Show-Off in Spurs (Crossroads Book 5)

by Em Petrova

  When he reached for the serving spoon, she caught a sparkle in his eyes. She had a good feeling that things would work out. Somehow, some way, they’d get Jordy squared away.

  After dinner, Theo picked up his plate and nudged Jordy to do the same. They bussed them to the dishwasher, and Theo showed him how to load the plates in. The fact the boy didn’t know how to execute basic tasks proved that his home life had been much different from a lot of kids’. She wondered if he even had meals before he ran away.

  As a team, they cleared the table. She stored the leftovers in a container in the fridge. “Help yourself to the spaghetti if you want a snack, Jordy.”

  The way he watched her, as if he couldn’t quite believe his luck, tore at her heartstrings and made her want to do more for him.

  Theo gathered the tools needed to finish the wood trim along the front wall of the schoolhouse, and Jordy knelt beside him, listening to the lesson in safety first and then measure-twice-cut-once.

  She curled up in the corner of the sofa to watch and listen to their banter. At one point, Theo said something that made Jordy burst out laughing. When she looked their way, she found Theo wearing a broad grin. Above Jordy’s head, their gazes met. A hot trail of liquid want cut a path through her.

  Later, his look promised.

  You know it.

  “Uh, Theo? I cut this a bit too short.” Jordy’s voice came out quiet.

  Their moment broken, Theo turned his attention to the boy. “How much too short?”

  Jordy used the measuring tape to show him.

  “Not too bad. I think we can fit that piece into the corner and use some wood putty to fill the gap. Let’s give it a try.”

  She enjoyed listening to their talk, and her mind drifted. It was nice to have male voices in her home again. After Jackson’s death, she’d missed it. She couldn’t deny waking to Theo’s voice and hearing him right before she drifted off to sleep would fulfill her.

  Whether Jordy stayed with her very long or not, she realized she wanted more. She wanted that family she’d dreamed about years ago with Jackson. His death had put all her hopes for the future on hold. But now…

  She could see the spark of a future on the horizon, the first rays of sun poking up over the land. That old dream of being a wife, having a man to take care of and share her life with, having a family with, returned like the faucet turned on full blast.

  When Theo glanced up again, he caught her stare. Her heart gave a small leap. What if she told him she was in love with him? She chewed on her lip. How would he react?

  The time was far from right tonight, but maybe soon. Now that the feelings were uncorked, she’d have a difficult time keeping them to herself.

  He twitched his jaw for her to come over. She stood and walked to where they knelt with a saw, hammer, finishing nails and long pieces of trim scattered around them.

  “We’ll ask the customer what she thinks of our resolution before we proceed,” Theo told Jordy.

  Jordy pointed to the corner, which showed such a miniscule gap that Sadie never would have noticed unless she lay down there and stared straight at it.

  “Some wood filler will fix that crack,” Jordy said as if he was the new authority on trim. And he was.

  She nodded. “I think it looks nice. I can hardly see the crack now, so with the wood filler, it will be totally perfect.”

  Jordy looked to Theo, waiting for his next command. She watched him show the boy how to fill the crack with putty and then use a bit of water on his fingertip to smooth it.

  “After we set the nails, we’ll use more filler so you don’t see the nail heads.”

  Jordy bobbed his head, taking it all in. Maybe he was on his way to learning more than running from bulls.

  Affection began to bloom in her chest for the teen, who only needed someone to invest in him…believe in him. With Theo as a champion, he was sure to succeed. And she’d do her part in nurturing him for as long as they were together.

  She drifted forward to where Theo crouched on the floor, supervising Jordy as he nailed on the trim and instructing him on how to keep the wood from splitting.

  Theo glanced up at her, a soft smile on his handsome face.

  Her heart gave a flip, and she couldn’t deny that part of the sensation wasn’t only the elation of having Theo’s interest.

  It was fear.

  She hoped to God this cowboy didn’t give her a broken heart.

  * * * * *

  Theo stood back alongside Jordy to examine their handiwork. The trim was one of the final things to complete the schoolhouse, and he felt pretty good to have a hand in making Sadie’s dreams come true.

  “Whattaya think?” he asked her.

  “I say it’s perfect. You guys did a great job!” She raised a hand to Jordy, who hesitated only a moment before high-fiving her.

  Theo saw how she engaged him every chance she got—from telling him to help himself to a drink from the fridge to the display of approval with the trim work the teen had never before done, Sadie brought him into the moment.

  Now Theo saw how wrong he’d been to hide Jordy away. What he needed all along was the feeling of belonging.

  “I bet you’re thirsty after that job.” She cocked a brow at Jordy. “Lemonade?”

  “That sounds great.”

  She threw Theo a look on her way to the kitchen. “You want one too?”

  What he wanted came in a very different form than a glass of squeezed lemons and sugar. He folded his fingers into his palms to keep from grabbing Sadie and storming to her bed, caveman style.

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  When he watched her swing her hips all the way to the kitchen, the kid noticed. Theo threw him a mind-your-own-business look, and Jordy hid his smile by ducking his head.

  “Why don’t you guys find something to watch on TV and I’ll bring the drinks in?” she called to them.

  Theo waited for Jordy to make the first move, which he did, going straight for the remote control. He found it odd how he felt he knew Jordy in many ways, and yet things such as taste in TV shows he didn’t. So when the boy stopped on a rodeo, Theo’s heart stopped too.

  He made a grab for the remote to quickly turn the channel, but a buzzer and cheer sounded on the surround-sound speakers that snapped Sadie’s head around.

  Fucking hell.

  Theo grabbed the remote and mashed his thumb into the channel button, flipping to anything other than this.

  His pulse hammered, and he stole a sideways glance at Sadie. She’d turned to the counter, head bowed over her task. He had a feeling she needed the time to compose herself, and he gave it to her.

  When he entered the house, he’d noted how she changed from the T-shirt featuring her late husband, and her ring finger was again bare. She obviously flipped through ups and downs regarding her emotions today, and now Jordy may have inadvertently sent her into a spiral.

  Jordy stared at him with a question in his eyes.

  “I’ll tell you later. Just stay away from the rodeos, okay?”

  He nodded and Theo handed him the remote. This time he landed on a family sitcom.

  A moment later, Sadie arrived bearing a tray and wearing a smile. She set the tray on the coffee table. Not only had she brought the promised lemonades, but she’d added a big bowl of pretzels and some apple slices.

  Jordy snapped out a hand to grab food, but he withdrew it with a sheepish smile. “Thanks for the snacks, Sadie.”

  “You earned it.” She carefully avoided Theo’s gaze as she reached for her own lemonade and a pretzel. But after a few minutes, they all got engaged in the sitcom and snacks. By the end, she was giggling at the silly jokes and the pinched look on her face had faded.

  He sat on the sofa, kicked out his legs and extended an arm along the back. If he dropped his hand, he’d be able to wrap his fingers around her nape.

  Then draw her lips to his.

  Or like the night he helped her carry the sofa in, spread her out on
the cushions, ankles around his neck and his tongue deep in her sweet honey.

  Hell, now he was getting hard, and that couldn’t happen in front of the kid.

  Sadie glanced at Theo, dropping her eyes to the bulge in the front of his jeans as if his dick had an alarm that alerted her each time it got hard.

  Which was all the time around her.

  You know it. Now get rid of the kid and take her to bed.

  Shut up, he half-heartedly told his dick, because he knew it was right.

  Though he needed to take it easy with Sadie—she was fragile today. He couldn’t just jump her first and talk later. She required an easy hand and soothing before he made a move.

  The hour grew late, the fading purple shadows creeping through the windows across the schoolhouse. She carried away the empty tray. And Jordy started to yawn.

  “I know the feelin’,” Theo told him. “We wake up with the sun and go to bed with the chickens.”

  “Except that rooster on the Bellamy never seems to sleep. He crows when it’s dark.”

  Sadie had returned and leaned a hip against the sofa arm next to Theo, a smile on her heart-stopping features. “Why don’t I show you the loft where you’ll sleep. I got your bed all made up already. Then you can shower if you want and hit the sheets.”

  He swung his gaze to Theo. He knew Jordy well enough to recognize that look in his eyes.

  Sadie seemed to catch it as well.

  “Theo, will you stay the night too?” Her beautiful eyes and the plump set of her lips asked another question, and so did that breathy quality to her voice. He hoped Jordy didn’t understand it, but damn, Theo did.

  “Sounds great. I’ll be up early to head to the ranch, though.”

  Jordy wore an expression of relief, and then Sadie and Theo gave him the tour of the loft. He seemed impressed with his new accommodations—who wouldn’t be after calling a blanket and pillow and a cushion of hay his bed for months now?

  After Jordy left for the shower, Theo grabbed Sadie’s hands. Chafing his thumbs over hers, he stared into her eyes. “Thank you.” His tone came out gruff. “For all of this. Everything.”

  She shook her head. “He’s an amazing kid. And you…” She swallowed. “You did the right thing, Theo. I don’t know where he came from or what happened to him, but he deserves a chance. I want to help you give it to him.”

  He did what he’d been wanting to do—and holding back from doing—all night. He kissed her, tilting her face to his with his fingers under her delicate chin and sweeping his mouth over hers.

  A soft sigh escaped her, and she deepened the caress, angling her head and slipping her arms around his neck. Need zapped through his nerves, and his cock swelled fully behind his fly, pushing hard with demand. But Theo reined in his wants, needs and desires to give her the experience she deserved right now.

  To be treated as the precious woman she was.

  Breaking away, he grabbed her by the hand. Leading her to the couch, he thought only to hold her and talk as they had before. Only now they had deeper subjects to share…and feelings as well.

  He settled on the couch and tugged her hands to pull her into his lap. She came stiffly into his arms with her backside seated against his groin. Hopefully he’d keep control of his reaction to her plush, round ass snuggled over his cock.

  For a long minute, he simply held her. Pressing his nose against the warm pulse point in her neck, he drank in the scents that made up Sadie in his mind. Light, feminine with a hint of lemon. Maybe it was the fresh-squeezed lemonade she was fond of making or her bodywash.

  She relaxed in his hold and finally dropped her head down on his shoulder. His heart gave a shudder of happiness, and he drew her closer yet. Neither spoke. Jordy came out of the bathroom and they heard him take the loft stairs to bed.

  “He’s a really good kid,” she said so softly only Theo could hear.

  “He really is. You’re right that he deserves a chance at life. And I intend to give it to him.”

  “Not many would bother. You’re a good man, Theo.”

  He turned his lips against her forehead. “You’re the one who deserves recognition for allowing him to stay.”

  “Nah… It’s nothing.”

  “The three of us together tonight…it was so comfortable.”

  She nodded, and he felt her relaxing against him. When she gave a big yawn, he shifted to the front of the couch with her. In one easy glide, he stood with her in his arms, legs draped over his arm bridal-style.

  She anchored her arms around his neck and looked up into his eyes.

  He nuzzled his nose against hers. “Let me take you to bed.”

  Leaning in, she brushed her mouth across his—all the answer he needed.

  When he carried her to the bedroom and let her slide to her feet, she quietly closed the door. As she faced him, she reached for her top and pulled it slowly over her head. His stare latched on to her pert breasts, her skin glowing and creamy in the lacy bra.

  His cock gave one stretch to fully hard the moment he saw her tiny nipples bead under the lace.

  He reached for her, spinning her to the wall and pressing her to it, trapping her with his body. She yanked his T-shirt hem free of his waistband and removed it.

  “If I’m bare-chested, so are you.” He pinched the clasp of her bra to free her from the garment. As he inched the straps down her shoulders and let it drop to the floor, her skin pebbled.

  Smoothing her hair aside, he stared into her eyes. “You’re so goddamn beautiful.”

  “You make me feel so good, Theo. I’m…” her throat worked for a moment, “sorry for earlier.”

  He met her gaze with brows furrowed in confusion.

  “When I had on Jackson’s shirt and wedding ring. I…felt insecure after what happened between us, and I slipped into my old comfort zone.”

  He eased his fingers through her hair and spread them over her scalp. “You never have to apologize for loving him. I’ll never ask you to forget him.”

  “Thank you.”

  “But I want my time now. My turn. Will you let me show you how I can love you, Sadie?”

  A noise broke from her, and her eyes burned with the same love that pulsed… throbbed…pounded through his veins.

  He covered her bare breast with his palm. A squeak left her, and her head dropped forward. As he skimmed his palm over her nipple, it hardened. He brushed her nipple until her fingers tightened on his hair, and she yanked his head down for a kiss.

  Their mouths collided with all the pent-up passion he’d kept corralled all night. He plucked at her nipple, and she stifled a cry. Rocking his hips, he pinned her to the wall. When she ground against his erection, they shared a noise.

  He picked her up and spun for the bed. They collapsed in a tangle of arms and legs, lips locked. In seconds he had both of them stripped and a condom in place. She gripped his cock at the base, guiding it toward her wet center.

  With his hands on her ass, he lifted her up and into him. His cock head slid into her slick pussy. Her breaths came out as rough pants, which caused his balls to tighten against his body. In a quick glide, he plunged deep.

  Swallowing her cry with his kiss, he began to move. Five thrusts, six…

  He flipped them over, seating her on top. Her warm brown hair tumbled around her shoulders and across her breasts. Eyes beaming with love, she tipped her hips in slow, thorough moves as her pussy hugged him tight.

  She braced her hands on his chest, toying with his nipples and driving him fast and furious toward the finish line. His balls throbbed. A deep need to pour his seed into her sweet body, with no barriers, and make her totally his, streaked through his mind.

  “Sadie,” he rasped.

  Her hair tumbled into one blazing eye. “Yeah?” she panted.

  “I’m in love with you.”

  Her eyes shuttered. She gave a slow twitch of her hips.

  And came.

  Biting off a roar, he reared up and claimed her m
outh. Spurts jetted from his cock as she rode him, grinding into the mattress and taking them both to new heights on the pleasure scale. Shudders stole over her body, and he rolled them again, unable to stop himself from pounding into her several more times.

  She clung to him, chest rising and falling in time with his. After long moments he realized that while he’d confessed his love for her, she hadn’t spoken the words in return.

  Any man in the same situation would question if the feelings were one-sided. After all, they’d met in a parking lot and had first-encounter sex.

  But they’d also become friends. What he saw in Sadie was a beautiful soul with ambitions and dreams. She spilled over with great ideas, and he had no doubt her business would launch the minute that website was up and running.

  She was also compassionate, sweet and giving, as she was with Jordy.

  On the other hand, she hated what he did for a living. He could easily see her reasons for keeping him at arms’ distance. If she confessed her love, it would open her up to a world of hurt if ever some injury did befall him on the Bellamy.

  In the end, he chose the wait-and-see method. They were getting along fine. There was no need to add pressure.

  For now, he had everything in the world he could ever want. Jordy upstairs in the loft, safe asleep. And Sadie’s head pillowed on his chest, over his thumping heart.

  Chapter Ten

  Sadie sat back in her chair and massaged her temples. She felt the strain of staring at a computer for hours on end, and several days in a row. A tight band pulled across her forehead and through each temple.

  She blinked away her blurred vision. Much more computer time and she’d need glasses. With any luck, most of her days would be spent in the houses of her clients in person.

  But the idea of having her Dr. Fixer Upper online meant days such as these would be more the norm than she ever would have guessed.

  She threw a look at the kitchen clock and realized she’d worked through lunch and forgotten to feed Jordy too.

  After standing, she stretched and headed around the short partition wall she and Theo built, searching for Jordy.