by Leah Braemel
She massaged his biceps, and using both hands, massaged his arm down to his hand, dug her fingers into his palm, releasing the tension that he hadn’t realized had built up. Then she did the whole process on the other side too.
“Turn over.”
And here he thought she might try to have sex with him. Probably better if she didn’t. He wasn’t in a mood for it anyway. Yeah there was a shock, even to him. She kneaded his shoulders, and moved down his back, using just the right amount of pressure.
“Tell me if I hurt you.”
He grunted in acknowledgement, knowing he’d never need to say a word. Nothing she did could hurt him.
The more she touched him, the quieter the voices and ugly thoughts hammering his brain got. She skirted the bruised butt cheek, laying a kiss as she massaged his thighs, and moved down to his calves. He let himself drift, his eyelids too heavy to open.
He was almost one with the bed by the time she quietly instructed him to turn over again. Her fingers dug into his feet, kneading again, then with a kiss on the top of his feet, she scooted up the mattress.
She laid kisses down the side of his neck, gently wherever he was bruised. Her touch feather-light, she leaned down to press a kiss on the ugly dark bruise on his ribs, the warmth of her breath soothing. Her hips rocking over his thighs in a rhythm that raised his cock between them, she skated her palm down his belly.
A flush coated her skin, a sheen from the effort of massaging him, made her more beautiful than anyone he’d ever seen. If it hadn’t been for her, he might have continued driving right out to the main road. And kept driving.
She leaned over him, placing her lips beside his ear. “Ssssh, you’re thinkin’ again, aren’t you? You’re supposed to be paying attention only to me, remember? Focus only on me.”
“Only you,” he repeated. “Only ever on you.”
His whole world, everything he wanted, needed—Paige—was right here in this room.
A tender expression in her eyes, she lowered her head and covered his shaft with the warmth of her mouth. His hips lifted off the mattress involuntarily, burying him deeper.
“Oh fuck.” He groaned and tangled her hair in his hands, slowing the warm slide of her mouth over his dick.
An arch of his hips, a press inward, the movement dragging his cock halfway out, then back in deep again.
They hadn’t had sex since his rumble with the bison, he’d been too sore, which would probably explain why the tingle at the base of his spine started before she could suck him down twice. She lapped and sucked, playing with his balls with one hand until he couldn’t hold off any longer. Another barked “fuck” and he emptied himself into her mouth in long pulsing spurts.
When he was finished and boneless, she lapped him again, then crawled up over his chest and angled herself so her weight wouldn’t hurt his ribs. He rubbed his thumb over her satisfied smile. “Thank you.”
The clichéd words didn’t begin to express how her worry for him, her attention, moved him. Something in his heart, the coldness that had frozen it with yesterday’s revelation melted. His feelings for Paige locked into place. Though he’d only known her a few weeks, if he’d wondered before if he could love her, now he was sure.
Before he could examine that thought, decide how he needed to deal with it, his alarm clock wailed its annoying call. All the doubts and questions Paige had quieted roused with a roar.
“Ugh, someone needs to take a sledge hammer to that thing.” Paige reached over him and hit the snooze button.
He rolled to a sit, taking two tries before he was successful. “I threw one out the window once.” Luckily the window had been open at the time.
* * *
Even though he’d arrived far later than he intended, the work yard was empty. Either he’d managed to beat everyone or everyone else had already been given their assignments and headed out for the day. He checked the office cork board where Ben had stuck up notes about jobs needing to be done and chose one that would let him work off the most energy. Ten minutes later, with wire and the post driller tossed into the trailer he’d hooked to the back of his cat, he gunned the quad.
The clouds on the horizon were tinged pink by the time he arrived at the farthest fence line needing repair. As he worked, the inky black sky changed to gray then light.
As the sun rose, the humidity swelled. Sweat beaded and trickled down his forehead, stinging his eyes. He’d forgotten his hat, so he took off his shirt and fashioned it into a bandana. His muscles screamed for relief before he stopped to grab a bottle of water and lower himself to the ground. A pair of rabbits hopped into sight four posts down. They chased each other around, ignoring him, though their huge ears twitched like radar.
The steady thrum of approaching horse hooves sent the critters scurrying for cover, and had Jake bracing. Not just one set of hooves. Two. Please let it be some hands on their way to some other chore.
No such luck. Ben on his bay and Gabe on his dappled mare pulled up beside him. “Your phone busted?”
“Forgot it at home, I guess.” He’d turned it off after Ben had started texting him with U OK? that progressed to Where R U? Worried bout U. Followed up with the usual Answr me dumbass.
“What’s up?” He studied his water bottle rather than meet Ben’s scowl.
“What do you think I rode all the way out here for? I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I’ve been worried you’ve been lyin’ out here with a busted neck or something.”
Ben’s normal crisp tone had softened. Damn it. Jake hated being treated like he was an invalid.
“I’m fine.” He’d been better before they showed up. “I’m putting in my day’s work, don’t worry, boss.”
He sat down faster than he’d intended as his nickname for his brother took on a whole new slant.
Ben dismounted and handed his reins to Gabe. “Give us a minute alone, will you?”
Gabe moved both horses down the path, letting them munch on the grass while they waited. To Jake’s relief, he kept his back to them. The last thing he needed right now was being under Gabe’s microscope. Or in his crosshairs.
“I’m guessing he knows about the test results?”
“Yeah.”
Let the earth open up and swallow him now. Gabe would probably claim it was karma bitch slapping him for the last year. “Is he fixing to sue for my share?”
“No.” Ben swore under his breath. “He’s worried about you—how you’re dealing with everything. So am I.”
“Gabe worried? About me? Yeah, that would be the first time in the last couple of months.” Jake pushed himself to a stand, and after a deep breath to steady himself, picked up the hammer he’d dropped on the ground. “Tell him not to get his panties in a wad. I’m fine.”
“Fuck, I hate that answer.” Ben clamped a hand on Jake’s shoulder, a fierce expression in his eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but I’m guessing that you’re thinking you don’t belong here. So you can get that thought out of your head right the hell now. I don’t care what the DNA test said. You’re my brother, no matter who your father is.”
Oh crap. Jake blinked rapidly and tugged on the wire, though it was already as taut as it would get. “Whatever.”
“Another answer I hate.” Ben dropped his hand. “All right, you want space. You’ve got it. Just don’t stay in this pity party you’ve got going on for long. We need you, bro.” Ben resettled his hat on his head. “Oh, and while we’re on the subject, when you get done here, can you help Duffy, Skeeter and Paul move some cattle between Biscuit Pasture and the back-up this afternoon? You don’t have to if you don’t want. I can make other arrangements, but those three listen to you more than any of the other...”
“Hands?”
Color crept up Ben’s neck. “Managers.”
Di
dn’t matter what you called shit, it still stunk. “Sure. I’ll handle it.” Made no difference to him—stringing fence or herding cattle. Whatever kept him busy. And away from everyone.
After one last tug on the wire, Jake grabbed his gear and tossed it in the trailer, then started the quad. He climbed on but hadn’t driven a hundred yards when he realized they were headed south, away from him. “Hey? Aren’t you coming?”
Ben reined in his horse. “Gabe’s meeting with his lawyer in Dallas and I’m meeting with Randy to finalize changing the partner’s agreement. You going to be around this evening so I can drop in and tell you how it went?”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Take care of yourself, bro.” There was a warmth to Ben’s use of the last word, one that eased the knot in Jake’s gut. Would wonders never cease.
Gabe shot Ben a sideways glance and turned toward Jake as if he wanted to say something, too, but Jake gunned his machine before either man could say anything more.
For all his bitching about how ornery cows could be, he enjoyed herding the cattle. It wasn’t like he could predict exactly how the cattle would react, but there would always be a stubborn one, one who decided not to go with the herd. Challenged him. Rather like people.
* * *
Paige heaved a sigh of relief to find Jake exactly where Ben had said he’d be, surprising herself that she’d managed to locate him given Ben’s directions. Go straight until you hit the river, follow it to the west for two miles, then cross it at the ford—the banks are worn away so you won’t have any problems, then just keep heading straight for three more miles. Luckily that part of the land was fairly flat, and the cattle they were moving raised enough dust that she could see them once she got closer.
Two of the hands rode horses, while Jake and another man used quads to herd a group of cattle along the fence to a gate at the far end. As much as her girlfriends mooned over Pinterest pictures of guys on horseback, Jake created a commanding picture on his quad. It wasn’t anything to do with the thick biceps filling out his T-shirt’s short sleeves, or how the fabric stretched over his shoulders and pecs. Though they definitely helped. There was a stillness and focus to him that she seldom saw when he was sitting at the desk or even on his couch at his place.
Once the last cow was in the proper field and the gate had been closed, she revved the borrowed quad across the field to where Jake talked with the hands. They nodded, and the other guy revved his quad to the south while Jake headed straight toward her.
“Hey there, what are you doin’ out here?”
Checking up on him. She’d been considering ditching work to find him even before Ben had stopped off at the office. Ben’s visit, and the call from her aunt, gave her a reason to head out to see him.
“Oh, you know me. I like watching you cowboys work. Gotta say, I like the way that shirt shows off all those muscles of yours.” She trailed a finger down his biceps and winked, hoping to see that smile again. Of course, she’d take any excuse to touch him.
His lips tilted in an exhausted smile. “Nothing very exciting, I’m afraid. Though herding is better than fixin’ fences. It’s slow work, but it’s fun.”
She leaned over and stroked the yellowing bruise on his jaw. “More fun than battling bison?”
“Tons. I don’t plan on wrangling them again anytime soon.” His smile dying, he caught her hand. “So why are you really out here? Momma send you out to check up on me?”
“Nope. Cissy’s in town having lunch with one of her friends.” The last thing he’d want was her fussing and worrying about him. Nor was she ready to admit just how much she craved his company. Or how she missed hearing him humming to himself as he scribbled lyrics on scraps of paper.
“Aunt Reba phoned. The auditors are starting Monday.” She forced a smile.
“That’s good, right?”
“Yes. Of course.” The words scratched her throat. Why was she feeling so bereft?
He opened his mouth then snapped it shut. “Wait. When the audit’s done that means you won’t have to come out here anymore, doesn’t it?”
Was that concern, even worry, in his voice or was she so desperate that she was reading more into his tone than was there?
“There won’t be anything more for me to do.” She’d already stretched the job out longer than she’d needed, using the excuse of waiting for the auditors to justify her stay. “Your mother can handle the books and I have other clients’ books to work on.” If Bill let her. If he didn’t, well, she’d discovered that there were lots of singers and entertainers who needed an accountant who understood their business. Though it might mean moving closer to Austin or Dallas. But she’d worry about that later.
“So how long will the audit take?”
“A couple days? Maybe a week. It depends upon a lot of factors.”
He focused on her hand, his thumb brushing over hers. “So what happens to us when you’re done?”
“I am done, Jake. My report about your financial condition and what changes I’ve made and how your financial future should be handled is written and ready to be submitted.” It had been sitting in her draft folder for almost a week, and Reba had been asking for it daily. “I’ll be back when the auditors deliver their report but...yeah, my job here is done. I can move back home now. There’s no reason for me to stay here.”
“Don’t think that just because your work is done, that it means I won’t be sitting on your doorstep, or phoning you up every day. You’ve gotten into my system. I can’t imagine not seeing you every day. Or you could move in here with me. It means you’d have to commute a bit, but...that way we could be together.”
“I wouldn’t mind. But...”
His gaze shot up to meet hers. “But what?”
“Well, if your agent negotiates that contract and you sign it, you’ll be on tour a lot, right?” Geez, can you sound any needier, Paige? “I mean, from the way you were talking last night, you don’t want to be around here anymore.”
“If you were here, you could place your life’s savings on the bet that I would come back.” He tugged on her arm, until she swung off the quad and sat on his lap. Cupping her jaw between his palms, he pressed his forehead to hers. “I don’t want to lose you. I know we’ve moved fast, but it’s felt right. Righter than with anyone else I’ve known. I feel like you know me better than most of the people who have known me my whole life.”
Heat and moisture building in her eyes, Paige lowered her eyelids. What had gotten into her—she didn’t normally act so girly. “I feel the same way.”
His face fell. “Except you own your house, don’t you? If you didn’t mind, I could move in with you?”
“I wouldn’t mind at all, but wouldn’t that make your job here harder? I mean you get up when a lot of people are going to bed. Here you’ve got maybe ten minutes to get to the yard? If you live with me, you’d have to be up and out a lot earlier.”
“If it’s a choice between being with you and not being with you, that’s a no brainer.”
“How about I move in with you. If things work out, I could always get a tenant for my place. Besides, your dogs would like it out here better than being stuck in the house in town all day.”
He rested his head on her forehead. “Are you sure? It’s a big step.”
“Yeah. I am.” The biggest step she’d taken since buying her place. Yet it felt right. “Of course I might expect you to let me ride your bike once in a while.”
He snorted. “Not happening, darlin’. That baby’s all mine.” He glanced away and blew out a breath. “I got a text from Ruben earlier. The contract with Southern Gents has been finalized. He wants us to come into his office to sign it. Would you be able to come into Fort Worth with me on Monday?”
“So you are going to sign it?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I gu
ess I am. I have to take a shot, right? I’d kick myself if I didn’t.”
“Yeah, you would.” Except she strongly suspected he was using the contract as a way to escape.
“Will you still want to see me, even if I’m a lonely musician instead of a cowboy?”
She hauled back and punched his shoulder making him grunt. “Doofus, of course I will. But if I see even one picture of you with your arm around another woman, you’d better get a bodyguard because I’m not one to share. You hear me?”
A warm grin slid over his face. “Possessive huh? I like that.”
“If you’re going to hang around with me, you’d better get used to it.”
“I like hanging around with you.” He skimmed his palm up her side reviving her body in ways she didn’t think possible. “Why don’t we head back to my place. Get you moved in.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bleary-eyed, and his ribs aching more than they had the day before, Jake eyed the multiple bottles of girly shampoo and perfume bottles that filled his medicine cabinet and spilled over his bathroom counter. She hadn’t even moved in permanently yet and she’d already taken over his bathroom. Which he didn’t mind. He’d made a game out of her penchant for changing up her scent, trying to guess if she had a system in the way she arranged her bottles. (She didn’t from what he could tell.) But where the hell had his Advil gone? He normally kept it right there on the top shelf, currently occupied by a bottle of blue liquid labeled as eye make-up remover, an upright tube of collagen elastin facial moisturizer that claimed to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles—must work well because as far as he’d noticed Paige didn’t have any wrinkles to worry about—and nestled between it and a tube of apricot scrub. Right where the Extra Strength Advil should be was a small tube of... He squinted at the tiny writing. “Greek yogurt nourishing facial? Are you supposed to eat it or what?”
“You up to a coffee, baby?” Paige called from the kitchen.
“Yeah. Black. Hot and strong.” How the hell could she be so cheerful this early on a Sunday morning? He stumbled out of the bathroom and down the hall. “Hey, Paige. D’you know where the—”