by Kim Turner
Jenna took a deep breath and looked in the mirror behind her groaning. “All right, but you act civilized.” She opened the door and walked on her Jell-o ridden legs back to the desk, where she found Shay nibbling on pizza, entering orders.
“This has to be the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.” The clerk nodded toward the waiting room giving her a tentative smile.
She glanced past the desk. Aaron stood, staring out the windows of the large waiting area, which was for the most part empty, all but some of the staff taking a breather.
“Hi.” She stepped closer, thankful they were paid little attention.
“Hey, yourself.” He stepped forward and hesitated but kissed her cheek. That was her fault wasn’t it?
Heat flushed her cheeks. “This is a surprise.”
He shrugged. “I thought I could take you to pick up your SUV since you’ll be off shift in a bit. Gabe said your truck was still on the set and you were just working eight today, right?” He waited, his deep green eyes breathtaking and his long hair flowing across his shoulders. Good Lord, he was so handsome. Who hadn’t grabbed this man and held onto him forever? Why shouldn’t she do the same, though the thought was still overwhelming?
She shook herself back to reality. “Brianna was going to take me, but…I’m off in a few. Mason’s sitter knew we needed to get my truck.”
“I’ve gotta check on the horses anyway, but there’s a catch.” He held her gaze, and those deep green eyes melted something inside her. “If the sitter wouldn’t mind.”
“Catch?”
“The ride to get your truck comes with dinner.” He gave her a hesitant lift of the eyebrows.
“I’m sure that would be fine, but I want you to meet my friends.” She took him by the hand, her heart pounding and her hopes higher than ever that they could at least spend time and become friends if nothing else.
“I think you’ve already met Shay. This is Aaron.” She made the introduction.
“Yep, we’ve met. Told you it was no trouble to find her.” The unit clerk grinned but the phone at the desk rang and she turned with a roll of her eyes. “Thanks.” He smiled, waiting as Brianna walked toward them.
Jenna sent a knowing glare her way. Brianna was a handful and predicting her behavior wasn’t possible.
“Aaron this is Bri, my college roomie and best friend.” Jenna held her breath as her best, friend who couldn’t be trusted, stopped before them.
“It’s a pleasure.” He spoke first, leaning to reach Brianna’s hand, his dark hair falling forward around his face.
“Uh hum. This girl has been holding out on me by the looks of you.” Brianna walked all the way around him making a big deal out of the display.
He chuckled and lifted a brow waiting on an explanation, seemingly uncomfortable.
“Oh, will you behave.” Jenna wanted to run, but he did seem amused. “She’s really not my friend but an escapee from the mental health ward, who’s due for her medication or a leash. Aaron’s going to take me to get my truck so you are off the hook, but if you could get Mason after your shift.”
Bri cocked a brow with a knowing smile. “That sweet boy has no problem with his auntie Brianna. Aaron, it really is a pleasure, and you know you’d best take good care of our girl.”
“Got it.” He gave her a wink. “I think I’ll just step back over here.” He turned to walk back to the window
“Oh my God, you didn’t just behave like a maniac.” Jenna scolded as she took Bri by the arm and entered the break room where her purse remained in her locker.
“He knows I’m harmless, but he’s got the eyes for you. I’ll get Mason; you just take your time and call me in the morning.” Bri fanned herself.
“You’re impossible, but thank you.” Jenna opened her locker grabbing her coat and pulling it on and tossing her bag over her shoulder.
Bri stopped her, grabbing her by both shoulders. “Take a deep breath and go out there and give that boy a chance like I told you.”
“We’re just getting my truck and then some dinner. I will be back later.” She gave Brianna a quick hug and opened the door, finding Aaron where she’d left him.
He smiled with those dimples she adored, the ones that peeked through the edge of his beard and a part of her wanted to pinch herself to make sure what was happening was true.
“Ready?” He leaned up from the wall.
She nodded, following him outside the emergency room door to the parking area. “You surprised me.”
He waited on her to catch up. “I worried I might upset you, but I do have to check on the horses and I wanted see if you were all right.” He stopped at his motorcycle, leaving her perplexed as she hadn’t ridden one of those ever before.
“I’m fine, and again I’m sorry for what happened. Stage fright I guess.” She shrugged, likening it to their acting world. “But I am glad you came, really.”
He shook his head. “No need for that. I wanted to come.”
Jenna caught the view of Shay and Brianna at the window gawking with no mercy. “Could they not be more juvenile?”
Aaron glanced at them and turned back to her. “Fan club?”
“Sorry, those two are lethal together. This is so embarrassing.” She laughed in spite of it. “Frankly, I expected no less.”
“There’s only one thing you can do about it.” He said it as if it were nothing, a mischievous grin crossing his face.
“What’s that?” she asked.
He shrugged, stepping closer and lifting her chin whispering. “Give them something to talk about, if it won’t make you run away again.”
She smiled, a blush heating her cheeks. “I won’t run again, Aaron.”
Before she could say anything more he placed both his hands on her face and open-mouth kissed her slow and searing. Her body flooded with heat as he tangled his hands in her hair and danced his tongue against hers. This time she didn’t run, but instead placed her hands into his hair, never mind her intrusive friends.
He pulled from the kiss and handed her a helmet. “How was that?”
“Fine. I mean—good, I mean…Oh my God, incredible.” It was all she could pull from the depths of her voice. She fitted the helmet over her head, the face plate covering her mouth and muffling her words. “How do I look?”
“Extraordinary!” He tightened the fit, lacing through the strap under her chin and pulling it tight. He grabbed his own helmet and straddled the bike, kicking the stand back and cranking the loud engine. He strapped on the helmet and nodded for her to climb on behind him.
She held onto his shoulders as she kicked her leg over to ride behind him. Well, this is certainly going to be up close and personal.
“You good?” he questioned, pulling her hands off his shoulders and around his middle.
She nodded as her breath caught at the intimacy, her gawking friends forgotten. She leaned in close, her chest along his back, the warmth rising between them. As he turned the motorcycle in the direction of the exit, she glanced toward the emergency room window once more where Brianna and Shay were holding their thumbs up. She wanted to cringe when Aaron’s chuckle vibrated through her at her friends’ antics. She shook her head and held on tighter as he merged into traffic away from the hospital.
Her heart raced as he took the motorcycle to a faster speed once they reached the end of town. She’d never ridden before, and when he leaned into curves, he placed his hand on her clasped hands that were around his middle. She began to look forward to the twists and turns because it brought his touch and gave her a hint of his muscled belly. It was a short ride to the set and she found herself wishing it were longer so she could keep her arms around him, but it was probably best this was all between them for now.
He pulled to a stop on the set after nodding to the security guard, Doug. Odd, the cop hadn’t been around her since she’d mentioned her connection with Aaron. Maybe he’d gotten the idea. Aaron cut the engine, waiting for her to climb off the motorcycle. He kicked out the sta
nd and removed his helmet, helping her with hers.
“Did you like the ride?” he asked, setting both helmets on the seat of the heavy motorcycle.
She smiled. “It was fun.”
He nodded toward the barn, urging her to follow. “Come on, I need to let the horses out in the corral for a while. Jeremiah came by and cleaned up the barn early this morning on his way home from the station.”
“What did you do with Lily today?” She followed.
He opened the barn’s double doors, swinging them wide and leading the way inside. “I got stood up. It’s apparently more fun to go to the mall in Helena with Grandma than with me to the set.”
“Shopping is always a woman’s prerogative.” She eyed Scout and ambled toward the large horse who hung his head over the stall in welcome. She scratched his jaw and face. “Hi, boy.”
“Sarah’s taking her shopping for some spring and summer clothes. Of course, I nearly emptied my wallet for the adventure.” He chuckled. “It gives Sarah a break from taking care of Amos. Gabe’s home with him today.”
As he talked, he cut the thin ropes on a bale of hay and grabbed an armful, walking to toss it over for Charger, idle to himself in the first stall. He did the same for each of the animals.
“He’s ill, your father?” she asked, walking to pet Maxus who snorted at her, only interested if she had a treat if she were guessing right. The horse turned away and pranced across the stall, more concerned with Aaron.
“Emphysema. He smoked like a chimney most of his life. He does pretty well, but Sarah needs a break sometimes. He’s a good bit older than her and can be demanding when fatigued. I saw you on the news taking Drake to his limo. How is he?” He grunted as he tossed in hay for Thor.
“Two cracked ribs and abrasions on his arm. He shouldn’t ride horses for a while, but honestly, he was very sincere. He asked about Thor.” She glanced his way, wondering if his quick change in subject away from his father was on purpose.
“He had Thor going too fast. So, why don’t you pick up anything you need from the medical tent and I’ll finish up here, gotta set them out to the corral. Then you can drive me to dinner.” He pulled the hose over to Maxus’ stall, placing it to fill the trough and going back to turn it on.
“I’ll see you in a bit.” She trotted outside the barn and made her way to the medical tent, still surprised he had come for her. But somehow, she had managed to relax and just enjoy being with him.
She flipped open the flap of her medical tent, letting it fall behind her as she walked inside surveying the mess that had been left. There were dressings, tape, and splints all over the ground and tables. Figuring someone had tried to grab them for Drake’s injuries; she filled her arms and went toward the cabinet she’d organized the week before. It wouldn’t take long to put it all away. Gathering a handful of the packaged dressings from the ground she twisted the handle, letting the double door fall open and froze.
Inside the cabinet was another vase of flowers, similar to the ones at the hospital. She touched the small glass vase. Aaron? Maybe that was why he’d rushed her off to the medical tent, though there was no card.
She took the flowers out of the cabinet and set them on the table and replaced the piles of dressings back inside. Busying herself with the chore at hand, she couldn’t help but smile.
She turned as Aaron entered the tent, his green eyes holding a smile and one arm hidden behind his back.
“You look sneaky.” She leaned trying to see behind him but he twisted and kept her at bay.
He moseyed closer and held out a tiny bouquet of small purple wildflowers.
“They’re so tiny.” She took the bundle of petite flowers. “I thought I was spoiled by the flowers at work and here.” She nodded to the bouquet behind her on the table.
He glanced at them, a puzzled expression crossing his face. “Sorry, but someone else will have to take credit for those.”
She didn’t understand, turning to view the flowers again. “Drake Masters sent flowers and pizza to the hospital, perhaps he sent these as well.”
He shook his head, picking up a few more of the scattered rolls of tape. “Guess I’ve been outdone.”
“Not at all, he was thanking us for his care. Odd he would send them here too.” She shook her concern and turned back to face him.
He shoved the handful of items in a bin in the cabinet and turned wrapping his arms around her. “Just so you know, I only deliver handpicked flowers in person because you are worth it and because of this if I may?”
Jenna closed her eyes at the impact of his tender consuming kiss. She hung on tighter, as he pressed, parting her lips. How on earth was this man real? Where had he been a few years ago when he might have changed the course of her life long before now? Her breath was short, her pulse raced and her body warmed clear to her center at the caress of his hand across her hips and under her breast. She shivered hard.
He broke the kiss and placed his forehead against hers. “I’m going too fast. I hate it when that happens; I’ve never been good at following the rules.”
“Then don’t follow them and kiss me again.” She wasn’t upset with his kiss or his touch, but the flowers had unnerved her a bit. You’re being paranoid. Get it together, Jenna.
“You’ll have to tell me when I’m too much, and it’s all right to do that.” He took her hands in his. “I love kissing you, and I kinda thought if I did it a lot you’d get use to me faster but I wonder how I’m doing here.”
“You’re doing fine,” she whispered.
He tugged her into her arms hanging on for a long moment. She let herself melt into him, taking in the male fragrance of him once more. She’d waited for this, something real for long enough, though she suspected the waves of fear that rode through wouldn’t fade fully for a long time. Her heart raced and her head was spinning, but in his arms, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time—safe.
Chapter Seven
Aaron leaned across the corral at the ranch, gazing out across the landscape of cottonwoods and rise of graying rocks in the distance. The wind was brisk and the temperature cold but being outside let him think. He’d spent the evening playing with Lily until she’d fallen asleep in his lap as they’d watched another rendition of some princess mermaid something. He’d put her to bed, unable to count how many hours he’d done that during her life. He didn’t want to do wrong by her in reaching for his dreams and—Jenna.
He took a deep breath, sipping his cold coffee from a plastic handled mug. Kissing Jenna had pretty much heated his body right up, that and the feel of her hands on his belly as she’d ridden on the back of his bike had been about as much as he could take. He wanted her and in every way he could have her, though putting his heart out there as he had, there was always the chance he’d crash and burn.
It had been a long time since a woman had caught his attention to this extent. Nope, he’d never had anyone, even Pamela, Lily’s mother, come this close. Something about the chemistry between them was stronger than he’d ever known could exist. He shook his head.
She was consuming him and fast, and he damn well liked it, though rushing into a relationship wouldn’t do either one of them any good. Last night after checking on the horses, Jenna had driven them to a local diner for supper. The meal had been fine, but he’d caught himself watching her every move as if he could etch a bit of her into his mind and heart to keep her there. Yep, he had it bad. And watching her drive away opposite his direction for home had left him all but empty and wanting.
The good thing was she hadn’t run again from his touch, but it was hard to judge where the limits were with her. What he really wanted was no limits—holy damn she was beautiful inside and out, and he had a few ideas about how much he’d like to discover that for himself. And while she’d come around, open to his touch after all, she was still holding back and he wasn’t sure of her reasons. Likely the same as his own, the fear of getting burned once more. He could understand that one we
ll enough. Someone somewhere had broken this beautiful woman, and he didn’t like it, and no matter how things went between them, he wouldn’t hurt her.
He’d never brought a woman home to meet the family or Lily but that was about to change. He wasn’t even sure how his daughter might react with his attention on Jenna, but he had thought allowing her to meet his family might quench the worries she held about him and he could see just how Lily might react.
“You’re up early?” Jeremiah walked over, dressed in his fire department uniform, sporting a tin mug of hot brew.
He turned from the corral, leaning on the fence. “You headed in?”
“Extra shift, time and a half.” His brother zipped his heavy fire department coat, pulling his keys from the pocket.
“Maybe it’ll be quiet.” He turned up the rest of his own coffee.
“Busy is better. What’re you doing out here anyway?” Jeremiah walked closer, giving him a lift of eyebrows.
He played it off. “Just thinking.”
“Got your mind on some nurse if I had my guess.” Jeremiah grinned, his light hair blowing across his brow with a whip of frigid wind.
He shook his head. When he was with Jenna he couldn’t breathe, and when he wasn’t with her, he couldn’t focus on anything. It hadn’t taken Jeremiah or Gabe long at all to know there was an interest between them. “Can’t get her out of my head.”
“Why would you want to? The guys at station seven say she won’t give any of them the time of day, never has. You must have something special going on there, bro.” His younger brother laughed. “Lucky for you I never asked her out.”
“Lucky for me? Get outta here.” Aaron laughed, sending a teasing swat toward his brother.
Jeremiah bent to tie the laces on his boots, setting the coffee mug on the ground. “Been telling you to get out there, brother.”
He took a deep breath, his mind whirling. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated? She’s hot and smart. Sally says while all the other ladies are checking out Masters, she’s watching you.” Jeremiah shook his head. “What’s holding you back?”