Her beautiful green eyes stared up at him. “Really?”
“Oh, come on, Anna. You have to know how much I want you.”
“I’ve just never had a man tell me that,” she whispered.
“Your husband?”
“Never.” She waved her hand. “That’s a conversation for another time. Please help me.”
“What are you going to sleep in?”
“My lounge pants and a T-shirt,” she said and pointed to the clothes on the cedar chest.
“Turn around.”
Anna turned her back to him. Taking a deep breath, Jesse took hold of the bottom of her shirt and started to lift it off over her head but she sucked in a breath, making him stop.
“I’m okay,” she said.
“No, you’re not but I’m trying not to hurt you.”
“I know. It hurts to raise my arm.”
“All right. I’m going to lift it over your head then pull it down your arms. Stand still.”
****
Easy for him to say. Anna could feel his warm breath against her neck as he stood behind her. He never came around the front of her as he pulled the sleeves down her arms.
“What about your bra?”
“If you could unhook it, I’d like it off.”
“If I can unhook it? I’m a master at it,” he said, and she could hear the laughter in his voice.
“I bet you are,” she murmured.
“Do we need to leave the wrap on?”
“I don’t think it would hurt to leave it on for tonight.”
Jesse blew out a laugh then he unhooked the clasp of her bra, slid his hands under the straps, and pushed them down her arms.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Yes. Are you?”
“Hell no. My dick’s so hard I hurt.”
Anna sputtered out a laugh then grabbed her side. “Damn it, Jesse, don’t talk like that.”
“Why? You don’t like it?”
“Too much.”
He leaned his forehead on her shoulder. “Anna, I want you so much. I don’t remember ever wanting a woman more and here I am taking your clothes off and I can’t do a fucking thing about it.”
“I want you too.” She was so tired of denying it.
“Please tell me you’re not joking.”
“I’m not. Raincheck?”
“Yes, please.”
Jesse stepped back from her, picked up the T-shirt on the cedar chest, and helped her put her arms into it then he pulled it over her head. Then he hooked his thumbs into her jeans and pushed them down her legs. She stepped out of them and then stepped into the lounge pants. Jesse pulled them up then slowly turned her to face him. He looked down into her eyes and she knew he had to see the need for him there. He cupped her face in his hands then leaned down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him back. When he groaned, she pulled back slightly and tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth.
“Anna, we have to stop. I want you but we both know it’s not going to happen for a while because I hit you with that damn hay bale. If I’d known I had a chance at this, I would have had a clearer head before throwing it.”
“Just what were you thinking about then, Jesse?”
A slow sexy grin lifted his lips. “I was thinking how you had my dick hard all the time. Much like now.”
Anna laughed softly. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, ya are,” he muttered.
“You just say what you think, don’t you?”
“Of course. Would you rather I beat around the bush or say it differently?”
“How would you say it differently?”
Jesse stared up at the ceiling as if searching for an answer then he looked at her. “You give me an erection.”
She burst out laughing then grabbed her side again. “I can’t see you saying that, at all.”
“Good, because I wouldn’t.” He ran his hands down her arms and linked their fingers together. “I’m going to whisper it in your ear the first chance I get.”
“That I give you an erection?” She bit her lip to keep from smiling.
Jesse leaned close and put his lips to her ear. “That you make my cock hard.”
She couldn’t stop the moan. No man had ever spoken to her like this and she liked it. In fact, she loved it. Placing her palm on his lightly whiskered cheek, she looked into his eyes.
“I can’t wait.”
“I swear to God, Anna, if you’re teasing me—”
“I’m not. I promise. Help me to the living room. This is dangerous territory.” She waved her hand around the room.
“Is this the room you shared with your husband?”
“No. It’s upstairs. While he was sick, he was in the room across the hall. It’s an office now. I got rid of all the furniture since I didn’t want any reminders.”
“I’m sorry you went through that, Anna.”
“Thank you, Jesse. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She turned to glare at him making him smile. “Yes, Anna.”
“Better.” She looped her arm through his and they slowly walked back to the living room where he helped her sit on the couch.
“Do you need a pill?”
“Yes. I hate taking them but they do help with the pain.”
“I’ll get you some water.”
He left the room to head for the kitchen and Anna blew out a relieved breath. She loved being around him but hated it too. She wanted him and once she was feeling better, she was going to have him. She needed him so much, but she was also scared to death. Not having a lot of experience was terrifying. She might have been married for sixteen years but Jamie liked sex one way and one way only. Jesse might be younger but he was all man, and she was sure he had a lot more experience. Damn it. Just shut up and go for it when you get better. She’d bet he didn’t do it missionary style all the time.
Shivering at the thought of what he might do, she watched him walk into the room with a glass of water. He handed it to her then took a seat in the recliner across from her. He glanced around the room then looked at her.
“This is a beautiful home, Anna.”
“Thank you. We had to do a lot of upgrades when we bought it. There was no air conditioning and the kitchen needed new appliances. We had to refinish the hardwood floors too. But I do love this house. I’ve always loved farmhouses, though it is too big for just me.”
“It looks amazing. That fireplace is great. Does it work?”
Anna looked at the large stone fireplace and smiled. “Oh yes. All of them do.”
“All? How many?”
“Six. There are three bedrooms upstairs with fireplaces in each. The office and bedroom down here each have one, and then there’s this one.”
“You should be set in the winter if the power ever goes out.”
“It has in the past, and they do keep the house warm.” She leaned back and tried to lay down, but pain hit her hard. Gasping, she sat still.
“Maybe you should just go to bed, Anna. I’ll sleep on the couch in case you need something in the middle of the night.”
Glancing at the clock, she saw it was close to eleven and she was tired. The painkiller was going to kick in soon and it would be better for her to be in bed. Nodding, she put her hand out toward him. Jesse smiled at her then stood and helped her up.
“I wish I could have taken a nice hot bath,” she said as he led her down the hallway.
“You can’t undress yourself and I sure as hell am not undressing you and helping you into a tub,” he growled.
She chuckled. “I’ll want one tomorrow.”
“Shit,” he muttered.
“Maybe I’ll feel a little better tomorrow. Doc seems to think it’s just bruised so it will be getting better. I’ve had cracked ribs before, and this is not what it feels like.”
“How did you have cracked ribs?”
“Car accident. Years ago.”
“I’ve had the
m too.”
“From what?”
She knew Jesse was about to answer when his cell phone rang. He took it from his pocket, looked at the screen, and answered.
“Let me call you right back,” he said and hung up. Anna looked up at him. He smiled at her. “My dad.”
He showed her the phone with a man’s face showing and above it, the word Dad.
Smiling, she entered her bedroom. “Go call your dad. I can get into bed all right. There are blankets and a pillow in the linen closet in the hall. Goodnight, Jesse.”
“Goodnight, Anna. Call out if you need something.”
“I will. Thank you.”
She closed the door and heard his boot heels clacking as he made his way down the hallway back to the living room. She could hear him talking but couldn’t make out what he was saying.
When his phone rang, and he said he’d call them back, she was sure it was a woman. She was quite happy to see it was his father. Yawning, she made her way to the bed, pulled the quilt back, and slowly crawled in. Pulling the cover up to her chin, Anna closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take over.
****
Jesse called his dad and dreaded talking with him. Taking a deep breath, he listened as the phone rang.
“What was that about, Jesse?” his father demanded.
“I was in the middle of something, Dad.”
“Where are you? I thought you’d be home by now, but I stopped at your ranch and no one has seen you.”
Jesse gritted his teeth. “Dad, I’ll be home soon.”
“Are you still at the Tipton ranch, son?”
“Yes—”
“Why? Jesse, you were to get out of there. Why would you stay there?”
“I’m…helping her repair the cabins.”
“Jesse Dalton Beckett, tell me what the hell you think you’re doing.”
“Dad, I’m twenty-nine years old. I am past the point of explaining myself to you.” Silence greeted him. He’d never talked to his father in that manner before.
“I understand that, Jesse but I asked you to go there and check out the property and what happens? You decide to stick around and help this woman repair her ranch when in all likelihood it will go into foreclosure. She can’t keep it going and you’re just helping her prolong the inevitable.”
“Her parents have money and if it comes down to it, she can get money from them. I think you should look elsewhere.”
“What’s going on, JD? Are you attracted to the woman? There has to be a reason you’re so set on helping her save her ranch.”
“And you’re so set on taking it. Dad, you never try to take someone’s land. You always wait until it goes into foreclosure. Give her the benefit of the doubt. She may save it.”
“We’ll talk soon,” his dad said and hung up.
“Fuck,” Jesse muttered as he stuffed the phone into his pocket.
Turning on his heel, he walked to the hall closet, opened it, and took out a blanket and pillow. He then carried them to the living room and tossed them down onto the couch. Finding the remote, he turned the channel to find the news then plunked down onto the couch.
His mind wandered back to the conversation with his dad. The man was too astute and he knew Jesse was staying here for a reason. Jesse had changed the subject when his dad asked if he was attracted to Anna. Attracted? What an understatement. But it was not his father’s business.
Was she telling him the truth about a raincheck? God, he hoped so. Since she walked into the barn, his first day here, he’d wanted her. His dick was at constant attention anytime she was around. To even think of being buried inside her had him almost coming in his jeans and he hadn’t done that since he was fourteen.
Sitting forward, he tugged his boots and socks off then stood, unsnapped his jeans, lowered the zipper then pushed them off. He decided to leave his boxer briefs on but he usually slept nude. Reaching behind him, he pulled his T-shirt off over his head and dropped it on the floor. Lifting the blanket, he snapped it out to straighten it then laid down on the couch and pulled it over him. Clasping his hands behind his head, he watched the news until he started feeling sleepy. Aiming the remote at the TV to turn it off, Jesse closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
****
Anna woke up in pain when she’d tried to roll over. Hissing in a breath, she rolled to the side of the bed and tried to push herself up. Tears filled her eyes as she lay there. She needed to go to the bathroom and she could use another painkiller. Why hadn’t she brought them to the bedroom? Now she’d have to go to the living room but first she’d have to get up. Taking a deep breath, she pushed against the mattress to sit up but the pain had her blinking back tears. Shit! She knew she had to call out for Jesse, and it was going to hurt.
“Jesse,” she shouted and instantly regretted it. Who knew yelling would hurt so much?
Putting her hands on the mattress, she pushed herself up and gulped in air at the pain. Maybe she did have a broken rib. Just as she was ready to call out again, the bedroom door flew open and Jesse entered the room. Dear God! All he had on was his jeans and he’d left them unsnapped.
“Anna? Why didn’t you call me while you stayed in bed? I could’ve helped you up.” He moved closer to her and took her arm. “What do you need?”
“I have to use the bathroom but I need a pain pill, please,” she said once she was standing.
“I’ll get it. Can you get to the bathroom?”
“Yes,” she said as she slowly walked toward the bedroom.
“Can you get your pants down?”
“Yes. They’re elastic.”
“Well, damn.”
She grinned. “Quit trying to get my pants off, Dalton.”
“Excuse me? You asked me earlier to take your clothes off. I was just going to help you again.”
Anna shook her head as she flipped on the bathroom light and closed the door behind her. She heard him leave the room. Staring at the toilet, she knew it was going to hurt sitting down and getting back up but it would be a cold day in hell before she’d have Jesse help her on and off the toilet.
After finishing in the bathroom, she opened the door, and stepped back into the bedroom to see Jesse sitting on the cedar chest waiting for her. He stood when she walked closer.
“Here,” he said as he handed her a pill and a glass of water.
Anna took the pill, tossed it in her mouth, took a drink, and swallowed the pill. Making her way to the bed, she slowly sat down. Jesse appeared at her side and helped her lay back. A whimper escaped her.
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Just for this pill to kick in. Thank you, Jesse.”
“How about I leave the door open in case you need me again?”
“Yes, please. It hurt to yell for you.”
Jesse grinned. “I could sleep beside you.”
“Go away, Dalton.”
Jesse chuckled and walked out, leaving the door open behind him. Anna smiled as she closed her eyes and prayed for the pill to work quickly.
****
Two weeks later, Anna was moving around much better. Although, she did have a huge bruise on her side. It was sore to touch but she was able to get around much easier. She hadn’t seen Jesse since the night he’d stayed with her. Rusty’s wife, Maureen came to stay with her after that. She was much more helpful, but she did miss Jesse being here with her.
As she sat in the big claw foot tub, she smiled as she remembered him helping her undress and telling her his dick was hard. Laughing, she reached for the soap and wished he were in there with her. Just then, she heard him calling for her. Speak of the devil.
“Anna?”
“I’ll be out in a minute, Jesse. I’m in the tub.”
“Oh, uh…it can wait. Go ahead and soak. I just wanted to let you know that everyone is gone and I’m heading for the cabin.”
She sat up so quickly that water sloshed over the side. She didn’t want him to leave.
“Jesse,” she
called out.
“Yeah?” he answered from outside the door.
“Could you wait for me in the living room? I’d like to talk to you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Jesse,” she growled out and heard his chuckle.
“Sorry. Yes, Anna.”
Smiling, she nodded even though he couldn’t see. “Thank you. I won’t be long.”
“All right.”
She heard him walk away. Taking a deep breath, Anna pulled the plug then stood and reached for a towel. After drying off, she pulled on her lounge pants and T-shirt then wrapped her robe around her. Sliding her feet into her fuzzy slippers, she left the bathroom and headed for the living room. When she entered the room, she didn’t see Jesse. Turning toward the dining room, she saw him sitting on a chair at the table, reading a magazine. He was just too gorgeous for her peace of mind. Taking a deep breath, she moved closer to him then leaned against the doorjamb and folded her arms. He smiled at her and put the magazine down on the tabletop.
“How are you feeling?” he asked her.
“I’m fine. Just a big ugly bruise is all I have to show for it now.”
“Anna, I’m so sorry…” He shook his head.
“It was an accident, Jesse. Please, just let it go. Things happen on a ranch.”
“All right. I’ll try. What did you want to talk about?”
“Did we sell any hay?”
Jesse grinned. “Yep. Two hundred and fifty bales. Apparently, a lot of the ranchers didn’t get through the drought as well as you did.”
“Two hundred and fifty bales? That’s great.”
Actually, it was incomprehensible. That income would pay her mortgage this month. She’d been so worried about making a payment again. The thought of asking her parents for the money didn’t appeal to her at all. They offered almost every month, but she always refused. Not once did they suggest she sell. They knew how much Jamie had loved the ranch. Blinking tears from her eyes, she looked at Jesse and smiled. “Thank you.”
His eyebrows rose. “For what?”
“Getting it cut and stacking it for me.”
“I do work here, ya know.”
She laughed. “Yes, you do. Did Wes and Rusty help you?”
“Not in the field but stacking it they did. They also called a few men they knew to help so we got it stacked pretty quickly.”
Jesse: A Beckett Brothers Novel Book 3 (The Beckett Brothers) Page 6
