by Rachel Lacey
“Well, as it happens, I love any excuse to go out and enjoy a good meal, so it sounds like this might be a mutually beneficial situation.” She winked, brushing at the hair that covered her cheek. Both of them were keeping their scars hidden tonight, but maybe that was okay. Maybe they deserved to enjoy themselves for a night without having to think about the darker parts of their lives.
“I did a little research this afternoon,” he told her. “And I have a plan to help Bug with her fear of dogs.”
“Oh yeah?” Megan’s eyes brightened.
“Yeah. It would make her a lot more appealing to potential adopters if we could get her past that. Dogs are common on farms, so it could be a problem for her.”
“I didn’t even think of that, but yeah, you’re right. She already has so many strikes against her, it would be great if we could get rid of at least one of them.”
“I wouldn’t say that. She’s very young, which works in her favor. Once she’s trained, she could make a wonderful horse for the right person.”
“She’ll be scarred,” Megan said, her gaze dropping to her salad plate. “Statistically, animals with physical imperfections are more difficult to adopt.”
“I’m not familiar with the statistics, but she’s a pretty horse.” And you’re a beautiful woman. “I think she’s going to look great once she’s not purple anymore.”
Megan smiled softly. “I don’t know. I kind of like her unicorn spots.”
“It does give her that superhero vibe,” he agreed. “I’ve been busy with my offsite clients and Duchess, but she’s progressing really nicely in her training. Once I have some free time, I’ll try to work with Bug and Dusty, see if I can start some saddle work. Assuming of course that neither of them have had any training yet. They may surprise us.”
“I feel bad that you’re spending so much time on them, but I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t feel bad. It’s not like you’re asking me to train a horse for free. I’m helping out with a local rescue. There’s a difference, and I like to be involved.”
“I enjoy it too,” she said. “Working with the shelter on the Fairy Tails program has been one of the most rewarding things since I started working at Rosemont Castle.”
“It’s not something I had much experience with in the past. I’m glad I do now.”
The waitress arrived with their entrees, and conversation slowed as they ate. After a long day at the barn, he had worked up quite an appetite, and his steak turned out to be every bit as delicious as he’d hoped.
“This is so good,” Megan said around a bite. She’d gotten beef medallions in a brown sauce that smelled delicious.
“Jake?”
He turned to find himself facing Sylvia Gayle and her husband, Bob. The couple were close friends of the Robertsons, and Jake had spent plenty of time with them over the years. Nice enough people, if a bit set in their ways.
“Mrs. Gayle, it’s good to see you.” Jake made introductions, noticing Sylvia’s obvious interest in Megan. He wasn’t exactly trying to keep their relationship under wraps, but now that Sylvia knew, his in-laws would probably hear about it before the end of the night. If he’d taken the time to think about it, he would have preferred to tell them himself, but there was no changing it now.
“You’re one of the women working up at Rosemont Castle, aren’t you?” Sylvia asked Megan, who nodded.
“That’s right. We’ve been managing the property for almost a year now.”
“I’ve heard wonderful things about it,” Sylvia said. “I know a lot of people who’ve been out for the tours you’re giving.”
“That’s great,” Megan told her with a warm smile. “We’re all really enjoying it.”
They chatted for a few more minutes while Sylvia plainly sized up Megan to report back to the Robertsons, and he tried not to let it bother him.
“What’s the matter?” Megan asked once the Gayles had left.
“Sylvia is probably already on the phone with Tina…Alana’s mother.” He shrugged, but it felt stiff, even to him. “I hadn’t thought about how people would react.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
“Don’t be. It just caught me off guard, that’s all. It’s the only downside of small-town living.” He shrugged. “Everyone’s in your business all the time.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Megan said.
“Story of my life. The whole town’s been fascinated with me since Alana’s accident. People always get nosy about that kind of thing, but then there were the rumors about my, you know, virginity.” He lowered his voice to a near-whisper on that last word. “I guess I should have expected it to be a big deal for people to see me out with someone new.”
“Well, if we eat our way around downtown like we were planning, hopefully it will lose its novelty,” Megan suggested.
He nodded. “You’re right. The more we let them see us, the quicker they’ll get over it and hopefully quit paying attention to me at all. I won’t have to be that tragic guy everyone feels sorry for anymore.”
She pressed a hand over his against the cream-colored tablecloth. “Then I think we should make it our mission to erase Tragic Jake from their narrative as quickly as possible.”
“Yes.” He met her eyes. “Please.”
They made it through the rest of their meal without interruption, and he drove them back to the castle, pulling in at the farmhouse. He shut off the engine, his right hand finding hers in the semi-darkness of the truck cab. “I had a really great time tonight.”
“Me too.” Her voice was hushed, her fingers wrapped tightly around his.
And he couldn’t wait another moment to kiss her. He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. It was dizzying how much his life had changed in the last few weeks if he really took the time to acknowledge it. Overwhelming, maybe, but not necessarily in a bad way. Not when it all felt this good.
And then Megan’s hand was in his lap, her palm pressed against his cock, and he was certain that it was all good. So good. They fumbled around in the front seat of the truck, touching and kissing, arms and legs bumping into various surfaces as they struggled for contact. Megan’s elbow bumped the switch for the interior light, causing them both to squint against the sudden glare, laughing.
“What do you say we take this inside?” he suggested.
“Excellent idea.” She straightened the bodice of her dress and reached for her purse.
“Do you need to go get your dogs first?” he asked as he climbed out of the truck. As much as he really didn’t mind having her dogs around tonight, the thought of letting her go right now, even for a few minutes, felt like absolute torture.
Either she saw it in his eyes, or she was feeling the same way, because she gave her head a small shake before draping herself against his body. “Let’s enjoy ourselves first. Once I get them, I’ll have to spend time getting them settled, and I don’t think I can wait that long to get you naked.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” His hips were already moving against hers as he stepped her backward toward the farmhouse. He might not ever get used to the feeling of having her in his arms, the pleasure of her touch, the fire it caused inside him, a burning need that only seemed to grow stronger each time he held her.
He’d barely closed the door behind them before Megan had him pressed against it, her hands untucking his shirt from his jeans, skimming over his bare skin, causing his brain to incinerate with lust and need.
One of her hands drifted down to palm him. “You’re so hard,” she murmured.
“Always,” he whispered into her mouth. “Always with you.”
She squeezed him through his jeans, and he locked his knees to keep them upright. He spun them so her back was against the door, his hand beneath her dress, stroking her through her panties. Then her legs were wrapped around his waist, his cock pressed between her legs, their hips moving frantically as their tongues tangled, hands grasping at fabric.
“Right here,”
she gasped. “Now.”
“Hell, yes.” He shoved a hand into his back pocket, supporting Megan with the other, trying to summon enough brainpower to find the condom he’d put in his wallet. He grabbed it, letting the wallet fall to the floor, as Megan unbuttoned his jeans and eased the zipper down, freeing his cock. She took the foil packet from his fingers and covered him, pushing her panties to the side as she guided him to her entrance.
He groaned as he sank inside her. “So good.”
“Mm.” Her eyes slid shut as her body gripped him, and then he was moving, thrusting into her with one arm braced against the door, the other around her waist to hold her steady, although her legs were wrapped so tightly around his hips, he doubted she would have budged even without him holding her.
“Fuck, yes.” He pounded into her, and damn, he hoped she was getting close, because something about taking her against the door was really doing it for him. “Oh, damn, baby, you feel so good.”
In response, her heels dug into the backs of his thighs, reminding him she still had on her heels, which only turned him on more. The hallway filled with the sounds of sex, heavy breathing, the slap of skin against skin, and their occasional moans and cries of pleasure. Everything about it only drove him closer to the edge.
Megan’s head fell back against the wood behind her, eyes shut, mouth slightly open. Her hands clenched around his ass, and then he felt her orgasm pulsing through her, gripping him, hard. That was all he needed to join her, shouting his release as he emptied himself inside her.
He managed to walk them backward to the couch before his legs gave out, dropping them in a heap onto the leather upholstery. “That does it,” he muttered, resting his head against the cushion behind him as he caught his breath. “We’re going to have to christen every room—and maybe every wall—in the house.”
Megan gave a throaty laugh, rolling over to sit beside him. She tugged at her dress, sliding it back into place. “I’d be happy to help you out with that.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her in against him. As much as he wanted to sit there with her forever, he needed to get rid of the condom. He removed it, tucked himself back inside his jeans, and stood. “Don’t go anywhere,” he called as he walked into the bathroom.
“Actually, this is probably a good time to go get the dogs. If I stay here any longer, we’re going to get too comfortable—and naked—for me to want to go back out.”
“True enough. Want a hand?”
“Yeah, actually. Sure.”
So, they cleaned up together in the bathroom and walked up the drive to the castle. He followed her upstairs to her bedroom, taking it in with open curiosity as she gathered the dogs from their crates. He’d been in the public spaces of the castle several times now but had never been into any of the guest rooms, let alone Megan’s bedroom. It was as girly as he would have expected, with a bedspread in shades of purple and white lacey curtains.
A Jake Tappen novel lay in the middle of the bed.
Megan turned to find Jake holding the book in his right hand, brow raised expectantly.
“A little light reading?” he asked.
She shrugged, not even trying to hide her smile. “I told you I was going to read your books.”
“I thought you were just humoring me.”
“Nope. I was totally serious, and I’m really enjoying it too.” She slid the book from his hand, setting it on her nightstand. “In fact, I think I’m going to buy a copy so you can sign it for me.”
“Where did you get that one?” He sat on the edge of her bed, greeting Chandler, who had bounded over and shoved his head in Jake’s lap.
“From the library downstairs.”
“I’ve read several books from Theo’s library myself these last few weeks,” Jake admitted.
“Oh yeah? What kind of books do you like to read?” she asked as she threw a change of clothes and toiletries into an overnight bag, along with a few treats and things for the dogs.
“Mysteries mostly, crime thrillers. I like it when an author totally blows my mind with a plot twist at the end of the book.”
“I should have guessed, based on what you write.” She picked up her bag and leashed the dogs. “So, are you going to blow my mind with a plot twist at the end?”
“You’ll have to let me know.” He took Barnaby’s leash from her, and they walked downstairs together.
Theo passed them in the hallway, headed toward the kitchen. “Hi, Megan,” he said absently before his eyebrows raised in an almost comical expression as he took in the entirety of the scene in front of him. “Jake.”
“Hi, Theo,” Jake answered, his expression betraying nothing.
“Have a good evening, you two,” Theo called over his shoulder with a grin as he walked away.
Megan laughed under her breath as they made their way out the front door. Between the overnight bag and the dogs, it couldn’t have been any more obvious that she was on her way to spend the night at the farmhouse. “Well, if Elle hadn’t already told him, he knows now.”
“I don’t think Elle had told him, judging by the look on his face.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she told him. “There aren’t any rules saying we can’t do what we’re doing, and after he hooked up with Elle last year while she was working here at the castle, he’s the last person to judge.”
“He would never judge,” Jake said, a frown tugging at his lips. “But it’s still not exactly the impression I wanted to make as his new tenant.”
“Hey.” She rested her free hand on his arm. “It’s okay, really. Theo doesn’t care. He likes us both. He’s probably just happy to see you dating again.”
“You’re right.” Jake shook his head slightly as if to clear it. “This is all so new to me. I haven’t dated since high school. Everything feels awkward.”
“I’m sure it does, but you’ll get used to it.”
They walked outside, taking the trail that led past the horse pastures so Chandler and Barnaby could sniff around and take care of any business before they got to the farmhouse. It was a beautiful evening, crisp and cool with all the fresh scents of spring hanging in the air, flowers and grass and damp earth.
Back at the farmhouse, she unclipped the leashes from both dogs and set down a bowl of water for them in the kitchen. Chandler sniffed around energetically, while Barnaby stayed close to Megan, trailing her around the living room. Jake pulled her in for a kiss, and Chandler—sensing a fun new game in the works—ran over and jumped up, putting his front paws on Jake’s thigh to join in.
“Not used to having a dog underfoot,” Jake said, grinning.
“Down, Chandler,” she told the dog firmly, and he hopped down, barking as if he didn’t approve of being left out of the hugging and kissing.
That was pretty much the theme of their evening. She and Jake made it to bed, only to have Barnaby and Chandler trample across them several times while they were having sex, which led to a lot of laughter and mumbled threats to throw them out of the room.
“They’ll settle down,” Megan said as she lay against Jake’s chest afterward. “They’ve never been here before, and they aren’t quite sure what they’re supposed to be doing.”
“Either that, or it’s their mission to make sure I never get a dog,” he said, but there was no heat behind his words. On the contrary, he’d seemed more amused than annoyed by the dogs’ antics.
“You should adopt one.” She rubbed her fingers absently through his chest hair, enjoying the way it tickled her skin.
“One of these?” He looked over at Barnaby and Chandler, who had finally settled on the spare blanket they’d spread on the floor as a makeshift dog bed.
“No, not those guys necessarily, but a farmhouse should have a dog, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I like the idea of that.” He sounded relaxed and content. “I think I’ve lived alone enough for this lifetime, don’t you?”
13
Jake woke up feeling unusual
ly warm all over. He opened his eyes to find Barnaby the dog curled up against his chest, tail alarmingly close to Jake’s face. He rolled to his back, registering another heavy form settled over his feet at about the same time he saw Megan sprawled across the bed on his other side.
A smile tugged at his lips. Now there was a welcome sight first thing in the morning. He rolled to face her, running a hand through the chestnut strands of hair fanning across her pillow. His heart felt so full, it was almost uncomfortable. Mostly, he couldn’t be happier to have Megan in his bed. A big part of him felt like he’d found what he’d been missing for so long.
But a smaller part of him felt trapped beneath the weight of two dogs and one sleeping woman. He’d lived alone for so long, maybe that’s all he was suited for anymore. But no, that couldn’t be true. After all, how many nights had he lain awake, feeling so alone, so empty he thought he might implode from the crushing weight of it? This was just an adjustment period. And so, with a dog against his back, a dog on his feet, and a beautiful woman in front of him, he closed his eyes, willing himself to relax.
The next thing he was aware of was Megan’s soft laughter. Groggily, he blinked at her, realizing he must have fallen back to sleep.
“Sorry about them,” she whispered, pressing her lips against his. “They usually stay in their crates at night.”
“I guess they wanted to join the sleepover party,” he said, drawing her closer against him.
“Can’t really blame them,” she murmured as her naked body landed flush against his, discovering his morning wood.
“All the same, I don’t think I want them around for this part, do you?” He pressed his cock into the heat between her legs. It was only the second time in his whole life that he’d awakened with a woman in his bed, and he was still somewhat overwhelmed by the freedom to lose himself in her welcome body in these gentle morning moments instead of laying here alone as he’d done so many damn times, deciding whether to ignore his cock or attempt to relieve his loneliness with his own fist.