Under Pressure

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Jewels sighed. “I’m afraid she’ll learn the hard way.”

  “Then that’s what’ll happen. I love her, but I can’t monitor her every move. So, for tonight, let’s have a little fun. We both deserve it.” Pearl held up her glass.

  Jewels clinked her glass with Pearl’s and finished the red liquid that settled hard in the pit of her stomach. The waitress brought another round for them, and usually she’d stop at one, but she’d go easy on the second.

  Mid-way through her drink, feeling braver with a slight buzz, and while Pearl danced, Jewels slipped from the chair. Determination stiffened her spine as she slipped into the space between Scrawny and Spark. “Hello, fellows.”

  Both men targeted her with a confused expression followed by one of shock. Hell, she was even a little stunned at her boldness.

  “Hello, ma’am.” Scrawny dipped his hat in greeting while Spark remained silent.

  “Please, Hank—or Scrawny—call me Jewels.” She corrected. Ma’am made her seem too much of a boss.

  Scrawny nodded. “Can I get you another drink? What are you having?”

  “Thanks, Scrawny. I’m drinking a Backdraft.” She glanced at Spark. He was staring at the neon sign above the liquor bottles lined up on the shelf.

  He leaned back into the chair and his arm brushed hers, the crisp dusting of hair against her skin sent a heated twister darting to the apex of her thighs.

  Jewels attempted to focus on the bartender when she approached.

  “What can I get you?”

  “I’ll take a whiskey,” Spark said. “And she’ll have a foo-foo drink—what’s it called again?” He lifted an antagonizing brow.

  Irritation spiraled through her. “I’ll take a whiskey too.”

  A grin played at the corner of his mouth. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Of course I am!” She wasted no time in answering.

  “I’ll take another beer,” Brunette said, looking at Jewels through a veil of mascaraed eyelashes.

  When the bartender returned with their drinks, Jewels took the tumbler, realizing she had three sets of eyes watching her. She had more pride than logic. Tossing back the entire contents, the liquid burned a path straight into her stomach. Biting back a need to cough, she set her glass down with a clang. What had she been thinking? She caught a glimpse of reverence in Spark’s expression. Had he believed her incapable?

  Seconds passed into minutes while the whiskey warmed her blood, washing away valuable inhibition. Her brain still functioned, but her worries numbed. She didn’t mind it one bit.

  Leaning closer to Spark, she laid a hand on his wrist and an electrical flicker spread between them. Did he feel the connection too? “How’s work?”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “Work’s good.” His throaty tone sent ripples of delight along her flesh.

  The brunette leaned closer. “Hi. I’m Candy.” She held out her hand to Jewels.

  Smiling, she placed her palm into Candy’s. The grip was firm and full of purpose. Apparently, buxom-Candy didn’t like the competition for Spark’s attention. “I’m Jewels.”

  “Nice to meet you Jewel,” Candy simpered.

  “So Spark, did you tell your friends how we met?” Jewels raised a brow.

  He blinked. “No, I haven’t.”

  “But it’s such a good story. Would you like me to do the honors?”

  “They aren’t interested.” His lips thinned.

  “You don’t like me much, do you Sparky?” She whined dramatically.

  Scrawny’s inhale of breath snapped the air. He pulled his hat lower on his forehead, shading his eyes. Spark met her with a narrowed gaze. “I like you just fine.”

  “Liar!” she chuckled.

  “I have no reason to not like you,” he muttered.

  “Of course you do. I tied you up and waxed your legs.”

  Candy’s gasp competed with the loud music. “Let me get this straight. You two have a thing?” Her glossy red lips thinned and her irritation was palpable.

  Spark pushed his full glass to the side. “No, never.”

  “Is that right? You don’t call what we shared something? It sure seemed special at the time.” She dropped her gaze to his zipper.

  He slid off the stool, gently grabbing her elbow and leaning close to her ear. “Come with me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you. Now get your hand off me.” She jerked away.

  “Yes you are!” He removed his hand, but wrapped his arm around her waist, which only made the warmth in her veins increase to an unbearable burn. She wanted to pull away, but if she stepped back from him she wasn’t sure her weak knees would hold her. “This way.”

  Without any further resistance, she allowed him to lead her into the hallway, down the shadowed corridor and past the restrooms. Once they were away from prying eyes, his gaze turned intense. “Look, lady, I don’t know what you’re trying to prove but maybe we should air our differences in private.”

  “I have no clue what you mean. I was only having a conversation with you.”

  “And you’re drunk!” he seethed.

  “I’m not drunk!” Hearing the slur to her words, she swallowed. “Okay, I could be slightly inebriated, but I know exactly what I’m doing and I’ll remember everything in the morning.”

  “That’s good, and I’ll accept a thank you for keeping you from being an ass tonight.”

  “An ass? Seriously? I’m just keeping you from the likes of a woman named Candy.” She took a step back and her back pressed the cold wall, leaning against it for support.

  “I don’t need your protection. And what I do, and who I do it with is my business. You acting as my boss only works from nine to five, sweetheart.” His gaze grew colder.

  “Then let me get out of your way so you and Candy-pants can get back to whatever it was you were doing.” She took a step and he caught her, gently pushing her to the wall. He stepped closer, planting his hands on either side of her head. She could smell whiskey and mint.

  “You are beginning to get on my last nerve.” He sighed heavily.

  “Is that right?” She dropped her hands to her hips.

  “Oh, yes.” He swirled a tendril of her hair around his finger, bringing it to his nose and inhaling. “Is that coconut?”

  Her throat tightened and her toes curled. “Yes.”

  “Nice.” He held her gaze—steady and warm. “I think you like driving me crazy.” He smirked.

  She gasped and heard a loud grumble in his chest. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  His eyes locked with hers. “Your words contradict your eyes, sweetheart.”

  “I’m not your sweetheart.” She huffed and blew out a breath as he leaned in, their noses brushed. “What are you doing?”

  “I want to do what your eyes are begging of me.”

  “Then by all means, step aside so that I can pass.”

  “Is that what you truly want” He dropped his hand to her collarbone and swept his thumb along the exposed skin. Desire jumped across her flesh. “Just admit it.”

  She couldn’t even be sure any longer. “You’re so full of yourself.”

  “I’ll admit, since we kissed the very first time I haven’t thought of anything but kissing you again.”

  Jewels noticed his pulse pounding in his neck, and his eyes turned darker. Smoothing her eyes downward, over broad chest and shiny belt buckle, she swept her gaze across the noticeable bulge behind his zipper. If she didn’t see the proof for herself she’d believe he was only teasing her with his words.

  Rolling her tongue across her lips, she inhaled his scent—loving the rich, soap-scented maleness. “I have thought about the kiss.” The divulgence slipped from her like warm honey.

  “I thought so.”

  Would he kiss her?

  She leaned in, ready and willing.

  He took a step back and cool air slipped between them. “Too bad you’re drunk or I’d like to see where this would lead.”

 
His words shattered her back to cold reality. She clenched her hands into fists as annoyance sizzled through her. “You—you did this on purpose.”

  “What?” Brows curved over piercing pale eyes. “Made you admit that you want me to touch you?” He was gorgeous. And it drove her mad!

  And she didn’t need to be fucking noticing.

  Without another word, she stomped past him.

  Chapter Seven

  SPARK DIDN’T FEEL like he owed Jewels an apology, but when he walked into the barn and found her removing the saddle from her mare, truth jolted through him and nestled like a weight in his gut. He had lured her in at the bar just so he could pull himself away. Sure, she deserved to be proved a point, but he didn’t dislike her. In fact, against better judgment, he liked her—more than he should.

  The ranch was quiet because the hands were off for the weekend. He’d agreed to work because—well—he had nothing better to do. He could have a conversation with Jewels without anyone hearing.

  When he approached, she shot him a glance over her shoulder. Pure anger dappled his skin from the invisible laser. “Still angry?” he asked.

  “Why would I be angry?” She put the horse back into the stall and locked the gate.

  “You were last night.” He pulled off his hat and held it.

  She started to walk toward the exit, but then she turned back to him. Her cheeks were a pale pink and her lips were thin. “I think it’s best if you and I stay far away from each other. I’ve apologized for the incident at the motel, but I guess we just got off on the wrong foot.”

  “It was more than a misunderstanding as you would make it seem. You tied me up and tortured me.”

  “Tortured? That’s a little extreme, isn’t it?” One brow curved.

  “Have you ever waxed?” His eyes automatically dropped to the apex of her thighs. Her gasp brought his gaze back to safe ground.

  “I have.”

  “Then you don’t think it was torture?”

  “Okay. Again, I was wrong.” She pushed her fingers through her windblown hair.

  “But I’m no longer angry—not really. Hell, I can’t fault you for having your sister’s back. I’d do the same for one of my brothers.” He twisted his hat in his hands. He wasn’t sure why his nerves were a wreck.

  Her jaw worked. “And I’m sorry for last night. I hope I didn’t spoil anything between you and that woman. I think her name was Candy.”

  “There was nothing to spoil.” The slight rolling of her eyes told him she didn’t believe a word he said. “Do you think I like one night stands?” He shouldn’t care one speck what she thought, but a part of him did—a big part of him.

  “I don’t know what you do in your spare time. It’s none of my business. Remember, I’m only your boss from nine to five.”

  Her tone dripped of sarcasm. “Yeah, I guess so. But it’s time you lost the bad impression you have of me. I may have rough edges, but all in all, I’m a good guy.”

  “Your reputation precedes you, Spark. From what I hear, you were a favorite among the buckle bunnies.”

  He sighed. “Everyone has a past, sweetheart. That includes you.”

  She blinked. “Is that right? Please, enlighten me. What in my past still haunts me?”

  “I hear you like men with a thick wallet.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Does it matter? If it’s true…”

  He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, her breasts pushing against the thin tank top—the swell of her hard nipples outlined underneath the material. She was beautiful and he stared like a kid in a candy store.

  But he couldn’t follow his desire, not with her. He knew her type and she had money symbols for irises.

  “I have nothing to prove.” She lifted her chin in a defiant angle.

  Just when he thought she’d walk away, and a big chunk of him hoped she would because they needed the distance, instead she surprised him and glided toward him, stopping toe-to-toe. Her gaze held an emotion he couldn’t decode.

  “But I’m not who you think I am.” Her soft voice rippled across his skin.

  “Yeah? Then who are you?” He inhaled sweetness and leather, his senses flooded while his restraint crumbled.

  “I can’t answer that, but I do know I’m not a cold, stuck up daddy’s girl. Just because my dad and mom named their girls like they did, doesn’t mean we’re pompous.”

  He winced. “You into snooping? That was a private conversation.”

  “When you and Scrawny are talking where anyone can hear, well, that someone could just be me.” Her bottom lip slightly puckered, making him want to kiss her even more.

  He couldn’t deny that he’d said some pretty harsh things. “I’m sorry but after you let it slip last night that you and I knew each other before I came to work here, and insinuated we were involved, I had to persuade Scrawny that there’s nothing going on. I trust the guy with my life, but I know you want to keep your reputation spotless.”

  Surprise lit her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “But in all truthfulness, you can’t deny you have an aloof air about you. And I’ve seen a pompous side too.”

  The area between her eyes scrunched. “That was an ass thing to say.”

  “Come on, Jewels, can you really believe you don’t carry around a chip on your shoulder? When was the last time you spoke to one of the hands? Just to ask how their day was?” Seeing her confusion, he chuckled. “There you have it. You put yourself above them, at least that’s the impression they get.” Fire lit her expression and if she thought he would falter, whether he was a hand or not, she had another thing coming.

  “Thank you for that bit of awareness. Seeing that you’ve been here for…what…two weeks is it? I guess you’ve become the spokesperson for the employees.” She moved back to the door.

  He shoved his hand through his hair. “Damn, I’m only trying to pave the potholes and it appears I’m making things more complicated.”

  She wrapped her arms over her chest. “Could have fooled me. Your stunt at the bar last night sure looked like someone who was creating craters instead of fixing potholes. You must have been as pleased as punch after you jilted me.”

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “I didn’t jilt you. I meant every word I said.” His gaze automatically dropped to her lips. “But you were drunk, therefore, off limits—doubly so because you’re the boss’s daughter. It’s okay that you loosened up though and finally let someone see a glimpse of who you are. Too bad it took a shot of whiskey to inspire the change.”

  “Wow, thank you for your candor.”

  “Any time.” He winked.

  “Just for theory’s sake, what if I wasn’t the boss’s daughter?” One brow curved, teasing him, he knew.

  He waved a hand. “Then I’d most certainly follow my desire, and I think you’d let me.”

  “And what desire is that?” Her voice trembled.

  “This is dangerous, Jewels.” He was going to go bat crazy.

  She took the space between them in two quick strides, placed her palms against his chest and gave him a slight push. His shoulders touched the wood of the stall, shock bustling through him. The mare whinnied and stomped the ground, as if she could sense the electricity in the air.

  “To hell with propriety.” The words fell from her lips.

  A second later, she was on tiptoe and her mouth crushed his. Her tongue slipped past his lips, rubbing and rolling with his tongue.

  She pulled back, breathless and eyes glinting. Her face flushed. “Damn,” he whispered.

  “Wow, breaking the rules does feel good.”

  “I’m glad I could be of assistance.” He swallowed.

  With a disgruntled moan, she met his gaze. “Why do I want you when I know it’s wrong?”

  He swept the back of his fingers along the smooth curve of her jawline. He could spend all day exploring her and he doubted he’d get his fill. “Probably for the same reason I want you when I know it
’d be the end of me.”

  “The end of you?”

  “At least the end of this job.” His throat ached.

  ~°°°~

  Jewels had never felt more alive than when she was close to Spark. He did something to her that she couldn’t quite explain.

  Her body longed for his touch—and more kisses. “You can be with any woman you want, I’m sure. One who could ease your need without costing you your job.”

  His gaze narrowed. “Is that what you think I’m looking for? Just any piece of ass?”

  She could lose herself in the pools of his gaze. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “It sure the hell sounded like it.”

  “I meant, why risk everything to be with me?” She stared at him, anticipating what his answer would be.

  “The only way to get to heaven is through death, and I’d easily walk down that path to get a sample of you.”

  She started to laugh but swallowed it. The sincerity in his eyes dug a hole deep into her soul. She no longer wanted to fight the desire or urge.

  His words slipped a sleeping pill over her resistance.

  Without debating the rationality of their union, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the back of the barn, into the shadows where they could be alone.

  “Something urgent, sweetheart?” Thick brows curved above curious expression.

  “Yes, something very urgent.” She pushed him against the wall and slid her hands along his broad chest, locking her gaze with his questioning one. “Before I think this through, I’m going to kiss you again.”

  Standing on tiptoe, she lifted her lips to his, running her tongue along the curve of his bottom lip. A moan escaped his throat and his mouth parted. She slipped her tongue in and tasted him. His fingers dug into her arm, his thumb caressed the inside of her elbow and charged her bloodstream with need.

  Electricity slithered along her flesh, stopping at her breasts and perking her nipples into tight beads. They became increasingly swollen and sensitive.

  He lifted his chin, staring down at her, turning her into a molten puddle of quivering warmth. Lord help her. He made her feel things she hadn’t felt in years—if ever.