Eight Seconds (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Hennessee Andrews

  Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.

  Danielle flipped her phone shut and put the truck into park. She was embarrassed and humiliated. What a way to top off the night.

  J.C. turned toward the water and put his phone in his pocket. He didn’t necessarily want to look at little bro’s naked girlfriend. The woman who held his interest had left in a cloud of dust. He was sure the paint job on the panty dropper had significant damage, but it was worth it.

  Stacy blinked as she buttoned her shorts and slipped into her sandals. “I had no idea you would come down here when I told you we were swimming, Will.”

  “Sorry, I had to see you, but I had no idea you two would be, uh, naked.” Will grinned. “That was a bonus.”

  “Danielle is less than happy about it. You’ll have to drop me by to pick up my truck later,” Stacy stated softly.

  “Wow, she’s a cask of TNT, isn’t she, Stacy?” J.C. noted. That statement made him wonder how sex would be with her. Explosive? Huh, there was a thought.

  “Lately, she has been. I don’t understand it either. I guess I can. She has a lot going on, finishing up school, applying for jobs. I think she is nervous about a major life change.” Stacy squeezed water out of her wet hair.

  “Where has she applied?” J.C. asked with intense interest.

  Stacy laughed. “Away from here, but close enough to come see her parents whenever she wants. I think she is holding out for something in Tulsa, maybe OKC. I wish she wouldn’t though. She has an interview Monday in Tulsa. I think that’s why she’s so uptight.”

  J.C. nodded thoughtfully. This sucked completely. He’d just recently admitted to himself he loved her, and now she was planning on taking a job over a hundred miles away? No, surely she would take a job closer to be near her parents, wouldn’t she?

  J.C. jammed his fists in the pockets of his jeans and walked toward his truck. Will and Stacy wanted private time, and he wanted…he just wanted Danielle. Tonight had been a dumb idea, but how was he supposed to know she’d be…she’d be totally hot, wet, and naked? Fuck. His dick hurt worse than ever now.

  J.C. quickly remembered Stacy joking about doing this very same thing but had no idea they’d repeat it. He couldn’t help but laugh. The look on her face had been priceless. Too bad she wasn’t as friendly as Stacy. He’d love to have those long, slender legs wrapped around his waist. He would also love to have her perfect, handful-sized breasts with erect nipples poking him in the chest, and then he could suck them deep into his mouth, twirl his tongue around them, and nip until she gasped.

  That was his idea of paradise, a scene that made his erection strain even harder. Tonight he had opted for a baggy pair of jeans, and thank goodness he had. An erection in tight jeans was murder on his dick. He threw his hat on the passenger side and leaned back. Will might be a while.

  Chapter Seven

  Danielle stumbled down the stairs. The smell of breakfast had wafted up the stairs and into her room. Now she was starving.

  “Good morning,” Gabby said in a chipper tone. She was such a morning person. Danielle, on the other hand, was not.

  “Hi, Mom.” Danielle cracked a small smile and began helping.

  “You have anything you want to talk about?” Gabby asked with plates of food in her hands.

  “No, well…maybe,” Danielle said as she poured a cup of coffee. Most of the time she liked to go it alone with the whole screwing-up-her-life path. She didn’t want to have anyone to blame but herself.

  This situation, however, warranted some expert womanly advice, the kind that would hopefully encourage her to go see the world, take that big job, and leave the small town. The advice that would help her heart feel better about what she was about to do.

  “You have it bad for him, girl,” Gabby said and sat down at the table.

  “Where’s Dad?” Danielle looked around the kitchen. She didn’t want him in earshot.

  “He left earlier. He needed some parts. So tell me, what’s it about this guy that has you so wound up?”

  “Wow, you, uh, pay more attention than I give you credit for.” Danielle smiled as she sipped her coffee.

  “Honey, really, I can tell when anything is going on with you. I just don’t always stick my nose in.” Gabby smiled.

  “Well, I don’t know how to start. Let’s say I have feelings for him that won’t go away. I have tried, but they are still there,” Danielle said then paused.

  “When did you start seeing him? I have never heard you mention his name before.”

  “I’m not seeing him, never have,” Danielle said, realizing how ridiculous this was already sounding.

  “I’m lost. You have feelings, apparently strong feelings, for J.C., and you have never dated him? ” Gabby asked as she slowly sipped her coffee.

  Danielle frowned as she pushed her food around her plate. Suddenly, she was no longer hungry. “Uh, I don’t just have feelings for him, Mom. I think I’m in love with him.”

  “Wow, Danielle, that’s um…” Gabby paused. “That’s pretty serious for someone you have never dated. Tell me, when did this start? I’m having trouble understanding how you have fallen in love.” She trailed off.

  Danielle sighed. “I have been in love with him for over four years, and I’ve never quit thinking about him, although I’ve tried.” She groaned and shook her head. “I have tried to hate him, to tell myself that he’s no good for me, that it’s a silly crush, an infatuation from high school, but every time I’m around him, the feelings get stronger.”

  “Does he feel the same?” Gabby asked with concern.

  “I don’t think so. I mean, I think he’s interested in me, but not, uhh…” she grumbled and ran her hands through her hair. “I don’t know if he’s a long-term guy. He has a terrible reputation with women.”

  “I see,” Gabby said. “You think his past can predict the present and future.”

  Danielle looked up at her mother thoughtfully. “Well, an old dog does learn new tricks.”

  Gabby laughed. “What if I told you that your father was about as wild as J.C. in his days?”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Some men take longer to grow up than others. Some men play the field, only because they are hunting for the right woman. I worried about your dad as well, worried he couldn’t commit. I was wrong. We have been married twenty-six years now, and I wouldn’t trade him.”

  Danielle pondered her mother’s words and leaned back in her chair. “What if I change my plans and wind up the loser in the end?”

  Gabby reached across the table and patted Danielle’s hand. “I can’t predict the future, and neither can you, but if you never allow anyone close enough to prove you right or wrong, how will you know?”

  “So, you think I should go for it?” Danielle’s eyes widened.

  “That’s for you to decide. I’m just saying anyone worth all the worry is worth giving a chance.” Gabby smiled sweetly. “Now eat your breakfast. It’s getting cold.”

  * * * *

  Danielle finished up storing the hay bales and parked the tractor. She looked at her watch. In a couple of hours, she and Stacy would be heading to the Evans Ranch for the weekend. Her stomach twisted into knots. She shouldn’t have eaten.

  At the barn, Danielle stopped and looked around with a thousand thoughts running through her mind. The idea of surrendering to her feelings for J.C. was terrifying. What if all he was after was a quick roll in the hay? She supposed he’d gone to a heck of a lot of trouble thus far for only that. She began to wonder if he spent as much time on other women. Hopefully not.

  Maybe it was like her mother said. Maybe he was searching for the one. She laughed. “Yeah, and I’m the one.”

  That was wishful thinking. Surely he couldn’t be holding out for her? Could he? Her stomach leapt with the thought of possibilities, and her heart didn’t seem to hurt as much all of a sudden.

  Danielle kicked dirt in the lot in front of the barn and began to walk. She was acting silly a
nd had been ever since graduation day by protecting her heart from what-ifs. Like she had any experience with love or relationships anyway. All she had encountered was a handful of first dates. She always turned down a second. None of the guys could compare to J.C., and none of them ever made her feel like he had, did, err does.

  At the fence row, Danielle sat down by the bush of honeysuckles and began picking flowers and carefully pulling them apart for the tiny droplet of nectar they contained. She had done this very same thing as a child. The nectar was sweet, but there was hardly enough of it. That could apply to life, never enough sweetness.

  In four years she had accomplished one sweet moment. She couldn’t account for all the years of hard work that went into obtaining that one droplet. Those were lonely years. The only bright spots were her trips home.

  All of a sudden, it occurred to her, she hated living in a city. She hated being away from home where she was surrounded by friends and family. That was it, the mother of all truths. She didn’t want to work far from here in a city. She was running, running away from a possibility of a broken heart. She was, in fact, running away from J.C.

  Danielle stood up and dusted her clothes off. She was pretty certain the chiggers were having a heyday in her jeans, signaling time for a shower.

  With her shower complete and a bag packed, her door flew open with the sound of Stacy chattering. “I’m so sorry about last night. I didn’t know, honest. Please say you’re not mad. You’re still coming with me, aren’t you? Duh, that would be a yes, I hope, since you packed a bag and all.”

  Danielle laughed and smiled sweetly at Stacy. “I’m not mad at you, and yes, I’m going. I promised I would.”

  “Well, hot damn,” Stacy shouted, and hugged Danielle.

  “You can let go of me now. I can’t breathe.” Danielle giggled.

  “Wow, can I say you clean up well? Damn, you look hot. Don’t worry. I’m totally not interested in you.” Stacy smiled with wide eyes.

  “Thanks and, uh, I’m glad.”

  “Let’s get out of here. I can’t wait any longer. I thought I would never get off work.” Stacy picked up Danielle’s bag and headed for the door.

  They walked down the stairs as Stacy continued to talk and talk and talk. Danielle just shook her head, never a boring moment with Stacy around.

  “You two have a great time,” Gabby said coming out of the kitchen. “Be sure to not over think things. Just go with the flow and see how you feel come Monday.”

  Danielle nodded and gave her mother a quick hug. “Thanks.”

  Stacy threw Danielle’s bag in the truck and hopped in. “Well, get in.”

  Danielle jumped in and fastened her seat belt. She might need it with Stacy behind the wheel. “Sorry about taking off with your truck last night.”

  Stacy waved her hand. “That’s minor shit, Danielle. I didn’t care a bit. I just felt really bad about them showing up.”

  “I think I was more shocked and embarrassed than mad,” Danielle confessed.

  Stacy laughed. “J.C. seemed to like the view, a lot. Oh, and what was the whole mother-daughter spiel about?”

  “Nothing, just uh…nothing,” Danielle said, dodging the issue.

  “Your articulate vocabulary has gone down the drain since you came home, did you know that?” Stacy laughed.

  “Shut up,” Danielle said and tried to suppress a chuckle.

  With the chitchat out of the way, Stacy turned up the radio and made the turn onto the highway. The ranch was an hour away. Enough of a distance that Stacy couldn’t afford to see Will on a daily basis. After her talk this morning with her mother and her revelation while sitting next to the honeysuckle vine, she felt giddy, silly. She sat and smiled as the fence posts sped by. She didn’t know how this weekend would go, but she certainly hoped for closure one way or another.

  “You’re awful smiley and chipper today. What gives?” Stacy asked.

  “Would you rather I be mad and upset?” Danielle replied sarcastically.

  “No. But something’s up. You’re very different, and you aren’t telling me.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Danielle said as she shrugged.

  Stacy smiled.

  * * * *

  J.C. finished sorting the calves and stopped for a break. It was already becoming mighty hot out. He wiped the sweat from his brow and peered toward the house. Will had informed him this morning that Danielle was coming for the weekend with Stacy. Surely she wasn’t still mad?

  This weekend held promise. He had plans, and, oh, how those plans excited him.

  * * * *

  The large sign indicating the Evans Ranch loomed up ahead. Danielle had forgotten how big it was. She dared to guess but was sure it was well over a thousand acres. The large stately country home sat off in the distance. Her parents’ house would fit neatly inside with lots of room to spare.

  “I’m getting nervous,” Stacy admitted as she turned into the large driveway that led to the house and main barn.

  Danielle looked over at Stacy astonished. “You don’t get nervous.”

  “Yeah, I do today. I’m meeting his parents. What if they don’t like me?” Stacy stuttered.

  “Sweetie, quit worrying, you’ll be fine,” Danielle assured her. Now if she could reassure herself of the same.

  Stacy parked and hesitated about getting out.

  “The next step is to get out of the truck,” Danielle said as she opened her door.

  As Danielle got out, a neatly dressed woman with short brown hair and bright-blue eyes walked up. She smiled brightly at Danielle, smooth laugh lines appearing around her eyes.

  “You, my dear, must be Danielle. I’m Evelyn, J.C. and Will’s mother,” she said and extended her hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Evans,” Danielle said as she shook her hand.

  “Oh, no, Evelyn, please.”

  “Evelyn.” Danielle smiled. “This is Stacy,” she continued as Stacy came around the truck.

  “Hello, so nice to meet you. You have a beautiful place. Thank you for having us,” Stacy spoke with apparent nervousness.

  Evelyn smiled sweetly. “Nice to meet you, dear. Will talks about you all the time. It seems both of you have made quite the impressions on my sons. Let’s get your things and go inside. The boys are out finishing for the day. They’ll be up soon.”

  Danielle and Stacy followed Evelyn to the house while their eyes went wide. The entire place was a paradise in the middle of nowhere. The pool was huge with a small pool house beside it. Large trees shaded the entire yard. Flowerbeds were well manicured and stunning in simple shades of green and white. Danielle guessed the yard alone had to be around two acres.

  They stepped onto the front porch of the two-story country home. The porch stretched nearly thirty feet long with cozy rocking chairs sitting in waiting. The large front door was painted bright-red with intricate leaded glass in the center. Windowsill planters overflowed with simple white petunias and bright chartreuse foliage.

  Danielle was in awe. She could only dream of owning a place so gorgeous one day. As they stepped in, the warm chocolate wood floors stretched throughout, while a long winding staircase led upstairs.

  “Evelyn, your place is stunning,” Danielle said softly as they followed her up the stairs.

  “Thank you, dear, it’s a work of love.” Evelyn smiled as she looked back. “Do you two mind sharing a room? We have a few other guests staying this weekend.”

  “No, we don’t mind. I hope we aren’t taking up room meant for—” Danielle began but was interrupted.

  “Oh, no, I’m delighted the two of you came.” Evelyn opened a door at the end of the hall. “This is your room. The bathroom is across the hall. Settle in, and I will see you downstairs.”

  “Thank you,” Danielle and Stacy nearly said in unison.

  Danielle sat on the end of the bed, knowing as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow she’d be sleeping in this bed alone. Which was absolutely fine w
ith her. She was kind of a bed hog anyway.

  Stacy chattered as she looked over all the furnishings and made the snappy statement she wouldn’t be enjoying the accommodations. Huh, funny, Danielle had already known that.

  The nervousness began again at the thought of seeing J.C. She had been, suffice to say, a bitch the night before. Hopefully he could look past her shortcomings if she could look past his. Did he have shortcomings, or was he really embracing life without a safety net? She may have been one wild teen, but as soon as she hit college, the craziness ended. Well, except of course for the sporadic trips home.

  Danielle lay back on the bed and watched the ceiling fan twirl above her. How would she approach him today? She couldn’t be all of a sudden nice, given her recent performance. She did like the verbal sparring. It was stimulating and, well, a turn-on. He had her beat in witty comebacks and sarcastic overtones by a landslide. No one else could stand their ground around her, so that was a plus for J.C., not to mention extra kudos for having a fabulously nice mother.

  “Well, I don’t plan on staying here all night. Let’s go. Last night I didn’t have any time with Will alone really. Poor J.C. had to sit in the truck and wait for us, since you took off in my truck and all,” Stacy said with her hands on her hips.

  “I’m really sorry,” Danielle said.

  “I’m not mad…I’m just running a little low on Will lovin’,” Stacy said as she grabbed Danielle’s arm and jerked her to the door.

  Evelyn was busy with homemade salads and desserts when they walked in the kitchen.

  “Let me help,” Danielle said as she rushed to her side.

  “Oh, no need, really, you should be having fun. You’re the guest.” Evelyn patted her shoulder.

  An hour later as the women set food on one of the many tables set up outside, J.C. interrupted their female chatter when he walked up behind Danielle quietly and spoke close to her ear. “You smell like honeysuckles. I love honeysuckles.”

  The sweet vibrations from his deep voice ran down her spine, causing her to quiver in delight. She wanted to turn and plant a kiss on his succulent lips, to say she was sorry for last night, for everything. Her hands lightly trembled as she turned.