by Jane Jamison
No, that’s not right.
She tried again.
It’s like an electric eel swimming from one end of me to the other. No. Wrong again.
Like I put my finger into a light socket and got shocked.
Closer, but still not right.
Nothing about it made sense. Was it just an attraction thing? And yet, she’d been attracted to other men before. Nothing, but nothing had felt the way this did. She tried to think of how best to describe it, how to put it into actual words, but her mind was too tired to function. Even at her best, she doubted she could do it justice. It was more difficult than trying to describe the sound of a baby’s laughter or the exact colors of the sun setting on the water. There were simply too many nuances to it to pin it down with mere language.
The best she could do was to accept it, letting it course through her body, tingling through her poor, tired nerve endings and making her pussy feel like it could get up and dance all on its own.
She smiled, deciding she didn’t have to know how to describe it to enjoy it. She dreamed about the feeling often enough, but dreams were a poor substitute for reality.
How had she run into him again? The chances of their meeting again were so astronomical that she wouldn’t even try to guess the odds. So many questions came to mind, most specifically if the other cowboy was nearby. But each time she started to ask, she held back.
She’d trusted Frank and look where that had gotten her. No matter how she felt around Braden, it didn’t mean she could trust him. Maybe if she’d met him again in some other way. And not after a night spent out in the pastures of who-knew-where. With her nerves as frayed as they were, she couldn’t trust that her mind was thinking clearly. To be safe, she’d remain silent.
“Kylie, you still all right?”
She liked how he kept asking her the same thing. Maybe because it showed he cared. Or maybe she simply liked hearing his voice. Did it matter?
“I’m fine.” Her eyelids drooped. Then with a jolt, she awakened. Had she almost fallen off?
“Don’t be afraid to hold on tighter.”
“Okay.”
They rode a while more in silence. Even without speaking, she felt comfortable with him. As though she’d known him her entire life.
“So you’re from Austin?”
“No. Wichita. I was there for the bachelorette party.”
“No wonder I couldn’t find you.”
He’d looked for her? Nothing in a long time had made her feel so wonderful. “Do you live around here?” She remembered him saying something about a ranch as soon as she’d asked the question.
“Yeah. My half brother and I own a ranch not far from here. Which is why I offered to take you there.”
“Was he the other guy at the bar?” They’d been brothers. But was he the same one?
“Yeah. His name is Heath.”
“You don’t look alike.”
He glanced back over his shoulder and seemed happy that she remembered. “He took after his father and I took after our mother.”
“I see.”
“So tell me, Kylie, what do you do when you’re not missing busses?”
He had a nice chuckle, one she could feel rumbling in his chest even from the other side of him. “I’m a teacher.” At least, she used to be a teacher. As soon as the school figured out she was missing, they’d find a substitute to take her place.
“What do you teach?”
“Fourth grade.”
“That’s a cool age. The kids are old enough to really get into things, but not too old to get into too much trouble. Am I right?”
“Right.” It’s their teacher who’s in trouble.
“So is school on break in Kansas? Not that I’m complaining about your being here, but shouldn’t you be teaching?”
“Um, yes, we’re on break.”
“I see. That and it’s Saturday.”
She tensed, expecting him to call her the liar that she was. After a few moments, however, she relaxed. Was it Saturday? Yesterday seemed so long ago. “Uh-huh.”
“We’re here.”
She lifted her head away from his back. “This isn’t a town.” It was an obvious statement, but as tired as she was, it was the only thing she could think of.
The brick house reminded her of her grandfather’s house back in Wichita before he’d passed away and the house had been sold to pay his debts. Red brick with wooden shutters and a narrow pathway that led straight to the front door. But her grandfather’s home wasn’t sitting in a wide-open space surrounded by pastures. A small gray barn was several yards away and looked like it had seen better days with the paint peeling away.
He pulled the horse to a stop. “Yeah, I know. This is my home. Heath’s and mine.
She pushed against him and would’ve fallen off the back of the horse if he hadn’t snagged her by the arm on her way down. Instead, her feet hit the ground first. She stumbled back, fear racing into her. “You told me you were taking me to Twisted.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I didn’t lie. At least not when I said I’d take you into town.”
“Just later, huh? Once I was on your horse and didn’t know any better?” She took another couple of steps away. Why had she trusted him? Because he was handsome and sexy? Because she felt the strange sensations with him?
“Again, I didn’t mean to lie. First off, riding double isn’t good on a horse’s back. Secondly, my house was closer than town. If you’ll calm down, you’ll realize I made the right choice.” He dismounted.
“You lied.” She turned on her heel and headed toward the road. Trusting him had been a mistake. One she wouldn’t make again.
He grabbed her again and whirled her around. “Look, I’m sorry.”
“Let me go.”
He turned her loose, but kept right in step with her as she strode, even if a little unsteadily, toward the road.
“Let me take you to town.”
“You already said you would and then you didn’t. No thank you.” She’d had her stupid moments in the past two days, but she wasn’t about to keep being stupid.
“I brought you to the ranch so we could take my pickup into Twisted.”
“Bullshit.” She yelped as he caught her again and forced her to face him.
“Listen up, Kylie. There are a couple of things you need to know. First off, I know you feel this wild thing going on between us. Don’t try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes.” He chuckled. “And in the way you’re watching my mouth right now.”
She jerked her gaze back to his angry eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The hell you don’t.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t even know you—”
He crushed his mouth to hers, wiping away the rest of what she’d planned to say. His mouth was hard, yet plump. Demanding and needy. A need she recognized in herself. He clutched her behind the neck as though he expected her to struggle against him. But he was oh, so wrong.
She kissed him back, forgetting all her troubles and all the pain in her body. His kiss renewed her as the sing of the sensation tumbled through his lips and into the rest of her body. She didn’t understand what it was, but she didn’t care. As long as it kept coming, it needed no name or explanation.
He groaned, the sound coming from deep inside him. It reminded her of a growl again, filled with an instinctual, primal passion no human could ever match. His hand gripped her bottom, pulling her close until the large hard bump in his jeans pushed against her stomach.
Lord, how she wanted him. More than water or food. Even more than the air it took to breathe. Her arms stole around him, clutching at his shirt, needing him to stay on her feet.
When he broke the kiss, she swallowed back a cry of complaint. Her gaze slid up to his. His chest heaved as though he’d run several miles and his eyes held bits of amber color in them, brightening them in the sunlight.
“Tell me you didn’t feel it.”
“Feel what?
” she whispered. How would she describe the feeling, anyway?
“You know what. It’s like energy passing between us.”
Yes. But she couldn’t admit it. Not yet. Not until she understood it more. “No. I mean, you’re very handsome and a good kisser and all, but…”
“But you’re not ready.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Fine. We’ll let it go until later. But we will talk about it.”
Both relief and disappointment rushed through her.
He pointed at his horse. “The other thing is about my animals. I don’t treat them badly. I don’t care how sexy you are.”
He thinks I’m sexy. A thrill ripped through her, intensifying the strange sensation he’d mentioned.
“Or that you’re worn out. Or that you’re obviously running from something.” His eyes narrowed. “Or someone.”
Shit.
“Whatever the reason, I’m not going to ride double on my horse any farther. He can’t handle the weight. Take a look at him. He’s tired, thirsty, and lathered up.” He crossed his arms and up went one thick eyebrow. “If you want me to take you into town, then say so. If you don’t, you can start walking.” He glared at her, then pivoted on his booted heel and stormed toward the barn, taking his horse with him.
Had he growled at her? Like a dog might?
She took a step. Pain lashed into her sore feet, and glancing once at the road, she made up her mind. She’d trusted Frank and she’d been wrong to do so. Yet everything in her told her she could trust Braden.
Besides, she’d collapse if she had to walk another foot.
“Braden?”
He turned around and hitched up the eyebrow again. “Yeah?”
“Would you give me a ride into town? Please?”
The eyebrow fell into place. “Sure. First, I’ve got to take care of my horse. You can either wait inside the house—”
She shook her head. She was afraid of getting trapped.
“—or in the pickup. Whichever you want. I’ll be ready to roll in a few minutes.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. He returned the nod and headed toward the small barn.
A dark blue pickup was parked near the side of the house. Sliding into the passenger side, she let out a small sigh of relief to get off her aching feet, then leaned back. Although the truck was an older model, it had been taken care of. The dashboard wasn’t scratched or dented, and the leather seat felt like heaven. She closed her eyes, thankful she hadn’t blown her way into Twisted.
He feels it, too.
How was it possible? Were they on the same wavelength, or was it only her imagination and somehow he’d picked up on it? Was it a line he used on lots of other girls?
She yawned, her thoughts no longer questions, but random images. Braden at the club. His hands and mouth on her. The other man—Heath—behind her. Had she experienced the same sensation from him? She had. Although different, it was similar enough to know it was just as real as with Braden.
She yawned again. And slipped peacefully into a deep sleep.
Chapter Six
“Kylie, honey, wake up.”
She didn’t want to. She was in the middle of a wonderful dream. Braden and Heath were in it, both naked with their long curved cocks pointed straight at her. To wake up would be a damn shame.
“Kylie, you’re here.”
Braden? He sounded even better than in her dream. Richer. Deeper. Real. She stretched her arms and moaned. Opening her eyes, she had to blink twice before she could take a good look around her.
The house was two stories, painted a blinding white with red shutters. Greenery hung from hooks attached to the overhang of the porch roof. A sign, its letters alternating in green and red, boasted the name of the place.
“Welcome to The Rocking Porch B & B.”
A tapping sound on the window had her shifting toward Lena Fortran. Lena motioned for her to roll down the window. “Hi, Ms. Fortran.”
“Lena, honey.” The older lady’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “And what should I call you? Kylie Honeyton or Lucy Winters?”
Embarrassment flooded her. “My real name is Kylie Honeyton. I’m sorry I lied to you. I wasn’t sure…” How could she explain without telling her everything?
“You weren’t sure you could trust me. Don’t worry. I understand being leery of a stranger.” She tugged open the door.
She heard Braden’s door creak open and slam closed.
“So you two know each other?” Braden sauntered over to her, then slipped his arm around Lena and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I won’t bother asking how. Lena always seems to know everyone.”
“We met on the bus going to Lubbock. I invited her to Twisted.”
“I guess I fell asleep.” She darted her gaze away from Lena, still embarrassed by her lies.
“Don’t worry about the name business or falling asleep. I suspect you had a reason for doing both. I’ve told my fair share of fibs in my time.” Lena tucked her arm in the crook of her own. “Come on inside with me. Let’s get you settled in. Braden, you get back home. No use hanging around here for the rest of the day. I’ll see she gets straightened out.”
“I thought I’d stick around and make sure she’s okay.”
Kylie jerked her gaze up. His earnest, open expression caught at her, touching her. Why did he care? Because they’d almost had a fling in Austin? She was flattered he’d remembered her at all. Or was it because they shared an odd feeling? Not that she would’ve admitted it, but she wouldn’t mind having him stick around, either.
“No, Braden. I told you to get on out of here. Now do as I say and get. She’s not going to disappear.”
The edge in Lena’s voice caught her off-guard. She turned toward her, yet instead of seeing the hint of anger she’d heard, she saw Lena’s smiling face. Still, she couldn’t help but think she’d been warned not to run off.
“Like I said. Let’s get you settled in.” Lena pulled her along with her. “I’m going to put you in the front room. Oh, and there are a few clothes in there that might fit you. At least, they’ll get you by until we can locate your suitcase. God knows what the bus line has done with it, but we’ll give it a shot anyway. In fact, I’ll give Braden a call and ask him to check on it for us. Might as well make the man useful. He and his brother will probably be back to hang around here anyway.”
“But you told him not to.”
Lena chuckled. “Like he’s going to listen to me? Trust me, honey. He’ll be around soon enough.”
Kylie watched the pickup pull back on the main road. The house was set outside of town, but she could see other buildings down the road. She jerked her attention back to Lena, who was regaling her with explanations about the house.
Her room was in need of updating, but comfortable. Better yet, she had a private bathroom and didn’t have to share with other guests. If there were any other guests. So far she hadn’t heard or seen anyone else. A large window opened up toward the front of the house. Lace curtains allowed the bright sunshine to spill in. The bed was an older style bed, needing a step stool to get up on top of it.
“Lena, this is really nice. Please, let me give you what I can.” She opened her purse and dug inside. Although she didn’t have much money, she wanted to pay a small amount. Charity wasn’t an easy thing for her to accept.
The woman tsked at her. “Don’t you dare. I don’t need or want your money. You relax and get yourself some more rest. I don’t mean to be unkind, but you look like a mouse after a long day of running from the cat.”
Lena had a way of saying things in just the right way without making it sound like a criticism. She felt like the mouse. But had she gotten away from the cat called Frank?
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. Still, I want to do something. How about you let me help you around here? I’m a good baker—it’s kind of my hobby—and I can clean, too. Do you like cinnamon rolls?”
Lena patted her stomach. “I sure do and I’m never one for turning down
a good cinnamon roll or two.”
“Then cinnamon rolls it is in the morning.”
“Done deal. I’ll look forward to it. Until then, feel free to make yourself at home, including the kitchen. Meals are on the house, too.”
She waited until Lena had closed the door behind her before hurrying to the window. What was she supposed to do now? She couldn’t hide out in Twisted forever. Could she? And yet, hiding out with Braden and Heath wouldn’t be so bad. In fact, not bad at all.
She pressed her fingertips to her lips. Braden had been right. She’d felt something between them. Like the first night she’d met him, she’d become overwhelmed with the incredible feeling, her common sense thrown to the wind. His kiss had stolen away any chance she had of denying it, at least to herself.
What were Braden and Heath really like? Although she hadn’t done much with Heath, she couldn’t separate one man from the other. She was drawn to both, even when they were apart.
Could she believe in any man again? Sexual attraction wasn’t enough. She’d been attracted to Frank and had paid the price for it. Granted, the Asher men’s allure was so much greater, almost a physical entity tying her to them, but would it turn out the same?
I need to be careful. I’m vulnerable right now.
And yet, she hadn’t been vulnerable the night in Austin. Not one damn bit. Even after drinking, she’d resisted every other man and kept her head. Until she’d run into the Asher men, that is. As soon as they’d trapped her between them, she’d felt both vulnerable and powerful at the same time. She’d bent to their wishes, making her feel weak in an oh-so-wonderful way, but their touches had also given her a strength she couldn’t describe. As though by touching her, they’d somehow passed their power into her.
She pressed the same fingertips to the window. More than likely she was simply embellishing her memory, making it out to be more than it had really been.
No. I’m not.
Yet if she wasn’t, then what did it mean? What was the incredible current that passed between them?
* * * *
Heath shifted partway, bringing out his strength. If he had to, he’d continue to change and turn into his tiger form. If he couldn’t wrangle the damn cow into the pen, then he’d frighten it to get inside. Braden would give him hell for doing it, but sometimes being a tiger was a lot easier than being a man. Especially when the circumstances involved a bull-headed bovine.