Chapter 14
14
“ C ondom?”
“Side table.” He picked her up and twirled, landing her on the mattress beside him. “In a hurry, sweetheart?”
She slapped her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back. A second later she straddled his thighs, trapping him in place— ha —leering down at him and enjoying every second of this wild, delightful dance. “You have no idea.”
He reached down and fisted his cock, jerking it through the fabric of his briefs. “Trust me. I have some fucking idea.”
Which meant they were both laughing when she grabbed the edge of his briefs and stripped them off him. He stopped laughing when she dropped and covered him with her mouth. She barely got in one delicious suck before he tumbled her off, peeled away her underwear and panties and slid between her thighs. Pinning her in place, his weight over her was heavy and perfect.
He stared into her eyes, gaze intent. “Some things we don’t rush.”
He rocked back, caught her legs, and lifted them skyward. A second later his mouth was over her sex as he licked every hot spot she had with incredible accuracy. As if he’d found the primer on How To Make Tansy Into A Quivering Bowl Of Jelly In Thirty Seconds Or Less .
Tansy closed her eyes and thrilled in the sensation of being wanted so desperately. Of being given to so freely. But as pleasure rose and the edge of the precipice neared, she used the fingers tangled in his hair to jerk him off her sex far enough to reconnect their eyes. “Put on the condom.”
He grinned. “Yes ma’am.”
She wanted to help. She wanted to do the next thing.
Somehow with the two of them laughing at their fumbling fingers, the condom was on and he was back between her legs. Lining up and sliding inside so slowly. So perfectly.
“Oh God. That’s good,” Tansy breathed.
Joined. Connected. Jake leaned on one elbow and brought his free hand to cup the side of her face. Rocking his hips slowly, keeping the pulse of pleasure inside her core hovering at an about to explode point. But his eyes—intense, hot. He examined her for another moment then leaned in and kissed her, tongues tangling as he picked up the pace and drove harder. Deeper.
Tansy lifted her legs and wrapped them around him, digging her heels into his butt and offering as good as he gave. Slamming together with what should have been too much pressure but again—perfection.
“Fuck.” Jakes face screwed up, his rhythm faltering.
Tansy slid a hand between them to slick her fingers over her clit for the final touched she needed. His hand joined her a second later, harder and more direct as he took over and demanded her body’s response.
A noise between a moan and a groan escaped her that was one hundred percent hell yes .
Pleasure exploded then fell around her like sexy confetti. Jake thrust in one last time and stilled, the groan from his lips the perfect musical accompaniment to her noisy climax.
They lay there, tangled together and panting into each other’s faces until Jake chuckled. He pulled back far enough to kiss her gently before running his fingers over her cheek and jaw. “You know how to cook in the bedroom as well.”
“When you’ve got a gift,” Tansy teased.
She kept her hands around his face so she could pull him down for another long, slow, intimate kiss.
When he finally pulled away, there was amusement written all over him. “I need to deal with the condom. Then I really should feed you.”
“You really should,” Tansy agreed. “I hear that’s what happens on well-organized dates.”
His eyes sparkled. “We’ll have to call this date the perfect blend of planning and spontaneity.”
Tansy pretended to consider. “Maybe we should decide that in the morning over breakfast.”
Jake grinned.
It wasn’t as if sex changed everything, Tansy thought. Yet somehow, it totally did.
From the minute they crawled out of bed the next morning and headed into their day, an additional thread of connection wove between them.
It wasn’t only the smirk that Jake wore. Okay, she saw the same expression on her own face every time she looked in the mirror.
It was more .
Five days after the perfect date, Tansy packed a bag full of goodies and joined Rose and Fern as they headed to the hospital for a visit.
Stepping into the scent of antiseptic, with nondescript, white-walled corridors around them, Tansy slowed. This was not where she wished they’d be doing this.
Fern slipped her arm around Tansy and guided her forward, tipping her head into Tansy’s shoulder briefly. “It’s okay. Kelli’s fine, and the baby’s fine. They’re just being cautious.”
“I know that,” Tansy said. “But of all the people to have complications during labour and delivery, I never expected it would be Kelli. She’s bombproof.”
On her other side, Rose took the goodie bag from Tansy then linked their fingers together. “We all know that’s not true. There’s no telling what might happen, especially when it comes to giving birth. But Fern is right. Focus on the good stuff. Everyone is doing great, and we’re about to get to snuggle a brand-new baby.”
Kelli wasn’t alone in the room. Luke sat in the recliner beside the bed. His shirt was open, and he had a tiny bundle wrapped in a blue blanket against his bare chest. His big hand held the baby locked in place, but his eyes were closed and his breath flowed in a smooth rhythm that said he was sound asleep.
Tansy and her sisters slipped into the room quietly, pausing until Kelli motioned them forward.
“It’s okay if you wake Luke. He’s been out for a while, and if he stays in that position for much longer he’s going to walk like a troll.” Kelli reached a grabby hand toward Tansy’s bag. “Tell me you brought cookies.”
“Cookies, cupcakes, and apple turnovers,” Tansy assured her. “How are you doing?”
Kelli patted the side of the bed for Tansy to join her then offered a smile to both Fern and Rose. “I have stitches in places where no woman ever wants stitches, but I have a healthy baby, and the doctor assures me everything is still intact. I will be out riding… horses …again, eventually.”
Rose slipped in to give Kelli a hug. “That’s good to know, but first you concentrate on healing.”
“I will. Why don’t you steal Kyle from Luke?”
Rose and Fern eased away, congratulating the groggy Luke as he woke and somewhat unwillingly passed over his son.
Tansy caught Kelli’s fingers in hers, speaking quietly with her friend. “You with an emergency C-section was not the news I was looking forward to.”
“Me, neither.” Kelli made a face. “I love the fact that we made a baby. I am not enamored of the whole birth experience.”
“I don’t blame you,” Tansy agreed.
Kelli leaned in so her words stayed private. “I know you’re here to love on my son, but first, I never got apprised about the date. Tell me.”
Warmth built in Tansy’s chest. “It went so well. Yes, the sex didn’t suck, but it was definitely about more than just sex. Jake’s pretty amazing.”
Her friend smiled. “I could have told you that from the expression on your face. But you take care of you, yes? You’re worth it, girlfriend. Remember that.”
“I’m working on it,” Tansy promised.
The really fun thing was, as the days continued and she slipped into the busy routine of cooking and prepping for events in the art studio, Tansy found it easier to believe.
But the part that didn’t change was they still had everything else to deal with. Jake still slept in his room across the hall from her. They had plenty of things to occupy their time without each other, between the cooking Tansy had to do for High Water, plus a slew of events in the art studio over the next couple of weeks.
Jake was kept busy making sure Logan got on his feet. The kid—and he really was still a kid, barely turned twenty—hadn’t shared anything more about his past but had slowly accepted that he was welcome on the ranch.
March passed, part of April. The original hands moved on. While there was no reason for Jake to stay in the house anymore, he kept sleeping there, and no one said a word.
Being an established couple, accepted by her friends and his brothers—it felt right. Felt real.
It was such an odd sensation not to have her past hanging over them.
Jake kept being patience personified, and with every day that passed, she got that much closer to believing that this was really happening. That she didn’t have to lay herself bare and yet he’d still care about her.
Maybe even love her…
A kazoo blasted in her ear and brought her back to the here and now. Tansy blinked then smiled at her nephew. “Hey, Carter.”
“Happy birthday, Auntie Tansy. You’re supposed to come and cut the cake with Auntie Rose.”
“Perfect. You’re my escort, then? Give me your arm.”
Ten-year-old Carter made a face. “Okay, but you’re too tall for me.”
“It’s good practice for when you get bigger and end up taller than all the girls in your life. You’ll have some perspective.” Tansy slipped her fingers over his elbow, adjusted them slightly, then nodded her approval. “Lead on.”
The kid was a gem. He lifted his chin and got into it, back poker straight as if he were a gentleman. They slow marched all the way through the house from where she’d been daydreaming quietly on the front porch swing to the back garden where the rest of the family was gathered.
Jake glanced over from where he stood with Walker and Chance, his grin widening as he spotted her. Jake pivoted on a heel and made an interception course.
“May I take over?” Jake asked Carter politely.
“Nope.”
Tansy bit her lips to keep from snickering as her nephew laid a possessive hand over her fingers and locked her in place. Carter lifted his chin, stubbornness written on every inch of him.
Jake straightened. “No?”
Carter shook his head. “Mom said if I found Auntie Tansy, I got an extra piece of cake. I’m not messing with that. I’m delivering her.”
Amusement shot sky high. It was a great reason to be fought over. “In that case, I agree. No changing of the guard at this point.” Tansy winked at Jake. “There is cake on the line.”
Jake raised his hands in the air in surrender, smiling as he backed away.
In a tradition they’d started years ago when Tansy had first joined the family, she and Rose linked hands and cut into the simple pan cake for their shared thirty-third birthday celebration.
Everyone sang the birthday song, then Walker played his guitar and sang a few more of their favourites. Rose ignored her fiancée and tugged Tansy with her to the tire swing, curling up together as if they were once again thirteen years old.
Rose’s eyes shone as she took in the gathered family, lingering on Chance before moving over Jake. “He fits in pretty damn good,” she offered.
Tansy leaned into Rose’s side, left arm curled around her sister’s waist. “He’s a good man, Rose. I’m really enjoying having a steady boyfriend for the first time ever.”
“That’s good. But don’t be afraid to take the next step when it’s time,” Rose said softly.
“Does this mean you’ll take your own advice and pick a date for your wedding?” Tansy teased.
Rose’s expression went thoughtful. “Yup.”
Well damn. “Really?” Tansy demanded.
Her sister grinned back. “Midsummer. See how easy that was?”
Easy, huh? Tansy stared across the garden at Jake, coming to the conclusion that as much as she wanted more, it was too soon, all things considered.
For now, she’d just keep enjoying their here and now. Keep practicing looking into the future and not at the past.
Jake strode through the living room toward the front door when he realized for once no one else was around in the High Water ranch house. Just him and Tansy, who was busily cooking, with pots on the stove and ingredients all over the counter.
It was too good an opportunity to miss.
He pivoted on the spot, stopping directly behind her, hands on the counter on either side of her hips. He pressed against her back and nuzzled his lips to her neck. “Hello, beautiful. What’re you up to?”
“Making enchiladas. I thought you were out with the hands all day dealing with the arrival of the new flock?”
“Headed there soon enough,” he said nipping at her earlobe. “Only, I’m hungry.”
“There are leftovers in the— Oh my God , Jake.” Tansy’s head fell back on his shoulder because he’d slid his hands under her shirt and upward until he cupped her breasts. Working her nipples through the soft fabric of her sports bra, he kept up the assault on the sweet spot on her neck he knew drove her crazy.
Two and a half months. That’s how long they’d officially been doing this, and Jake couldn’t imagine it getting any better.
Well, except one thing at the immediate moment. He undid her button and zipper, jerked her pants down far enough he could slide his fingers between her folds, and went to work on her clit.
“Damn it, Jake. Anyone could walk in.” A protest, except she wasn’t moving away from him, she was rocking her hips in double time, twisting her head as if asking for his mouth to get back to where she loved it most.
“The way I’m standing, all they’ll see is me kissing you.” He put a foot between her feet and forced them farther apart so he could slide his fingers into her wet heat and work his thumb over her clit.
“You’re far more of a brat now these days than before,” she said between gasps. “Spontaneity looks good on you. Oh yes, that. That .”
“I had a good teacher.” He took her lips, kissing her deeply until it was time to swallow the gasp of her orgasm. Her sex convulsed around his fingers and he slowed, bringing her down as gently as he could until suddenly the fire alarm went off and they finally clued in that smoke was billowing from the pan on the stove.
Jake scrambled for the pan as Tansy dealt with her pants.
By the time supper rolled around and they were gathered at the table, the scent of smoke was mostly gone.
“If anyone says anything, I’m throwing you under the bus,” Tansy informed him on the sly as he helped carry plates of Mexican rice, the second batch of enchiladas, and the rest of the meal.
“Worth it.”
The only one who seemed to suspect was Aiden. His brother eyed his dinner plate, glanced at Tansy, grinned at Jake, then wisely held his tongue.
The table was nearly full to capacity. Him and his brothers, plus Petra, Tansy, Jinx, and Kevin made seven. The current round of ranch hands, which included their first women guests, May and Helen, added six more.
The delicately featured blonde May sported a black eye, courtesy of her soon-to-be ex-husband, but she’d held her head high and said she needed a spot to breathe for a few days before heading back to deal with the rest of the divorce. Helen was an older woman in her early sixties who hadn’t said much, but quietly stepped forward to help every chance she got. The two of them shared the final room in the house.
Three other men had arrived the previous week—Scott, Jon and Erik. Logan had moved into the men’s quarters, and with Kevin in the fifth room, High Water was full inside and out.
Scott planned to leave in a couple days, Jon the week after, so the ebb and flow of the ranch had begun to fall into place.
Halfway through the meal the conversation turned to plans for the next day.
“We’re all invited to Red Boot ranch tomorrow,” Petra announced. She made it an open-ended offer. “It’s Tansy’s day off from cooking, so if you want to stay home, you’ll have to fend for yourself. But if you feel comfortable joining us, it’s a safe spot. My sister-in-law’s baby is due this week, but the doctor has informed her that she’ll definitely go late. She wants distracting, so my brother Zach has invited us all out for the afternoon and a barbeque. It’s a quiet place with even better views than we have. Their foreman, Cody, says you’re all welcome to try your hand at roping or to take a trail ride.”
Jinx turned to May. “Red Boot is great. They have more horses than we do and a couple of really pretty colts that were born right after Christmas.”
The young woman nodded slowly. “I’d like to go for a trail ride if someone comes with me.”
“Aiden and I will go,” Petra offered. “Jinx?”
“Sure. Can Dixie come?” Jinx’s shadow sat at her feet as usual.
Declan snorted. “I don’t think we could pry her off you with a crowbar. She’s a well-trained animal. Zach won’t mind.”
Which meant after lunch the next day the entire bunch ended up at Red Boot ranch. Cody took one look at the ranch hands and immediately set up a barrel racing course. Most of the group went to the barns, but Tansy headed straight to Julia’s side.
Jake walked slower, keeping pace with Logan. The kid refused to use a cane, but he was strong enough again to make the long trip from the parking lot to where Julia and Zach had a comfortable seating area around a firepit.
“You don’t have to wait for me,” Logan grumbled.
Jake lifted his face to the sun and continued at his slow but steady rate. “It’s my afternoon off, kid. Stop trying to make me work harder than I have to.”
A snicker of amusement rose quietly from his side. “You’ve got some good friends,” Logan offered.
“Some of the best. I never expected it, but I really hoped for it.” Jake waved a greeting at Zach, who had just put a glass of water beside his very pregnant wife. “You want to relax for a while?”
Logan pointed to the chairs ahead of them and nodded. “Someday I’ll get back up on a horse, but for now, my bones still ache.”
It was a small group around the fire pit. Tansy pulled out a deck of cards and started playing crib with Julia. Logan put his feet up and closed his eyes, face upward as he soaked in the sunshine. Helen pulled out a sketchbook and began to draw.
At the railing, Zach was watching the crowd of men gathered in the arena. A smaller group were already on horseback, Dixie dancing at their heels as they headed out for their trail ride.
“We need days like this,” Jake offered as he stopped beside Zach.
“Definitely. Although I would enjoy it better if my wife wasn’t a million years pregnant.”
Which is when Jake noticed Zach had strategically placed himself so he could see the arena and keep an eye on Julia. “Any reason to worry?”
Zach made a face. “Doctor says no, but I keep thinking back to Kelli, who ended up with an emergency C-section. I hate not knowing when and what’s about to happen.”
“I hear you.” Although Jake had to admit he’d never had this situation to worry about.
Plus, he had gotten a little bit better at not freaking out over changed plans. It seemed his goal of learning to be more spontaneous was being beaten into him one day at a time, with Tansy’s willing encouragement.
“Screw it. I can’t even pretend I’m not hovering.” Zach strode back to the chair at Julia’s side. He dropped beside her so he could rub her back gently.
His friend occupied, Jake settled in the chair on the other side of Logan. He closed his eyes to soak in the sun, and shockingly, must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew he was waking to the sound of a low conversation to his left.
“You are getting stronger,” Tansy said.
“I guess,” Logan muttered. “Physically, maybe. It’s not enough.”
Jake stayed motionless, debating if he should move to show he was listening. But before he could decide, Tansy responded. “What do you mean?”
Logan sighed heavily. “I’ve had a lot of bad luck. One thing after another, it feels like. I’ve pretty much been on my own forever. I don’t think my life’s worth much.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut. That was it. Jake slid his eyes open, and rolled, finding a seat.
Logan glanced at him but turned back to Tansy, who was nodding slowly. Julia and Zach were far enough away that it was just the three of them in this small quiet space, and Jake vowed to keep his mouth shut.
Because while he’d had moments like that—feeling as if the world had given him nothing but hardships—he’d always had his brothers. He’d had Jeff.
“I used to feel that way,” Tansy admitted, her voice quieter now. She met Jake’s eyes straight on, paused as if considering. She lifted her chin and focused back on Logan. “Before I was adopted, I didn’t think I was worth much either.”
Interest caught, Logan sat up a little straighter even as Jake wrapped his brain around the clear message Tansy had sent.
She wanted him to hear this. Wanted him near.
“I was adopted when I was twelve,” Tansy continued. “The earliest memory I have as a child is being in a bad situation with people who should have cared for me but didn’t. Even when I got pulled out of that trouble at age nine, I ended up shuffled from foster home to foster home. I never stayed anywhere long enough to feel as if I belonged. By the time I came to Heart Falls, I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone. I didn’t think I’d ever find a real family.”
Something like hope flared in Logan’s eyes as he listened. “But you did?”
Tansy nodded. “The Fields took me in, and suddenly I had not only a home, but people who stubbornly loved me until I believed it was real. That changed everything.”
She paused, and Jake wanted to wrap his arms around her and hug her tight. Brave, giving woman. Sharing bits about her past to help Logan—it meant something powerful.
“Point is,” she continued, focusing back on Logan, “You might have had a ton of bad luck, but you’ve got a chance to start over here, with us. You have a home now for as long as you need it. It’ll take time, but things can get better. You need to decide if you’re willing to do the work.”
Logan considered her words, his expression guarded but a little softer. “Yeah.” He levered himself to vertical. “I’m gonna walk a little. Thanks for telling me your stuff.”
As Logan headed to the railing, Jake felt Tansy’s eyes on him. He slid onto the chair next to her, catching her hand in his.
“You were brave,” he said softly.
Tansy shrugged, trying to play it off. “He needed to hear it.”
“I needed to hear it.” Jake rubbed his thumb gently over her knuckles. “We’re all looking forward, though, right?”
“Working on it. Sometimes it feels as if I’m not fast enough, and I’m sorry,” she said with quiet regret.
“Don’t be. I think you’re incredible. And sexy,” he tossed out, just to lighten the moment. “Like make me want to ravish you against the barn sexy.”
With a laugh, she climbed into his lap and kissed him senseless. Things might have gotten out of control if not for the pillow that whacked into his head a few moments later.
“No sexy tomfoolery from you two,” Julia growled. “I don’t need to see it.”
Tansy twisted in Jake’s lap, holding tightly to his shoulders as she made a face at her friend. “You said you wanted to be distracted.”
A second pillow followed the first. “Playing cards, you heathen.”
“Fine. I’ll save it for later.” Tansy waggled her brows at him. “If that’s okay with you.
“Excellent by me,” Jake assured her.
The next hours were filled with good company and great food. The only one who seemed even the slightest bit put out was Zach. When Jake poked him about it, the other man sighed. “I was hoping the excitement of the day would send her into labour,” he admitted.
After a wonderful evening, they headed home. Only a few lights shone in the windows, glowing warm yellow in the darkness.
The ranch hands and Logan waved goodnight, heading to their dorms. The ladies slipped from Aiden and Petra’s truck, Declan bringing up the rear with Jinx and Dixie.
Jake shared Zach’s tidbit with Tansy as they left his truck and walked slowly toward the High Water ranch house.
“Julia would have loved to go into labour. She’s worried she’ll have the only forty-five week pregnancy on record.”
“Zach does like setting records.”
Her laughter echoing in his ears, Jake swooped Tansy into his arms. He stopped in place and leaned down to kiss her. A hit of the heat that constantly flared between them struck, but mostly this time it was about what they’d just shared with family and friends. The new closeness that kept building.
A moment later, she hummed happily. “Nice homecoming.”
He caught her fingers in his and strolled them toward the door. “It was a good day. Ready for a good night?”
“Always.” She raised a brow. “Full week ahead, though, so I can’t stay out all night.”
“Too bad. I’ll have to make sure I work a little faster?—”
“Jake? Is that you?”
He jerked to a stop, hauling Tansy with him.
It couldn’t be.
Yet five feet ahead of them, rising from the bench to stand in the porch light, was Melissa. She waved, the dark bags under her eyes completely out of place from the beautifully manicured face she usually presented to the world.
He was ready to demand what the hell she thought she was doing showing up uninvited when a little boy stepped out from behind her. More than a toddler, but not old enough to be his kid. A sad little white face with eyes full of fear.
A quiver in her voice, Melissa rested a hand on top of the kid’s head as he stood beside her. “I need your help, Jake. I don’t know where else to go.”