Chapter Five
Jinx had been watching Downs. He’d noticed the man the second he’d walked into Mav’s like a panther looking for his prey.
The sneaky son-of-a-gun had cornered Justice and Jinx’s gut twisted. The only thing he knew to do was help her out of the uncomfortable situation.
Now he was holding her on the dance floor hoping his body didn’t embarrass him.
Laughter sounded from the vicinity of the mechanical bull. “The bull’s a big hit.”
“It would seem so. Have you ridden it yet?” There was a glint of challenge in her bright eyes.
“Nah., I thought I’d let the crew enjoy themselves.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Are you up for a friendly challenge, cowboy?”
That sparked his interest. “What are you thinking?”
“If you can stay on the bull the entire time I’ll buy you a drink. If you fall off, you’ll pay for the round.” Her smile was as seductive as that look in her eye.
He shrugged. “How about we up the ante? We both ride. Whoever falls off first pays.”
“You’re on.”
They pushed through the circle of people who had gathered to watch the crew take turns riding the bull. “Cowboys first,” Justice told him.
Whistles and hollers rang out as Jinx pulled on leather gloves. He’d never been on a mechanical bull, but he’d ridden enough beasts during his lifetime. He guessed this should be an easy win, but he also didn’t want to count Justice out. She was feisty enough to give him a run for his money.
He swung himself into the saddle, hooked his fist around the reins, and lifted his arm.
“Good luck, Jinx!” Lanah waved dramatically from the semi-circle of onlookers.
Justice watched the exchange with a narrowed gaze.
Jinx cleared his mind, gave a thumbs-up signal, and the machine shifted into movement. He planted his feet firmly in the stirrups and gripped the bull with his legs. He expected the movements, allowing his body to be flexible and balanced.
The whistle blew, announcing the end of the eight seconds.
Hoots and hollers sounded from the crowd as he slid out of the saddle.
He walked over to Justice, handing her his gloves. “Good luck,” he said.
“It’s not about luck, cowboy. It’s all about skill.” She donned the gloves.
A few of the crew overheard the exchange and elbowed him in jest.
The crowd clapped and whistled as she climbed onto the bull, looking comfortable and in great form. Something told him she’d done this a time or two. Had he been played?
Hell, he didn’t mind. He enjoyed watching her.
And so did the crowd because when her time ended with her remaining in the saddle, the crowd raised the roof in cheer. She sashayed in his direction, wearing a sweet, tormenting smile. “Your turn, cowboy.”
More people had gathered to watch, picking their sides.
After several more rounds, with the speed increasing and the turns becoming more abrupt, Jinx suggested, “We can just walk, and I’ll buy the next round.”
“We’re locked in. You’re not afraid, are you?” Her eyes lit with determination.
“I think I can handle myself. I’m just trying to be a gentleman.”
Justice was back on the bull, her grip firm on the reins and her stance confident. As the bull surged forward, it challenged her balance, but she quickly regained her composure, looking strong and determined. Suddenly, the bull bucked side to side before jerking up. Her grip loosened, and her feet slipped from the stirrups, sending her landing onto the mat. The bull eventually came to a grinding stop.
Undeterred, she sprang to her feet, a spark of grit shining in her eyes as she shook Jinx’s hand. “Congratulations!”
Lanah came running up and wrapped her arms tight around Jinx’s neck. “Great job, cowboy,” she cooed.
"Thank you." He extricated himself from her firm hold and looked around for Justice, but she was no longer there.
“Would you like to celebrate?” Lanah flipped the ends of her hair over one shoulder.
“Sorry, but can I get a rain check?” Justice had promised him a drink, and he was eager to follow up on that invitation.
Disappointment marred Lanah’s features and her bottom lip protruded in a perfect pout. “I’m not going to wait forever, cowboy.”
But her words fell on deaf ears because he’d already turned his attention back to the crowd.
“Looking for my sister?” Hope asked from where she sat at the bar.
He started to answer but caught himself. “Maybe.” He didn’t want to lie but he didn’t know if the truth would be proper. Then again, Sam had mentioned that he wanted Jinx and Justice to marry.
Hope smiled. “Outside. Something tells me she’s not planning to drink that bottle alone.”
He stepped outside and scanned the parking lot, feeling relieved when he spotted Justice sitting atop the hood of his truck.
“I do owe you a drink,” she said, holding up the whiskey bottle when he approached.
“I thought you might have changed your mind.”
“When a Rose makes a promise, she sticks to it.” She hopped off the hood. “I rode with Hope and I’d like to get out of here.” Her bright blue eyes seemed to reach in and kidnap his soul.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere. Everywhere,” she said with a wag of her brows. “Are you up for some adventure?”
Jinx realized then he needed to tread carefully. Although Sam had practically given his blessing that Jinx marry her, he also didn’t want to find himself on the wrong side of the ranch. Being near Justice was like playing with fire. Yet, he couldn’t tell her no. “I haven’t been on an adventure in forever.”
“Ready then?” Something in those two words had written an entire chapter that spoke of promise and seduction.
Something about her smile made his heart do all sorts of tricks. He walked around and opened the passenger door for her. “Climb in.”
After being a gentleman and ensuring she was safely inside with her seatbelt clicked into place, he walked around to the driver’s side.
“Where to, Miss Rose?” he said when he was seated.
“Have you ever heard of the Sagebrush Rose Ranch rite of passage?” Her face was illuminated. “It’s one of the best experiences around.”
He was pretty sure he was looking at the best experience. “I haven’t, but something tells me I’m about to be schooled.”
“Drive, cowboy. “She slipped off her boots and propped her feet up on the seat. “Take a left out of the parking lot and drive to Graveyard Road.”
Although he’d been in Sagebrush Pine for a year at least, he didn’t get out much and wasn’t familiar with all the backroads. “Isn’t that close to the ranch?”
“Near.” She tucked the unopened bottle between her thighs, and Jinx felt a strong urge to put something else in that spot. His dick tested the restraints of the zipper.
They drove silently for the next five miles, listening to Gary Allen's familiar tunes. She sang along, and he thought she had a melodic voice.
“Tell me something about you that I can’t possibly know,” he asked.
She shifted slightly. “I’m sure I have a long list, but the first thing that comes to mind is that I love to paint. I find it therapeutic.”
“And where could I find something you’ve painted?”
“You won’t unless I show you.”
“Maybe if I can get in your good graces you’ll let me take a peek.”
“Keep working that charm and I just might let you.” Her eyes sparkled in the light.
What he really needed was to reach into his jeans and fix his bent dick before he lost all blood flow.
Up ahead he saw the sign for Graveyard Road. He turned onto the narrow backroad that he considered more of a driveway than a road. The truck's wheels thumped and swooshed in the dips and potholes. With each bounce, his hard body wrenched in agony.
Luckily, they’d only driven for less than a mile when she told him to find a place to pull off while she slipped her boots on.
He stopped the truck, shoved it into park, and before he could turn off the engine, she was out her door. By the time he rounded the front of the truck, she had her arms spread open as if she were praying to the sky.
He was mesmerized by her beauty. Her chin was tilted up toward the sky, and her long, silken hair hung in waves down her back. The glow of the full moon cast a bluish light upon her face, making her appear goddess-like.
Somewhere over the course of a few months he’d started caring for her. That was a dangerous path, but he guessed it was too late to backpedal.
She turned and smiled—a radiant smile made more phenomenal by the moonlight.
“Come with me,” she said in a soft voice and grabbed his hand.
It felt natural as their fingers intertwined like they’d been holding hands all their lives. He’d never been much of a romantic, but something about their chemistry tweaked parts of him he didn’t even know he had.
She led the way on the narrow trail, and when she came to a stop, he kept his gaze on her.
“Here’s what you’ve been missing.” She motioned for him to step forward into the clearing.
They stood along the edge of a crest, and in the distance, the sun was a large bright orb behind the craggy-topped mountains. The sky was painted with brilliant orange and red splashes of color. The same sunset could be seen all over Sagebrush Pine, but here, in this remote spot, it felt like a magnificent wonder.
The lake was calm and quiet as if it were settling down for the night.
“This is amazing.”
“My sisters and I used to come out here and watch the sunsets. They always seem much brighter and bigger out here.”
Although the sky was stunning, something else held his attention—something far more intriguing. He couldn’t remove his gaze from her. The sunlight's dusky light graced her flawless skin. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman or one who held his interest.
She uncapped the bottle, took a long drink then held it out to him. He took a long gulp.
“You like it?” Her eyes dazzled in the light.
More than I could ever express. The words burned his tongue as they raced for freedom, but he shut his mouth. Instead, he stayed with the safest response. “Amazing.” He took another long chug and swallowed the unsaid words with the spicy whiskey.
What if he laid his feelings on the line and came clean about the photos he’d taken for Sam?
And lose his position at the ranch? And possibly any opportunity with Justice.
He had to be able to take care of Ilene.
He could find another job. Maybe even closer to the farm.
But that didn’t help with his desire to spend time with Justice.
He heard a thud . His train of thought was sidetracked by Justice toeing off her boot. Her smile should have been enough warning, but he still had to ask, “What are you doing?” She didn’t show any sign of a lack of confidence as she reached for her shirt and dragged it over her head. He choked on his saliva at how firm and inviting her breasts looked in the lace bra. He could see the outline of her erect nipples through the fabric, and he had a powerful urge to suck each beautiful breast until she screamed his name.
After all, she was laying out a feast for him.
Mind your manners, Jinx. He shook his head, jarring his wayward thoughts back on track. She stared back at him as if he’d just missed a cued response.
One corner of her mouth lifted. “They’re only breasts, cowboy. Something tells me you’ve seen a few in your lifetime.”
Not like those I haven’t. “There’s nothing only about either one of them.” He was grateful he didn’t stutter over his words.
“Those Wranglers won’t come off by themselves,” she said with a promising smile. She shimmied her jeans down her legs and tossed them with her foot. She faced him, hands on hips. “Well?” She wore rose-colored panties that had big bows at the hips like a Christmas gift ready to be unwrapped.
Realizing he probably didn’t have a choice, he kicked off his boots, undressed down to his boxers, and decided it might be best he left something on to hide the fact that his cock was as hard as the tip of the mountain.
“The last one in is a rotten skunk.” She raced down the grass toward the water’s edge, and he settled his gaze on her jiggling bottom. He wanted to clamp his hands on her ass cheeks.
His cell phone buzzed in his jean pocket, and he started to reach for it when he heard a loud splash.
Justice was waist-deep in the water, and her bra and panties were nicely transparent. How was he going to manage to stay in control?
The cool water helped release some of the tension below the elastic of his boxers. But the second she dipped under and came up, water droplets falling down her body, her heavy breasts bobbing, he thought he might burst. He walked out a little further.
“So now you’ve been initiated.” She waded through the water, getting closer to him. She stood and droplets of water cascaded down the ends of her hair onto her bare shoulders. “Back in the day we had to wear bathing suits. Daddy would have flipped his lid if we didn’t.”
“Do you always follow Sam’s rules?” Jinx cocked a brow.
“Hardly ever.” She laughed and allowed her hands to glide atop the surface of the water.
“Didn’t think so.”
“He has lots of rules and rarely follows them himself.”
“Well, he has earned the right.”
“Spoken like a true man,” she said impudently.
“I just know what the man must be going through.”
“Really? Curious, would Ilene be upset that you’re here with me?”
“No, why would she be?”
She tossed the ends of her wet hair over one shoulder. “I would be. I mean, if you were mine.”
He realized that somehow there had been a miscommunication and Justice thought Ilene was his girlfriend. “Ilene is my—Ilene?” He had to blink twice to make sure he was seeing clearly. Standing on the bank was his sister. He’d said her name and she’d appeared.
What was in that whiskey?
“Oh shit,” he muttered.
“That’s Ilene?” Justice asked.
“That’s her. All five-foot-one of fuck around and find out.” What the hell was she doing there? And how the hell did she know where he was? He started walking toward the bank, thankful that the second he saw his sister his body went as limp as an overcooked noodle.
“Isn’t she a bit young?” Justice said to his back.
“In her mind, she’s turning thirty,” he grumbled. By the time he reached Ilene, she was tapping her foot against the dirt, her arms crossed over her chest.
Ness burst into the clearing, hair matted to her forehead with sweat and her breathing labored. “I’m getting too old for this. I told you to wait up, Ilene.” Ness saw Jinx and she gave a nervous laugh. “Sorry, Jinx. It was either bring her here or she would sneak out at night and come here to see you. It appears she lacks patience.”
He swiped his jeans off the ground and dragged them on. Then he finally asked Ilene, “What are you doing here?”
Her sapphire gaze traveled past his shoulder, and Jinx knew, without a doubt, that Justice had emerged from the water, too. Respectfully, he picked up her shirt and handed it to her.
“Who’s she?” Ilene had no filter.
“A friend. Now answer my question,” he demanded. “Why are you here, and how did you know where I was?”
After she gave Justice a lengthy, curious examination, Ilene planted her heated gaze back onto Jinx. “I’m tracking you with the same app you’re tracking me with. I figured if you could keep tabs on where I am, it would only be fair if I did the same. Why am I grounded?” Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips pursed. She certainly did have the provoked expression down.
“Wouldn’t it have been much easier to call and ask?” he groaned.
"Maybe you should've picked up your phone," she smirked. "You always tell me that if I can't answer my phone when you call, I don't need one."
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and saw that she’d called twice, once hours ago and another time when Justice distracted him. Ness had also called him a handful of times. He’d have to update the tracking app. “You’re not going to have access to my location. You’re fifteen. I’m thirty. Big difference.” He scowled.
“You say that as if I was born yesterday.”
Justice was dressed and standing next to him now. “Hi. I’m Justice Rose,” she said to Ness and Ilene who wore a pouty face.
“Hello! It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Ness. The aunt.” She slunk forward, shaking Justice’s hand. “Sorry for the intrusion. Impatience runs in the family if you haven’t noticed. And stubbornness.” Ness directed her gaze at Ilene.
“So, you two are…?” Justice pointed from Jinx to Ilene.
“Brother and sister,” Jinx said, wondering if he saw relief in Justice’s expression.
“Yeah, this is my brother. A.K.A my non-biological father,” Ilene said with a roll of her eyes.
“Ahh…okay.” Justice gave Jinx a tapered glare before she said to Ness and Ilene, “And no apology is needed. It sounds like there’s an important issue that needs clearing up.”
“An issue? More like a gargantuan error! Aunt Ness told me I’m grounded for two weeks, so I can’t go to the dance. Billy has already asked me to be his date, and I accepted.”
Jinx pulled on his shirt. “That pretty much sums it up.”
“What did I do?” she whined.
“You got two Cs on your report card. You know the rules.” He stuffed his feet into his socks and boots. He felt a bit cornered being one male against three females staring at him like they waited for him to say one wrong word to toss him in the water with cement in his boots to weigh him down.
“What is the big deal? You didn’t make straight As either.” Ilene practically hissed.
He couldn’t argue that point. “I worked to the best of my ability. You are much smarter than I was, and your grades are lower because you’re not doing your homework. I spoke to Mrs. Alley, and she informed me you’ve missed turning in two assignments in both classes and were given a zero.”
She dropped her arms at her sides. “That’s crazy! Mrs. Alley is the principal and doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I refused to do a paper on the topic the teacher gave us. I don’t wish to write a paper on a selection of scientists who are all dudes.”
“What about the other class? Daily Living.”
“I hate that boring class. I’m supposed to learn how to sew a pillow and bake moist brownies,” she huffed.
“Then why did you sign up for the class?” Why did they have to have this conversation in front of Justice? The last thing he needed her to think was that he failed to raise his sister.
“I didn’t sign up for the class. I wanted to take advanced literature, and Mrs. Alley refused to let me sign up. She said I couldn't handle the workload.”
“It would seem that you two might need to chat alone,” Justice said.
“I think I’ll join you,” Ness said.
“Are you hungry?” Justice asked her, taking her by the arm. They started heading toward the treeline, a.k.a. the escape route.
“I could use a bite.”
“It’s taco and margarita night at the Rose house, of course it’ll probably just be me for dinner. Dolly makes the best carnitas you've ever tasted.”
“I’m already salivating,” Ness said.
“Don’t you two dillydally,” Justice called over her shoulder. “Cold tacos are never as good as warm tacos. I’ll ride with Ness. See you both soon.”
Jinx watched Justice and Ness disappear onto the path like two old friends.
When he looked back at Ilene and saw her anxious expression, his mood lightened a bit. He realized this situation had upset her enough that she needed it handled immediately, which is why she demanded that Ness drive the few hours to find him.
“Ilene, I get it. No one wants to write a paper on something they can’t relate to. How about we make a compromise? You write a paper on any scientist that interests you, and I’ll speak to Mrs. Alley first thing Monday morning. Deal?”
“The assignment was to write on the prepared list of scientists. We don’t have intellectual freedom. It’s like prison 2.0.”
"You have the freedom to write about anyone who inspires you. Then submit it.” The moment he saw the tension fade from her expression, a sense of relief washed over him.
“Will I be ungrounded then?”
“Yes, once the paper’s finished and turned in. And just so we’re clear, you’re not going to track me through an app,” he said firmly.
“Does that mean we can both take the app off our phones?”
“No, but good try. Hungry?” he asked as he grabbed his hat off the branch and planted it on his head.
“For tacos and margaritas?” Her eyes glistened in mischief.
“For tacos and milk. Remember how Ma would serve us milk with every dinner?”
The corners of her mouth played with a smile. “I hate milk. Maybe I can have a virgin margarita.”
He shook his head. The child was going to be the death of him. “How about a soda?”
“Fine,” she whined. “Justice is beautiful. Can I be a bridesmaid?”
“How about you slow your roll?” He chuckled, yet he couldn’t help but think that maybe his sister was onto something.