First and Again

by Jana Richards

  “Are you sure you have to leave right this minute?”

  She was suddenly very much aware of her nudity. She hadn’t meant to prance around in front of Jack wearing only her bra. But she felt no embarrassment with him. In fact, the look of pure male appreciation he gave her made her feel heady with power.

  “Maybe not this very minute.” She sat on the edge of the bed beside him, and reaching out her hand, she smoothed his sleep rumpled hair. “What did you have in mind?

  He softly traced a finger from her shoulder to her breast, and down her belly to rest just below her navel. “I have a few ideas.”

  She shivered in anticipation. “Really? Why don’t you tell me about them?”

  “First of all, I was thinking we need to get rid of this again.”

  He deftly unhooked the clasps of her bra and slipped it from her shoulders. With a flick of his wrist he sent it sailing across the room toward the dresser. It hit the mirror, but this time instead of catching, it fell to the floor.

  “Your aim was a little off,” she said with a grin.

  “I guess I’ll just have to keep practicing until I get it right.”

  Her smiled faltered. He expected that tonight was the beginning of many nights together. How many times could she sleep with Jack before her heart completely took over?

  He sat up and kissed her tenderly and all doubt fled from her mind. All she knew was that being with him like this was heaven.

  She loved the feel of his calloused hands skimming over her skin. There was something erotic, yet so... loving in his touch. Bridget shook her head lightly at the fanciful idea. Jack didn’t love her. They were friends, friends with benefits as it turned out, but nothing more. She had to learn to accept what he was able to give her.

  He pushed her back against the pillows and kissed her. His kisses changed from sweet and tender to fierce and demanding. Hot, wet kisses trailed over her collarbone, her breasts, her stomach. A thousand sensations assaulted her as he nipped and sucked and licked his way across her body, leaving her helpless and able to do little more than moan her pleasure.

  When he spread her legs and kissed the inside of her thigh, she pushed herself up on her elbows to look at him.

  “Jack?”

  “I promise I’ll make this good for you.” He lowered his head and touched his tongue to the sensitive nub at the apex of her thighs. She sucked in her breath, nearly exploding into a million pieces.

  He lifted his head and gave her a wolfish grin. “Would you like more?”

  Oh God yes! She managed to nod before falling back against the pillows.

  He spread the delicate folds of her flesh, this time whirling his tongue and gently suckling. She writhed on the bed. Arching her back, she moaned and sobbed his name. Her world narrowed to only the two of them on this bed and the explosion of sensation building inside her. A moment later she shattered in an orgasm so powerful and so glorious it made her want to shout with joy. If only she could summon the energy.

  He left the bed briefly to find another condom in the night stand. She’d barely recovered her equilibrium before he returned and nudged her legs apart. He entered her, filling her completely, stretching her with exquisite pressure. She met his thrusts beat for beat, the tempo building along with her excitement. To her utter amazement, she climaxed again, in an orgasm even more shattering the first. A moment later Jack reached his own release. He called out her name, and as wave after wave of tremors shook his body, she held him, stroking his back and whispering reassurances.

  At last their breathing returned to normal. Jack rolled off her but pulled her close. The love they’d just made had been profoundly satisfying on a physical level, but there was much more to it. They’d forged an emotional connection as well. She’d never felt as close to anyone as she felt to Jack in this moment.

  He whispered softly against her ear. “What are you thinking?”

  She wasn’t ready to reveal the raw emotions she’d just experienced. Had the experience affected Jack as profoundly, or was she in this alone?

  “I was just thinking that good things come to those who wait.” She turned in his arms to look in his eyes. “That was amazing.”

  “Yes, it was.” He smiled, the laugh lines around his eyes wrinkling in amusement. “I guess there’s something to be said for age and experience after all.”

  She smiled back at him, loving the tenderness she saw in his beautiful blue eyes. “I guess there is.”

  For a long time they held each other, and she was content to simply listen to the beating of his heart. At last she lifted her head and glanced at the clock: 3:00 a.m.

  “I really do have to go. Mavis will worry and the girls will be up in a few hours.”

  He gave her one last gentle squeeze. “Yeah, I know.”

  Reluctantly, she disentangled herself from Jack’s arms and left the warm bed. She quickly dressed, aware of his eyes on her. As before, she felt no self-consciousness, knowing that he didn’t judge her body the way Ben had.

  She leaned over the bed to kiss him. “Bye. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow when you bring Rebecca home. Or I guess I should say later today.”

  He smiled. “I’ll bring her home after lunch.”

  “Okay.” Why was it so hard to leave?

  She straightened, and took a deep breath. As she turned to leave Jack caught her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. He turned her hand over, placing another kiss in the center of her palm that sent a jolt of electricity straight to her womb. The blue of his eyes darkened to a smoky indigo as they captured her gaze. She was unable to look away or even breathe, her heart slamming against her rib cage. Did he feel it too, this connection, this something between them? Or was it just really good sex for him?

  Finally, he released her hand and she fled before she was tempted to stay. As she drove back to town in her cold car, she wondered whether this thing between them would break both their hearts just as it had done twenty years ago.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bridget poured Tina another cup of coffee and then slid into the booth across from her. Tina worked the keys of her calculator, punching in the numbers of the invoices and sales receipts spread over the table in the old restaurant. She punched in the last number and then pumped her fists in the air.

  “Yes! We actually made money on the wedding!”

  Bridget grabbed the calculator to take a look. The machine indicated a healthy profit from catering Tina’s neighbor’s daughter’s wedding the previous evening.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve added it twice and got the same number, so unless you’ve got expenses you haven’t told me about, that’s what we made.” She let out a delighted shout and began singing, “We’re in the money.”

  She had to admit it wasn’t a bad figure. “We did okay.”

  “We did better than okay! We were fantastic! Did I tell you that three different people came up to me last night and asked us to cater their event? Three! With a little more word of mouth and some advertising we could be busy every weekend.”

  “Hold on a minute. I told you, this was a one-shot thing because I owed you for helping me at Jack’s. I haven’t committed to a full-time business.”

  “Bridge, we’ve got to do this. I’m not ashamed to tell you I need the money and employers aren’t exactly lining up to hire me. And I like the idea of running my own business. We’ve got to go for this. Please, Bridget.”

  She loved having her own business too. But here in Paradise?

  She had to admit she’d enjoyed working with Tina. They’d set up the old restaurant as their headquarters, using the new stove to cook all the food for the wedding. Catering the event and making dozens of cabbage rolls with Tina had been fun. And fun had been in very short supply in her life for a long time. Could they actually work together on a full-time basis without killing each other?

  “Think of the money we could make. With your expertise and my contacts we’ll make out like bandits!” When she
arched an eyebrow, Tina backtracked. “And of course we’d be offering a useful and needed service in the community.”

  She thought through her options. If she decided to work with Tina, their company had the potential to generate far more income then she could make by working in her mother’s bar. It would mean that at the end of the school term, she would have enough money to find a decent apartment in San Francisco. Her newfound confidence would mean she could look for work there in the restaurant or catering industry once more.

  Going back to California was what she had planned from the beginning, but it felt much less appealing now.

  “I’ll make you a deal. We’ll work together until the end of the school year.”

  Tina let out a victory whoop. Then she sobered.

  “Why only until the end of the school year?”

  “Because Rebecca and I plan to go back to San Francisco then.”

  Tina gave her a knowing smile. “No you won’t. Neither you nor Rebecca will want to leave Jack.”

  She wanted to deny Tina’s assertion but found she couldn’t. It was too painful to think about.

  “So have you slept with him?”

  “Tina! That’s none of your business.”

  She nodded. “Yes, you’re right. It’s none of my business. But have you?”

  Bridget felt her face turn a hot shade of red, making any denials useless. Tina clapped her hands.

  “You have slept with him! I knew it was just a matter of time.”

  She put her hand over Tina’s. “If you tell anyone, and I mean anyone, including your husband, I will terminate our partnership immediately. I will not have rumors about Jack and me spreading all over town. Do you understand?”

  “I understand. I can keep a secret, you know. No one will ever hear about you and Jack from me.”

  “Good. I’m glad we’re clear on that.”

  “But don’t be surprised if people talk anyway. People know there’s something going on between you. They’ll gossip with or without my help.”

  She knew she was right. People would talk and probably already did. She cringed at the idea that her relationship with Jack was the topic of gossip.

  “Well, in any event, I don’t want you adding fuel to the fire.”

  Tina held up her right hand. “I solemnly swear that I will not speak a word about you and Jack to anyone. Amen.” She lowered her hand and grinned. “So, how was he?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. Only Tina would dare to ask such an impertinent question. The woman was incorrigible, in an endearingly annoying kind of way.

  Tina nodded sagely. “That good, huh? Trust me, there’s no way you’re going to want to leave at the end of the school year.”

  Bridget was afraid she was right. When the time came, would she be forced to choose between Jack and her daughter?

  * * *

  The car had barely come to a stop before Rebecca opened the passenger door and jumped out. Bridget grinned in amusement as her daughter ran to Jack’s barn. She loved the horses so much she was willing to do just about anything, including cleaning up after them.

  She was about to pull out of the yard when she saw Jack and Leslie approach her car. Her heart thumped happily at the sight of him, feeling like a kid with her first crush.

  As she got out of her car and closed the door, Leslie ran to her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She hugged her back. The little girl never failed to make her smile.

  “Hi,” Jack said. He reached out a gloved hand and briefly touched her face. His smile told her he’d thought about their amazing night together almost as much as she had.

  “Hi yourself,” she said, stroking Leslie’s back. “I just came to drop off Rebecca. It’s getting too cold for her to ride her bike. She’s already gone to visit Candy.”

  “We saw her head to the barn. Do you have time for coffee?”

  She was tempted. There was nothing she’d rather do than spend the day snuggling with Jack in front of a nice, warm fire. But duty called.

  “I wish I did, but I’ve got to run into the city. I need some supplies for our catering business and I want to check out some food wholesalers. I’m helping Mom with the Saturday night crowd tonight so I have to hurry.”

  She was pleased that Jack looked disappointed. “Another time, then. Do you want me to give Becky a ride home?”

  “Sure, thanks. Mom said she could pick her up after lunch, but if you can do it that would save her a trip.”

  “Sure, no problem. I’ll give Mavis a call and let her know.”

  “Well, I’d better be going.” She stared into Jack’s eyes, reluctant to leave.

  Leslie tugged at her jacket. “Can I come with you?”

  Jack looked as surprised as she felt at Leslie’s words. “Why do you want to come with me, honey?”

  “I don’t want to ride my pony today. It’s too cold. Can I come with you?”

  Leslie’s eyes pleaded with her and she found it hard to say no. “I’m not going shopping or doing anything fun. I have to do business in the city.”

  She tugged on her jacket once more. “Please?”

  “Leslie, you’re being a nuisance. Bridget can’t take you with her.” She’d never heard Jack speak to Leslie in such a harsh tone of voice. When she looked into his face he avoided her eyes, his expression embarrassed. She put an arm around Leslie’s shoulders.

  “It would be okay with me, as long as Leslie knows she has to listen to me. In fact, she’ll be a big help. She can help me carry things.”

  Leslie clapped her hands in excitement but Jack looked skeptical. “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into? What if Leslie gets bored and wants to come home? What if she has to go to the bathroom?”

  She looked at Leslie. “You know we can’t come home until I’ve done my business, right? You won’t cry to come home, will you?”

  She solemnly shook her head. “I’m a big girl. I won’t cry.”

  “Good.” Bridget looked at Jack in triumph. “See? We’ll be fine. And as far as bathrooms go, last time I checked they had several in Bismarck.”

  He let out a deep breath. “Fine, but I want you to call me if anything happens on the road, or you get delayed coming home.”

  “I’d love to, Jack, but I don’t have a cell phone and there aren’t a lot of phone booths along the interstate.”

  “Then you’ll have to take my cell. Come to the house and I’ll give it to you.”

  His tone told her he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She turned off her car before following Jack to the house.

  Twenty minutes later, once he was satisfied that she knew how to use his phone and Leslie had made a trip to the bathroom, they were finally ready to leave. She buckled Leslie securely in the the middle of the back seat.

  “You should take my truck,” Jack said. “This old car of yours could break down on you.”

  “It drove me all the way from San Francisco without any trouble. I’m sure it can make the thirty miles into Bismarck.”

  “You’ll call me if anything happens?”

  “Of course I will.” She touched his face. “I’ll look after her, I promise. I trust you to look after Rebecca when she’s riding. You trust me to keep Leslie safe, don’t you?”

  A myriad of emotions ranging from worry to sheer terror flitted across his face. At last he took a deep breath and nodded.

  “Yes, I trust you.”

  She desperately wanted to kiss him, but with Leslie watching she contented herself with squeezing his gloved hand.

  “Good. We’ll be home around five. I’ll see you then.”

  She slipped into the driver’s seat and pulled out of the yard. Jack waved to them as they left, looking about as worried as a man could look. His lack of trust in her annoyed her. They were going to Bismarck, for goodness sake, not the far side of the moon. What could possibly happen?

  * * *

  A cold gust of wind blew across the pasture, blowing snow into Jack’s face and sendin
g an icy chill down his back. Beside him, mounted on Candy, he saw Rebecca give an involuntary shiver.

  “Are you cold?” he asked, raising his voice to be heard over the whine of the wind.

  She shook her head, her cheeks red. “No, I’m fine.”

  He grinned at her. “Liar. I’m freezing. With this wind picking up, it’s too hard on the horses. Let’s head back.”

  She grinned back at him. “Now who’s lying? The horses are fine. You’re the one who wants to go back.”

  He laughed. “Darn right I want to go back. I’m freezing my butt off. Let’s head for home.”

  Rebecca turned Candy around and followed him without any further protest. Since she didn’t beg to keep riding, she must have been feeling the cold herself. She was a tough kid. As long as she could ride and spend time with the horses, she never complained about the cold, or cleaning out the stalls, or any of the other work associated with looking after the horses.

  She was a hard worker. Just like her mother.

  Bridget had started working in her uncle’s restaurant when she wasn’t much older than Leslie. Both she and Celia helped the family business by cleaning motel rooms. For extra cash during her senior year of high school, she delivered newspapers before school. It turned out she was saving the money so she could go away to culinary school and leave Paradise.

  And him.

  He needed to remember she had left him once before. Paradise couldn’t offer her what she’d needed back then and neither could he.

  They arrived back at the barn and dismounted, gratefully leading the horses into the relative warmth of the building. Rebecca uncinched Candy’s saddle.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold!”

  “You should have told me. We could have come back earlier. You don’t have to play Ms. Macho.”

  “I know,” Rebecca said, reaching for a curry brush. “I wanted to keep riding. Once I’m out there, I don’t want to come back.”

  He knew exactly how she felt. It was the reason he’d bought the ranch. He’d hated living in Houston. He’d take the wild prairie landscapes and the unending blue sky of North Dakota over a city skyline any day.