Safer With You

by Trisha Madley

  I bend down to take them off when he says, “Well, you can, but I’m not sure what you’ll step in if you do. My uncle loves cows and horses, not to mention, I’ve seen my fair share of snakes.”

  “Okay, okay, I get it.” Ugh. I guess that’s one way to get my legs around him. “Be gentle, but if you drop me, I’m kicking your ass!”

  He lets out a breath, “Just get on. I promise I’ll be good.”

  I roll my eyes and huff, then move a small piece of hair out of my face. Hiking up my dress as far as I can manage without showing anything in the process, I take in a deep breath and jump on his back as gracefully as I can.

  He stumbles a bit at my awkward attempt to jump on his back, but recovers.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and smell a glorious mixture of scents: soap, aftershave, and the outdoors.

  As he walks, he bounces with each step, causing friction between our bodies. I straddle his back and his arms wrap around my legs. A part of me wants to stay like this for the rest of the night, the other part becomes nervous…very nervous.

  I clear my throat, my voice is shaky, and I find myself whispering in his ear, “So, where are we headed, cowboy? You’re not going to tie me up and leave me here, are you?” I was joking, but after I say it, I realize that it doesn’t sound funny. Dear God, I’m all over the place. Trying to be sexy and sounding dumb instead.

  He stops suddenly and his head turns, almost colliding with my face. “Listen, I would never do anything to hurt you. You can trust me,” he says seriously.

  He continues to walk to the barn, but we are quiet the rest of the way. I’m not sure if I touched a nerve with my little joke, but he got very serious, very quickly.

  Jase sets me down when we reach the barn. While I jump off and try to rearrange my dress, he tugs a flashlight out of his pocket. He shines the light on the large structure. The big red building must have been built many years ago… judging from the worn, peeling paint and the missing or broken wood boards holding it together.

  Jase slides the massive doors open. Inside are tractors and vehicles of all kinds, plus hay bales and other farming equipment.

  “Ahh…there’s my baby. This is my favorite truck, my old blue Ford.” He gestures toward his baby. “What do you think?”

  I giggle, probably a little too loud. Here is this influential businessman. He’s worn a suit all day and owned it. So charming, powerful, and in control, I would have never guessed a truck could put such a boyish grin on his face.

  “I think I wasn’t expecting this. Looks like you missed it.”

  “Missed her,” he clarifies. Jase opens the passenger door and motions for me to get in.

  It takes me a moment to react. I need to tone down my hormones. Naive Nora needs to snap out of it. Here I am getting into this stranger’s rusty old truck, going God knows where, and who knows if it even runs. Luke would be furious if he saw me.

  Jase pulls a semi white rag from the glove compartment and wipes down the seat before holding my hand to help me navigate into the high truck. It looks to be lifted several inches.

  Jase walks to the other side of the truck and jumps in, but not before throwing his vest in the bed, along with his tie and taking off his dress shirt. Luckily, he has a T-shirt on, because I’d probably melt on the spot if he was sitting shirtless in front of me.

  “We’re going for a little ride by the pond. Sorry it’s so dirty in here; I haven’t driven it for a long time.”

  My eyes survey the old space. He isn’t kidding. The bench seat is made up of striped, frayed carpet material that has seen better days. It smells dusty. Jase confirms by sneezing, but before I can say “bless you,” I spot a beat up brownish white cowboy hat on the dash.

  I pick it up and I’m sure my face is radiating victory; I guessed right.

  He gives me a sideways glance, “Maybe I have been called a cowboy a time or two.”

  I place it on top of his head and he adjusts it lower. Yeah, definitely knows how to wear it right.

  On the fourth try, the truck rumbles to life. It’s a short and quiet trip to the pond. He brings the truck to a stop and climbs out. I feel the truck wobble as he walks around in the bed of it. I look out the rear window to see what the heck he is doing, but he jumps down too quickly.

  Jase is at my door in an instant. He opens the door and holds out his hand. “It’s beautiful out here, quiet.”

  All my preconceived notions about him seem wrong. I’ve heard that he’s a playboy, involved with the wrong people, and no one is quite sure of what he does for a living, but yet he is rich, successful, charismatic, polite, a gentleman in every way, driving an old pickup and now wearing suit pants with a dusty cowboy hat. Not to mention, my father hates him apparently. He might just be the man of my dreams.

  I am so confused. He is nothing like I expected.

  I take his hand as he walks me to the bed of his truck. I probably have a look of panic on my face because he asks, “Do you need another lift? I kind of like how this dress is making you immobile.”

  “Ha, ha.” I can’t hide the sarcasm in my voice.

  “Come here.”

  Before I can answer, he wraps both hands around my waist and hoists me up on the tailgate. I adjust my dress and look behind me and see that he spread out a blanket. “At least now my new eight-hundred dollar dress that I will never wear again won’t get ruined. Thank you.”

  Jase taps his temple, “See? I think of everything.” He gracefully hops up next to me and reaches behind me to grab two beers out of his cooler. “Or maybe I might have stopped at my truck when I disappeared earlier.”

  My mouth drops open in shock. Not attractive, Nora. “You are so not what I expected.”

  He cocks his head to the side and hands me one of the beers. “What do you mean?”

  “I haven’t exactly heard positive things about you, and you didn’t exactly make a great first impression. I mean…you missed most of the wedding. You’re supposed to be this wealthy businessman, not this down to earth guy sitting next to me.”

  “You’re still here, so I must not be all that bad.”

  “Well, I kind of have nowhere else to go.” I gesture to the pond. It’s much bigger than I thought. The moonlight reflects off the water and the tall grass that frames it flows with a slight breeze.

  “Well, this is true, so tell me something about you. You’re not what I expected either. When Max talks about you, he underestimates you. Doesn’t do you justice.”

  I can’t help my hands from fidgeting with the label on the beer bottle. Butterflies are convulsing in my stomach. The way he’s looking at me, his eyes darken and completely fixate on me.

  He takes a drink from the beer bottle and I watch as his tongue sweeps across his bottom lip. I’m definitely under his spell; he rubs the scruff of his beard, and all that enters my mind is the thought of kissing his neck.

  “Oh?” is all I manage.

  He breaks the awkward tension I’m giving off. “So, tell me about you.”

  I exhale, happy for a normal conversation topic. “Well, I was a first grade teacher until my life blew up in my face. Now, I’m just concentrating on the wedding, then I’ll see where the wind takes me.” I know I sound vague, but I’m not lying. I honestly have no idea what to do next.

  “What a moron,” Jase says and shakes his head.

  “I’m not so sure if he’s letting go anymore. Luke’s trying to get me back, but I’m not sure what to do.” I need to steer this conversation away from Luke, so I think of another tactic. “So, what about you? I mean…you broke up with your fiancé. Did you get cold feet?” I ask with a smile, hoping he’ll take it lightly.

  Jase chuckles, “More like my bank account started to panic. She was in it for the money.”

  “See, some people are natural morons.” He takes another drink of his beer and, once again, there is enough light from the moon and headlights for me to see his long carved jaw that I want to trail my fingers along.


  He thankfully interrupts my thoughts so I don’t make a fool out of myself.

  “Are you planning on going back to Miami?” Jase puts his head down and plays nervously with his beer bottle label.

  Wow, am I affecting him too?

  He continues after a few seconds of silence, “I’d like to take you out.” He looks up and concentrates on my face. “I mean, so that you can wear your eight-hundred dollar dress again.” His lips form into a smile.

  I think I just stopped breathing. My brain is flooded with thoughts, trouble, mysterious stranger, Luke, etc. I could go on and on.

  “Um…I don’t know. I haven’t been asked out in a long time.”

  Oh, shit, I’m not good at this.

  Jase sets his bottle down on the tailgate. He reaches up and tugs a pin from my hair. A large piece of my hair falls down onto my shoulder. “Isn’t that better? Those pins look like they hurt like hell.”

  I can only manage a nod and a heated face.

  He methodically continues to tug the pins free, causing the strands of my hair to fall around my shoulders. It is such a simple but intimate moment. I can only stay motionless as he continues his journey.

  My heart is racing, my palms sweaty, and every pin he releases ignites an electric shock through me. With each pin, his face gets closer and closer, until he releases the last pin at the nape of my neck. His lips turn up into a slight smile. I close my eyes, knowing exactly in this moment I want nothing more than for him to kiss me.

  With his hand wrapped around my neck, he pulls me closer and his lips gently brush against mine. I savor the feeling of his soft, warm lips. The palm of Jase’s hand covers my cheek and he breaks our kiss to gaze into to my enraptured eyes.

  The corners of his lips quirk up, and before I can react, his mouth meets mine again, but this time his tongue brushes against my lips asking for more. I respond, and before I know it, I am enthralled in the most passionate kiss I have ever experienced.

  Our bodies press together as our kiss grows deeper. I feel his hand leave my face and neck only to wrap around my waist. I hear a beer bottle crash, but ignore it, and intensify our kiss.

  Abruptly, his hands tangle in my hair and our tongues mesh perfectly together. The passion cause us to drift down towards the blanket. One of his hands leaves my hair and slides down the side of my waist to my thigh until he hitches my leg around his waist.

  I feel every caress, every breath, and taste every second. Right now, I am willing to do whatever comes next, no questions, no regrets.

  Jase guides my leg around him, pushing my dress up until his hand is brushing the top of my thigh highs. I can hear his rapid breathing and softly moan, hoping to persuade him to go further.

  His alluring lips pull away from mine, only to trace kisses along my neck and shoulders. I close my eyes tighter and lean my head back in pleasure, allowing him better access to me. Any and all of me.

  I’ve never felt this much passion and lust come over me. I am usually not a one night stand type of girl, but right now, that’s the only thing I want.

  His lips reach the top of my dress line near my cleavage and he lays single soft, gentle kisses along my skin. My body tingles and my hands fly into his hair, guiding his head further down.

  I feel a vibration and it takes me a second to realize it’s his phone. Jase pulls away from my chest and a growl escapes him.

  Jase tugs his hand from my thigh and reaches into his pocket. His lustful eyes gaze at mine. “I’m so sorry, but I have to take this.”

  “Madsyn,” he says, annoyed.

  I can hear a man speaking to him, but I don’t care what the hell he is saying; Jase is still nipping at my cleavage while listening. Oh, this feels so nice. I’ve never let practically a stranger touch me like this before. I might be bordering on a slut right now. My dad’s disappointed face enters my brain. I push his image out of my nirvana. I don’t want this to end.

  “Right now?” his voice raises, startling me. “What the fuck? Can’t you two handle anything?”

  I feel the loss of his touch and my brain regains function. He sits up, jumps down from the truck, and walks over towards the pond to where I can’t hear what he is saying.

  Holy hell, I’m trying to catch my breath. That gorgeous, sexy man just made me feel things I’ve never knew I could feel. I never felt that with Luke. Jase could have done anything he wanted, and I would have let him, even if it only happened this one time. Oh, God, that was amazing.

  I have no idea how long I lay there, but I have my arm coving my eyes when I hear his footsteps and feel his body hovering over mine. His lips come dangerously close to mine. “I’m so sorry, but I have to take care of some business. There’s a problem, and believe me, the last fucking thing I want to do right now is leave you, but…” His lips crash down onto mine, more urgent and rougher than before. My heart races and passion explodes until, too quickly, he pulls away.

  “I really need to take care of this. You have no idea how much I don’t want this to end. If there was any other way, I wouldn’t leave this place or you.” He brings his thumb up to my lips and his eyes look longingly into mine.

  I believe every word he is saying. The passion is written all over his beautiful face. His jaw is clenched, and I realize I should probably say something.

  I find my voice, “It’s okay; I’m sure your work is important.”

  “If I was certain someone else could take care of it…but no one else can deal with this.”

  I’m not sure why, but suddenly I feel a little uncomfortable. I guess it just hits me that most people don’t talk that way about work or get calls this late at night. He sort of reminds me of Luke.

  “No, it’s fine; it’s late and I have to get up early anyway.” I can hear my voice shake.

  “Okay, I’ll drive you back.”

  Jase helps me down and closes up the tailgate with everything left in the back of the truck. He helps me into the truck, but now there is an awkwardness, and I’m not sure if it’s me or him.

  We stay silent, but he grabs my hand after he starts the truck and places it up against his lips. He doesn’t let go the whole trip back. He places soft kisses or just gently rests it against his lips while he drives.

  He drives past the barn and he parks in front of the building that still has people milling about. “Do you need help with anything? I can drive you over to the guest house.”

  “No, it’s okay, really. It might take me a while, and it looks like there are still plenty of people around to help me, if I need it.”

  “Okay, but have security help you and walk you to the guest house. I don’t like you walking by yourself, and my uncle hired plenty of security for today.”

  I nod.

  “I am glad I spent my night with you. I meant what I said, I’d like to see you again.”

  “I’d like that too.”

  “Good thing I know how to get ahold of you. Is tomorrow too soon?”

  Before I can answer, he smiles and drives away. I watch as he heads towards the main house and I walk away from the best night of my life.

  Chapter Seven

  Jase

  I feel like I’m fucking fourteen again. Nora is amazing. Beautiful, sweet, innocent, probably too naïve, but God, what she makes me feel. Unreal.

  I think about Nora’s cute face. She’s a natural beauty. I don’t think she wears makeup. If she does, it’s minimal, which I like. She’s petite, but curvy, which I also like. Her hair…God, her hair smelled amazing. Like vanilla. I keep picturing her in the bed of my truck, her soft hair falling around her.

  For the first time, I actually enjoyed talking to a woman. She seems genuine, and not at all interested in my money, which is a welcome change. I don’t even care that we didn’t have sex. I just want to be around her. I loved being around her…until that incompetent fucker Michael Malone called.

  I think back to that stupid phone call.

  “I need your services, now. There’s been a leak. I though
t he wouldn’t care, but he did. He threatened me and he’s out of control. You need to help me. Uncle Malone says you’re the only one who can control him.”

  The last thing I wanted to do was deal with Isaac Campone. I’ve had to cover for that fucker more times than I care to count.

  This was the first time I got a call from Michael. He works for my client, Senator Malone. The senator usually deals with him when he fucks up. Michael just recently joined the team, and because he’s my client’s family, I haven’t had to deal with him yet.

  These two are just gofers, asked to do the simplest tasks, and yet fail every damn time.

  “Does this affect the senator?”

  Michael responded, “Yes, directly.”

  “Explain.”

  “I didn’t conceal the evidence well enough and he found out. He said he was done trusting me and would take care of the situation once and for all,” Michael said.

  “I’ll handle Isaac.”

  Thankfully, the situation was handled easily, and now it’s seven a.m., and I’m headed back to my Uncle Joe’s, hoping to get some sleep. Later, I plan on getting ahold of Nora. I can’t stop thinking about her.

  Before I left last night, I switched my truck for my brand new baby, a Mustang Shelby GT500. Pulling up to the main house, I see that the guest house lights are still on, even though the sun has come up. I notice a small red car parked in front and the door to the house wide open.

  I’ve been in the business for a long time, and I don’t feel right about the situation. I drive up and decide to park behind the red car. It’s eerily quiet as I exit my Mustang.

  I walk up to the driver’s side and lean over to look in and immediately wish I could erase what I see. I have seen a lot of fucked up shit, but nothing can prepare me for the sight of Nora in the passenger seat, head against the dash, covered in blood.

  I can’t move. My mind is not processing the sight in front of me. It feels like a nightmare. This isn’t real.

  My body is in slow motion as I try to yank the door open. It’s locked, so I run to the passenger side. I can’t take my eyes off of her, and I need to get to her.