by Cat Johnson
She smiled, her guard dropping by the minute thanks to his never-failing charm. “I hope you do.”
His brows rose as he looked surprised. “Janie.”
“Yeah?”
“I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t touch you, not even to kiss you, until you went on a bona fide date with me. Once I set my mind to something, I usually stick to it, but . . .” He sighed and shook his head.
“But what?” She wanted nothing more than for him to finish that sentence.
“But, dammit, with you looking so perfect tonight, and us talking here in the dark, all I can think about is what you would do if I kissed you right now?”
She swallowed hard before being able to say, “I’d let you.”
After his question and her answer, she’d figured he’d lean over from where he sat and kiss her. Instead, he hopped down off the tailgate and moved to stand between her bare legs, one hand on each of her thighs. She should have known Tyler didn’t do anything halfway. It seemed he was a full-body kisser.
The heat of his touch against her skin only served to ramp up her need as he leaned in, watching her eyes the whole time. His hands moved up to her face as he closed the distance between them and her nerves got the better of her.
What the hell was she doing? This was real. Not some fantasy. “We probably shouldn’t—”
“Blame it on the moonlight.” He spoke the words close and then his mouth covered hers.
With the warmth of his palms against her cheeks and the pressure of his lips pressed to hers, Janie had to think the full moon was as good an excuse as any for losing her mind and letting Tyler kiss her.
This kiss was nothing like that first peck. True, she’d barely been able to think of anything else since, but now she realized that kiss had been nothing compared to this one.
Tonight, she sensed the barely controlled passion in Tyler. Felt him holding back even as he surged ahead, leaning forward, kissing her harder.
He moved his hands down her body to her hips and pulled her closer to him. She felt the rough denim of his jeans poke into her through the thin fabric of her shorts. She felt something else too—the physical evidence that left no doubt in her mind Tyler wanted her.
Without breaking the lip lock, he took his hat off and laid it next to them. Tipping his head to one side, he took the kiss to the next level and slid his tongue between her lips.
Need twisted deep and low inside her. It twined through her body like kudzu vines growing out of control, taking over and smothering what little good sense she had left.
She welcomed his tongue into her mouth with her own, feeling the intimacy of the connection through to her core. She wanted this man. Needed him, and more than just this. Having all of him all night long might not be enough to quench her thirst, but it would be a start.
Janie wrapped her arms around his waist and held tight, half-afraid he’d leave. More scared he wouldn’t and she’d do something she’d live to regret. If not in the morning, then a little farther down the road when he finally moved on and she was left here, right back where she’d started. Alone. Lonely.
The way she was feeling, she’d do anything this man asked of her, and to hell with the consequences. That response was so unlike her usual cautious self, it was as if someone else inhabited her body. Someone reckless who didn’t worry about tomorrow.
There wasn’t much hope of rational thought because both sides of her, the usually sensible self as well as the impulsive persona who seemed to have taken over, liked very much what Tyler was making her body feel.
He broke the kiss and brought his hands back up to her face. Leaning his forehead against hers, he sighed. His lips were upon hers again, but for much too short a time before he pulled away and took a step back even as she leaned forward to follow him.
Planting his hat back on his head, he sat on the tailgate next to her and cracked open his bottle of water. She’d long ago forgotten about her own.
He stared up at the sky for a second before shooting her a sly sideways glance. “Not such a bad first date, is it?”
“No.” Her voice sounded so husky, she reached for her water, opened it, and took a sip.
“So do you think that maybe next time we can leave your property?”
“Tyler, I don’t think—” She stopped midsentence at his loud exhale.
“Janie, you keep avoiding going out in public with me and you’re gonna give me a complex. It’s like you’re embarrassed to be seen with me or something.” He’d said it lightly, as a joke, but she had to wonder if it was what he really thought deep down. “No, not at all. It’s not you. It’s me.”
That elicited a laugh. “I’ve said that to a few girls myself. Now I know how it feels to hear it.”
“It’s true. It’s not you. I just wouldn’t feel right out in public.”
“Because it’s so soon after your husband . . .”
She nodded, not adding it was just as much because she felt too old to be out on a date with a man Tyler’s age.
“All right. I get it.” He tipped his head. “That doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop trying, though.”
“That’s okay.”
“It also doesn’t mean I’m going to stop doing this.” This time he did stay put when he leaned close and pressed his mouth to hers. His arm wrapped around her shoulder, cradling her head in the crook of his elbow as he kissed her deeper.
Somehow they ended up horizontal. She suspected it might have been her leaning backward that took them there, but Tyler didn’t fight it. He followed her down, his arm cushioning her head when they landed.
One long, muscular leg moved over her. His weight on top of her only ramped up her need. It was crazy. She couldn’t care less that they were in a truck bed instead of a real one.
The hat came off again and she took advantage of the opportunity. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging his head next to her and holding him close as his mouth worked hers.
His tongue slipped between her lips, shooting the fire of desire through her whole body. Her hips lifted to press up, closer to him. He wasn’t unaffected and moved farther over her, covering her body with his.
Parked by the pond in the moonlight, they made out like two teenagers in the back of his truck until she was a breathless bundle of need. She had no idea how long they kissed. All she knew was it didn’t last nearly long enough as Tyler groaned and broke the kiss.
He let out a short laugh. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think I’m gonna go.”
She was ready to tear off that big buckle of his and explore what hid behind it, and he was leaving? “Um, okay.”
“Believe me, Janie, there’s nothing I’d rather do than stay.”
Then stay. The words that echoed so loudly in her head never made it out of her mouth.
He pushed himself up and ran both hands over his face and hair before grabbing his hat and hopping down to the ground. He turned and extended one hand to help her up. He led her to the passenger door, and she followed, a little wobbly as her head still spun from his kisses.
He glanced at her from the driver’s seat as he started the truck and maneuvered it over the grass toward the house. “I’ll be here tomorrow afternoon to start on the small field.”
He’d moved back to their business arrangements. Janie struggled to keep up. “I don’t know how to thank you for that.”
“I do. I wouldn’t be opposed to having dinner with you after I’m done working.” He held up a hand. “And before you say no, dinner here at the house is fine, if you don’t want to go out.”
“Okay.”
“Good.” He threw the truck in park by her back door and got out to run around to open her door. When she’d stepped down, he dropped a much-too-quick kiss on her lips. His gaze dropped down her body and he drew in a deep breath while shaking his head. “I really gotta go. See you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow. Good night.”
“’Night, Janie.” He tipped his hat and got
into the truck, but Janie didn’t miss how he’d tried to inconspicuously adjust himself inside his jeans before climbing inside.
At least she knew a part of him hadn’t wanted to leave. She’d have to live with that consolation. Right now, alone and needy, it wasn’t nearly enough.
Chapter Nineteen
The alarm on his cell phone hadn’t even gone off when Tyler was awake and out of his bed. He liked sleep as much as the next guy, but today he had inspiration to get up and out. Janie’s pie awaited him at Rohn’s house. Since she’d dropped it off yesterday, who knew how much Rohn had already eaten? He wanted to make sure he got a piece before Colton and Rohn made pigs of themselves and devoured whatever was left.
More than the pie, Tyler needed to finish today’s work early so he could get to Janie’s and mow that field. There was an optimum time to harvest hay, right before it bloomed. He wasn’t about to sacrifice the quality of Janie’s crop because he didn’t cut it in time.
Dressed, his teeth brushed, and his hat and boots on, he was ready for the day ahead of schedule. At least he had been, until he reached the kitchen.
Tuck turned from the counter, brow raised. “You’re awake earlier than I expected.”
“Why do you say that? Unlike you, who seem to be able to set your own hours—how, I don’t know—I have a boss who’s counting on me to be there at a certain time.”
“You know we’re between semesters at the university. Usually I’m up well before the sun, working out with the ROTC cadets.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Tyler’s brother always acted like the army was the only career where a man had to get up and work early. He’d obviously forgotten his cowboy roots. Most days, ranchers were up and out earlier than anybody.
“Judging from your piss-poor mood and your rising so early, I’m going to take a wild guess that your booty call was less than you’d hoped for.” Tuck smirked behind the coffee mug as he took a sip.
The comment drew Tyler’s brows low. “You don’t know half of what you think you do, big brother.”
Last night with Janie had gone even better than he’d planned. The memory of Janie’s kisses was enough to keep him warm the whole drive home and straight through until when he finally passed out. Their time together gave him some bright hopes for the future.
Soon enough, she’d get over her hesitation about giving their dating a shot. And in the meantime, he was just as happy with their current relationship. He sure as hell couldn’t complain about the little make-out session they’d had in the bed of his truck, even if it had left him feeling pretty damn needy.
He had neither the time nor the inclination to debate with Tuck. He had places to be and things to do. “I gotta get going.”
“Um, one of these days are you going to stick around long enough to at least say hello to my wife? It would be nice if you could see Emma and Logan and the baby before we go back to Stillwater. Or is this girl of yours, whoever she is, going to continue to keep you so busy you barely come home long enough to change your clothes?”
Playing the family card was low, but not beneath Tuck, apparently. Tyler scowled. “I’ll see them all, but not right now. I gotta get to Rohn’s.”
“Then how about dinner tonight?”
“All right, yeah, fine. Dinner tonight.”
“A’ight. I’ll hold you to that.”
“Okay. Now I really gotta go. I’ll see you later.”
“Later.”
Tyler left Tuck and his judgmental expression behind and strode for his truck. He didn’t need the guilt trip. Usually he was a damn good son, brother, and neighbor. Didn’t he help Logan’s dad out at their family store when the old man had a stroke? Didn’t he build that wheelchair ramp for him, too? Didn’t he rebuild Tara’s piece-of-shit car when it crapped out and she needed transportation for school and work?
The answer to all of that was yes, he did. Yet he was still feeling like shit because of Tuck’s insinuation that he wasn’t around when he should be. Inside the truck Tyler fired up the engine and sighed. He needed Janie to get over her aversion to public dating. Then he could bring her home to meet his parents. Maybe have her over for a family dinner. Bring her to meet the new baby over at Logan’s house. Show Tuck that he wasn’t only interested in booty calls. He could be serious when the woman was the right one for getting serious about. But Tuck would never believe Tyler could attract more than buckle bunnies until he saw it with his own eyes.
Then again, he kind of wanted to keep Janie to himself for a little while. She was too skittish as it was about dating him. He didn’t need his crazy family scaring her off.
Too many things to consider for so early in the morning, and before coffee, too. Besides, it was all a moot point until he got Janie to agree to go on a real date with him. But every kiss brought him one step closer to that. He was sure of it.
Rohn’s place wasn’t far, and before he knew it, Tyler was swinging the truck into the driveway. The tires crunched on the gravel beneath him as he crept to the barn and parked in his usual spot.
Janie’s homemade blueberry creation awaited him, so Tyler wasted no time jumping out of the truck and striding toward the house. He found Rohn and Colton already settled at the kitchen table with plates of pie and mugs of coffee in front of them.
“Morning.” His gaze swept to the counter. He let himself relax when he saw half the pie was still there. He wouldn’t have been above stealing Colton’s plate if there hadn’t been any left.
“Morning. Grab yourself a piece.” Rohn waved his fork toward the counter.
“Oh, I intend to.” Ty reached for the knife, cutting a generous-sized slice that didn’t leave a whole lot for anyone else. He didn’t feel at all guilty about it, either.
“So, I’ve been thinking—”
Tyler snorted out a laugh at Colton’s words. “Uh-oh. That’s dangerous.”
“Shut up, Ty.”
Grinning, Tyler poured a mug of coffee for himself. One glance at the table told him the milk and sugar were already out, so he carried his mug, fork, and plate over and sat.
He was just stirring in some sugar when Colton continued, “You and Janie Smithwick should go out.”
Did Colton know he’d been sneaking over to Janie’s? That he had hopes she’d go out with him? Tyler’s head whipped up, but he could see Colton wasn’t talking to him. He was clearly directing his suggestion about dating Janie to Rohn.
What the hell?
“Ah, I don’t know about that. She does make a hell of a pie, though. Is that why you have this sudden interest in me going out with her?” Rohn’s graying brows rose.
Colton smiled. “The pie sure is good. Her coffee is even better, but no. That’s not why. I was just thinking. You’re alone. She’s alone. You’re not that far apart in age.”
“Yeah, they are. She’s only thirty-six.” Tyler had to nip this little plan in the bud, and right quick.
“Hey.” Rohn frowned at Tyler. “How old do you think I am?”
“Way older than thirty-six.” Tyler snorted.
“Weren’t you the one, just the other day as a matter of fact, telling me I’m only as old as I feel and how I should go out drinking with you and Colton at the Two-Step?”
“Yup. You should come out with Colton and me. But you and Janie?” Tyler shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”
Colton frowned. “Why the hell not?”
“Didn’t you ever hear the expression don’t shit where you eat? They’re neighbors. They knew each other’s spouses.”
“Exactly my point.” Colton’s eyes widened. “That’s why it’s perfect. They have a lot in common.”
“No. It would be . . . weird.” Tyler couldn’t come up with a better objection. He’d gone cold with fear that Rohn would actually ask her out.
Silently, he willed Colton to shut the hell up before this started to sound like a good idea to Rohn. Tyler glanced at Rohn and tried to gauge his interest. Rohn could ask her out. She could say yes. H
e knew the fact that her husband had only been gone a year wasn’t her only objection to dating him. Tyler realized his age was a big issue for her.
There was nothing he could do to make himself older. He could only make her understand that his age, and hers, didn’t matter. But Rohn didn’t have that hurdle. He was free and clear of the age issue that had Janie so worried.
Rohn let out a sigh. “I don’t know.”
Good. He was hesitant. Maybe he’d never ask her out and Tyler’s concern would all be for nothing.
“Just think about it. Okay?” Colton pushed the point and made Tyler want to lodge his size eleven boot in the man’s mouth.
Rohn sighed. “A’ight. I’ll think about it.”
With that, Tyler lost his appetite even for Janie’s delicious blueberry pie. Not about to waste something made by her hands, he shoveled the last bite into his mouth, washed it down with the remainder of his coffee, and stood. “I’m gonna get started on work.”
Mouth full, Colton glanced up. He swallowed and said, “Um, okay. I’ll be outside in a sec.”
“No rush.” He turned and headed out the door. The rest of the day couldn’t pass quickly enough for Tyler’s liking.
He got through his work, but being sociable was more than he could handle. The good thing was, he was such a miserable bastard that when the work was done and he said he was leaving, Colton didn’t question why or ask if he wanted to hang out and grab a bite or a beer. Score one point for being antisocial.
It was early afternoon when he headed for Janie’s house with new determination, not to get the field cut, but to cement in her mind that he was the one she should be with. Not Rohn. Not anybody else. Him and him alone. And once Tyler set his mind to something, he didn’t give up until he got it.
When he’d woken that morning, he’d had every intention of going to Janie’s, heading directly to the equipment shed, and getting to work. That was before Colton had put that shit about her dating Rohn out there. It had festered in Tyler’s brain all the damn day.
He found himself driving not to the shed, but instead to the back door of the house, right to the spot where he’d parked the night before. To where he’d kissed her that first time. Where he’d made the decision to walk away last night and not push her too far, too fast.
