3 Times the Heat

by Sapphire Knight

  Sinking under the water, I find her ankle and give it a good yank, so she dips under as well. Her arms flail, attempting to ward me off, but not before I get a good grip on her hip. Standing back up, I launch her out of the water away from me. She lands with a loud splash, and I can’t help but chuckle. I used to do it all the time when we were younger. My buddies and I would place bets on who could launch their girlfriend farthest.

  “Not fair!” she yells, when she surfaces, sputtering.

  “It’s all fair; best you remember that.”

  My eyebrow shoots up when she suddenly raises her bra in the air and flings it in a circle. I can’t see anything with her chest under water and farther away, but I know what it implies and she’s in for her own surprise.

  “Cute,” I reply deadpan and make my way out of the pond, each step exposing a bit more of my skin.

  “Holy shit!” she gasps. “You were in here naked?”

  I turn back just long enough to shoot her a cocky grin as I continue walking toward the house, my ass on full display, flexing. I’m purely shameless. I clearly remember how my body used to make her feel and how she acted when she saw me with my shirt off. I couldn’t give a shit who sees me naked, and the fact that I just made her jaw drop damn near to her nice set of tits is just icing on the cake.

  “Get back here. I’m not done with you,” I hear her yell at me, and I chuckle to myself.

  Nah, Shy, cause if I go back there now, you’re getting fucked good and hard, and neither of us can handle that right now, I think to myself and pick up my pace. I doubt she’ll come running after me without putting her clothes on, so I have plenty of time to make it to the house and into an ice cold shower. Just imagining her with her top off in that water has me wanting to go back and show her exactly what I’d do with those breasts to drive her wild.

  I throw on some jeans, a tank top, my boots and hat, and then head over to the shed the next morning.

  “How’s it going?” I find Nate sitting in the folding chair next to the Mason jars full of clear liquor.

  “Fine. I got nearly all of it bottled up,” he answers, waving to the glass.

  “How’s it taste?”

  “I think you may be better at this than dad ever was.”

  His compliment means a lot. It’s genuine, and he knows I was close to our father. “Thanks, but Ty’s pretty good at it too.”

  “Yeah, when’s he coming home again?”

  “Maybe Christmas. I reckon it’ll depend on how the next few games go for him.”

  “Has he said anything about it?”

  “Last time we spoke he was upset it was already colder than he’s used to. Trust me; he’ll be home as soon as he can get here. I think he was feeling a bit homesick.”

  “How’s Kadence doing with him playing football all the time?”

  “I’m sure she’s fine. Hell, she’s one person who may know more about football than Tyler. Plus, she’s smart I’m sure that fancy college up there loves having her around.”

  “Probably.” He nods as I take an empty jar and pour enough shine in to have a few sips.

  A lot of people make the mistake of trying to drink it like a cocktail or a beer. Moonshine isn’t meant for that. You’re supposed to sip it, take your time and savor the liquor. Not only that, but it’ll knock you on your ass with the alcohol volume if you drink it too quickly and too much of it.

  Sipping at it, I let the liquid coat my tongue before swishing it around. I want to taste everything and gauge the quality. “Cinnamon came through nicely this time,” I murmured after a moment.

  “Hell yeah, it’s good, bro,” he easily agrees.

  I think he’s right about it being better than the last batch. I’m glad. Chaos should be happy with it. I normally make whatever I want and sell it without much of a choice. But he buys enough of it, I don’t mind catering to him some. I make a decent amount of money off those bikers; the last thing I want is to mess with their favorite flavor.

  “You planning to keep some of it?” I ask, gauging his response.

  “I could take a few jars down to the bar tonight and have the boss run it as a special. It’ll sell in a heartbeat.”

  “Yeah, just don’t get caught. The sheriff wouldn’t be amused, and I’m not going to bail you out of jail.”

  “I won’t. I don’t plan on giving a glass to the sheriff. I’ll bring you some cash for it tomorrow.”

  “Keep it. You need to save money to go back to school,” I remind him, dropping the not-so-subtle hint I want him to finish his college degree. He doesn’t need to turn out like me making ‘shine and tending to horses. I want him to do something he really loves with his life, not what my dad and I enjoy.

  “Right,” he huffs. “Since you’re here, I’m heading up to shower, and then I’ll have Dallas ride with me down to the south end. I’m trying to monitor the area at different times each day since we discovered the tracks.”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  “I know.”

  “All right, stay safe.”

  “See you later,” Nate mutters swiping a few jars as he heads out the door, securing it closed behind him.

  “Later,” I respond, but he’s already left in a rush.

  Maybe with Nate going to the bar tonight, I’ll set up camp down at the south end to see if I can catch anyone screwing around. I’m grateful for his help, but part of me wonders if they’re doing a decent job checking around or if they’re half-assing it as he and Dallas have done so many other times in the past.

  I bought way too much food, I know it. After witnessing firsthand Clyde out date searching and then seeing him naked, I’ve decided it’s time I step up my game. I can’t afford to wait any longer, or I may let him slip through my fingers again, and that can’t happen. Plus, after his incident of showing me the gorgeous round globes of his ass, I figure no time’s better than the present to make my next move and keep him on his toes. Men supposedly like to be surprised when it comes to women, so I’m trying to keep him intrigued.

  I went to the grocery store determined to make him dinner tonight and came out with a bunch of extras. Then I went back home, got all spiffed up and now I’m en route to his place. I picked out my favorite black miniskirt I’d been planning on wearing and a pair of shoes that add a good four or five inches. If that man likes long legs, I’ll make sure mine look like they go on for freaking miles.

  And by the end of the night, I’ll have him eating out of the palm of my hand. I hope so anyway. The house appears empty when I arrive, but it usually does. Nate’s truck’s in the drive, so at least someone’s here. I park my Snowflake next to his old pickup and hop out.

  Grabbing all the bags out of the back seat, I slightly wobble to the front door, weighed down with the load. No need in trying to walk perfectly now. I’ll save my energy and balance for when I’m in front of Clyde. I manage a slight kick beside the door to make my presence known.

  “Shyla?” A shirtless Nate answers the door, looking me over. He’s not the same as Clyde, but I will say this…the Owens’ men have been blessed. Any woman would have to be blind not to notice and not give them a second glance.

  “Hey, Nate. Hope I’m not interrupting anything important.” Like him having sex with some random woman or anything. It would be a touch awkward, showing up in the middle of that with groceries to cook dinner.

  “Not at all.” He reaches for one handful of the bags, and I gladly relinquish the weight. “I was wondering what those dogs were barking at.”

  “It was just me. I wanted to come over and cook dinner if that’d be okay?”

  “Oh yeah, sure. Does my brother know you’re coming by?”

  “Not exactly.” I wince and set the bags on the kitchen table, not wanting to outright admit this was a spur-of-the-moment decision on my part.

  Nate’s smile grows with amusement. “I see. I’m actually going to the bar here pretty soon. I have to work tonight, but you could still stay and make something for
Clyde if you want?”

  “Oh darn, you are?” My attempt at faking disappointment isn’t very convincing, and he chuckles. I’m terrible at faking my emotions usually, and no doubt, he can read me easily enough.

  “Yes, ma’am, so you make yourself at home. Nothing’s really changed in the kitchen since Mom was here, so you should know where to find everything.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I think this whole thing is great. You have my brother going all types of crazy inside. He doesn’t understand your motives, but I can see them clear as day.”

  “And just what are my motives exactly, Nate, if you have them pegged so easily?”

  He leans his hip against the counter, abs flexing with the movement. Then takes a drink of water and flashes a smile. “You wanna marry my brother and have his babies.” He shrugs and places his empty glass in the sink.

  It’s the last thing I’m expecting to come out of his mouth, so I bust into nervous giggles. “I want to have his babies?”

  “Yep. You have baby momma written all over you. And you’re relentless like I’ve heard baby mommas are supposed to be. Like I said, you have my support.”

  I can’t stop laughing at his absurd reasoning. “And you can see that with just one look at me?”

  “I mean, yeah.” He nods, flicking his gaze over me from top to bottom. “You show up here looking super-hot and have food to make him dinner. That’s not fuckin’ material; that’s wifey shit.” He shrugs, and my laugh falters.

  “Oh, Lord.” I can feel my cheeks heating up. I wanted to have one brother’s approval. I’m wondering if this is his way of offering it up. “Are the shoes too much?” I finally ask, pointing downward.

  “No, they’re perfect. My brother won’t be able to concentrate on anything other than you and then when you feed him, well, you’ll definitely be under his skin.”

  A pent-up breath escapes. “I sure do hope you’re right.”

  “I know him better than anyone in this world. Even better than you at this point.”

  “Then you’re also aware that I broke his heart. So why would you help me get him back?”

  “Do you love him like, really-really love him?” His head tilts to the side, waiting.

  “I do,” I admitted softly. “I never once stopped loving him.” Tears begin to crest in my eyes, and I inhale a few deep breaths, willing them away. It took me forever to get my contour and highlight this perfect, and I don’t want to ruin it before Clyde gets a chance to see it.

  “Then you have my help. He needs someone in his life, and I want him to be with a woman that truly loves him.”

  “You know, Nathan, the only reason I ever left was because Alabama didn’t accept me. I never wanted to go.”

  “You don’t owe me any explanations,” he interrupts with his hands up.

  “No, I know, but please just hear me out for a moment. I tried to go away to college with your brother, but the college wouldn’t take me. My parents couldn’t afford to help me with the tuition, so I had to go where they offered me a full scholarship.”

  A tear escapes after all, and I quickly swipe it away. “I’m not an idiot. I know how much Clyde loved me back then, and I know he would’ve given up everything for me. I couldn’t ruin his life or take his dreams away. He deserved everything after working so hard for it.”

  After a moment, he lets out a sigh. “You’re saying that you broke up with him, so he could go to Alabama and play football, but you wanted to stay with him the entire time? You wanted to marry him that night he asked in front of everyone?”

  I nod. “God yes.” Swallowing, I try to speak, but can’t just yet. I’m on the verge of sobs, and that’s the last thing I want right now. “It was my biggest wish. I dreamt of marrying your brother for years, but I couldn’t stand in his way. I loved him too much to do that to him.”

  “Like I said before, you have my support. Go take a moment in the bathroom because my brother will be up here soon, and he shouldn’t see you this upset. It’ll just make him worry, and one thing about Clyde is he worries too much already. I’m going to take off to the bar now so you guys will have the house all to yourself. I’m not sure telling him what happened is the right direction to go, maybe not yet at least. I think you coming around and trying to win him back this way is good, but eventually, you need to open up to him, so he knows you never broke that connection from him. He was hurt for years from your breakup, so go a little easy on him this time around.”

  “Thank you, Nate, I really appreciate it. I promise I’ll be gentle with him. I do love him.”

  “Not too gentle.” He winks. “He likes it rough, too, from what I hear, but I’m sure you already know that.”

  I’m speechless as he grabs his shirt from the back of the chair and makes his way out the door.

  Don’t take offense if I call you ma’am or sir. It doesn’t mean you’re old. Where I come from, it’s a sign of respect.

  I can’t stop thinking about how I just want to be near Clyde tonight. I pray this is the key to him letting me in closer to his heart. My own heart thunders in my chest the entire time I prepare dinner. I even go so far as to make a fresh strawberry pie for afterward. It used to be another of his favorites. I distinctly remember times when his preferred way to eat it was off of me too.

  Nate left, and I’ve had nothing but time. I couldn’t be more grateful for it either. He was right. I needed to regroup and then lose myself in the cooking. Being here in this house, this kitchen has brought back so many good memories. Things I’d easily forgotten from being away are now right at the front of my mind as if I’d never left in the first place.

  Too much time passes by after the food is done, and it’s making me second-guess everything. What if he comes home and isn’t happy to see me? Or God forbid another woman shows up on his arm; he was asking the other chick on a date, after all. If he’s with someone else, it’ll crush me and be extremely awkward.

  Grabbing the phone, I dial the one person I’ve always been able to depend on for advice—my mom. Amber would just ask me to come by with leftovers and tell me not to sweat it. She’d probably be right, as she usually is, but that’s not what I need to hear right now.

  “Hello?” she answers, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Shy? Is everything okay? I thought you had plans tonight.” I briefly told her what I was going to do, but not all the details.

  “I do. I’m here now.”

  “Oh! How’s it going?”

  “Well actually, Clyde doesn’t know I’m here yet.”

  “You snuck into his house? I thought this whole plan was with him knowing about it. You better not end up in jail, Shyla. Your daddy will be furious.”

  So, maybe I didn’t tell her about the part of me surprising him. She knows about the cooking part but not about me just showing up unannounced. My mom’s the type that what she doesn’t know, won’t hurt her or make her freak out for no reason.

  “Yeah, umm, that’s why I was callin’, and Daddy won’t be getting any phone calls like that, I can assure you that much.” I wince. I can’t really, but one can hope.

  “Lord Jesus, what else did you do?” I can imagine her putting the back of her hand on her forehead dramatically. She’s a true Southern woman through and through, and it has me snorting to myself with her theatrics.

  “Momma, really. I didn’t do anything.”

  “Did you break into that man’s house?” she whisper-yells into the phone, reminding where I get that particular trait from.

  A giggle escapes, imagining her thinking I’m a future fugitive. “No, I asked his brother if it was okay that I’m here. I have permission, so please relax.”

  “Oh, thank heavens. Your daddy wouldn’t have been too keen having to call up Judge Hopkins to get you out of jail. That man enjoys my apple pies but hardly enough to bail you out.”

  “He’s never had to get me out of jail before, and I was much worse in hig
h school. You need to get that out of your head.”

  “I know it; don’t make the poor man start now.” I’d bet she’s wagging her finger in the air. I can hear it in her voice.

  “I’m afraid your imagination is running a little wild on this one. Clyde wouldn’t call the law. I’m having second thoughts about being here though, What if he doesn’t like the surprise of dinner?”

  “What happened, honey?”

  “Well, nothing. That’s the problem though. I’ve been cooking and everything, but he still hasn’t shown up.”

  “Did you remember to bake the biscuits? And when were you expecting him to arrive?”

  I glance at the clock, then at the cold dinner, I worked hard to prepare. “Yes, they’re under a towel, and his brother left two hours ago. I thought Clyde would’ve been here about an hour ago when dinner was done.”

  “Hmm, I don’t know. He does have that whole ranch to look after, though, so there’s no telling what could’ve gotten ahold of his attention. You know how busy your father is with his own job and that’s with plenty of help. Try to be patient and just greet him with a smile when he walks through the door. He’ll be grateful to see your pretty face.”

  “Thanks, Momma.”

  “Sure thing. Good luck, honey.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you.”

  “Love you, buh-bye.”

  “Bye.” Hanging up, I plop down on the couch with a yawn.

  I have nothing else to do. The man gave me enough time to cook, make dessert, and clean up the kitchen. If I were to start working on cleaning up the rest of Clyde’s house, he might think I was a weirdo. He probably already thinks I’m half nutty from showing up all the time.

  This whole place is just like I remember it. He’s hardly changed anything. I noticed he’s redone part of the front porch, though, and it’s definitely been repainted in spots. I’d think it would be sad living in your parents’ house, around their things. But I’d also forgotten how homey it felt here. His mom was one of those women who everything came to her naturally, it seemed.