She cleared her throat and stood up straight. "Yes I did. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No," Jonas said. Brandon burst out laughing and Zoe resisted the urge to throw the glass at him. "I never have a problem watching you in action Zoe. You know that."
"Whatever." She had to get out of there but refused to run knowing they'd enjoy that even more. "Do I ever say anything when you guys bang the headboard at night when you're on your own? No I don't, so lay off me."
****
Jonas watched her for a moment trying to regain control. He couldn't let her know how much the sight of her floating in the water with her hand down her panties turned him on. If Brandon hadn't been with him he would have settled the chopper down in the paddock and walked into the lake and taken her then and there. This was a Zoe that he couldn't keep his eyes off. He thought she was a stunner as a teen but now she was a knock out now. The transformation was amazing. He had tried to keep tabs on her over the years but she never seemed to make any headlines and even a Google search rarely showed up anything on her personal life. Brandon had told him about the business she had started and he watched as she opened one gym after the other. He was impressed with the way she had built something from nothing and was surprised that she left London to come home when Brandon called her. If she had asked to look at the purchase agreement for the shares, she would have noticed there was no such stipulation. When and if she found out, it would mean his head. He was prepared for fireworks from Zoe but to have her at his beck and call again the same as when they were kids, it would be worth it. They were both unattached so they wouldn't be hurting anyone.
He had never wanted anyone like he wanted Zoe. Since she was a teenager she had driven him crazy just by being herself. They had a magical childhood. Freedom city kids never got to experience was theirs for the taking. Growing up on the land was at its best when you had friends like Zoe and Brandon. When they had become an item it just seemed like it was meant to be, the natural flow of things. The sex was amazing and they still had the same chemistry. He had made the right decision to get her home where she belonged.
Jonas had grown up on the farm, his father was one of the permanent staff. His mother had passed on when he was a small child and Zoe's parents had been more than kind to him. They had watched over him when his father was working and made sure that he had the same opportunities that their children did. He wanted for nothing once he had Zoe except the money to buy his own farm.
Shaking himself out of his introspection he handed the sheet of paper to Brandon, and turned away from her. "This just came through. We have a confirmed date for the auction. Leeds wants at least five hundred head and a couple of our younger breeding bulls. We'll have time to get them tested and brochures done up. The auctioneers have already had plenty of interest."
"That's great." Brandon held his beer up in a toast. "To us, may we get great prices and sell everything we bring in."
"Hear, hear." Jonas turned to Zoe. "How about you go and grab a show or whatever you do this time of night and Brandon and I will put something together for dinner?"
She looked back at him, a frown on her forehead. He itched to wipe it away with his fingertips but leaned against the chair and watched her instead.
"I thought Shirley was working in the house now, besides didn't you say it was my turn to cook."
"Nope and yes I did. Shirley offered to cook a meal for you but she looks after the boys outside. We decided since there will be the three of us here we could fend for ourselves."
"Did you not think I should have had a say in this, Jonas?" Her frown had turned to a tight-lipped glare.
"You know you would have agreed, so stop being so damned stubborn. Since when have any of us needed someone to run after us?"
"You know how hopeless I am in the kitchen, hell. What am I supposed to do when it's my turn to cook?" She looked over Jonas's shoulder at her brother, her head tilted in question.
"You can clean up." Brandon finished his beer and crushed the can in his hand. He threw it over at the waste bin and missed , then grinned at her with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Thanks, idiot." She turned and walked away. "I'm going to have a shower."
Jonas watched her walk away his gaze on her tight butt encased in worn denim jeans. His skin tingled and he imagined her hands travelling the length of those slim legs, washing herself in the shower. He stopped that train of thought before he imagined her washing other parts of her body. The flight home after spotting her in the dam was harder than he thought possible. Having Brandon in the chopper didn't help and because he was sitting watching every move now it embarrassed him.
"You want to see what's in the freezer and I'll finish up in the office and be back to help."
"Sure," Brandon said.
Jonas walked down the hallway to the office, ignoring Zoe's open bedroom door. He sat behind the desk and emailed a reply to the auction agent and made notes in his diary before shutting down the computer and clearing the desk.
He was calm and in control of his emotions when he walked out of the room. His gaze went into Zoe's room and he could see her in the reflection of the bathroom mirror through the open door. She was standing with a towel over her head rubbing her hair furiously. Her naked body was paler than he remembered but the curves and lines were now toned and slimmer. She was tight and firm in all the right places.
His cock reacted even though logic told him it was hopeless. No matter what he and Brandon had cooked up to get her home, he doubted Zoe would ever forgive him for what had happened, not that it would stop him from trying. She had refused to listen then and knowing how stubborn she was, he doubted if she would listen now. Jonas leaned on the door frame and let himself be enjoy her just being home, waiting for the spit likely to come his way when she saw him.
"Like what you see, Jonas?" She shook her head and swung her hair back off her face.
"You know the answer to that one."
She dropped the towel to the floor and stood facing him. "And to think you threw it all away." With her gaze on him she lowered her hand to the smattering of hair between her thighs. Zoe smiled a sultry smile at him and slid a finger down her belly and into the damp curls.
His breath caught in his throat when her fingers slipped inside her body, her thumb moving in small round movements over her clit. She leaned back against the counter and let her other hand toy with her taut nipples. He couldn't look away. It was incredible to watch the woman he had loved and couldn't have, pleasure herself. His cock reacted, straining against his jeans. Jonas licked his lips and willed his body to not let on how incredibly horny he was. His feet were frozen and he stood in the doorway while she brought herself to a climax.
"Hmmm, that was good. More fun if I didn't have to do it myself though." Zoe opened her eyes and looked at him before bringing her slick fingertips to her lips. Her mouth open, she slid one finger in and sucked it making a popping noise when she withdrew it. "You don't know what you've been missing, Jonas."
"I have a fair idea." His voice sounded raspy to his ears. "I warn you though. Do that again and I won't be responsible for what happens." He willed his feet to move and headed to his room to pull himself together before helping with dinner. The games they played when they were younger and craving for each other's bodies were still fresh in his mind and it looked like Zoe still had the knack to do it to him.
The sound of her laughter followed him. He slammed the door and going into the bathroom, splashed cold water over his face. He looked into the mirror, his frustration making him clench his jaw. Drying his hands on the towel he cursed himself for getting in this situation. He should have made more of an effort to get to the funeral and stop her going back to London afterward. He was a grown man now and in the position to offer her what she had always wanted. Marriage and a family.
Only problem was, he knew she would likely throw it back in his face. He had done wrong in her mind and he had to find a way to get around that. Undoing the
zip in his jeans, he slipped his hand into his jocks and adjusted himself then zipped up again. Leaving his bedroom he walked out to the kitchen.
Zoe leaned against the bench and sent him a stunning smile. She was dressed in brief cut off shorts that showed her long slim legs and a flimsy tank top that did nothing to hide the pert nipples underneath. The slipped shoulder strap showed that she wasn't wearing a bra either.
"What can I do to help?" she asked grinning at him.
He turned away from her. "Bran, did you find anything in the freezer?" Jonas yelled out wondering where the hell he was.
"I sent him back for steak. And for your information I do know how to cook. Just one of the many things I learned in London." She walked to the pantry.
His gaze followed her every move. Her bare feet padded softly on the floor making barely a sound. Zoe leaned down and pick through the vegetable shelves, taking her time in choosing what she wanted. She was teasing him and he knew it.
****
She stood up with a glance in his direction and walked back to the bench. Zoe dropped the potatoes and onions in the sink and rummaged around in the drawer for a knife. She hummed as she peeled the potatoes and he stood watching her at a loss for what to do.
****
"You can slice these thinly if you want to help." Zoe flicked a glance at him. Her heart almost melted, he looked so lost and unsure of himself.
Poor little rich boy Jonas. Your childhood toy is no longer available and it hurts.
His lips were tightly clamped together and he stood in the same place he'd been for five minutes.
Zoe watched the emotions run through his eyes before he stepped toward her. She turned back to her vegetables hiding the lust in her eyes. She pushed the peeled potatoes in front of him and took a sharp knife from the magnetic strip in the wall.
"Thin, okay?"
"No worries."
Jonas began to slice while she finished what she was doing and then raided the fridge for cream and cheese. "So, how is the new toy working out for you?"
"Very handy and it's not a toy." He cleared his throat and continued. "We should be able to streamline our work from now on. Which means not so many nights out sleeping under the stars for the men."
She took the slices from him and rinsed them under the cold running water, placing them in the drainer until she was ready for them and handed him the onions.
"Do the same please—thinly."
He did as she asked and Zoe left them on the cutting board. She watched him go to the fridge and take out a cold beer, holding it up in her direction.
"Yeah, sure. Thanks."
Brandon walked in with a packet of steaks and a big grin on his face.
"What took you so long?" Jonas asked throwing him a can of beer.
"Got caught talking." He tore the top from the can and took a long drink. "That is just what I needed." He turned to his sister. "What are you cooking? I hope it's better than what you used to do."
"For your information I took classes in London and I can manage a pretty decent meal now." She stood leaning against the kitchen counter and sipped at her ice cold beer. "So, tomorrow we ride. That's going to be fun."
"Missed it, Zoe?"
"Yes I have actually. Not that I didn't enjoy my job overseas, I do. But you can't take the country out of us country girls." She kept her chin up and refused to look away from his dark smoldering eyes.
"I know what you mean. The city was great for doing business but I always felt trapped in the concrete jungle." Jonas walked over and took a chair from the table, before he spun it around and sat leaning his arms along the back. He kept his eyes on her as she put together her potato bake. "Did you want us to cook these steaks out on the barbeque?"
"Sure, if you don't mind. I've missed that. They don't quite taste the same when they're done inside." She sprinkled cheese on the potatoes and put the dish in the oven. She washed her hands and walked outside to the veranda and took a seat while Jonas followed her and lit the gas to heat up the barbeque.
Zoe leaned back in her chair and put her feet up on the edge of the veranda railing, glancing out over the farm where she had spent most of her early years. Life never stopped here, it slowed at dusk but there was always some sort of wild life foraging for food or shelter. She felt at peace on the land, even having Jonas within arm's reach and longed for the day she could bring Lilly home to see her heritage. That didn't look likely in the foreseeable future and it saddened her that Brandon was missing out on meeting his niece. He was too close to Jonas to keep the secret without slipping up sooner or later. Better to leave things as they were and take his wrath when she decided to tell him.
She glanced over at Jonas. She could deal with whatever he threw at her so long as he didn't touch her. If she kept brushing him off with her attitude he would take the hint eventually. Not that she wouldn't rather him fall to his knees in front of her and beg for forgiveness before pulling the clothes from her body and ravaging her as wildly as he did in her dreams. That would have to remain something she held close in her thoughts.
With a sigh, Zoe clenched her hands protectively over her groin, the throbbing of her sex was going to be her downfall shortly. Her brazen attempt to stir Jonas up after she caught him watching through her bedroom door had done nothing to dampen her lust. She still throbbed in all the right places and her body screamed for a decent release. Not one that she had the only hand in.
"Problem, Zoe? You look and sound a little bit off." Jonas moved over to sit in a chair next to her. He traced his fingers down her arm and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"No, just a bit tired I guess. It was a long flight home and I think jetlag might have finally set in." She coughed and shifted her butt in the chair, pulling at the hem of her shorts that were riding up her crotch and rubbing on her clit. There was nothing more embarrassing than having Jonas privy to her needs. He always saw too much when they were younger and with him it was so easy to be herself because he was as horny as she was. But now that they weren't an item, what he didn't know would be better for her sanity.
"An early night should be on the cards anyway. We have a couple of big days ahead and we don't want you acting like a greenhorn out there holding up any of the guys." Jonas looked at her and continued. "I know you think you can do this but I have my doubts. I'm already expecting you to come home and want to sleep in your own soft bed after the first full day on your horse."
"Pfft, you are such smart ass, Jonas. I can work as hard as the rest of the team and you know it. I didn't get where I am today with my business by being a lazy slob." She drained her beer. "You couldn't lose me on horseback when we were kids and I doubt if things have changed over the years."
"How long since you've ridden and I'm not counting today's little jaunt to the dam?"
"Doesn't matter. I can cope, so keep your worry for someone else. I have everything I need to survive out there and you know it." Zoe stood up and headed indoors. She met Brandon coming out with the steak on a plate and cooking utensils.
"Hey, you okay? You look a little bit pissed." He smiled at her. "It's going to be a bit hard until we all get used to each other again but it'll be okay. You'll see."
"I'm fine. Mr. Know-it-all in out there is expecting me to come home with my tail between my legs and not rough it like the rest of the guys. So yeah, I am a little bit pissed."
Brandon put the steak and tools down on the table and pulled her into a big hug. "You have to grow a skin again, girl. I'm pretty sure you haven't had anyone giving you the grief that Jonas and I used to dish out for the last few years."
Zoe punched him in the gut playfully.
"Ooph, don't start or I'll give back." Brandon pushed her away and lifted her chin. "Now go put your big girl panties on and give him back as good as you used to. Are you ready out there for the steaks?"
Zoe stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on her brother’s cheek. "Yes, we are. Thanks Bran, love you."
"Love you to
o, Zoe bird."
She looked at her brother at him, her eyes filling with sudden tears. "I've missed you so much. I just didn't realize how much." She sniffed and ran her hand over her face. "Let me go wash my face and I'll come back out with some more beer."
Brandon winked and headed outside with the steak while Zoe ran to her bathroom to throw cold water over her face. She looked in the mirror at the flush on her cheeks. Her eyes were bright even with the tears wiped away. The last thing she wanted was for Jonas to think that he’d put that light there. Zoe straightened her top to cover more of her breasts and pulling down the legs on her shorts she went into the kitchen to collect plates and cutlery, putting it all on a tray. She checked on her potato bake and decided it needed more time.
Zoe took a bowl from her mother's collection and scanned the fridge for salad items. Tossing in lettuce and tomatoes she hunted for other vegetables to add for color. There was nothing enticing in the fridge so she opened a can of corn.
She walked out to the veranda and placed it all on the table and headed back inside for more drinks taking one more beer from the fridge for each of them.
"Thanks," Brandon said, followed by Jonas when she handed them over.
"Welcome. If you could put the steaks on the potato bake should be ready when they are." She sat back in her chair and lifted a foot up hugging her arms around her knee as she gazed out over the farm. It was moments like this the loss of her parents hit the hardest.
A firm hand landed on her shoulder. Zoe looked up. "You'll be fine, kid. Don't worry."
Jonas gazed down at her, a wry smile on his face.
"I thought you had your doubts before or was that just you getting me riled up for the hell of it?"
"I worry about you, okay? You haven't been here for so long and things change, people change. I don't want to see you hurt." Jonas turned back to the barbeque and flipped the steaks. Tongs in hand he looked over his shoulder. "I know you were a competent rider and all that but you've led the soft life for the last ten years Zoe. The last thing any of us want is to have to come searching for you tomorrow or the next day. Just promise me you'll be careful."
Outback Thunder Page 4
