by Juliet Chase
She popped her head in his office, but he wasn’t there and his laptop was closed.
“Where are you?”
“In here,” he called from his bedroom.
Puzzled, she pushed open the partially closed door. Nate was sitting up against the headboard looking serious. His long, jean-clad legs were stretched out on the plaid duvet cover and his feet were bare. For some reason her eyes went straight to his groin, and she couldn’t tear them away even when she tried. Her mind racing, Tess felt her stomach drop with the dread of the socially awkward, while at the same time another part of her stepped forward with eager anticipation.
“I believe you promised me a seduction. I wasn’t quite sure what you had in mind, so I just took off my shoes. Where would you like to start?”
“Errr… the potatoes…”
“You want to start with potatoes? What do you do with them?”
His eyes were smiling at her, but she blushed anyway. It had seemed like a good plan at the time when it would be dark. She’d just assumed that once he’d found her in his bed he’d take over from there, and she hadn’t visualized all the in-between stuff. She really had to stop making assumptions.
“Ummm. It’s the middle of the afternoon!”
“Yes, it is. Are you a prude, Tessa?”
“No! It’s just I thought it would be dark, that’s all.”
“If you really don’t want to see anything, I’ve got a whole rack of ties—you can go pick one out. But personally, I’ve waited long enough to get a replay of when we met. And I want to see everything—up close.” His face was sober but his dimple was showing, so she knew he was holding back a grin, or trying to.
“No, I don’t want a blindfold. And anyway, it seems to me that you’re the one that didn’t finish what you started from, like, a month ago. I was just trying to remind you of that the other night.” Her voice dripped with asperity.
“Hmmm.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps you’re right and my debt predates yours. In which case…” He got up off the bed and came toward her slowly. “We get to do this my way.”
She licked her suddenly dry lips and swallowed hard. Anticipation stirred.
Was this really going to happen? Or was her Gran going to come bursting through the bedroom door with a poker? All rational thought fled. She waited for him to explain what “his way” entailed. He leaned in and drew a line of kisses down her jaw. She waited for his arms to come around her, but they didn’t. And suddenly she felt their absence keenly.
“Remember what I said about you not being able to stand not knowing?”
She nodded jerkily.
“That still applies. You’re in charge, Tess. My hands only go where you tell them to.” His lips angled to the spot just below her earlobe.
Her knees went weak. “Can I touch you?”
“Course you can. Touch whatever you’d like.” His hands were clasped behind his back as if he didn’t quite trust himself. But his kisses kept coming, light and slow, warming her skin until she wanted that sense of flowing energy to extend everywhere.
“Then take your shirt off.”
He straightened and slowly undid each button until he reached the top. Peeling away the shirt, he let it drop to the floor and waited, watching her face. She took a moment to simply admire. She reached out a hand, palm flat against his sternum. His heart was beating faster than his demeanor indicated. She smiled with feminine satisfaction.
“Now mine.”
He pulled her knit top up from the bottom hem. She raised her arms to help, but when the shirt was over her eyes he paused for a moment. A kiss landed on her ribs below the line of her bra, making her jerk in surprise. And then her shirt was off and she could see again.
“Now it’s my turn. You can put your hands back.”
Tess took her time tracing a finger along his collarbone and over his shoulders, down the sides of his ribcage. She dotted the invisible pattern she was creating with small kisses.
Then she pressed up against him, the lace of her bra creating a delicious friction between them. Cautiously, watching his eyes for a reaction, she braced her hands on his shoulders and reached up, pressing her lips to his. She’d surprised him, she could see, but he didn’t interfere. She felt brazen as she felt his lips respond to her advances. She deepened the kiss, letting everything else recede into the distance.
Nate was stunned. He didn’t think a simple kiss had brought him to his knees since Cassie Nordquist in seventh grade, and that hardly compared. He pulled her closer, his warm palm against her bare back relentlessly pulling her into him. He raised his head, breaking their kiss and breathing hard.
“Tess, still not sure?”
Tess’s smile radiated with feminine power. “I’m sure. For today, at least,” she amended, less confidently.
Nate frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”
“It just means I’m not thinking past the moment. It’s okay, Nate. I’m a willing participant.” She reached for him.
Nate was in a quandary. He needed to show her what he already knew that this wasn’t just sex, wasn’t just an itch to be scratched. But he couldn’t think of how he could convince her of that without proving it after the fact. Besides, he wasn’t really capable of too much thought at the moment.
“Tess, you’re killing me.” They were still standing in the middle of the room.
Tess was done talking and walked backwards, pulling him with her until the bed hit the back of her legs.
“Lose the clothes, Hale.”
He grinned. That was what he loved about her. She could make him laugh without even trying.
Fingers flew as they both rid themselves of clothing that was just getting in the way. Then his hands were everywhere. She pulled him over and onto the bed.
Tess, you are a naive idiot.
Her image in the mirror didn’t have an answer for that one. Somewhere in the back of her brain she’d gotten the idea that going to bed with Nate would make it easier to move forward… and out of the state. Her curiosity would be satisfied and his need to chase resolved, and they could both move on with no hard feelings. She couldn’t speak for Nate, but she had more questions than ever. She liked him. She might even love him… a little. And making love with him had been fun, leaving her with a yearning for more of the same.
She liked her new friends. She liked walking in Washington Park with Sarah. Idaho has parks, the nasty voice in her head said. Sure, but no landlocked state was going to offer ocean views, now, was it? And Idaho didn’t have Nate.
She finished washing her face, wishing she could wipe away all her confusion as easily as the water droplets. She exited Nate’s magnificent bathroom and checked to see if he was asleep. He wasn’t, and slivered grey eyes watched her, assessing.
“You really are a ray of sunshine about this relationship, aren’t you?”
“Sorry, it’s just—”
“Come back to bed—it’s a good thing I’ve got enough optimism for the both of us.” He held back the covers for her and she slipped in, thinking it would be nothing but rude to leave the room now. He drew her close and closed his eyes again.
“Nate?”
“Hmmm?”
“How do you know what you want in life?”
He cracked open the eye closest to her. “That’s a mighty heavy question. Something on your mind in particular?”
“You keep saying you want me to stay…”
“I do.” He smiled slowly. “See, I’m practicing.”
She blushed. “But how do you know, really? Two months ago you didn’t even know I existed.”
“Now, that’s not entirely true. Callie did mention you a few times.”
“What’d she say, exactly?”
“Errr.”
“Back to my point. I’ve made a bad habit of just letting things happen and not taking charge of my life. I need to be more assertive and have goals and things.”
“Assertive is good, as long as I don’t
accidentally hit you in the face with my elbow again.”
“Nate, I’m being serious. I don’t have any savings to speak of, no 401k plan, no house.”
“I do, and I’m probably prepared to share… if you ask nicely.”
She poked him in the ribs. “That’s my point! I don’t want to have to ask or mooch off you. Now that Gran’s back, I really don’t have a reason to stay.”
“Yes, you do,” he said firmly. “I’m the main reason, of course. And Tiffany was a moocher,” he mused. “She never cooked, and I’m pretty sure she never went near a pitchfork either, unless it was a red one. You may not be where you want to be financially, but I don’t think you’re in it just for you.”
Her fingers plucked at the coverlet. “I wish I knew what I should do.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I wish I knew that too.”
“My best advice, then?”
She nodded.
“Just take it one day at a time. There’s no rush. You aren’t mooching, and I’ll bet you feel better if you can find the time to get back to your own work, which can be done fine right here. I meant to talk to you about finishing off one of the bedrooms for your office. Of course, it could still have a bed in it if you want.” He leered at her playfully. “Meanwhile, I’ll keep trying to convince you. You’re overthinking everything, Tess. Try just feeling. Like this.” He smiled wolfishly. He angled his head to slip a kiss under the opening of his shirt that she was wearing. Leisurely, casually, he flowed over her, and she found herself consumed in the sensations of warm skin, lips and fingers that teased and caressed.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Hey, Tessa!” Nate shouted from his office three days later.
“Whaaat?” she yelled back, not interested in going up the stairs if he wasn’t willing to come down.
His head popped around the corner of the upstairs landing. “Supposed to be sunny on Sunday, and my case load just went to manageable. Want to have a barbecue?”
“Sure. You’re doing the cooking, right?” He nodded, then reality dawned on her. “But no beef.”
“What? Why not?”
“I don’t want Ferdie getting a complex.”
He looked at her oddly. “He’s a cow, Tess. I promise not to feed him any.”
“I don’t care. Cook all the pork and chicken you want. No beef.”
He rolled his eyes but finally nodded. “Okay, fine, no beef, but you have to tell anyone that asks why not.”
“I’m good with that. Who are you inviting?”
“Well, Mike and Sarah you’ve met, Mick, a few others from around town, probably some of the attorneys that live closer. Want me to include Callie and Walt?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Naw, I think they’ve had enough attorneys for a while.”
“Anyone else?”
“I haven’t met anyone else.”
He looked sympathetic. “Sorry about that. I wish I had time to take you out more.”
“Not your fault. Those cows own me.” They did, but Nate and Tess had also settled into a new routine of doing the chores together and then going to bed early. Nate used all his tactics with anxious witnesses to draw Tess out on what worried her about staying. He encouraged her to move her stuff into his room.
Nate made the phone calls and did the big food run, so all Tess had to do was help set up tables out in the small pasture, the one the cows hadn’t been using, and put out paper plates and condiments. She was looking forward to meeting more people but dreading the expected inquiring looks as to the nature of her relationship with Nate. They were sleeping together, not getting married, despite the hints he’d dropped. Thankfully, Sarah was one of the first to arrive.
“Tessa! It’s good to see you.”
“You too—hey, did you ever hear back from Brendan? I keep forgetting to ask.” She lowered her voice for the last part.
Sarah just shook her head. “Not a peep. His phone stopped ringing altogether the next day. He must have gone out and gotten a new one.”
Tess was shocked. It had looked brand new.
Sarah had moved on, however. “So, how are things with Nate? You guys pick a date yet?” She rubbed her hands together like she was already counting her winnings.
“Puh-lease. That is so not happening.”
Sarah though was watching more than Tess’s face. “I dunno. He’s looking at you like… did you guys sleep together?”
Tess couldn’t hold back the blush.
“I knew it! Mick and I can call them every time. Wait till he hears.”
“Sarah! You cannot go around talking about my sex life!”
“I can’t?” She blinked. “Oh, okay, since it’s you. But if Mick figures it out on his own, don’t blame me.”
Tess rolled her eyes. This town was crazy. “Don’t you guys have anything better to talk about?”
“No, not really. Politics and religion are out, and boring besides. There are no new stores or restaurants since the economy tanked; same goes with exotic vacations and major house renovations. So you’re our favorite topic.” She beamed at Tess. “You’re sticking around, right? Changed your mind about moving away?”
“Noooo. I still plan to leave. This… thing with Nate is just temporary.”
“It is? Does he know that?”
Tess flushed again. “He’ll get over the newness of it soon enough, then he’ll be ready to get back to having the house to himself.”
“Hmmm. I’m still sticking with Labor Day. What’s on the barbie? I could use a big steak.”
Tess sighed. Here came her first of many explanations. “No beef, sorry. I don’t want the cows upset.” Sure enough, Sarah looked at her like she was crazy, and went to check the grill for herself. Tess saw her talking to Nate, who just shrugged. Sarah patted him on the arm and went to greet Mick, who’d just pulled in. Tess thought she saw another five-dollar bill change hands. Maybe she and Nate should get married. Just to see what the town would find to talk about next.
By the time the meat was coming off the grill and people had organized the salads and desserts they’d brought, there were about twenty-five people there. Tess smilingly ignored the moaning about the lack of beef on the menu, and pointed out Ferdie’s adorable face peering through the barn gate across the drive. Everyone kindly agreed that he was very cute, but that didn’t seem to dampen their enthusiasm for steak. Tess sat down with her plate of chicken and potato salad at the end of the back table just as Mike arrived. Still in uniform, he strolled over to the now unmanned grill to see what was left.
“Hey, Tess, mind if I sit with you?”
“Of course not, I’m glad to see you. Have you met Ferdie yet?” She pointed to her favorite bovine on the entire planet.
“You sure are related to Callie, aren’t you?” he said with a grin. “Sorry I’m late—the festival planning meeting ran over. A couple of folks are really trying to expand it for next year.”
“Festival?”
“The annual Tulip Festival. It’s roughly in April every year, goes for about a month, but we’re already in planning for next year. Since there are some animal parts involved, I get pulled in on a consulting basis. You know they have these miniature donkeys?”
“Really? Are they as small as mini cows?”
He nodded. “Some of them are even smaller. They dress them up in these silly hats and attach them to egg crate carts.”
The light bulb hit them both simultaneously, and they looked at each other with joy. Nate abruptly got up and reloaded his plate with potato salad. He edged in on Tess’s other side. “You two look like you’re plotting something. What’s up?”
Tess patted his knee under the table. Maybe she was more than just convenient—he sounded more than a little jealous. She put that thought aside to tease apart later. “Mike and I have just had the most brilliant idea!”
“Oh?”
“Make the mini cows part of the Tulip Festival! Attach them to mini plows and carts and they can pl
ow the tulip fields and pull the carts for the picked flowers.”
Nate looked skeptical, but Mike was nodding enthusiastically. “There’s a bunch of Japanese businessmen in town looking for investment opportunities. I think they might really go for this. It’s bio-green and cute besides. You know how big cute stuff is in Japan.”
“No, can’t say I do. Why do you?”
“Ummm. Well, I’ve just heard it, is all.”
“What about the other eleven months of the year? And how does this solve anything about where they’re living?”
“That’s just it—we get investors to build them barns out on the flats nearer the fields,” Mike said. “They can hire dairy-maids-slash-barn-hands to care for them, and they can be part of the festival, showing kids how to milk and all that kind of stuff. It could be a year-round education center for the economics of a smaller hoofprint on the land.”
“So what’s your plan of attack?” Nate asked doubtfully.
“We’ve got another planning meeting tomorrow. I’ll feel out some of the Japanese investors during the coffee break—see what kind of reaction they have to it. I hate to bring it up to Callie if it’s not going to go anywhere.”
Tess nodded. “I agree. I don’t want to get her hopes up or have her stop looking for other solutions.”
She leaned against Nate and kissed him happily, unconcerned with the smiles that brought around the long tables.
Over the next few days, Tess couldn’t stop talking about her big plan to save the cows. Mike came back with the news that the Japanese investors were definitely interested. They wanted a cost analysis and to meet the cows in person. Tess jumped in with both feet. She did research online and started contacting suppliers about miniature plows and carts, and all the hitching paraphernalia that went with it. She met with the mini donkey outfit to find out what else she needed to be thinking about. Nate and Tess agreed that the right time to present this to Gran was the day before the Japanese were scheduled to come. It would be a dry run of their presentation.
