by Amelia Shea
“Hi.” Her voice trembled, sounding as uneasy as she felt. She slid away from the door. “It’s all yours.” She turned quickly, but his hand reached out for hers.
“How are you?”
“Good, and you?”
Jasper nodded, glancing down the hall then back to her. “Busy.”
Kellie smiled and dropped her gaze to the floor. Her hand slipped away from his. This may be the only time she’d get to apologize. If this was any indication of how awkward it would be between them, she had to say she was sorry. Jasper was Grey’s brother, and with her spending so much time with Britt, it was inevitable they would be seeing each other again.
“I’m sorry for the other day in the car. I—I…I put you in a weird spot, and well, um, I’m just sorry.”
Jasper’s mouth fell open, and he blinked. “Kellie, you have nothing to feel sorry for. I wanted to…”
She interrupted, holding her hand up. “Yes, I do. I just want you to know that I feel awful for it, and it won’t happen again, I swear.”
Jasper stepped forward, lowering his voice to whisper. “Kellie, you’re forgetting, I started that kiss.”
“Yeah, but…”
His breath fanned over her face. They were standing so close, if she reached up on her toes, their lips would have touched. Don’t do it. She peeked up through her lashes. His stare was heated and intent on her.
“There you are, was looking for you.”
The sound of her voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Abby stepped closer in the cramped hallway. “Am I interrupting you guys?”
Kellie frantically shook her head. “Nope, I was just heading back in.” She squeezed past Abby and the wall and rushed into the living room, taking her seat next to Lucas. She could feel the stares from everyone in the room, but she kept her eyes on the television, refusing to make eye contact.
Time seemed to stand still after that. She needed to get out of here.
She contemplated asking Lucas, but things with him and his ex, Sarah, were supposedly on the mend. There was no way she was getting in the middle of their reunion.
Kellie had been careful to wait until Jasper and Abby came back from the hallway before she got up to take her dish into the kitchen. She turned to Lucas.
“You want me to take that for you?” She held out her hand.
Lucas handed her his bowl. “Thanks, Kellie.” He was beyond handsome with his light hair and dark eyes. She had never crushed on Lucas, but if her heart hadn’t been so set on Jasper, Lucas would have piqued her interest. Aside from his good looks, he was a good guy, nice to everyone, hard worker. Sarah doesn’t deserve him.
“Can you take mine too, sweetheart?” Travis asked.
“Screw you, Trav, she’s not working. Bring your own damn bowl to the kitchen.” Britt threw a napkin at him from the floor where she was sitting. Kellie was still getting used to the idea of someone taking her back. It felt good.
“I’ll do it. Trav is a mama’s boy. He needs a girl to wait on him.” She heard the snickering from the guys as she made her way into the kitchen.
She was rinsing dishes when the back door opened and Tripp walked in. She was surprised to see him. Grey must have lifted the ban on him entering the house. Tripp had caused a lot of trouble when Britt and Grey first got together. In truth, Tripp was an asshole.
He surveyed the room, and then his eyes landed on Kellie. Mainly her ass. She cleared her throat. “Eyes up here.”
Tripp smiled and winked. “Can’t help myself.” He moved deeper into the room. “The fuckers eat it all?”
“No, there’s some left. Help yourself.” She continued washing the dishes as he scooped the chili into a bowl.
“Heard Abby’s here.”
She stilled with the water running over hands. Why was he trying to make small talk with her? Kellie and Tripp may have been in the same grade in school, but they were never really friends, unless she counted grammar school. She made sure to steer away from Tripp Fords as they grew up. By middle school, he was well known for his nastiness. Fortunately, she never fell victim to him.
“Yeah, they’re all in the living room.”
“And you’re in here washing dishes. Ain’t that Britt’s job as the lady of the house?” His sneer was obvious. He may have made amends, but he still harbored resentment. She continued cleaning without answering him. She wasn’t about to play into whatever game Tripp had on his mind. She heard the footsteps before their voices.
“Hey,” Jasper said in a rather low tone. The hair on her neck tingled.
“Hey, who made the red pot of chili, it’s good.”
Jasper chuckled. “Lucas.”
Tripp snorted. “Figures, he knows nothing about ranching, but his ass can cook.”
“You are in no place to talk about anyone’s ranching abilities considering your own.”
“Fuck you, Jas, been out all day and…” He abruptly stopped mid-sentence. The soft voice must have been the reason.
“Hi, Tripp. It’s been a long time.”
Tripp snorted. “Yeah, not long enough.” The dig was blatant, his tone riddled with hate. There was no denying Abby was not a favorite of Tripp’s. Kellie smiled with her back to the group. We have something in common, who woulda thought.
“Well, it’s nice to see you.”
“Can’t say the same for you, Abby. Why in the hell are you here?” He snapped, and even Kellie felt the scorn of his words.
“Tripp,” Jasper warned.
“Jasper, it’s fine. I was just leaving.” She had to give her credit. Tripp’s words didn’t even seem to affect her. “It was nice seeing you, Kellie.”
She glanced over her shoulder and pasted on a smile. “You, too.” She could feel the stares of the Fords brothers beaming at her like lasers. What was she supposed to say? Wish I could same the same, Abby, but truth is, I hate you.
On that note, it was time to stop rinsing the bowl she had under the water for the last two minutes, stalling until the room cleared. She grabbed the towel and dried her hands, trying to fly under the radar of the tense room.
She turned, and Britt came into the room, ignoring everyone except Kellie.
“You need to go now?”
Thank you, Britt.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, but work, you know.”
“No problem, meet me out front.” Then Britt was gone.
Kellie walked in the center of the silent group and grabbed her bag from the table. She had to shimmy between Jasper and the wall. She expected him to move, but he remained planted in his spot. She was close enough to smell his scent, musk and pine. She glanced up, his blue eyes set on her.
“You leaving already?”
“Yeah. Bye everybody.” She didn’t bother waiting, just slid past Jasper and out the door. She probably should have said bye to the guys in the living room, but her desperate need to get out of there surpassed her good manners. She rushed over to Britt’s small pickup and leaned against the door. She was checking her phone when she heard their voices. She refused to look up, but she knew who it was.
“I had fun. We’ll have to get together again.” It was like a dagger into her back. Her grip on her phone tightened. He’s not yours. Her inner voice’s reasoning did nothing to calm her. Come on, Britt.
She stared at her phone, waiting to hear Jasper’s reply, but there was only silence. Oh God, were they kissing? She peeked past the windshield. Jasper was standing about two feet away from Abby. While she was all smiles, his hands were dug into his pockets and his face hardened. He did not look happy. Jasper’s eyes flickered up in her direction, and Kellie quickly stepped behind the truck again. She pursed her lips as she closed her eyes. Great, now he thinks I’m spying on him.
“I’ll see you soon?” The question in her voice had Kellie’s ears perk up.
“I’ll see you around.” His answer was cryptic. Would he see her around because he wanted her back, or because it was a small town? She sighed, reminding herself again he was not
hers.
The crunching of the gravel was descending down the drive. Kellie glanced to the side to see Abby walking. Alone. She leaned forward to see around the bumper of the truck and fell forward, losing her balance. Before she could catch herself, strong hands bound her waist, keeping her from falling. Her own hands covered his, and she righted herself, leaving her a breath away from Jasper. His intent stare was pinned on her.
“Thanks, almost ate a mouthful of dirt.” She forced a chuckle.
His gaze darkened. “You’re welcome.” He stared, not releasing her. She stepped back, but his steps were in sync with hers, placing her against the truck with his hands holding her waist. The effect he had on her wasn’t natural. She could feel her palms sweat, her heart race, and her panties dampen, just from one look.
“Can I give you a ride?” Yes, preferably in your bed. She clamped her eyes shut, unsure if the words came from her mind or her mouth. Shaking her head, she laughed. Whatever the outcome, she’d play it off. Luckily, when she pried her eyes open he was staring in confusion rather than being mortified.
“Britt is taking me home.”
On cue, Britt bounded down the stairs and stopped short at the obvious scene in front of her. Her eyes widened, and the corner of her mouth curled.
Jasper looked over his shoulder, keeping his hands in place on her hips. “Britt, I can get her home.”
Britt grinned and averted her gaze to Kellie, as if waiting on a response. The last thing Kellie wanted was to be alone with Jasper. Or was it? No, no, she didn’t trust herself not to throw herself at him again, adding to the embarrassment she was already feeling. She could not be alone with him right now, or could she? His thumbs ran circles over her thin shirt.
No way.
A slight shake of her head was enough for Britt to understand her message. Her smile faltered, but she caught it without being too obvious.
She walked toward the truck and raised her hand. “I have to run into town for something anyway but thanks, Jas.”
His gaze came back to her. “Then I should let you go.” His hands fell to his sides, and she immediately missed the warmth of his touch.
“See ya, Jasper.” She turned her back and hopped into the truck. She gripped the door.
“Yes, you will.” His husky voice was so low she almost didn’t hear him. She watched as he walked up the stairs going inside the house. He was just past the threshold when he glanced over his shoulder and lifted a brow. She dropped her gaze to her lap.
Life was much easier before she was a Good Samaritan. Long before Jasper Fords was sending her mixed signals.
“He’s gone,” Britt said.
Kellie straightened her back and turned to Britt. “Thanks.”
“You ever going to share the whole story with me?”
Kellie blew out a harsh laugh. “Nothing to tell.”
Britt snorted and pointed to the door. “The man has spent the last several months watching you but never having the balls to talk to you more than a hello and goodbye. Now, after your snowstorm rendezvous, he’s offering, practically begging to drive you home, and you’re telling me nothing happened?”
Kellie looked away. Besides Cara at the bar, Britt was her closet friend, but she still couldn’t bring herself to talk about Jasper. It was humiliating enough she threw herself at him and he turned her down. She wasn’t about to share it with anyone.
“Fine, don’t tell me. Eventually, I’ll break you down and get the full scoop.” Britt started to back down the driveway. She slowed down past the house just as Abby was getting into her car. She glanced up and smiled with a wave. Britt’s and Kellie’s hands simultaneously lifted.
“You really think she believes she’s got a chance with Jasper?”
Kellie snorted, glancing out the window. “Probably. I give them a week before they’re back together.”
Britt burst out laughing. “Looks like Abby isn’t the only clueless girl around here.”
Kellie jerked her head toward Britt. A small smile played on her lips.
“I’m not, if that’s who you are referring to.”
“Uh, yeah, you are, if you think Jasper is getting back with her. According to Grey, hell would have to freeze over. Besides, Jasper’s only got one girl on his mind.”
Kellie shook her head. She loved Britt, but the woman didn’t know what she was talking about. “Yeah, sure, that’s why he turned me down when I invited him to my place.” She gasped and clamped her mouth shut. Damn.
“What?”
Her face heated, and she cringed. She had to give Britt credit, it took less than a minute to get it out of her. She sighed, cursing her big mouth. There was no going back at this point. She shifted in her seat, facing Britt. She drew in a breath and exhaled, her shoulders sagging in the process. At least if she was going to admit it, it was to Britt who she knew wouldn’t say anything.
“When he brought me home after the storm, we kinda…” She bit her lip. “We um…we made out, and in the heat of the moment, I asked him to come inside with me.”
Britt’s mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. She jerked the steering wheel and pulled over. “I knew it! I can’t believe you were holding out on me.”
“Uh, Britt, did you miss the part where he turned me down? So embarrassing.”
Britt smiled, shaking her head.
“Why the hell are you smiling? This is bad not good.”
“In your eyes.” She shifted, facing Kellie. “You ever think maybe the reason he didn’t come up for a one-night stand is because he wants more?”
Kellie furrowed her brows. Was she insane?
“Yeah, right.”
“Why? ’Cause you only think you’re good for one thing when it comes to men?”
“I don’t think that.”
“Then why is it so hard for you to fathom Jasper would want more with you?”
“Because it’s him.” She raised her brows when Britt didn’t seem to understand what she meant. “He’s Jasper.”
Britt sat back in her seat and stared at Kellie and then shrugged. “Yeah, and you’re Kellie. Gorgeous, incredibly sweet, so much fun, I made your ass a bridesmaid. You’re smart and strong. Biggest heart of anyone I know, including myself. So, yeah, I repeat, you’re Kellie. Jasper would be just as lucky to have you as you would be to have him.”
It wasn’t too often Kellie got choked up, but then again, it wasn’t often people spoke of her the way Britt just did. She turned in her seat, unable to catch her breath. And in true friend fashion, Britt didn’t wait for a response. She put the car in gear and got back on the road, driving Kellie home.
Chapter Seven
He had been staring at the clock for over an hour. The TV in the background was supposed to serve as a distraction, taking his mind off her. It didn’t. Kellie had invaded every thought he had for the last six hours. It was just past one in the morning. He had to be up at four thirty. He should have been in bed, asleep, but his mind wouldn’t allow any rest.
Why wouldn’t she let him take her home earlier? Maybe he’d waited too long, maybe seeing him with Abby gave her the wrong idea. There was nothing, nor would there ever be anything, with Abby. It was his past, and he was leaving it there. For so long after they had broken up, he figured eventually he’d meet someone, but everyone he dated did nothing for him. Well, that’s not one hundred percent accurate. He’d gotten what he needed physically, but emotionally he was still dead inside.
Then Kellie came into his sights. She was off limits, though. By all accounts, Kellie wasn’t the type of girl who wanted anything more than one night or two. For as long as he’d known her, she hadn’t had a long-term relationship. Or maybe she had, and he just didn’t know about it. Maybe he had been buying into the rumors about her without even realizing he was doing it. Kellie was different, though. Even if the stories weren’t true, she wasn’t exactly the type of woman who would fit into his family Sunday dinners. It was a thought which had bothered him for the last year as his
desire for her grew.
What he needed to do was go to bed. Turn off the television, get changed, and lights out. He picked up the remote and turned it off and then tossed it on the table. Go to bed.
Her apology played over in his mind. His suspicions were on point—she had misunderstood his reaction, leaving her feeling as though she’d thrown herself at him and it was unwanted. He hadn’t even had the opportunity to dispute it before Abby interrupted them.
“Shit.” He cursed and heaved himself off the couch, grabbing his keys from the hook and his jacket from the mudroom. He left all sensibility at home as he made his way to his truck.
It was around one thirty when he pulled into the parking lot. There were three cars, two of which he recognized. He ambled into the bar. A table of three older women were seated near the dance floor, and Joe and Louis from the hardware store were at the bar. He scanned the room in search of Kellie. Aside from the five patrons, the bar was dead.
“Last call was ten minutes ago.” Jasper looked over to see Garr, his arms spread, palms resting on the bar.
Jasper walked over. “Kellie here?”
Garr scowled. “Why?”
His eyebrows raised in surprise. He’d always had a cordial relationship with Garr and his wife, Patty. Jasper was never one to cause trouble. If anything, it was Tripp who should have been on the receiving end of any hostility. He’d been called in a few times to retrieve Tripp after a brawl. However, his drunken display weeks ago, and having Kellie drive him home, had obviously pissed Garr off. Of all the waitresses, they had seemed to take a special liking and protectiveness over Kellie. Like family.
Jasper took off his hat and swiped his hand over his head. Garr was due an apology for Jasper’s behavior. He stepped toward the bar to make amends.
“Jasper?”
He turned to see Kellie. A tight red tee with a plunging neckline, her cleavage on full display. His hand itched, remembering the hold he had on her. The drink tray was tucked under her arm as she sauntered over to him. Even her walk was sexy. She tilted her head.
“What are you doing here?” She smiled, her gleaming white teeth surrounded by red, thick, full lips. He’d never get those lips out of his mind.