“Yes…I am. Thank you,” she murmured as he helped her to the bathroom.
Ash found her kitchen and came back to the bedroom with a glass of water. After placing it on her night stand, he pulled her covers back and waited for her to return from the bathroom.
Helping her remove the robe, Ash did his best not to notice the tight nipples that peaked the silken fabric of her nightgown, or the fact that sheer lace slashed across both hips and the torso of the gown. This is what she sleeps in at night? Damn!
He sat down on the bed with her and handed her the glass of water. After draining it, she laid back carefully, flinching as she tried to get comfortable. She wound up turning on her side so that she faced him, and he helped her prop her wrist up on a pillow. When she was finally settled, he brushed a fingertip over her cheekbone.
“When was the last time you took a vacation or a day off?”
After a long pause, she replied, “I can’t remember. The store has sort of become my life.”
“I thought as much. How many hours are you working per week?” He didn’t want her to feel cornered, but he felt compelled to ask.
“Long hours, Ash. I work retail management. I’m there when we open and when we close.”
“How many? Give me an estimate.”
She frowned and sighed. “I’m usually there about eighty hours a week. I’ve gotten used to it. My friends always know where to find me, and many of my employees are like family to me.”
He had a feeling she was making the excuse to herself as much as she was to him. He didn’t speak for fear of coming across as judgmental. Eighty hours a week explained a lot. Evelyn had mentioned she was overtired and oversensitive, and now he could see why.
“Technically, I was off today. And I take off a couple of hours on Sunday to go to church and have lunch with friends. I still have time here and there for things like that during the week.”
“Here and there? You worked hard all day today, until you got hurt, so today cannot be counted as a day off.”
“I know. I’ll take the day off tomorrow…or at least the morning.”
“You have a second in command, don’t you?”
“Yeah, Leah Woodworth.”
“Good. Evelyn said she and Leah would cover for you tomorrow. You should take off the whole day. How are you sleeping at night?”
“I sleep fine, but I tend to be a night owl.”
“Meaning what? What’s your bedtime?”
“After I’ve read for a while, usually around midnight, sometimes later. It takes me a while to wind down.”
He stroked her cheekbone with his fingertips. “You’re worn out, aren’t you, darlin’?”
She nodded in agreement.
“No wonder you’re out of sorts. You’re dead on your feet. It’s eleven o’clock right now. I’ll let Angel know I’m staying here tonight to watch over you and help you in the morning. I’ll fix you breakfast, too.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she murmured, rubbing her cheek against his palm. He could tell she was already drifting into slumber.
“It’ll ease my mind. Besides, the doctor said you were not to be left alone because you’d hit your head so hard.”
“Marshmallow,” she whispered.
“What?”
She smiled sleepily. “You look like a big, tough cowboy on the outside, but you’re soft as a marshmallow on the inside, aren’t you?”
He felt a small hitch in his throat at the vulnerable tone she used. “Yeah, you nailed me.”
She pressed her lips to his palm and drifted away, saying nothing further. He forced himself to rise from her cozy, comfortable bed and move to the overstuffed chair in the corner nearby. At least it had an ottoman so he could prop his feet up. He slipped his boots off and got comfortable.
* * * *
Juliana woke during the night, disoriented and groggy. Her eyes wouldn’t cooperate at first and felt like they were lined with sandpaper. She reached up to rub them and bopped herself in the forehead with her cast. Then she remembered what had happened. She attempted the same maneuver with the other hand and groaned when her stitched and wrapped finger started throbbing. Bad move. She used her left elbow to prop herself up, thinking to get some Tylenol from her bathroom but rethought that action when it pulled on her stitches. She lay back down with a groan, and then she noticed Ash as he sat up and came to her, concern in his eyes. He looked wide awake.
“What’s the matter, darlin’? What do you need?”
“Ash? You stayed?”
He grinned. “Yeah, you were pretty out of it when you fell asleep. The doctor doesn’t want you to be alone tonight.” He checked his watch. “It’s about three o’clock. Are you in pain?”
“Yes. I can’t seem to get up without making something hurt.”
“Stay right there and I’ll get it for you. How is your stomach?”
“My stomach feels fine now. The pain reliever is in the medicine cabinet in my bathroom.”
Ash went to the bathroom, got what she needed, and refilled her water glass then brought them back to her. He helped her to sit up in the bed, and she took the pills and then handed the glass back to him after draining it.
“You didn’t eat any supper last night. Do you want some crackers or a piece of toast?” he asked, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“No, I think I’d better wait until the morning, but I could use an ice pack. My finger is throbbing like crazy. I must have put pressure on it in my sleep.”
“I’ll be right back.”
He fixed her an ice pack and wrapped it around her hand with a dish towel, helping her to lie down and position herself on her other side, with both hands propped up.
“It was nice of you to stay with me, Ash. You must be exhausted.”
“Actually, your chair is fairly comfortable. Why don’t you go back to sleep now. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
Juliana closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep but gradually came fully awake. She’d knocked her sleep schedule off-kilter by dozing throughout the evening and then falling asleep so early, or at least, early for her. She lay quietly listening to Ash and heard him sigh and shift in the chair. A few minutes later, he shifted again.
“Ash?”
“Yeah, darlin’?” His faintly accented voice was a balm to her senses in the quiet of the room.
“I can’t sleep. You can’t get comfortable. Will you come lay down with me?” Yeah, because that would help her fall asleep. This would no doubt be an exercise in self-torture, but she knew he was not comfortable, either. If he was willing to stay to watch over her, the least she could do was make him comfortable. She posed it as a direct request, knowing he wouldn’t come to bed if she asked him if he’d like to.
“You sure, darlin’? I’m afraid I’d wind up hurting your stitches or banging on your wrist.”
“I’ll be okay. You won’t wobble me on this mattress. Just be careful when you scooch in.”
“Which side?”
“Behind me. There’s more space on that side of the bed.”
“You sure?” he asked, sounding unsure.
“Yes, Ash. I’d feel better if you were lying down, comfortable, and I…I’d like it if you came closer. I promise I’ll behave,” she said with a faint chuckle.
He sounded like he was smiling when he said in the dark, “Well, if you’re sure my virtue is safe.”
“Very safe, Ash,” she whispered, softly adding, “For now, anyway.”
She felt the bed dip slightly, and then a shiver went up her spine as his lips brushed her ear when he replied, “I heard that,” before she felt his lips press against her throat, his fingers brushing her hair away from her neck.
Smiling into the darkness, she listened to him settle directly behind her, not pressing against her but up nice and close. She closed her eyes and couldn’t help the shuddering sigh of pleasure that slipped from her when his fingertips slid up her cheekbone then over her temple, stroking
in a repetitive pattern down her throat, to the curve of her shoulder, then back up again.
“That is the most soothing thing I’ve felt, in…I have no idea how long,” she whispered, sighing in pleasure at his light, tickling touch.
“Try to relax and get some more sleep. I’ll be right here,” he murmured, continuing to stroke her.
“Ash?”
“What, darlin’?” She shivered slightly at the feel of his breath on her cheek, her body very much aware of his proximity.
“I’m not usually such a difficult person to be around.”
“I know, darlin’. I never thought that.”
Scoffing lightly, she said, “After today, even I would think I was one crazy, mouthy bitch.”
“Today you were not yourself, and anyone can tell you’re tired out. I don’t think you’re like that at all.”
“You haven’t seen me at my best, not even once.”
“We haven’t known each other that long. It would be harsh for me to judge what kind of person you are based on the little time we’ve spent together.”
He was being awfully generous. If she’d met someone as cantankerous as she’d been, she’d have written them off without another thought.
“I just wanted you to know, I’m not usually like that, so oversensitive. I don’t know why I’ve been like that.”
“I’ll bet you’d feel better if you had a little rest, and some time off.”
“It’s easier said than done.”
“I know. It’s hard when you have so much responsibility. But people will cut you slack when they know you need it. Darlin’, when you were in the closet at Teresa’s house and you got upset, did you think I was making fun of how you’re shaped?”
“I’ve always been self-conscious of certain…physical attributes.”
“You mean your derriere?”
She sighed and nodded as he continued his hypnotic stroking, drawing the honest answer from her.
“Why?”
“Growing up, I got teased for it. I developed early, and I’ve always been…curvy, unlike most of the women in my family who are willowy. My older brother teased me mercilessly when I started developing. He was hateful to me, telling me I had a fat ass, even kicking me or swatting me there several times. Turning my back to anybody, like how I was with you in the closet, is very uncomfortable for me.”
Juliana felt his lips in her hair, and then he murmured, “I’m sorry your brother was mean to you, darlin’. All the women in my family are shapely, too. My dad would’ve kicked my ass if I’d ever teased one of them for it. He and all my uncles were proud to have curvy, beautiful women in our family. My grandma, my mom, sisters, and my aunts are all real lookers.”
“Really?” She wondered what it would be like to be part of a family that didn’t judge you by your appearance. She never felt like she measured up with any of the women in her family and only a few of the men.
“As for what I personally think about your attributes? I think your ass is just about the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, except for maybe all the beauty I tried not to see tonight while I helped you change clothes. My only regret was that I couldn’t enjoy the experience because you were in pain. I think you’re a knockout, and anyone who can’t see that must be the dumbest ass in captivity.”
She chuckled at the disgruntled snort that punctuated his statement. “Cowboy, you sure do have a way with words.”
“I call ’em like I see ’em, darlin’.” He stroked her hair, drawing his fingers through it and smoothing it back from her forehead and temple.
“That feels so good.” Her heart ratcheted up a notch when she felt his full lips and the tickle of his moustache on the nape of her neck as he stroked her hair from her neckline. She tried not to fidget as an aching rush of desire flooded her core, wishing his fingers were stroking her pussy like that right now. She felt awash in need for him.
“Your hair feels like silk under my fingers. You’re beautiful, and I hope you never doubt it again.”
“Ash, you keep this up and I’ll be putty in your hands. Hell, I already am,” she whispered shakily, choosing to be honest about how he affected her.
He brushed his lips against her jawbone. “I won’t take advantage of an injured woman, and you need your rest. If it helps, I’ll keep doing this, but if it’s keeping you awake—”
“Oh, don’t stop. I love it.”
“My hands aren’t too rough?”
“They feel just right. And, Ash, thanks. You’re good for a girl’s ego.”
“I aim to please. You rest and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“What about the ranch? I know you have a lot of responsibility.”
“Joaquin and Angel are going to cover for me in the morning like they did this evening. Sometimes you have to take a little time for the important things, and you’ve become important to me.”
“You’re extremely forgiving,” she said humbly.
“I’m a good judge of character.”
Chapter Five
No, Ash couldn’t make love to her like his cock was screaming for him to. He couldn’t touch her tonight the way his fingers itched to. He couldn’t put his mouth on all the places he’d fantasized about kissing. His body ached with the need to be inside her. His cock hadn’t stopped throbbing since he’d climbed into her bed. His balls were in insistent agony at her close proximity. Her scent and her body heat permeated the sheets and comforter around her, warming him as well.
But he could lay here with her and it was enough—just to be close to her. This was not how their first night together should’ve been, but he was proving to himself and maybe to her that he was a man of worth, like his father and his brothers, that he would be there for her and take care of her.
In the dark of the night, he could be honest with himself and accept that he was falling in love with her. Her auburn-red hair had drawn his eyes the moment she’d walked into the room at the ranch Christmas party. When he’d realized they were friends, he’d quietly asked Grace if she’d mind introducing him to her.
He smiled, remembering the twinkle in Grace’s knowing eyes when she’d invited him over to make the introduction. Juliana had turned her clear, sky-blue eyes his way, appearing completely undeterred by his height and size. He’d lost his heart to her right then. She’d smiled at him and drawn him into a conversation, asking him about himself and then actually listening when he answered her questions.
She’d stepped outside when the room had gotten crowded, and he’d taken advantage of the opportunity. In the course of their conversation, she’d mentioned her now former boyfriend and his inexcusable absence on Christmas Day. It was then that he’d stuck his foot in his mouth the first time. He was just as responsible for setting Juliana off as she was for losing her temper.
Resting his head in his right hand, Ash continued to stroke her hair and her cheek, even though he could tell she was sound asleep. He was greedy, and if this was all he could do tonight, he would get his fill of touching her, even if it was in this innocent way.
He’d also been stroking her upper arm, and as his fingers drifted, she shivered lightly and murmured in her sleep, snuggling back toward him.
Ash wanted to be responsible for more than just a murmur. He wanted to hear her throaty moans when he suckled her nipples. He wanted to hear her pant in ecstasy as he stroked into the silky heat between her thighs and to be personally responsible for her screams as she came so hard they both saw stars. He wanted everything she had to give and to give her what she needed from him. He wasn’t sure how they were going to fit any of that in if she was working eighty hours each week.
His body’s natural alarm clock woke him early at five o’clock. It was dark in the room, and he took stock of his position before moving. He didn’t want to startle her or cause her any jarring pain when he moved.
She must’ve gotten chilled as she slept because she’d gravitated backward and was now spooned against him with her head resting on
his bicep. His body was curled around hers, and his other hand rested comfortably on her abdomen.
Damn, he hated to move.
Ash wanted to wake up in this position with her every morning. The only thing that would be better would be waking up with them both naked. He looked down at her, listening to her breathe.
The streetlight outside cast a dim glow through her mini-blinds so that he could make out the swell of her breasts, barely covered by the plunging neckline of her gown. That luscious, seductive curve was almost more temptation than he could manage. He was barely successful in stifling a groan when she moved in her sleep and pressed her ass against him. Luckily, she was too deeply asleep to be aware of the thickened cock she was rubbing against.
Knowing he had to get up, unable to stand more innocent torture, he drew the comforter over her shoulder and carefully slipped out and slid the other pillow behind her. Stepping out of her bedroom, he closed the door so that he wouldn’t disturb her and then headed for the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.
* * * *
Juliana woke several hours later to the sound of her shower running and the scent of bacon and coffee. The sun was high in the sky, and she gasped in surprise when she saw that she had slept until nine o’clock in the morning. It was always her habit to rise at six-thirty and be at the store by eight o’clock, even though they didn’t open until ten. Her day had to begin earlier so that she had time for paperwork and planning and could then spend at least part of her day on the sales floor, directing operations. It made for a long day, but it kept everything running efficiently. This morning, it made her tired to think of spending an entire day at the store like that. It seemed almost sad.
The water in her bathroom shut off as she rolled onto her back, testing her pain level. She was due for some more Tylenol soon. She smiled when the image of Ash in her bathroom, naked, drying off with her bath towel came to mind. She wondered obscenely if he was the type to walk around after his shower with his hips wrapped in a towel, or if he went naked until he got dressed. If she’d been feeling a bit more chipper this morning, she might go and investigate for herself, but she was moving way too slow, and he was dressed and out of the bathroom before she was even sitting fully upright in the bed.
Box Set: The Divine Creek Ranch Collection, Volume 2 [Book 4 - Rosemary's Double Delight (MFM), Book 5 - Spurs and Heels (MF)] (Siren Publishing Romance Collection) Page 23