sure is.”

  “Then Grandma took me to the zoo. It was a lot more fun than goin’ with Bo and his…old girlfriend. I won’t ever have to see her again since he’s married to you, will I?”

  “No.” Jan looked at Bo. “You won’t ever have to see that woman again.” Bo frowned.

  “Yesterday we went to the movies. Didja know there’s a new Thor movie comin’ out? Do you think you can make me some Thor pillows for my new bedroom at Bo’s house?” He was going a mile a minute.

  “I think Bo will let us fix your room any way you’d like it.” She looked over to see Bo nodding. He held out his hand. “He wants to talk to you. Be sure and put Grandma on before you hang up. I don’t want you getting in trouble with her.”

  “Okay. I love you…Mom.”

  She felt the tears threaten. “I love you too, Seth.”

  Jan handed the phone to Bo, then went to her bag and found her satin robe.

  “Hey, buddy.” Jan could hear the warmth in Bo’s voice.

  “Sure, we can do your room in Avengers like it was in your…mom’s house.”

  “Maybe on a Saturday afternoon, you and I can go fishing with Logan and Trevor. Sundays are for family, remember?” he gently chided.

  “They let you cover first? How’d you like that?” He chuckled. “A little different from school baseball, isn’t it?”

  “Okay, go get your grandma now.”

  Seth must have called him dad because Bo’s eyes looked suspiciously damp when he said, “I love you, too.”

  “What do we need to tell your mom?” Bo asked Jan, while he was waiting on Seth to go get her.

  “I’ll talk to her. He wasn’t supposed to call us on our honeymoon, but he missed us so much, he disobeyed Mom. He figured he’d be in trouble and called us anyway.” She walked over and took the phone from him.

  “Janet Marie, I’m sorry. I told Seth this was a private time for you and Bo.” Her mother sounded upset.

  “It’s okay, Mom. That’s why I wanted to talk to you. If Seth missed us so much he didn’t care if he got in trouble for calling, I don’t w
ant him punished. This is the first time in over a year we’ve been apart, and I’m sure he’s feeling a little off-kilter. So please just forget it. He didn’t disobey you to be spiteful. He just missed us.”

  “Okay,” her mom said warmly. “I hadn’t thought about it like that. You’re perfectly right. I hope you two are having a lovely time.”

  Jan smiled at Bo. “We’re having a great time.”

  “Good. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

  “Okay.”

  “I love you, Janet.” Her voice broke.

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  She hung up the phone, then after gently extricating herself from Bo’s arms, she stood up. Reality had just hit her.

  “We’re married because of Seth,” she reminded Bo.

  He grinned at her. “That doesn’t mean we can’t meet each other’s needs, does it? I sure enjoyed last night, and you seemed to. Didn’t you?”

  “You know I did.” She felt herself blush. “I just think we need to remember why we’re married. This…here in Niagara Falls…is like a different world. When we get back home, I don’t know…”

  “I see.” Bo’s grin disappeared, and his eyes grew cold. “We can have at it up here, but once we’re back home, we’re just playing house again.”

  “Don’t be like that, Bo,” she begged. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that.”

  “Dress it up any way you want to, sweetheart. Thanks for the good time last night.” He stood up and took his bag with him into the bathroom.

  Jan slowly sank onto the chair, her head in her hands. What had she done? Had she just ruined something that could have been great?

  For some reason, she highly doubted if the last day of their honeymoon would be as enjoyable as the previous ones.

  Bo and Jan had barely spoken to each other for over twenty-four hours. Their plane was due to land in less than thirty minutes, and Patsy and Seth would be waiting for them at the airport in Indianapolis. They couldn’t leave things like they were.

  “I’m sorry, Jan.” Bo would fix this if it killed him. “You were right. Okay? I forgot why we’re married. I won’t let it happen again.”