Takin' The Reins

by Stacey Coverstone

  She lowered herself into the sofa. We’re both single, consenting adults. She couldn’t deny the feelings he stirred in her. Her stomach fluttered with the ache of physical longing. She inhaled a sharp breath and let it out slowly. She wouldn’t rush into anything, she told herself. As sexy as Cole was, she’d already told him they shouldn’t mix business with pleasure, but darn, he was making it difficult.

  Glad she’d asked him about a girlfriend, she’d wanted that straight. She would never do to someone what Drew had done to her. The bathroom door creaking open brought her out of her musings. She turned her head and Cole stepped into the living room wearing nothing but a fluffy white towel. It clung to his hips, tucked in on the side. Like a Greek god, his bare chest glistened with steamy dampness. On the first day they met, Jordan had noticed his muscular arms and the way his jeans fit his legs and backside perfectly. But he could have modeled for a gym with that upper body. She could barely pry her eyes away from his six-pack, rippled abs. Her heart started pounding like a drum. As his fingers slid through his wet hair, she was certain he was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

  He approached and slid her a sly grin as he palmed her cheek. “Are you feeling okay? You’re flushed.”

  “Am I?” Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

  “Yeah. Are you thinking about the back rub?”

  “Uh-huh.” She felt like a shy schoolgirl talking to the football quarterback.

  “And?” He eased her up from the sofa with his hands at her waist. “You’re a beautiful woman, Jordan.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m a mess. I look like the walking wounded.” She gently touched the bandage on her forehead and wondered how he could be attracted to her looking the way she did.

  “No, you don’t. In case you haven’t noticed, I really like you. Bandage and all. I’ve found you alluring since the day we met.” He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose, which caused her heart to lodge in her throat. When her eyes fluttered closed, he placed a kiss on her chin, and then brushed his soft lips against her cheek.

  Jordan knew she should stop him, but her heart twisted with yearning. It had been a long while since she’d been held and kissed by a man. She breathed in his masculine scent and felt dizzy. When his mouth touched her neck, she moaned; a sound barely audible to the human ear. He began to suck the soft white arch of her neck and his eager hands moved to the curvature of her hips with his fingers pressing—feeling as if they were burning into her flesh. When she didn’t protest, he pulled her body into his very gently.

  She felt his arousal and began to fall into space. Evidently thinking he’d been given the green light to continue, Cole pressed his lips to hers and parted them with his tongue. Then he seared her with a long, hot kiss. As his tongue twined with hers, she could feel the heat rising from his Adonis-like body. Urgently pulling her down with him, they collapsed into the downy softness of the sofa, and he ran a determined hand down her leg. She trembled with a burning desire that was nearly impossible to contain.

  His mouth ignited like a torch as their lips moved together in frenzied harmony. A million thoughts swirled through her mind. In a split second, Cole would be tugging off that towel and it’d be all over. He’d undress her and they’d do it right here on the sofa, like a couple of horny teenagers. Was that what she wanted? She barely knew him, for God’s sakes! For all she knew, this could be his usual M.O. The pull of seduction was strong, but did she want to become just another notch on his tool belt? Besides, hadn’t she told herself not to get mixed up in another relationship so soon? Even if the sex was great, she knew she’d regret her decision in the morning.

  Suddenly, Wyatt’s face flashed before her. She froze. For some reason, she felt she was betraying him by being with Cole. That thought shook her to the core. In her mind, she saw Wyatt’s sea-green eyes and his crooked grin. She heard his smooth, soft drawl. She could practically feel his arms tightening around her. Her eyes flew open expecting to see the real man in front of her. The profound sensation that he was watching them caused her to stiffen in Cole’s embrace. Reeling with shivers, she pushed Cole away.

  Confusion was etched on his face. “What’s wrong? Did I do something you didn’t like?”

  Jordan swallowed hard and could feel her face heating with mortification. “No. I liked it all. That’s the problem.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She couldn’t tell him that she wished Wyatt was the one kissing her. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Speaking the truth inside her head was strange enough.

  “I’m sorry, Cole. I really don’t think it’s a good idea to mix business with pleasure,” she offered as a lame excuse. He took a deep breath and caught her gaze before she let it fall to her lap in shame. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. Scooting to the opposite end of the sofa, she straightened her shirt with trembling fingers. “I hope you understand. We’re going to be working very closely together. It might be awkward.”

  Cole appeared let down but not angry. He stood up and tucked the corner of the loosening towel back in. Then he wagged his head back and forth. “Jordan, I’m the one who should be apologizing. I moved way too fast and I’m sorry. You’ve had a traumatic day, and here I am hitting on you. I’m such an idiot.” He slapped the side of his head with the palm of his hand, as if he were disgusted with himself.

  “It’s okay,” she assured. “We both got caught up in the moment. It happens.”

  “I’m not going to lie,” he continued, “I’m very attracted to you, and I thought you felt the same way. Otherwise, I never would have tried anything.”

  “I’m attracted to you, too. Seeing you in nothing but that towel about gave me a heart attack.” She chuckled, hoping to ease the tension.

  He grinned and glanced at the towel.

  “The truth is… I take relationships slow. We just met, and you’re my contractor. I don’t want there to be anything weird between us.”

  “I get it,” he said.

  “You do?”

  “Of course. I was stupid.”

  “Thank you for being so sweet.” She breathed a sigh of relief and instinctively planted a platonic kiss on his clean-shaven cheek. She realized this was never going to go anywhere. He was not the man for her.

  “I think we’re going to be good friends,” she told him with sincerity.

  “Me, too,” he said. “And maybe later…after your renovations are done…” His voice trailed off with the question hanging in the air.

  She knew it would never go farther, but there was no sense in rubbing salt in the wound. Although she suspected Cole would not suffer long over a woman. There were probably plenty of them lined up waiting for a chance with him. “Let’s take it one day at a time,” she said. “Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Awkward silence filled the space between them. Jordan glanced at her watch. “Maybe we should call it a night.” She suddenly felt exhausted and didn’t want to talk anymore. And she would feel uncomfortable spending the night. “Would you mind driving me home? After all that’s happened today, I need to be alone and get a good night’s sleep.”

  “I thought you’d be staying here tonight,” he admitted sheepishly. “Your bathroom is out of commission. Remember?”

  Jordan shrugged. “I was a Girl Scout when I was younger. We took a camping trip once and made do with almost nothing. I think I can cope for one night.”

  “Please. Feel free to stay here. It’s my fault your bathroom is a mess. I promise, no more hanky panky.” He made an invisible X across his chest. “My guest room door has a lock on the inside.”

  She laughed. “I believe you, but I shouldn’t have imposed in the first place. I’ll be all right. I want to sleep in my own room. I’m growing accustomed to that old iron bed. But I really appreciate your cooking me dinner and letting me take a bath over here.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll take you home now and come over first thing in the morning to get cracking on that bathro
om. You won’t be out of commission long. Are you sure you won’t be inconvenienced between now and then?”

  “I’ll manage. Thanks.”

  ~ * ~

  Fifteen minutes later, Jordan stood on her porch watching darkness swallow up the taillights of Cole’s pickup. She touched a finger to her lips. The revelation had struck her like a lightning bolt tonight. Wyatt had gotten under her skin. She knew he was the one man who could get her to consider taking another chance at love, but that kiss of Cole’s… Mmmm. He wasn’t the man for her, but his kiss was one she’d remember for the rest of her life.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jordan dreamed the adobe was falling down around her. Tremors shook the earth and the walls began to crumble, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She flailed, tangled in her sheets, and awoke in a cold sweat.

  As she glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table, her ears perked. What was that earth-shattering noise? Why did the ground seem to be moving underneath her? Why were the walls groaning? Did New Mexico get earthquakes? Her nightmare was really happening!

  She leaped out of bed, ran to the kitchen and gawked out the window. Roughly rubbing her eyes with her knuckles, she was actually relieved to see a big yellow bulldozer clawing up her backyard. Tony steered the monster, expertly demolishing what was left of the courtyard walls. She waved when he glimpsed her way.

  The fountain was gone and the old gate was lying in a heap off to the side. Jordan padded to the front of the house and peeked out the window. Both Wyatt’s and Cole’s trucks were parked in the drive. Neither man was in sight, but she knew they had to be close by. She returned to the bedroom and threw on some clean clothes and then searched for her toothbrush and toothpaste, which she remembered she’d left at the kitchen sink the night before. After quickly brushing her teeth, she returned to the bedroom to stand in front of the mirror and brush the tangles out of her hair. She’d just applied makeup when she heard a rap on the door.

  “Coming!” Which man would it be? She ran to the door and flung it open. Standing on the porch with his hands shoved in his pockets was Cole.

  “Good morning. Did we wake you up?”

  “As a matter of fact you did.”

  “Sorry about that. How did you sleep?”

  “I don’t think I moved all night. That is, until about three minutes ago.”

  “How’s your head?”

  “It’s good. No headache this morning.” She touched the bandage still on her forehead. “I can probably remove this today.”

  “Glad you’re feeling better. Do you mind if I come in and get started?”

  “Please do.” She stepped aside and welcomed him in. She caught a glimpse of the new bathroom vanity, out of its box and sitting on her lawn in the morning sun. “I see the vanity is all in one piece. I’m glad of that.”

  Cole didn’t answer. He just stepped in and stood rooted to his spot. Although his smile was genuine, she noticed he seemed more businesslike, less happy-go-lucky. She chalked his demeanor up to the rejection of his advances last night. Although his kiss would forever be etched in her memory, she had no regrets about her decision.

  “I haven’t started coffee brewing yet, but it won’t take but a few minutes,” she said.

  “Don’t bother on my account. I’ve already had two cups. I’ll be bouncing off the walls if I have more right now.” He held up his take-out Styrofoam cup to show her he was finishing one. She touched his arm.

  “Cole, are we all right? I mean… because of last night…”

  “Absolutely,” he assured. “I was a jerk. I apologize for making you uncomfortable, but I’m not sorry I kissed you. You’re a great kisser.”

  She felt her cheeks flame, but was happy when he winked. To change the subject, she nonchalantly asked if he’d seen her neighbor at the barn. “I see his truck is parked next to yours.”

  “Yeah. He’s there.”

  Bobby appeared on the stoop and poked his head into the open door. “Ready to move that vanity in, boss? Morning, Ms. Mackenzie.”

  “Good morning, Bobby.”

  “Sure.” She held the door open as the two of them carried the vanity and bowl inside. Once she saw Cole was ready to get to work, she excused herself.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I want to thank Brannigan for bringing in the horses last night.” Nearing the freshly painted barn, she could hear his spurs jingle as he crossed the pasture. She walked behind the barn and stood at the fence with her arms dangling over. Her heart lurched at the sight of him. He turned his head. His long stride was purposeful as he approached the fence.

  “Good mornin’, Jordan,” he drawled. A lead rope was clutched in his hand.

  “Morning, Brannigan. She felt her face brighten.

  “You’re up early.”

  “Is there a reason I wouldn’t be? People around here seem to get up with the roosters.”

  He peered closely and his smile faded. “From what Roberts told me, you had a close encounter yesterday, which turned into a late night. I thought you might be sleeping in today.”

  Jordan froze. Did he know she’d spent the evening with Cole? What had Cole told him? Wyatt sauntered through the gate and latched it and answered her thoughts.

  “He told me about the hit- and-run. He said you’re all right, but I had to see for myself.” He eyed the bandage on her forehead, and she released the breath she’d been holding, relieved to know he was only talking about her accident.

  “I’m fine—just a minor cut and some muscle aches.”

  “Roberts said he called the sheriff.”

  “Yes. My statement was taken, but Sheriff Lovelady didn’t seem to take me, or the accident as seriously as I would have liked. He said he’d speak to Joe Campbell, but I don’t have much confidence in his promise.”

  Wyatt shook his head in discouragement. “You sure you’re okay?”

  She nodded and switched the topic away from her. “Tell me how Mr. Porter is. Did he need stitches?”

  Wyatt laughed heartily at the recollection. “No. That ornery goat horned him good, but the skin wasn’t broken, so there were no stitches required. The doc gave him a Tetanus shot to be on the safe side. Ronnie’s going to be walking funny for a while though.”

  Jordan shared a smile while picturing that poor man. “Oh, I feel so terrible. He’ll probably never set foot on this ranch again. Will you make sure I receive the physician’s bill?”

  “I will.” He strode into the barn, with Jordan following, and stopped at the far stall where Buttercup and Houdini were waiting patiently for their turn to go outside.

  “There you are, you rascal.” Jordan and Houdini eyeballed each other. Wyatt snapped the lead rope onto the Palomino’s halter.

  “Maaaaa.” Houdini’s mouth opened wide, and his tongue rolled out.

  “Don’t back-talk me,” Jordan warned. “You’ll end up in the stew pot if you’re not careful.”

  Wyatt thrust the lead rope into her hand. “You take Buttercup to the field.” The action surprised her. He trusted her with a horse already?

  “Okay. What do I do?”

  “Don’t you remember what I did? Here’s you first lesson. Walk alongside her head. That way you can keep an eye on her attitude and anticipate trouble. You don’t want to give a horse too much rope in case it bolts. A horse’s natural self-defense is flight. They’ll try to run from anything that spooks ‘em.” He put his hands at her shoulders and moved her to the correct spot next to the horse. “Right here, you’re not in the way if she jumps forward, and you have better control if she tries to spin away. ‘Course, most horses will do their best not to trample you. This mare is a good girl. She won’t give you any problems.”

  Wyatt’s touch scorched her skin, leaving a brand she would be pleased to carry. The horse walked obediently beside her, but the goat was relentless in his attempts to nibble the hem of her shorts.

  “Get away,” she said, giving him a big shove. Once the two animals were rel
eased into the pasture, she locked the gate and turned to Wyatt, feeling quite proud.

  “I did it.”

  “You sure did, cowgirl.”

  “Thank you for bringing all the horses in last night. I knew it was you who’d done it.”

  “It was no trouble.”

  She didn’t want him to think she expected help every day from him. She’d have to start handling things on her own, even if she wasn’t sure how. “You have responsibilities at your own ranch,” she said weakly. “I feel guilty about you spending so much time over here.”

  His green-eyed gaze pierced her like a knife. “Do you want me to stop coming over? Am I crowding you?” His voice was thick with emotion, which puzzled her.

  “No. No. That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “Then what are you saying?” The intensity of his stare caused her throat to tighten. She had to look away for a moment because it was like he could see into her soul.

  “I’m… I’m already indebted to you,” she stammered. “I’ll never be able to pay you back for all you’re doing.”

  “I’m not asking for payback.”

  “I know, but I’d think you have plenty of work to do at your own place. I must be keeping you from it.”

  “Well, don’t think so much,” he said pleasantly. “I like it over here.”

  “Oh.” His confession was forthright, but not unexpected. It pleased her. “Okay. If you say so.”

  “I say so.”

  Cole walked up behind them and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Jordan. There’s a phone call for you. Hope you don’t mind that I answered. It was ringing off the hook.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll be right in.”

  He turned and headed back to the house without acknowledging Wyatt.

  “Will you come up and have a cup of coffee, Brannigan?” she asked. “I was just going to put a pot on.”

  His grin widened. “I’d love a cup. I’ll be there in just a bit. I noticed the water spigot in the barn is leaking, so I’ll take care of it first.”