by Rita Sawyer
Jake looked over his shoulder at Jessie, who nodded as she rubbed her slightly rounded belly. “Yup. We’re staying out of your love life just like you told us to.”
“Your sisters are obviously smarter than you. Now open the door and take your punishment like a woman.” He gave the door a shove, adding his shoulder to his leg.
“Ooh, are you finally man enough to give it to me?” she taunted and he heard her sisters gasp behind him.
He leaned in so close only she could hear him. “Darlin’, from here on out you can count on it.”
“I told you, you’re too late. I’m done playing games with you. Just go away.” Her eyes filled with tears, but the conviction in her voice was what really bothered him.
“Don’t think you’re going to sway me with tears. This is important.” He kept trying to wedge his body into the gap, and somehow she found the strength to fight him.
“Damn it, Jake, I’m not talking to you.” Bobbie’s voice held a steeliness he’d never heard before, and it had the strangest effect on him.
It was like she flicked the one switch she hadn’t touched until now, the one thing that had been keeping him from acting on the carnal urges she constantly brought on. Damn. The little wench would have to be the only one who could make him want her so badly he actually ached for her touch.
“That’s fine with me. You don’t need to talk. I just need for you to listen.” His retort was just as harsh as hers and he saw the flash in her eyes that should have been a warning.
“After what you did, I never have to listen to you again. If I’ve broken the law in some way, send that cute new deputy of yours out to talk to me. Otherwise, get off my property before I call him myself.”
“You may live here but it’s Sam’s property now. Until she orders me off I’m staying.”
“Fine, then I’ll go.” The fucking little shit let the door go and bolted.
Her unexpected retreat didn’t even give him a chance to back off. With all the weight he was putting behind the door, he couldn’t stop himself falling forward. He landed on the floor, taking the brunt of the fall with his shoulder and hip. Pain radiated up and down his side, but he didn’t let it hold him back. He scrambled to his feet, crawling the first few steps toward the back door, which the little witch had left wide open after she dashed through.
He raced outside and thought he saw a blur of white to the left, but his gut told him to go right. Years of intense situations had taught him to always go with his gut. He made it around to the front of the house in time to see Bobbie’s new yellow Jeep tearing down the driveway, suds and all. Damn, right now he wished she hadn’t gotten rid of that piece of crap she’d driven for the past three years. He would have been able to catch up with her so much easier if she couldn’t get away so fast.
“Before you chase after her, do you want to tell us what’s going on?” Sam asked from up on the porch.
“Not yet, but once I get things straight I’ll explain it to all of you. In the meantime, can you pack a bag for her? We’ll pick it up when I drag her back.” He could tell neither of Bobbie’s older sisters liked the idea, but they headed inside, hopefully to do as he asked.
Jake climbed into his truck and tried to think of where to look first. He could radio in for help, but her comment about his new deputy stung too much for him to do that. He knew it was a mistake to hire the kid, but he had all the skills Jake was looking for. How would he have explained not hiring him because he was too handsome? Truthfully, the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind, but it was in there festering now. Did she really think the son of a bitch was cute? It didn’t matter. Neither did the fact she still thought something had happened between him and the new stenographer, Kerri, over at the courthouse. None of it mattered, because they had much bigger and more immediate problems to deal with.
Bobbie might think she had a legitimate reason to be pissed at him—and maybe she did—but that was only because she refused to hear the truth. Or at least his version of what had happened. Instead, she was getting the information from everyone but him. He hadn’t pushed too hard, because truthfully, he knew she was hurt. Damn it, that was one of the reasons he denied them both what they’d wanted for years. Getting any more romantically involved with her than he already was would only risk hurting her more. Couldn’t she see he was trying to protect her heart? Why couldn’t her sisters see it, either? Maybe they all did and just didn’t care.
Again, that would all have to be put aside until he dealt with this threat. More than her heart was at risk now, and he wasn’t about to let anything happen to her.
* * * *
It had been four days since she had dinner at Beau’s, and this was the first time she’d seen Jake. She had no idea what Beau had said to him, but she’d noticed the bruise starting to go from red to purple on Beau’s cheek when he picked Charlie up that evening. She hated that he’d gotten it on her account. Bobbie expected Jake to show up later that night, and she planned on giving him a piece of her mind, but he never showed.
He hadn’t called or stopped by to see her at all even though he’d hinted in town that he would—under the guise of some other reason of course—so Bobbie assumed Jake was back to avoiding her. He really didn’t have to, because she was too busy with her own life to think about searching him out. She needed to get the new reservation system installed and get everyone trained before school started next week.
For now, Jake was nothing more than an annoying blip on her radar, at least that’s what she tried to tell herself. Truthfully, she was glad he hadn’t come around, because she still wasn’t ready to deal with him. She hadn’t decided what she was going to do about her feelings for him. The time was at hand for her to make a choice. There were three ways to handle the situation. She could love him and be alone knowing she’d never have him. Or she could find someone else and still love Jake, which wouldn’t be fair to anyone. Then there was her last resort, making him choose.
Her sisters had confessed that they’d hoped her leaving town would have made him come to his senses about their relationship, which was one of the reasons Bobbie had taken the job at the B&B. That hadn’t worked out as any of them had planned. Without her in town, Jake obviously felt free to see other women. Not that Bobbie would have ever tried to stop him, because she didn’t have the right.
She didn’t have to like it though, and Jake was usually circumspect to protect her feelings. The same went for her. She’d gone out with other guys, but always in a “we’re just friends” sort of way, and Jake knew it. Please. No one had come close to making me want them even half as much as I want Jake. She wasn’t sure anyone ever would either, but if she opened herself up to the idea it might happen.
Bobbie knew she was running out of time to consider everything. He proved that when he showed up at the house demanding to talk to her. She figured there were other things he wanted to talk to her about, besides her dinner with Beau and Charlie. Her brothers-in-law had hinted that he wasn’t happy with her cruising around town with her friends. As if registering for classes and shopping for school supplies could be considered cruising.
Bobbie wasn’t going listen to the reasons why he thought her new car and her behavior was inappropriate. She pressed down on the gas pedal, loving the feel of the power as her new Jeep climbed the rough, overgrown trail up the back of the mountain to the peak. Right now she had no doubts Jake was driving around town looking for her. If she hadn’t given into all the prodding from her sisters to get rid of her old hand-me-down car and get something more dependable, he would have found her already. If she’d let them talk her into getting a staid sedan or coupe, climbing this path would have been out of the question.
That’s why she’d done it on her own before she came home. It was her choice, and she didn’t want anyone trying to influence her decision. At times, having five older sisters was the equivalent to having five mothers. One of them always had an opinion about what she should or shouldn’t do. Bobbie respecte
d their input because she knew it came from a place of love. Still, there had been times when she’d wished they’d all back off a little. But now, after being on her own for six weeks, she was glad to have them hovering over her again.
Jake, on the other hand, had no say in anything she did anymore. In the past, she’d given him the opportunity to think he had some influence on her decisions, but that time had come and gone. During her internship at Georgie’s friend’s B&B down in New Hampshire, she had learned a lot of things they could implement that would help them run the lodge and campground more efficiently, but she’d also learned a lot of things about herself she hadn’t known.
Her sisters had noticed the changes right away. They seemed pleased with her newfound strength and confidence. Not so much with the independent streak she’d embraced. Jake probably wouldn’t like it either, but that wasn’t her problem. She was done trying to please him. Bobbie still loved him, but she truthfully didn’t think that would ever change. She just hoped that she’d shielded enough of her heart for someone else to squeeze in and try to conquer it.
Bobbie knew she’d gone about as far as she could go in the Jeep. She set the emergency brake and hopped out. Her feet hit the ground and she paused, just listening. She heard nothing, which was a good sign. The path to the top of the peak was just wide enough for one of the four-wheelers they had down at the lodge. She could tell from the churned-up ground that someone had been up there recently.
A branch whacked her bare leg and she hissed. A tank top, shorts, and old sneakers weren’t the best hiking attire, but thanks to Jake she hadn’t had much of a choice. She slapped a branch out of her way and moved to the middle of the path. She wasn’t going to be able to hide out up there for too long. As she passed one of the bigger trees, she heard something rustle. Thinking it was a skunk or some other small creature, she moved closer to the other side of the trail and picked up her speed.
Without warning, someone came up behind her and wrapped their arms around her waist. It only took a few seconds for Bobbie to recognize that it was Jake. It wasn’t his scent—though it was so distinctly him—that gave him away. Bobbie knew from the way her body practically hummed every time he touched her that it was him. She wasn’t sure what he was trying to prove with this little stunt, but it wasn’t going to work.
“Oh, scary stranger, don’t hurt me.” She let her body go limp.
Her knees buckled and she started to slide through his hold toward the ground. Jake must not have been prepared for that move, though he should have been since he taught it to her. His arms tightened just below her breasts, stopping her descent. Bobbie didn’t move a muscle. She just closed her eyes and let herself hang there like a rag doll.
It was really hard, because with his warm, hard body at her back all she wanted to do was wiggle back against him. He jostled her a bit, trying to get a better grip. One of his hands grazed her breasts and he growled. Bobbie bit her lip, not sure whether or not she was trying to keep from laughing or moaning. Either way, it would have only showed him he had gotten a reaction. She was going to do her best not to give him anything.
“Damn it, Bobbie. You have to do everything the hard way,” Jake groused as he managed to turn her around so she was facing him.
She was glad she’d kept her eyes closed. Now with her face against his chest she found it even more difficult to be unresponsive. Still, when Jake had given the self-defense class he stressed three things. First and most importantly, try to run. That was out of the question here. Second, you should do whatever you can to make it impossible for them to take you anywhere. Third—and this, too, wasn’t a choice in this situation—was to do as much damage to your assailant as possible.
So her only choice was to make this as rough on him as she could. Jake surprised her by slinging her over his shoulder and marching up the path to the top of the peak. She fought the urge to pound on his back and demand for him to put her down. Once he reached the outcropping of rocks he started to lower her to the ground. Beyond pissed off at his manhandling, Bobbie took advantage of his stooped position and shoved at his shoulders.
He fell backward onto his ass, and she turned to run. Jake was too quick and agile because he lunged forward and grabbed her. This time Bobbie let out a high-pitched squeal and squirmed with everything she had. It wasn’t enough. Jake pulled her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around hers and hooked one leg over hers. She growled and faced the fact that there was no way for her to get away.
Though she gave up the fight—for now—the fury continued to build inside her. If Jake was trying make her see that he had the brute strength and skills to subdue her, he’d gotten his point across. However, Bobbie had skills of her own, and he should be very careful where he tried to take this little show of his.
“Are you ready to listen to me now?” Jake asked even though they both knew she didn’t have much of a choice.
“Sure.” Bobbie’s sister, Frankie, would have been so proud at the surliness in her tone.
His chest rose and fell behind her as Jake let out a deep sigh. Bobbie barely held back a moan as his warm breath tingled against her neck. At least with him behind her back he couldn’t see the way her traitorous body reacted. With just a thin tank top and bra on, there would be no way for him to mistake the way her nipples hardened. The jerk should be forced to see the effect he had on her.
“Damn it. You make everything so hard.”
She wiggled against the firm bulge his cock made beneath her ass. “Well, you should have thought about that before putting us in this position.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” She sighed, wishing he did. “But really it is uncomfortable. My legs are going to be all scratched.”
“If I let go, do you promise not to try and run so we can talk?” She nodded and he got to his feet, keeping her in his arms as he did.
He settled her on her feet and took a step back. She crossed her arms under her breasts and waited. Jake surprised her, bending down and running his hands up the back of her legs. She held her breath as his fingers slowly brushed away any dirt that might have been stuck to her skin. She glared at him over her shoulder as he stood up. He moved in front of her with a smile and glanced at her breasts. Bobbie knew he was fully aware of what he was doing, or trying to do.
Not about to let him think he still had the upper hand, she turned her gaze to his groin. Jake looked down, too. The ridge behind his zipper was quite telling. He just shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Bobbie used to love when he looked at her like that, but things had changed, and it was time for him learn that.
Don’t start this unless you’re ready to finish it, a little voice in her head warned. She wasn’t going to. Not there and not then. The next time one of them made the move they were going to finish it.
This wasn’t the right time. “So what’s so all-fired important that you won’t leave me alone?”
“Look, before we get into that I want to explain about that thing with Kerri one more time.”
Thing. She wasn’t going to let him off that easy. “You mean your date?”
“It wasn’t a date…I mean, we didn’t go together as a couple. We just went as two people who…were required to make an appearance, but didn’t want to bring a date.” There were enough pauses in his explanation that she could have interjected at any time, but she didn’t.
“So you went as each other’s date?” Her question was more of a confirmation.
“Yes. No!” He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re determined to twist anything I say, aren’t you?”
“It wouldn’t be so easy if you weren’t trying to make up a lame excuse, not that you even owe me one. Besides, if you’d just stop talking and leave me alone I wouldn’t have to.” It would also make things easier if she didn’t love him so much.
“Maybe we should just skip all this, because I have a more immediate situation to deal with and you happen to be a major par
t of it.” Whatever his issue was he didn’t sound happy about it. More likely it was the “needing her” part that he didn’t like.
“Really?” She didn’t plan on being a willing participant in anything he had up his sleeve.
“Yeah. You and I are going to disappear for a little while.” He dropped the bomb and just stared at her.
She shook her head and stabbed her finger at her chest. “I’m not going anywhere. I just got home.”
“You’ve been here for almost two weeks and we’ve barely talked at all, because you won’t give me a chance.” There was hurt in his voice, but she refused to take all the blame.
She gave him a small smile. “I told you there’s nothing to say. Things happened while I was gone and we need to move on.”
The time away was supposed to give her a chance to determine how to deal with Jake’s passive-aggressive stance on their relationship. Obviously, nothing had changed for him. He still wanted to ignore the fact they wanted each other. Bobbie, on the other hand, was ready to issue him a life-changing ultimatum. But maybe if she gave him just one more chance to reach the decision on his own he would realize what everyone else already had.
Could she, should she, go along with him? “Where do you think we’re going, and why?”
“I’ve made some enemies over the years, and one of them has made a threat that I have to take seriously.”
Okay, she didn’t like the sound of that at all, but she needed to know more. “What does this have to do with me?”
“She said she’s going after something I care about.” His voice had a roughness that scared and turned her on.
“And you instantly thought me?” Well, that would be a declaration of sorts.
“Everyone in town has us linked together and that’s not something she’ll miss.”
“She? You’re running from a woman?”
“No. I’m protecting you from a woman.”
“Don’t you think there are other people or things she might consider more important?”
