Her father had craved attention, drew it to himself whenever he could. Of course, he certainly hadn't been a big star like Jake, just a little fish in a big pond, so to speak, but he made sure everybody knew he was a rock musician and he expected star treatment. He used to embarrass her with his loud, boisterous ways. Not that he was around all that much, but he made sure everybody knew it when he was there.
Jake wasn't like that. He was quiet, thoughtful. He treated Nora and Joe almost as if they were his own parents rather than employees. She saw how kind he was to animals, his patience with the kids. Today had opened her eyes to the man Jacob Stryker really was.
He stirred just then, removing the ice pack from his face.
"Are you doing okay?" he asked, turning his head to look at her.
"I'm fine. After all, I didn't get punched in the face today."
"No, but you had to live through all that drama." He scowled then winced. "You were great with the kids, by the way."
Marty remembered their expressions, the terrified look on their faces. They barely waited for the swings to stop before they flew off them and wrapped themselves around her legs. They were shaking and crying, their little bodies trembling with fear.
She'd felt helpless. All she could do was hold them, reassure them. It wasn't until Jake talked to them that they began to calm down.
It had touched her heart when Bonnie reached out and touched the blood on Jake's cheek.
"It's not all right," she'd whispered. "You've got a booboo."
"What, this? This is nothing." He grinned to show her he was fine and Marty's admiration for him grew again. She had a feeling that big smile had caused him quite a bit of pain.
"I really didn't do anything. I didn't know what to do."
"Are you kidding? You held them. You kept them safe. Just think what might have happened if you hadn't been there. I would have been flat on my ass and those babies would have been all alone and terrified."
She turned the SUV into the long lane, guiding the vehicle up the drive, and parked in front of the quiet house. By that time, she knew, Joe and Nora would have retired to their own cabin down the lane. That meant there was no one here but her and Jake and the kids, who were sound asleep.
That thought made her want to run lock herself in Big Red, but that would be silly. He needed help getting the kids in the house and tucked in their beds. There was no reason to be afraid to be alone with him.
Oh, yeah? Her conscious jeered. What about the fact that I'd like to rip his clothes off and fuck his brains out?
Chapter 12
They each carried a sleeping child into the house, neither little one giving more than a wiggle and a moan before settling down against a shoulder. Marty carried Bonnie, her nose buried in the silky ringlets, breathing in the scents of the sunshine and fresh air. The little girl's arms automatically tightened around her neck and Marty hitched her up a little closer.
"I'll get him undressed, you take her, okay?" Jake whispered as they made their way up the stairs.
She didn't answer, just nodded and headed into Bonnie's room and laid the child down on her bed. She pulled off her sandals, her shorts, and her shirt then pulled a flowery nightgown over her head. When she moved to pull the sheet up over the girl her big blue eyes blinked opened for a minute.
"Night, Marty. Love you." The sweet words came out softly then her eyes shuttered closed again.
A pain shot through Marty as she smoothed the golden curls back and dropped a kiss on the velvety forehead. She'd known these kids less than two weeks and they'd already captured her heart. She knew even now it was going to hurt to leave these little ones behind when her time here was up.
Heaving a long sigh, she stood and tucked the covers around Bonnie's shoulders, studying the sleeping face for a minute. Sometimes she wished she could give up her nomadic lifestyle, stay in one place, maybe have a baby or two. Of course, that didn't mean she had to have a man. No—she could even adopt if she wanted to.
Nashville would be a nice place to put down roots, to raise a family. It was a beautiful area with lots of things to see and do. The countryside was magnificent with its rolling hills and luscious shades of green. She might even be able to get enough business here to support herself without traveling.
She was still contemplating that thought when she stepped out of Bonnie's room and ran into Jake as he left Brody's.
"Wow. Some day, huh? He shook his head and rubbed his neck. "How about we relax and unwind with a beer on the back porch?"
That probably wasn't a good idea but Marty couldn't resist. A beer sounded good. It certainly wasn't an excuse to spend more time with Jake.
He grabbed two longnecks from the fridge and pushed open the French doors that led onto the deck. He handed her a bottle and indicated for her to sit on the big padded log swing then took the seat next to her.
They didn't speak for a while, just sat swinging gently back and forth, now and then taking a swig of cold beer. Marty leaned her head back and closed her eyes. It was so peaceful. The night creatures tuned up for their evening symphony, chirping, and croaking, filling the otherwise silent hills with their music. A gentle breeze kissed her cheek, carrying a hint of pine.
"This is my favorite time of night." Jake's voice snapped her out of her reverie. "I love watching the stars come out and the moon rise. It makes me feel at peace. Blessed, I guessed you say. The Good Lord's seen me through another day and all is well with my world."
She looked at him curiously. She didn't know this spiritual side of him. Once again, he'd surprised her. She leaned her head back and stared into the clear night sky with its blanket of twinkling diamonds.
"There are so many stars up there," she said, "each one burning brightly, each one independent but all together putting on a grand show. Knowing they've been up there all these centuries, all this time, makes me feel so temporary, short lived. It reminds me that we'd better make the most of the few days we have here on earth."
"I agree. I'm so glad I'm in a position to have days like today, to spend time with the kids." He smiled at her shyly. "And with you." Hot color shot into her cheeks. He shouldn't say things like that. "Honestly," he continued, "I had a great time today. At least, right up until I ran into Hoss's fist." He chuckled ruefully. "That part I could have done without."
"I know you're in pain, Jake. Maybe I better take off so you can lie down and get some rest." She started to rise but his hand on her wrist stopped her.
"Don't go yet. I took some aspirin. I admit, I have a headache, but I'm not ready to go in. Stay a little longer."
Dang. The man was a sweet talking devil. Marty settled back down and took another swallow of beer, making sure she kept plenty of space between them on the swing. Being with him was tolerable—touching was another story.
Jake set the swing back in motion with a touch of his booted foot to the ground. "We used to have a swing on the front porch of our house in Atlanta," he said." It was a pretty run-down place but it was clean and we loved to sit in that old swing. Sometimes Daddy would sing a song, usually an old gospel tune like Amazing Grace or Shall We Gather at the River. Sometimes Mama Rose sang along. They made perfect harmony together."
Marty listened to him talk, reminiscing about his childhood. She wished she had memories like that. Unfortunately, her mother had been too busy making a living to have time to sing and they'd always lived in apartments, never a house. No chance of swing sitting there.
Not that it had been all bad. Her mom used to brush Marty's hair every morning for 100 strokes. She'd sit on the footstool, her mom in the chair. They'd talk and laugh, sharing plans for their days. As often as possible Marty's mother attended her school activities and ball games. When her mom had a day off they'd go to the park, or for walks, do jigsaw puzzles. It just seemed like those times had been few and far between.
"Penny for your thoughts," Jake said softly, noticing her thoughtful expression.
"Oh, they're not even worth that
much, believe me."
"I doubt that. You just looked kind of sad there for a minute." He reached out and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.
"I guess I was just missing my mom. She's been gone five years now." She raised her eyes and looked at his face. His eyes were puffy, his nose swollen. A wave of pity washed over her.
"Your poor face." She didn't think, she just reached up and laid her hand gently on his cheek.
She heard his breath suck in, his hand rising to cover hers. He held it there, letting his fingers press against its back, his thumb rubbing softly across the silky skin.
She knew he was going to kiss her; she knew she shouldn't let him. But as his lips moved towards her she felt herself drawn forward overwhelmingly. She could no more resist him than a bee could resist a honeysuckle blossom.
Chapter 13
A small groan rose from Marty's throat as she made contact with Jake's lips, hungrily drinking in his essence. They kissed gently at first, then more fiercely, passion swelling up in Marty with every touch. Every taste thickened the fog that swept around her, clouding her judgment, obscuring her common sense.
She didn't think about the fact that this man was a musician, a star, one of those people she disliked and mistrusted. She didn't worry about the fact that he was currently her employer. All her mind could focus on was the intoxicating flavor of his lips.
She pushed herself closer to him, her arms slipping around his shoulders as he pulled her tight against him. His hands filled each spot he touched with heat, excitement. Desire rose up in her like a flower blossoming, growing, expanding.
She felt like a woman who'd been starving who now gobbled up the sweet banquet in front of her. She couldn't get enough, the hunger raging through her. She tried to watch out for his injured nose, but the heat was burning her, scorching her from head to toe. She ran her hands through his shaggy black hair, reveling in the feel of the silky locks gliding between her fingers.
Jake's hands embraced her, exploring her delicate frame, sliding them slowly down her spine. He tipped his head and let his lips glide along her neck, his tongue making tiny flicks along the way. His breath played across her collarbone, his lips following its path.
Goosebumps broke out across Marty's skin despite the heat he distributed and the warm night air. She shivered as his mouth traced a path along the base of her neck, his tongue flicking into the sensitive hollow there. Her hands grew more desperate as they clutched his hair, and she felt her nipples blossom against his chest.
His hands traveled sensuously, slowly, around her rib cage. Just as he slid his palm over the top of her breast she felt a flow of moisture between her legs. A strangled moan broke from her throat.
And then…something cold and wet and hard was pushing into her crotch. She squealed and jumped at the sensation, her forehead knocking into Jake's nose. He immediately groaned and grabbed his face, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"Boo, damn it." His voice throbbed with pain and Marty flinched with guilt. Oh, she hadn't meant to hurt him. And poor Boo looked on innocently, his big head resting in Marty's lap, his bushy tail waving like a flag.
"I'm sorry, so sorry." Marty jumped to her feet not quite sure what to do. "How can I help?"
"Just give me a minute. I'll be all right." His complexion had lost all its color, a sickly look coming over his face. He didn't look like he'd be all right.
In a moment, though, he started looking better and Marty knew a chance to escape when she saw one. Moving fast she hurried down the deck stairs and paused to call back to him.
"I'm sorry. I better go," she called, tossing the words over her shoulder. "I hope you feel better." Then she ran down the path towards her RV.
Jake sat there cradling his nose in his hands and watching Marty disappear into the rusty red vehicle. Despite the pain pounding in his head and the waves of nausea washing through him, he was spellbound by her slim figure, her red-gold hair trailing behind her. His nose wasn't the only body part she'd left throbbing.
He couldn't get over it. She'd felt so right in his arms, so perfect. He hadn't had many serious relationships in his life. Life on the road was just too hard on them to last. Most women couldn't stand him being gone all the time, traveling 300 plus days a year. And then there were the groupies. Women throwing themselves at him, constantly hitting on him. It was hard for any female to tolerate that.
At first it had just been him and the guys in the band getting from honky-tonk to honky-tonk in an old beat up van, oftentimes sleeping in it between shows. Eventually they'd moved up to an old RV, something like Big Red. When he finally hit it big he bought himself one of those big luxury buses to travel in and another to haul his equipment.
Though the accommodations improved, he was still constantly on the road, always moving on to the next gig, the next show. There just hadn't been time for any serious relationships.
But things were different now. He wasn't going to be on the road constantly anymore. He could write and record right here at the farm. He could finally slow down, take time for life…for love.
He sat there for a long time. Even after the lights in her RV went out, he sat there thinking. Thinking about her, about the way her nose curled up when she laughed, how her smile lit up her whole face…about how sweet she tasted when he kissed her. Just recalling it made his dick hard again.
He knew she was afraid of him for some reason. He could sense it in her wariness. She was holding back, keeping a part of herself locked away from him.
Now he just had to figure out the key that would unlock her.
Marty cried herself to sleep that night. She didn't want to fall in love with Jake Stryker. She didn't want to feel this yearning for him, this gnawing hunger. She really didn't want to feel that for any man and especially not for a musician. Hadn't she learned the hard way that musicians couldn't be trusted? Her own father had turned his back on his family to enjoy the high life, the party life that seemed to surround all musicians. God, she didn't want anything to do with that life.
But a part of her mourned that decision. A part of her yearned for love, ached for the passionate fulfillment that could only come from a man.
But not that man. Not Jake Stryker. He had a reputation as a bad boy, a free spirit, a playboy. He wasn't right for her. He'd only cause her pain—she knew it in her heart.
But what if you're wrong? A small voice in her head whispered. What if Jake's different?
Yeah, right. A likely story. She turned over and angrily punched her pillow. Was she willing to bet her heart on that?
Chapter 14
The next morning, Marty was awakened by Gruff standing on top of her chest, kneading his claws in and out of her flesh. She groaned and rolled over.
"Get out of here you old reprobate." Geez, it felt like she'd just closed her eyes and here this evil cat was waking her up with the dawn. It hadn't helped that she'd lain awake crying half the night.
"Well, no more," she promised the orange tiger cat. "No more tears over that man. Onward and upward, and all that jazz."
Gruff looked at her doubtfully with his one good eye.
"Honestly, I promise."
He still appeared as if he had his misgivings, but Marty couldn't worry about that now. It suddenly dawned on her she was starving. They hadn't stopped for any supper last night and her stomach growled in protest. Time to get up, find something to eat, and get this day started.
She had just stepped out of Big Red when she saw a caravan of vehicles approaching up the drive. She watched as a minivan, a pickup truck, and a 57 Chevy all rolled to a stop, people piling out the vehicles like they were clown cars. Two men climbed out of the truck and three guys and a girl got out of the Chevy. A man, a pregnant woman, and four little children rolled out of the minivan.
Before she could move Jake was outside waving his arm in greeting at the horde of noisy people.
"Hey, ya'll. Good to see ya." She heard him hollering and watched him slapping
the backs of the men and giving each of the women a big smacking kiss on the cheek.
"What the hell happened to you, Jake? Some angry husband come home and catch ya?" hooted a big burly redheaded man with a bushy beard.
Jake ran a hand over his face with its two black eyes. "Nah. I just wouldn't give into some horny broad and she clocked me."
"That must have been a hell of a woman. Damn, you should have sent her my way." He laughed and threw his arm around Jake's shoulder. "Any woman who can throw a punch like that sounds like a keeper."
Jake chuckled, his gaze suddenly drifting over to Marty. His face softened and Marty felt a quiver run through her.
"Hey, Marty, come on over and meet the band."
Marty hesitated but eventually walked over to the group.
"This big goofy looking guy is Ace, the best damn keyboard man alive." Marty recognized the redhead from the bachelor party.
She could tell by the abashed look on his face he recognized her, too. He moved forward and stuck his hand out, nearly swallowing her much smaller one in his.
"Howdy, Miss Marty. It's a pleasure to meet you the right way. I do apologize for the mistake I made last time I saw you. I hope you'll pardon me. I had a little too much to drink that night."
"It's okay, Ace. I don't hold a grudge."
"And this is Jason and Mike." Jake indicated two guys who'd also been at the bachelor party. At least those two had been quiet and held back. She smiled at them and watched a blush appear on their nearly identical faces. "They're brothers, if you hadn't guessed."
"I'm Mike, the big brother." Tall and slender, Mike tipped his black leather cowboy hat at her. "That there puny fella is my brother Jason."
Six-foot-five Jason didn't speak, simply nodded and reddened.
Bad Boy Series: Soul Songs (Bad Boy Romance Book 2) Page 5
