Safer With You

by Trisha Madley

  I can’t help the blush that spreads across my cheeks. He wants a chance, with me?

  I swallow, “I’ve had enough drama to last a lifetime. So, what about you? No date this evening?”

  His hand holds my hips tightly against him and he slows down our pace. Jase lowers his head to meet my eyes.

  “No lady for me. My fiancé and I just broke up. Yesterday, actually.”

  I remove my hand from his strong upper arm and place it over my mouth. “Oh, Jase. I’m so sorry. This must be difficult for you today.”

  Oh, no, he looks surprised at my last comment. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

  “It’s really okay; we had drifted apart and were together for all the wrong reasons.” He leans into me, brushing up against my chest. The close proximity has me a little dizzy. “Besides, everyone thought she was a real bitch, even Jenny.” His eyes are alight with amusement.

  He breaks our closeness and drifts back into our dance, never missing a step. I feel relieved that he doesn’t seem affected.

  “So, how is it possible that we never have met? Max and I see each other often,” Jase asks. He never misses a step and he gracefully pulls me along with him, making me seem as graceful as he is.

  “I’m not sure. I guess the timing never worked out. I actually thought he was lying about your existence because I never saw you. Jenny confirmed that you existed, though.”

  “We always did have fun, but got into a shit load of trouble. I wondered why in the hell he didn’t stay longer in the summers. He left two beautiful girls to hang out with me. Idiot.” He spins me around and hauls me closer to him. I smash up against his chest.

  He smells intoxicating. His large hand spreads the width of my lower back and he curls our locked hands in between our chests. The closeness makes me want to stay wrapped up in his arms forever.

  Until my father interrupts us, that is. “May I have a turn with my beautiful daughter?”

  Daddy wears a scowl instead of a smile.

  Jase releases me from his grasp and stands too far away from me. Damn, my father. Wait, no that’s good. I should be mad at Jase; he makes an awful best man. Jase wreaks havoc on my emotions.

  “Yes, sir. I’m feeling thirsty anyway, would you like something to drink? Jase asks.

  “Um…sure a white wine would be nice…” Before I can finish my sentence, my father whisks me away. I look back, feeling tipsy from my father’s harsh reaction. Jase disappears from my line of vision.

  “Daddy, what was that all about?” I sound like an immature brat, but I don’t care. My aggravation takes over.

  “Honey, I’m only going to say this once to you, so listen closely.”

  I can’t help the shitty look I’m giving him. “Where am I going to go? Your grasp is like a vise.”

  He ignores me and continues, “I know things about Jase and his family that you don’t, so do as I say, no questions asked. No more talking to or dancing with him for tonight or ever.”

  The stern look on his face brings back memories from my childhood and being in trouble. I suck in a breath and gather the guts to retaliate. “Seriously, Dad, are you telling me what to do? I’m twenty seven years old.” I’ve never spoken to my father like this, but can’t stop myself.

  “I wouldn’t do it under normal circumstances, but Mr. Madsyn is dangerous and someone you do not need to associate yourself with. The sooner you learn that the better. I’m barely dealing with your sister choosing to marry into that family, but at least Max isn’t involved in any questionable dealings, like Jase is.”

  What the hell is he talking about? What dealings? Has my father lost his mind? I never heard a peep out of him before that he didn’t like Max or thought Jenny would be in danger from Max.

  I manage to push away from my father’s grasp. “Okay, first, we were just dancing, and second, what kind of dealings? Max wouldn’t do anything to hurt Jenny.”

  “I know he wouldn’t, but I’m not so sure about Jase.”

  Before I can interrogate my father further, my mom appears at his side. “Honey, let’s dance.” She didn’t give him any choice and whisked him away.

  My head spins. Geez, I danced with the guy; I didn’t ask him out on a date. I have no idea why my father is overreacting and what he knows that I don’t.

  I definitely feel attracted to Jase and he make me feel things I didn’t know existed, but it doesn’t matter; I’ll never see him after tonight. But I have to admit, I want him to hold me in his arms again.

  I feel silly for even thinking there might be a next time. Jase Madsyn is gorgeous, charismatic, smart, rich, and he oozes sex appeal and power. Yeah, definitely out of my league. Oh, and did I forget? A jerk.

  Shaking the conversation with my dad and my erratic thoughts about Jase out of my mind, I head over to my table to rest my feet. It has been at least three songs since Jase disappeared to the crowded bar. I catch myself looking around the bar for him, when Jenny plops down next to me.

  “Oh, damn, my feet are killing me. I just want to go to my hotel room and violate my new hubby.” She wiggles her eyebrow at me. “Isn’t this crazy, though? I’m Jenny Madsyn. I can’t believe Max picked me out of all the girls in the world.”

  “Jase and I were just talking about that.”

  Jenny smiles ruefully at me. “Oh, really? You and Jase were talking? What else were you two doing?”

  “Oh, stop, we just danced and he went to get me a glass of wine, but it’s been a while now, and I don’t see him over at the bar.”

  “Well, I’m glad you got to dance with the second sexiest Madsyn. He is gorgeous, isn’t he?”

  I smack her on the leg. “Jenny, you are a married woman, you can’t look anymore!” I tease.

  “Honey, I can look; I just can’t touch. You, on the other hand, should be touching. He is gorgeous, and did you happen to catch that he had Sienna sing for me? Oh, yeah, and he bought me a house! Imagine what he could buy you!”

  I giggle. I can’t even begin to imagine being with Jase. The whole “out of my league” thing repeats in my head.

  “As much fun as it would be, it will never happen. I’m obviously not his type. He is so out of my league, it’s not even funny, and Daddy just gave me his disapproval speech for me dancing with him.”

  Jenny looks at me like I’m crazy. “You’re kidding me, right? What do you mean he’s out of your league? Nora, I wish you could see what a catch you are. Even though Luke couldn’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true, and Dad’s just being overprotective.”

  Max pulls up a seat beside us. “Hello, my two best ladies. Is it time for me and my wife to make our escape?” Ew…gross.

  I love Max. He can always make me smile. Max has a shaved head because he doesn’t have much hair left, green eyes, and a smile that lights up the sky. He can be scary when he wants, but most of the time, he’s a big teddy bear.

  “Nora was waiting on Jase. But in true Jase fashion, I think he disappeared on her.”

  Max’s usual happy face turns to serious. “Oh, yeah, well it’s probably better.”

  What? Max loves Jase. This doesn’t make any sense.

  “That’s not a nice thing to say,” Jenny scolds Max.

  “I just meant he isn’t boyfriend material. I don’t think Nora should waste her time with him, and besides, it looks like he’s already gone,” Max says.

  Chapter Six

  Nora

  As I watch Jenny and Max walk off the dance floor, I try to reason with myself to stop thinking about Jase. I know he is all wrong for me. I agreed to see Luke tomorrow, possibly ready to give him a chance, and now all I am doing is wondering where Jase is.

  “Sorry it took so long; I had some calls to make.” And just like that, every single reason why he is wrong for me evaporates. His closeness sends tingles down my spine. He gracefully juggles a beer bottle, a wine glass, and shows me his cell phone. Then, he sets them all on the table in front of me.

  Jase pulls out the chair beside me an
d his long muscular legs bend to a seated position, straining the fabric of his pants. I can’t glance away—my eyes trail up his body—until his sexy smirk stares back at me.

  I swallow hard, trying to take my focus away from him. “I…I was just about to start cleaning up.” I gesture towards Max and Jenny as I speak. They are dancing with absolutely no space between the two of them.

  “They can’t wait to start their honeymoon,” I state the obvious.

  Jase places the glass of wine in front of me. He licks his bottom lip before taking a sip from the bottle. My cheeks feel on fire as I watch him take simple drink of beer and imagine what it would feel like to have his lips on me.

  “They look happy; I’m glad they found each other, but I’m really glad that you’re blushing instead of throwing this glass of wine in my face for leaving you for so long.” His eyebrows shoot up in amusement.

  I shake my head, gaining some control back. “I was about to clean up, and I just figured you left…again.” I couldn’t hide the sarcasm. Sarcasm is good, that way maybe he won’t pick up on the fact that I want to kiss him.

  “Ouch…I guess you weren’t impressed with my wedding gifts, huh?” He puts down his beer bottle and turns towards me. “You’d think I could’ve scored some points with that one.”

  I roll my eyes again, but I can’t convince myself to be upset with him anymore. How can I be upset with a man who looks like that and seems to be worried about gaining my approval?

  I stand up and hold out my hand for him to take. “You could earn some points with me if you helped me clean.” I try to wink, and with a little too much enthusiasm, jump out of my seat.

  He takes my hand and we walk past the tables. He leans over as we walk and softly speaks. “That wasn’t a very good wink; it looked like you had something in your eye.” He teases. Jerk! Here I though he was going to say something sexy.

  I slap him on his chest, make that his hard chest. I try peeking, but I am afraid he’ll catch me checking him out, or worse, let go of my hand.

  “Hey, are you making fun of me?” I pout my lips. I can flirt too, maybe not as well.

  “Absolutely.” I blush again; I can’t help it. My body reacts to every word he says.

  While still holding hands, we stop in front of the gift table, and I reluctantly let go of his hand. I bend down, then lift up the table skirt to reveal hidden boxes.

  “You seem to like this table. Are you planning on guarding or stealing?” he teases.

  “No!” I place my hand on my chest, acting shocked at his comment.

  “I plan on making you take care of the table centerpieces. They were handmade by Jenny and me, which means they are priceless. I think you’ve used the excuse, I had a call to make, too much tonight, cowboy.”

  His eyebrows raise, “Cowboy, huh? That’s a first. No way do I look anything like a cowboy.”

  If he only knew. Sure, he doesn’t have the boots or hat, but he definitely reminds me of a cowboy. Handsome, muscular, confident, sexy, and trouble. All cowboys are trouble.

  “It’s just a nickname for trouble, and you, Mr. Madsyn, are a shit load of trouble.” He looks shocked at my words.

  “Wow, Ms. Skye. Has a swear word ever graced your lips before, and how do you know I’m trouble if you just met me?” he asks innocently.

  “Oh, I may not be an experienced girl, but I know about your type. I see it in the way you talk and move around this room. Women can’t take their eyes off you…all ages, I might add.”

  I nod towards my elderly Aunt Rosie sitting at the table to our far right, staring wide-eyed at Mr. Madsyn. Jase puts his head down in defeat. I whisper, “See. Trouble.”

  “You know I could say the same about you too,” he says seriously.

  “Me? No! I’m a first grade teacher and have never even gotten a parking ticket! I may be boring, but I’m not trouble.”

  “Believe me, you will bring me some sort of trouble,” he says, in a cocky way.

  I sigh heavily, ignoring his comment. I have no idea what he meant, and I don’t have the guts to question him.

  Jase shrugs his shoulders and returns to helping me remove the centerpieces and place them in the storage boxes. When we finish, Jenny and Max start moving for the door and thanking their guests. The room radiates with excitement, guests shouting and applauding.

  All of a sudden, I panic, because my sister’s leaving and now I’m with Jase, alone. I never imagined spending most of my time at the reception with him, but it looks like he doesn’t have any plans to leave yet.

  Jase bends down and picks up the last filled box. His muscular arms strain, accentuating the veins in his arms, the definition of his forearms, along with exposing a hint of a tribal tattoo.

  All these years I’ve spent with Luke, and I never really noticed other men. Not like the way I’m noticing Jase tonight.

  Thinking of something quick to distract me from wondering more about the man behind the tattoo, I say, “Oh, no, I didn’t get to say goodbye.” I lie. I could care less. I’m taking them to the airport tomorrow.

  Jase turns towards the couple and then back to me. “I’m sure they aren’t even concerned about us. I think they have other things on their minds,” his tone is mischievous.

  There has to be a way to stop staring at him, but I can’t help myself. Each second that passes, I can feel my heart rate pick up, my face flame, and feel my pulse in my ears. Am I having a panic attack? Good Lord, I hope I’m not going to faint. Why does he affect me this way?

  “Where are you staying after the party is over?” he asks.

  Oh, Lord, please don’t ask me to stay with you. I’m not prepared.

  “Well, I think the party is over, isn’t it?” I say, hoping to end this night.

  Jase surveys the room. Music and laughter still fill the room. “Nope, I don’t think the party is anywhere near over.”

  I concede, “I’m staying at the guest house tonight, then picking the newlyweds up at Smith’s Bed and Breakfast tomorrow and driving them to the airport for their trip to Jamaica. Which, by the way, will be much nicer, now that they have their own house.”

  That smug smile on his face tells me he agrees.

  “Can you give me a few minutes? I’d like to show you something, but I need to check on something first,” he says.

  “Do you think you’ll be back, cowboy?” Wait what, where did that come from? That didn’t even sound like me.

  Jase shakes his head with that damn shy smile, “Nora, baby, I’ll always be back for you.”

  He takes a swig of his beer, tosses the bottle into the nearest garbage can, and walks away.

  I can’t help but watch the floor show as he struts away. His broad shoulders and muscular back can be seen through the thin white linen shirt. A beautiful blonde stops him and whispers something in his ear, but he turns and narrows his eyes at me. When he leans down to whisper something back, jealousy assaults me. I feel like running at her like linebacker and tackling her.

  Wow, I have never felt so much rage over a man. I’m ready to go kick that little slut’s ass. The crazy rollercoaster of emotions that he brings out in me is beginning to be too much.

  I need to calm down. I head to the ladies room to help me regain my thoughts.

  When I’m finished, I head back to the table. I repeat in my head, Jase Madsyn, worst best man ever, arrogant, out of my league, …I also turn my phone back on and several texts from Luke pop up.

  Call me now, I just need to talk with you, NOW!

  Nora, my love, please call me!

  My stomach twists just thinking of Luke. I can’t fathom that he has anything new to say.

  Lost in my thoughts, I feel a warm breath against my ear. “You ready?”

  I think I stop breathing; his low soft voice makes me tremble. I draw my eyes up from my phone. He is in front of me holding a blanket and two long-sleeved flannel shirts.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “Ready for what, Mr. Sneaky?”

  �
��Mr. Sneaky? I think I like ‘cowboy’ better.” He tilts his head and holds out his hand. “Come.”

  I can’t think of a reason not to, nor do I want to. He looks so hopeful, innocent even. There is no way I want to disappoint that beautiful cowboy. I shove my phone back in my clutch purse and try to forget all about Luke Saunders.

  We walk hand in hand across the dance floor. When we pass a couple obnoxiously grinding against each other, Jase turns his head to look at me, “Maybe we can try that later?”

  I know my face turns crimson, but I manage to smack him on the arm, and he pretends to wince in pain. I laugh back at him. He is just too damn sexy to be cross with.

  When we reach the open glass door, my lungs immediately fill with the crisp night air. There happens to be a group smoking nearby, but it doesn’t affect the air that fills my lungs. The group seated at the table waves at us as we walk by. I think for a moment that we might join them, but Jase holds my hand tighter and leads us further into the night.

  He directs us on a narrow path towards a huge barn. I hesitate. “Are we headed to that barn, because you do realize I’m wearing heels, don’t you? Very beautiful pink stiletto heels with Swarovski crystals? I’m not prepared to show off my farming skills this evening.”

  Jase’s eyes drop to my heels as I lift up the hem of my dress for him to get a better look. I can barely balance myself standing there. How can I possibly walk down a grassy unknown path?

  He stops in his tracks. “I thought you might be tougher than that. Well, hop on then.”

  “Excuse me?” Did I hear that right? Honestly, I guess I would like to hop on any part of him.

  I have to find a way to stop these wayward thoughts about him, so I repeat my mantra—worst best man ever, arrogant, out of my league, and I add a new one, Luke. Just his name should be enough for me to run from another man.

  Jase cocks his gorgeous head to the side and nods, “Come on, climb on.”

  “I’m not climbing on.” I’m having enough of a reaction to Jase without bodily contact. I’m afraid that having my legs wrapped around him will cause me to overload. “I’ll just take my shoes off.”