by Devon McKay
Alone with her thoughts, Jessie realized how judgmental her comment had been. She watched the boys as they handed bucket after bucket of water down a line they had formed. It was an amazing display of teamwork. They were truly dedicated to putting out the fire, her fire, as Nate had so eloquently stated.
He joined the line, and she heard him bark out several orders. The boys respected him, regarding him with evident admiration. She watched in awe and bewilderment. Taking on this kind of responsibility wasn’t something the old Nate would’ve done.
Grabbing a discarded shovel, she positioned herself between Nate and a teen with dark hair. The boy grinned, his white teeth a sharp contrast against the grime on his smoke-blackened face. Apparently, the young man enjoyed the hard work.
A pang of guilt shot through her.
“I’m sorry about what I said about the boys,” she said to Nate, tossing a shovel full of dirt onto the embers. “It’s just that I’d seen your truck, and then you were there on J.W. Well, it struck me as odd...all I could see was the light, so bright in fact I thought you were using a spotlight because I saw three of them,” she continued, despite the shaking of his head. “The one on top blinded me. I had to look away.”
“My truck?” he questioned, facing her. “It couldn’t have been my truck. You were just seeing things. Your eyes play tricks on you when you go through something like you just did.” His forehead wrinkled in deep thought. “Still, I don’t like you implying my boys would do something so destructive. They’re good kids...”
Jessie could tell he didn’t want to believe the worst, but had a seed of doubt started to take root?
Chapter 21
“Are you sure you are okay?” Alan asked.
The concern in his stare made Jessie’s breath catch in her throat, and she fought the pang of guilt spoiling the contents in her stomach. Clearly, the man was worried about her safety. This was the third time he’d asked if she was all right. Hell, he hadn’t given her a moment to herself since she clocked in.
“Of course, I am. The fire happened two days ago. I’m fine,” she assured him, trying not to let the irritation she felt come out in her words. “Besides, I’m not pushing it and only working a few hours of the early shift like you suggested. And now, I’m officially off the clock.” She untied the strings of the small apron around her waist and folded the cloth in half, neatly placing it on top of the bar.
“In that case, you can come in your normal time tomorrow.” He flashed a smile. “If you’re sure you’re okay. I just care about you. I never want to see you get hurt.” Alan came out from behind the bar and held his arms out as if to comfort her with a hug.
“Sounds great,” Jessie said, and moved toward the bar’s door, successfully dodging his outstretched limbs. Once out of the bar, she hesitated. Working her regular shift meant she would be home all day to suffer through relentless hours of watching Nate work.
Jessie chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. The ranch had been a construction zone for the past two days. It wasn’t as if she didn’t appreciate all the hard work going into building the barn. She did. But, since stating the boys could have been responsible for the fire, he had avoided her at all costs.
The worst part, the young men had been amazing, a point of guilty friction between her and Nate. As if they needed any other source of abrasion. She scowled, blaming herself for the dark thoughts she’d implied.
Of course, she’d paid dearly for it. Watching Nate work and not being able to speak to him had been pure hell. For starters, he was always shirtless, displaying his fit, sexy body.
She often found herself as immersed in his work as he was, consumed by the way his biceps flexed with every nail he hammered. Or appreciating the way his tool belt hung low on his lean hips, accentuating his trim waist and muscular thighs. Even when he was drenched in sweat, she wanted to remedy the problem, fantasizing like a fool about sponge baths and such. Hell, yesterday she hadn’t been able to keep her gaze off of him.
Night was worse. Even in her sleep, she dreamed about him. When she closed her eyes, the visions were so vivid every carnal touch came to life, waking her with his signature scent of leather and male in the air. Sleep had been impossible.
Nate, on the other hand, seemed to care less about her. Ever since the fire, he barely spared a glance in her direction. He never acknowledged her, other than an occasional good morning accompanied by a forced smile. And it was killing her.
Jessie pulled into the drive and scurried into the house with plans to change out of her work clothes and help with the barn. She quickly threw on a fresh tank top and slipped into some shorts. As soon as her foot hit the bottom stairs on the way back out, she slammed into Rosita in the hallway.
The scent of lemons filled the air, despite the firm grasp the housekeeper managed to hold on the pitcher of lemonade. However, the stack of disposable cups she had balanced in her other hand fell to the floor. The plastic tumblers landed with a thud then scattered across the wood planks.
“Oh, Jessie, you should watch where you are going. You are always in such a hurry,” the housekeeper scolded. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you wouldn’t be back until later.”
Jessie bent down and picked up the red plastic cups, neatly restacking them in her hand. “Short shift,” she replied and stood.
Flustered, the maid reached for the cups. “I was just taking the boys something cool to drink. It’s a hot one today.”
“I’ll do it,” Jessie offered, grabbing the full pitcher without hesitation. She received a curious stare for her efforts and shifted her weight under the wise woman’s scrutiny.
A smile spread across Rosita’s face and she relinquished her hold on the pitcher. “Of course you will,” she said with a knowing wink. “And if this fails, there is always blueberry pie.”
The sly smile remained in place, and Jessie repaid her with an exasperated roll of her eyes before racing out the front door.
Nate stood along the fence, watching the barn being constructed from the outskirts. He had one boot on the lower fence rail, and she couldn’t help but admire the view from behind. The man had a knack for making any pair of jeans look good.
Upon her approach, he turned to face her, taking off his worn cowboy hat. He pulled out a red handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the sweat off his forehead. She couldn’t help but stare at his bare chest as the movement highlighted the six-pack abdomen he sported.
A thin layer of sweat glistened off his skin, stimulating her memory and making her recall the way they couldn’t get enough of each other when they were younger, lovemaking anywhere they could, his slick skin sliding against hers as they indulged in their every desire. She licked her dry lips, suddenly parched.
Her gaze followed the thin line of dark hair trailing down his chiseled stomach and continuing below the waist of his jeans. Good Lord, he was sexy.
She inhaled a deep, shaky breath. “I, uh, brought you some lemonade,” she said. Needing the distraction, she poured the liquid and handed the cup to him.
She splashed some of the beverage in her own glass, holding the cool exterior against her forehead and then to her neck against the heat. A trickle of condensation streamed off the bottom and down into the crevice her bosom. She glanced up, locking his gaze and noting the blatant spark of desire in the dark blue depths. A stab of longing pooled in the pit of her stomach.
He deserved this...to feel as tormented as she did. It was his fault for starting this fire down below and not putting the flame out. Hell, he’d ignited an inferno. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to rip his tool belt off and...
“Mama, look. I’m building stuff.”
Jessie snapped her head around to find her daughter pounding a stake into the ground with a plastic, child-size hammer. A small tool belt hung around her waist. She sucked in a deep breath, embarrassment flooding her to the core. How long had Jade been there?
She glanced back at Nate. A smirk replaced the smolder
ing heat his stare held only moments before. He shrugged his shoulders, and despite his indifferent response, she was still tormented by the flame he had incited.
In order to bury the raw lust he’d inspired, Jessie walked over to the girl. Thankfully, the child had been there to bring her to her senses. After spending a few minutes with her daughter, she kissed her on the forehead, handed her the lemonade and cups to disburse and made her way to the barn. Refusing to glance in Nate’s direction, she jumped on the tractor. It took only a few minutes to ride to the creek. The further away the better. Apparently, she would stop at nothing to embarrass herself.
She parked the John Deere alongside the creek bank. Hopping off of the machine, she tore herself free from the encompassment of her shirt and shorts and jumped into the deep part of the creek. Once her feet touched the rocky floor, she stood still, allowing the brisk water to slide over her skin like cool silk.
Jessie embraced the feeling, wishing the water would cool the fire between her inner thighs. But as soon as she closed her eyes, an image of Nate appeared. Simultaneously, her body responded with the tightening of her breasts, her nipples taut, pebbled nubs. Damn him. How could he have this kind of effect on her when he wasn’t even in sight?
Her mind drifted back to what had happened only minutes ago. She’d almost lost it when he stared at her the way he had. As if she were the main course to dinner and he was a man past the brink of starvation. If it hadn’t been for Jade’s interruption, she might have jumped him right then and there.
The thunder of hooves interrupted the quiet solace. Speak of the devil, she cursed as Nate’s telltale silhouette on his horse approached in the near distance. What did he have, some kind of inner radar that sent off a silent alarm whenever she had thoughts about him?
Still shirtless, she could see the defined ripple of his abs and a sudden jolt of desire spread through her body, pulsating in a warm beat between her thighs. Her pulse raced to a maddening speed, again.
Nate jumped down from the mount and stared at her for a moment. Then, without saying a word, he started to strip off the rest of his clothes.
His boots, one by one, were deposited on the ground in a cloud of dust. His socks followed suit, then his belt. She heard herself gasp when he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his jeans. Nate continued to stare at her, his dark blue gaze daring her to say something.
Instead, she did something out of character for her, something bold. She accepted his challenge by unhooking and tossing her wet, black lace bra onto the creek bank. A pair of matching panties followed.
Nate cocked an eyebrow, regarding the two items with great interest, and she held her breath, waiting for his response. Past the point of caring about anything else at the moment, her desire took control, weakening her with its fierce demand.
Finally, a naughty smile split across his face, and he dropped his jeans, then his drawers and dove into the creek before she could think twice.
His heat brushed against her in the cool water, setting her skin on fire as he surfaced behind her. She kept her back to him, fearful of the reaction he would inspire if she faced him.
The sweltering warmth of his skin against her backside was decadent, and she allowed herself the indulgence, swaying with the water against the hardness of his erection.
His lips nibbled her ear lobe, teasing her with his tongue. An uncontrollable shiver ran down her spine. When his mouth trailed to her neck, she couldn’t any more and turned, seeking his lips with pent up fury. He responded in kind, unleashing a fierce desire.
He kissed her with intensity, his mouth feasting on hers with a hunger she could no longer refuse. The kiss deepened, his tongue dancing with hers, searching for more. After several intense minutes, the heat of his lips returned to the tender arch of her neck, scorching her skin and driving her to the verge of insanity with need.
His mouth reached her exposed breasts, his tongue swirling on the tips of her nipples, pushing her over the edge. She guided his hand down to the triangle where her thighs met. As soon as he touched the tender, fleshy folds of her most sensitive spot, a moan escaped her. His fingers circled and danced, teasing her, releasing a savage need, demanding more from the both of them.
Jessie wrapped her legs around his waist, needing him closer. He rubbed the head of his penis against her, and the raw ache consumed her as he continued the torment until she couldn’t endure the suffering any longer and heard herself begging for more.
Nate took his time to respond to her demands, the pressure building, continuing the torture until his touch ravished her flesh with a hungry fury. Grabbing her hips in a firm grip, he thrust himself inside. She shuddered her release within seconds.
He paused long enough for her to catch her breath, his mouth returning to her breasts. His rhythm slow and steady. A surge of pleasure rocked through her body—robbing the small amount of endurance Jessie had left, and she succumbed, limp against his chest.
Nate carried her out of the water and gently guided her down to the soft green, covering surrounding the creek bed. Exploring her body, he kissed her curves as the grass tickled her backside.
He centered on her breasts, teasing his tongue around her taut nipples until, once again, her body screamed with longing. He kissed his way down to her thighs. His tongue probed, tasting her sweet womanhood and provoking an insatiable hunger within her.
“I need you now,” she heard herself say, her voice sounding distant and far away through the thunder in her ears.
It was the only encouragement he needed. Hot, fiery kisses trailed up her body, until the heat of his lips met hers, and his tongue explored her mouth with new intensity. He entered her again, and with a slow and steady pace, she rode a crest of waves, escalating into an explosion of sexual gratification.
Laying down in his arms, the warm afternoon sun baked her naked flesh. Without words, she basked in the aftermath of the lovemaking as a sense of fulfillment spread through her limbs.
The moment Jessie spared a glance at him, her heart broke all over again. Certain he was sleeping, she traced the contours of his face with her fingertip. The man was beautiful.
She inhaled a deep breath. With his dark hair and chiseled cheekbones, there had been rumors of Native blood running through his veins. Must have been on his mother’s side, she concluded exhaling the breath. She knew so little about his mother. The subject had always been off limits.
Jessie made her way to his strong jaw line. Even in sleep, his chin was stubborn. She smiled. Gage had the same chin, but not the stubborn streak. Jade had been the one blessed with that attribute.
These past few weeks, the children had gotten quite attached to their father. At first, it had been difficult. She’d been so worried, so fearful he would hurt them as he had hurt her. But in all actuality, her children were never in jeopardy. She was.
Deep in her heart, Jessie knew no matter what happened between the two of them, Nate would always accept responsibility for the twins. He would love them and provide them with everything he never had.
Then why had she been so selfish?
The answer was easy. When he left, she’d been devastated. She was so depressed, even eating had become a chore, only accomplished for the growing babies in her stomach. She never wanted to experience such hurt again.
But here she was, opening herself up to it. Hell, she just handed herself to him on a platter.
Jessie trailed a fingertip along the bump that split his collarbone.
“I remember when you did this,” she whispered, kissing his skin.
Nate opened his eyes. “Pretty stupid, huh? What were we thinking climbing that water tower?”
He shook his head and she agreed in silence. They had made many stupid, rash decisions as kids.
“Unbelievable, I’m surprised I made it this far in one piece.”
Her lips continued to search his body, centering on several angry red scars circling his bicep. “And these?”
“Oh yeah, the barbed wi
re that kicked my ass.” A chuckle escaped his lips.
She stopped kissing him as tears filled her eyes. His body was like a treasured page from a favorite book, harboring so many memories, moments they shared. She had scars, too. Only hers ran much deeper. Her battle wounds started and ended with Nate’s unpredictable way of coming and going.
His gaze lingered on her face. For a moment, she got lost, drawn to the crystal clear, glacier blue so different than the dark sapphire from moments before.
Suddenly, she felt uncomfortable. Vulnerable. “I’ve got to get back to the ranch. The kids will be wondering where I ran off to. And if you only knew how adventurous Jade can be...” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing she was rambling on.
Why couldn’t she be honest with this man? Why couldn’t she tell him she was scared to death he would play her for a fool and break her heart again? She wanted to. More than anything. Give herself to him and not give a damn about the consequences. But she knew the cost. Was he destined to break her heart over and over again?
“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Nate said, releasing the words in a slow, intoxicating drawl. He twined a strand of her hair around his fingertip, pulling her gently toward him. “We could stay here for the rest of the day and no one would notice.” His mouth found hers, kissing her with a leisurely pursuit.
Jessie allowed the kiss, reluctant at first before succumbing to the awakening pool of desire his lips provoked. This could work. Right? Or was she destined to play the fool?
Chapter 22
“She’s pretty.” Taylor put the toe of his scuffed boot on the bottom of the fence rail.
“Are you talking about that little Chestnut filly over there?” Nate pointed to the backside of the corral. He eyed the quarter horse. She would meet their needs.
He glanced over at the young teen beside him for confirmation. Taylor shrugged his shoulders, relinquishing a quick nod of his head in approval.
Every day, the boy reminded him a little bit more of himself. The kid didn’t miss a beat, his shrewd gaze taking in everything. Plus, he was a quick learner, easily getting the hang of things, picking up the ranch life.
