by Vivian Arend
“During,” he responded. “Change first, details later.”
Half an hour later, they were on the trail. Julia’s grin stretched from ear to ear. She leaned forward and patted the dun-coloured gelding, Corncob, on the neck. “What a perfect way to end the day.”
It was, although Zach could think of a dozen other things he’d also like to do with Julia that wouldn’t involve leaving the cabin. “Trail rides are on the Fun Things list.”
She straightened suddenly, examining him. “You do like riding, don’t you?”
“Yup.”
Julia sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. For a minute there, I thought I might be tormenting you instead of doing something we both enjoy.”
“That’s the yoga tomorrow.” He said it with a wink but quickly reassured her. “I’m teasing. I don’t mind trying it one bit. My sisters rave all the time about how much it’s improved their flexibility and helped with concentration.”
“It does,” Julia agreed. She paused, and her tone went utterly casual. “Which of your five sisters?”
Talking about his family was a nice, safe topic. “At least half of them at any given moment. Don’t try to memorize their names, because I’ll remind you as needed. Lindsey, Mattie, Rachelle, and Quinn are older than me. Petra is younger.”
“She’s the one who pinkie swears,” Julia said with a smile.
“She does. She also stole my toys, broke my bike, and once got us locked in the crawlspace of the house. She was my playmate growing up.”
Which moved the conversation into stories of living with that many females under one roof. He talked, and she asked questions, the flow interrupted over and over when one of them spotted something in the field, or a hawk flew overhead, or when the trees in the distance moved to reveal a deer staring at them with interest and caution.
The fall evening was warm enough that when he spread the blanket on the ground by the river, Julia relaxed onto it with a contented sigh.
She rolled onto her back and stared skyward. “It’s so peaceful and quiet. This is exactly what I needed.”
Zach lowered himself beside her, the food basket off to one side. Her expression was pure contentment.
His gaze drifted over her curves with appreciation. “Me too.”
Somehow the words didn’t come out too lust-filled.
Julia took a deep breath, and for an instant their gazes met. He wanted to cover her slowly. Stretch his body over hers and take those pouting lips that she’d just licked in a kiss that would heat up the air around them to a spring day.
The moment vanished as Julia laughed, reaching for the picnic basket. “I’m starved.”
Him too. Not just for food.
Zach pushed down his lust and forced a carefree smile. “Let’s eat.”
She steered the conversation back to his family, which meant by the time they’d eaten, she knew how many of his sisters were married (three), how many nieces and nephews he had (seven, with one on the way), and how often he saw them all (often, but in small doses).
They were riding back, and her chatterbox conversation had trickled to nothing. It didn’t seem awkward, though. Just two people sharing a companionable silence, thinking their own thoughts.
His were about how right spending time with her was. Also, to be honest, more than a few thoughts focused on how soon he could convince her there was no use waiting to get intimate—
The heat between them was undeniable.
“I’m not used to having family around.”
Her words interrupted a very steamy daydream. Zach blinked to attention. “What brought that up?”
She shrugged. “My sisters have had each other forever. You’ve had lots of people as well.”
“The more to torment me, you mean.”
Julia laughed. “Torment, tease, play with, bounce ideas off… It was only me and my mom forever. Sometimes it feels as if you’re all speaking a foreign language I don’t understand.”
Interesting point. “You’re right. Although, the best kind of family is the type you pick for yourself. Sometimes that means the one you’re born into, and sometimes it means the people you choose to have in your life. Finn is my brother in every way except blood.”
Her eyes brightened. “That’s sweet.”
“Don’t tell him I said that,” Zach insisted. “I don’t need him hitting me up for a family loan.”
She snickered. “Please. From the sounds of it, you two have all the money you need…”
Her words trailed off.
He didn’t make her clarify. He felt it. The reason why they were going through with this whole farce was to keep the money intact. He wanted to rant that it was more than that already, but it was far too soon for those kinds of reassurances.
Instead, Zach grinned. “Enough money to have splurged for dessert. There are two kinds of pie in the fridge. Since I didn’t know your favourite.”
“Pie is my favourite pie,” she joked back, and the awkward moment vanished.
But it was a reminder that he had to work for this. The roots of a relationship were there, but it wasn’t going to be a slam dunk moving forward.
He had to be very patient and deliberate to make it clear their relationship was of far more value than any bank bottom line.
It was a nice enough cabin, and until now, Julia had considered it roomy. She had her space, he had his, and the shared bathroom between their rooms was massive and comfortable.
But even moving the coffee table aside hadn’t created enough open space in the living room to allow them to stretch out on their yoga mats without being very close.
Intimately close, as in bumping limbs occasionally.
More annoying was the fact every breath he took echoed through her as if she had sonar and was picking up his frequency.
They’d only been at it for ten minutes, and she was already flushed.
She glanced to the side. Zach remained in the twisted seated position she’d guided them into. His eyes were shut, and while his flexibility wasn’t anything to scream about, he was trying. Inhale. Exhale and twist farther, just the way she’d told him.
While he was occupied, it was too tempting to resist a leisurely look. He wore a loose pair of sweats and a grey T-shirt that stretched over his chest and biceps. As he twisted, the shirt rode up, coming untucked far enough to show a thin sliver of tanned skin.
Bare feet. Nice bare feet—which was a weird thing to notice, but she’d been around enough guys in shower houses and medical situations to know some people had good, solid, but ugly, support systems.
His feet were…sexy.
Dammit, brain, stop taking me there.
“Okay, let’s move to the next thing.” Julia tore her gaze off his body, toes and all, and stood.
Zach copied her. “So far, so good,” he teased. “I haven’t gotten stuck once.”
She laughed. “No pretzel moves, I promise.”
“You go right ahead. I don’t mind watching.” His gaze drifted over her, and she felt it like a caress. He adjusted position, feet braced on the mat. Those sweatpants didn’t look nearly as loose anymore…
Shit. Staring at his junk and trying to figure out if he was really getting turned on from looking at her was not a good idea.
Stick to the program, Blushing. “We’re going to do a basic move now, repeating it on both sides.”
“Lead on,” he murmured, copying her position at the top of the mat.
One move after another, she guided him through a sun salutation routine. He didn’t tease or make any more comments. In fact, anytime she glanced his way, he seemed to be fully concentrated on keeping his balance.
She fell into the rhythm and ignored him as best she could. It was a strange exercise, considering how much space he took up. How close he seemed at every moment. How much less oxygen was available in the room than usual as she grew light-headed from having him beside her.
As she twisted into a new position, she could have sworn his gaz
e lingered on her body.
She’d pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. Something she’d worn during training a million times around her workmates.
This felt…different. Hotter, more intimate.
Dangerous?
No, not that. Not with Zach.
Then why not give him a try? The little devil was back on her shoulder.
She dropped into her lunge position too vigorously, attempting to shake sense into herself. The too-quick move tipped her balance point and she fell sideways, contorting to try and catch herself.
“Got you.” Zach’s strong arms curled around her, pulling her close as they headed toward the floor. The landing was a lot softer than it could have been, yet still firm as she settled into his lap.
“Sorry.” Julia remained motionless, not wanting to damage him in her rush to get away.
His grin said it all. “Nothing to be sorry for. I figured this was some new, interactive yoga move, and I’m one hundred percent on board.”
Her shoulders were perpendicular to his, one hand pressed to his chest. One of his arms cradled her back, and other than embarrassment, heat was the fastest-growing sensation.
“You’re terrible,” she said as calmly as possible.
His gaze had fallen to her lips, blue eyes fixed in position. “I’d heard of hot yoga before, but never thought I’d get to experience it.”
She snorted. “Dear God, that sounded like the start of a really bad Penthouse letter.”
“Are there any really good Penthouse letters?” He was still staring, hunger on his face.
It was far too tempting to lean in and close the distance between them. Press their lips together and once again enjoy a taste of the man and his wonderful kisses.
But they had twelve damn months to get through, and this was not going to make it easier.
She was about to find a way to break away when he rolled. A squeal escaped her, and he laughed, continuing the motion to his feet and leaving her behind on the yoga mat.
He held a hand down, his sexy smolder replaced with jovial amusement. “Come on. I have an idea.”
His idea involved slipping on their shoes, yoga mats under their arms as they paced to the next cabin over.
“Our own private yoga studio,” he said with a flourish as he gestured her in the door.
The cabin was smaller than Zach’s, but the living room and dining area lacked furniture, leaving an open hardwood floor for them to spread out with plenty of room to move.
Julia shook her head. “Great. Why didn’t we start in here?”
“I forgot.” He stepped into the middle of his mat and eyed her expectantly. “Ready when you are.”
The quick shutdown of her libido was a good thing. At least that’s what she tried to tell herself as they finished the session. All traces of sexy-talking Zach vanished, and when they headed back to their shared living space, it was as if she’d imagined the entire thing.
“Great yoga session,” Zach told her, hand raised in the air until she connected with his palm in a firm high five. “Dibs on the shower, though. I’ve got to meet with Cody in half an hour.”
“No problem.”
He vanished into his room, and she was left with a jumble of thoughts that made her want to squirm.
Imagining Zach in the shower, strong hands moving over his torso. Down his body…
Over his firm—
Nope. There be dragons.
The next two days passed in a blur as she transitioned into her two night shifts in a row. Working six p.m. to eight a.m. meant she left the house before Zach was back from whatever he was working on that day, falling into bed without seeing him the next morning.
She was grateful for the soft bed and the safe room to come home to. No denying that.
Saturday morning, though, when she stumbled back to the cabin after a heavier number of callouts than usual, she discovered Zach waiting for her.
“Hey. You headed out?” She barely covered her mouth before blasting a yawn in his face.
He chuckled. “Nope. Day off.”
“Me too. After I sleep. Shower. Shower first.” She sniffed then groaned. “Don’t come near. Mr. Heller decided to walk off the edge of his hayloft.”
“Sounds exciting. And dangerous.”
“Luckily, he landed in the manure pile he’s been building right outside the barn.” Zach had taken her coat off and…her shoes? “Unfortunately, he landed in the manure pile. Not the nicest place to sit with a broken leg.”
“It’ll make a great story,” Zach assured her.
They were standing in the bathroom. When had that happened? “Shower.”
She tugged off her shirt, focused on getting clean enough to collapse onto her bed.
A soft groan echoed in the space, but the water was pouring down, calling her name. She shoved off her pants and undies, ditched her bra, and eased under the heavenly downpour.
Julia woke six hours later with no memory of leaving the shower, just the dire need to pee like a racehorse and her stomach growling as if she’d fasted for days instead of hours.
She finished her business as soon as possible then made a beeline for food.
Inside the fridge was a covered plate and a note.
I made lasagna last night. Saved you a piece. Remember we're at Rough Cut tonight for our wedding party. Should be a blast.
Julia had the lasagna in the microwave in three seconds flat, the scent as it warmed making her drool.
The party tonight was going to be something, although blast wasn’t necessarily her choice of words. Still, it was another nail in the rumour coffin, and it wasn’t going to hurt to enjoy some dancing and time with her sisters.
A valid excuse to be in Zach’s arms won’t suck, either. The damn devil on her shoulder got the words out before vanishing.
Yeah. There were far too many good reasons to stick with the status quo, but the temptation to open that side door continued to grow. Julia dug into the food with a determined focus, because at least while she was eating, she wouldn’t be planning big mistakes.
The rest of the hours stretching forward would be enough trouble to manage.
12
Zach pulled into an open space outside Rough Cut and turned to Julia with a smile. “It’s party time. Ready?”
She glared momentarily. “You don’t have to sound so happy.”
“What?” he demanded, slightly confused. “We're going to dance and have a few drinks and raise a little for the food bank. Plenty to be happy about.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I guess. Only, no tequila, agreed?”
Zach solemnly drew an X over his heart.
Julia’s concerned expression wavered. “You’re impossible,” she complained. “I’m trying to be borderline serious before we head in there, and you’re still all fluff and nonsense.”
He shrugged. “No use in pretending this is more than it is. People are probably hoping we tie one on too hard again and give up some juicy details. I figure the best response to that is to smile lots and baffle them with bullshit.”
After the damn yoga session that had sent him into cold-shower mode, and the innocent striptease Julia had given him that morning, Zach had been one step away from simply reaching for what he wanted.
Yet the absolute trust she’d shown while ninety percent out of it wasn’t a gift he could bear to throw away.
He’d given the question every bit of his waking hours, deliberating until coming to the conclusion there was only one way to win her over.
Make her ask for more.
This had to be all about her choices. While he could roll in and make demands as boldly as the next guy, she needed a delicate touch.
Which meant he’d say yes to absolutely everything she wanted from him. He’d back off and give her all the room she claimed to need. Instead of pushing, he’d do yoga, and take her on trail rides, and whatever else she requested, because spending time together would allow him
to put part two of his plan in place.
The chemistry between them was combustible. Given enough time, the banked heat would flare, and she’d demand he—
“Kiss me.”
Zach blinked, turning to Julia. Was his subconscious talking out loud now?
“Too slow,” she complained. She crawled into his lap, curled a hand around his neck, and brought their lips together.
His brain was still catching up, but instinct kicked in. Zach cupped her hips, pulled her flush with his body, and took over, a hallelujah chorus ringing in his ears.
Her taste drilled through him—peppermint and pleasure. Her torso pressed warm against his, soft breasts waking hunger and need. He nipped at her lip, soaking in her gasp as—
A sharp clatter rang from the driver’s side window. They snapped apart, or at least broke the lip-lock. Zach maintained his grip on her hips.
He wasn’t silly enough to let go prematurely.
“The party’s inside.” Josiah stepped away from the truck, heading to the top of the stairs with Lisa tucked under his arm.
Behind them, a duo of women sauntered past, tossing quick glances over their shoulders as they moved slowly so as not to miss a single second.
Zach grinned but spoke quietly to Julia. “I take it you saw something?”
“Two of the biggest gossips in town, according to Tamara. I bet they try to outdo each other spreading the word we can’t keep our hands off each other.”
Now there was a good lead-in for a very entertaining evening. “Anytime. We should hit the dance floor and give them other things to flap their gums about.”
He lifted her off carefully—still a little worked up in spite of how brief the connection.
His friend and Julia’s sister were grinning like fools as Zach led Julia up the stairs.
“You two seem to be getting along okay,” Josiah murmured to Zach as the women slipped through the door ahead of them.
“Shut up,” Zach retorted, but he smiled as well.
Yup, he was going to yes, yes, yes every single request Julia made. And if karma continued to be kind, there might be some very enjoyable results sooner than later.
