by Erin Bevan
A nice man would keep her warm in bed.
At least, that’s what he told himself as he crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep, his arms wrapped around her soft curves.
Chapter 5
Bobby Jo woke with a weight on her chest. Groggy, she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. An arm splayed across her torso, its hand just under her left breast. She quickly glanced over her shoulder.
I’m in bed with Jason?
Slowly, she slid his arm off, careful not to wake him. She peeked under the covers. No pants. Raising the sheets a little more, she saw he was in nothing but his tighty-whities. She quickly threw down the sheets, but curiosity got the best of her, and she lifted the cloth again to sneak another peek.
Holy crap!
Maybe her mother would be right in adding her name to the prayer list.
She tore off the blanket, found her clothes on the floor beside the bed, and raced to throw them on. The pounding in her head made the task more difficult. She tiptoed toward the door. A board creaked below her feet.
“Where are you going?” Jason croaked.
She jumped. “Umm...just to make some coffee.”
“I don’t drink coffee, and the kitchen is the other way. You were trying to sneak out, weren’t you?”
“No…umm…yes.” She turned toward him. He sat up on his elbows, the sheet falling to the tip of his underwear, the beginning of his happy trail showing. His pectoral muscles had a perfect roundness to them, one that made her wonder about other round parts of his anatomy. She couldn’t remember if she’d explored those parts during the night or not. “Did we…you know?”
“Honey, when we have sex, I promise you won’t have to ask.” A grin spread across his face. “Besides, puke breath doesn’t turn me on.”
Her back straightened. Puke breath? Vague memories of barfing all over some guy’s shoes came back to her.
“Now, you better get on back to the house. I’m sure Big Bill’s looking for you.”
She gripped the bedroom door handle and stopped; she didn’t know where the house was. “How do I get there from here?”
“Walk outside, and it’s the big white house in front of you. You can’t miss it.”
“Yeah, got it. Thanks.” She all but ran to the front door.
“Hey, Bobby Jo?” Jason hollered to her before she could open it.
She slowly turned. She could feel the temperature in her cheeks rise as she looked at him. “Yeah?”
He winked. “Did you enjoy your peek?”
A gasp escaped her throat. She turned and high-tailed it out of his house. She couldn’t believe he’d pretended to be asleep. He had some nerve.
Bobby Jo stalked across the yard, kicking up dust. His words played over in her mind, “...when we have sex...” He assumed they would. How dare he? She wasn’t some easy bimbo that got involved with just anybody.
Like she’d ever have sex with the likes of him, anyway.
Hell, who am I kidding?
From the moment she saw him at the airport, she’d wanted him. The thought of his arm wrapped around her all night sent a shiver down her spine. How close had they come? Had they kissed? Surely, she would remember.
She opened the large, red door to the farmhouse and peeked in. She couldn’t believe she was doing the walk of shame into her father’s best friend’s home. Thankfully, no one was near the door, and the hounds were nowhere in sight. Quietly, Bobby Jo skirted up the stairs and into the bathroom.
She wanted to kick herself for getting drunk last night. At least Jason hadn’t taken advantage of her, and with one look in the mirror she could see why. Mascara flakes gathered under her eyelashes, her eyeliner had smeared on top of her eyelids, and her hair was in a knot piled high on her head. Hoping to kill all traces of puke breath, she ran a toothbrush over her teeth and gargled a large swig of mouthwash.
Throwing off her clothes, they landed in a heap on the floor as she jumped into the shower and allowed the water to wash away her transgressions.
How was she going to face Jason for the rest of the week? She couldn’t believe she slept with her pants off, in nothing but her scanty underwear and shirt. Sure, they were adults, but sleeping with someone she just met wasn’t her style, and the fact she wanted to sleep with Jason so soon after meeting him scared her. Her desire had soared when she saw him almost naked.
She reached for the cold handle and turned it on full blast. The drop in temperature caused her to gasp, but did nothing to help get Jason off her mind. Somehow, she would. She had to.
Her and Mike were going back to Texas in a few days, and Jason would stay in Montana. Even if she wanted it to, a relationship couldn’t work. They lived too far apart. Besides, Jason got on her nerves. He acted like she couldn’t handle herself or a horse. Her lip quirked; she’d proved him wrong last night on that bull. Maybe now he would start listening to her.
“Ha. Like that would ever happen,” she said out loud and squirted a large portion of shampoo in her hand. She scrubbed her head vigorously, bits of skin crusting under her nails. Shampoo dripped into her eyes as she washed the soap away. She didn’t feel the sting of the soap for all the pent up frustration she felt toward Jason.
Bobby Jo turned off the water, wrapped a towel around her torso, and shivered as she pulled the shower curtain back. Her clean-scrubbed face stared back at her in the vanity mirror. She brushed the tangles out of her hair, and the faint memory of a small brunette that hung off Jason at the bar like he was her hero came back to her. Anger danced in her gut. Were brunettes his thing?
Like I care.
Bobby Jo opened the door a smidge and examined the hall to make sure the coast was clear. She padded across the floor into the bedroom Sara had made up for her. A cup of coffee and two pain relievers sat on her nightstand with a note.
I thought you might need these.
Meet me out at the barn when you’re ready. We have a lot of work to do today before the big ride tomorrow.
~Jason
Her heart fluttered a little. Maybe this was him being nice to her?
He was right about one thing. If they ever did have sex, she’d be sure to remember it. But, for her own sanity, she needed to make damn sure it never happened.
Chapter 6
Saturday had finally come and they’d been riding since sun up. Jason’s back and ass ached. All he wanted to do was sit with a big meal by a campfire. Another mile and he would get that chance.
He squinted at Bobby Jo. She was as far behind him as she could possibly get. He didn’t like the silent treatment she’d been handing him. She hadn’t been the same since yesterday morning when she’d left his house.
As much as he hated to admit it, he was starting to miss her banter.
Big Bill held up the rear of the ride. Jason didn’t like not being able to look out for her, but as long as his uncle was behind her keeping her out of harm’s way, he’d let her be.
Sara and her group of helpers had gone ahead and set up camp. Food was waiting for them by the time they rode in.
Stars speckled the gray sky, and the sun was setting on the horizon. Five white tents were set up. There were six riders. Someone was going to have to share, and it sure as hell wasn’t him.
Unless, of course, it was with Bobby Jo, then he might make an exception.
Big Bill dismounted his horse. “Tents are first come first serve, except for me and Bobby Jo, of course. The rest of you idiots can fight over who gets what.”
Jason walked over to Bobby Jo. “I don’t mind sharing a tent with you,” he whispered. “You know I can keep you real warm.”
“No thanks,” she said without even looking at him.
She unzipped her tent and went inside. He bent to lean his head in, but she zipped the door closed right in his face.
His little detour had given Trevor and Rick the chance to race to the two free tents, leaving him and Mike to camp together.
“Looks like it’s you and me.” Mike slapped J
ason on the back. “I’ll get our sleeping bags.”
The guys let out a bark of laughter in their tents. Jason let out a slow growl and grabbed for his antacid.
****
The next morning, they were up before the sun. This was the day Jason feared most—crossing around Dead Man’s Creek. They’d never had an accident the entire time he’d been doing the drives, and he sure as hell hoped today wasn’t going to be an exception.
They stopped for lunch before they crossed into the valley; Big Bill was insistent on giving the horses a break before they crossed the narrow path. Bobby Jo grabbed her lunch out of her pack and headed for a boulder to sit on. Jason plopped beside her.
“This is the part I was telling you about,” he said, opening his sandwich bag.
“Yeah?” Her tone was clipped. “Did you ever tell Mike?”
He bit into his sandwich. The white bread stuck to the roof of his mouth. He took a large swig of his water and swallowed. “No,” he replied with a shake of his head. “I never did. I let Big Bill handle that.”
“That’s funny, because Big Bill never said anything to me about it. I guess he thinks I can handle myself.” She turned toward him. “Why don’t you?” Her gaze shot daggers at him.
He bit back a smile. She was cute when she was mad. “I do think you can handle yourself. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”
“I thought Big Bill was the boss. Did I miss the memo?” She tossed her sandwich back in the bag and stood.
“Where are you going?” He pulled her back down. “Listen, I just want you to be careful out there, that’s all. That drop off is steep. I would hate for you or Quick Feet to get hurt. She’s my favorite horse, you know?”
“Now it all makes sense,” she muttered. “I’ll be sure to take care of your precious horse.” She stomped back to Quick Feet.
Damn woman.
****
Bobby Jo found it endearing that Jason loved Quick Feet. She could see why; the horse was gentle and had a sweet spirit. But if he was so sure she was going to screw up, then why didn’t he ride Quick Feet? His doubting of her abilities was making her doubt her abilities, and that just pissed her off more. She’d been on a horse since she could walk. Riding was second nature to her.
When it was time to cross the ravine, Bobby Jo saw firsthand what Jason had been trying to warn her about. The path was narrow. To her right was a mountainside, to her left, a deep drop off into Dead Man’s Creek only leaving them a walkway less than two feet wide. As long as she could keep Quick Feet and the surrounding horses at a trot, they should be okay.
She looked to Jason beside her. His eyes were downcast, his lips tight. Worry lines creased his forehead. He turned and stared at her. For a moment, she thought he was worried about her, before his gaze landed on the mare.
He’s only concerned for his horse.
Jason motioned for her to take the lead. Quick Feet was slow and controlled as they began to make their way down the narrow passage. Bobby Jo’s knuckles were white as she held onto the reins. She loosened her grip and released the tension from her body, not wanting her mount to frighten from her tensed posture. A few rocks skidded down the ravine into the rapidly moving waters below. Bobby Jo whispered encouraging words to Quick Feet. The horse never flinched.
A view of the passage widening was short ahead. Tension in her shoulders that she didn’t know she had slowly eased away.
They’d almost made it through the toughest part when a loud crack came from overhead and a dead tree limb tumbled down the mountain. The thud caused the horses to stop. Bobby Jo peered up. The limb flopped and skidded before it collided with a group of rocks, banging loose a boulder the size of her. Loose pebbles rained down on them from the mountain as the boulder and limb flew over her and splashed into the water. A colt whinnied and rushed ahead, knocking her and Quick Feet to the left. The mare lost her balance and started sliding down the ravine.
Bile rose in her throat; her heart hammered against her chest as adrenaline kicked in. Bobby Jo jumped sideways off her horse, keeping the reins in her hands. Stumbling up the rocky slope, she pulled leather with her. Her pulse pounded in her ears. She heard faint voices in the distance, but couldn’t make out the words. She tried to cry for help, but no words came out as if her mouth were paralyzed. The toe of her boot caught on a ridge between two rocks, and she slammed her knee on the embankment. Quick Feet reared her front legs out of fear. Bobby Jo gripped the reins with all her might, determined not to lose the horse or her life to the rushing waters below.
A hand flew in front of her face and she grabbed hold. Jason’s rough, calloused palm dragged her up the embankment as Quick Feet’s back hooves skidded and slid down the slope. The horse whinnied and snorted as she tried to maintain her balance. Mike and Trevor crawled down the slope and pushed the mare’s hindquarters up the hill as she and Jason pulled from the front.
The whole incident lasted less than a minute.
When her feet were firmly placed on the path, she bent over, hands to her knees. She swallowed the acid bile to keep herself from throwing up.
Big Bill rushed to her side. “Are you all right?” He scanned her over, looking for injuries. Her knee ached, but there was no blood.
“I’m fine,” she stood and ran a shaky hand through her hair.
“How’s Quick Feet?” Big Bill asked Jason.
He petted the horse, soothing her as he looked the mare over. “She appears to be fine.”
“Good. Great job, everybody. Let’s get moving.” The big man walked back to his horse.
Bobby Jo’s whole body shook as she took the reins from Jason.
“I can’t stop shaking,” she whispered. Her voice trembled.
Jason pulled her to his chest. “It’s the adrenaline. You’re all right,” he said as he nuzzled his head in her hair.
He pulled her so tight she could hardly breathe. When she did, all she could smell was his musky scent surrounding her, as his calloused touch comforted. She burrowed into his shoulder as a new sensation overcame her, the desire to be his, and the reality she knew it could never be.
Bobby Jo wrapped her arms tighter and hung on.
Chapter 7
Bobby Jo sat alone by the campfire. The orange and red glow from the flames danced across her face. She looked cold, and Jason imagined Texas weather was a bit warmer than the rough fall and winter months in Montana. He took his plate, a blanket, an ice pack and some tape and sat down beside her.
“Hey,” she whispered, barely making eye contact.
“Hey, yourself.” He held out the cover to her.
“Thanks,” she muttered. She set her plate down on the ground and wrapped the blanket around her arms.
“Let me see your leg.”
“I’m fine.”
“I saw how hard you fell. Now, let me see your leg.”
Begrudgingly, she placed her leg in his lap. He rolled the denim past her knee. Her skin was swollen black and blue from knee to shin.
“You want to talk about what happened earlier?” He placed the pack on her knee.
She winced. “Not particularly,” she said between clenched teeth.
“You’ve pretty much ignored me since yesterday. Why?” He wrapped tape around the pack and her leg.
She didn’t say anything.
“You know nothing happened the other night, right?” Jason whispered. He rolled her pant leg as far over the pack as he could.
Bobby Jo placed her foot back on the ground and stared into the fire. “I know.” She avoided eye contact.
“Then what the hell’s the problem? You haven’t spoken to me in nearly two days.” He threw the tape down on the log beside him. “Do you know how bad you scared me today?”
“I told you I could handle myself, and Quick Feet is fine. Nothing happened to your horse.”
“You think I was only worried about Quick Feet?” When she didn’t answer, he placed his hands on her shoulders and whipped her toward him. “Answe
r me.”
“Isn’t that what all the warnings were about? To make sure I took care of your favorite horse?”
Jason ran his hand through his hair. “No, you crazy woman, they were to make sure you took care of the both of you, in case I couldn’t.”
The confidence in her blue eyes wavered. Her gaze met his for a second then faltered. “What if I wanted something to happen? What does that say about me?”
“What?” He was lost. “You wanted something to happen to you?”
“No. What if I wanted something to happen the other night between us? What does that say about me?” She bit her bottom lip.
“It says you’re not immune to my charm. Most women aren’t, you know?” He smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
“You don’t get it.” She shook her head. “Please, just leave me alone.” She stood and stomped off.
Shit.
Later that night, when he was certain everyone was asleep, he tip-toed over to her tent and climbed in. “Bobby Jo, wake up.”
“I’m awake.” She sat up, her flannel nightgown skimming the tops of her thighs. The swelling around her knee had subsided.
He grabbed an extra blanket and wrapped it around her. “Come with me.”
He took her hand and led her out into the field, using the stars as his guide. She was shivering again, and he wrapped his arms around her. The tension in her body eased, and she fell into him.
“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings earlier. What was that all about? What don’t I understand?”
She pulled away from him. The moon reflected off her face, dancing across her creamy skin. Her blue eyes glistened as her shoulders shook.
He put a hand under her chin and raised her face to his. “Hey, what’s all this about?” he asked as a teardrop fell onto his hand.
“I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.
“About what?” He wrapped her in another hug. “You had a rough day on the trail. Everyone does from time to time.”
“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about us,” she said into his chest. “I don’t do flings, and I can’t seem to stop thinking about you. I thought if I kept my distance on the ride it would help, but it only seems to have made things worse. And then today, for a minute, I thought I might die, and I was scared. Not about dying, but about not getting the chance to see how things worked out with you.” She glanced up at him. “I’ve never had feelings like this before for anyone so fast. I don’t know what to do.”