He knew exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to put her things back in the drawers and wait there until Bobbie came back, but he left the clothes where they were. He wanted to lock her in the room and never let her go. Of course he knew that wouldn’t work, but he intended to find something that would.
Clay was just about to leave the room when he spotted something sticking out of one of the desk drawers. His curiosity peaked; if he could find any clue on where Bobbie intended to go, he would. He would use any information possible if it would help him keep her on the Lazy B. Just as he opened the drawer he heard a voice behind him.
* * * *
“Looking for anything in particular, boss?” Bobbie asked, trying with every ounce of her strength to remain calm. It wasn’t working.
The man had balls, she had to give him that. He didn’t look at all worried that he’d been caught. As a matter of fact, he stared at her as if she had done something wrong. Bobbie squared her shoulders. She promised herself that she would not let him intimidate her.
“Where in the hell have you been?” he yelled.
“That’s not any of your damned business.” She could tell he was pissed but she was beyond caring.
“You are mine,” he thundered. “And you work for me, so I have every right to know where you were,” he added, when she sucked in a breath at his words.
“I belong to no one,” she fumed, pissed that no matter how many times she’d told him that, he couldn’t get it through his thick skull that she meant it. “I talked to Chance about taking the day off. If you’ve got a problem, I suggest you take it up with him.”
Bobbie forced herself to stand still as Clay marched across the room to where she stood. His closeness made her knees feel like rubber. His masculine scent filled her nostrils. It was crazy how quickly she grown to lov... Bobbie abruptly stopped that train of thought. Where did that come from? She liked him, she lusted after his body even as she bemoaned his attitude, but she wouldn’t admit to loving him. To do that would be to fetter herself to a man who was way too much like her father.
“We’ll take care of all of that later,” he countered. “What I really want to know is what in the hell you think you’re doing with that.”
His voice laced with menacing anger as he pointed to where her suitcase sat on top of the chest of drawers. Bobbie knew exactly what he’d assumed she was doing, but wasn’t going to ease his mind just yet. The jackass had no right rummaging around in her room, even if the room was in his house.
“Packing,” she said with a calm she didn’t feel.
“Well no shit,” he said. His voice dripping with sarcasm. “Why are you packing?”
“To move.”
Bobbie gasped when he bent down and lifted her as if she weighed no more than a fluff of cotton. Clay dropped her in a heap in the center of the bed; then straddled her, pinning her arms at her sides with his knees. She wondered if she had gone about the whole thing wrong.
Bobbie didn’t know if she was angry or aroused. Probably a bit of both.
“Get the hell off of me,” she said, struggling to free her arms.
Clay leaned down and nipped her lip, making no effort to soothe the sting with his tongue. “What did I tell you about that mouth, darlin’?”
His voice was husky and his eyes were no longer narrowed in anger but heavy with arousal. His brown eyes had deepened to the color of fine whiskey.
“I’m serious, dammit. Get the hell off of me!” Bobbie wanted to kick his ass. If she could just get her arm loose, she would sock him in the nose and be happy as hell watching his eyes water in pain.
“Not until you tell me where you planned to go.”
Bobbie couldn’t think with him sitting on her. She looked down and saw his erection pressing against the fly of his jeans as he sat astride her middle. Her mouth first went as dry as dust and then it watered in remembrance of his taste.
“Now, Bobbie. Where in the hell did you plan to go after you finished packing that suitcase?”
“You damned idiot. I was going to move into another room or into the bunkhouse.” He just stared at her. Bobbie wanted to laugh. It should have been obvious, but evidently Clay’s brain wasn’t able to function when his dick was hard.
“I think you’re going to have to spell it out for me, baby. Why would you be moving to another room unless it’s mine? I won’t even talk about the bunkhouse because that isn’t going to happen.” His voice held an edge of jealousy and possession that made her uncomfortable.
Bobbie allowed a wave of relief to wash over her. She’d been gone today taking her final test and had passed. Once she received her certificate in the mail she was going to talk to Chance, to see if he could help her get a job in town. It was the only thing she could think to do. If she stayed on the Lazy B much longer, she’d be trapped. But she couldn’t tell Clay any of this yet.
“You parents will be here. This is their room, right?” she said, deciding it was time to let him off the hook.
His eyes sparkled with mirth as the corners of his mouth turned up. “Yes, but you don’t have to move. Mom and Dad always stay in their motor home when they come.”
He was getting way too comfortable on top of her for her peace of mind. “Oh. Well, you should have said something. Now get up so I can unpack.”
Bobbie wriggled a little to send her point home but Clay made no move to release her. “I sorta like you just the way you are,” he drawled and once again lowered his head.
She braced herself for his assault. Only this time he didn’t bite at her mouth. He ate it up, kissing and nibbling until Bobbie was breathless.
“Oh, Clay,” she whispered, no longer caring that she was pinned beneath him. The feel of his large body warmed hers from the inside out.
Bobbie heard a commotion that sounded as if it were coming from a great distance. But then a strong unfamiliar voice spoke from the direction of the door, bringing Bobbie quickly out of her lust-induced stupor.
“Damn, son, you weren’t born in a barn. Can’t you remember to close the door behind you?”
Clay wrenched his lips from Bobbie’s, swiveling his head to see who had interrupted him. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath.
She looked but could only see the man’s head from where she lay still pinned under Clay. It was enough that she knew who it was. Her face heated as she renewed her struggles.
“Get. Up.” Her words were bit out between clenched teeth. “And get out,” she hissed as he rolled from his perch atop her, still obviously aroused. Bobbie didn’t say a word as she darted for the bathroom.
She might have been completely clothed, but Clay’s father had caught them in a humiliating position. Bobbie wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to show her face again.
Chapter Ten
The bathroom door slammed, rattling the walls. Clay wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. His cock was hard and aching and his father was standing at the bedroom door with a wickedly amused twinkle in his eye.
“What in the hell did you do that for?” Clay grumbled.
His father laughed. “Next time you’ll remember to close the door, son.”
Clay stood, grimacing when his shaft was nearly strangled by the tight fit of his jeans. When he reached the doorway, he was engulfed in a bear hug that stole his breath. William Bodine might have a heart condition that had forced him to slow down, but it hadn’t stolen any of his strength.
“Come downstairs and see your mother before she heads up here to see what’s keeping us,” his father said, still laughing. “I don’t think she’d be nearly as understanding as I am.”
Clay knew his father was right. His mother, Pearl Bodine, was just as old-fashioned as he was himself. It was a good thing she hadn’t been the one to happen upon them in such a compromising position. Of course, that might have solved all of Clay’s problems. He smiled at the thought of his mother insisting Bobbie marry him because she’d seduced him into a compromising position.
&n
bsp; Clay laughed aloud.
“What’s so funny?”
Clay shook his head and continued down the stairs to greet his mother. She was beautiful. Pearl was small in stature compared to her husband, but what she lacked in height, she made up for in heart.
“Come here and give your mother a hug, boy,” she crooned in her velvety-soft voice as she made her way to him. Despite her age, her movements were as graceful as ever. After the hug, she held him back at arm’s length and gave him a long look over.
“You’re looking well,” she said.
Clay gave silent thanks that he’d managed to get his arousal under control before she’d hugged him. “You too, Mom,” he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Now,” she started in her no-nonsense voice. “Where is this young woman I’ve been hearing so much about?”
Clay’s father choked and sputtered on his glass of iced tea.
“Um, she’s upstairs,” Clay answered. “I thought you wouldn’t be here until tomorrow?” he asked in hopes of changing the subject.
His father answered. “She had me up half the night, she was so excited to see you all, so we decided to head on out.”
Clay was happy to see them, but he would have to keep his hands off Bobbie while they were visiting. That was something he didn’t like at all. He didn’t want to give her time to build back up her defenses.
“So, what do y’all have planned while you’re here?” he asked, hoping he sounded casual.
His dad smirked from where he now sat across the table. His mom, oblivious to the underlying current between the two Bodine men, answered. “Well, Mildred has invited us to a barbeque at her daughter’s house while we’re here. I think we are playing bingo that night also, so we’ll more than likely stay overnight in town. Other than that, I believe we’ll be staying right here.”
Clay wanted to shout for joy knowing he would soon have a night alone with Bobbie. First he’d have to figure out how to get her out of the bathroom.
They sat at the kitchen table and talked for a while until Mildred announced that supper was ready. Bobbie still hadn’t made it down. He was beginning to wonder if she was really going to take the coward’s way out and hide. He wouldn’t let her, of course, but he wondered. He stood and was about to excuse himself to collect her when his mother spoke from behind him.
“I’m going to go let Miss Carlington know supper is ready. You all go ahead and serve yourselves.”
Clay watched his mother climb the stairs with a bit of apprehension. If he knew Bobbie as well as he thought he did, she was going to be ready to rip his head off before morning.
* * * *
A soft knock sounded at Bobbie’s door. Her instincts told her it wasn’t Clay. The fact that he usually pounded or just barged right in was a dead giveaway as well. She walked slowly across the room, trying to gain some semblance of composure before opening the door.
She took several deep breaths before opening the door, and found herself face to face with an older woman with short curly brown hair the exact color of Clay’s. It was peppered with gray, yet took nothing away from her beauty.
“Mrs. Bodine?” Bobbie inquired, feeling a bit uneasy to be in the woman’s room while she stood like a visitor in the hall. “Come in,” she added, opening the door wider.
“Why thank you, dear.”
Bobbie was at a loss for words and uncomfortable. “I ... um ... I can move my things if you and Mr. Bodine would like your room back.” God, she felt like a stuttering idiot.
“Not necessary, dear. William and I prefer the motor home. Much more private when we’ve got a hankerin’ to be alone.” Bobbie was treated to a dimpled smile and a wink. She had no idea what to say.
“So, how did you manage it, Miss Carlington?”
“Oh, please, call me Bobbie,” she said, then continued at Mrs. Bodine’s nod. “I’m afraid I don’t understand the question.”
“Please feel free to call me Pearl then, Bobbie. What I am talking about,” Pearl said with a twinkle in her eye, “is how you managed to make my boy fall in love with you.”
Bobbie felt her jaw, once again open in shock. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered, hoping and praying her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt.
Pearl’s boisterous laughter was unexpected. “From the look on your face, I’d say the feeling is mutual. My sixth sense tells me you have no intention of hurting my son, so I’ll stay out of the situation. Forget I even asked.”
Bobbie watched, shell shocked as Pearl walked back out the door. She hollered back at Bobbie over her shoulder. “Supper’s ready and Clay was on his way up to fetch you. If Clay is anything like his father, it’ll do you no good to try and hide out in here.”
Bobbie buried her face in her hands and took several deep, gulping breaths. There was no way it was true. Men like Clay didn’t love women, they hoarded them. Kept them in gilded cages and showed them off when the occasion was right. The rest of the time, they were to act as meek, biddable little women. Bobbie knew the type well, her father had been one and she had no inclination to fall in love with one.
The only thing Bobbie was sure of was that she was going to have to find her own way in life. In order to do that, she was going to need a job and a place to live other than the Lazy B. The thought was daunting, but every time she considered her options, moving and finding a job was the only one to reoccur.
Bobbie made her way to the kitchen where Pearl Bodine introduced her husband. “Bobbie, this is my husband, William. My sweet William.”
Bobbie tried not to blush at the introduction. It was the sweetest thing Bobbie had ever seen. The way Pearl looked at William, love clearly showing in every feature of her face, brought a sheen of moisture to Bobbie’s eyes. Their display of love confused her as well. Was it possible to be so completely happy with a man, any man? And was Clay anything like his mother and father?
It was on the tip of Bobbie’s tongue to comment on the fact that they had already met in a roundabout sort of way, but she stifled the urge. Throughout supper she watched, fascinated at how the Bodine family, including Mildred, interacted with each other. The meal was nothing like the quiet meals she’d suffered through as a child. Neither was the setting the boring elegance of a room in every child’s worst dream. The food was hearty and edible, the meal based more on family favorites than what was most expensive or looked prettiest on a china plate. Bobbie dug in with relish, enjoying not only the food but the company and conversation as well.
The kitchen was country through and through. Bright red curtains hung from the windows, giving the room much more color than mere white walls could boast. Shelves rode high on the walls and were cluttered with every imaginable farm animal knick-knack you could think of. Antique kitchen gadgets were laid about rounding out the overall feel of the room.
And yet, the huge round table was what caught the eye of most newcomers. It was obviously well made and had seen its share of company. Its surface had lost its high shine and yet it stood proud and uncovered except for the food cluttering the center. Bobbie knew that this kitchen, this home, was the perfect place to raise a family, and felt a small jolt of jealousy over the fact that Clay and not she had been brought up in such a way.
When supper was finished, Bobbie didn’t even attempt to help clean the kitchen. The embarrassment of being shooed away would be too much with Pearl in residence. Instead, she made her way up to her room where she changed into a Levi's skirt and blouse. It was payday and she had plans.
She gave her hair a final brush-through and worked her way down the stairs, hoping all the way that Clay was occupied elsewhere. She did a quick search of the house to let someone know where she would be but found no one. Then she heard laughing and talking coming from the direction of the front porch. With jittery nerves, Bobbie made her way to the front door and out to the porch.
“Well, hello there, Miss Carlington. Don’t you look nice,” Mr. Bodine said in greeting, hi
s hazel eyes, so like Clay’s, were smiling at her.
Before Bobbie could answer, Pearl spoke. “She likes to be called Bobbie, William.”
Bobbie’s head was still whirling from dinner when Rick jogged up to the porch.
“Hey Bobbie,” he said. “I was wondering if I could hitch a ride with you?”
Bobbie avoided looking at Clay.
“Um ... sure, no problem.”
She watched as Rick greeted everyone else and tried not to show any emotion as Clay strode toward her. “Where were you going?” he asked quietly.
His voice, so low and sure, sent a shiver up her spine. Her body still ached for him and their wrestling match earlier in the afternoon had only made it worse.
“I’m going to the Electric Cowboy with Rick and some of the other hands.” Bobbie could tell Clay wanted to protest, but the porch had grown quiet and it seemed every eye was on them. She realized he wasn’t yet ready to put himself in the situation of explaining the nature of their relationship to his parents. She was grateful for the respite.
“Be back early, darlin’. It wouldn’t be advisable to make me come after you.”
It was beyond ridiculous how the man’s voice could make her cream her panties even when his words made her want to kick him in the shin. Bobbie narrowed her eyes to show her displeasure; then gave a jerky nod of her head.
She watched as Clay strode to Rick, had a quiet word with him and then began a conversation with Chance as if nothing had happened. She really wanted to scream at him but knew that would accomplish nothing, so she plastered a smile on her face, said her goodbyes and then joined Rick.
“Have fun,” William said quietly as she and Rick walked to her car. Bobbie looked over her shoulder at his words, noticing how the corner of his mouth tilted slightly. Clay, on the other hand, watched every step she took, his eyes dark and dangerous, his hands clenched into fists. Bobbie climbed into her little red sports car wondering if she was making a huge mistake.
Lazy B Ranch 00 California Cowboy Page 8