Chapter 9
9
W ith the mad rush of the weeklong cooking spree over, Tansy woke late on Monday—six thirty was late in her books—to the familiar scent of fresh coffee drifting through the house.
Which was lovely. Coffee she didn’t have to make was always a treat, at least once she’d trained them to make it properly.
But more, there was that something else that was different—her senses tingled with an awareness that she wasn’t alone.
Tansy snickered. She was never alone, not in the bustling ranch house that was High Water, but this was different.
Jake was here now. Living here.
She stared at the ceiling, trying to process the shift. Jake had moved in. Not forever, she reminded herself. Just for a little while to make sure things stayed running smoothly and to help Jinx feel safe. But it did mean he was right there, across the hall from her.
One quiet midnight walk away…
Tansy groaned and threw off the blankets, swinging her feet out of bed. “Temptation does not need to be answered,” she muttered. “It needs to be resisted.”
The pep talk didn’t do much to quiet the butterflies in her stomach or the vivid images flashing through her brain. How did Jake sleep? Naked, or did he…
“Creeper,” she scolded herself. Definitely veering into creeper territory. Shoving a facecloth under cold water was barely a punishment—her cheeks grew hot thinking of the man stretched out naked in bed.
When she finally made her way to the kitchen, Jake was there, sitting at the table with a half-empty mug of coffee and his phone in his hand. He glanced up and offered a lazy smile that did nothing to calm her.
“Morning, Sunshine,” he greeted. “You’re finally up.”
Amusement hit hard. “Didn’t realize you were an early riser.”
“Didn’t realize you were one to sleep in.”
She smirked but didn’t reply. Grabbing her own mug of coffee, she leaned against the counter, trying not to stare for too long. He always looked so at ease, as if he belonged.
The easy confidence both irritated and attracted her. She’d bet the man could walk into any room and instantly feel as if he was home. For her, pretending to belong was a long practiced deception.
Which made staring at him all the more necessary and dangerous. She headed to the counter and made herself breakfast.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, the house started to come to life as the rest of the family filtered in. It was the usual chaos—Aiden discussed the ranch chores planned for the day with Don and Tony. Declan tried to coax Jinx into eating more than just toast and peanut butter. Petra and Kevin debated about the layout for the next artists’ event. And then, as quickly as it began, everyone else was gone, off to tackle the day.
As Tansy rinsed her coffee mug, Jake lingered in the kitchen, watching her with an amused glint in his eye.
“So.” He settled a hip on the table. “Remember what I said about taking you out for a real date?”
Tansy raised a brow. “As opposed to a fake date?”
Jake shrugged. “I don’t want you to miss out on the benefits of planning. I want to put my skills to the test and show you how amazing a real, thought-out date can be.”
A snort escaped, and she shook her head. “We’re supposed to be working on your spontaneity. You have no idea how wonderful go-with-the-flow can be.”
“I’ll get there,” he said, lowering his voice as he stepped closer. “But that’s why I think you’ll be surprised. A little planning can go a long way.”
A terrible thought slipped in. “How much planning, Jake? Please tell me you’re not one of those guys.”
A crease formed between his eyes. “Which guys?”
Tansy held up a hand, lifting a finger with each comment. “Accidental arm bump. Fingers touch. Holding hands. Hand caress over cheek. Curl hand around back of neck and stare into eyes, then kiss.”
If anything, he looked more confused.
She lifted her other hand. “After kissing, hands over body. Move to torso—linger if you’re a breast man, but otherwise head south rapidly. The occasional shiny unicorn will repeat the same path with mouth. Progress to penetration as quickly as possible.”
She stood with both hands in the air, fingers spread wide.
Shock and outrage battled on Jake’s face. “What the fuck was that?” he demanded.
“The steps to get from random meetup to sex.”
Horror won over all the other emotions flitting over his expression. “Guys do that?”
A snort escaped her, and she folded her arms over her chest. “They shake it up a little, but yeah. I mean, I get it. Foreplay is a thing some people don’t seem to need.”
“Sex is not a checklist.”
“My point exactly, which is why I always baled on any date that started feeling like sex by the numbers. Which is to reassure you that I’m not here with an agenda or expectations. If it’ll help you learn important life lessons, kiss me out of the blue.” Her lips twitched, but she kept a blank expression. “And then show me that day’s page in your planner so I can check it doesn’t say ‘Kiss Tansy.’”
He laughed. “So much for getting points for my colouring page.”
Too funny.
“No, Tansy. I’m not one of those guys.” Jake offered his best smolder. “Sex is one area where I can guarantee that I’m very spontaneous.”
The shiver that took her was delicious and dangerous.
“Time to get back on track.” Tansy crossed her arms, feeling the spark of a challenge. “Fine. You get to plan one date, but I’ll plan one as well, whatever that means. Then we’ll vote to see which one was better.”
He raised a brow. “Oh, it’s a competition now?”
“Everything is a competition,” she replied with a smirk. “Besides, I do want to see what you think constitutes a ‘real’ date. Considering we already went out for dinner.”
Jake grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. “All right. I’ll take that challenge.” He paused, tilting his head. “But since I need time to plan, why don’t you go first? How about tonight or tomorrow?”
Tansy considered for a moment, scrambling for ideas. She could wing this. No problem. “Fine. Tomorrow right after lunch,” she said without blinking. “Pack a swimsuit.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re not about to chop a hole in the ice of the nearest frozen lake, are you?”
She laughed. “Trust me, it’ll be fun. You’re not a stick-in-the-mud, right?”
His hesitation only made her grin wider. She did have a plan forming, such as she ever did, and it didn’t involve icy dips. It would definitely take him out of his comfort zone, and it would help deal with one of their biggest issues.
The need for some hands-on time.
“Only us five for lunch?” Petra asked Jake.
Aiden stood at the counter, plating sandwiches for himself and Petra. Kevin and Tansy were already seated as Jake brought the iced tea pitcher to the table.
“Declan took the hands out riding this morning. They won’t be back until late,” Jake told Petra.
“ Brrr .” Tansy wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s far too cold to spend the entire day outside.”
“Agreed.” Petra took the plate Aiden handed her with a thanks then eyed Tansy hard. “What are you up to?”
Jake turned immediately to make sure he had a prime view of whatever followed. He hadn’t been about to say anything, but Tansy had basically spent all morning wearing a smirk that was somehow simultaneously adorable and annoying.
Thank goodness someone else had finally noticed and called her on it.
“Tell me,” Petra demanded. “I see mischief written all over your face.”
“Mischief? Moi? Never .” Tansy’s snort of amusement landed the same moment as Petra’s ha!. “Fine. I’m taking Jake out this afternoon for a date I planned.”
Across the table from them, Aiden and Kevin both froze. Aiden’s lips twitched, but Kevin looked confused. “You planned ? What does that even mean?” he asked.
“That Jake isn’t going to know what hit him,” Petra muttered into her glass.
“Sounds about right,” Tansy agreed far too quickly, and between Aiden’s snicker and Petra’s grin, suddenly Jake was a whole lot more uncertain about surviving his afternoon.
He sat, turning to Kevin. “If I need an emergency extraction, I have you on speed dial, agreed?”
Kevin raised his hands in the air in protest. “Hey, I’m booked this afternoon. You’re on your own.”
Interesting. Distracted for a moment, Jake examined Kevin closer. “Who are you meeting with? The hands are all out riding.”
Their resident psychologist shrugged, focusing on his plate. “Never said I had a work meeting.”
Now Jake was really curious. “You have a date?”
“Well, that would make sense, wouldn’t it?” Kevin lifted his sandwich to his mouth and took a big bite, ensuring his mouth was too full to answer nosy questions.
Petra was delighted. “You can try to keep it a secret, but it’s doubtful that will last long. Life would be much simpler if you simply told us.”
The man nodded but kept silently chewing.
Which meant the rest of the meal was dedicated to tormenting Kevin and not teasing Tansy for more details. A far better use of their time, Jake decided.
Still, when the meal was over and Tansy all but hauled him toward the door, Jake had to laugh. “You safe to drive? You’re bouncing pretty hard.”
“Of course. Just ready for fun and games.” Mischief sparkled in her eyes. “You?”
“More ready than I thought I’d be.”
He swung both their bags over his shoulder then took her hand and walked beside her to her SUV.
He waited until they were on the highway to speak again. “You plan to give me any hints about what’s happening on this date?”
“You’re going to enjoy yourself, that’s what. And it won’t involve freezing your ass off riding country highways with your brother and the ranch hands.”
Tansy’s smile was so bright Jake couldn’t look away. “Okay. I trust you.” He settled back in his seat and watched out his window so he didn’t try to guess where they were going.
The winter day was made colder by the grey clouds overhead. Jake was glad he wasn’t out on horseback at the moment. They sat in a comfortable silence, the SUV making odd noises at times, until Tansy pulled in at the long drive beside the decorative wooden sign that declared Red Boot Ranch .
“We’re headed to Petra’s brother’s place?” Jake asked.
“Sort of, but not really. Patience is a virtue,” Tansy teased.
He had no idea what was going on as she guided the van down a twisting road, all the way past the small rental cabins and the barns.
When she finally pulled into a parking space outside a not-quite-finished building, Jake’s suspicions flared. “That sign says spa .”
“Don’t worry, it’s not open yet. I’m not making you do a mani-pedi or anything.” Tansy cut off the engine then waggled her brows at him. “Although, speaking of spontaneity, you might decide you like having a pedicure.”
“That’s someone touching my feet?” Jake made a face then joined her at the cleared path that led to the oversized cabin. “Unlikely.”
“Ticklish?”
He didn’t offer an answer, although, hell yeah.
Thankfully, she stepped forward, pushed through the unlocked door, and entered the spa. The inside lit up as she hit a panel of lights, and Jake glanced around, expecting to see…
Well, someone, to be honest. But the foyer with a pristine white front counter topped with a cedar plank was empty. Peaceful yet upbeat art hung on the walls—images of wide open lakes and wheat fields and sunflowers made of multiple layers of fabric and paint.
Tansy tapped at her phone for a moment, and soft music began playing. She finally turned and caught his eye. “Ta-da. Here we are.”
“Here we are, indeed.” Jake stepped in a slow circle, trying his best to be a good date for Tansy. Someone who embraced spontaneity instead of desperately attempting to figure out what happened in closed spas.
Laughter spilled toward him, and he turned away from what looked to be a massage room to take in Tansy in all her glory. Brown eyes bright, the gold in the core flashing at him in amusement as she pulled her hair into a ponytail high on the top of her head and secured it with a purple thing off her wrist.
“Time to put you out of your misery.” She nodded, the top fluff of blonde hair sticking upright bouncing with the motion. “I’m ready if you are.”
“Me too.”
An instant later, he was tugged down the hall, Tansy sweeping him up in her wake. “Here’s the first thing you need to know. The spa is not officially open. Red Boot is adding services for their dude ranch guests, but not until the spring. We’re testing the place out for them.”
“Since there’s no official staff, does that mean I get to give you a massage?” The suggestion came out an octave lower than usual, need colouring his voice.
She jerked to a stop, twirling against him. Heated palms pressed to his chest as she smiled. “Better. Get your swimsuit on and meet me in that room.”
After a quick point across the hall, she tucked him into a small changing room and vanished.
Jake stripped at the speed of light. His board shorts didn’t do much to hide his hardening dick. Empty rooms to themselves with showers and massage tables available? Swimsuits might mean a hot tub…
Yeah, he was already enjoying this.
He slipped across the hall, shocked to discover Tansy had beaten him there. The room was about the size of High Water’s main living space, the air extra warm as it swirled around his bare shoulders. The faintest hint of coconut and fresh clean wood ash filled his nose.
Recessed lighting turned low created a golden glow that danced over Tansy’s bare legs and torso as she leaned over and placed a couple of pots beside what looked like a sunken, half-full wading pool.
Flickering sparkles danced back at him from the teeny square of yellow fabric barely covering her mighty fine ass. He could cup one cheek in his hand, and his fingers would easily slip under the edge of the fabric and stroke and tease until she was panting his name. And that’s just where he’d start. Next he’d dive in on her breasts before returning to that addictive mouth of hers…
Of course, Tansy being Tansy, she would probably kill him if she knew exactly how dirty the thoughts racing through his head were.
Scratch that. She’d kill him for making a list.
She stood and turned, and damn if he could stop his gaze from dropping to her breasts. The sweet, soft swells were covered with equally tiny triangles that matched her briefs.
Briefs? His gaze dropped farther, stuttering to a stop over her mound. It too was a golden-wrapped present he wanted to open this instant, preferably with his teeth.
God. Jake swallowed hard to stop from drooling as every inch of her seemed to glisten.
“You seem onboard with our date.” Tansy waited until he met her eyes then deliberately dropped her own gaze to the tenting in his trunks. “If that’s any indication.”
His cock hardened even farther. “I have a whole lot of ideas. Really good ideas.”
She grinned. “Hold that thought. Here’s the second thing you need to know. We’re sharing a mud bath.”
Images of her naked under his hands vanished…replaced with confusion. Not enough to completely make his erection flag, but clarification would help. “That stuff ladies put on their faces?”
“Sometimes.” She held a hand to him, and he took it willingly, stepping into the wading pool thing with her. “Third thing. We are not having sex today.”
He stroked a hand up her forearm and over the curve of her bare shoulder. “That’s okay. I mean, I’d like to, but going slow is fine.”
“No, going slow sucks,” Tansy complained. “Turns out spontaneity is good for some things, but not the timing of sexy-time dates with period schedules. And while sex is not always off-limits when I’m on my period, that’s not what I want for our first time.”
Jake laughed. “Okay. Does that mean the planner in this relationship gets a bonus point for being able to time our next date during a period-free time frame?”
“You get a point for not freaking out when I mentioned my period.”
Yeah. He knew what she was talking about. He shrugged. “Our stepdad knocked the embarrassment out of us good when we were teens, explaining more than the health videos in biology class. Jeff said if we didn’t know how females were built, including the day to day reality of menses, hormones, and societal expectations, we had no right going near the enticing parts for fun.”
She guided him to the lower edge of the pool, laughing the entire time. “Your dad was a rock star.”
“He really was.”
Jake’s feet to his knees were immersed in warm water. Not hot enough to make him sweat, but enough to be aware the water was there. It was like sitting in an upside down layer cake. His feet on the bottom, hips resting on the middle layer. The pots rested on the top layer, about rib height on him.
Tansy crawled over his lap, knees resting on the tiles on either side of his hips. “Thanks for being understanding.”
“Screw that.” Jake cupped her face in his hands. “You’re here. I’m here. We’re both barely dressed, and I’m about to touch your gorgeous body. I’m already having a fucking great time.”
She stroked her hands over his shoulders, gaze following the tickling caress as a mischievous smile twisted her lips. “The mud bath needs explaining because we got in this afternoon as guinea pigs. Petra’s brother Zach and his bestie are the thinker types. Turns out when they went excavating for some new building here on the ranch, they found ashes from a volcanic eruption that happened over seven thousand years ago.”
“Ah, the plot thickens. Literally. The mud involves these ashes?” Jake asked, slowly smoothing his hands down her waist.
“Mount Mazama is about to be all over you,” Tansy agreed. “We’ll have to report back in twenty-four hours if we had any adverse reactions, but so far, they’ve tested and tried it a bunch on themselves and had no problems.”
Jake teased his fingers along her bikini bra straps. “I have one concern. This bikini is make my jaw drop pretty. I’d hate to see it get stained from ancient volcanic muck.”
Her grin widened. “Breast man, are you?”
“All of you, every inch. That’s my current obsession,” he corrected, tugging gently on the strings. “I won’t go near your pussy if that’s off-limits but give me these.”
She took a long slow breath as if considering hard before nestling in closer and breathing her answer in his ear. “When you have the time, you’re welcome to strip me naked.”
Which meant ASAP as far as he?—
Tansy kissed him, and all plans and agendas except her lips on his went out the window. With warm skin under his palms, Jake stroked and petted the smooth skin on her back as he tangled his tongue with hers. The weight of her in his lap was barely there, yet everything. He sucked her tongue, and she gasped. He tugged at her bikini top ties, and the fabric scraps hung between them as he held her torso so tight to his her every breath rose and fell against him.
“Jake?”
She murmured his name against his lips, and he pulled back far enough to see her eyes, liquid with lust. “Yeah?”
“Mud bath time.”
Something hot and wet and sticky smeared as she guided her open fingers over his chest. The scent of ash and coconut grew stronger, and his lips twitched as Tansy reached into the nearest pot and scooped up a second handful of the rich, black-brown gunk.
He let her work in silence for a few minutes, loving the heated touches and how she teasingly rocked along his erection over and over as she reloaded with more ammunition. She traced the lines of his abdomen, outlining squares as her lips curled. “Six pack. Happy trail. It’s like sexy algebra.”
When she stroked her fingers to the very edge of his trunks and lingered there, even he had a limit.
“My turn.” It came out a half growl, half curse.
Tansy eased back on his thighs, lifting her chin. Her perfect breasts aimed straight at him.
Jake shifted the pot to beside his hip so he wouldn’t have to interrupt his explorations. Carefully, he dipped one finger into the moist mess then lifted his hand toward her torso.
She took a deep breath, and her breasts rose tantalizingly.
Jake redirected and drew a muddy line down Tansy’s nose.
Laughter burst free. “ Jake .”
“Being spontaneous,” he told her proudly. “Also, I’m not mudding up your tits until I’ve had a chance to do this.”
He wrapped his hands around her hips and hefted her upward to line up properly. Leaning close, he curled his lips over the peak of her right breast and sucked the tight tip into his mouth.