She rang up his bill with shaky fingers. “W-was everything okay?” Her voice came out breathy and needy. Because she was, big-time.
“Delicious.” He glanced down her body, then back up. “I’m ready for seconds.”
At the hunger in his tone, heat funneled between her legs while her nipples hardened with merciless speed. She was so easy when it came to him. Why? She didn’t know. Didn’t care. She liked it. A lot. Too much.
Holding his gaze, she deliberately stroked his palm while handing him change. “Not till I get to eat first.”
Stone’s indrawn breath did wonders to Jovy’s ego. To know she could affect such a virile man empowered her, made her brazen. If two more tables hadn’t filled up, she would’ve stood there under his smoldering gaze and happily flirted while she turned to a puddle behind the register.
She reached across the counter to grab his right hand. “Thanks, Stone. I appreciate what you did.”
His gaze lingered on her lips for a beat before he blinked away all traces of heat and a serious expression crossed his face. “No, thank you. I took your advice. The McGregors paid me half up front.”
Joy unlike any she’d ever experienced flooded her body. It was as if she’d won a victory for her own business. “That’s great news! You just made my day.”
The devilish gleam entering his eyes told her he’d like to make her night, too. She sucked in a breath and opened her mouth to invite him to drop by after she closed, but he spoke first.
“A bunch of us are going to the Beer and Steer tonight to celebrate.” He trailed his finger over her palm. “Join me when you close? We can celebrate your first day, too.”
The fact that he thought to invite her had Jovy smiling on the outside. He wanted her to share in Foxtrot’s victory. Her heart cracked open a little. The fact that he said join me instead of join us had her smiling on the inside. A blatant show that he craved her company. The feeling was mutual, and the crack widened. But the biggest thing—the best thing—was the fact that he included her first day in the celebration. That was so sweet. Beyond sweet. Her chest hurt. In a good way as the crack split wide open and warmth spread through her body.
“I’d like that,” she replied, her voice sounding as soft and gooey as she felt.
The urge to climb over the counter and haul him close trembled through her, but since they weren’t alone, she refrained. Which was probably good. The last thing she needed was to make tomorrow’s headline with: “Owner Mauls Customer During Grand Opening.” Or “Customer Becomes Daily Special.” Could be good for business, but she wasn’t willing to find out. “It probably won’t be until around eight. Is that okay?”
His smile took her breath. “Perfect. I’ll see you at eight.” After a squeeze to her hand, Stone released her, nodded to the two pretty middle-aged ladies who sat down at the counter, then strode from the café.
“I swear that cowboy strolled off the pages of a romance novel.” The auburn-haired lady wearing a Reading Is Sexy T-shirt stared at Stone through the window. “Mmm…mmm….I’ll never grow tired of watching that man exit a room.”
“Amen.” The blonde nodded, pushing long wavy hair over her shoulder as she leaned around her friend to get a better view. “Jeans were made for a lean body like his. Same goes for his brother and their Ranger buddies.” She sighed and turned back around in her seat. “If only I were ten years younger and ten pounds lighter…”
“Ah, hush.” The redhead straightened in her seat. “There’s nothing wrong with being a few years older than a man. You’re gorgeous. You can have men eating out of the palm of your hand if you wanted. Just remember, there’s something to say for experience.”
“Says you because you have a husband who loves you and your mature body. No macho, thirtysomething guy wants a forty-one-year-old mother of two whose boobs are turning into the eighth dwarf—Droopy.”
Jovy chuckled. “Hello, ladies. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Hi, Jovy,” the redhead greeted with a friendly grin. “I’m Cecelia, but everyone calls me Cece. We met online.”
Facebook.
“Yes, Cece, hi! So nice to meet you in person.” Jovy shook the hand of the woman she’d spoken to several times on the V-Spot page. “I thought you looked familiar.”
The pretty blonde held out her hand. “And I’m Blanche, short for Blanche.”
Jovy laughed. “Nice to meet you, too, Blanche. I’m so glad you both came out for my grand opening.”
“Wouldn’t miss it!” Cece waved a hand. “’Bout time this town got some healthy choices.”
Blanche nodded. “I’ll say. We’re looking forward to living dangerously…healthy.”
“And spending time here, because, well, we’re just plain bored. Aren’t we, Blanche?” Cece set a hand on her friend’s back.
“Yes.” Blanche snorted. “Very bored. With our kids in college, her husband working from dawn to dusk, and my ex in Dallas doing Debbie—we have nothing but time.”
A fact the ladies proved by sticking around for over two hours. Jovy laughed so much her face hurt. Smart and funny, the women chatted about life in Joyful, ordered several dishes, including her chocolate raspberry blitz dessert. They raved about the separation of flavors, and after discussing quinoa and tofu and promising to bring some of their tried-and-true recipes the next day, the women went home.
Jovy had a real good feeling about those two.
The rest of the afternoon flew by. Customers trickled in; some she discovered came because of her ads, a few from sheer curiosity, but most from word of mouth.
Thanks to Stone.
The men he brought in must’ve spread the word. She knew in her gut he’d been the catalyst to her profitable day. She was so damn grateful. Her dad and grandfather aside, she’d never met a more selfless man. He didn’t need to come in and spend his hard-earned money in her café. She wasn’t his issue. Wasn’t his problem, or responsibility, and yet, he went above and beyond to help her out. And she knew he hadn’t done it in hopes she’d repay him with sex. That wasn’t the way his mind worked. The guy was practically Captain American Ranger. He did it simply to help.
Would he turn sex down?
Her thoughts immediately went to their horse ride and how he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. No, he wouldn’t turn sex down. A few days ago, she would’ve said yes. Hell, a few days ago, she never would’ve allowed him to take the liberties with her body she’d allowed that morning. But each day, she’d discovered things about him, things she liked. Loyalty. Integrity. Compassion. He reminded her of her dad and grandfather. It did her heart good to know there were men like him in the world. Men who put other’s needs before their own.
Their morning ride proved it. The man had been almost as ready to burst as Jovy, but he took care of her and went without. She still felt bad. After what he’d done to her on that horse, she owed him a mind-boggling orgasm. Tonight.
Chapter Nine
After avoiding the Beer and Steer for nearly nine months, Stone found himself at the bar for the second time that week. Both times because of Jovy. Tonight, unlike the first time, he wasn’t there out of aggravation. More like anticipation. Try as he might, he couldn’t get the woman out of his head. And after their erotic ride that morning, she was in his blood but good. Instead of crippling him when he’d made a pass, the northerner had trusted him, responded to his touch, opened up, and let him pleasure her out in the open. Damn, that was so fucking hot. If he hadn’t had the McGregor appointment he wouldn’t have dropped her off. Hell no. If she were willing, he would’ve gone to her apartment and celebrated a completely different grand opening.
Which wasn’t smart considering he was supposed to ignore his libido, and Jovy. His focus took a hike with common sense whenever he was near the woman, and he couldn’t afford that, not with a company to worry about and a friend on the brink. Plus, there was the fact that she was leaving in less than four weeks. A fact he’d reminded himself after h
e’d left the feed store when his boots had carried him up the street to her restaurant. Seeing dejection shadow her pretty face and her body slumped against the counter in the empty café had twisted his gut something fierce. Before he knew it, he was on the phone rounding up some of the men, determined to turn her day around.
An idiot. A sucker. Yeah, he was both, but he wasn’t the type to sit around and let chips fall if he could lend a hand. Wasn’t in his DNA.
Could his bank account afford it? Not really. Did he care? Hell no. What he couldn’t afford was seeing her sad. His gut told him whatever she was trying to prove to her grandfather was damn important. So, if it was important to her, then he would do what he could to help her succeed. Even though that meant she would leave at the end of her lease.
Yeah, an idiot and a sucker.
“So, bro, I have to say I’m surprised you invited us here.” Brick dropped into a chair while Vince and Cord set two pitchers on the table and sat down.
“Why are you surprised?” He frowned, reaching for a mug once Vince filled it. “We deserve to celebrate landing the McGregor account.”
Cord nodded as he filled two more and pushed one at Brick. “To the McGregor account.”
The four of them drank a toast, then Cord raised his glass again. “To Drew and Leo.”
With a loaded silence, they toasted their absent buddies. Both sorely missed. One was in the ground; the other was out of town celebrating his grandmother’s birthday. Stone was glad Leo decided to go home. Hopefully, the visit would do him good.
After a few minutes, Brick turned to him. “It’s good to see you happy, Stone. I’m just saying, I’m surprised you wanted to celebrate here instead of at the ranch.”
Of course his brother wasn’t going to let it drop. Stubborn bastard. Not that Stone blamed him. It was out of the ordinary for him to want to go to a bar. But he didn’t have a choice. Not after he’d invited Jovy to a celebration that hadn’t yet existed. His need to see the woman had him blurting out an invitation he had to make real.
Brick’s keen gaze narrowed. “Something tells me it’s not just the contract that has you smiling today.”
“Bet I know what it is.” Vince’s lips twitched. “It’s the hazel-eyed beauty from Philadelphia. I always told you eastern girls were special, too.”
Stone sat back in his chair and sipped his beer. He wasn’t rising to the bait.
“Did Jovy pop your cherry?” Brick asked, then slapped Stone on the back when he started to choke on his beer. “That’s great, man. I’m happy for you.”
“It’s not like that,” he sputtered. At least, not yet.
Vince grinned from across the table. “Why not? She’s hot, and definitely hot for you.”
Cord sat back, lips starting to twitch, too. “Oh, it’s definitely like that. Why else would you round up some of the guys and make them eat vegan food for lunch at her café?”
“What?” Brick’s head twisted toward him so fast it was a wonder it hadn’t come clean off.
Vince frowned at him. “Why didn’t you ask me? I would’ve been happy to try her food.”
That’s exactly why he hadn’t asked. Jovy and the New Jersey native had the north in common. Stone wasn’t about to give them the opportunity to bond over cooking, too. Fuck that.
Brick set his beer down on the table with a thump. “You know, Stone, I’m not sure that was such a smart idea.”
“What? Helping out another human being?” He set his mug next to his brother’s and narrowed his gaze. “I’m not wired any other way, Brick. She needed customers, so I provided them.”
“That’s not what I meant, you idiot.” His thickheaded brother cuffed the back of his head. “It’s obvious she’s doing some sort of trial run here in Joyful, and needs to succeed.”
“Yeah,” Cord agreed. “When I was helping her paint, Jovy told me she had four weeks to make as much money as possible in the café.”
Brick reached for his beer while Stone processed the news, and tried not to feel jealous that she’d opened up to his friend and not him.
Vince leaned forward, alarm creasing his brow. “Or else what? Is she in trouble?”
“She said or else wasn’t an option,” Cord replied, then shook his head. “No, I didn’t get the impression she was in trouble.”
Stone twisted his half-empty mug on the table. He didn’t, either. “Probably to prove something to her grandfather.” His gut told him it was business-related.
“Could be.” Brick exhaled. “And that brings me back to my point, little brother. Why the hell are you helping her? You’re assuring her departure.”
Vince nodded. “Don’t you want her to stay?”
He hadn’t known her long, but the more time Stone spent with the remarkable woman, the more time he wanted to spend. “Yes, I want her to stay, but not at the expense of her failure. I’ll do what I can to help her.”
“Even if that means she’ll take a hike,” Brick stated with a shake of his head. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing, Stone.”
Ditto.
He lifted a shoulder. “We barely know each other. Maybe it’s just physical.”
His brother snorted. “‘Physical’ is a helluva good reason.”
“Is this a private celebration or can anyone join?”
At the sound of Jovy’s voice, Stone jumped to his feet, along with the others, and turned to watch her approach. Damn…what an approach. She was gorgeous. Heat rushed through his veins. She’d changed into a sleeveless navy sundress that hinted at cleavage and tied on her left hip, beckoning him to pull the string and unleash her swaying curves. A thin brown leather purse was slung across her body, bouncing against her hip as she walked.
For the first time since they met, she wore her hair down, and the coffee-brown waves were longer than he’d expected, falling well past her collarbone. His whole body tightened imagining her nipples peeking out from the soft, silky curtain of hair.
“Hey, Jovy,” Vince and Cord greeted in unison.
Brick grinned. “We were just talking about you.”
Her gaze was open and heated and glued to Stone’s while she addressed his brother. “I’d love to hear about it, after I thank Stone.”
If he had any air in his lungs to form a thought—or find his voice—he would’ve asked what she meant by thank him. And for what.
But his body was instantly hard and mind was useless as shit, so when she set her hands on his shoulders he let her push him down in his chair and swing a leg over his lap.
Holy shit. She’d straddled him.
In front of the guys.
In the middle of the bar.
“Thanks, Stone.” The woman practically purred, and was so damn close he could feel her breath on his lips, watch her hazel eyes darken to a gorgeous green. She hesitated, hovering, teasing him with the promise of those luscious lips a mere inch away. Sweet Jesus, she drove him crazy. Made him nuts. He could practically taste her.
God, how he wanted to taste her.
Just when Stone was about to take over, Jovy leaned in and brushed her lips to his, touching off a chain reaction his body hadn’t expected. Son of a bitch. It was stronger than before. His mind literally fogged, while heat spread to every extremity in a rush that stole his breath. This was nuts. It was insane. So much more than the last time they’d kissed, and judging by the sexy sound deep in her throat, she agreed.
Warm hands cupped his face while her sweet, eager lips drank him in, feasted, her wicked tongue darting into his mouth as she devoured the last of his control. He grunted and crushed her close, taking over the kiss. That’s when he died and went to heaven. His body craved hers with an intensity that should’ve scared him, but instead, it only added to the excitement and adrenaline coursing between them.
When they finally broke for air, he blinked at the sexy woman sitting on his lap. Her gaze was hot and dazed, confirming he wasn’t going insane alone, while the heat between her legs seeped through his jeans, t
antalizing his crotch to bulging proportions. “What was that for?”
“For helping me out.” She sucked in air, a huge smile lighting her face. “For being sweet.”
Vince waved a hand, catching his attention. “I can be sweet.”
Cord nodded in agreement.
“Me, too,” Brick said.
She turned to the others and laughed. “Of that I have no doubt, but I reserve the sit-on-your-lap kind of thank-you for Stone.”
“Lucky shit,” one of them muttered, and he couldn’t agree more.
He felt lucky. Damn lucky. And hard. Zipper-cutting-into-his-erection hard.
When she made to get up, he gripped her hips and held her in place. “Don’t leave on my account.”
Smiling, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss near his ear. “This would be better if we were both naked and back at my place.”
Check please.
His dick pulsed, and he had to talk his body away from the edge. The image her words created was exactly what he wanted. Exactly what he needed. Now. Yesterday. Damn, she was intoxicating.
But it all led to distractions he’d spent nearly the past year trying to avoid. The memory of Leo’s comatose body hooked up to wires and machines in the hospital last year was enough to cool Stone’s libido. If he hadn’t been in Kernville, balls-deep in a waitress…maybe his buddy wouldn’t have taken the pills. Bottom line, Stone had let his friend down. No way was he going to allow that happen again. Ever. He needed to be available 24-7. On his game. Coherent. Alert. Focused. And not just for Leo. For all his men.
If he went with Jovy to her place, his focus would strictly be on her mouthwatering curves. God, he wanted that. So damn bad. Maybe Leo would be fine tonight, his mind reasoned. He was with family. He’d been good the last two days. Hell, the guy had been great this morning. Laughing and joking, even somewhat excited about spending a few days with his grandmother.
Stone wanted to tell Jovy yes, to take her up on her offer, but dammit, his responsible side dug in. He didn’t refuse the offer. Just sort of left it in limbo as his mind waged an inner battle of need versus responsibility.
In the Ranger's Arms (The Men of At Ease Ranch) Page 9