by Gary, Codi
Slipping her glove back on carefully, she took a deep breath and grabbed another nail from her belt.
You have better things to do than think of Jake and his revolving door of hussies.
With the peace offering of pizza and beer, Jake waited for Rand.
He hadn’t meant to avoid her, but was struggling with his feelings. On one hand, he knew what he wanted and knew that it wasn’t a wife, even a temporary one. On the other, he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Rand; her kiss, her skin, and the way her perfect, unwrapped breasts filled out a t-shirt.
Even the very hot Laura Anne Gentry hadn’t been able to chase Rand from his mind. He’d ended up dropping her off right after dinner and heading home to his apartment alone.
He saw her walking up to the house; head to toe covered in mud and grinned. This was the Rand he was used to; dirty and messy, not beautiful and sweetly sexy.
“What the hell happened to you?” He called.
Her head flew up and he saw her eyes narrow. “What the hell are you doing here?”
He held up the box of pizza and bag. “It’s movie night.”
She stomped up the porch and snapped, “Did it ever occur to you that I might have made other plans?”
“No, it never occurred to me.” And it hadn’t. Even madder than a wet hen, Rand had never missed a pizza night unless she was sick and even then it was iffy.
“Where’s Red?” She unzipped her sweatshirt, dropping it on the ground and kicked off her boots. His eyes followed her hands as she unhooked her overalls, noticing her wince as she slid them down until they lay in a heap.
“You okay? You looked like you were in pain,” he asked as she stepped out of them, wearing a pair of black long johns and her red t-shirt.
“Hit my damn thumb with a hammer. You didn’t answer me.” She said, her head bent over as she took off her wet socks.
Jake wasn’t listening though. As she lifted each long leg, his mind started to wander, picturing those slim limbs wrapped around his waist as he pushed her against the wall, his mouth coming down on hers as he reached for his zipper, determined to-
“What are you looking at?” His eyes came back up to focus on her dark expression and he took a breath, trying to expel the fantasy.
“Nothing.” He remembered finally she had asked him a question an added, “Red said he had something else going on again.”
“He’s sure been a busy beaver lately,” she said, bending over to pick up the pile of clothes. She opened the door to go inside and Jake followed, watching those long legs and tight, shapely rear until she disappeared into the laundry room.
Get a grip man!
When she came out of the laundry room, he jumped in with, “Look Rand, I’m sorry about last week.” She watched him with those big brown eyes, her expression pointed and he shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t have an excuse, but I promise, it will never happen again.”
The silence was deafening for several ticks.
“Fine.” She said finally, her expression telling him things were anything but. “I’m going to take a shower. Heat up my pizza would you?”
“I thought you had other plans tonight?” He asked, smiling.
“Yeah well, for pizza and beer I’ll cancel it. What movies did you get?” She asked.
He pulled out Young Guns One and Two, Tombstone, and 3:10 to Yuma.
“Wow, you really are sorry,” she said, and he caught himself thinking he liked the way her eyes grew warm when she was happy.
As westerns were not his favorite genre he knew exactly what she meant. “I am.”
“Well I’m going to run and shower before you change your mind.”
He watched her go, thoughts of a naked Rand only a few rooms away made him want to bang his head against the wall.
Rand went back to the bathroom after her pizza and brushed her teeth, figuring she’d probably fall asleep during the third movie. By then she’d be out of it and forget, and she hated going to bed without brushing.
She came back into the living room, flopped onto the couch and curled her legs under her chin. “So what should we watch first?”
Jake’s lips twisted into a grimace. “You pick. They’re all painful for me.”
She jumped up with Young Guns, and slipped it into the DVD player. She loved Young Guns, especially because of the very young and cute Charlie Sheen. She came back to the couch and tapped the remote against her thigh impatiently as it loaded.
Sitting next to him on the couch, she could feel the warmth radiating off his body and the smell of his cologne was giving her those tingly feelings again.
“So, have you picked out any other dates,” Jake asked.
She shook her head. “I think I’m going to take your advice and ask Red for help. Or one of his sisters.”
“Wow, I thought you wanted nothing to do with them,” Jake said, frowning.
“I just thought if you’re right and Jay is really going to ask me out I should probably be a little more…feminine I guess,” she said, nervously playing with the knee of her jeans. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” he said.
“When you go out with a girl, how many dates do you wait before you kiss her,” she asked in a rush.
Jake cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Well, there’s no set date. I can usually tell when a girl is into me by the way she acts and she’ll usually give me signs that she wants me to kiss her.”
Had she given Jake some kind of signal? Her face flushed at the thought.
“Like, what kind of sign,” she asked, holding her knees tighter.
For a minute there, she thought he wasn’t going to answer her. After a long, thoughtful look though, he slid closer to her and pulled her arms from off her knees. “Usually, if she wants me to kiss her, she doesn’t cross her arms. Crossed arms make a guy think you don’t want him touching you.”
She dropped her arms and prodded, “What else?”
“She’ll usually touch me a lot. Run her hand over my arm, touch my hair, or brush off some lint,” he said, demonstrating with a soft caress on her own arm.
His fingers on her bare skin made little goose bumps pop up everywhere and the tingles were traveling from his touch to her toes. She reached out a hand and brushed his bronzed hair off his forehead. “Like that?”
He nodded, his eyes capturing hers. “And she usually licks her lips or applies gloss. I’m not a big fan of the sticky shit, but for girls it’s like a neon sign that says, ‘Kiss me.’”
She ran her tongue over her lips. “Like that?”
“Just like that,” he said, scooting closer and cupping the side of her face. His thumb brushed across her lips and unconsciously she kissed its tip.
He stared at her mouth intently, but made no move to kiss her. Boldly, she kneeled up and moved until she straddled his lap, her arms wrapping around his neck.
“What are you doing,” he asked, his hands going around her waist like he was about to lift her back off.
She squeezed him between her thighs and bent down. “You weren’t taking the hint.”
And without giving him a chance to say no, she dropped her mouth that last inch and molded it to his.
You have to stop this.
Instead of listening to his voice of reason, Jake deepened the kiss, running his hands over her back. Reaching the tight bun of hair, he tried to take it down so he could tangle his hands in it, but she jerked away and cried, “Ouch.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay, you just startled me. You want it down,” she asked.
“Yeah.”
Reaching up behind her head, he watched as she released the brown strands, fanning them out with her fingers. “How’s that?”
“Beautiful,” he said, sliding his hands into her hair and pulling her mouth to his.
“I’m not,”she whispered between kisses.
“What,” he asked.
“I’m not beautiful,” she repeated.
&
nbsp; “I think you are,” he said, moving his mouth along her jaw to her neck.
“You are such a liar,” she said, but he caught the way her neck tilted to the side to give him better access and smiled against her skin.
Continuing his slow decent down to the edge of her t-shirt. “Am not.”
She reached her hand up and ran her finger tips over his neck, making him forget exactly what they were arguing about and he was uncomfortably aware that his hard on was nearly perfectly nestled against the apex of her thighs.
Pulling away from her, he looked up and asked, “What are we doing?”
“What? I like kissing you.” Her fingers were playing with the back of his neck and it was distracting as hell.
“Yeah I like it too, but aren’t you supposed to be looking for a husband,” he asked, and her fingers stopped moving.
“Yeah. And I was thinking maybe you could help me out with that,” she said.
“How am I going to do that,” he asked, his chest tightening with anxiety.
Her cheeks blossomed pink. “By teaching me how to kiss and anything else I need to know.”
That wasn’t the answer he had been expecting and instead of being relieved, he was irritated. “So you can practice on me, and then use what you’ve learned to snare some poor sap? I thought you wanted a marriage in name only, anyway?”
She shrugged, which infuriated him more. “I don’t really know what I want anymore. All I do know is I’m about to lose my ranch and I can’t let that happen.”
He didn’t like her pleading look. Rand never begged for anything, and she looked like she was three seconds away from falling to her knees and clasping her hands. “You know how to kiss.”
He almost didn’t hear her, her voice was so quiet. “But I’ve never done…anything else before.”
“Rand, are you saying you’re a virgin?” He asked the question, unable to conceal his surprise. He knew she didn’t really date, but he figured she had just been sly about it.
She tried to look away but he caught her chin. “Are you?”
“Yeah,” she said hesitantly, but her eyes suddenly flared and she added, “By choice. I didn’t want anyone talking about me and my private matters.”
He almost asked if he had been her first kiss, but thought it might put her over the edge. Releasing her chin, he tucked her hair behind her ear gently. “Lesson number one: Leave your hair down. Guys like long hair.”
“It gets in my way,” she protested.
“I thought you wanted my advice and expertise,” he countered.
She frowned. “I do.”
“Then take my advice. Anytime you aren’t working, wear your hair down.” Tangling his hands in the brown curtain, he pulled her down and kissed her right under the ear.
“Fine,” she whispered and he trailed his mouth back to hers.
“How many dresses do you have,” he asked as he ran his hand down over her hips.
“Just the one my granddaddy bought for me for the Johnson’s wedding
“Wear it to church tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at nine.” He nibbled at her bottom lip.
“You’re taking me to church?” She slid her hands under the front of his shirt and over his abs.
He liked the feel of her calloused hands over his bare skin, but if he didn’t stop her, they were going to move beyond light petting and head straight for the really good stuff. Pulling away from her, he said, “Yeah, I’m taking you to church.”
“Why?” Her voice was soft, breathless and sexy as hell.
“Because one of the best ways to gain another man’s undivided attention is to date someone else.”
“But I had two other dates this week...”
Jake lifted his brow. “Fred and Bubba are great guys, but not exactly stiff competition for a guy like Jay. The guys no slouch.”
“Are you telling me you’ve been checking out Jay?”
He scowled. “Not like that, but a man likes to size up the competition. Which is exactly what Jay’s going to do when you show up tomorrow with me.”
“You are so cocky,” she said, pursing her lips as she seemed to consider his idea. Suddenly, her mouth split into a wide grin and she shook him by his shoulders. “But I also think you might just be an evil genius!”
Actually, Jake felt more like the biggest idiot in the world as Rand threw her arms around him and the smell of peaches surrounded him. “Damn straight I am.”
She pulled back and said, “I owe you big.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Chapter Six
Rand stared at herself in the mirror and bit her lip. The floral dress was tea length and hugged her body, the little cap sleeves were very feminine. She’d pulled on nude panty hose she’d had in a drawer for years, which itched like crazy and a pair of black flats. She’d put a little gel in her hair and used a blow dryer on it, creating soft waves over her shoulder. She didn’t have any make up except for a tube of clear mascara and chap stick. Her dark lashes, already long, looked fuller after the clear coating, although she poked her eye in the process, causing it to water.
She finally stood in front of the full length mirror on the back of her door and studied the change. She looked like any other woman being escorted to church by a handsome man.
And yet, she felt like an impostor.
Her phone rang in the kitchen and she ran to answer, tripping over Scout, who hissed in protest. “Don’t you hiss at me, you’re the one laying in the hallway like a dork.”
The Calico meowed and rubbed against her legs, obviously knowing where her bread was buttered.
“Manipulative little fur-ball,” Rand muttered.
The cats golden eyes looked at her, releasing a loud, rumbling purr and Rand moved away from her. “I don’t have time to pet you. Besides, you’ll get fur all over me.”
The cat sniffed with indignation and ambled off towards her bedroom as she grabbed the phone off the counter. “Hello?”
“Hey, are you almost ready?” Jake’s voice only added to the anxiety she was already experiencing.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Okay, I’m walking out the door. See you in a bit.” He hung up the phone and she put hers down, wiping her sweaty hands on her dress nervously. Grabbing her jacket off the back of the chair, she sat down on the couch and waited.
Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
“Since when do you knock,” she yelled as she jumped up to answer it.
“Since I’ve come a courtin’,” he yelled back through the door.
Her stomach fluttered at his words. She knew he was only teasing and she scolded herself for the reaction, but when she opened the door, all thoughts flew out of her head. It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever seen Jake in a suit; it was just that today, he was for all intents and purposes, wearing that suit just for her.
Boy, did he look stunned. His jaw was slack, his eyes wider than silver dollars, and she was pretty sure he stopped breathing.
Tucking her hair back nervously, she stepped out onto the porch and shut the door. “Geez, could you look more surprised?”
His mouth snapped shut and he smiled. “For a minute there I didn’t recognize you.”
“Shut up,” she snapped, feeling stupid. “I’m going to change; I feel ridiculous.”
Catching her arm, he stepped close enough to press her back against the closed door. He leaned over her, and kissed her hard before she could say a word. When he finally broke the kiss, his breath warmed her tingling lips. “You look great.”
She stared up at him dumbly. “As opposed to how I normally look?”
He kissed her again. “No. Just different. And I really like your hair.”
“Are you always so kissy and complimentary when you go a courtin’?” Not that she minded. Every time he kissed her it was like a burst of electricity that warmed her from the outside in.
“Nope, you’re special.” He leaned in close to her neck and whispered, “And so
very sexy.”
Maybe it was the way he said it or the feel of his breath on her neck but she clenched her thighs together and didn’t even try to give him a clever comeback. When his lips trailed over her skin she whispered, “We’ll be late.”
He pulled back with a grin. “Good. Then everyone’s focus will be on us.”
They pulled in front of the church and Rand started to open her door, but Jake stopped her. “I’ll get your door.”
“I can get my own door.” She hadn’t meant to snap, it was just a habit.
He leaned towards her and said, “Not the point. You let the guy get your door. It will tell you if he was raised right.”
She started to tell him that was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard, but he had already jumped out to get her door. She waited for him to open it, telling herself she was only humoring him, and let him take her hand to help her out. When he didn’t release it, he grinned. “It will have everyone’s tongue wagging.”
She bit her cheek to keep from laughing. He was so ridiculous sometimes. She let him lead her up the steps to the church and once inside, she glanced around nervously as a few people turned around, including Kim and her hoard. Kim’s eyes widened and she leaned over to speak to her minions. Rand felt Jake pull her forward and she focused on where he was leading her, which was right next to a wide eyed Red and his family. Rand’s gaze met Mrs. Hansen and she could have sworn Jake’s mother covered a smile as she turned back to face the pastor. Weird.
Rand glared at Red in warning as she sat down between him and Jake, but he leaned over anyway. “Damn Rand, you have boobs.”
His mother, who was sitting on his other side, must have heard him because she slapped him upside his head at the same time Rand pinched his arm.
“Ow!” Red yelped, glaring at his mother. “Ma, what was that for?”
“Mind your manners, you are in a church.” Hannah, Red’s mother, sat forward and said, “You look lovely, Miranda.”
