Blinded by You

by Terri E. Laine

  “Honey.”

  “Hmm.” I turned my focus back on Mitch.

  The last thing I wanted to witness was Jacque and Jake kissing … in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. First comes love, then comes—

  What the hell was wrong with me? A nursery rhyme. Seriously? Get yourself together, Honey. He isn’t the first man to disappoint you.

  “I was thinking that I could teach you how to ride,” Mitch said.

  I blinked a few times to put that thought firmly back into a nonsexual context, because the idea of riding Jake the other day popped into my mind.

  “Horses and me,” I shook my head. “We don’t mix.”

  My grandfather had tried to teach me to ride. But the horse wasn’t happy to have a big girl on its back. It reared up and I’d fallen on my ass. No, thank you.

  “Then maybe we could go out.”

  My jaw dropped—I hadn’t expected that. Okay, he’d been showing me more attention than the other guys had, but I’d assumed he was being nice.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  His face fell. As cute as he was, I wouldn’t do that to Jake, no matter what we did or didn’t have. There had to be another man who would want a woman like me in a fifty-mile radius who didn’t work for the man I really wanted.

  “Why? Jake?”

  Was it that obvious? I pursed my lips and nodded. Honesty was better.

  He tipped back his hat and swiped a hand over his hair before resettling it again.

  “I should go,” I said.

  I wanted to pat the cheek of his baby-smooth face, but I kept my hands to myself.

  “He’s not a bad guy. Maybe he’ll get over Tara. If he doesn’t, I’ll be here.” I gave him a small smile. Was Tara Jamie’s mother? “I’ll still teach you to ride, though.”

  He was being sweet. I nodded, though I would never take him up on it, and headed for the house.

  What I needed was a girls’ day next weekend. Calling my best friend was my first priority. Nothing like getting your hair freshly cut, nails done, and maybe a little shopping to boost the ego. After seeing Jacque, all statuesque, I needed all the confidence I could get.

  The next day, after an awkward breakfast where Jake could barely look at me, Ford offered to show me around the ranch.

  “Jamie, you’re coming with us, right?”

  Her infectious grin was welcome, especially after Jake scowled at me all morning.

  “Y–yes.”

  “Great.” I mussed her hair and she giggled.

  She needed a trim and an idea formed in my head. During my talk with Ashley, we planned a quick trip this coming weekend. And I had some money. Jake had left papers in my room for me to fill out. I did and left them on his desk in the small office opposite the kitchen. I’d woken up to find an envelope with my first paycheck under my door. The rate was more than what the agency had said. I’d planned to ask him about it, but he hadn’t looked like he was up to talking, at least not to me.

  I’d wanted exercise and I got it. The walk around the ranch was turning out to be an all-day experience.

  We stood on a low ridge overlooking land unmarred by buildings that went on for days.

  “Wow,” I said.

  Ford grinned. “We have over four thousand acres. More than most ranches in the area.” He crouched down next to his granddaughter and pointed. “And one day, it’ll all be yours.”

  Jamie’s eyes filled with wonder as a small smile played on her face.

  “Mine?” she asked in a small voice.

  Ford and I smiled at each other. It wasn’t lost on either of us that she’d managed to speak with no problem.

  “Yes,” he agreed, getting to his feet.

  Ford too was having a good day. Walking had kept his mind clear.

  “On the way back, I’ll show you the creek and introduce you to Martha.”

  Concern filled me. What had he meant? Did he think Martha was alive?

  We walked, and I wished—not for the first time—that I’d taken up Mitch on his horse-riding lessons. My feet were aching. I couldn’t imagine walking the entire ranch.

  When we arrived at a shady spot under a huge tree, I understood. A small, fenced-off area held tiny markers and a few understated headstones. It had to be the family burial spot. I hung back by the tree with Jamie as Ford went in and talked to Martha.

  Jamie took my hand and pointed to a watering hole shaded by the big tree.

  “Oh, that looks nice.”

  As hot as it was, the idea of jumping in and cooling off was very appealing.

  “Do you know how to swim?”

  Jamie nodded. I wanted her to speak more, but I wasn’t trained in speech therapy. Though, like anything else, practice makes things better.

  “Who taught you?” I coaxed.

  She looked like she wanted to speak, but held off for a second. “Daddy.”

  We both grinned as she recognized what she’d done.

  Ford called her over, giving me another minute to imagine Jake all wet and naked in that water. I turned away from those stray thoughts when Ford waved me over too. It was unlikely I’d get to see Jake naked ever again.

  13

  Jake

  The house was too quiet. I searched and found no one. When Jamie asked if she could go on a walk with Dad and Honey, I’d agreed. But I thought they’d have returned by now.

  All sorts of bad scenarios played out in my head. I headed to the door, determined to search the entire ranch to find them. As soon as I got to the porch, I saw them about two hundred yards in the distance.

  Jamie ran over to me and I scooped her up.

  “Hey, monkey bear, how was your day?”

  “G–good.” She gave me a thumbs-up. “H–H–Honey’s t–taking me sh–shopping.”

  Honey had made it to the bottom step.

  “Don’t just stand there and block the way, son,” Dad barked, though a grin filled his face.

  I put Jamie down. “Go get ready for dinner.”

  Dinner wasn’t ready, but I needed to speak to Honey alone.

  Dad eyed me. I ignored him.

  “Can I speak to you a second?” I asked after Jamie was inside the house.

  Honey nodded.

  When the screen door swung shut, I turned my attention to her. I decided to start off easy before I made a mess of things.

  “How was Dad today?”

  She leaned against the post and tilted her head up to look at me. She was in the perfect position for me to kiss her, but I resisted the temptation.

  “He did okay. There was a moment when I thought we lost him.” My eyes widened. “Settle down, sugar. I don’t mean physically. Anyway, it was fine.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Her brows shot up. “For what? I’m just doing my job.”

  I was itching to touch her, but I held back.

  “It’s more than that. The job description didn’t include babysitting my daughter.”

  She straightened and instantly, I knew I’d fucked up.

  “Babysitting?” Her tone was filled with irritation.

  “It’s just you cook and clean and none of that is what you signed up for.”

  “I cook and clean because I like to.” She shook her head. “I love to cook; cleaning is a byproduct. You have my grandmother to thank for that. And I live here. What would it look like for me to make a meal for myself and not make enough for all of us?”

  She was right. Mom would’ve frowned on that.

  “I can cook,” I said in my defense.

  “You can’t boil water.”

  “I can,” I said, stubbornly.

  “Fine, but your eggs were certifiably bad. As far as Jamie, she’s like my niece. She’s no bother and I don’t see it as babysitting. So don’t cheapen it by suggesting that I’m just babysitting. Is that why you paid me extra?”

  It was my turn to stammer. “I—I just—I thought you deserved a little more. And I can’t pay you what you’re worth.�
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  “You’re damn right about that. But I agreed to get paid for watching over your dad, and that included a roof over my head. The rest is just gravy. I don’t expect to get paid for it, unless I need to watch her while you go on a date.”

  My jaw slackened. However, I took the opportunity to bring up something else that was bothering me.

  “Speaking of dating—while I don’t have a no-fraternization policy, I think it’s unwise to date any of the hands. Everyone here is of value to the order of things. If something doesn’t work out between you and Mitch, it could make things uncomfortable for you both.”

  Her jaw dropped. “You seriously didn’t just say that to me.”

  Before I could find words to explain, she shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, we had sex and the next day your girlfriend was here.”

  She turned to head inside. I ground my teeth together.

  “She’s not my girlfriend.”

  “Could’ve fooled me, sugar. It doesn’t matter anyway, because clearly what we did was a mistake.”

  I flew up the few steps and caught her. I spun her around to face me.

  “It might have been a mistake, but I don’t give a damn.”

  I cupped my hand at the nape of her neck and drew her close. Before she could protest, I closed my mouth over hers.

  She gasped, giving me entrance. I invaded her mouth like I wanted to conquer her body. When I drew back, she looked sated. But I had so much more planned for her.

  My plans were foiled when she sputtered, “I have to get dinner ready,” and fled the scene.

  I was left hard and needy as fuck. I sighed. I’d made so many mistakes when it came to her. If I had a prayer’s chance of getting in her bed and easing into her heart, I had to declare war.

  I grasped the door handle and thought, Let the battle begin.

  Jamie came down the hallway as soon as I walked into the house. She stole my focus, as she should, so I took her to sit with me in the living room. The aroma from the slow cooker made my mouth water.

  Jamie told me all about her day. Her animated responses only made me appreciate Honey more. I hadn’t had a chance to ask Honey about the shopping trip Jamie was so excited about. Jamie’s emphasis on the girls’ trip showed me just how much a woman in my daughter’s life had added something I could never give her.

  “Why don’t we set the table?” I suggested to Jamie.

  She nodded.

  I made it my mission to brush against Honey every time I could as I pulled plates from the cabinet and handed them to my daughter.

  I added a polite excuse me and sorry for each touch. When physical contact wasn’t enough, I turned to talk to her.

  “Tell me about this girls’ trip you have planned.”

  She was ladling what looked like stew over white rice. The beef chunks with carrots and potatoes smelled heavenly. She didn’t miss a beat when she answered.

  “We are getting the spa treatment and maybe a little shopping.”

  I placed a hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Sounds like you want to relax. There are other ways to unwind like under the stars in an unlit sky.”

  I slid my hand across her shoulders and moved to her other side to get Jamie the silverware. Honey’s body shivered under my touch, and I hated that I had to remove my hand.

  When Jamie moved away, Honey spoke. “On Saturday, I’m getting my hair cut and Jamie wants to come along. She might want one too.”

  The mood shifted. “A haircut? What’s wrong with her hair?”

  Though I’d whispered the words, she’d heard them well enough.

  “It looks like you took scissors to it.”

  I stood tall. “Her hair was tangled. I hated to see her cry. I asked if she wanted me to cut it, and she said yes.”

  “You couldn’t have taken her to a salon?”

  “I’ve been a little busy trying to run the ranch. I’ve barely had time to get groceries, and usually, one of the hands helps me out there.”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Well, I’m going to rectify that.”

  Her sassiness called for me to back her into a corner and kiss her until she was breathless. But Dad came in.

  “Has anyone seen my wife?”

  I closed my eyes and sighed. Honey moved in and the way she talked to my father warmed my heart more than her good cooking filled my belly.

  14

  Honey

  It was hot, and I was thinking about last night. It’d taken more than my soothing words to calm Ford down. Jake played along, answering as someone named Jim. I’d had to reassure Ford that Martha was fine. I didn’t like to lie, but his agitation was getting out of hand.

  Today had gone on without incident, though Ford had been unusually quiet. I hated to think the charming man would soon be lost to us. Us. That’s how I thought of him. It had been a short time, but in my head, he was family. If I lost this job, I would miss them all, including Jake.

  Dinner was done and my unspoken time on the clock had ended. I’d chosen to take a walk and get away from the man who invaded my every waking dream.

  I rolled my neck to stretch my muscles as I neared the creek. I shrugged out of my tank and shorts, down to my bathing suit underneath. Thankfully, the creek was remote. No one could see me clearly from here without climbing a hill and using binoculars, and I’d spy them first.

  The water was cool as I tested it with a toe. My only regret was that Jake wasn’t with me. He’d played a game last night, brushing against me, causing goosebumps to erupt over my skin. It’d felt flirty but he ran hot or cold, depending on the day.

  I licked my lips, remembering the taste of him. I sank further into the watering hole, surprised at how deep it was so close to the bank. I waded out toward the middle and allowed myself to sink.

  The murky water was quiet and serene. I let myself float until my lungs burned for air. As I surfaced, all the worries of the past day released, as did the tension in my muscles. I enjoyed the stillness. Only sounds of birds and insects filled the space.

  On my back, the water began to cover my face and I let myself sink again. When I surfaced, a splash broke the pristine evening I’d been enjoying. I held my breath, reassuring myself that alligators didn’t live in this spot. I held as still as I could until a head popped above the water.

  Jake.

  I slammed a hand down, showering him with water.

  “You scared me!” I said.

  My playful response hadn’t gotten a smile out of him. His face was serious as he swam over. When he reached behind me, his arm shot back. Snagged in his grip was something thick and long.

  The brown snake made me scream, and I pinwheeled my arms, trying to get away. It was huge, and I went down. The last thing I saw before going under was Jake throwing the snake javelin style over the bank and out of the water.

  I came up sputtering and moved quickly to cling to him like a wet towel, locking my legs around him. He had the nerve to chuckle.

  “What the hell was that?” I cried.

  “Water snake,” he said, as if it were nothing.

  His eyes headed south and landed on the swell of my breasts over my peach-colored bikini top. Heat flared in every nerve ending in my body.

  “I can’t do this now,” I protested, kicking my feet as if he were a pony I could spur into a gallop.

  “Why not?” he said.

  He didn’t give me time to answer, claiming my mouth possessively. When his lips trailed down my throat, I panted for a second, but fear clawed at my throat.

  “I can’t. I’m afraid,” I admitted.

  This man, all solid muscle and lean framed, made me feel small and girly as he hoisted me up and walked us out of the water onto the bank opposite the snake. I’d never felt tiny with any man before, until him.

  My center was dead on with his hardness, creating an explosion waiting to happen inside me. I locked onto the curves of his mouth.

  “I need you, Honey.”<
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  He said my name like a prayer. All thoughts of the snake disappeared.

  With his hands cupped under my ass, somehow I found the ability to tease him.

  “What about no fraternization?”

  His grin came slow and sexy. “That was bullshit to get you not to date Mitch.”

  I watched his eyes for any hint of deceit. There was none.

  “As much as I want you, I can’t be your bed warmer until you find someone better.”

  If we were going there, I wanted to be honest with him, and myself. He continued to hold me up, as if I were light as a feather.

  “I don’t know where this is going. And I can’t imagine anyone other than you looking after my father, my family. But I want to see what we could be … together.”

  I caressed his face, trailing a thumb over his lips I was desperate to kiss.

  “You just want to fuck me,” I half teased, afraid my heart would rip to shreds if he was playing me.

  “I’m not going to lie. I need to be inside you. But that’s not all I want.”

  I pressed my lips to his, satisfied with his response. The cloudy sky opened up and a misty rain began to fall.

  “Let me have you, Honey.”

  Desire won out.

  “Stop asking and have me.”

  His eyes held mine. “I have to ask because I didn’t expect to find you here. I don’t have—”

  I knew where he was going. Thoughts of responsibility fled.

  “I’m clean, I swear. Tested, and I’ve never been with anyone without protection,” I said.

  “Me too. Do you trust me?”

  I nodded, tangling my fingers through his wet hair. He moved one hand to circle my breast and managed to still hold me. Then that hand glided down my side and tugged to free the strings on one side of my bikini.

  There was finesse in his actions I hadn’t expected. He shifted me in his arms to pull my bottoms free. Then his lips brushed the side of my neck. Need took over.

  “Please,” I begged, greedy to have him inside me.

  His hands lifted my butt, and I arched in anticipation of him filling me. His shaft felt like it grew tenfold as he stretched my inner walls. I moaned as his mouth claimed one of my nipples. Then he moved. He bounced me on his cock like a determined man. I was in awe of his skill and how effortlessly he held me.