One of These Days (Prairie Town Book 4)

by T. E. Ridener

  “I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice barely louder than a breath. “I just...I lost my balance.”

  “I noticed.” His chuckle was deep and smooth, and it vibrated straight through her as she leaned into him. “Good thing I was here, huh?”

  “Yeah. Good thing,” she echoed, allowing one hand to fall against his arm. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime, Aggie.”

  Maybe it was just her imagination running away with her, but she was certain he spoke her name with lust in his voice. It sure didn’t help the less-than-appropriate thoughts she was having.

  Don’t think about dirty things while you’re in the cemetery. Don’t think about dirty things while you’re in the cemetery.

  It was a mantra on repeat in her mind as Jeb slowly turned her in his arms.

  It grew louder and louder as their gazes met.

  It suddenly didn’t register anymore as his eyes moved to her mouth and she licked her lips in anticipation.

  Kiss me, she pleaded silently. Kiss me until the world ceases to exist.

  It was plain to see his intentions as he slid his hand to the small of her back. Pulling her a little closer, he swiped his tongue over his lips and leaned in.

  Jebson McIntosh was ridiculously tall. Though she’d never asked his precise height, she knew he had to be at least 6’4”, if not taller. She was decently tall, too—thank the gods. It would have been a hell of a lot more awkward when it came to kissing him.

  Which she was totally about to do.

  Again.

  In spite of the confliction he caused her on a daily basis.

  Their lips met in a gentle, sweet kiss. But, as she’d learned from past experiences, it quickly grew into something else as the seconds passed by.

  His mouth crashed down against hers hungrily, with a passion she was afraid to get lost in.

  His arms locked around her and she felt safe, but she knew it wasn’t wise to let herself linger there for too long. Allowing him to hold her like that would eventually lead to heartache.

  Everything eventually led to heartache, didn’t it?

  Stop thinking so much and just enjoy it! Her mind screamed at her, and so she did.

  The taste of his tongue as it slid past her lips caused the fire inside her to burn hotter than ever before. She liked his taste; she liked his everything. A moan climbed its way up her throat and he drank it in as his fingers crept beneath the bottom of her shirt. Those fingers—gods, those fingers—splayed over the flesh of her back and she pressed her body against his, needing more.

  She needed everything he was willing to give her.

  “This is crazy,” she mumbled against his mouth, gasping as he nipped her bottom lip. “Jeb, we’re in the—”

  “I know,” he whispered huskily, sliding his tongue over hers again.

  Oh, hell. Why was she even trying to reason with him? Why did she want to stop?

  His free hand made its way to the back of one of her thighs and he lifted it upwards. Following his lead, she wrapped her leg around his waist and hopped up from the ground. Knowing he wouldn’t let her fall, she slowly lifted her other leg and locked her ankles together behind his back, holding on for dear life.

  Oh, gods. He’s hard.

  How terribly inappropriate was it for them to be sucking face like this in the cemetery?

  If hell really did exist, which portion of it was reserved for people who made out in front of a person’s grave?

  Breaking the kiss, she pulled her head back to gaze at him.

  “Jeb,” she said, panting as if she’d just run 10k. “Let’s...move...somewhere...else.”

  “Somewhere...else?” His eyebrows pinched together and his fingers tightened against her thighs.

  “Yes.” She moved her eyes to Gran’s headstone, and then looked at him again.

  He turned his head to stare at his grandmother’s grave and then laughed. “Oh. I understand.”

  “Yeah? I mean, I know it’s silly, but what if she can see us, or something?”

  “You think she can see us?” His laughter grew louder and she worried he was going to drop her.

  Hugging her arms around his neck, she glared at him. “It’s not funny! She could be!”

  “I swear to God, Aggie. You’re the cutest dang thing in existence.” He rested his forehead against her shoulder briefly, his laughter slowly dying down. “So dang adorable.”

  “I am being completely serious, Jebson.” Rolling her eyes, she wiggled in his hands, but stopped when she realized her movement wasn’t benefiting either of them. Well, it was, but it also wasn’t—she was mad at him and he didn’t deserve the sweet friction her wiggling caused.

  Gazing at her, completely serious, he bumped the tip of his nose against hers. “Say it again.”

  “Say what, again?”

  “My name.”

  A jolt of electricity surged straight into her heart as his forehead rested against hers, and she knew she was a goner. There was no use being mad at him over such a silly thing; he had the capability of melting the coldest of hearts and he didn’t even know it.

  My heart isn’t cold, she thought. It’s just afraid of being shattered.

  “Please?” He jutted his bottom lip and batted his eyelashes playfully.

  “Jebson,” she said softly, giving him a small smile. “You’re a butthead.”

  “I’ve been called worse in my lifetime.”

  She gasped as he began walking, and tightened her arms and legs around him. He took his time, because of his toe, but she could also sense his urgency—she was becoming impatient, too.

  “Is this far enough away from prying eyes?” He asked once they were back on the gravel road, only a few paces from either of their vehicles. “You don’t reckon she’s peeking over here, do you?”

  “Oh, shut up.” She rolled her eyes, cheeks burning. “I was just trying to be respectful. You wouldn’t have done this in front of her if she was still alive, would you?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied, tilting his head in thought. “Maybe. You’re awfully pretty and I’m awfully attracted to you.”

  Gods, that was nice to hear. That was the sort of declaration every woman waited for at least once in her life, and here he was, telling her exactly how he felt about her.

  Well, sort of.

  “You know I’m attracted to you, too, you idiot.” Squirming in his arms, she glanced at her car, and then at his truck. Mentally, she was trying to figure out the best place for their make out session to continue.

  “Again, I’ve been called worse.” He carried her towards his truck, as if he could somehow read her mind. “But yeah, I kinda figured the attraction was mutual after the other night.”

  Heat licked up the back of her legs, making its ascent over her entire body as the memories, still so vivid, flashed through her mind. Part of her wanted to talk about it, but the other part did not. She was afraid he’d bring up the topic of how she learned her ‘oral skills’, and that was something she never wanted him to know.

  But he doesn’t know that, she reminded herself. He can’t read minds, dummy. How could he possibly know how much it bothers you?

  And who was to say he wouldn’t understand? That he wouldn’t care? What if what he felt for her was strong enough to completely overlook her past?

  “Is here okay?” He asked.

  She’d been so lost in her thoughts and worries that she hadn’t even noticed he’d moved again. Straining to look over her shoulder, she soon realized they were standing near the tailgate of his truck, and devious thoughts occurred to her.

  What if we do it right here? She thought, her nipples aching. What if we fuck in the back of his truck?

  Oh, gods. It wasn’t like she hadn’t thought about it before.

  Guilty as charged, she thought, keeping her eyes on his. Please do whatever you want to me, you beautiful, perfect-amount-of-muscles, gorgeous smile hunk.

  Her heart began to pound again and it was all she could do
to keep from practically begging him for it. She could feel the hardness of his arousal pressing against her—in the most wonderful of places, to beat it all—and she knew that he was probably thinking the exact same thing.

  “Aggie, I—”

  “Jeb—”

  “Sorry. You go first,” he said, acting rather shy.

  “No, that’s okay.” She was just as shy as she quickly tucked a short strand of hair behind her ear. It felt as if her heart would burst at any moment; her entire body capable of turning into ooze as the muscles in his arms danced against her shoulders and the backs of her thighs. “You go right ahead.”

  “Ladies first,” he replied, that boyish grin of his returning. “That’s the golden rule, you know.”

  “I thought the golden rule was to treat others as you want to be treated?”

  “That’s the second golden rule,” he joked, rolling his eyes. “Besides, what I wanted to say was probably stupid.”

  “I doubt anything you’d say is stupid, Jebson.” Her face warmed as his breath fanned over her neck. The world began to spin as he buried his nose against her shoulder and chuckled. Oh, she could get used to such feelings.

  She could get used to such happiness.

  “Didn’t you just call me an idiot a few minutes ago?”

  “That’s totally irrelevant. You were being an idiot.”

  “But an idiot is the same thing as stupid, ain’t it?”

  “I think they’re two very different things.” She blinked and shook her head. “Why are we even talking about this? I thought we were going to make out.”

  “Oh, we were, were we?” He wiggled his brows.

  “Or not.” Wiggling in his arms and laughing, she tried to free herself from his grasp, but much to her delight, he didn’t budge a bit.

  Strong, she thought, biting at her lip. I bet he could dominate me.

  But did she want to be dominated? The thought of it had always repulsed her. So many men thought themselves to be above women in every way; women were only meant for one thing in their eyes.

  That’s not Jeb. He’s not like that.

  At least she hoped he wasn’t.

  He’d never seemed to be the type anyway.

  But even so, no matter what his true nature was, she still couldn’t help but imagine him hovering above her with that strong, beautiful body. The things he was doing to her in her imagination were glorious.

  “You all right, Aggie?” His voice penetrated her thoughts.

  “Yes,” she said, her voice nearly inaudible.

  His expression softened and his smile disappeared as his gaze once again dropped to her mouth. “What are you thinking about?”

  All the things I’m going to go to hell for, she almost said. Which totally includes fucking you senseless in the cemetery your grandmother is buried in.

  Her blood felt like it was boiling as her feet touched the ground. She instantly missed the warmth of his arms around her. But all was soon forgiven when she realized he was lowering the tailgate and the bed of his truck came into view.

  I’ve never wanted someone so much in my life.

  And that was very true.

  Her past was filled with more regrets than she cared to count. The men who touched her had never done so because they loved her; they were just lonely, or dirty. This, however, what she felt for Jeb, was an entirely new playing field she’d never had the courage to explore. Allowing him to be with her...allowing him to love her with his body...it was a foreign concept.

  The men she’d known before him never meant anything except hot food and warm clothes. One of them had meant a dry bed to sleep in for a few days. None of them had ever meant what the beautiful man standing before her did.

  Love.

  Happiness.

  Security.

  Joy.

  He was everything she’d ever wanted, even if she hadn’t realized it until recently. Jebson McIntosh was plenty capable of being the man of her dreams.

  Why was she so afraid of letting him in?

  Rough yet tender hands touched either side of her face and she was pulled from her torturous thoughts. Meeting his soft gaze, she felt the air rush from her lungs as he leaned in to kiss her again.

  She did not particularly believe in Heaven, but if such a place really did exist, he was the embodiment of it.

  True love was something she’d never given much thought, but when he kissed her like he was at the moment, she wished for nothing more than just a taste of the happiness depicted in fairy tales.

  It’s too easy to fall in love with him, she decided as her eyes fell closed. He’s just too perfect.

  That was the scariest part of all, wasn’t it? In spite of his demons and the drama that had run rampant in their lives over the course of the past two years, he could still do no wrong in her eyes. He was...perfect.

  No one is perfect, a voice whispered in her mind. He will do something to push us away. They all do, in the end.

  But what if that wasn’t true? What if Jeb really was just a good guy, and what if he really could make her happy?

  “I want you,” he whispered against her mouth, teasing his upper lip over her bottom one. “You drive me crazy, Aggie. Do you know that?”

  “Yes.” Her breath was harsh as it escaped her lungs, her entire body suddenly engulfed in flames of desire. No one had ever spurred such wants and needs in her—not ever. “I want you, too.”

  “Good.”

  He gripped her waist and hoisted her up onto the tailgate, causing her to gasp in surprise.

  He could so easily do whatever he pleased...

  Devious thoughts soared through her mind as his fingers curled around the bottom of his shirt and began to pull it upward. She was absolutely mesmerized, unable to look away as his gorgeous torso came into view once more.

  His shirt fell to the ground and his tongue slid over his lips as he smiled in her direction. “Your turn, beautiful.”

  Oh, gods. I’m going to commit so many sins.

  Hopefully, if Gran really could see them, she was looking away right about then.

  Gripping the edge of the tailgate with the bend of her knees, she steadied herself and leaned back a little, tugging her tank top off without hesitation.

  His eyes swept over her breasts appreciatively and she’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy it. The way he looked at her was exactly how a man should always look at a woman—with lust, adoration, and promises of many wicked things.

  I want him to do all the wicked things to me.

  “Beautiful,” he murmured, stepping between her legs and resting his hands against her naked sides. “God, Aggie. It should be against the law to be so beautiful.”

  Why, oh why, did he have to say such things?

  She did feel beautiful when he said stuff like that, and it only made it easier to fall for him.

  This is so dangerous, she thought. His lips found hers with ease, and it was hard to concentrate as the taste of his mouth began overriding her ability to think.

  “Tell me what you want, Ags,” he whispered, letting the tip of his nose graze over her cheek. “I’ll do anything you want.”

  “I want...”

  Shit. It was impossible to form a proper thought when he kissed the side of her neck; it was the single most sensitive spot, just beneath her ear—she was a goner.

  “Tell me, beautiful. What do you want me to do?”

  “I...I...” Nope. The ability to think was gone.

  Adios, brain.

  “Do you want me to go down on you?” The heat of his breath fanned over her jaw. “I can...if you want.”

  Gods, why couldn’t she respond?

  His fingers inched beneath the waistband of her shorts and she leaned back, trying to give him easier access. She was aching for him—she needed him in the worst of ways. She’d take whatever he’d give her, too.

  “Damn, Aggie. I want to lick your—”

  I Don’t Feel Like Dancing by the Scissor Sisters
suddenly pierced the air and they both froze. With his mouth, slightly open, pressed against her collarbone, she closed her eyes and winced.

  That was Noah’s ringtone and they both knew it.

  Just as quickly as the heat had surrounded her, it vanished when Jeb pulled away and stared at her. The passion she’d witnessed in his eyes was gone, now replaced by something else.

  “You gonna get that?” He asked, his tone somewhat flat.

  It felt like someone dug a knife between her ribs when he spoke to her like that. She wasn’t used to him using that tone with her, not at all. But she supposed she had to understand.

  I’ve got a boyfriend, she thought. Sadness clouded her heart as she put her top back on and slipped off the tailgate. Her cheeks flushed and her ears burned as she reached into her pocket and fished her phone free.

  Staring at the screen, she contemplated ignoring the call. If she had good sense, she would.

  “Jeb, I...”

  When she lifted her gaze, it landed on his back. He was limping away from her, quite hurriedly. Though she knew where he was going, she didn’t dare chase after him.

  It would be a mistake to follow him, wouldn’t it?

  Sighing heavily, she hit the green button on her screen and headed to her car. The tears began to fall before she even got the door open, and forcing a quiet ‘hello’ with the lump in her throat was painful.

  I’m sorry.

  Chapter 8

  Jeb

  He was a damn idiot.

  It wasn’t an easy thing to admit, but after what had happened at the cemetery earlier that day, it was the only thing he could justify calling himself.

  How did I let the fact she has a boyfriend slip my mind?

  It was actually a lot easier than one would suspect. When he was with her, his mind usually went dumb and common sense flew out the window. The fact Noah existed at all became, well, non-existent.

  What made him feel worst of all was the fact he’d made her cheat on the guy—more than once.

  Sure, it was just kissing and touching and some incredibly amazing oral sex, but it was still cheating.

  She probably felt so guilty and like such a bad person...and it was his fault.