by Jane Jamison
The same was true of Seth. She’d be powerless if they told her they wanted her. Powerless to do anything except give herself to them. And, although she barely knew them, she was ready and willing to lose herself in their arms.
Not much of her brain was working the way it should, but she still had enough sense to stop and realize how fast she was running toward the edge of a cliff. If she wasn’t careful, she could let herself fall for the two sexy cowboys. Falling for them would only lead to heartache once she and Jesse had to leave.
“Don’t be too rough on Jesse. You’ve already gotten him to do more than anyone ever has. Including me.”
“I’m treating him like I would any other man. I’m not going to coddle him. While you two are staying here, both of you need to pull your weight.”
He couldn’t have hurt her more if he’d punched her in the stomach. She got the message loud and clear. She’d been the only one fantasizing. To Jarrod, she was nothing but a possible good time. That and someone to clean and cook for him. Turning his arm loose, she ignored his confused look and eased past him. “You’re right. I’ll get back to work.”
She swallowed back the anger clogging her throat. At least she hadn’t humiliated herself by kissing him.
* * * *
“Where are they?” Amy walked into the yard between the house and the barn. She hadn’t seen either Jarrod or Jesse in over an hour. As far as she knew, Seth was still out on his horse, checking the herd.
“Jarrod? Jesse?” Her calls went unanswered.
She started toward the pasture. Were they in the field with the horses? She didn’t want to go too far from the house by herself, but she wanted to check it out.
The air was crisp, a sign of the upcoming fall season. The trees were starting change color but had yet to start losing their leaves. The beauty around her was a far cry from the gray city streets she was used to. No car horns disrupted the birds’ singing. Green grass flowed around her feet instead of pavement. The peacefulness enveloped her, making her feel calmer than she’d felt in a long time.
If only we could stay on the ranch.
But that was dangerous thinking. Getting too close to Seth and Jarrod wasn’t going to help solve Jesse’s problems. Besides, she couldn’t expect two handsome, desirable cowboys to chuck everything they had, including their freedom, and take on a girl with a troubled brother.
But, oh, how she wished they would.
The grass was long in the pasture as she waded through it. She watched for cow manure—“cow chips,” as Jarrod called them—and couldn’t help but feel at home. More at home than she’d ever felt anywhere else. Was she a cowgirl at heart? What would the guys say if she told them she’d love living on a ranch?
Not that she’d ever get the chance. Asking was out of the question. She wouldn’t want to put them on the spot. But if they ever offered, she’d snatch up the opportunity in a flash.
“Damn it, Jesse!”
She jerked her head up and searched the area. Trees dotted the pasture on either side, but she didn’t see any sign of Jarrod or Jesse.
“Kid, you’ve got balls and not enough sense. I should knock your fucking head off.”
Jarrod’s angry voice came from somewhere to the left. She took off running, fearful of what she’d find. Breaking through the tree line, she didn’t have to go far before finding Jarrod standing over Jesse.
Fear clouded her brother’s face as he scrambled to his feet. “Back off, man. And don’t you ever fucking touch me again.”
The reins of Jarrod’s horse were looped over a tree. His hat lay on the ground nearby. It looked like the horse had already taken a step or two on top of it, putting a large dent in the crown.
“I’m warning you, man. Try that again and I’ll go bat-shit crazy on your ass.” Jesse’s voice was strained, permeated with anger and fear.
Had Jarrod struck Jesse? Just as she always had, she came to her brother’s defense. “What’s going on?” She charged toward them, then clutched Jesse’s arm and checked him for any signs of blood. “Are you all right?”
“He’s fine. At least physically.”
“This asshole hit me.”
Horror filled her as she faced Jarrod. She couldn’t believe it. Jarrod didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d used force. But then again, Jesse had a way of bringing out the worst in people. “You hit him?”
Jarrod’s eyes flashed. “Hell, no. He’s lying through his teeth. If I’d hit him, you’d damn well know it. He’d be on the ground and out like a light. I just grabbed his shoulder, trying to get his attention.”
“Jesse?” When he couldn’t meet her eyes, she knew. “Damn it. Don’t lie to me.”
“Leave it alone, sis.” Jesse jerked his arm out of her grasp.
“He’s lucky I didn’t knock him on his ass. If anyone deserves an ass-kicking, it’s Jesse. Trust me. One of these days, someone’s going to beat the hell out of him.”
She thrust her arm out in front of her brother, instinctively protecting him. Although Jesse was a grown man, he wasn’t half Jarrod’s size. “Just keep your hands off my brother.”
Jarrod picked up his hat, punched at the dents in it, then shoved it on his head. “Glad to. As long as he doesn’t hide out down here and smoke weed.”
Shit. She confronted Jesse, already knowing the answer. “You brought weed with you?”
Jesse’s usual mask of defiance and anger met her. “So what if I did? It’s just a little pot.”
“Where is it?”
He pointed toward the creek. “That asshole threw it in the water.”
“Damn straight I did. No one uses illegal drugs on my ranch. No way, no how.”
“You stupid cowboy. It’s legal now.” Jesse paced toward the creek as though to retrieve his stash, then stopped. “If it got wet, man, I’m gonna—Fuck!”
“It’s not legal in Texas and I don’t give a crap if every state in the union legalizes it. On my ranch, I say what goes. No drugs, no way.”
The rolled-up marijuana cigarette wasn’t hard to find. It had landed on the edge of a rock. If it hadn’t been soaked, she was sure Jesse would’ve gone after it.
Her heart sank. Jarrod had every right to be angry. Instead of doing his chores, Jesse had slunk off, hoping to get out of working. Just as he always did. But then he’d made it even worse by smoking a joint.
“Are you going to get him to lay off me, sis?”
For the first time in a long time, she looked at her brother in a different way. He was her little brother and she’d always love him, but she’d let her love color her judgment. Jarrod was right. It was time Jesse grew up.
“No, I’m not.”
“What?” Jesse glanced at Jarrod then back to her. “Come on, sis.”
“Jarrod’s right. This is his ranch and you’re dead wrong to bring drugs on his property. Don’t you get it? What if someone found out? You’ve already messed up your reputation, and I’m not going to let you tarnish Seth’s and Jarrod’s.”
She dragged in a ragged breath, hating to ask, but not having any other choice. “Where’s the rest of it?”
“What are you talking about? That was my one and only joint.” His scowl couldn’t hide the lie no matter how hard he tried.
“I don’t believe you. The rest of the pot. Where is it?”
“I don’t have any more. It’s not like we had time to pack.”
“Maybe so, but I know you. When you’re holding, you’re holding more than one joint. And what about other drugs? What else did you bring with you?”
“Other drugs?” Jarrod’s tone was calmer, although still with a hard edge.
“Jesse’s done a lot of different drugs. Pot, coke, meth. I don’t know the names of all of them.”
“Damn it, sis. Way to throw me under the bus.”
She reached out for him, needing to touch him to reassure him that she still cared, but he wouldn’t let her get close. “I’m not trying to hurt you. I just want you to come cle
an. Is it on you? Or in your room?”
He blinked at the word room, then looked away. As though she didn’t know he’d continue to lie. But it was obvious he was. Had she finally taken off the color glasses that made her see him as her brother instead of a liar?
Giving up on Jesse confessing, she turned to Jarrod. “It’s in his room.”
“Shit. In my house?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.” Her brother may have ruined their one chance at a fresh start. She wouldn’t blame Jarrod if he told them to get off his property. “Jesse, I can’t believe you did this. Not after all they’ve done for us.”
“That’s bullshit. All they’ve done is turn us into his slaves. You’re cleaning their house, their fucking toilets, and I’m shoveling shit. Hell, I even cooked for the assholes. We don’t owe them a fucking thing.”
“So you’d rather have been left at the truck stop? They could’ve done it, you know. They didn’t have to call their friends and ask them to stick their necks out for us. But they did. So, yeah, we owe them. If it weren’t for Seth and Jarrod, who knows where we’d be right now? And it’d be all your fault.”
She’d never seen her brother so angry. Then again, she’d never been as disappointed in him, either. “No, I said that wrong. It wouldn’t be all your fault. I’m to blame, too. I’m the one who’s allowed you to screw up time and again. I should’ve kicked you to the curb like our parents did.”
She regretted her words the second his angry expression morphed into a pained one. An apology was on her lips, but stayed there. Wanting to apologize was one thing. Being able to was another. No matter how rough it was for him or for her, too, it was time for some tough love. Time for her to push her younger brother into becoming a real man. A man like Jarrod and Seth.
Still, guilt ate at her. “I love you, Jesse, even though you make it damn hard to do so.”
“Go to hell.” Jesse whirled around and started running.
“Jesse, wait. Don’t…” Don’t what? Don’t run away like a child? Any other time she would’ve chased after him, but no longer. What she’d said had been harsh, but it had also been the truth.
“Let him go.”
She shouldn’t take her frustration, her heartache out on Jarrod. He didn’t deserve it, but he was the only one there. The only one she could use to vent her anger. “Damn you. Don’t tell me what to do.”
He jerked back as though she’d struck him. But surprise quickly morphed into annoyance. “What the hell did you want me to do, Amy? Did you want me to hug him instead? How about I find out who the local drug dealer is and get him set up? Garner’s a small town, but I’m sure I could find a teen or two who’ll know where to find some pot.”
“You’re not helping.”
“I’m not trying to. He’s your responsibility. Not mine.”
She stalked over to him. “Good. I don’t want your help.” The lie burned her tongue.
Her mind shouted for her to stop, to walk away, but she couldn’t. If she could push some of the blame onto him, then she wouldn’t have to shoulder all of it by herself.
“Just know this. You can be sure I’ll check his room and if I find more drugs…”
“If you find any more drugs, then what? We’ll have to leave?” It hurt to ask the question. And yet, she wouldn’t blame him for wanting them gone.
“What do you want me to do, Amy? Just let him light up in the house? Do you want to get kicked out?”
That stalled her, finally getting her mouth to listen to her head. He hadn’t said it as brusquely as she would’ve expected. Instead, his question held a tone of regret, a hint of the same sorrow she felt. The rush of emotions left her, leaving only sorrow.
“If you want us to leave, then we will.” Her voice came out a whisper. Anything louder would’ve hurt too much. She trembled, crossing her arms with the sudden chill.
He took off his hat, gave it another punch to fix the crown again, and then hooked it over the saddle horn.
She waited as he faced his horse, his hands on his saddle. He lowered his head, obviously thinking about what to do next. If he ordered them to leave, she didn’t know what she’d do. It would be rough on the road, but even rougher leaving Jarrod and Seth behind. She bit on a fingernail and remained quiet.
Please. Don’t push me away.
When he turned back to her, his eyes blazed with determination. His jaw was set.
Please, no.
“I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
Relief almost buckled her legs. She fell toward him just as he took her into his arms and pulled her against him. His strength warmed her, filling her with the strength to keep her on her feet. Their mouths met, hungry, needy, searching.
She whimpered as he took her head between his hands and brought her mouth to his. Nibbling, sucking, every inch of her was turned on by his kiss. She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on, fearful that if she let go, she’d wake up and realize it was all a dream.
“I need you to stay.”
He couldn’t have said anything nicer. “I want to stay.”
“Then it’s settled.” He crushed his mouth to hers again before she had a chance to say anything more.
They held onto each other, their bodies molding together. But her knees wouldn’t hold out for much longer. She melted in his arms, hoping he’d go to the ground with her. Instead, he picked her up and carried her toward the creek. Gently, he lowered her onto the grass then lay down beside her.
“What about Jesse?”
“What about him?” He nibbled at her neck and pulled her shirt free just as he’d done the night before.
“I won’t stay without him.”
He leaned away, studying her. “I figured you were a package deal.”
She gasped as he undid her jeans and slid his hand inside her panties. His finger found its way between her pussy folds and her breath hitched in her throat. Gripping his sturdy arms, she could do nothing more than stare into his dark eyes and wait for him to do whatever he wanted.
He watched her, studying her. He wanted to give her pleasure. She could see it in his eyes, yet it was unnerving being under his intense scrutiny. Besides, there was more she wanted from him than just the look in his eyes. She tugged his mouth to hers, lifting her head to meet him halfway.
He tasted manly, like a mix of spicy and sweetness all rolled into one. His finger tormented her clit, sliding over it then back down. The tip teased the entrance to her pussy, pulling a groan of frustration out of her.
He lifted away from her. “Is it all right? Here?”
She couldn’t answer the question. Was it? But what if Jesse came back? “I don’t know.”
“Then you’re leaving it up to me to decide?”
She nodded, handing him the responsibility.
“Good.” He brought her shirt over her head as she sat up then tossed it aside.
For a moment, he stopped, again studying her. His expression was tense, yet awed, as though he was enthralled by what he saw. Reaching behind her, he undid her bra and let it fall away.
He’d rid her of her bra easily. Maybe too easily. But should she have expected anything less? He’d had plenty of other women. How could any man like him not? She shoved the thoughts of other girls away.
He kissed her again, nibbling at the corner of her mouth as he sank his finger into her pussy. She inhaled again and instinctively lifted her hips. He pushed her panties and jeans lower until they were at her ankles. She kicked them off along with her shoes.
She was naked, lying out in the open. Fear as well as excitement shivered her body. She wasn’t the type of girl who’d lie down and let a man she’d known only a short while fuck her. But it had been so long since she’d felt desired. So long since she’d allowed herself to give in and simply enjoy being with a man. After all the lonely nights, nights she’d spent worrying about Jesse, she needed to feel his touch, his lips. If only for a short time.
The one thing that could make the moment bett
er was to have Seth with them. But she couldn’t think about him. To do so would be disrespecting Jarrod. Who knew how they’d react if she told them she wanted both of them?
Grasping his shirt, she tugged it hard, yanking some of the buttons off and undoing the others. He chuckled, then sat up and, along with her help, pulled his shirt off. A quick heel-to-heel action and he had his boots gone. She tugged on the waistband of his jeans as he kicked his legs, freeing himself of them.
He bent and took her nipple into his mouth, taking the other breast in his hand. She arched, pushing her pebbled buds against him, urging him to suck harder and add teeth to the sizzling sensations. He moved over her, nuzzling from one breast to the other, tugging one nipple then the other into his mouth. She clutched his hair to hold him to her, but it didn’t stop him from sliding his body down hers. Down until, at last, he made good use of her spread legs. Not only had it been a long time since she’d laid with a man, but it had been even longer since a man had thought of her pleasure before his own.
He pushed her pussy folds apart then kissed her clit. The touch was so soft yet so sensual. She lifted her head and saw the wicked gleam in his eyes over her smooth mons.
Sunlight filtered through the trees and a breeze wafted over her skin. But it wasn’t the breeze that had her trembling. His passion-filled expression was enough to send shudders roaring through her. She reached out for him, but couldn’t span the distance. Instead, she dug her fingers into the ground beside her and held on.
He pressed his mouth to her clit, sucked it in, and kept it caught between his teeth. Was he torturing her? The anticipation drove her crazy. Another frustrated groan escaped her and she would’ve sworn his mouth curved into a smile. If he didn’t give her what she needed soon, she’d split apart.
As though he could read her mind, he crushed his mouth harder against her, catching her clit again, then adding the quick flick of his tongue. She cried out and bucked as he feasted on her. Like a man starving for days on end, he made a meal out of her then dipped his tongue lower to take a drink from her pussy.