by Taylor Berke
He extracted his hands from her skin as she slowly rolled over. He saw that she had a sleepy smile on her face as he offered her his hand. He couldn’t stop himself from slipping his arm lightly around her waist and walking toward the door.
Two large, furry beasts lifted their heads to check on Billie. Satisfied that she was apparently in good hands, their heads thumped back on the floor. Jackson figured that she should take that as a good sign. “Billie, I cannot thank you enough for the meal, the pie, and the company. You are definitely not the Bill that I was expecting,” he said with a chuckle. He wanted nothing more than to lower his head to her luscious mouth and kiss her passionately until they ended up in her bed. Instead, he wrapped her in his arms and gently kissed her forehead.
“Jackson, you are so welcome. Thank you for making me relax this evening. I really enjoyed spending it with you on my first night. Go get some sleep. I am going to go have a look at what Phillip and Sam did to my office tomorrow morning. Would you give me your cell number so I can catch up with you later in the week perhaps?”
He thought he would give her his bank account number by this time, he was so overwhelmed by her! After exchanging their numbers, he reluctantly bid her good night.
Neither of them would sleep well, he figured with a smile.
Chapter Four
Over the next several days, a tornado of activity seemed to dominate Billie’s life. She was unpacking her entire life into the new house, settling into her office in town, and meeting her neighbors. Like a breath of fresh air, Florence and Lillian breezed right onto her doorstep the afternoon after dinner with Jackson. Bearing a delicious plate of cookies, they introduced themselves and the very handsome Brody and Cole. The men were only there to escort their mother and aunt, they said, and to be neighborly. Once the men took themselves off, Florence immediately laughed her head off, explaining that they were probably going right back to the main barn to let all the men in on the details of their gorgeous, new, intelligent, and available neighbor, Bill. Florence explained that after Jackson got off the phone last night with his mother and explained the mix-up in names and gender. She made sure she let as many individuals as she could in on the updated information. Lillian was quieter with a gentle air, insisting that Billie come over that Sunday for the big family dinner. Florence, on the other hand, was much more vivacious and quick with an easy laugh.
Billie was so pleased to be blessed with warm people so close to her home. After an hour, the ladies took themselves off to probably go gossip a bit with the other women in town at the Ladies Guild meeting. She had a sneaking suspicion that she and her single status measurements would be on the list of minutes. She laughed.
A few more days went by with an occasional text from Jackson. She always sent a message back telling him to have a good day but tried to keep it simple. She felt like she had been sucked into the Jackson Powell vortex. He was all she thought about. How Jackson’s eyes sparkled, how good his hands felt on her back, how deliciously masculine his scent was…
“Get ahold of yourself!” she scolded out loud. In the shower, bedroom, while cooking, walking the grounds, it was all she could think about. Just yesterday she had met with a lovely woman of about fifty for the position of receptionist and office manager. Julia Morgan was her name. It was hard to even focus then when Julia innocently brought up her intoxicating neighbor.
“Have you had time to meet with your new neighbors, the Powells, Dr. Rothman?” Julia asked.
Billie sputtered out some of the energy drink she was trying to consume. “What? Oh yes, I had the pleasure of meeting Jackson first.” Billie left out the details of that embarrassing memory. “Then his mother, aunt, and cousins came by the other day.” Damn. She was going to have to invest in drool cloths because now all she could do was imagine how Jackson’s hand felt on her breast after he caught her. She shifted uncomfortably as fresh moisture soaked her thong. Ugh, why do I even bother getting dressed? she mused. That man was going to cause her to go insane or dehydrate. What a way to go, she thought.
Julia was going on and on about how Jackson was such a dear boy and how unfortunate it was he had married such an obviously immature and inappropriate woman. With a quick look, a sudden quiet filled the room.
“Did he make a good impression on you, Dr. Rothman? Now that I have stopped jabbering, I can see you are just a gorgeous little thing. Why, you might be just the thing to perk up that family and make that man really happy again. Yes! I can see it. I think I am going to have to call Lillian Powell and do some lunch!” Julia exclaimed.
“Um, Julia. A few misconceptions here. Firstly, please call me Billie, I know we are going to get along very well. Secondly, I am so not a little thing. I wish I was, but gave it up after I hit five feet eight inches. I am sure Jackson has a harem of women far more outgoing and exciting than me hanging around him. What the heck would he do with a woman who enjoys medical texts more than a beer garden? No, he was such a gentleman and I am sure we are going to be good friends.”
A pang of regret filled her for a moment. She really had secretly hoped that Jackson was as interested in her as she had been with him after that first day, but alas, he hadn’t asked for a date or dinner or anything since. Oh well, she really needed to focus on settling in more than dating right now. Dating? Who was she kidding? All she could think about was hot monkey sex with Jackson being the star attraction.
“Oh really?” was all Julia replied. Then, as though Billie hadn’t said one word, Julia went off on a love-fueled speech on how she saw the future of Billie and Jackson. This was going to be a funny and much more low-key office environment than she had before. Billie felt pleased and knew she was going to like it.
“Ready to start on Monday? Do we even have any patients booked?” Billie laughed. Julia deftly flicked on the main computer and smiled.
“Seems people are coming either to figure out if you really went to med school or to run away from cranky Dr. Henry.” Julia laughed.
“How many, then?”
“Try thirty-four, Dr. Rothman!”
“Holy cow! They just want to see if I am a vet or not. Maybe I am easier on the eyes than Dr. Henry, too.” Billie laughed. “Please feel free to call me Billie.”
“Well, dear, I think both you and they are going to have a very pleasant surprise! I cannot wait. This is going to be the most fun we have had around here in some time. They all think you are a man. Wait until they get a load of you, Dr. Rothman.”
“Billie, please.”
“Anything you say, Dr. Rothman.”
* * * *
Things were going quite well, Billie thought to herself while sitting on the front porch swing. The sunset was a blaze of purples and oranges as she took it in. A cup of tea and a warm throw graced her legs as she took in the beauty on Saturday evening. Other than not knowing who to ask to help her choose two horses to buy, she felt content. A large cowboy had sauntered into her office yesterday while she and Julia were putting away the final supplies. Julia said a polite hello to the man, but Billie immediately picked up that Julia didn’t care for that man.
“Howdy, ma’am. My name is Len Drexel. You must be new. What is a fine-looking woman going to do working with a crusty old doctor?” His leer slowly moved from her face to her breasts and downward. It made Billie very uneasy, but she put on her doctor face.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Drexel. However, you are mistaken. I am Dr. Rothman and hardly qualify as crusty yet.”
Len got a quick smile and leaned his hip on the papers scattered on the front desk. “Well, a woman with some brains. Now that makes me interested. How about some lunch and we can get to know each other a little more?”
Julia turned around sharply and gave a very leveled look at Len, one that Billie didn’t miss. However, before she had a chance to politely decline this unnerving man, she heard a deep voice say, “Good afternoon. How are two of my favorite ladies doing? Sorry, Len, but the doc and Julia have already decided to grace me w
ith their company for lunch.”
Sweet relief flooded through Billie. Jackson’s voice washed over her like a gentle caress.
Something about Len just made her skin crawl. She had learned over the years to trust her instincts, and they told her now not to be alone with that man. Her face awash with gratefulness and surprise, she turned to look at Jackson.
“Jackson, you are right on time. I assume you know Len.” She conspiratorially looked at him.
The men eyed each other with a barely perceptible undercurrent of tension.
“Jackson,” was all Len said with a nod. “Didn’t know you had met the doc here. He then turned back to Billie and gave her another salacious look as though memorizing her body. It sent more shivers of unease down her spine. As he turned on his smile, he said, “Well, perhaps another time. I look forward to seeing you soon, Doc.” With that, he narrowed his eyes and glared at Jackson as he left.
* * * *
Jackson had just pulled up to the curb by Barry’s Feed store. His father had sent him into town on an “emergency” run for his mother. Apparently, she suddenly had to have an extra bag of high-protein grain for her flock of chickens that couldn’t wait until her husband Bill had a moment off. Coincidentally, it just happened to be right across the street from their sexy new neighbor’s office. He wondered if his mother was up to no good.
Sam and Phillip had done a really good job with the old building. An example of post-modern architecture, it had nice stonework decorating the front and roofline. Just as he was admiring the built-in flower boxes in front, he noticed an unwelcome visitor go through the front door. Jackson had never like Len Drexel. He treated his horses and women the same way, badly. Without thought, Jackson jumped out of his big black dually and walked across the street to follow Len in. He stood in the doorway listening with unabashed interest, quickly moving to controlled anger that Len was showing interest in his woman. His woman? Where did that shit come from? Why the heck was that thought becoming more and more appealing to him? He must need to get himself some. However, he decided to figure it out later and deal with the situation at hand, because one look at Billie told him that she was upset. He was going to kill someone. That someone had been Len. Instead, he had invited her out to lunch.
“I must say that I have never been so happy to be ignored in my entire life,” Julia said with a smile. “Jackson, you are a naughty boy. Come over here and give me a kiss.” Jackson dutifully walked across the room and graced her cheek with a peck.
“I will be right back. Just need to use the restroom and we can take Jackson up on his lovely offer of lunch, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied the man smiling openly at Billie.
As soon as Julia left, Billie leaned back against the beautifully painted wall that Phillip and Sam had made. She found herself consumed with taking in the very tall and masculine man that was in front of her. He practically emanated sexual energy and power. How could she go from fear to lust in ten seconds? Looking at the handsome man before her, well, it obviously was possible. Her mouth suddenly feeling dry, she struggled for something to say.
“It seems that you are going to be forever saving me from situations. I haven’t felt this well protected in, well, forever. A girl could get used to this, Jackson.” She practically glowed at him.
“Just call me your masterful hero and we can call it a day!” he said suggestively.
“Funny, cowboy. No, really, thank you. I didn’t care for him. He made me so nervous. I am not exactly a wimpy girl, but there was something in the way he looked at me that didn’t feel so great.”
“I hope you don’t feel that way when I look at you,” he said with a laugh.
“Heavens no! Not even speaking the same language, I feel so different.”
Jackson turned his suddenly heated stare to capture her eyes. He walked over to her, and in a husky voice, he asked, “How do I make you feel, then, if not afraid, Billie?”
He leaned toward her and ran a finger along the side of her neck. The gentle rubbing of his roughened skin sent entirely different sort of shivers down her body. His gorgeous green eyes felt like they were caressing her soul, practically melting her to the floor where she stood.
Billie tried to concentrate on answering him, but it proved difficult. How could this man affect as no other man ever did? He had such a sense of confidence and control about him. She couldn’t even play coy.
She answered him obediently. “Excited, very excited,” she whispered back.
Jackson’s right eyebrow just lifted slightly as he let his gaze roam over her body, as though erasing the previous man’s possession and marking her with his own. This gaze was one that she didn’t mind, actually felt she was starting to crave. He made her feel safe with this look of blatant ownership. It wasn’t a feeling she was used to, but definitely getting to really like.
“Really. Now that’s very interesting, baby.” Baby? He called her baby? She had to confess to herself that she liked the sound of that. Getting personal must be a good thing. All thoughts of setting up the office, Julia, Len, and lunch simply faded away while she soaked up his endearment. How long had she just wanted a man to be affectionate like that? Just to want her, quirks and all. Forever, if she was to be truthful. She was under no misconception that Jackson was falling for her but she closed her eyes to indulge in the temporary fantasy of it all.
Just at that moment, Jackson leaned closer. His hand that had been playing havoc with her lustful thoughts went from stroking her neck to sliding around the back of it. With a gentle tug he pulled her away from the wall. All Billie could do was look in his eyes. The first touch of his lips sent her pulses soaring. A gentle taste was what he seemed to be doing, as though to see if she would protest. After a moment, he slid his mouth over hers again, this time with a gentle rub of his tongue along the seam of her lips. Billie felt the shivers turn to tremors as she fought to catch her breath.
Jackson had probably only meant to taste her. It was as if he was filled with determination that was born from the lust now slamming his body. Billie felt as he moved to deepen the kiss by rolling his lips over and over hers as she allowed his tongue to slide along his. She felt like he couldn’t stop himself. Billie felt as his other hand slid up and around her back, pressing her breasts into his rock-hard chest.
Billie felt faint. She wanted to rip off her shirt and feel her skin melt into his. No man should be able to kiss like this. Did they put something in the water out here or what? She returned the passion now raging through her veins with the same intensity as he did. She heard him groan as she sucked his tongue into her mouth again.
A loud song about Bill Bailey suddenly filtered down the hallway, accompanied by a light laugh. Julia certainly wasn’t being hired for her singing skills.
Jackson quickly lifted his head but did not release Billie. He wore a bemused expression that probably matched her own. He caressed her face one last time and on a sigh, let her go. Billie slumped to the wall, stupefied by what had just occurred. That man should be illegal. So, there are lots of men who look hot in jeans and ride around on a horse saving ladies, but to be able to kiss like that with such confidence, well, the stats had to be low.
Julia made lots more noise and comments as she moved down the hall. Probably dropping things purposefully, as though that sneaky woman knew more than a conversation was going on.
“Well, my dears, shall we have some lunch?” she chirped.
Lunch? Billie thought. Who the heck could care about eating now?
“After you, ladies!” Jackson said with a devilish grin. Offering both arms to the women, he proceeded to escort his dates down the street.
* * * *
Stupid bitch, Len thought to himself. He had looked his fill of her the other day while she had been unloading her SUV of medical books and equipment. He liked what he had seen. She was a hot piece of ass with perfect tits that he itched to get his hands on while he fucked her senseless. He was going to have her a
nd now knowing that Jackson had definitely staked a claim, well, it made his choice that much sweeter. He would be rough. Rough enough to send her back to him with bruises, to show Mr. High-and-Mighty Powell that he could take what he wanted. Right now he wanted her but would have to settle for another one of Jackson’s annoying little whores. He would bide his time and toy with his new one a little bit, but he knew his time would come.
Chapter Five
Lunch turned out to be a very enlightening affair. Having apparently much more difficulty shaking off the effects of “that kiss” than Jackson, Billie was a quiet observer for the first few minutes. The Stony Diner turned out to be a charming little nook. Not quite the menu of a typical New York diner, with their ten pages of offerings, this was a lovely mix of specials that varied day to day and meal to meal. The owner and obvious attraction was a beautiful woman, Lizzie Charmichael. A charming wit and sparkling eyes matched her obvious zest for life. Billie immediately warmed to her, seeing her as a definite future friend.
“Lizzie, isn’t there some sort of IQ requirement to be blessed with a seat in your restaurant?” quizzed Jackson. Lizzie and Billie both look curiously at him like he had lost his mind. Well, Billie had already felt that he fried her brain, so perhaps his was toast, too.
“Shut up, you overgrown idiot, or I am going to tell Mom how you behave in the presence of the ladies in this town,” Ben growled out at his brother.
Billie strained around Jackson on their side of the booth that they had taken to see the owner of the voice threatening Jackson.
“Do that and I promise to release certain information about what happened to Mom’s fur muff when you were seventeen,” was all Jackson replied. With a growl, Jackson’s younger brother Benjamin turned around in his seat and tried to glare his brother into silence.