by Kenzie Rose
***
Why is the room so dark? It took me a minute to figure out where I was and then I moved and it all came back to me. This has to be the worst idea I have ever had. There is no way she wants to come back to Nashville with me. I slowly get up and use the restroom before putting a pair of gym shorts on and slowly walking to the door. I realize the house is dark but there is a light coming from under the door next to mine. I knock on the door and she opens it, in a pair of skimpy shorts and a tank top, and she isn’t wearing a bra. Her nipples are tight against the fabric. Damn. I try again to will my erection into submission, she isn’t the kind of girl that I would just sleep with and then leave, and I’m not the commitment type.
“Hi, umm how long have I been asleep?”
She licks her lips and smiles. “About four hours. I saved you some dinner. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Do you feel like you can sit at the table or do you want me to bring it back into your room so you can lay back down.” She walked into the kitchen and I stood there for a moment and watched her walk down the hall. I had to adjust myself. I looked down and told my erection to behave.
“Are you coming?” She turned and asked. Oh there is so much I could say.
“Yep.” I walked slowly into the kitchen and sat at the bar. I don’t remember my ribs hurting this bad the last time this happened. But, the last time I was in the hospital and heavily sedated for a week.
“I hope chicken sandwiches are all right.” she placed the plate in front of me with potato salad and a pickle. I looked up at her and smiled. “I would offer you a beer but my mom said no alcohol with the pain medications.” I touched her hand and felt it again. It felt like an electric shock.
“This is fine, thank you, for dinner and for letting me stay here when you didn’t have to. I know I showed up out of the blue and my reasons were something I’m not proud of.” She sat a bottle of water in front of me and stood across from me. Arms crossed protectively over her chest.
“Why did you really come here?” She asked as she watched me.
“Truthfully part of me thought I could convince you to come back with me and record a demo because you are that good. But another part of me just wanted to see you again.” I took a bite of my sandwich. Damn this is good.
“Even after I told you in the studio that I didn’t want to be a singer? You still thought you could talk me into it?” She looked at me, and I couldn’t tell if she was mad or annoyed.
“Look, I have been in this business for years and I see something in you. I also see that you’re different. You don’t even seem to care about making it big.” I looked into her eyes and noticed she looked sad. “Hey, what’s wrong, did I say something to upset you? I didn’t mean to, I was just trying to apologize.”
“It’s not you, really.” she took a breath. “So, you said you wanted to see me again? After only a few hours together?”
“I sat and looked at your CD for days before making the choice to jump on a plane, fly to Texas, and drive to the middle of nowhere. Only to have a cow run out in front of me and then run me into a tree. Up until the cow, I thought it was a good idea.” Her face lit up as she laughed. Wow, her eyes sparkle when she laughs.
“You did? Why?” She really has no idea.
“Because I wanted to get to know you and I couldn’t concentrate on work because you were all I thought about.”
“You only met me for a few hours, how could you know in that short of time?” She licked her lips and the sight of it went right to my already hard cock.
“Truthfully? I have no idea, but the thought of never seeing you again really wasn’t something I wanted to experience so I found someone to work for me for a week and I came here.” She got really quiet but her cheeks turned rosey red. I took another bit of my sandwich and watched her.
“Did I shock you?”
“Umm yeah.” She turned and put her glass in the sink.
“Why? Haven’t you done anything impulsive before?” It’s not something I normally do but that doesn’t mean I don’t want something like what my brother has. Wait, what am I thinking? Where did that come from?
“Not willingly. Singing in front of you was the only impulsive thing I have ever done.” She shrugged and took my plate to the sink. I think I need to change the subject.
“Did I thank you for letting me stay here?” I got up to throw my water bottle away and gingerly stood against the counter. My ribs were killing me but I didn’t want to take another pill yet. I don’t want to sleep and miss any chance of getting to know her better.
“No, I think it was my mother you thanked when she said you could stay with them.”
I walked over to her and cupped her cheek in my hand, brushing her smooth skin with my thumb. “Thank you, I really didn’t want to stay in a hotel for a week or longer.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek, a fleeting kiss, softly. I felt the sting as soon as my lips touched her skin. I pulled back and looked into her eyes and saw a single gold fleck in the sea of chocolate that was wide with shock. I removed my hand and leaned back against the counter. Just watching her.
“Umm you’re welcome. I umm don’t want to sound rude but I need to get up early tomorrow, so I umm need to go to bed. Feel free to make yourself at home. I’ll um see you in the morning.” She backed out of the room and disappeared down the hall. I smiled and thought about the look on her face after I kissed her cheek. What would she look like after I kiss her lips? I can’t wait to find out.
Chapter Eight
Kennedy—Mason TX.
I STOOD WITH MY BACK against the door and touched my cheek with my finger. I felt the familiar shock run down my spine. That has never happened before. His admission that he wanted to see me again has shocked me. When I saw him in Nashville and stood next to him I wanted to lean into him, but I stopped myself because I have never felt anything like that from someone I just met, especially a guy. I heard his door close and I let out the breath I was holding and walked over to the bed. I climbed in and just laid there, starring at the ceiling. Maybe I should have let him stay at Mom and Dad’s house, Wait. No. He came here to see me. I wonder if he was being truthful because he also came here to try and talk me into going back to Nashville to sing, and that isn’t happening. I know I need to tell him why but I am not ready to share that with him yet.
I roll over and look out the window. I see the moon casting a beautiful glow over the pasture that my horses graze in during the day. I felt like going out there with a blanket and looking at the stars to try and think this through but I really need to sleep. Jeff is coming back over tomorrow to help me with a new mare we bought last week. She needs some training and Jeff is good at that. Also, I need to decide if I want to breed her or not. She would make a great race horse but do I want to get into that? I’ll talk to Jeff about it. I know I have all of this to do tomorrow but all I can think about is the sexy guy sleeping in the bedroom next to me.
I tossed and turned all night and when it seemed like I finally went to sleep, the alarm goes off. I wanted to throw the damn thing across the room but I don’t. Instead I get up and quietly make my way into the kitchen to start the coffee but I am stopped dead in my tracks by the guy sitting at the bar, bare chested and sexy as hell. He has a tattoo which I didn’t see before. He’s drinking coffee and reading the paper. I lick my lips that have suddenly gone dry. I am so screwed.
Jeremy looked up and smiled. He had on wire rimmed glasses with morning stubble on his face. I could see the tape over his ribs and the bruising across his chest. It’s look’s so painful. His face was still red and I could see the abrasions but it’s not as bad as yesterday.
“Good morning, how are you feeling?” I force my feet to move towards the coffee pot. I look down and realize I’m still in my pajamas and bare feet. I really should have put a robe on or sweats but he’s already seen me. “How did you sleep?”
“Not much.” sounds familiar. “Couldn’t get comfortable.”
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep much either.” Why the hell did I tell him that? I look up over my coffee cup and he’s smirking at me. Does he have any idea what he is doing to me? “I was up late thinking about all that I need to do today.”
“Do you mind if I tag along?” He asks me.
Is he crazy? “You need to stay down and rest.”
“I just want to watch and see what you do here.” He smiles.
“Alright but only if you promise to not over do it.”
“So what do you have to do today? Feed the horses, do paperwork?” He really has no idea what I do.
“Umm No, I have a neighbor coming over to help me with a new mare that I can’t seem to train. Plus, I need to clean out the stalls and feed and brush the horses. One of the horses might need new shoes so I need to check that too.” He just stared at me, mouth wide opened. “And if I have time, I need to give Rufus a bath.”
“You do all of that by yourself?”
“Yep, this is my ranch. Has been for about three years, I inherited it when I turned twenty-five.” I turned to fill up my coffee cup and I heard the front door open.
“Hey Sweet’s, where are you?” Ari Johnson, my neighbor yelled as she walked into the kitchen with her mouth suddenly wide open and a smile forming on her face. “Hells Bells girl, are you keeping something from us?” she asked as she stood there staring at Jeremy. I rushed over and grabbed her by the hand and dragged her through the living room out to the front porch.
“Be quiet Ari, he’s just a friend. Well kind of.” She pulled me down onto the steps and looked at me.
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph don’t hold back now. That is one hot shirtless guy in your kitchen and that tattoo is something else.” She said. I rolled my eyes, Arianna has a way with words.
“It’s a long story Ari, let me just say I met him in Nashville when I won a chance to record some songs at the studio he works at. I never picked the CD up so he came down here to give it to me.”
“Holy Hell, Kennedy. He came all the way to Mason Texas from Nashville just to give you a CD and now he’s staying in your house?”
“Well he was kind of in an accident on the way here and didn’t have anywhere to go. I didn’t think he should stay with my parents so I’m letting him stay with me until he can get a new rental car and he’s able to go home. That’s all there is to tell, Ari.” She just looked at me.
“Are you serious? You have a hot guy staying with you and you aren’t doing anything at all? Girl, trust me if I wasn’t married to my own hot cowboy I wouldn’t think twice about jumping him.” That made me laugh, she always knows what to say to bring a smile to my face.
“Ari, he lives in Nashville where he has a job and a life. I don’t want to start something with him and then have him go back to Nashville, leaving me with a broken heart. Been there, done that. That’s why I’ve been focusing on the horses and the ranch. I am tired of my heart being broken.” I looked out at the barn, not wanting to think of the guys that have hurt me.”
“Sweets, do you know how many times Jeff was an asshole and broke my heart before we got it right. Too many to count, you will eventually have to take a chance or be alone and miss out on so much.” She gave me a hug, holding on tight. “Take the chance, he must like you or he wouldn’t have made the trip from Nashville just to see you.”
“He said he wants to get to know me, but I’m scared.”
“Scared is good. It means that you actually might feel something for him.” She looked at me with that all knowing look of her’s. “As the great Katharine Hepburn says. Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get. Only with what you are expecting to give, which is everything.”
“Have you been watching Katherine Hepburn movies again with your mom?” I shook my head.
“I have watched so many of her movies I can probably quote them in my sleep and yes we were over at my parents house, while Jeff and my dad watched the game my mom insisted on watching a movie while the kids played.”
“So, did you have a reason for coming over so early this morning or did you just want to be nosey because I’m sure everyone in town knows that a stranger is staying in my house?” I asked. Trying to change the subject.
She winked at me, I knew it. “Oh right, Jeff will be over in about an hour to help you with the horse. He had to go help Gunner fix some fencing. They seem to have lost a couple of cattle.”
“I know! One of the escaping cows ran across the road in front of Jeremy, that’s what caused him to swerve and hit the tree.”
“Holy crap, seriously? Is he alright? I’ll let Gunner know.” She said as she started to get up.
“My dad called Garrett yesterday while we were at my mom’s office. He’s got bruised ribs and abrasions on his face from the impact of the airbag. Mom said he will be fine. He just needs to rest.” I said as I wrapped my arms around my knees.
“I’m glad he’s alright and remember what I said.” She winked and jumped in her Red Jeep. I watched her drive away and sat there for a while, thinking about what Ari said. About taking a chance. Can I do that? Can I open my heart again? I would like to but I am not sure I can.
Chapter Nine
Jeremy—Mason TX.
I COULD HEAR KENNEDY AND her friend laughing outside. I looked up and saw her standing outside staring at me. She looked shocked and then something else. She looked so adorable in her shorts and tank top from last night. I could see her nipples through the fabric again and the shorts are just short enough that I can see her cute ass. Just as I was about to slowly go back to my room to put on a shirt, she walked in the house. I would love to know what they talked about because I know that I’m a big topic of conversation in this town. Her friend acted like seeing a guy in her house was something that’s unusual, something that I am strangely alright with.
“So who was your friend?” I try to ask casually.
“Oh sorry, that’s Ari Johnson. She and her husband live next door with their two adorable kids and raise horses. Her husband Jeff is going to come and help me with a new horse. He has a couple of Broodmares that I have been trying to mate with my mare’s.” I must have looked at her like she was speaking a different language because she laughed. “I am trying to breed my female horses with his male horses., you know, use them as studs. Don’t worry, you are just supposed to rest. I do this all the time.” she walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “I’m going to fix some scrambled eggs and bacon. Do you want some?”
“That would be great, thank you.” I turned back around and sat, transfixed as she made her way around the kitchen. I could tell she knew her way around the room as she cracked the egg and whisked them while frying the bacon. Since I can’t cook, I think even the simplest of things that she does are fun to watch. “So, do you like to cook?” I ask, suddenly wanting to know everything I can about her.
“I do, my Nana taught me several of the family recipes and on Sundays everyone comes here for supper.” She set a plate in front of me and then sat down next to me. I took a bite of the eggs.
“This is really good.” I said. “I don’t use my kitchen much in my loft. I either microwave everything or eat out. I can make coffee and that’s about it.” she bumped my shoulder.
“Well I guess I can teach you a few tricks in the kitchen.” I choked on my coffee. “Are you alright?” I held onto my ribs, damn that hurt.
“Umm yeah, but I can’t laugh yet. Damnit that hurt.” I took a couple of breaths and then looked at her.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing, just trying to figure you out. One moment you don’t want me here and the next you’re offering to teach me how to cook.” I watched her as she tried to figure out what to say.
“I’m not good at this.” He looked down and sighed.
“Good at what?”
“Trusting guys, letting them get close to me. I don’t think my heart can do this again, I seriously think that it’s been broken too many times.” she
looked at me, her eyes shining with tears. “That’s why I concentrate on the ranch. At least I know that the horses won’t break my heart.” She started to get up but I placed my hand on her arm to stop her. I felt the shock roll through me.
“Kennedy, I am not here to break your heart and I do really want to get to know you.”
“You live in Nashville, that’s where your life is. You have a job and a life there and my life is here. So why start something that is only going to leave us both with a broken heart.” She took her plate and placed it in the dishwasher, then walked back to her room. I heard the door shut and I just sat there, stunned. I should pack up and leave. I didn’t come here looking for a relationship. I came here to try and get her to record a real demo. She said no. So I should leave and just let her get on with her life. But as I slowly got up to put my plate in the dishwasher and clean up the kitchen, I knew that wouldn’t happen, She is under my skin, her smile, her touch. I slowly walk to the front door and look out over the front yard and then right to where the barn is. I never liked getting dirty and I have never been on a horse until yesterday. I always wanted to be inside working on the computer and playing music. I shook my head, am I willing to change for her? Hell, we haven’t even kissed yet but right now, at this very moment I think that I might want to. Something tells me she is worth it.
After carefully taking a shower and getting dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I make my way outside to the barn where I find her brushing the horses. She’s talking to them while she works so I stand back and just watch. You can see the love that she has for the horses as she brushes them. I watch as she checks their hooves and I’m assuming the shoes. I found a stool to sit on and watched as she went from horse to horse brushing and checking on them. Rufus came running, putting his paws on my leg. I scratched behind his ear.
“Good boy, are you watching your mom?” I said as he wagged his tail. I looked up and Kennedy was watching us, biting her lip. I smiled at her and slowly got up and walked over to her. I removed her lip from between her teeth and rubbed it with my finger. “Don’t bite your lip, it’s too pretty to bruise.” She licked her lips where I had just touched. God I am dying to kiss her. I lean down and touch her lips with mine and I feel the jolt of electricity again. Damn.