Now she felt like a fool. “Oh.”
He kissed her forehead, like a father did to his daughter. They were the same age, so he must think of her as a sister. Darn. While she adored Aiden, and making love again with him had been on the forefront of her mind, she wanted to know Jake intimately, too. Was that so wrong?
Tank stepped forward. “I have a client who is a window distributor. I could ask him about what would work best. Does that work for you, Tammy?”
She appreciated that he included her. His sincerity melted her heart. Maybe ten years had softened him. “Sure.”
Jake had brought with him a rolled-up piece of paper, and he spread it on the table. It was the drawings for the house. While she fixed them water and a Coke, the two discussed wiring, the thickness of the Sheetrock, and the duct work. She gave them their drinks and headed off to her bedroom to work on her jewelry.
About half an hour later, the banging resumed. They must have figured out their next phase. By dinnertime, the banging hadn’t stopped. Those two had to be tired, and her head was starting to throb from all the noise. When she walked outside to ask them when they’d like dinner, she saw Aiden’s truck in the drive. Maybe she’d be able to steal a kiss, or more. She was halfway to the barn when Aiden called to her. She spun around. He had to be kidding her. All three were on the roof grinning.
How had Jake conned these two busy men into helping him?
“Aiden, what are you doing up there?”
“They needed an extra hand.”
She knew Jake wouldn’t fall, but she had no idea how comfortable Aiden was so high up. “I’m fixing some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. When will you all be done?”
“When you call us, we’ll come down,” Jake said.
Then she had better get cooking. Feeding three hungry men would take some doing. The sooner the food was on the table, the sooner the hammering would stop.
* * * *
Supper was all cleaned up, and Tank and Aiden had left for the night. Jake strolled out of the bathroom freshly showered, looking relaxed and sexy. He was a driven man, and she was determined to find out what made him that way. She’d already poured a glass of water for him and an iced tea with lemon for herself.
“Care to join me outside on our porch?”
She didn’t have a porch yet, but they used to pretend she had one.
He nodded. “My pappy told me never to disappoint a lady.”
That brought a grin to her face. He followed her out. The air was crisp, but the wind calm. The stars had yet to appear.
He sat next to her and stretched his long legs out. “So what do you think of the house?”
“I can’t believe how fast it’s coming together.”
“We should be able to put on the siding tomorrow. Then it will look like a real house.”
“That’s wonderful.” She sipped her tea. “You really seem to take pleasure in building things.”
“I do. I guess I’m the type who likes to measure my success in what I can see.”
She chuckled. “I’m the same way. I count every horse, every cow and every chicken I own. The more I have, the closer I am to my dream.”
“That’s important to you.”
“Yes.” Only why? “After the fire, I wanted to prove to myself that I could make a go of it. Now, I’m not so sure.”
“You never told me what really happened.”
His voice came out strangled, almost as if her answer were terribly important. “Lightning struck the barn and ground and caught both the building and the surrounding grass on fire. I don’t really know the exact chain of events that led up to my parents’ deaths, but I can guess.” Her eyes watered. “I wasn’t here when it happened.” The last sentence came out soft.
He took her hand and rubbed her palm with his thumb. “I meant the real story. You sound guilty that you survived.”
Was that what it was? “I do believe that if I’d been here, I’d have been able to help get the animals out of the barn faster. Maybe my parents wouldn’t have been inside when the roof collapsed. So, yeah, maybe I do feel guilty.”
“Didn’t anyone notice the flames?”
She tried to catalogue what she’d been told. “The neighbors did, but I’d come by at the same time and called 911. By the time help came, my parents were dead. At least the firemen were able to save half the house.” The rain had helped, too.
“I’m so sorry. Not being able to help someone you love can eat you alive, make you wish you were dead.”
Her heart nearly stopped at the pain emanating from him. “Did something like that happen to you?” Was that the reason for his intense drive?
He gulped down half his water. “Three years ago, I’d promised my wife I’d take her to a church gathering.”
Oh, my God. She didn’t know he was married. Surely, if he still were, she’d be here with him. “What happened?”
“A bunch of my buddies convinced me to play one more round of pool. Instead of paying attention to the time, I went ahead and played.”
From the way his jaw tightened, he truly hadn’t meant to stand up his wife. She could guess the rest. “Did she figure you weren’t going to show and take off?”
He dropped his head. “Yes. When I rounded the corner to our home, I saw her drive away. I raced after her. She arrived at the four-way stop before me. She came to a stop, took off, and was in the middle of the intersection when a drunk driver hit her.” He dragged his hands down his face. “She died in my arms.”
How horrifying. She moved close and placed a hand on his leg. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He looked up. “I didn’t hit her, but if I’d been ten seconds earlier, she would have spent some time getting into my car and we might have gotten to the intersection thirty seconds later.”
What could she say other than she truly understood. At that moment, she felt so close to him, she wanted to weep with him. He lowered his hands and stared at her.
“You do understand, don’t you?” His words were desperation floating on a whisper.
“I wish I didn’t. Even if what you suggested is true that I’m suffering from survivor’s guilt, it doesn’t seem to help even if I’m able to pin a name on my problem.”
“I know.”
She leaned back in her chair. Only now did the mooing of the cattle register, along with the stiffness of the breeze. The sky had darkened to a point where the stars were twinkling. Without taking his gaze off her, Jake stood and held out his hands palms up.
She didn’t have to think, only react. Lacing her fingers in his, she stepped closer so that the space between them warmed. She loved how his hair fell over his forehead, and his broad shoulders strained the buttons on his shirt. He was so very strong yet inwardly fragile at the same time.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Shivers of delight spread down her arm. Her whole body vibrated with need, as if she’d cease to exist if he didn’t touch her everywhere. He lowered their hands and unthreaded his fingers only to tuck an errant hair behind her ear. The gentle touch simmered in her blood. He was her kindred soul, a little lost, in search of understanding. She wanted to meld with him, to make both of them whole.
The moon peeked out from behind a cloud, illuminating the strong slant of his nose and his long lashes. His golden hair was backlit against the inky sky. Their breaths mingled, and at that moment, she wanted to breathe his air and touch his heart.
Jake leaned over and slanted his lips across hers, tasting of tomatoes and cheese. Lifting her head to meet his mouth, she pressed her breasts against his flexed chest. His hands cupped her shoulders, and she wrapped her arms securely around his waist. She pulled him closer to show him she wanted what he had to offer. The wind stilled and the animals became quiet. Nothing seemed to exist except them.
So absorbed in his taste, feel, and touch that she didn’t remember how her shirt disappeared or her jeans got unbuttoned. He spun her around and backed her against the wall of
the house. He traced a line over her chin and down her chest. The moment her bra landed on the ground, his mouth latched on to her tit.
“Oh, God.”
His desperate capture of her nipple sent a torrent of ecstasy down her body. Her pussy moistened, and she wanted more. No, she wanted all of him. Her hands groped the front of his shirt until she managed to unbutton it. As fast as she could, she dragged the material down his arms.
He stopped touching for as long as it took him to thread his arms through the sleeves. His bare chest was a vast field of tactile sensations. The hair on his pecs prickled her palms, and she ran her hands across the hard planes of his chest. Being this close to him excited her like never before.
As he suckled and plucked her nipples, she got to do what she’d wanted to since the moment she met him. She ran her fingers through his silky hair. Arching her back to give him more, she spread her legs, silently willing him to lose himself in her.
As if he read her mind, he slipped her jeans down her legs, but her boots blocked their removal. Cool air streamed across her abdomen, but the drop in temperature balanced the heat radiating from her body.
She held on to his shoulders as she kicked off her boots. So as not to stand on the pebbled ground, she dragged her jeans backward and stood on them. Jake dropped in front of her and captured her panty-clad pussy with his mouth.
His groan joined hers as if they were one. His fingers scraped down her legs, taking her now-wet panties with them. She stepped out of them and widened her stance, presenting her proud pussy for him. Take me.
“I’ve wanted to taste your sweet honey since the moment I saw you.”
The smooth admission warmed her soul. I’ve wanted to have your cock in me from that time, too. She wasn’t ready to state that just yet.
He swiped his tongue up and down her opening, banging against her clit with each pass. The bliss built stronger and stronger. She wanted to pull him to a stand and wrap her legs around his waist, riding him like a new cutting horse.
Instead, all thoughts disappeared when he stabbed two fingers into her wet pussy. Her breath caught as spikes of pleasure coursed up her body. She cupped his head tight. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
When his tongue joined his two fingers, she almost floated off the ground. Deliciously wicked flames of passion caught hold and raced down her channel. She needed him as much as she needed to breathe.
“Please, Jake.”
He stepped away and her eyes clouded over with desire. He stripped in seconds, managing to produce a condom from his back pocket. She’d been about to ask if she could do the honors, but he slapped it over his huge cock before the words came out. In a flash, he lifted her up and settled her gently over his cock. With a wiggle, she sucked the head into her channel. Legs wrapped around his waist, she pressed her tits against his chest and lifted her head for a kiss.
His hands raised her first then lowered her, driving his dick deep into her.
She stilled. “Give me a second to adjust.” Her walls were pressed outward by his bulging cock.
He lowered his head as if in prayer. “You smell so good.”
With her back supported by the wall, he used his hands to drive her crazy. He trailed his fingers from her waist to her tits. Using his thumbs, he rubbed the tips until they stood on end. She pressed upward with her feet. She wanted the control, to be the one to make love to him. Releasing the pressure, she dropped back down, opening her pussy wide.
Their mouths caught and heated rapture slammed into her. They couldn’t get enough of each other. Her blood pulsed fast as she bucked up and down, taking in all of him. Her tongue entwined around his and captured him in an embrace. As their breaths mingled, so did their hearts.
The faster she pumped, the higher she soared. Her climax slammed into her, robbing her of all sanity. He drove in farther until his cock expanded and shot his warm liquid into her. She couldn’t hear. She couldn’t breathe. And she sure as hell couldn’t think.
His strong arms remained wrapped around her body for close to eternity. Slowly, her fingers tingled as the blood returned to her body. She lowered her legs to the ground, forcing him to uncouple.
Naked, she stuck her feet into her boots and picked up her clothes.
He did the same. “Did we really do what I think we did?” There was a chuckle in his voice.
“I think we did.”
“Good. Now let’s have some hot tea, crawl into bed, and do it again.”
She couldn’t think of any better ending.
Chapter Eight
Tammy lay awake for most of the night, wondering if she’d made a mistake by making love with Jake, despite enjoying the hell out of the experience. It was only 3:00 a.m., too early to start the day, so she rolled over. The sex last night had been stupendous, and the connection she’d felt with Jake was unparalleled. At that moment, she’d wanted nothing more than to make love to him, be one with him every day for the rest of her life. His pain blended with hers, and together, they’d forged new boundaries into understanding each other and maybe even themselves. Being in his arms seemed so right, but so had being in Aiden’s. How could she want two men? Had something genetically altered in her body to make her change from wanting one man to two?
Aiden was gentler, sure, but he was just as explosive a lover. She’d never slept with two men within a week or two of each other. Hell, she’d waited a least a year after breaking up with someone before she had sex with someone else. She should be bombarded with guilt, but at the moment there was none. The biggest problem she faced was how she was going to move forward. Who did she want to be with? Jake would be working side by side with her for the next few months. She couldn’t avoid him. Aiden seemed to make a daily appearance and loved to steal kisses whenever he was near.
What would happen if Aiden saw her kissing Jake, or heaven forbid catch her in the act of making love to him? Never once last night had Jake mentioned Aiden’s name. Even after they made love, he didn’t ask her about her future plans.
Damn. Could she stop Aiden if he wanted to make love again, now that she’d felt this way for Jake? Would she feel any different being in Aiden’s arms again?
No, and that was the problem. She wanted both of them.
Aargh. She planted her face in the pillow, hoping for enlightenment. None came. Jake didn’t seem to be troubled with these issues. He was puffing out soft snores. A half hour ago, he’d twisted in his sleep and reached out for her. Pressing her rear to his cock, he snuggled against her. Her ass heated, and her pussy began to act up, wanting a repeat of the night’s interaction. She debated rousing him and giving him a blowjob, but he needed his sleep too much. When he awoke, maybe she’d lick him senseless and tease every part of his body just as he’d done to her.
Having Jake’s strong arms around her must have finally forced her body to give up and sleep. When she opened her eyes, her back was cold. She rolled over. Jake was gone. How had she not heard him get up?
The running shower clicked off, and the pipes sent out a groan. She smiled. Jake was wet and naked. She debated getting out of the warm covers and charging in the bathroom, but there was no telling what he’d do, and there were chores to be done.
Earl always came early to feed and take care of the chickens. He rarely needed to come into the kitchen, but with her luck, this morning would be the one time he had to. At least she could count on there being a bucket of eggs on the front stoop when she went to fix breakfast. She wished the ranch made a profit so she could pay Earl, but he insisted he loved puttering around and taking care of the animals. He lived in a cramped apartment in town and said being able to smell the fresh air and move about was enough pay for him.
She rolled out of bed just as Jake opened the bathroom door. Steam piled out. His head was bent as he rubbed his hair with a towel. Buck naked, he walked around the bed.
When uncomfortable, she often made light of the situation. “You leave me any hot water?” She knew there was almost
an endless supply, as the sun heated the pipes.
“If you’d gotten your sorry little ass out of bed, we could have shared.” His grin came out wide and sexy.
Her flirtatious retort bubbled up and shot out before she could put a sensor on it. “If you hadn’t snored all night, I might have fallen asleep faster.”
He moved to the bed faster than a nail gun could drive in a spike. All cheer had gone out of his face. “Oh, darlin’, why didn’t you wake me?” His concern warmed her heart.
“I was only kidding. I loved listening to you snore.”
He cocked a brow and rubbed his hands up and down her arms, studying her. “Well, next time, roll me over.”
He wanted a next time? Was he planning to take up permanent residence in her bed? What about Aiden? Hadn’t he said the same thing? Dear Lord, what was she going to do?
After she washed up, she ambled into the kitchen. Jake had finished eating two hard-boiled eggs. As she fixed her own breakfast, he packed a thermos of coffee. She would have liked to share a meal with him, but she guessed he wasn’t going to abandon work for a little romance.
Jake gave her a quick kiss good-bye and headed outside. Once she ate her meal, she went out to the barn to check on the animals. Earl was mucking out the stalls. She wanted to tell him to let her do the heavy work, but that might hurt his feelings.
“Morning, Earl.”
He looked up. “Ms. Tammy.”
He was unusually cheerful this morning. She prayed Jake hadn’t said anything about making love to her last night. If Aiden found out, there was no telling what he’d do.
A car engine roared up the drive then died. A minute later, Aiden waltzed in.
“Hey, hey. Look who’s here?”
He put down his gear and gave her a big bear hug. She expected her body to tense, but instead she melted into his arms. Did she have no loyalty to either man? Why did their mere touches make her so happy?
Monroe, Melody Snow - Taming Tammy [Pleasure, Montana 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
