Tyler

by Jennifer Ashley

Sun kissed her legs and her toes, which were free of polish. Tyler tried to stop thinking about himself kissing her legs and nibbling on her toes, but it was tough.

  Jess wasn’t watching him, thank God, or she’d find him wiping a bit of drool off the side of his mouth. She looked down toward the ring, where Faith and Dominic, Faith’s braided hair burnished by the sunshine, were hanging on the rail.

  Faith had come home from school a little bit ago, rushed into the house, and rushed out again in her riding clothes. She’d waved for Dominic to follow her, which he’d done after looking to his mom for permission.

  “You’ve really never ridden a horse?” Faith’s voice came to them, her tone incredulous. “You mean, ever?”

  Dominic scowled at her. “I live in Dallas. When did I have a chance? Have you ever ridden a BMX bike?”

  “No,” Faith admitted.

  “You mean, ever?” Dominic mimicked her, then he dropped his mocking tone. “It’s really fun. I have a BMX that I race at a track. Used to, anyway. If we stay here, I’ll start doing it again. I’ll teach you how to ride a course.”

  Faith pondered this. “My dad might say no. But I can teach you to ride a horse. Want me to?”

  Dominic studied the tall horses wandering the corral, his back stiffening. There was no shame in being afraid to ride horses, Tyler wanted to tell him—the animals were big and could be dangerous. Faith knew what she was doing though, and her horse, Dodie, was docile and good with kids.

  “Okay,” Dominic said, as though having weighed his options. “But don’t laugh at me if I fall off.”

  Jess looked alarmed and set her iced tea aside. Tyler put his hand on hers to keep her from leaping up and running down to the ring. “Faith won’t let him fall,” he said in a low voice. “She teaches kids younger than she is, and Carter is down there. He’ll keep an eye out. No one’s more careful than Carter.”

  Jess sank back into her chair, watching as Faith took Dominic around the corral to the barn. The two fell in step, Faith casting a smile at Dominic.

  “Shit, I hope that’s not a budding romance,” Tyler said with a qualm as he and Jess watched them go. “Carter will kill me.”

  When Jess spoke, her voice was soft. “No, let them have it. Let them have the romance, when it’s fresh and innocent.”

  Her gaze was on the kids, not Tyler, her face relaxed and touched with the glow of afternoon sunshine.

  Something changed in Tyler as he watched her. He mostly went through his life not paying attention to it—focusing on the horses and the stunts he did so he wouldn’t harm his brothers or his animals. He made love to women for the fun of it, and the brief escape of orgasm. He cared about his brothers, mom, nephew, nieces, and friends without making a big show of it.

  A part of him that had been silent a long time woke up. Tyler sat unmoving and let the new feeling ripple through him, wondering where it had been. His heart pumped, his blood flowed hot, and yet a wash of fear swamped him at the same time.

  This wasn’t wanting. This was a tender caring and a hope that the feeling would build into something else.

  Tyler held his breath, waiting for the moment to pass, for him to return to his half-life of not giving a shit about too much of anything.

  It didn’t. The moment went on, stretching, as the sun slowly moved westward and the air cooled. The sensations inside him didn’t cease. Something had awakened, and it wasn’t going back to sleep any time soon.

  * * *

  Jess noticed that Tyler didn’t speak much as he drove Jess to the bar after dinner. Dominic, triumphant from his first horseback riding lesson—which consisted of him mounting, sitting, and dismounting a mare called Dodie—was staying in the main house tonight to watch movies with Faith, Grace, and Carter. Dominic was excited about the slumber party, except that there wouldn’t be any boys his age around, he finished glumly.

  Faith told him not to worry—when he started going to school, he’d meet lots of kids. Jess said nothing when Dominic gave her an inquiring look. Registering Dominic in school might be tricky, but it had to be done. That and getting her medical records so she could go to a new doctor would be the hardest part of this move.

  Olivia had assured Jess, when they’d all returned to the ranch after pie that day, that she’d reached Mrs. Alvarez. The woman was fine and relieved to hear Jess was all right. Mrs. Alvarez had passed on the message that Jess shouldn’t worry about anything—she would take care of the details so Jess could relax.

  Jess nearly cried in gratitude. One day, she would pay Mrs. Alvarez back for everything she’d done. When Jess was certain Dominic would be safe, she’d give Mrs. Alvarez whatever she could, though she already knew Mrs. Alvarez wouldn’t let her. Jess’s life would have been ten times harder, she knew, if it hadn’t been for the kind but no-nonsense woman who’d been volunteering one day at Dominic’s school. Mrs. Alvarez had heard that Jess was desperate for a babysitter and approached her, and their friendship had been born.

  Tyler was quiet at dinner, and he continued to be as they rolled into town. He drove the same pickup in which Jess had taken him back to his hotel room in Dallas. Where she’d unbuttoned his shirt, and he’d pulled her to him for a long, hot kiss …

  Hot shivers ran through every limb. She’d never forget Tyler’s hands on her body, how he’d held her while he leaned against the wall, kissing her more thoroughly than she’d ever been kissed.

  Jess glanced at him now, his hands resting negligently on the wheel, his leg in blue jeans moving as he accelerated or braked. He had so much power, and now it was at rest.

  She sensed tension in him though. He didn’t look at her even as she stared at him, but kept his eyes on the road, not saying a word.

  She knew Tyler was angry that she insisted on working at the bar. Jess didn’t particularly want to, but she understood bartenders and they understood her. Even if she didn’t get a job there, she could ask them for suggestions about where would be a good place to look for employment. Karen had mentioned AGCT Enterprises, saying she didn’t think Jess would be happy there, but Jess would have to convince her otherwise. She wasn’t afraid of work, or boredom, or Karen herself. She just needed a paycheck.

  The drive wasn’t long, and Tyler pulled into the parking lot that bordered the diner and killed the engine.

  Jess expected Tyler to try to talk her out of going inside, but he only slid out of the truck and slammed the door. Before she could get out herself, Tyler was at the passenger door, opening it and handing her down like an old-fashioned gentleman. As Tyler’s strong hand closed on hers, Jess decided she liked old-fashioned gentlemen.

  It was nine, and the bar was crowded but Jess knew as soon as she walked in that Sam’s was a far different place from the biker bar she’d just quit.

  The layout was much the same—long U-shaped counter taking up one wall, wine and specialty liquor bottles on shelves behind it, glasses and mugs hanging overhead. Tables dotted the floor, filled already, and pool tables stood on the far left side from the door. A small raised stage occupied the end of the pool table area, empty tonight, but ready for a band.

  The difference between the two bars was in the people. Hatted cowboys leaned on the counter or sat on stools, here to unwind after a hard day’s work. Girlfriends and wives came with them, couples busy dancing to the country music that blared from speakers. The younger girls wore tight skirts and lots of makeup, and the younger cowboys eyed them.

  As at the biker bar, the bartender here, a thirtyish woman, pulled beer or poured glasses of wine, not much drink mixing. No Pink Ladies tonight.

  “I wouldn’t mind the help,” the young woman said over the noise when Tyler and Jess approached and Jess introduced herself. “Talk to Karen. I can put you to work.”

  Jess had feared that the bar would be too quiet in such a small town, but the joint was jumping. She could clear plenty of tips and not take too much away from the other employees. Besides, it would be enjoyable serving people out to have a good
time.

  “Not tonight,” Tyler said, sending the bartender his best smile. “Tonight we’re here to have fun.”

  Fine with her—Jess wasn’t ready to run behind the bar and start pouring immediately. Her leg ached, which happened when she had too much stress, and she was tired. Taking the grand tour with Grace then lazing around the porch, plus jumping every time she saw a truck pull into the ranch, had worn her out.

  The bartender grinned. “You stay, you have to buy something,” she told Tyler.

  “You got it, sweetheart.” Tyler dug into his pocket and dropped a twenty on the bar. “Give us a couple of beers, and keep the change. Come on, sugar,” he said to Jess. His hand was under her elbow, propelling her toward the dance floor. “I need you to dance with me.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jess was already unsteady tonight, and being so close to Tyler didn’t help. She wanted to tell him she’d rather sit down, but the noise in the room didn’t allow her to explain.

  The music thumped through her bones, catching her in its rhythm. She’d heard somewhere that humans responded automatically to music, something cellular reaching for the sound.

  All her cells were gyrating by the time Tyler halted on the small dance floor and pulled her into his arms. The beat was rapid, but Tyler moved slowly, enclosing her in his supporting embrace.

  Jess floated, her pain receding to a distant ache. It didn’t matter how clumsy she felt tonight because Tyler had balance for both of them.

  Instead of following the music’s rhythm, Tyler stepped into a quiet, intimate pace. Jess was up against his chest as he put one arm firmly around her, his other hand guiding her in the dance she didn’t know.

  His vibrancy and grace came through his movements and his body. The athleticism he used with his horses and in his stunts made this man a fabulous dancer.

  They went around the floor at Tyler’s pace, Tyler avoiding the other couples with ease. When Jess looked up into Tyler’s face, she found him gazing down at her at the same moment, unguarded.

  What Jess saw in his eyes made her falter. There was an incandescence inside him, a flame buried deep. It confused her, almost frightening her with its intensity.

  Tyler shuttered himself instantly, but the rawness she’d seen in him stayed with her, lighting a profound response in herself.

  If the world were different—if Jess had nothing in her past and he had nothing in his—this would be beautiful.

  It was beautiful. But Jess wasn’t sure it could be real.

  The song ended. Couples drifted back to their tables, arms around each other. One of the Malory brothers broke a clump of pool balls to start a game, the clack loud in the relative hush.

  Tyler caught Jess as she started to turn away. He eased her back to him and leaned down and kissed her.

  A melting sensation in the backs of her knees made Jess’s body start to crumple, but Tyler caught her and lifted her to him while he kissed her with slow thoroughness.

  Jess suddenly didn’t care that they were in the middle of the bar, in the middle of the dance floor, with most of Riverbend around them. Her limbs tingled and her intimate spaces tightened, a wash of wanting gripping her.

  Tyler didn’t seem to give a rat’s ass that they were surrounded by the whole town either. He drew his hand up to tumble her hair, then let his thumb trace the curl of tatt that led from her shoulder to her breast. He didn’t slide his fingers under her shirt; he simply touched, caressed.

  “Oh, man.” The deep voice of Kyle Malory boomed out. “Does every pretty woman in this town have to end up with a Campbell?”

  The guys he played pool with laughed at him. “Tough shit, Kyle,” one of them said.

  “Bad enough my sister married one,” Kyle went on in mock disgust. “What the hell was she thinking?”

  Tyler didn’t respond. He took his time ending the kiss, then he raised his head, his lips parted, his gaze lingering on Jess. After a moment, he turned slowly, sending Kyle a lazy look before giving him the finger.

  More laughter. Jess sensed a rivalry that was part joking, part serious, forming a bond between them.

  “Suck on it, Malory,” Tyler said in a jovial tone. He put his arm around Jess and led her away.

  “You know you’d love it, Tyler,” Kyle said behind them. Whooping and jeers followed from his friends.

  “Ignore the dickheads,” Tyler said in Jess’s ear, his breath warming her to her toes. “Too noisy in here. Want to get out?”

  Jess did. She couldn’t start work tonight even if she’d wanted to—her future had to wait until tomorrow. Then she’d find a way to talk to Karen and Christina, whom she hadn’t met yet, about working in the bar. The Campbells were being very nice to her, but she wanted to stand on her own as soon as she could. They wouldn’t be thrilled if she hung on them too long—there was an expiration date on hospitality.

  “Sure,” Jess said.

  She preferred the ranch, with its quiet comfort, and the knowledge she wasn’t alone there. Last night, whenever she’d woken in the dark, it had soothed her to think that over in the main house, more people slept—Carter and his family, Tyler’s mom, Tyler.

  Jess had spent plenty of time fantasizing about Tyler in his bed, wondering if he wore pajamas. He hadn’t taken any clothes from his apartment yesterday afternoon, and she assumed he had things to wear in the main house, but maybe not pajamas. The thought of him bare against the sheets had sent her heart pounding and made sleep elude her.

  The parking lot was a little quieter than the bar, but more people were arriving, and overflow from inside had groups standing around talking, joking, calling to one another. This was a friendly spot, not the territory of a gang who ran off anyone its members didn’t like. The bar was a place to have fun, to meet up with friends after work, for guys to take their girlfriends and for young singles to try their luck.

  Much more relaxed than Brent’s Bar in Dallas. Jess hoped she never had to see that place again.

  Tyler stopped at his truck, but instead of opening the door for Jess, he leaned against the fender and pulled her to him. He put his fingers under her chin, raising her face to his for another soul-satisfying kiss.

  Jess kissed him hungrily, her hands finding the sides of his waist and wandering down to his ass, tugging him closer. Jess was pressed against the length of him, the hardness behind his jeans a firm ridge against her abdomen. Flames that hadn’t died rekindled.

  Tyler broke the kiss, his eyes black in the darkness, and brushed Jess’s lower lip with his thumb.

  “You shouldn’t keep kissing me,” Jess said in a shaking voice. “People will think we’re together.”

  “They can think whatever the hell they want.” Tyler lowered his hand, taking his heat away, but his body was still tight to hers, his desire for her obvious.

  “They hope we are a couple,” Jess said. “They want us to be.”

  “I know.” Tyler gently moved Jess aside, making her abruptly cold without him against her, and unlocked and opened the door.

  No more words about it. Tyler neither declared they were together or stated that the rest of the world was wrong. No saying they needed to talk about it. Tyler simply helped Jess into the truck and walked to the other side.

  He started the truck without a word, remaining silent as he drove out of the lot and the short way home. Jess still vibrated from the dance, from their kisses, from their closeness. Earlier today she’d rejoiced because she could stay near Tyler and get to know him, but now she wondered if that was a good idea. She’d drop dead of her need for him if she couldn’t fulfill it.

  For now, she enjoyed the quiet ride, liking that Tyler didn’t flinch away when she placed her hand over his on the seat.

  Jess loved the darkness out here—true darkness under a spangle of stars. No traffic, just an easy ride through the night to the ranch, the hottest cowboy in town taking her home.

  Home. Jess wondered when she’d began thinking of it as such.

&nbs
p; Dominic would be finishing his movie by now. Jess hopped out as soon as Tyler stopped his pickup in front of the house. She was a mom first, which meant hurrying inside to check on her son.

  She found Dominic curled up under a blanket on the couch, in the circle of Grace’s arm. Carter sat on an oversized chair next to them, Faith drowsing in his lap. Dominic’s eyes drooped, but he was determinedly watching to the end of the movie.

  Jess kissed him good night, said the same to the rest of them, and let Tyler walk her back to the apartment. She didn’t miss the interested looks all four of them gave her and Tyler as they departed.

  Everyone in that house, including Dominic, wanted her and Tyler to end up together. Jess could feel the waves of their hope all the way to the garage.

  “I’m coming up with you,” Tyler said as they reached the stairs. “I’m not letting you in there until I check it out. Deal with it, sweetheart.”

  “I’m so glad I have a big, strong man to look after me,” Jess replied in a sugary voice.

  “One you saw get his ass kicked,” he said in a cynical tone.

  “But you fought really hard.”

  Tyler turned from the step above her, coming back down to slide an arm around her waist. “You watch yourself, darlin’. Anyway, I did fight hard. There were just too many of them.”

  “I know,” Jess said in her normal voice. “I was so scared they were going to kill you.”

  Tyler’s tone gentled. “They didn’t.” He touched her lips with his fingers as he had when he’d finished kissing her at the bar, but to her disappointment, he let her go and headed up the stairs. “Now let me make sure no one’s in here waiting for you.”

  He opened the door and walked inside, looking around the apartment with swift thoroughness. Then he signaled Jess to come in, and he shut the door behind her.

  “You all right?” he asked her.

  Jess was. More all right than she’d been in a long time.

  Tyler made no move to kiss her again, to take her into his arms, to hint that they should move to the bedroom. He was going to be a gentleman, she realized. He’d bow out, saying he’d look after Dominic, leave her so she could get some sleep. He’d be gallant, and she’d be alone.