Daring to Fall

by T. J. Kline

  His dark gaze continued to bore into hers. “I’m not sure,” she answered honestly.

  Ben snapped his attention back to the front of the bar where some sort of commotion had begun at the door, breaking the connection between them. He hopped off the back of her truck, lifting the tailgate and slamming her vet box closed. “You’re going to have trust me now. Get in and drive.”

  “What?” A ping hit the side of her truck and she looked up in time to see Jake squatting to pick up another of the small river rocks that decorated the flower beds near the front of the bar.

  “You bitch, I told you’d regret—”

  Ben shoved her toward the open driver’s side door and into the truck, following her inside and slamming the door closed. “Keys?”

  Without questioning him, she handed them over, just as another rock bounced off the car parked beside her. Jake stumbled down the steps, obviously drunk, with two guys groping for him, trying to reach for his arms which, luckily for her, kept him from getting off a well-aimed shot. Brandon stood behind his brother watching the situation unfold. It seemed like every time she was anywhere near Ben, trouble wasn’t far behind.

  “Damn, looks like I didn’t hit him as hard as I thought I did.” Ben drove out of town and pulled her truck onto the main highway.

  “You hit him?”

  He shot her an incredulous look. “The guy just chucked rocks at you and you’re going to give me a hard time for knocking his ass out?”

  “No. I’m mad you didn’t give me the opportunity to hit him myself.”

  “I mean, the least you could have done was hold him and let me take a shot.”

  Emma never failed to surprise him. She actually sounded disappointed.

  He’d realized from the start that Emma had a temper but he’d never thought she’d be such a firecracker. He’d expected her to be outraged that he’d gotten into a fight, to be upset that he’d sunk to using brute force, but it had never crossed his mind that she’d be jealous that she hadn’t had a chance to throw a punch at the guy.

  “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “Uh, no, and if there’s a dent in my truck, I’m driving back and putting a dent in him.”

  “Emma, you can’t go around slugging guys.”

  “I can if they dent my truck.” She arched a brow at him. “You seem to be forgetting that you hit him, Boy Scout. What makes you think it’s okay for you to do it defending my honor but I can’t?”

  “I did that to keep him from coming out to find you.”

  “Yeah, well, you should have hit him harder.” She glanced toward the window. “I’m so sick of the double standard you men have. Why is it okay for you but not me?”

  “Because he’d hit you back. That guy isn’t exactly a gentleman.”

  She snorted with an unladylike laugh as she turned back to him. “And you, McQuaid, are too much a gentleman for your own good.”

  Ben couldn’t help but recall the last time she’d accused him of being “gentlemanly,” straddling him, just before they’d made love. He felt himself instantly grow hard at the memory and bit back a groan.

  “Look, I have wrestled alligators, been charged twice by a brown bear and been bitten by a tiger. Do you really think Jake could do anything that would actually scare me?”

  Ben slowly turned toward her. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “It comes with the job when you’re working with exotic animals. There are just some inherent dangers you have to accept.”

  Ben stared at her in awe.

  “What?”

  “You’re a pretty tough chick,” he admitted. She shrugged a shoulder then appeared sorry she’d mentioned it. “Must make it hard for a guy to impress you when you have more balls then they do.”

  She gave him a wary look. “For all your bravado, men generally have extremely sensitive egos, I have yet to meet a guy okay with dating a woman who is stronger, tougher or more courageous. I’m not going to girl it up just so a guy can feel macho.”

  Is that what they were doing? Dating?

  “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” She rolled her eyes at him. “A two-year relationship down the tubes. Said he didn’t want to bury me in pieces.”

  She fell silent and Ben knew she wouldn’t elaborate, but it explained why she was still alone. She’d been rejected, because of her job, by a man who felt weakened by her strength. He didn’t push her for more details and turned off the main highway, down the road leading to her place.

  “You’re taking me home?” Surprise and what sounded like disappointment colored her voice.

  “Yes. Is that a problem?”

  “It is when I was hoping to escape for the night. I’ve been cooped up on this ranch for months.”

  Ben could recognize a hint when he heard one but he didn’t have much choice. Try as he might to convince himself differently, Ben knew that if given the choice between Emma in his bed or sleeping alone, he’d choose her without thinking twice. This woman drew him like a moth. He knew the danger but simply couldn’t resist the flame.

  “I’ll tell you what,” she began, her voice dangerously seductive as her hand reached over to lay on his forearm. “We can head back to your place and I promise to doctor up the rest of your wounds.” She met his gaze with her siren smile. “And anything else that might ail you.”

  She reached up, her fingers careful as she tipped his face to one side to inspect a cut on his jaw. A sizzle of heat exploded in his chest. He wanted her, in a bad way, but he also knew it was a horrible idea. They were different, too different.

  He reached for her hand, turning his head to press a kiss to her palm. Her eyes lit up like jewels. “As great as that idea sounds, it’s Game Night at my place and all my brothers are there starting their all-night poker game.”

  “Great.” She spun in the seat. “I’m in.”

  “What do you mean, ‘you’re in’?”

  “I mean, I was going to the bar tonight to relax, have fun and blow off some steam. What’s the difference if I have fun at the bar or somewhere else?”

  Ben looked over at her. He couldn’t blame her for wanting to have some time away from the recent troubles at the animal sanctuary. Between the constant, backbreaking work, the backlash from the articles and dealing with Jake, a night out might be exactly what she needed to come back with fresh eyes and a new perspective. He couldn’t imagine living at the fire station 24/7 or the stress it could potentially cause. Everyone deserved a night off.

  “You might be sorry. They’re sort of a rowdy bunch, but I guess you’re in luck. Only four of them will be there tonight.”

  “As long as there’s beer and food, I can take whatever they throw at me.”

  Ben had no doubt she could.

  Emma hadn’t been sure what to expect when they pulled up in front of the old bunkhouse. Ben hadn’t mentioned that he still lived at home, now that she was here, there was no doubt that was his situation. Well, technically his parents lived in the house across the driveway, but he was still living on their property, just across a gravel road.

  She bit back a smile when she realized he was worried about her judging him for it. Why would she? She been planning on moving back as well, a woman in her late twenties returning to stay with her father. Nothing said success that way that did. Instead, she was living on his ranch which, thanks to his will, now belonged to Sierra Tracks and her, since he’d never gotten around to naming anyone else in his trust.

  Laughter spilled out from the open windows as someone yelled.

  “That would be Andrew.” Ben rolled his eyes. “Sounds like he’s hot again tonight. He’s killed us the past three weeks.”

  She shot him a confident grin. Emma knew she should probably keep her mouth shut since she and Lady Luck hadn’t exactly been on good speaking terms lately but she couldn’t resist. “That means he’ll have plenty for me to take from him tonight.”

  “You think you’re that good, huh?”

  “
The park I worked at had some animals doing a show in Vegas for two weeks. I went along and picked up a few tricks while I was there.” She wagged a finger at him. “But don’t you dare say anything.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.” Ben laughed. “It’ll be fun to watch you take him down.”

  Opening the door for her, Ben led her into the living room where furniture was shoved aside to make room for a game table and several folding chairs. Food was scattered across the bar that separated the kitchen and living room and the spicy scent of pepperoni and grease made her stomach growl. As they made their way into the main room, five heads swiveled their direction and the laughter immediately gave way to curiosity.

  “You guys up for two more?” Ben grabbed two more chairs and slid them closer to the table.

  “I thought you were having drinks with Angie?”

  Emma recognized Andrew, even without his uniform, and tried not to acknowledge the stab of jealousy at the mention of Ben out with another woman.

  “She had a ride home.” Ben glared at him. “Emma, you remember my brother, Andrew. This is Grant, and the twins, Jackson and Jefferson.”

  “I’m Maddie, and so excited that I’m not the only girl here tonight.” She rose and shook Emma’s hand. “We need a little less testosterone in this room.”

  “My sister,” Ben clarified when she looked his direction. “This is Emma. She’s taken over for Conrad at Sierra Tracks.”

  “Jefferson,” one of the twins said, holding out his hand. “We were all really sorry to hear about your father, Emma. He was a good guy,” one of the twins said.

  Emma immediately liked him. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

  “Are you two playing?” Maddie asked. “Did you at least warn her about Andrew’s cheating?” She shot her brother a dirty look.

  “I don’t cheat. I’m a cop; I uphold the law,” he insisted.

  “And I raise cattle. Doesn’t mean I won’t barbecue one of those suckers. You always were the best liar of us all growing up,” Jackson said with a laugh.

  “Not to mention the biggest troublemaker,” Grant pointed out. “How many times did I nearly have to bail you out of jail in high school?”

  Andrew waved them off. “Kid stuff. I make up for it by following all the rules now.”

  “Hmm.” Maddie gave a snort and rolled her eyes. “Forgive me for not believing you, liar.”

  “I can’t help it if you guys suck at poker.”

  “You really sure you want to subject yourself to this tonight?” Ben asked, laying a hand at her lower back and directing her toward the kitchen. He pulled open the refrigerator and she could see what looked like several cases of beer bottles but without labels. “This is mild compared to what it will look like after they get a few more of Andrew’s stash in them. I doubt this is what you had in mind when you headed into town to escape.”

  He passed her a bottle and she stared at it, curious about the contents. “Home brew?”

  “I know it seems a little weird but he’s actually pretty good at it. Just don’t tell him I said so. He’s already way too cocky.” Ben chuckled as he slid pizza onto two plates, passing her one before popping the top from the bottles and tossing them into the trash. “Make yourself at home, eat whatever you want. Just stack the bottles on the sink. Andrew washes and reuses them.”

  She took a long draw from the bottle, surprised at the citrus-pine flavor that burst on her tongue just before the bitter hops kicked in.

  “He makes a good IPA.”

  Ben’s brows shot up in surprise.

  “What? A girl can’t know her beer? Don’t even get me started on Scotch.” She tipped the bottle toward him.

  “I see your father raised you right.”

  “Damn straight.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “No fucking way,” Andrew muttered, throwing his cards on the table as Emma gathered the pot and stacked it in front of her with a victorious smile. “What the hell did you even bring her here for, Ben?”

  “Vengeance,” Maddie supplied.

  Andrew pursed his lips, trying not to look pissed but Ben knew better. He was pouting like a baby after losing six hands straight to Emma. “I saw her hand. How the hell did you pull that off?”

  “I thought you said you didn’t cheat, Officer.”

  Guffaws and cat calls sounded from the table as Emma called Andrew out on his slipup.

  “At least now we know how he does it.” Ben laughed as he rose. “Anyone want another round?”

  “Nope, I’m heading home.” Grant rose from the table. “I promised Bethany I wouldn’t be too late and I’m taking James out fishing in the morning so she can get some wedding planning accomplished.”

  “Soon you’ll be a shackled man.” Jackson laughed as he rocked back in the chair, dangerously close to tipping it. He slowly began to whistle “Taps.”

  “Well, I’m headed to a warm bed with a woman who loves me. You’re headed to a bunkbed with your twin brother,” Grant pointed out. “Not sure you have any room to talk shit, baby bro.”

  Ben laughed. “Need a ride?”

  “No, I stopped a while back.” He held up his can of soda. “Besides, Emma’s going to need an escort. These guys may jump her on the way out to get their money back.”

  “What is it with you guys and your outdated chivalry?” Emma shook her head and finished off what was left in the bottle in front of her. “I’ll bet that my overweight black bear at home has better wrestling moves than any of you, and his signature move is to lie down.”

  Jackson laughed and Jefferson’s eyes lit up at her challenge. No way in hell was Ben letting either of those two get their hands on her. Jealousy shot through him, even as he reminded himself that none of his brothers would break the unspoken code they’d always had. No screwing with another guy’s woman.

  “We’ll leave the wrestling to Ben.” Jackson slapped Ben on the shoulder. “But next time, warn me before you bring the cardsharp, you dick. I won’t bring so much money.” He took his bottle to the counter and grabbed one Ben had just taken from the refrigerator. “She cleaned me out.”

  “I’m tapped too.” Maddie rose and headed into the kitchen to put away the food. Emma rushed in to help but Maddie shooed her away. “You’re a guest and, judging from those sour faces, you may not be welcome again,” she teased. “However, as far as I’m concerned, you’re welcome anytime, even if it’s only to help me terrorize those guys.”

  Ben watched Emma laughing with his siblings. She fit in with them as if she’d been born part of his family. He’d assumed that being an only child wouldn’t have prepared her for the chaotic party that made up his family. He adored them, but he also knew they could be a lot to handle all at once. They were too loud, too rambunctious and too obnoxious at times. But Emma had taken it all in stride.

  “So, Emma,” Jefferson sidled up beside her and looped an arm over her shoulders, a little too wobbly on his feet to still be sober, and jabbed a thumb in Ben’s direction. “Please tell me you’re going to get this guy to loosen up. Him and Andrew are so straight-laced, the rest of us never get to have any fun.”

  “You have no room to talk, so stop complaining,” Maddie said as she plucked the half-empty beer bottle from his hands. “Try being the only girl and the youngest.” She grabbed Jefferson’s arm and shoved him toward his room. “You need to go to bed before you embarrass yourself.”

  Ben shot his sister a look of pure gratitude. He owed her big-time for that one.

  Jackson came into the kitchen with a groan. “I can’t believe it’s two a.m. Dad is going to be in here in three hours.” He slid his half-empty bottle onto the counter. “I would just like one day, just one, to sleep past six.”

  “Lightweight,” Emma shot at him.

  “Watch yourself, Red. Those are fighting words,” Jackson laughed. “But, because you’ve got balls, you’re welcome here any time. As long as we’re not playing cards,” he amended.

  “Chicke
n,” Ben said with a laugh.

  “No, just smart. I can beat you guys. She’s a different story.”

  Maddie tossed the washcloth at Andrew. “I’ve put all the food away and sent the youngins to bed. You can finish cleaning.”

  “Hey! I thought the winner cleaned.”

  Emma patted his shoulder as she moved closer to Ben, a fact his body responded to instantly as his pulse kicked up a notch. “Not when the winner is a guest. Suck it up, buttercup. You’ll live.”

  Maddie’s eyes met Ben’s, bright with humor. “I like her.”

  “I had no doubt you would.” He put an arm around his sister, rubbing his knuckles on the top of her head the way he had when they were younger.

  “Knock it off.” Maddie slapped at his hand before turning back to Emma. “We need to hang out some time. I could give you the lowdown on this guy. You might want to turn and run while you still can.”

  “Aw, he’s a teddy bear.”

  Emma patted his chest and Ben felt heat sear him, circling lower until it settled in his groin. Maddie looked from Emma back to his face and a slow, knowing grin spread over her lips as if she knew something he didn’t.

  “We should totally hang out. You have your phone on you?”

  “It’s in the other room.”

  Maddie led the way out as Emma followed her. Ben couldn’t take his eyes off her until Andrew’s quiet laughter drew his attention.

  “Man, I knew you were going to do this. You just keep screwing yourself. One of these days, you might learn.”

  Ben clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain silent. Andrew would just turn anything he said into a debate and he didn’t want to deal with him.

  Andrew shook his head sympathetically. “She’s not your type, Ben. This one is not right for you.”

  “No?” It was all he could manage through his gritted teeth.

  “The twins’, maybe. Or mine, but not yours. You’re like Grant. You’re the level-headed guy, the guy women want to have a family with, the guy they bring home or marry. White picket fence, two point three kids and a dog. I get the feeling Emma wants no part of a relationship. I saw what happened to you after Angie, then Laura. Why are you so ready to get your heart broken again?”