It seemed like hours before a siren sounded in the distance. In the bustle of activity that followed, Cassidy lost track of Jared, which bothered her more than she would have liked. Even if she didn’t like him, she knew him, and she needed a familiar face and voice right then. The touch of his hand had warmed her from head to toe, cementing the weird connection to him that she’d felt earlier.
Maybe he didn’t only lust after her. Maybe he actually cared.
A man and woman turned her over, away from the shovel, and held something against the side of her face. They lifted her onto a stretcher and fastened straps around her head, careful to avoid the gash.
“Sorry,” the woman said. “Head injury. We can’t take a chance.”
“I’m going with her,” Jared said firmly.
“Sorry, sir.” The woman didn’t sound at all apologetic. “We don’t allow people to ride in the ambulance unless the patient is a child.”
“Then I’m following you,” Jared muttered. “Cassidy, is there anyone I should call for you?”
“No.” No one who would care, anyway. Her mother had passed away and she hadn’t spoken to her father in years. She had no siblings, no close relatives at all, and certainly no significant other. She didn’t have time for that kind of thing.
“Okay.” He touched her hand again for half a second. Even that brief contact calmed her. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Chapter Five
The ride to the hospital terrified her. She couldn’t see where they were going, of course. She hated not being able to see. Even worse, the straps kept her from moving, which she despised. Forced to remain still, she felt claustrophobic. It felt as if they took some turns on two wheels, though she doubted the driver would be that careless. When they finally lifted her out of the ambulance and wheeled her into the small brick hospital, total relief filled her, even through the pain. Especially when she heard Jared call, “Wait for me.”
The EMTs wheeled her stretcher into a small exam cubicle with a thin curtain that barely covered the opening. A young woman who didn’t look old enough to be a nurse took her vital signs and pronounced her “probably in shock, though the doctor will have to make that call.”
She left and Jared pulled a chair up beside the stretcher. “So, are you usually so clumsy?” he asked.
“So, are you usually an ass?” she snapped, cringing at the pain speaking brought to the side of her face. She immediately regretted saying it. If he hadn’t been with her at the site, she would have panicked.
Jared laughed. “Good. If you can still take swipes at me, you can’t be hurt too bad. You have one hell of a cut on your head, you know. They’re going to have to bury the blood back at the site.”
Cassidy’s stomach rolled. “TMI, thank you very much.”
“Sorry.” He fidgeted with the button on his shirt cuff. “You scared the hell out of me, Cass. I didn’t know for sure how bad you were hurt. Looks like you’re going to be okay, though.”
“I scared myself,” she said softly. “That poor kid too, I think.”
“Her daddy took her away from the scene. I think she’ll be okay. Worry about yourself, would you?”
“Are you going to stay here?” A few hours earlier, Jared would have been her last pick for someone to comfort her. That contact between them at the planting site had changed things. She’d seen something in his eyes that looked almost like friendship. Nothing like the lust with which he’d looked at her the night before. Their interlude, even though she’d gone to him out of anger, had triggered something.
She looked up at his warm brown eyes, his perfectly shaped nose and his lips, which now seemed incredibly kissable. He returned her gaze with a slightly puzzled look, but behind the confusion lay concern. This little accident of hers really had him worried.
His strong hands that had touched her so gently after her fall rested on his knees. The thought of what he could do to her with those hands sent butterflies rushing into her belly. What would it be like to truly make love to him instead of just screwing him?
Oh no. I am not falling for Jared Jackson. Not a chance.
If she could make herself believe that, she’d be all set.
“Do you want me to stay?” he countered.
She couldn’t decide. She’d always hated hospitals. Whenever she was in one, her throat and chest tightened. Too much time spent in them as a child, between her own illnesses and watching her mother slip away. But she didn’t want to ask Jared for any favors.
He’d offered, though. Even though Jared acted like a jerk sometimes, he’d come with her to this place. He would stay if she wanted him to. That meant more than she wanted to let herself think. “Yeah, I would if you don’t mind,” she admitted.
“I don’t.” He settled back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other. “Have to make sure our consultant lives through the attack of the killer shovel, or Dad will make me find a new consultant. That one probably wouldn’t be as cute as you.”
“Shut up, Jared.” She turned away so he wouldn’t see her smiling. Did he really just say that? No backhanded hints, just a straight-out compliment? God, he’s getting soft. Warm tingles ran through her. And so am I.
She looked again at his hands and images of those fingers on her breasts and between her legs flitted through her brain, making her shudder. Okay, I want him. I admit it. Maybe last night could happen again. Nothing wrong with having a fuck-buddy around. But care about him? No way. He’s just here because he’s afraid I’ll sue JaBro for getting hurt. As soon as I’m all better, he’ll be right back to his egotistical jackass self.
She was scared to death of the idea of liking Jared. She couldn’t have anything with a man like him. Maybe some hot sex, but nothing more, and without the something more the sex wouldn’t be worth it. His naked body against hers would make everything better for a while, but despite her fantasies and the incredible sex the night before, she didn’t want only that anymore. She wanted the full deal.
With Jackass Jared Jackson.
Great. I’m screwed.
Only a few minutes passed before a doctor came in carrying a clipboard at which he glanced frequently. “Ms. Shelton?” he asked uncertainly.
“That’s me,” Cassidy confirmed.
“I’m Doctor Libby.” He pulled a wheeled stool up beside the stretcher and sat down, studying her as if she were an interesting new specimen. “So you have a head injury, huh? How’d that happen?”
She hoped he’d seem a little more intelligent after they’d spoken further. Right now, his powers of observation didn’t impress her a bit. “I tripped and landed on the wrong end of a spade,” she replied.
“Spade?” His brow furrowed in confusion.
He probably thought she meant a playing card. “I’m part of the JaBro crew that’s planting trees a ways north of here,” she explained. “We were working on the site, and someone hadn’t taken care of their spade.”
“Ah. I see.” He set the clipboard on the floor and stood. “I’m going to take a look at that cut of yours. It’ll probably hurt.”
He didn’t give her a chance to brace herself before he pressed his fingers against the side of her head.
“Fuck!” Cassidy blurted, flinching. “Sorry. Damn, that hurts.”
“No problem, I’ve heard worse language. I’m sorry.” He lightly touched her head. “Better?”
“Still hurts,” she whined, hating herself for her tone.
“It bled like crazy,” Jared added. “It must be pretty deep.”
“Head wounds bleed profusely,” the doctor said casually. “This isn’t so bad. You’ll need stitches, Ms. Shelton. You won’t be able to wash your hair for a couple-few days, I’m afraid. The wound shouldn’t get wet.”
“I have blood in my hair,” she protested. The thought nauseated her. No way would the blood stay there if she could help it. “How am I supposed to clean that out if I can’t wash my hair?”
“Cover the bandage with plastic,” Jare
d suggested. “I had to do that a few years back when I sliced my chin open.”
“It’s best to keep them completely dry,” the doctor said firmly. “However, I certainly can understand why you’d want to clean up a bit. I’m sure you can figure out something, or your boyfriend here can help you.”
“I’m her boss,” Jared corrected.
“He isn’t my boyfriend,” Cassidy snapped at the same time. Though part of her wished he was at least her friend. Boyfriend sounded pretty good too.
The doctor looked amused. “So sorry. Ms. Shelton, any other injuries?”
“Probably a few scrapes and bruises, and my neck’s a little sore since they made me lie on that spade until the ambulance arrived,” she muttered.
He was the doctor. He should have been able to figure out if she had any other injuries without asking stupid questions. She didn’t know whether her irritability came from dealing with him or the pain, but either way, she just wanted the guy to leave now.
“Can you move your neck all right now?” he asked, pressing his fingers against the sides of her neck.
Yep, he definitely needed to work on his observation skills. They hadn’t unstrapped her from the stretcher yet, for crying out loud.
“I might be able to if someone unfastened the restraints,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Good point.” He didn’t even seem to notice her annoyance. “I’ll send in the EMTs to do that. They need their stretcher back anyway. We’ll move you onto the bed in a moment.” He left the cubicle.
“I wish we’d been closer to the city,” Jared said, frustration filling his voice. “Honestly, I’m not sure you’ll have good care here. You have a head injury. Shouldn’t they be checking for a fracture or running an MRI or something?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a cut.” She didn’t want to hear any more about tests or things the doctor should check. She just wanted to have the stitches put in so she could leave.
Which eventually happened. She tried not to show her impatience, even though the doctor and nurse kept wandering in and out without seeming to do much. From the conversations she overheard, she knew they had no other patients. She didn’t understand why they took so long to patch her up and send her on her way.
Finally, the doctor put in a line of stitches, gave her some acetaminophen with codeine and pronounced her fit to leave. He repeated his instructions to avoid getting her bandage wet and told her to see her own doctor in about a week to have the sutures removed. Then, after a stretch of time so interminable she had no idea how long it had truly lasted, he allowed her to leave the hospital.
Jared supported her as she walked from the exam room. As they left the building, her stomach growled loudly. He chuckled and guided her to the parking lot, where she took a deep breath of fresh air to rid her nose and lungs of the hospital chemical residue. The exhale came out as a quiet sob, and she pressed her hands against her eyes to make sure she wouldn’t start to cry. That was the last thing she wanted to do in front of him. If she hadn’t cried lying on the ground at the planting site, despite the pain and horrific embarrassment of having fallen in front of him, she definitely had no reason to now.
“Are you okay?” Jared asked, sounding worried.
“I hate hospitals,” she muttered. “Don’t ever bring me to one again. Let me die.”
He put a comforting arm around her back. His body heat centered her, taking away her near panic. She was safely out of the hospital now, with only a cut and some bruises. Jared would take care of her. Her happiness at that idea surprised her. Somewhere between him sticking up for her against the truck driver and this parking lot, she’d begun to see him in a new light, and she knew he would look after her if she let him.
She might actually give him that chance.
“You don’t mean that.” He let go of her but stayed close. “Come on, the car’s over here.”
He helped her into the passenger seat, more gently than she would have expected from him, and drove to the motel. She started to exit the car, and he grabbed her wrist to make her stay put.
“Don’t even try it,” he said firmly. “I’ll help you.”
She didn’t like the idea of being weak in front of him, but she had to admit she was still a bit woozy from the pain. Or maybe it was from the medication. She waited for Jared to open her door, then allowed him to help her out of the car and into her room. She gratefully settled onto the bed with her feet up and her head propped against the pillows.
Jared picked up the spare pillows from the chair where Cassidy had set them the night before and added them to the pile behind her head. “Stay here and rest,” he ordered. “I’m going to go check out the planting site and see where things stand. And let everyone know you’re all right.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, wishing he wouldn’t leave. She didn’t dare ask him to stay, though. Then he’d know she wanted him around. Just plain wanted him, if she was honest with herself. She wasn’t ready for him to find that out quite yet.
“No problem.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Do you want anything to eat or anything? I can stop on the way back and pick up takeout at one of these restaurants, I’m sure.”
Even though she still felt a bit queasy, the rumbling in her stomach informed her that food would be a good thing. “Hamburger. Fries. Chocolate milkshake if they have them. Cola if they don’t.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hamburger? You only had a salad last night. I thought you were vegetarian or something.”
She closed her eyes and squelched her irritation with him. After all, he’d offered to be nice to her. She didn’t want to snap at him for that. “I don’t eat much red meat. Right now, I need some. Protein equals energy, and after that freaking debacle, I need energy. Don’t question me, just follow orders.”
He laughed. “Yes, Mistress. Your wish is my command. I’ll be back in about an hour. If you become too hungry before then, there are some snacks in my overnight bag. Here’s the key to my room.” He handed it to her.
“Aren’t you going to need this when you come back?” she asked, turning the key over between her fingers.
“This way you’ll know I have to bring you your food first. And no looking through my boxers. I know how much those must turn you on.” He left before Cassidy managed to come up with a retort.
She stood slowly, making sure her legs would hold her. Injured or not, she refused to stay in her bloodstained shirt and filthy jeans. As quickly as she could manage, she changed into a clean T-shirt and loose-fitting shorts that she generally wore only for sleeping. Settling back on the bed, she turned on the TV to flip through the handful of channels. Apparently this place didn’t bring in enough money to spring for the big cable package. It had only the first thirteen channels on the cable system’s lineup, which included the three network stations in the area. It didn’t give her much option for something to watch, so she set it on a sitcom rerun and lay back to rest.
She must have dozed off, because the next thing she knew, Jared’s arms were around her. He lay on the bed beside her in only dark blue boxers. “I’m back,” he murmured.
“What are you doing?” She tried to push away from him, but he only tightened his embrace. His hard-on pressed against her side and she barely resisted the impulse to stroke it. “You can’t take advantage of an injured woman.”
“I don’t think I would be.” He nuzzled her neck just below her earlobe. She shivered as the heat of arousal rushed through her. “I think you want this, Cass. As much as I do, maybe more. Look.” He turned from her without completely releasing her and gestured at the bulge in the front of his shorts. “Do you see how hard I am for you? I’ve been like this every fucking day you’re around, Cassidy. I just have to look at you, and all I can think about is fucking you.”
Her cunt tingled and her nipples hardened. She barely believed this was happening. All the teasing and fantasizing, and now here he was, practically begging to fuck her. She wasn’t about to let the chance pass
her by.
She gave in to her desire and reached out to touch his cock. It twitched beneath her hand. “Let me see it.”
With a smug grin, he held her with one arm and used his free hand to push his boxers down, freeing his cock. A tiny drop of precum sat at its tip. “You see?” he said hoarsely. “I already want you that bad. What are you going to do about it?”
From the way her cunt contracted, it had a pretty good idea of what to do. She didn’t want to go straight to fucking, though. That tantalizing little droplet called to her, and she bent and touched her tongue to it.
The slightly salty taste aroused her, starting a strong pulse between her legs. She slid her lips down over his cock. He moaned his appreciation and twined his fingers through her hair as he’d done before. “So good,” he murmured. “So good.”
Better than Cassidy remembered. The texture of his skin seemed to tingle against her lips and tongue. The rush of power she gained from having him so completely under her control tightened her cunt. She could hardly wait to have him inside her, but first she wanted to taste his climax.
Someone knocked on the door. Startled, Cassidy opened her eyes. Her body ached from arousal, but now the aches from her fall accompanied it. Jared was nowhere in sight. The sitcom had ended and the channel was now showing an infomercial, so she’d definitely lost time somewhere.
Damn dreams!
Chapter Six
Sighing with disappointment, she opened the door, revealing Jared loaded down with takeout containers. “What did you do, buy everything at the restaurant?” she asked, chuckling.
“Not exactly.” He came in and set the containers down on the bureau. “Some of the locals who’d been at the planting site were there and insisted on buying you food. I guess they figure you can finish it up for breakfast. The site’s looking good, by the way. We planted almost all the saplings, and the locals who’d stuck around said they’d finish up tomorrow. You and I are due back at the office by noon tomorrow, by the way. Dad called.”
Seeds of Desire Page 5
