Tempting Texas

by Kimberly Raye

  “Can we talk?” she blurted. When Marge rested a hand on her chin, her ears perked, Jenna added, “In private?”

  “Sure thing.” He motioned her forward and she found herself following him down a small hallway. When they were safely inside his office, he sank down behind the desk and motioned her into a chair. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She shook her head. “That is, everything.” Her gaze caught and held his. “It’s about last night.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened,” he said before she’d had a chance to open her mouth again.

  “Really?” She licked her lips. “I mean, is that what you really think? Because I was actually thinking that maybe it was a good thing that it happened because it got me thinking.”

  “About?”

  “About doing it again.”

  “I thought you didn’t do relationships?”

  “I don’t. It’s just…” She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I’m not after a relationship.” For the first time in her life, she found herself hesitating. She, Jenna Tucker, who’d never backed down from anyone or anything was actually floundering for her words.

  Maybe she was changing, after all.

  The notion bothered her even more than her sudden loss for words.

  She shook the notion away and focused on the gleam in his eye and the heat rippling between them. “I’ve been thinking about last night. About what happened and what we should do about it now.”

  His eyes darkened, but he didn’t reach out. Instead, he simply watched her. Waiting.

  * * *

  “I think we should do it again,” she blurted. “And again. However many times it takes.”

  “For what?”

  “For me to stop thinking about you. To forget.” That’s what this was really about. Deep in her gut, she’d convinced herself that Hunter would be like all the others. Nice and forgettable.

  Only she wasn’t forgetting.

  Not yet.

  “Make no mistake, I’m not after a relationship. This is purely physical. You’re like a great dip that you can’t stop eating. Eventually you take a bite and you don’t want another.”

  “Is that so?”

  A girl could hope. “I think the attraction’s new and I’ve been depriving myself lately because, well, I’m trying to change my life and my image.”

  “So you’re horny? That’s what this is all about?”

  “Yes. I mean, no. I mean, I’m thinking that maybe you’re horny, too, and since we both are, maybe we could come to a mutually satisfactory agreement.”

  “Your cheeks are flushed,” he noted, stepping closer. “And your pulse is erratic.” He pressed a fingertip to the side of her neck in a slow, sweeping gesture that sent goose bumps chasing up and down her arms. “And you look a little faint. Do you always get faint when you get horny?”

  No. She’d never once felt faint around any man. Even the hot guys she’d dated before her nice guy spell.

  “You’re turned on right now,” he added. “Right here.”

  And how. Despite the fact that she’d cut loose last night, she was no closer to being free of the fantasies that haunted her night after night. If anything, she was even more worked up. Desperate. Hungry.

  “What about you?” she countered. “Are you turned on?”

  She didn’t have to ask. She saw the blaze in his eyes, the tensing of his muscles, and felt the heat rolling off his body.

  “I could go for round two.”

  Not that they were going another round right here and now.

  She might be feeling some of the old Jenna feelings, but she wasn’t the old Jenna. She wasn’t going to strip off her clothes and throw herself across his desk.

  “Okay, so we’re both on the same page.” She drew a deep, shaky breath. “We’ll have sex again.”

  “And again.”

  Her gaze met his and a ripple of excitement went through her. “But no one can know. I mean, this is just temporary. I need a little action and you need a little action, but neither of us is looking for anything permanent, right? No relationship?”

  He nodded and a whisper of regret went through her. A crazy feeling because Hunter DeMassi was the last person she wanted to get serious with. Sure, he turned her on in a major way now, but that would fade. It always did with guys like him.

  She licked her lips and trembled at the anticipation that rippled through her. “Okay, great. We’re both on the same page.” She swallowed against her suddenly dry throat. “So, um, when should we start? You could stop by tonight after work. I’ve got to make a house call at the Miller farm, but I’ll be home by six.”

  He looked as if he wanted to protest, but then Marge’s voice drifted over the intercom. “Sheriff, you’ve got a call on line one. It’s Lorelei. She said Gerald’s headed to the police station to pay Haywood a visit.”

  “Tell her I’ve got it on this end. Duty calls,” he told her and she didn’t miss the glimmer of regret. He pushed to his feet. “I need to catch Gerald before he does any damage to himself or anyone else.”

  “I’m surprised he can get around, what with his foot missing.”

  “He’s not missing a foot.”

  “I heard that his foot was blown off.”

  “That’s crazy. He suffered a wound to his big toe. A few stitches at best.”

  “What about his jaw? Is that still intact?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  She shook her head and gave him the lowdown on the gossip. “The joys of living in a small town,” she finally said. “The stories just keep getting bigger and bigger.” Which was why she needed to be careful with Hunter. She knew if anyone happened to see them together that they would be married with five kids by the time the news circulated. Or worse, the entire town would accuse her of corrupting the town’s most respectable citizen.

  Either spelled bad news for her future as a scandal-free businesswoman.

  Then again, there were worse rumors. Married with kids was certainly a lot better than the rumor that she’d slept her way through the entire football team.

  One lousy safety—and he had been lousy—and the next thing she’d known, she’d been walking around with Slut of the Century tattooed on her forehead.

  Not that she’d cared. He’d ridden a motorcycle and worn his hair a little too long and the idea of him—no matter how disappointing the reality—had been more exciting than the boring day-to-day of her small town.

  She’d been so desperate for an escape back then, for a few blessed moments of wow, that she’d actually liked making the good people of Rebel talk.

  Just like James Harlin.

  “Folks like to talk, so let ’em talk,” her grandfather had said more times than she could count. “I can’t stand the lot of ’em anyhow, so better they’re talking about me than to me.”

  Jenna had always felt the same way.

  Then.

  “I should go.”

  He grinned, a slow tilt to his lips that made her stomach flutter. “I’ll catch up to you later.”

  I’m counting on it.

  * * *

  She’d propositioned him.

  The knowledge followed Hunter throughout the rest of the day as he intercepted Gerald before the man had a chance to pull out his shotgun and blow off a few limbs, his own or anyone else’s. He confiscated the gun and tossed Gerald into a holding cell until Lorelei could come and get him. A few more catastrophes involving the mayor’s car getting towed and the cash register coming up short at McAbe’s Mercantile, and Hunter managed to call it quits.

  The sun was just setting when he pulled into the driveway at Jenna’s place and climbed out of his truck.

  “What do you say we take a little ride?” he asked when she opened the door wearing a pink sundress. Her feet were bare, her toes tipped in the same color as her dress.

  * * *

  She looked more sweet and wholesome than drop-dead sexy, but his body reacted the same. His gut twisted an
d his cock hardened, and it was all he could do not to reach out and touch her.

  She was right. The deprivation was getting to him. He was way past horny and it was making him crazy.

  Bat shit crazy.

  “But I thought we could just hang out here,” she started.

  He shook his head. “If I do that, you’re going to be flat on your back in the next five seconds.”

  Her grin was slow and deliberate. “I thought that was the idea.”

  He stiffened against the rush of heat whipping through his body. “We did that once. I want to draw it out this time.” He needed to draw it out, to take his time and really enjoy himself.

  That’s why he still wanted her. Things had gone too fast and furious.

  Not this time.

  “Unless you like being stuck inside?” His question seemed to remind her of something and she glanced back at the sparsely furnished living room. Most of the furniture had been moved out to prepare for the demolition. Only an overstuffed chair and the console TV remained.

  “Actually, I think I’d like to get out for a little while.” The sadness slid from her gaze and excitement took its place. “Just let me get my shoes and I’ll meet you at the truck.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Jenna knew every makeout spot in town, but she had to admit that Hunter surprised her when he turned down a dusty back road that wound its way up and down several hills before winding to a stop at the edge of a rocky cliff.

  She glanced through the windshield at the lake that shimmered in the moonlight below.

  Rebel Lake had been a popular spot back in the day, but she’d never seen it from this angle.

  “Please don’t tell me we’re trespassing on private property.”

  “This old road does cross the Benjamin spread, but since the old man died the place has been all but deserted. I’ve been keeping an eye on it for his daughter while she straightens out all the legal issues with the will. She’s planning to put it up for sale as soon as the deed is transferred to her name.”

  “That’s a shame. It’s beautiful out here,” she said as he swung the truck around and backed up to the edge of the cliff.

  “Benjamin used to run cattle a long time ago, but he let the place go to hell after his wife died. There are a few head here and there, but mostly it’s just lots of space and great views. I think the old man hoped his daughter and her husband would move back and run a few head. Maybe even buy some horses.” He killed the engine, climbed out, and went to open up the back of the SUV.

  “I can see this place running horses,” she said as she followed him around to the back of the SUV.

  The sharp drop-off overlooked a spectacular view of the canyon and the rippling water. The lake below had always been a hot spot for teens and several small bonfires blazed along the riverbank below. Ice chests lined the water’s edge and Brantley Gilbert blasted from nearby truck speakers.

  “I spent many a Saturday night down by that riverbank,” she murmured.

  “You and me both.” He winked and settled on the back edge of the SUV. He patted the spot next to him. “But I think the view’s a helluva lot better up here.” She knew he was talking about the lake, but his gaze never left hers as he patted the seat next to him. “Hop up.”

  She hesitated, a crazy reaction because Jenna Tucker didn’t hesitate when it came to men.

  But this man was different.

  He made her feel as if it were her first time settling down on the back of a tailgate, the moonlight overhead, the excitement zipping up and down her spine.

  She climbed up and settled next to him.

  He shifted his attention to the scene spread out before them. “I used to camp out at the lake back when I was bronc bustin’. We’d bring a couple cases of beer and unwind after a Saturday night ride. It’s still just as pretty as ever. But then you’ve probably camped out down there a time or two.”

  “Or three.” Her gaze followed the direction of his and she drank in the scene. A strange sense of longing went through her.

  For the woman she’d once been.

  The past she’d left behind.

  The house that was this close to biting the dust in less than a few days.

  She ignored the crazy thoughts. She was happy with the progress she was making. The changes.

  They were good.

  Great.

  She focused on the frantic beat of her own heart and the six-foot-plus of warm, hard male sitting next to her. “I doubt you just sat by the water and drank beer with your buddies,” she told him. “To hear tell it, you had quite the reputation yourself.”

  “Surely you know better than to believe everything you hear.”

  “Am I wrong?”

  “No. But times change. I changed.”

  “I wish you’d share your secret. I’ve been trying to walk the straight and narrow and, for the most part, I’m making progress, but you know what they say. You’re always seventeen in your hometown.”

  “Be careful what you wish for.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” She slid him a sideways glance.

  He seemed as if he wanted to say something, but then he shook his head. “You’re right. I didn’t spend most of my time down by the lake just drinking beer.”

  “Or enjoying the view.”

  A grin tugged at his lips. “Oh, I enjoyed it plenty. It just didn’t have much to do with the water. Thirsty?” His deep voice slid into her ears and distracted her from the dangerous path her thoughts were taking.

  She nodded. The SUV rocked as he slid off the tailgate to retrieve a small Yeti cooler from the front seat.

  She drew several deep breaths and damned herself for not insisting they stay at her place. At the same time, she couldn’t deny that he had a point. Last night had been fast and furious and much too fleeting. Maybe they did need to take their time and ease into things. Enjoy the moment. Milk it for all it was worth.

  The notion sent a burst of excitement through her, almost as fierce as what she felt when he actually touched her. Her body tingled. Her nipples jumped to attention. A blazing heat swept her nerve endings and made it suddenly hard to breathe.

  * * *

  “It’s awful hot.” His deep voice drew her attention as he walked back, two beers in hand.

  She took the bottle he offered her and held tight to the ice-cold brew. The icy condensation was a welcome relief against her blazing hot skin.

  He hefted himself back onto the tailgate. Metal shifted and rocked and his thigh brushed hers.

  A shock wave traveled across her nerve endings and made her hands tremble. She tightened her grip on the glass bottle and let the coldness sink into her skin.

  Laughter drifted from below, the sound drawing her back to the past, to the many nights she’d spent with friends and the long list of bad boys who’d colored her reputation.

  Funny, but at that moment she couldn’t recall one face. They blurred in comparison to the tall, dark man that sat next to her, his blue eyes reflecting moonlight.

  She took a pull on her beer and stared at the scene before her, her mind completely aware of the man sitting only inches away. As anxious as she was to get down to business, there was something oddly comforting about the silence that stretched between them, around them, twining tighter, pulling them closer. As if they were old friends who’d shared this exact moment time and time again.

  As if.

  Even so, a strange sense of camaraderie settled between them as they sat there for the next few moments. She sipped her beer while he downed the rest of his. One last swig and he set the bottle between them. It clinked and toppled onto its side, and she couldn’t help herself.

  “Did you ever play Truth or Dare?”

  * * *

  “I did a lot of things back in the day.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “That sometimes it’s a lot less work living up to people’s expectations than it is changing their minds.” He gave her a poin
ted look. “But then Sawyers don’t take the easy way out. That’s what my Mimi always told me.”

  “Neither do Tuckers. That’s what James Harlin always told me. Then again, what he said and what he did were two very different things. I’d say he definitely took the easy way out.”

  “He didn’t blow himself up on purpose.”

  “Didn’t he?” She shrugged, that night rushing back into her mind until she could all but smell the smoke and hear the sirens. “He’d been working with that still too long to get sloppy. That explosion wouldn’t have happened unless he wanted it to.”

  “It was an accident.”

  “Was it?” She voiced the one question that still haunted her. He’d always been so careful. No matter how drunk. How belligerent. He’d been different when it came to his shine. Methodical. “I can’t help but think that maybe he just gave up. Everybody gets tired of trying.” Of living up to expectations. Or, in James Harlin’s case, not living up to them. He’d been a big disappointment for the most part. Maybe that truth had finally gotten to him. “Maybe he blew himself up on purpose.”

  “I don’t know what was going through his mind that night,” Hunter murmured, “but I do know that he didn’t do it on purpose. Something was off.”

  “Is that why you haven’t officially closed the investigation?”

  He nodded. “The pieces just don’t fit.” And then he clamped his mouth shut on the subject as if words couldn’t begin to explain his suspicions. “There’s nothing specific. Just a feeling that there’s more to it.”

  “A cop’s hunch?”

  “Something like that. Listen, I’m really sorry about what happened. I know it was hard on you and your sisters.”

  “We were used to being on our own.” What she wasn’t used to was the crazy emptiness that now sat inside her. The knowledge that her granddad was gone and never coming back. She’d been too young to feel the loss with her parents, but James Harlin … “I never thought I’d miss the old guy.” She stiffened. “I shouldn’t miss him.”

  “Yeah, well, what we should do and what actually happens are two different things.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I shouldn’t miss my brother. It’s not like we were close. We were always at odds. My dad pitted us against each other. It was always a contest, right up until the day I left. If you had asked me back then if I thought I would ever miss my brother, I would have said no. Hell, I would have thought it would be a relief not to have him around. No more competition. No constantly trying to measure up.” He stared out at the scene below. “But then he became this saint and the pressure was even worse. Be as good as Travis. As upstanding. As respectable.”