He couldn’t resist teasing her though. “And what wrong idea might they get?”
Her hands twisted together nervously. “You know, that we’re together.”
“We are together. We’re on a date.” Jake smiled lazily at her.
Krista ignored his reply. “These horses are beautiful. I take it this one is mine?”
Jake rubbed the mare’s muzzle. “This is Mysty. Ryan picked her out for you. She is very steady and well-behaved. She won’t give you any trouble.”
Jake slid over and patted his own horse. “This is Shadow. He’s a bit more temperamental, but I’ve ridden him for years. We’ve come to an understanding, of sorts.”
Krista was rubbing Mysty’s withers. “Okay, Mysty. I’m trusting you to take good care of me. Don’t make me look foolish in front of Jake.”
Jake grabbed Mysty’s reins. “Do you think you can mount her, or do you want me to ask Ryan to bring out a mounting block?”
A look of terror spread over Krista’s face. “Oh, God no! Not with all these people watching. But I don’t want to drag on the saddle. If you just give me a little boost up, I’ll be fine.”
Jake moved next to Krista. Being so near her but having to keep his hands to himself was frustrating. And he was about to spend the next couple of hours in the saddle when what he really lusted after was a roll in the hay with her. His pulse quickened at the thought.
He reached his hands around her back and pulled her in close to him. “I’ll give you a lift if you give me a kiss.”
Krista squirmed, trying to pull out of his embrace, but his arms remained locked in place. In fact her squirming only served to heighten his desire as she wiggled against his hardening cock.
Krista gasped, “Jake! I’m not going to kiss you in front of everyone. Let me go before someone sees.”
Jake gazed down at her, his passion smoldering just beneath the surface. The allure of her cleavage from this angle, her wriggling against him, her flushed cheeks and her full lips all had his cock throbbing with need. But it was the heated desire he saw in her eyes that had him wanting to haul her off to someplace private, right then and there.
He didn’t let her go. “You didn’t have any problem kissing me on the dance floor at the bar, in front of everyone.”
Krista swallowed. She seemed to be fighting her own inner battle. “That was different. These people know you. They’ll talk.”
“Then make it good.” Jake teased.
Krista broke their impassioned gaze and glanced away.
He had pushed her too far. “I’m sorry. It’s just that this might be the only chance I get all day. Just a little peck on the cheek and I’ll behave from now on. Promise.”
Krista looked back at him. The fire in her eyes made his insides burn. She stood up on her toes and reached for him. Jake smiled in triumph as he leaned down to offer her a cheek, but instead she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth against her lips.
He knew he was in trouble the moment her tongue slipped inside his mouth. He had been a fool to think he could subdue the wild passions that she stoked within him. Her soft body molded against his own causing him to abandon all control. He heard himself groan as a potent need sliced through him like a knife. He returned her kiss with a fervor which left him mindless with desire.
If she had not torn her lips from his, he wasn’t sure what would have happened. He gazed at her stunned. She was panting with unmet need, but a satisfied smile curled around her lips.
Her hands rested on his forearms. “How about that lift up, now?”
How she remained so calm, he didn’t know. He leaned forward to offer her a boost onto Mysty.
She slid against him seductively and whispered, “Sorry, but I had to keep that kiss PG for the crowd. Maybe next time…”
Jake growled as he felt his cock aching with desire as he lifted Krista onto the horse. He mounted Shadow in a flash, noting surreptitiously that most of the stable had stopped to watch their display. Krista had turned the tables on him and it had served him right. He had better be careful, because whether she knew it or not, this woman had the power to bring him to his knees.
Jake led the horses out of the stable yard and headed west toward the path to his favorite spot on the ranch. He was silent. He told himself he was allowing Krista to get her footing on horseback, but really he needed to regain his own composure.
After riding for about ten minutes, Jake waited for Krista so that they could ride abreast. “Krista, you’re doing fine. You can relax now. You can take your eyes off the trail and look around.”
Krista looked up. “You’re right. I’m concentrating so hard that I’m missing out on the whole experience.”
She looked around, seeing the majestic mountains rise up over the prairie in the distance. “The views are spectacular. How large is this ranch?”
Jake shifted in his saddle. “This is just a small portion of it. The entire ranch encompasses about 70,000 acres, though.”
The path was taking them left, but Krista was looking out towards the right. “What is that over there?”
Jake didn’t even need to glance in that direction to know what she was talking about. “Those are oil derricks. Some of the land has been leased for oil exploration. In fact, new wells are going to be started soon, because they’ve had some luck. It’ll bring lots more money to the ranch.”
Krista sighed. “It’s a shame that they have to ruin this beautiful land for more money. What do the Crenshaw’s need with more money? They’re supposed to be loaded already. It seems greedy.”
Jake felt a prickle of warning on the back of his neck. “It’s not greed, Krista. It’s financial stability. Leasing rights and royalties can bring stability to a ranch that operates under a lot of uncertainties. It’s a huge safety net. That money can be used to make capital improvements and invest in new technologies without touching the family’s nest egg. And the ranch supports a large extended family, not to mention dozens of employees.”
Krista nodded, “Well, that all makes sense, but at what cost to the environment?”
Jake didn’t know why he felt he had to defend his actions to her, but he did. He wanted her to understand. “There are risks, of course, if something goes wrong, but that’s pretty rare. Even things like solar farms or windmill farms have negative impacts on the environment. Everything is a tradeoff.”
Krista smiled at him. “You seem to know a lot about it. And at least there are no wells being drilled over here. It’s so breathtaking; it’s like a scene from a postcard.”
“Yes. After we get over this rise, you won’t be able to see any of the oil rigs, no matter which way you turn. The land is absolutely pristine and it’s going to stay that way.”
They continued in silence soaking in the peaceful atmosphere and the magnificent scenery. When the path curved and they began descending toward the lake nestled at the base of the dense foothills, Krista exhaled sharply.
The sun danced off the sparkling water as they drew closer. “Jake, it’s truly the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen…”
Grinning, he felt silly that he was so pleased with her reaction. He halted Shadow and dismounted. “We can walk the rest of the way. I’ll help you down.”
She dismounted flawlessly, no longer looking so out of practice around horses. His hands lingered a moment too long on her hips, before he moved back to Shadow and began untying their picnic supplies.
When he had finished, Krista reached for a bag. “I’ll help you carry some of that.”
“No, I’ve got it. Let’s tether the horses over here and then we’ll find a spot. There’s a nice flat section not too far that looks out over the lake.”
They secured the horses and then Jake led the way, arms loaded with baskets and bags.
Less than 15 minutes later, they were sitting under a shady tree on a large blanket, unloading baskets of food.
Krista pulled out a container of fried chicken. “Are we supposed to eat all
this food? There’s enough for ten people here. This is pretty extravagant. Mrs. Cole went through a lot of trouble for you.”
Jake smiled boyishly. “Yeah. Mrs. Cole is the cook. I’ve always been one of her favorites.”
Krista pulled more food out of a basket. “I guess so. I’m surprised you’re not 300 pounds by now. So, how long have you worked for the Crenshaw’s?”
Rummaging through a basket, Jake finally found a cork-screw. He began opening a bottle of wine as he thought about his answer. He had to tell Krista who he was, but he was pretty sure this was not going to be welcome news to her.
He popped the cork. “How much do you know about the Crenshaw’s?”
She held out her wineglass for him to pour. “Not that much really. I’m not really that interested in celebrities or what-not.”
“Obviously.” Jake said dryly. “But you must know something.”
Krista tilted her head. “Well, I remember a few years ago, one of the daughters was getting married. There were lavish wedding preparations that were reported in all the local media non-stop. I ignored most of it. But then the father died right before the wedding. That was quite sad, of course, but I didn’t really follow any of it.”
Jake grew silent as he remembered his father. His passing had been an awful time for him. “Is that all you know about the family?”
Krista shrugged indifferently. “You can’t avoid hearing bits and pieces here and there, but I never paid much attention. Why would I? They’re in a whole different world from me.”
“Not so entirely different. Here you are on their ranch having a picnic lunch with me.” Jake filled up his own wine glass.
Krista laughed. “It’s so strange. Just this morning, I thought I was heading to the zoo for a date with two toddlers. I have to admit that this turned out much better. Don’t tell Jenna I said that, by the way. I’m still mad she tricked me.”
The conversation drifted to other things, mostly about Krista’s friends and work, as they ate their lunch. Jake knew he was avoiding the subject of his family, but he didn’t want to jeopardize their easygoing banter.
After they finished eating, Krista began packing up the leftovers. “Wow, we hardly made a dent in all this. Oh, look what I found - strawberries! My favorite.” She popped one into her mouth.
Jake emptied the last of the wine into her glass. “Krista, come over here and sit next to me.”
She looked a little wary, but edged her way closer to him. When she got close enough, he pulled her between his legs and against him so that her back was resting on his chest.
She sipped tentatively at her wine and slowly began to relax against him.
“How about a strawberry for me?” Jake eyed the red berries she popped into her mouth with jealousy.
When she brought the strawberry up to his mouth, he felt his cock twitching. His lips closed over the berry, capturing her fingers for a second. Her eyes met his for one searing moment.
Jake took a strawberry out of the container and brought it to her lips. When her lips wrapped around his fingers and sensuously sucked the juices from them, he growled with need.
He took the wine glass from her hand and set it aside. Jake was already burning with lust when his lips sought hers. His kiss was demanding and hungry as he tasted the wine and strawberry on her tongue, pushing all other thoughts from his mind. He could never get enough.
His hands slid up her side and then his right hand wrapped around her torso and slipped inside the vee of her shirt. Her nipple responded instantly, hardening under his palm.
He was devouring her, but he couldn’t help it. Her soft moan against his mouth only spurred him on as her hands frantically slipped under his shirt.
Jake pulled his mouth from hers and began tugging at her shirt. All he could think about was removing the clothes that were getting in their way.
Krista’s was breathing heavily. “Jake, what are we doing? This is crazy.”
He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his raging passions. “I’ve thought of nothing but you since we met last week. It is a little crazy.”
Krista tried to pull away from him. “But, I hardly even know you.”
Jake didn’t want her to leave his arms. “Stay here. I’ll behave, I promise. That’s why we’re dating, to get to know each other.”
She turned to him, wide-eyed. “We’re not dating dating.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, we are. So what do you want to know about me? Ask me anything.”
Krista thought for a moment. “What do you do on the ranch?”
No matter what the consequence, Jake couldn’t hold out any longer. He needed to tell Krista the truth. “Krista, I don’t really work here, technically. I live here. I’m a Crenshaw.”
She looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Jake sighed. “This is my home. In fact, I inherited the ranch after my father passed away. I’m the owner.”
“What!? Jake! Why didn’t you tell me?" Krista’s body tensed. “I made a fool out of myself again. Saying all that stuff about your family. I didn’t know. You should have told me.”
Jake tried to reassure her. “You didn’t say anything wrong. Everything you said was true. Krista, I didn’t mean to mislead you. It didn’t seem important at first. And then when I realized it was, it seemed like you might even hold it against me. It was so different from how women usually react-”
Krista stopped him. “I wouldn’t hold it against you. It’s just that we’re so different.”
“I like that you’re so different.”
“Oh my God!” Krista tried to sit up, but he held her back. “That kiss! In front of all those people. What will they think?”
“They’ll think that I’m a lucky man.”
Jake watched with despair as the panic started to grow in Krista’s eyes. She shook her head. “No. You have to take me home, now. I can’t believe this. I’m so stupid.”
“Krista, I don’t understand. This doesn’t change anything…” He had seen this coming, but he was still baffled as to why.
Krista looked at him as if he was dense. “What do you mean? Of course it does. I can’t date you now.”
“Why not?”
Her eyes looked pained and her voice shook with emotion. “We live in two different worlds. It would never work. You could never date someone like me. I would never fit into your world. And you could never fit into mine.”
Jake took his cowboy hat off and placed it on her head. “We’re already dating. And it’s already working.”
Krista couldn’t help but smile. “Jake you’re so stubborn, and you’re not listening.”
“How can you say it won’t work if you don’t even try? Kiss me and then tell me it’s not working.” Jake caught a lock of her hair in his fingers and twirled it.
She relaxed against him again. “Ok, that’s not going to work again. I’m wise to your ways. I admit there’s a physical attraction, but it takes more than that.”
Jake breathed a sigh of relief. He was slowly winning her over. “Then give us a chance to find out if there’s more. In the meantime, we can enjoy the physical attraction part that we already know is working.”
Krista poked him in the ribs. “You don’t give up. You know, I feel like we did everything backwards. I had sex with you before I even knew you. My God, I didn’t even know who you were.”
“So, when is it the proper time to have sex?” Jake teased.
Krista thought for a moment. “Oh, I don’t know. Something like the fourth date, I suppose.”
Jake flashed her an innocent looking smile. “Well, this is our second date, and I’d say it’s about over. So now we can start our third date-
“Hey, that’s cheating!”
Jake had an idea. “I’ll make you a deal. You can choose our next date. You can take me anywhere you want. And we’ll see if I can fit into your completely different world. Then, you have to come out with me, wherever I choose. And I’ll prove to you that you ca
n fit in with my world. And that will be date number four and I’ll be expecting my reward, assuming you manage to survive the ordeal, of course.”
Krista rolled her eyes at him. “You’re so confident, huh. Well, I’ll take you up on your offer. In fact, I know the perfect place for our next date. You don’t stand a chance, Jake Crenshaw.”
****
I woke up the next morning with a smile already on my face. The rest of my date with Jake the day before had gone well. Besides serious misgivings that I was dating Jake Crenshaw, a man completely out of my league, I felt a sense of dreamy happiness. I smiled at my own musings. Had Jake finally convinced me that we were actually dating?
Jake had dropped me off at my door with toe-curling kiss and the promise to pick me up the next morning for our third date. I was beginning to regret my ‘no sex until the fourth date’ stipulation, but it did take some pressure off of me for this date. This date was going to be all about Jake, and whether he could fit into my world. And I planned on running him through the paces, so to speak.
I volunteered for an organization that reached out to under-privileged, neglected or abused children. I had gotten to know quite a few of the children well, and while I didn’t know their individual backgrounds, the tidbits that they let slip were usually heartbreaking.
Occasionally, I acted as a liaison for kids who were still waiting for temporary placement or as a courtroom advocate for the children in family court. About twice a month, I helped chaperone local outings or activities for these kids. It was to an outing today at a local park that I was taking Jake.
I smirked with smugness; he wouldn’t know what hit him. It was almost unfair. I had been doing this for several years now, and I still came home exhausted each time. It wasn’t so bad keeping up with the kids physically, it was just plain mentally draining. The children were like emotional sponges, absorbing as much energy and compassion as they could possibly eke from you. And those were the easy ones.
After cleaning up my apartment, I began to get ready for my day. I dug through my wardrobe looking for something casual, yet sexy. I was a clotheshorse, so I had lots to choose from, but in the end I pulled on some faded denim jeans and a simple scoop neck t-shirt. This would have been my normal attire for the day and I was determined for Jake to see my real and decidedly unglamorous self. I pulled my hair up into the ponytail I had shunned the day before and only applied my usual makeup.
Dangerous Curves Ahead 2 (Cowboy / BBW Erotic Romance) Page 3
