Rebel Heart

by Barbara McMahon

  When the band began a slow song, Jase appeared and drew her away from Josh McKensie, a younger son of one of the big ranchers south of Tumbleweed.

  “Slow dances are mine,” Jase explained to the younger man as he drew Shannon up against him. His cast made it awkward, so he simply wrapped his arms around her and held her in his embrace. Slowly they moved to the soft strains of the love song.

  “That was rude,” Shannon said softly, moving in step with him, feeling his thighs brush with hers, relishing the sensation of his arms banded around her, holding her as if she were precious.

  “Rude be damned. For future reference, slow dances are mine.”

  “Jase—”

  “Don’t argue, Shannon.” He rested his cheek against her hair and swayed with the music.

  Giving herself up to the pleasure of being in his arms, she fell quiet. She was warm from exercise, he was equally warm, yet the heat that grew between them had little to do with the fast pace of the previous dances.

  His legs brushed by hers, one came between hers, moved away, as tantalizing as deliberate seduction. Shannon was mesmerized by the sensations that swept through her. The sizzling attraction that flared between them was heightened by the sensual seduction of the slow, sweet love song. His body moved against hers, moved her with him, choreographed to offer the most in delightful intimacy.

  “Careful, darlin’,” he said in a low, husky voice.

  The realization of her power welled up deep within her. This virile sexy man wanted her. Her, Shannon Blackstone. The woman who had not been able to keep her husband home for months on end. She glowed with the sensation, happiness bubbling up and threatening to engulf her forever.

  Standing on tiptoes, she dragged her body against his, reveling in the response he was unable to deny. Sweetly, she kissed his cheek.

  “Honey, if you don’t stop, I’m going to ignore your refusals and find a quiet place for us to end this.”

  She tried to pull away, giving them some space, but his arms refused to release her. He smiled and dropped a light kiss on her lips just as the song ended and the singer announced the band would take a brief break.

  Reluctantly Jase set her away from him, close enough to shelter him from other eyes, but breaking contact with her. “You like to flirt with danger, is that it, Ms. Blackstone?”

  “Am I in danger, Mr. Hart?” she sassed up at him, her hands still on his shoulders as if she couldn’t let go, couldn’t release the bond that held them.

  “Keep it up and see,” he threatened.

  She laughed and glanced away as heat suffused her cheeks.

  He chuckled and tilted up her chin until her eyes met his again.

  “Now why should you be embarrassed? I’m the one with the problem.”

  Someone jostled them as they cleared the floor, and he turned her around, holding her before him, and guided her toward their table.

  “Sometimes you scare me, darlin’. You’re all grown up, married, widowed, and yet sometimes you act as innocent as a new babe. Let’s visit with these fine folks who’ve joined us and forget what you and I both want so bad I can taste it.”

  Shannon sank down gratefully in her chair, glad for the rest. Jase drove her crazy. She longed to be with him, spend time with him, talking, dancing, kissing.

  Yet she was not so foolish the second time around. She knew where sweet-talking cowboys got you. She knew better than to trust her heart and future to a man bent on enjoying life to the fullest. Home and stability were too hard earned, too important to blow away with a will-o’-the-wisp emotion like infatuation for a slick rodeo cowboy who wanted a good time.

  Telling herself that was easier than believing it. As the evening wore on, the pattern was set. She danced almost every dance. But the slow ones were Jase’s alone. Knowing she was playing with fire didn’t matter. Each time he took her into his arms, she went willingly. Their bodies met like long-time lovers, moving together in a sensual ballet of touch, brush, stroke. The haunting music heightened her senses and the deep emotion that threatened to overwhelm her every time was as close to love as she’d ever seen.

  But still she denied it.

  It was late when the band played its last number. Later still by the time Shannon and Jase said goodbye to the couples they’d shared the evening with. Feeling tired and happy, Shannon relished Jase’s arm around her as they strolled to the truck.

  The evening air was crisp, cool. The sky a dark, velvet quilt that shimmered with a million stars in the heavens. The town was still and quiet, only the sound of the cars starting up and leaving disturbed the stillness.

  Jase helped Shannon into the truck, leaned in after her, his arm heavy against her waist.

  “I had a good time, Jase. I’m glad you asked me,” she said.

  “I’m glad you came.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her. It was gentle. Slowly, Shannon’s fingers traced down his face, feeling the smooth, warm skin.

  “If you hadn’t brought me, you might have scored with one of the other women,” she said against his lips, smiling at the thought. Had he shaved and dressed up to find a girl?

  “I scored big time dancing with you, darlin’,” he said, his tongue rubbing over her lips lightly. He kissed her again and straightened, slamming the door and moving around to his side.

  Shannon’s elation soared. He’d been glad to be with her.

  Smiling dreamily, she closed her eyes, remembering every dance, every conversation. It had been a long time since she’d had such fun. Maybe Jase was right, she was too one-sided. Henceforth she’d try to make time every week to do something totally frivolous. With that thought uppermost, she drifted to sleep before they left Tumbleweed.

  When Shannon awoke the next morning she was in bed, still wearing her shirt! She sat up, and stared around her, remembering nothing beyond leaving the dance. How had she gotten into bed? Her jeans and boots were off, though she had no memory of discarding them. Closing her eyes, she lay back against her pillow with a plop.

  The warm delicious feelings of the previous night now gave way to regrets and embarrassment. How could she have behaved so wantonly with Jase? What kind of signals had she sent out, plastering herself against him when they danced, receiving his kisses? Returning those kisses.

  So much for her fine talk about not starting anything between them. She’d practically begged him to make love to her.

  It had to be the beer, though she’d only had two all night long. Or maybe it was a full moon and she’d been bewitched. Slowly she opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Now all she had to do was face Jase, and make sure he knew there was nothing between them. Could be nothing between them, no matter how she acted when they went dancing.

  Full of good intentions, she was annoyed when she stormed out of her room later fully dressed and ready to do battle, to find Jase had gone out with Dink to work on some fencing. True to his word, he’d left her a message on the kitchen table. They weren’t expected back before late afternoon.

  Grateful for the delay, Shannon admitted she’d be better able to cope with some time without Jase around.

  She went to the office to set up the computer. Maybe she'd try to figure out the accounting program he'd bought and get started on inputting data.

  At least she started out with that goal. But as the day dragged on, she wasn’t so sure. Setting up the computer had been a snap. Even loading the program. Then she began to read the on-line instructions and felt overwhelmed. What should she do first? Set up accounts for routing expenses like feed and farrier? Begin tracking the number of heads of cattle? She wasn't sure she'd do it right. He must know this program, would she be wasting time only to have him come in and show her a different way?

  Try as she might to make sense of the bloodlines of the cattle she was raising, to test her newly acquired knowledge on plans for rotating stock on the range, her thoughts drifted back to Jase time after time. She could recall every detail since she watched him fly off that horse
at the rodeo. She remembered every word he’d said to her, every brush of his fingers against her, every aspect of each kiss they’d shared.

  She realized she liked him. Liked being around him, liked being the object of his gentle teasing. Liked his touching her.

  By mid afternoon she was fast drawing to the conclusion she was falling in love with him despite her best intentions to avoid such an entanglement at all costs. She refused give in to the feelings blossoming through her. She’d enjoy his company while he was here, then wish him well.

  Who was she kidding? If this continued, she’d miss him to death when he left!

  She sat back in the desk chair, all thoughts of ranch business gone.

  Stunned, she realized she was in real danger of a broken heart. She was starting to want to share a life with him. She didn’t want to go on alone forever. Jase was the most exciting, kind, generous man she knew. Not to mention the most sexy.

  And the most irresponsible.

  He made no pretense to be any different. He'd never even hinted he wanted anything to do with her beyond the few weeks he’d agreed to help. How could she be so dumb to even consider a man who charmed his way through life and rode on to the next event with a casual disregard for responsibilities and other people as he did?

  A brief infatuation, that’s all it was.

  She would not fall in love with Jase Hart!

  Chapter Six

  As if to prove to herself the truth of what she was saying, Shannon decided to ride out and see how Jase and Dink were faring on the fence, maybe even give them a hand. She was done with paperwork for the day. Time she delved into the more practical aspects about her ranch.

  Packing a jug of cold lemonade and several tin cups, Shannon cut up the rest of the gingerbread and went to saddle her horse.

  The sun blazed hot overhead, the air windy and dry. The sky was crystal clear, yet there was an odd unsettled feeling in the air. Would they have a storm? With the low humidity and the gusts of winds, she felt uneasy. Adjusting her hat to shade her eyes from the glare, she headed toward the section of the ranch Jase said they’d be working. She moved easily with the horse, knowing she rode well for someone who had only learned a few years earlier. While she’d never acquire the proficiency Jase displayed when working with Shadow, she knew she was more than adequate for the work her ranch entailed.

  She loved outdoor work. Riding gave her pleasure, as well as pride in her accomplishments. She’d participated in the last couple of roundups, moved portions of her herd from one grazing pasture to another, spent endless hours riding the perimeter checking on fencing. She enjoyed being outside, good weather or bad.

  In the distance she saw the dusty pickup truck and beyond that the two men working on the fencing. Riding slowly, anticipation began to build. She’d see him in another few moments. Recognizing that the shimmering feelings that rose when around him were only signs of an infatuation that would quickly fade once he’d left, she tried to ignore them.

  Maybe she should change her tactics and let herself enjoy the oddity of the sensations he inspired for the short time he would work at her ranch. Maybe she should take what he offered, knowing it was only temporary with nothing serious at the end.

  Could she do that?

  She urged her mount into a faster gait, anxious to see Jase again.

  Dink hammered in the clip while Jase pulled the strands of wire taut. In the hot afternoon air Jase had discarded his shirt. His muscles bulged as he stretched the wire. The ace bandages around his ribs stood out in stark contrast to the deep copper of his tanned chest. His cast was getting dirtier by the day.

  Shannon drew up near the truck and dismounted, ground hitching her horse.

  “Hi, I brought you guys a snack.” She yanked off her saddlebags and walked over to them.

  For a moment depression threatened. Two-thirds of her ranch hands were here, one old enough to be her grandfather, the other injured. It was a sad state of affairs when her ranch was reduced to such a crew.

  Shaking off the feeling, she pinned a smile on her face. At least they were working, for which she was grateful. And this was only a temporary situation. Once she had some working capital she’d be able to hire cowboys as needed.

  Once things turned around, she’d start building up her herd again.

  She forgot about her plans for the future as she became achingly aware of Jase. Fascinated by the raw essence of masculinity before her, she couldn’t resist skimming her glance across his broad shoulders, chancing a peek at his chest. Perspiration gleamed in the hot sun, the sheen coating his tanned skin like a warm, glistening polish. A drop formed near one male nipple, slithered slowly down. Captivated, Shannon stared, mesmerized, tracking it on its slow journey until it was absorbed by the ace bandages. She swallowed.

  “You’re a lifesaver,” Jase said easily, waiting for Dink to finish hammering the last fastener before turning to walk over to Shannon. He reseated his hat on his head, tipping it forward slightly as he stared at her.

  “You all right?” He reached out to brush his knuckles down her flushed cheek.

  Blinking to break the spell, Shannon nodded, turning to greet Dink with enthusiasm she hoped masked the thundering in her head.

  How could she gawk at the man like she’d never seen one before? Just because he personified the perfect male physique was no reason to act like a star-struck teenager.

  “The lemonade is cold and the gingerbread is still fresh,” she said, darting another quick glance at Jase.

  “Your timing's perfect. We need a break,” Jase said easily. “Right, Dink?”

  “I don’t mind sitting a spell.” The older man took his cup and a piece of cake and went to sit in the scant shade of the pickup. Jase stood by Shannon, sipping from the tin cup, steadily watching her over the rim.

  “This is nice,” he said.

  She nodded, nervously looking around. “Should you be doing this? I mean, with your ribs and all.”

  Darn, she felt as nervous as a rabbit faced with a coyote. She took a deep breath, let it out slowly.

  “It needs doing.”

  “But with your injuries—”

  “I’m fine. Dink’s doing most of the work.”

  She glanced over and saw the older man had closed his eyes. Was he already taking a cat nap? She knew Jase gave more credit to the older man than warranted. He was nice that way.

  She brought herself up sharp. She was not looking for things to admire about Jase Hart. She was trying to talk herself out of her infatuation, not feed it.

  “Won’t you get sunburned?” she asked, unable to resist sliding her glance over his muscular chest again. Her fingers longed to trace his muscles, tangle gently with the faint dusting of golden curly hair. It took real effort to face forward and watch the sun glitter off the water as the river near the boundary rushed on its journey.

  “Too hot for a shirt. I’ve half a mind to just plunge into the river and cool off all over,” Jase said as they reached the bank.

  “Not here. This is where cattle drink. There’s a nice spot a mile or so upriver. Sometimes I go swimming there,” she said.

  She wished she had taken a cup of lemonade. It would give her something to do with her hands.

  “Want to go swimming now?” he asked whimsically.

  “I don’t have a suit,” she said without thinking.

  “So? I don’t, either.” From the amusement evident in his tone, she knew he was teasing her.

  “Not today, thanks,” she replied primly, closing her eyes against the images that danced before her.

  He laughed. “Yeah, I figured you’d say something like that, darlin’. All work, right?”

  Her eyes snapped open, the vision gone. Reality returned. “No, but not all play, either.”

  “You’ve got that right. You ever planning on getting married again?” he asked.

  Surprised at the question, she turned to face him. “Not necessarily. I don’t have much opportunity to meet too
many men.”

  “You danced with a parcel of them last night.”

  “They were fine to dance with, but…I don’t know.”

  “Yeah, you need to be looking for a responsible man that works all the time.”

  “That’s not fair, Jase. I don’t want someone who works all the time. But I need someone who puts duty before feckless pleasure. I need to know he’d be someone I could count on to be home when needed and not out chasing after other women all in the name of a good time.”

  “Damn, he hurt you bad.” He looked away, pensive.

  Shannon held perfectly still. Bobby had hurt her.

  Rod had hurt her in a different way.

  Would Jase hurt her, as well?

  She had to guard her heart. Yet she was more attracted to him than she had been to her husband. How did she explain that? How long would Jase go on seeking fun and adventure to the exclusion of all else? Would the habit become so ingrained he'd never change?

  Would anyone give him the chance at a steady job when he was through with the rodeos? Or would he drift from one place to another, always looking for an easy way out, more concerned for idle pleasure than the satisfaction of a job well done?

  “Do you ever plan to marry?” she asked, curious about his future, a little sad she’d not figure in that future.

  He shrugged. “Maybe. But that would be a long time down the road. I have other things I want to do first. Hell, I already feel I’ve done my share raising kids. I had my brother and sister for years.”

  “Now you need to make up for the fun you missed as a kid,” she murmured, suddenly empathizing with him. He'd been only a teenager himself when his parents died. He'd missed out on a lot.

  “Yeah. There is that. Come on, I want to get this section finished today. Dink’s had enough of a rest.”

  Without waiting to see if she would follow, Jase turned and headed back to the portion of the fence they were replacing. Dink joined him at his call and the two set to work.

  Shannon watched for a while, then joined in, taking turns banging the clips against the posts to hold the barbed wire Jase pulled so taut. Dink untangled the old wire, baled it for removal. No sense leaving it where cattle could get tangled.