by Amanda Rose
I opened the ornate double door and pushed into the entry way, focused solely on the heavenly scent of pot roast in the air. I guess my hunger had clouded my vision though, because as I stepped into the house I walked right into a broad chest and nearly fell back on my ass. I would have, actually, if the owner of the rock hard body I had just collided with hadn't reached out and grabbed me by the arm to steady me. Still startled, I looked up to find yet another ridiculously hot man standing in my way.
I wasn't even that surprised at this point. Apparently Shadow Valley, Oregon was just populated with smokin' hot men. This guy was totally different from the sexy men that had been occupying my world for the last few days though.
For one thing, the hand that was wrapped tenderly around my wrist was covered in tattoos. The silhouette of a mountainous skyline peeked out from under the sleeve of his red Columbia brand jacket, and his hand seemed to be covered in black and gray snowflakes. When my gaze traveled upward I found myself staring into a young, gorgeous face. Deep green eyes looked back at me and a perfect smile beamed in my direction. He was wearing a black knit beanie, but the stubble on his jaw was auburn and he looked rosy and windswept, like he had just come in from working out in the cold all day long. He wasn't wearing jeans and cowboy boots like the others, instead, he had on black snow pants and some expensive looking winter hiking boots. He looked like he just stepped off the slopes or something.
"Hey there little lady!" He said with a laugh. "You must be the new girl I've been hearing so much about." I looked at him in confusion and he continued. "Nothing to worry about, it's just that nothing ever happens around here, so when a hot girl shows up people talk." He gave me a reassuring look.
"Umm, yeah I guess that would be me?" I replied kind of sheepishly. "Sorry about running into you like that. I was sort of preoccupied with dinner and forgot to look where I was going."
He laughed again. "No worries! I was on my way to dinner myself. Your uncle Mark makes a mean pot roast. Hell, he's a bad ass cook in general. One of my favorite perks of this job is that I get regular meals in this house." He took his hand off of my wrist finally. Where he had touched me still felt all tingly even after his skin left mine. "I'm Jasper Colburn by the way. And you're Holly. Told ya', people talk." He winked a clover green eye at me.
We started walking towards the kitchen together. Sounds of laughter echoed from behind the closed door, but I couldn't tell how many people were in there. "So, does everyone who works on the farm eat their meals here, Jasper?" I asked him, trying to keep my eyes aimed ahead of me. I really needed to stop daydreaming and running into stuff. I couldn't help but notice the way those snow pants hugged his ass though. Were snow pants supposed to be that form fitting? Like, seriously?
"Nah," he responded, still looking amused. "If everyone who worked here ate at the house we would have a line out the door. I mean, this place is big as fuck, but it's not equipped to feed a hundred people three times a day!" I laughed once more. Jasper had such a laid back and fun loving vibe about him. He looked like he was having the time of his life and we were just on our way to dinner. "Actually," he continued, "It's just me and a couple of the other guys who eat with your uncle every day. Just the year round workers. We're kind of like our own little family. Straight up, gathering around the dinner table and saying grace and all that."
A couple of the other guys? Oh no... was I about to have dinner with...
Jasper stepped in front of me and held open the door. When I walked through it my suspicions were confirmed. There was Wyatt at the table, Jameson stood next to my uncle at the stove. Jasper closed the door behind us and everyone turned to look our way. Wyatt stood to greet us, apparently ever the gentleman. Jameson nodded in our direction and caught my eyes with his, a seductive smile playing on his lips that made it obvious his thoughts had turned to our midnight rendezvous. I could almost see our naked writhing forms reflecting back at me from those chocolate colored irises.
This was going to be weird.
"Hey darling!" My Uncle called. "I see you met Jasper already! Wash up and you can tell us all about your first day over supper!" I moved over to the sink and tried to avoid looking at any of the three young men that seemed to all be looking at me.
When everyone had washed and been served a plate I found myself sitting between Jasper and Wyatt. Jameson was directly across from me, my uncle—who seemed happily oblivious to the sexual tension that was clouding the room, bless his heart—was at the head of the table. I picked up my fork, prepared to distract myself with the food in front of me.
Uncle Mark cleared his throat and I paused with my heavily loaded fork half way to my mouth. "Let's all bow our heads and say grace before we dig into this delicious dinner." He said, looking my direction. I put the silverware down and closed my eyes. I wasn't used to this whole sit down dinner thing. Growing up my family had all been so busy with our own lives that we just kind of swept through and grabbed food when we could. Even on holidays, we had always just served ourselves and moved along. At least if we were saying grace I could keep my eyes closed for a minute and avoid some of the lust filled stares that were being aimed at me.
Mark started the prayer in his soft and comforting voice. "Dear Lord, we want to thank you for the meal you have provided us..." I felt a foot against mine under the table. I took a covert glance from between my lashes and spotted Jameson with a big grin plastered on his beautiful face. Butterflies took flight in my belly again, and some dirty thoughts started playing in my head. Oh my God, don't think dirty thoughts during a PRAYER. "And thank you Lord, for bringing my niece, Holly, here to join us for this Christmas season." Mark continued. I felt an arm brush against mine to my left. Spencer. My stomach was officially in knots now. Very pleasant knots. "And finally, Lord, bless us all as we open the gates tomorrow. I know that this is going to be our best season yet."
The three boys immediately attacked their food, forks clanking against their plates as they succumbed to their appetites and giving me a brief reprieve from their gaze. I dug in too. The pot roast tasted as good as it smelled.
Jameson was the first to speak. "So, Holly, did you sleep well on your first night here?" he said, mischief flicking across his face. I choked on the bite I was chewing and Jasper reached over to pat me on my back. I took a large drink from the glass of wine I had poured for myself.
"She actually said she had some trouble sleeping." Uncle Mark offered while I recovered. "I told her the house tends to settle in the night. Hopefully she'll be a bit more accustomed to the strange noises and get some good rest now."
"Yeah," I added. "I'm sure I'll sleep better tonight." Jameson raised an eyebrow like he was sending a secret question to me. Do you really want to sleep better? I wasn't sure if I did actually...
"All I hear at night is the horses." Spencer offered.
"The horses?" I asked, confused.
"Spence here actually sleeps in the barn." Jasper explained. Seeing the shock in my expression he quickly went on. "Not like, in the stalls or anything. He has a studio on the second level. It's actually pretty awesome."
"Really?" I asked, looking back to Spencer. "We were in the barn together all morning and you never mentioned that?" His dusty blond hair fell in his face as he turned that sapphire look at me.
"It didn't come up at the time, but if you'd like a tour of my place I'd be more than happy to show you..." His voice was low and playful. It made me nervous. Uncle Mark might have been pretty oblivious, but Spencer was coming dangerously close to asking me to have a sleepover right in front of him.
"Where do you stay, Jasper?" I asked quickly, hoping to deflect attention from Spencer's innuendo laced invitation. Jasper had removed his beanie, revealing a head of tousled auburn locks. He was really very handsome, but there was an edge about him too. Were those more tattoos climbing up his neck? Yes, I could see the outline of a sparrow peeking above his jacket collar.
"I actually live here too. All three of us do, since we work
here year round. Your Uncle includes our board as part of the pay. I stay in an apartment above the garage, since most of my job is maintaining the vehicles and equipment it works out pretty well. Jameson here stays in the main house with you guys. He didn't tell you that?" Jasper looked at Jameson questioningly.
He didn't reply. Just continued to chew his food with a smirk. He was sleeping under the same roof as I was? Great. As if the temptation to find him in the night wasn't already bad enough...
My thoughts must’ve been obvious because Jameson's look of smug confidence only intensified.
The rest of the dinner was passed with casual small talk. About what I had learned on my first day, about how important tomorrow was going to be. Uncle Mark spoke with each of the boys about their individual responsibilities, particular jobs that they needed to do tomorrow. All the while a booted foot played with mine under the table, and the flannel clad arm to my right brushed against me with far too much frequency to be accidental. At one point Jasper even dropped his knife dramatically and took a little extra time retrieving it, and when I had glanced down at him is eyes hadn't been searching for cutlery at all. I was feeling a little flustered from all this attention.
As we all finished and got up to clear the table, my uncle announced that he needed to run down to the kennels and feed the dogs. He was out the door before I could fully register that I was being abandoned with the trio of temptation, that being what I had started to call them in my head.
If I had thought the atmosphere was intense in here before it was nothing compared to what it felt like now. I was almost drowning in the heady, seduction soaked air.
I stood at the kitchen sink, rinsing dishes as the boys cleared the table and stored the leftovers behind me. Jasper was the first to approach with his thick arms full of dirty china. He scooted up next to me and deposited his cargo into the other half of the large porcelain sink, "You wash, I'll dry?" He asked, playfully bumping my hip with his. I couldn't help but giggle. He was kind of adorable in a sweet, boyish way. His countenance was all care-free and fun, and it was just impossible to not like him for it.
We did indeed wash and dry together, and I'd never had so much fun doing what was usually a mundane household chore. I was still keenly aware of what Spencer and Jameson were doing though, not to mention a little self conscious of how they might perceive my behavior with Jasper. I had slept with one of them last night and made out with the other this morning. It was all just so weird, but somehow not weird at all? I needed to talk to them. Soon.
Every time I snuck a glance back their direction, between Jasper splashing water at me or starting a mock sword fight with butter knives, both of them were occupied with their own things and didn't seem that concerned about what I was doing at the counter. Jameson had finished with the leftovers and was sitting at the table going over paperwork, his calloused hands raking through his dark hair as he concentrated intently on the words or figures before him. Spence had grabbed a rag and was wiping down the counter tops and stove. Damn, was there a hotter image than a muscular cowboy in tight jeans wiping down a kitchen counter? Why was that so sexy?
Cold water sloshed onto my exposed forearm, drawing my attention back to Jasper. The shenanigans continued and the time flew by. Before I knew it the sink was almost empty.
"Thought you could use a refill, darling." Spencer's soft voice said in my ear. I turned to find him a few inches from me, holding a full glass of that Merlot I was becoming so fond of.
Wow, I guess a cowboy offering me a glass of wine was an even hotter picture than one cleaning the kitchen...
"Thanks." I said, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. When I reached out to take it from him he took my hand gently and pulled me closer, sending a thrill through my whole body.
"Meet me at the barn in an hour," he whispered, his stubbled chin brushing my cheek and sending goosebumps across my flesh. I blushed furiously in response. Spencer seemed to take that as acceptance though. His hand lingered on my arm for a moment before he walked towards the kitchen door and vanished beyond it.
When I looked back towards Jasper I found him polishing the last dish and looking at me, curiosity filling those big green eyes. "Hot date?" He asked teasingly. I threw a dish towel at him and he laughed.
"None of your business!" I replied.
"Well, if he gets you tonight, can I have you tomorrow?" Suddenly he seemed a little less playful, and a lot more serious. He looked at me intently. "I mean, it's only fair..." He offered, throwing a wink my way. What was it with these guys and winking?
"Maybe," I replied "if you're a good boy." Oh my God this was so not like me. Did I really just make a date with a THIRD guy for tomorrow?
Jasper put the last dish down and stepped closer. Before I knew what was happening he had reached out and pulled me into a hug. I could feel the hard planes of his body pressed against me, even through the sturdy winter jacket. After my initial surprise, I found myself leaning into him, returning the embrace and breathing in the scent of citrus and cloves that seemed to envelop him.
"I can't promise I'll be good," he said, face buried against my neck, "but I can promise you one hell of a good time..."
When he pulled back his hand lingered at my waist, his fingers playing with the line between my hip and my ass.
"Ok, you get me tomorrow." I finally conceded. Although really, was it such a concession? He looked triumphant for a moment, pure excitement at what was to come written all over his handsome features.
He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before wishing me sweet dreams and disappearing out the same door that Spencer had just left through. I stood there for a moment, my head still reeling in the now quiet kitchen.
When I finally turned around I found that Jameson had already gone, and I had no clue when he had left...
CHAPTER SIX
I slipped on those fur lined ankle booties that I had worn when I arrived here. Like I said, I didn't exactly have practical farm shoes in my wardrobe. Hey, at least these ones had some traction on the soles, that was about as practical as I was getting. I had changed out of my crimson cardigan and designer jeans and into a forest green hoodie and some Victoria secret Pink brand yoga pants. I honestly had no idea what I was in for.
Was this a date? It was eleven o'clock at night and I was meeting him in a barn. I really didn't know what the dress code was for this.
As I went to slip quietly out of my room, I heard a soft knock on the door. Wait, was he meeting me here? I thought I was supposed to go to the barn? I went to open it hastily, not wanting to draw attention to the fact that I was apparently taking visitors in my room late at night, but when I opened the door I was surprised to find...
"Jameson?" I whispered. "What are you doing here?" He pushed past me into the room and closed the door softly behind him. When he turned his deep brown eyes to me they were filled with desire, his gaze traveling over me in appreciation.
"Holly, I..." He seemed to struggle for words for a moment. "I know you're on your way to meet Spence, and that's ok," He added quickly, "I just... I had to see you first. I don't care if you go to him, but I want to send you off with the memory of my lips on yours." And suddenly, they were.
His body crushed mine as he pushed me against the wall and kissed me with a passion I had never felt before. Without conscious thought my legs lifted and wrapped around his waist, inviting him to grind himself against me with fervor. I was immediately overcome with my own desire, my hips thrusting in rhythm to his.
His fingers twisted into the mahogany locks of my hair, pulling slightly. "Jameson! I can't do this right now..." I barely managed to say between heavy breathes. " I know we never talked about what this was..."
He pulled back suddenly, a solemn look in his dark eyes. "Holly, whatever this is, I know I want it. Whatever that means to you. All I know is that since the moment I saw you walk off that bus, with your little fur boots and your too heavy bag, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Hell, I don't
even care if you go out with Spence, or Jasper, or anyone else for that matter. I know you'll be leaving once the season is over, and that thought is killing me already. So as long as I get a chance to be with you too I'll feel like the luckiest guy in the world."
I was speechless for a second while I took that all in. I think that was the most he had said to me since we met. A wave of affection for him began blossoming inside of me, and I suddenly felt that words wouldn't be enough to express my feelings.
I lowered my legs to the floor, my blue eyes never breaking contact with his as he waited nervously for my response. Body still pressed tightly against him, I dropped to my knees and began to unbuckle his belt. He shivered as I freed him from his jeans and pressed my lips against his swollen shaft, my tongue slipping from between them and teasing his throbbing flesh .
He broke eye contact first as he closed his and groaned in pleasure as I took him into my mouth and started to work him up and down slowly. His hands still twisted in my hair, I let him set the pace, guiding me along his impressive length. My movements quickened, and I placed one of my hands at the base of his shaft, pumping in time to meet my mouth. This seemed to push Jameson to the edge. His grip tightened and his hips moved with me, his groans becoming almost guttural and animalistic.
I could feel his orgasm a moment before I could taste it, and as his release finally found him he opened his eyes and once more met my gaze, watching as I swallowed and licked my lips as I drew away from him.
"Holy shit Miss Holly." he whispered through the darkness. "I think I'm yours"
It was freezing cold outside. The snow crunched under my feet as I approached the barn, which was still lit up with a soft golden glow. I still wasn't sure what to think about my most recent liaison with Jameson. After he had put himself back together he had started to maneuver me towards the bed, hooking his fingers into the waistband of my yoga pants and obviously intent on returning the treat I had just given him.
