Emma hugged Zoe and kissed her cheek. “He can relax now knowing I’ll take care of your every wish, Madame.”
She laughed. “I think it’s what he’s afraid of. He’s scared you’ll have me gallivanting all over the countryside and out of control.”
“Me? Never.”
They both chuckled. Emma settled her friend into bed and padded down the hall to the guest room. She closed the door with a click and glanced around. The room had been redecorated since the last time she’d stayed. The king sized bed and chest of drawers in solid oak were the same, but the soft furnishings had been changed from a pale lilac to green, her favourite color.
She lifted her suitcase onto the bed, dug out a T-shirt and pair of cotton sleep shorts, and dropped it back on the floor. “I’ll unpack in the morning. That’s if his worship lets me stay.” Fuck, that man can get angry. His eyes were so dark, I half expected lightning to shoot out and strike me down.
She crawled in between the soft cotton sheets and lay on her back with her hands under her head. Moonbeams cast shadows which danced on the ceiling. She always kept her curtains open at night so the stars and the moon would cast a soft glow as she drifted to sleep and, the first rays of the sun would warm her face as she awoke.
The night was quiet and still, a change from the hustle and bustle of central Paris. She had become used to the noise of traffic, the flashing of lights and sirens. Daytime or night, Paris had never been quiet or serene. Did she miss it? Not really. Emma was a country girl at heart, she had missed her brother and friends, the wide open spaces and, Cody.
He had been Emma’s idol when she was growing up. She would find any excuse to visit Zoe and insist on being within view of her friend’s sexy big brother. To say she had a crush on him was an understatement. Their five-year difference meant nothing to her. Unfortunately, he thought of her as his little sister’s pesky friend who never knew when to keep her mouth shut. They had always argued as they were both strongly opinionated.
Emma rolled over and glanced at the clock. She’d been in bed for more than three hours and still couldn’t sleep. How was she going to manage, seeing him every day, knowing her love would never be returned?
~*~
In the room at the other end of the hallway, Cody tossed and turned. The minute he allowed his eyes to drift shut, the dark haired beauty’s huge whisky coloured eyes, and luscious, kissable lips, materialized. It was pure torture. His cock was so hard he could have used it to hammer nails into the fence he’d been busy repairing.
He rolled over and groaned. She was staying indefinitely. How the hell was he going to handle her being so close yet so out of reach?
Emma said, she didn’t like you so why did she respond when you danced? He was convinced, her nipples poking his chest as he held her close, must be an indication that at least her body liked him. He stiffened. Why the fuck do you want a pesky, ornery woman like her? She’s like a fucking burr under your saddle. I swear the woman can’t go five minutes without doing something to rile you. So why? Why does she cause my body to react the way it does? Because you have feelings for her and always have had.
~*~
Emma had been asleep for only minutes when a loud thump in the room next door had her flying out of bed. She flung back the door, it crashed into the wall with a bang, and she sprinted to Zoe’s room.
Flicking the switch, filling the dark room with light, she discovered Zoe lying on the floor next to the bed. Tears poured from her friend’s eyes. Emma sat down and dragged the smaller woman into her arms.
“What happened, hon?”
“I…I thought I needed to use the bathroom. When I tried to stand, my legs gave way. Sometimes I forget I’m a cripple” Sobs wracked her body.
“Ssshh, you’re not a fucking cripple. Are you hurt?” She ran her hand up and down her back in an attempt to calm her distraught friend.
“No.” She turned tear filled eyes toward Emma. “I want to be how I used to be. I want to walk, ride, dance, do all the things I love.” The sobs turned to piteous crying.
Emma hugged her tight. “Oh, hon. I promise you, one day at a time, you will walk again. Trust me.”
Zoe wiped her eyes and gazed into Emma’s with such hope. Could she dare to believe? Her friend had never let her down before. If she said Zoe would walk again, was it really possible?
Cody cleared his throat to let the girls know he was at the door watching.
Both girls’ heads turned toward the door.
“Cody, what are you doing up?” Emma asked.
“What, you expected me to sleep through all the racket you two were making?”
Emma scanned the handsome god’s body as he leaned against the door frame. He wore only a pair of boxer shorts. His massive chest, ripple upon ripple of muscle, twitched under her gaze. His shorts sat on lean hips, lucky hips. A happy trail disappeared beneath the waistband of said shorts and pointed down to the part that interested her the most. The man is positively droolworthy. She ran her tongue over her lips.
“Enjoying the view?” he asked with a tormenting grin on his face.
Her face heated and he laughed. She turned away, embarrassed.
“Are you alright now, sis? he asked.
“Yes, I’m okay. Sorry I woke you.”
He stepped closer. “How about we get you back into bed?”
She held up her arms. He scooped her off Emma’s lap and placed her gently into the bed. He pulled the covers up to her neck, brushed her hair back off her face and kissed her cheek. “Goodnight, sis.”
“Goodnight, thank you.”
Emma stood by the door. “Night, Zoe.”
Cody switched off the light and after following Emma from the room, he closed the door.
She slumped against the wall. “Does this happen often?”
He dragged his fingers through his unruly, bed mussed, hair. “Only the past week or so. Since she has begun having a little feeling.”
“Maybe it’s a good sign then.”
He licked his lips and raked his eyes over her. Dressed in sleep shorts and a sleeveless top, with no bra to confine her very ample breasts, she was mouth-watering.
“Now who’s enjoying the view?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“I think it’s time we went back to bed.”
“Yours or mine?”
Emma blushed and Cody chuckled as he turned and swaggered back to his room.
She watched his butt cheeks rise and fall with each step. Wouldn’t I love a handful of those?
~*~
Emma helped Zoe from the bed and onto the plastic shower chair. She pushed her through to the bathroom and turned on the shower, adjusting the heat. She drew the nightgown over her friend’s head and gasped when she saw how thin she’d become. Her ribs poked out through her skin.
“Fuck, Zoe. Why are you so thin?”
“I haven’t been eating very well. The doctor told Cody it was depression and he wanted to prescribe something. I refused to take anything. Cody and I argued over it but I said I would feel better once you were back and I promised him I would eat better.”
“And will you?” Emma checked the water before pushing Zoe under the spray.
“Yes.” She grasped Emma’s hand. “I do feel better knowing you’re here with me. I need you. Big brother is smothering me and I feel like I can’t breathe. I know he means well but I can’t take much more.”
Emma soaped a washcloth and while Zoe cleaned her front, she did her back. “I plan on getting you out as much as possible, get some color in your cheeks. You’re so pale.”
“I can’t wait but it will have to be after Physio.”
“What time is that?”
“Nine until eleven, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Cody comes up to the house for lunch and then he doesn’t come back in until sundown.”
“Great. That means we’ll have all afternoon to ourselves on those days and all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cody can get his own damn lunch on
those days.”
“He won’t like it.”
“Bad luck.” After washing Zoe’s hair, Emma turned off the shower and helped her to dry. She then pushed her back into the bedroom. “What would you like to wear?”
“I wear sweats and a tank top for Physio. After that, I like to change.”
Emma threw underwear, sweats and a tank top on the bed and between the two of them, Zoe was dressed, hair done and ready to go in no time. Settled into her wheelchair, they left the bedroom.
“Oh,” Emma glanced at the steps, the wheelchair and then Zoe. “How do you get downstairs?”
“Sorry, I didn’t think. Cody had a ramp put in that runs off the hall at the other end. He had a bedroom taken out and it comes in on the ground floor where the laundry was. He moved the laundry into the kitchen storeroom. It works, and means I can get up and down on my own during the day. He usually carries me up at night and Eden used to bring the chair up every morning.”
“How did the wheelchair get here today? I didn’t bring it up.”
“Cody must have brought it up earlier, before he went out to work.”
Emma pushed the chair to the other end of the hallway and noticed the gently sloping ramp leading down. They began their descent. “Does he come in for breakfast?”
“Not usually but I bet he will this morning. He’ll want to see how you did with me and he wants to talk to us remember?”
Emma groaned as she eased Zoe’s chair in to the table. “I’d rather I didn’t remember.”
The front door slammed. “Talk of the devil.” Emma cringed.
Cody skidded to a stop at the kitchen door when he saw his sister was dressed and downstairs.
Emma stood with her back to the sink. She wore a pretty lilac sundress with thin straps. Her glossy black hair was tied back in a high ponytail and she had white sandals on her feet. Her skin glowed with only the slightest hint of makeup. His cock twitched in appreciation.
She smiled sweetly at him. “Good Morning. Breakfast?” She swung around and flipped the switch on the coffee machine. The sun, streaming through the window, penetrated the cotton of her dress and outlined her body. She’s wearing a G-string, for God’s sake. Her firm, round ass on full display.
Every cell in his body leapt to attention. His cock thickened, pushing hard against the zipper of his jeans. He quickly pulled out a chair and sat at the table.
“You don’t have to make me breakfast but if you’re offering,” he squeaked out, never taking his eyes from her backside.
Zoe glanced at her brother, followed his eyes and gasped. “Emma, pull the blind down to stop the sun coming in please.”
Emma swung around and looked at her curiously. “I thought you would love the sunlight streaming in.”
“It’s a little too strong, maybe later it will be better.”
Emma shrugged and lowered the blind, effectively cutting off Cody’s view of her butt.
“Cereal, bacon and eggs? What do you usually have?”
“I’ll have a bowl of muesli and coffee please.” Zoe responded.
“Is that all?” Emma questioned.
“Yes. If I have a heavy breakfast the Physio makes me sick.”
“That’s fair. I’ll expect you to eat a decent lunch though. Cody, what will you have?”
“I’ll have bacon and eggs thanks.” His swollen cock was still straining at the zipper and he shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
“Who usually cooks breakfast?” Emma asked as she cracked two eggs into a pan which already had bacon sizzling. She tipped milk into a bowl full of muesli, poured a coffee and deposited them on the table in front of Zoe.
“I normally have mine with the boys at the bunkhouse. We talk about what needs doing while we eat. Now and again I come up here and Eden used to make me something. She didn’t seem to mind.” Cody said.
I bet she didn’t mind. Wonder what else she did for him, she concentrated on lifting the eggs out of the pan, and why the hell does it matter?
She placed the plate down on the table along with condiments, a knife and a fork. She retrieved a coffee for herself and sat down.
“Where’s yours?” Zoe asked as she spooned in some muesli.
“I usually have yoghurt. When we go out later, I’ll pick some up.” She sipped at her coffee.
Cody stopped with his forkful of bacon and eggs halfway to his mouth. “You’re going out?”
“Yes. I need to go into town and buy a car so I can return the rental. I have money saved for a small sized SUV. I also have a few things to pick up from the grocery store. If I’m going to be cooking, there are a few things I need. We’ll probably stop in for a drink on the way back.”
“Hold on. I haven’t said Zoe can go.”
Emma stiffened. Here we go. “Zoe is twenty-six years old. She’s a big girl now and can make her own decisions.”
“Not while she lives under my roof,” he retorted.
Emma sprang to her feet, hands on hips. “Are you threatening us? If you are, I’m more than happy to pack her up and take her to live with me in California. We can rent a house together. The beaches and sun will do her good and I’m quite sure she won’t miss your bullying.”
“You’re not taking her anywhere. She’s my responsibility and I will make the decisions.” Cody glared at her.
“No, you won’t. Zoe will make her own decisions. You’re smothering her and she’s unhappy. Why do you think she’s been depressed?” Emma yelled.
Cody’s gaze snapped to his sister who sat with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Look what you’ve done.” He pushed his chair back and stood but before he could move to his distraught sister, Emma had Zoe hugged against her. She stared daggers at Cody.
“Cody, back off or you’ll lose her.”
“This isn’t over, Emma.” He jammed his hat on his head and stormed from the room.
Chapter Four
Cody stalked into the barn and tossed his hat onto a bench. He cursed and mumbled under his breath. “She needs throwing over my knee so I can give that sexy ass a good fucking paddling.”
Gil and Spencer stopped brushing their horses and stared at their boss.
“Problem, boss?” Gil finally dragged up enough courage to ask.
“Problem? Yeah, one fucking pain in the ass problem called Emma Jamison.”
Gil and Spencer let their breaths out with an audible whoosh.
“Is that all? I thought something bad had happened,” Spencer quipped.
“It has. Emma has sacked Eden and is staying here to look after Zoe. My life is going to be fucking hell.”
“C’mon, boss. She can’t be that bad.” Gil laughed.
“No? Picture a horse with a dozen burrs under his fucking saddle. That’s how she makes me feel. I never know what she’s going to do next. What’s worse is she’s insisting on taking Zoe everywhere she goes. Have you seen her drive?”
“Boss, loosen up. Like Gil said, she can’t be that bad,” Spencer said.
“You’ll see. Mark my words, you’ll see. She’s the most ornery, disobedient, pain in the fucking ass you could ever meet.”
Gil and Spencer turned pink and covered their mouths as they coughed.
Prickles shot down his spine. Fuck. He turned around slowly. Yep, Emma stood at the barn door. To say she looked like a thunder cloud about to burst would have been an understatement. “Emma, I didn’t know you were there,” he said sheepishly.
“Ma’am,” Gil was the first to move forward and offer his hand. “Gil Bryant. Mighty nice to make your acquaintance.”
Emma shook his hand but her glare remained fixed on Cody.
“Spencer Turnbull, ma’am.” She shook his hand. “We help the boss around the place.” He raked Emma’s body with his eyes and licked his lips. “Hopefully we’ll be seeing plenty of you.”
“Don’t you two have work to do?” Cody growled at his men and they quickly went back to attending the horses in the stalls.
“Nice to meet
you, gentlemen,” Emma smiled and waited until they had both moved away before rounding on Cody. “Ornery, pain in the fucking ass, huh? I gave you the option of letting me take Zoe to California. At least then I’d be out of your way.” She spun around and raced toward the house.
She had barely taken three steps before Cody pounced. He grabbed her upper arm and turned her toward him. “I’m sorry, Emma. I was angry.”
Tears pricked the back of Emma’s eyes as she gazed into his chest.
“Emma, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up.
She attempted to blink back the tears as she nodded. One trickled over her cheek, he pushed it away with his thumb.
“Emma?”
“Please, Cody. I understand. I know I’ve always been a pain in the ass as far as you’re concerned but I only want to help Zoe. I promise I’ll try to stay out of your way but, I won’t make your sister stay indoors or here on the ranch. She needs her space, to be free to do as she wants.”
“I don’t want her hurt,” he murmured.
“I know you don’t and neither do I but you’re slowly sucking the life out of her. I love her more than anyone, have faith in me. Trust me. I promise I won’t let her get hurt. And, if anyone so much as glances at her sideways, I’ll make them wish they’d never been fucking born.”
He relaxed his grasp on her arm as he sighed in defeat. Deep within his heart, he knew what he had been doing to his sister was wrong, but he was so scared for her. She had suffered too much already. “Okay. I won’t interfere and, I’ll try and hold my tongue. But, I need you to at least tell me what you will be doing each day and please, nothing dangerous.”
“I’ll tell you but you have to promise not to over react. I won’t do anything to put her at risk.”
“We’re agreed then. Truce?” He held his hand toward her.
She placed her hand in his, a bolt of electricity shot through her body almost lifting her feet from the ground. She jumped back and pulled her hand free.
Accidental Love Page 3