CHAPTER TEN
Rebecca—
I slide my eyes to the side and watch JJ. He’s washing the dishes while I work on some drawings, trying to come up with a logo.
He’s been extra nice the last few days, almost like he’s trying to make up for his grouchy behavior.
Halloween has come and gone, and we disposed of all the smashed pumpkins. Well, JJ did. He got the tractor working, attached a shovel scoop to the front, and dropped them into a ravine at the side of the property.
We took a walk yesterday and saw several deer eating them. That made me smile. At least they weren’t a complete waste.
Finally, the water shuts off, and I see him toss a dish towel on the counter and head this way.
I tilt my head as he approaches, his eyes locked with mine. His hand settles on the back of my chair, and he leans over me, his face getting closer and his eyes zeroing in on my mouth.
Oh my God, he’s going to kiss me.
My lips part in anticipation, and my heart races.
A zing of desire zips through my body.
Instead, his eyes flick to the table, and he reaches for my empty mug behind me, a grin forming on his smug face.
“Guess I forgot one,” he murmurs.
I’m mortified and quickly look away, tucking my hair behind my ear and feeling like a fool. Of course, he’s not going to kiss me. He’s my brother-in-law, for God’s sake.
I inhale his scent. It’s like fire, smoke, and leather and fresh-cut wood all wrapped together, and I find it intoxicating.
“You want another coffee, or are you through?” he asks, straightening, but hovering close.
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
His eyes drop to my drawings. “Those are good.” He points to one version. “I like this one.”
It’s one where I incorporated the red pickup truck.
“Yes, but I still think it’s missing something.”
“You really love all this, don’t you?”
“I guess I do.”
“What specifically?”
I shrug. “I suppose I love the adventure of something new, and the creativity of making things, and I love working outside. I love the fresh air.”
“You like fresh air? I know the best way to get some.”
I pick up my pencil and shade an area. “Really? How’s that?”
“Climb on my bike with me and let’s take a ride.”
My pencil stills. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” He jerks his head toward the door. “Grab your jacket, and let’s go. It’s a nice sunny day. Let’s enjoy it.”
I hesitate, considering it, but a rejection hovers on my lips.
What would people say if they saw us together?
Catching myself, I change my mind. I don’t owe anyone an explanation, and I’m tired of being the nice girl who does nothing wrong or even exciting.
Why not take a ride with JJ? But there is one thing making me pause. “You won’t ride recklessly, will you?”
He puts a hand to his heart. “Got my word. I’ll take good care of you. And if you don’t like it, I’ll turn around and bring you back.”
His expression tells me he’s sincere. “All right, then. A ride would be nice.”
Ten minutes later, I meet him outside. His bike is already rumbling as he sits astride it, and I’m taken aback at how good he looks on the thing. Powerful and dangerous and badass—all the things I never looked for in a man.
JJ passes me a helmet, and I strap it on. Then he grins and pats the seat behind him. “Climb on, darlin’.”
Slipping onto the seat behind him, I’m super close to him, our bodies touching and my thighs bracketing his. He helps me find the foot pegs, then pats my knee.
“You ready?”
I nod, then lean closer to be heard over the engine. “Ready.”
He wraps my arms around him and pats my locked hands. “Hold on tight.”
The feel of his abs under my hands has my mind going to all kinds of places that would put me straight on Santa’s naughty list. I decide to start my mantra. One, he’s your dead husband’s brother.
JJ drops it in gear, and we roll down the gravel drive.
Two. He’s your business partner.
Once we pull out onto the blacktop highway, he hits the throttle, and the bike surges forward beneath us, and all thoughts of why I shouldn’t be with this man are left in the dust.
I can’t help the giggle of excitement that escapes me, and I know he hears it when he turns his head to the side, and I catch the smile on his face. This is JJ’s world, and I’ve just entered it.
Good to his word, he doesn’t go too fast or do anything to make me uneasy, and I soon relax and enjoy the ride.
The leaves are all beautifully golden, and the sky is a crisp blue.
Everything on the back of the bike is intensified—the scent of the pine trees, the wind in my face, the sun beating down.
It’s so different from riding in a car, and I’m instantly hooked.
Rather than watching the scenery flashing past, it’s like we’re part of it. It’s exhilarating.
We ride for about twenty minutes, and then JJ turns in at a scenic overlook and parks in a spot. I climb from the back, and he shuts the engine off, pulling his helmet off and hanging it on the handlebar.
I unbuckle my own and laugh. “That was awesome.”
“Glad you liked it. I thought you might.”
“It was amazing. So different from riding in a car.”
“Definitely.” He takes my helmet and hangs it next to his. “Ever been up here?”
“No. What is this place?”
“I used to come up here a lot in high school. It’s not far from where we used to live. Anytime I needed to get away and think.”
“The view is phenomenal.” We can see for miles. There are only two other cars up here, the occupants a distance away. “I’m surprised there aren’t more people.”
There’s a low stone wall, and I sit on it. We’re both quiet for a while, but then I can’t help asking the question that’s been on my mind since I met JJ. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why don’t you want the farm?”
He kicks his biker boot at some stones. “I grew up coming to that farm and loved it, but my family is here, and I don’t want any part of them.”
“But they live in the next town.”
“It’s still too close. I don’t want them dropping in.” He points at something in the distance. “Look. An eagle.”
Subject change noted. I can understand why he doesn’t want to talk about his family, especially with me. I feel like he thinks I’m on his parents’ side or something. “Families can be complicated. I get that.”
“You hungry?” he asks, again changing the subject.
“Something you don’t know about me is I’m always hungry.” I grin.
His eyes sweep over my body. “Well, you’d never know it with your figure.”
My heart does a little flip, and I see the look in his eyes. He breaks our gaze first, clearing his throat. “There’s a diner in town that has great cheeseburgers. The place is a little corny, but the food is good.”
I frown. “You mean Santa’s Kitchen?”
“No, though they’re good, too. I mean Dasher’s Diner.”
I huff a laugh. “The places in town really go all out with the Christmas theme, don’t they?”
“Yeah. I’m surprised David never took you there. He used to love that place as a kid.”
“We never went into town much, just visited your grandfather’s farm.”
“That’s weird. You never wanted to check the town out?”
“I did, but he always made some excuse why we didn’t have time.”
“Everything with David revolved around what he wanted. He never cared too much about other people’s feelings. Sorry if that makes you mad, but that’s my opinion.”
I stare off at the horizon. “Can I tell you something, JJ?”
“What’s that?”
“I think he was seeing someone on the side, and I think she was from there. I think that’s why he never brought me. He didn’t want us to run into her.”
“You sure? I mean, I’m the last person to defend my asshole brother, but why the hell would he need another woman when he’s got someone like you?”
I blush. “Thanks for that, but I always felt he wasn’t satisfied with his life.”
JJ folds his arms. “That’s my brother for you. Never fucking satisfied. Never grateful for a damn thing.” He turns and catches my eye. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. He was an asshole, and you deserved better.”
“It wasn’t all bad. I’m not saying it was. I was happy for the most part.”
“That’s not exactly a glowing recommendation.”
“I suppose not.”
“Come on. Let’s get some food.”