by Candis Terry
Fire flashed deep in her belly and all the way down to her toes. The kiss ignited into something more than just a meeting of lips and tongues and breath. It fueled her every wish, desire, and yes, her own need. The kiss touched her everywhere—across her skin, through her heart, and straight down to her soul.
“I need you,” he whispered when his lips left her mouth to sear a scorching trail along her jaw and down the side of her neck.
Don’t analyze, she told herself. Don’t think about what he means. Don’t think about what he really needs.
Don’t think.
In a moment of complete weakness, she gave herself permission to give in to the desire. She wanted to fall into him. To feel the weight of him slide along her body. To touch him. To feel his fire.
She wanted him to sink into her and never ever leave.
His hand moved to her butt, lifted her against him and the long, hard erection pressing against the fly of his jeans. While the sizzle in the grilling pan died out, the passion between them heated up. He backed her against the refrigerator, then his mouth was back on her lips. His tongue tangled with hers, teased, probed. Promised. His hands were everywhere—pressing into her back, sliding down her waist, cupping her breasts through the thin cotton shirt she’d put on after her shower.
From somewhere in the universe, a phone rang.
Abby flinched at the harsh interruption.
“Ssssh,” he murmured. “Ignore it.”
His kisses grew feverish. Desperate. He clutched her tighter. But the ringing didn’t stop. When they finally broke apart they realized the ringtone came from his back pocket.
“Damn it.”
Yeah.
He backed away, pulled the phone out, looked at the screen, and cursed again. He pushed the button and looked at her with apology in his eyes.
Hopefully, this time not because he’d kissed her.
“Yeah?” he said into the receiver.
An awkward moment passed, and she slipped away, going to the stove and kicking the burner back on.
“I’ll be right there.” He pushed the button on the phone again and looked at her. “Gotta go. Fire at the Lloyds’ barn.”
For lack of something fairly intelligent to say and to cover up her humiliation, disappointment, and concern for the Lloyds, she said, “Do you want to take the food with you? I can put it in a microwave bowl.”
“I’ll take a rain check.” He headed toward the door, and she prayed that he would just go without apology.
No such luck.
They reached the door. Before he opened it, he turned toward her and cupped her face between his hands.
“It’s obvious I’m confused about some things,” he said. “Until I figure it out, don’t let me do that again. I don’t care what I say. I don’t care how bad I beg. Do not let me touch you. Okay?”
“Ummm.” How could she explain that she’d wanted him to touch her? That she feared she’d want him to touch her again.
And again.
And again.
And that any resolve or responsibility on her part was pretty much hopeless.
“Promise, Abby.”
“Okay.”
His gaze dropped to her lips and held. Almost invisibly he moved closer. Close enough to feel his breath on her face.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
His eyes were eating her up.
His lips twitched just slightly, as if they were having a hard time keeping their distance. As if they weren’t going to be happy anywhere except on hers.
And because she obviously and totally sucked at keeping a promise she never wanted to make in the first place, she lifted her chin to give him and his sensuous lips a better angle.
She closed her eyes.
“Damn it.”
Her eyes popped open to watch him turn on the heel of his boots, pull a quick Houdini, and disappear.
Chapter 10
The weekend passed with no sign of Jackson, and Abby fell into the pattern of waking each morning with Miss Kitty purring at her side. At the start of a new week she got up, got dressed, made a quick breakfast, and went into the pet clinic to help Jesse Wilder keep his little animal kingdom to a dull roar.
Like the rest of his brothers, Jesse was a born flirt. He had the face of a fallen angel and dark blue eyes with long lashes that could sweep a girl right off her feet. Yet when it came to the animals in his care and the oath he’d taken to keep and make them healthy, he took his business very seriously.
As he tossed a folder on the desk, he gave her a shaky smile that said he was both exhausted and also eager to move on to other things for the day. He leaned the elbows of those strong arms on the counter and peered over her shoulder at the supply list she was filling out.
“Biscuit needs to come back for a follow-up,” he told her as Madge Farmer carried the newly neutered pug to the counter. Biscuit panted heavily, as though Mrs. Farmer was either squishing his fat tummy and making it hard to breathe, or the lower portion of his stout body was in dire need of some heavy pain meds.
Since Jesse wouldn’t let an animal suffer, Abby guessed it was the former.
By the time she got Biscuit checked out, the waiting room was empty, and Abby had all appointments for the following day confirmed. Plus she’d updated most of the patient records and taken a medication inventory. She was feeling quite good about her accomplishments.
“The back end is clear of patients, and you’re free for the rest of the day,” she told him as he looked over a chart.
“You’re doing a great job here, Abby. If you quit, I’m not sure how I’ll survive.” He grinned. “Marry me. That way you can never leave.”
She laughed. “I’m flattered. But you still have too many tongues to set wagging.”
“Well, there is that. Of course, I could always leave the romance rumors up to Chester.”
“Heaven help us all.”
He pulled off his white jacket and hung it on a peg near the office door. “Mom called earlier, and we’ve got a couple heifers and calves missing. Jack and Reno are going to meet me at the ranch.” He gave her a quick once-over. “Since you’re already in jeans and boots, you want to come help?”
“Sure.” Why the idea sounded so appealing was anyone’s guess. Maybe it was the chance to get up on a horse again. Or maybe it was the chance to see Jackson in action—a sexy cowboy in full control, looking hot in jeans, a T-shirt, and straw hat. She held back a sigh. “Just let me lock the drawer, and I’m good to go.”
She handed him the business cell phone in case of emergencies or if anyone needed to make an appointment.
Though Abby had her own car, Jesse gave her a ride out to the ranch. They were met by Jana’s ever-amorous goat, who today wore a light blue ribbon, and the other Wilder boys, who were saddling up the horses.
The look Jackson gave them when they drove up was total WTF?
“Oh boy.” Jesse gave a slightly demented laugh. “Time to have a little fun.”
“Fun? I thought you were worried about the cattle.”
“Come on, sparkplug. You’ve been around this ranch long enough to know that chances are we’ll find those heifers safe and sound. On the other hand, rarely do I get an opportunity to ruffle my little brother’s feathers and watch him explode.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Really?” His turned his head to look at her. “Guess that stubborn streak goes both ways.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do me a favor.” He flashed a familiar smile. One she’d seen too many times before.
“The last time I agreed to that,” she said, “you conned me into cleaning up the house when your parents went on vacation, and you boys had a party to which I do believe the sheriff and the fire department were called.” She remembered the bottle rocket someone had accidentally shot off inside the house. Luckily, Jackson had proven his early skills as a firefighter, which fell short when it came to the aftermath.
“Good times.” Je
sse nodded. “Look. I’ll give you a raise if you’ll just go along with everything I say.”
“If you listen to gossip, thanks to my divorce, I’m independently wealthy. And according to Pauline Purdy, I don’t even need the paycheck you’re giving me.”
“Pauline Purdy’s a prune.”
Abby laughed.
“So you’ll work for free?”
She grinned. “I didn’t say that.”
He settled his long arm across the back of the seat, leaned in, and gave her an unexpected hug. Jesse was a huge flirt, but the hug held no passion. Only friendship. And maybe a little mischief.
“Is he watching?” he asked.
“He?”
“My little brother.”
She peered over his shoulder to find a blue-eyed glare that could cut steel looking back.
“Yes.”
He pulled her closer and tucked her beneath his muscular arm. “How long has it been since you’ve been on a horse?”
The conversation didn’t match the body language, but, obviously, Jesse had something going on in his mind, and she was pretty danged sure it didn’t involve actually hitting on her.
“A while,” she answered, trying not to laugh at the naughty gleam in his eyes.
“Still know how to ride?”
“Does a bat fly in the dark?”
“Too bad I won’t be able to give you a refresher.” He caressed his large hand over her shoulder. “Can you fake it?”
“That’s a loaded question.”
He laughed, leaned closer still.
His truck door was flung open.
“What the hell, Jess?”
Jackson didn’t look happy. He didn’t look amused. And Abby couldn’t say why that gave her such a big thrill right in the pit of her stomach.
“Hey, little bro.” Jesse grinned and tapped the bill of Jackson’s straw hat in an “I’m the bigger, badder brother” manner.
Guessing by his lethal scowl, Jackson was about to pull Jesse out of the truck and stomp his arrogant ass.
“How about you saddle up Magic for Abby,” Jesse continued without missing a beat, then got out of the truck, pushing Jackson aside. “She’s going to help us look for the cattle.”
After a long, heated glare, Jackson turned on his heel and walked away.
Near the barn, Reno tightened the cinch on Cisco’s saddle and lifted his chin at Jesse. Jesse returned the gesture.
Ah, so the older Wilder boys were in cahoots.
Jackson didn’t stand a chance with whatever they were up to. She wondered if she should intervene.
Jesse reached into the cab of the truck and helped her slide across the seat. When her feet were on the ground he remained standing close.
“He doesn’t look happy,” she said, watching Jackson lead Magic to the hitching post.
“Nope. He’d probably like to kick my ass right now.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble between you two.”
“Now don’t go trying to take away all the fun. Trouble’s our middle name.” Jesse glanced away, then back to her. “A minute ago, I asked if you could fake it. Bad choice of words. What I meant was can you follow my lead?”
Even not knowing exactly where this was headed, she trusted him. She’d always trusted the Wilders. Though a time or two she’d regretted her decision.
She shrugged. “Sure.”
When Jackson turned around to take a look, Jesse smiled and kissed her forehead. “Come on.” He draped his arm over her shoulders. “This is going to be fun.”
For almost half an hour, they rode as a foursome across flat meadows and rocky hills. Past clusters of prickly pears and beneath the canopies of live oaks. In the distance, a small herd of whitetail bounded off to safety, and at least half a dozen turkey vultures circled overhead.
Abby had forgotten how peaceful to the soul riding the range could be. In the past, she’d done it hundreds of times. But she’d never had the displeasure to ride behind Jackson’s stiff, broad shoulders. Nor had she been the subject of his icy ire.
Could he be jealous?
No way.
Although Jesse was certainly putting on a convincing performance. And she—as he had asked—was doing her part to follow his lead.
Most likely straight to hell.
She watched the way Jackson sat tall and straight in the saddle like he’d been born to it. There had been many horses on the ranch over the years, but whether they were wild or tame mattered not to him. And as he glanced toward a large stand of canopied oaks searching for the lost cattle, he looked in full control.
Was he?
He’d told her he was confused. She took it that he meant he was confused about her. She’d learned from the past not to put too much into words, but the way he kept kissing her added a lot more meaning. Was it too much to hope he felt the same as she?
Probably.
While Reno and Jackson rode ahead, Jesse held out his arm to halt her progress. He sidestepped his horse close, leaned in, and laid his hand on her shoulder.
“Reno and I can search for the cattle on our own,” he said in a quiet voice. “It’s time you put little brother out of his misery.”
Unsure of exactly what misery she was supposed to relieve him of, she glanced ahead at the two men riding away. “Awww. I was having so much fun.”
“I like your style.” Jesse grinned. “But it’s long past time you two got off this not so merry-go-round you’re on.”
She didn’t need to ask for clarification.
“My little brother has been through some troubling times. He’s got this incredibly misplaced sense of honor he’s trying to live with. It’s killing him. And you.” He tucked his knuckles beneath her chin. “It’s time for you to strip him down and take the lead.”
A laugh bubbled from her throat. “Are you telling me to have sex with him?”
“That might be a good start. But you and I and Reno and everyone else in this damned town know it’s about more than that with you two. Even if Jack hasn’t a clue.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Time to grab for the brass ring or let it go.”
A huge lump stuck in the center of her chest. “Why are you doing this, Jesse, when you know how much I hurt him?”
“Because you’ve always been like a little sister, and we know why you hurt him. Doesn’t make it right. But since you were both too stubborn back then to admit things and work them out, we tried to understand. But you do need to take a little of the blame for never telling him how you feel.”
“You’re right.”
“I might be making assumptions but, darlin’, it’s time.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Stop dancin’ around the truth. Talk. Make love. Work it out. Find your damn happily ever after. His too.”
She glanced across the wide meadow. Blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you love my brother.”
“I love your brother.” She nodded. “I always have.”
“Then kick that pony into gear. Jack might be up there acting like he doesn’t give a shit, but I guarandamntee if you take off, he’ll follow.”
“I hope you find your happily ever after too, Jesse.”
“One Wilder at a time, sparkplug.” He grinned. “Now get out of here.”
She leaned over, kissed him on the cheek, and kicked the gelding into a gallop with a “Yah.”
With the sun on her face and the wind in her hair, Abby and Magic raced across the meadow. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt absolutely free.
At the sound of Abby’s shout, Jackson spun his horse around in time to see her take off. “What the hell did you say to her, Jess?”
Beside him, Reno chuckled, then rode on ahead.
“Didn’t say anything,” Jesse said beneath a grin Jackson wanted to wipe off.
“Then what did she take off like that for?”
Jesse shrugged. “Don’t know.”
Jackson turned an
d watched Abby and Magic disappear into the darkness of a grove of trees. “Shit.” He kicked Ranger into gear, and, for once in his stubborn life, the horse didn’t hesitate.
She’d gotten a decent head start, but Ranger—when he decided to move—was fast. Still, he followed nothing but a dust trail.
In those miles and minutes, his concern turned to anger. His anger to frustration. Somehow, he ended up back at concerned.
When it came to Abby, his feelings were a complete muddle.
He wanted her.
Loved her.
Resented her because she’d cut him off. Yet he couldn’t blame her for doing so.
She’d had a right to find happiness when he hadn’t been willing to give it to her. Hell, when he hadn’t even known he’d wanted to give it to her.
Over time, things change, yet here he was, still stuck in the middle of did he or didn’t he?
She’d been a part of his life for so long, and when she wasn’t in it, he felt empty and lost. He’d tried to live his life without her, and he’d done a shitty job. The joke was on him. He’d always been a risk-taker—yet when it came to her and either making his move or letting her go, he froze.
Selfishly, he figured she’d always be around, and he could have the best of both worlds.
She’d proven him wrong.
When she came back, and their friendship picked up again, he’d tried to convince himself he’d be okay without her.
But could he?
At full speed, the horse beneath him raced alongside the creek, but he had no time to pay attention to the water tumbling over rocks and tree roots. The dust trail had died, and his concern for Abby’s well-being kicked in to full panic mode.
What if she’d fallen?
What if she was hurt?
What if he couldn’t find her?
What if? What if? What if?
The endless possibilities made him cringe.
The horse slowed when he came to the small rock formation that created a natural waterfall. When Jackson saw Magic standing beneath an oak and tied to a low branch, he released the breath he’d been holding.
