His chin lifted and admiration flashed through his eyes. “I can understand that.”
She straightened from the wall and shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans. “So, are we good?”
“Depends,” he said, stepping closer.
“On what?”
He stopped in front of her, apprehension darkening his gaze. “On whether or not you’ll be offended if we don’t pick up where we left off.”
“No. I get it.” She freed her hands and leaned against the stall again, needing to put all the space she could between them. “This is your place of work. No mixing work with pleasure.”
Using a finger, he pushed a stray strand of hair off her temple while he studied her face. “And you’re sure you’re okay with that?”
She sucked air into her suddenly starved lungs. “Yes, I’ve sworn off cowboys.”
“Really?” Brow raised, he released her to place a palm on the stall near her head and leaned closer. “So, what was last weekend?”
Incredible. Her lips twitched as she answered him truthfully. “Lack of sleep. Too much stress over Kade. One too many margaritas…”
“But you’re smiling, so I take it you don’t regret it?”
“Not one bit. Logically, I know I should. I’ve never had a one-night-stand before, and never will again, but…” Air funneled into her lungs. “Last weekend was way too good to regret.”
“I agree.” His finger returned to her temple, tracing a path down to her chin. “It was…memorable.”
Fluttering commenced in her stomach. “Yeah?”
“There it is.” He sucked in a breath. “That fire in your blue eyes. Sapphire…”
His voice was deliciously low and husky, and heaven help her, she wanted to taste his mind-altering kiss again.
“You’ve got to stop looking at me like you want to devour me.”
She nodded. “You first.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth, and for a heart-stopping moment, she thought he was going to press her against the stall and kiss her mindless. But at the last second, he pushed back and strode a few feet away.
Disappointment and relief mixed to form a burning ball in her gut. It was for the best. They both had their future mapped out, and it did not include each other.
“I’m sorry,” he said, voice once again strong and sure. “Apparently, we have some kind of chemistry, so it’s best if we keep a distance.”
“I agree.”
He straightened and fixed his hat. “Now, what do I need to know about this stable?”
August turned into September and Jen was proud of herself for keeping her word. Admittedly, when she was on the ranch and not at school, it hadn’t been easy to stay away from the corral when she knew Brock was working the horses. Once in awhile, on the weekends and nights she was home, she’d watch from inside the barn. She couldn’t help it. The man captivated her with his low, sexy tone, gentle demeanor, yet firm hand. She shivered every time. She also noticed Lenny had given him more than just training duties. The manager must really trust the cowboy to put him in charge of livestock, something Lenny always did himself. But now Brock was supervising the care of the horses, ordering supplies and feed, accompanying him to auctions. In all the years Lenny worked on the ranch, he never allowed anyone else to do those duties. The horses were the backbone of the ranch. He must see something in the cowboy.
She sure did.
Didn’t want to. Hell no. But she did. He was a strong, fair, compassionate man. So very much like Kade.
God, she missed her cousin. Trying to limit her access to the TV, especially at the ranch, she only switched it on in the mornings when she made and ate breakfast with Kevin. On those days, before he left for Houston or outside to work on the ranch, her brother deliberately turned it off, making her promise not to switch it back on while he was gone.
Normally, she did good. Today, not so much. The urge to check the news was so strong, she bolted to her room, slipped into her boots, layered a blue gingham shirt over her white tank top, grabbed her hat, and headed for the barn. A good, brisk ride was in order.
It was Saturday and she had no pressing homework or housework, but she needed to keep busy. Rushing into the tack room, she plowed straight into a brick wall. A Brock wall. Two big hands clamped around her shoulders to steady her bouncing body.
“You all right?”
“Yes. Sorry. I wasn’t looking…I just need…” She paused to suck in a breath.
Still holding her, he bent slightly at the knee to peer into her eyes. “What’s wrong? Why the rush?”
“I’m trying to fight the urge to watch the TV,” she admitted. “I need a distraction.”
Dawning and understanding entered his gaze. “How long until Kade returns?”
“He’ll be back in the States in November. So…a little less than eight weeks.”
Reassurance softened his expression. “You’re doing good. Hang in there.”
She nodded. He was sweet. Warm. Strong.
The burning in her eyes became too much. She blinked, sending tears streaming down her face. “Dammit.” She swiped them away, hating herself for being weak.
Brock’s grip tightened again and a muffled curse hit her ears a second before he crushed her close. Needing no encouragement, she wrapped her arms around his back and held on, listening to the solid beat of his heart against her ear, soaking up his strength, letting his warmth envelop her in a cocoon of reassurance.
After a minute—because that was all she was allowing—Jen stepped back and wiped her eyes with her shirt. “Thanks, and I’m sorry,” she said, retying the bottom of her open shirt, unable to look him in the eyes just yet.
“Hey.” He stepped close, tipping her chin with a gentle hand. “Don’t ever be sorry or ashamed of your feelings for your family.”
With her throat heating up again, all she could do was nod, otherwise, round two of bawling would commence. Not going to happen.
He dropped his hand and smiled, those deep grooves in his face doing strange things to her pulse. “Good. Let’s get you set up to ride.”
She wanted to ride all right. Him. But felt it best to keep that little tidbit to herself as she followed the saddle-carrying cowboy out of the tack room. Now was also not the time to tell him she was more than capable of saddling her own horse.
That involved words, and if she opened her mouth right now, she feared something else would come out like…why don’t you join me?
An invitation best left unsaid.
Brock had been doing pretty damn good keeping his distance from the tempting woman with memorable curves and sapphire eyes. Sure, he saw her a few times throughout the week and on weekends when she wasn’t dorming, but hardly ever close up, or alone. Alone was dangerous. Hell, the other morning in the tack room had nearly had him breaking his rule not to taste her again. But, damn, he’d wanted to crush her close and kiss her long and deep.
Not smart. Thank God he’d had the good sense to hold onto his resolve. She was off limits. But even worse, she was vulnerable. Her anxiety over her cousin held her prisoner that morning, and he had no right to take advantage.
Guilt was already eating him up about their night at the gulf, even though she told him not to call it a mistake. He hadn’t meant to take her to bed. He’d only set out to make her smile and rid her beautiful eyes of that damn sadness. But after one sweet taste of her lips, he lost his head. Something he’d never done in his life, and as great is their night had been, he was determined not to repeat it.
So, despite her collision that morning, he’d held out. Remained strong. And worked most of that day sporting a hard-on.
No. Distance was important. Vital.
He needed to keep his goal in sight. Make money to pay off Gram’s debt, and then he could concentrate on buying his own ranch.
After several weeks at Shadow Rock, certain things had become abundantly clear. One, he loved the place. The people, the animals, the setup, they all meshed to for
m the perfect spread. When he had enough money, this was the type of ranch he wanted. A horse ranch. With good people to work it, and a good woman to share his dream.
His gaze strayed to the beauty in jeans and purple-checkered shirt walking toward the stable. Her dark hair was braided down her back, the summer had tinted her skin a golden brown, showcasing those striking eyes, and as usual, his body came to life.
It was damned annoying, but unavoidable if he didn’t want to raise brows by leaving every time the pretty owner appeared. Besides, he couldn’t leave today. Lenny told him they were expecting special guests.
“Here come the Delaneys now,” the manager said, pointing to the white van parking just outside the fence.
Two adults and two teenagers spilled out and ambled forward, their excited voices filling the air. As they drew closer, Brock realized the teenagers had Down’s Syndrome, and his heart constricted, reminded of his late brother. Cody hadn’t had Down’s Syndrome, but he had been born with special needs.
His mother had been in a car accident and eight months pregnant with Cody at the time. She’d died giving birth, but his brother was a fighter. He’d survived, despite severe brain damage. The doctors had only given him days to live. But again, his brother had been a fighter. He’d lived until he was fifteen.
Cody was a gentle soul with a sweet disposition, and he loved people, so much so that whenever Brock had kids over from school, his brother always wandered into the room. Some of the kids were okay with him, but most were weirded out and never came back. Good riddance. They weren’t the kind of friends he’d wanted. He’d considered his brother a “true friend detector.” Cody always weeded out the jerks.
Dating had been okay until he’d brought the girl home and put her through the Cody test. Only one had passed. Nadine. But, after high school, she’d moved to Florida to study Marine Biology, and Brock had signed up to work at a local ranch. There wasn’t enough money for college, despite the partial scholarship he’d received to play football. But, he loved ranch work. He just wished he didn’t have to bounce around so much. After eight years, it was taking its toll.
Lenny stepped forward then and introduced everyone. Brock was just finishing his handshakes when Jen led her horse into the corral and stopped dead. Apprehension tightened his shoulders as he waited to see how the woman handled the guests.
“That can’t be Lilah and Wesley,” she said, a huge smile curving her lips.
The twins turned, their faces lighting up like the sun blazing overhead. “Jenny!” The teenagers rushed forward and hugged the grinning ranch owner tight. “You’re home!”
Her genuine laughter warmed him inside. “Yes, and you two are getting so tall. Last time I saw both of you…” She paused and drew back to place a hand near her chest. “You came up to here on me. Now you’re up to here.” She tapped her shoulder.
“I know, I’m getting tall,” Wesley said, pride widening the grin on his face.
“Yeah.” His sister nodded. “You blinked and we grew.”
“You sure did.”
Watching the three interact like old friends, Brock rubbed at the tightness in his chest. She would’ve passed the Cody test.
“Is Kade here?” Lilah glanced around.
Pain clouded the brilliance in Jen’s blue gaze. “No, hun. He’s not back yet.”
“Don’t worry.” The teenager grabbed her hand, gaze open and earnest.
“Yeah,” Wesley said, grabbing the other. “Don’t worry, he’ll be okay.”
Tears filled the woman’s eyes, but she blinked them back. “I know.”
“Is Kevin here?” Lilah asked, glancing around again.
Jen released their hands and shook her head. “No, hun. Sorry, he’s in Houston today.”
“Oh, well.” The young girl shrugged. “His loss.”
“Yes it is.” Jen laughed.
The teenager turned her friendly gaze on him. “Maybe Brock will ride with me.”
It was his turn to smile. “Why, I’d be delighted.”
For the next hour, he rode with Lilah while Jen rode with Wesley, then they all sat down and had sweet tea with their parents on Jen’s porch. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable afternoon. It had been refreshing to be around the honest, forthright children.
After the Delaneys left, he helped carry the tea and glasses into the house and had to fight the urge to touch the woman. She’d been beautiful, and sweet, and caring, and he just wanted to soak it all in. Jennifer Dalton was a breath of fresh air he hadn’t realized he’d desperately needed.
He set the glasses in the sink and turned to find her watching him by the center island, appreciation swimming in her eyes.
“Thank you.”
He reeled back. “For what?”
“For being so nice to the Delaneys.” She set the pitcher on the butcher block counter and smiled. “Some people have trouble.”
“I know,” he agreed, completely floored by her insight. “I had a younger brother with special needs, and believe me, I’m well aware of the narrow-mindedness of the human race.”
Frowning, she stepped close to touch his arm, her fingers warm, soft, and reassuring. “Were people mean?”
“Some were downright rude, others were very nice. Like you.” He cupped her face and stared into her fathomless eyes. Those gorgeous sapphire eyes. “Cody would’ve liked you.”
“I’m glad.” Smiling, tears spilled down her face.
Ah, hell. His heart cracked open. He was falling. Sunk. So far over the damn edge he couldn’t find a foothold. Pulling her close, he brought his mouth down on hers, tasting and drinking in her sweet essence. This is what he’d needed. This was what had haunted him for weeks now. Her hot, sweet taste, bold tongue, warm curves. She moaned and burrowed closer, slipping her hands under his shirt, touching, stroking him everywhere as he returned the favor.
God, her skin was soft and so damn hot she had him hard and throbbing with an instant need to be inside her. Never had he gone from neutral to full throttle in the space of a kiss. Except with this woman. She was acting like she couldn’t get enough, which worked for him because he was happy to give her his all.
She broke the kiss and, ah hell, the temptress dipped down to lick his nipple her wandering hands had exposed. The exquisite feel of her tongue on his skin was nearly his undoing. In a swift move, he picked her up, set her sweet ass on the counter, and kissed a path from her neck to the cleavage peeking out of her scooped neckline. His hat fell to the floor, but he paid no attention as he did some licking of his own, honing in on the tight peak he freed with a quick tug of her shirt.
“Brock…” she moaned, grabbing his head and pulling him closer as she arched into him.
He decided then and there he loved the sound of his name on her lips, and wanted to hear it again.
“Jen? Are you home?” Kevin’s voice preceded the echo of the front door closing.
Chapter Three
Breaking apart, Brock swallowed a curse as he helped Jen off the counter. What the hell was wrong with him? Mauling her in her kitchen? Idiot. He fixed his clothes as she did the same, then swiped his hat from the floor, and reminded himself of his place. She was the boss. He should not be inside the house.
“We’re in the kitchen,” she called out, and stepped to the other side of the counter as her brother walked in.
“We? Oh, hey, Brock.” Kevin nodded, then swung his gaze back to his sister.
“The Delaneys just left,” she informed in a surprisingly steady voice. “Lilah was asking about you.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I missed her. She’s a sweet kid.”
Jen nodded, reaching for the forgotten pitcher of tea. “Brock was helping me carry the stuff in.”
“You should have another glass.” Her brother smiled. “You look flushed.”
Damn. The guy didn’t miss a thing. Considering there wasn’t much he could do to conceal the raging hard-on testing the integrity of his zipper, Brock r
emained quiet.
Dimples still glaring, Kevin grabbed two beers from the fridge, then tossed him one. “You look like you could use something a little stronger than tea, buddy.”
Not arguing that statement, he twisted off the cap, then downed half the brew before he came up for air. “Thanks.”
“Really, Kevin?” Jen blinked at her brother.
“What?” The guy shrugged. “It’s okay. You’re going to be twenty-three in August. We’re all adults here. What did I say or do that’s wrong?”
She shook her head and sighed, her expression hovering between annoyed and amused.
Summed up his feelings exactly. He was annoyed with himself for putting her in this position, yet amused at the banter between the siblings.
“Oh, don’t forget we’re supposed to go to the McCalls tonight for dinner,” her brother informed, then turned to him. “Brock, I’d actually like you to come too. Lenny and Sherry are coming as well. We’re going to discuss Kade’s homecoming party/barbeque we’re throwing the first Sunday in November. Weather permitting.”
Lenny had already informed him, but he had to admit, he was a little surprised to have the ranch owner extend the same invitation. “No problem. I’ve already made plans to follow Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb.”
“There’s no need to follow them. Jen can ride over with you.” The smiling man pointed his beer at his frowning sister.
A shaft of awareness shot through him. Her sapphire eyes were certainly full of fire, and he had to admit, they sucked him right in.
She appeared almost offended, as if her brother was offering her up on a silver platter. And because the offer would be tempting as hell, Brock set his empty beer bottle on the counter and told them he had to get back to work.
“Okay, we’re due at the McCalls’ at seven, so you can pick Jen up at quarter till.”
“Kevin!”
Harland County Christmas (Harland County Series) Page 3