Page 14

Fourteen

Jackson

Her hair smells like fresh air with a hint of something citrusy.

I woke up moments ago with her body wrapped around me, her head on my shoulder, and Ash whining at the door.

I don’t want to leave the bed though. I could let Ash do his own thing outside, which I would do at the ranch, but there’s no guarantee he won’t take off if I don’t keep an eye on him. I just don’t feel like putting on my prosthetic just yet.

It had been much easier than I thought it would be, taking the thing off in her presence. She didn’t shy away from it, which I was afraid of at first. I thought maybe she’d just avoid looking altogether, which would’ve been awkward. But she looked and she asked questions, and didn’t freak out when I revealed the gnarly scars.

She also didn’t treat me with kid gloves in bed. In fact, she was an eager participant in trying to find creative positions for us to try, for a good portion of the night, which is why it’s not my stump that is raw this time. Not that it stops my dick from going hard at the feel of her soft skin against mine.

I take in a deep breath and stroke my hand down the curve of her back.

“Are you sniffing me?” she mumbles, her lips moving against my neck.

“Maybe. You smell good.”

She abruptly lifts her head, looking at me through slightly swollen eyes.

“There’s something off with your olfactory senses then. I smell like sex.”

My mouth spreads in a wide grin.

“Sex smells good on you.”

She shakes her head. “You’re insatiable. You can’t possibly?—”

“Oh, but I can,” I interrupt her, grabbing her hand and guiding it to the hard evidence under the sheet.

Instantly her eyelids go half-mast and she licks her lips as she curls her fingers around my shaft, only making things worse. But then Ash spoils what could’ve been some early morning delight by scratching at the door and whining even louder.

“I should let him out before he pees on your couch.”

Stephanie bends down, pressing her spectacular tits against my chest as she drops a kiss on my lips.

“I’ll take care of it. I need to pee anyway.”

I reluctantly let go of her as she climbs out of bed, but can’t take my eyes off her as she moves toward the door, bold and buck naked. I’ll be damned if that confidence isn’t as much of a turn-on as the generous curve of her ass is. The woman has a killer body underneath that tight exterior, and she knows how to use it.

For a few moments I lie back, my hands folded behind my head, taking stock of my body. I feel good, relaxed. If my teammates saw the smile I can feel myself wearing, they’d know right off the bat where—and how—I spent the night. They’re getting to know me pretty well too.

I hear the sliding door open and force myself to get out of bed and into the shower. Maybe I can cook us breakfast, since we appear to have missed dinner last night. At least I did. I’m starving.

When I walk into the kitchen ten minutes later, freshly showered and wearing yesterday’s clothes, I find Stephanie by the sliding door staring outside. Ash is standing beside her doing the same thing, except he’s growling softly. Stephanie hears me approach, snaps her head around, and if Ash’s growls didn’t alert me, one look at her face would’ve told me something is wrong.

“What is it?”

My eyes drift outside and I see the bear right away. The animal is close to the deck, digging through what looks like a garbage bag.

Shit .

“Looks like he got into your garbage. Gotta make sure you lock that latch.”

“I did. I do. I don’t even think that’s my trash bag. He wasn’t out there when I took Ash out, but he was when I got back. I was barely able to grab Ash and get inside. This is a little too close for comfort,” she adds with a little shiver. “At least that first bear was across the creek. I knew there were bears, I just didn’t know they all seem to hang out here.”

I walk up to her and pull her in my arms.

“I don’t think they do, usually. I mean, you’ll see the odd one, but for the most part they try to avoid human interaction as much as they can.”

As if to illustrate my point, the bear grabs a corner of the bag and starts dragging it toward the shelter of the trees.

“Well, all I can say is, I’ll be carrying that bear spray and my gun whenever I so much as stick my head outside from here on in,” she mutters as she steps out of my hold. “I’ll put on some coffee but then I need a shower.”

“Go shower. I’ll get some breakfast going.”

My offer is met with a sweet smile and a brief brush of her lips. Then she disappears to the bedroom.

I glance out the sliding door to where the bear disappeared into the woods one last time, before I turn my attention to the coffeepot.

It’s not uncommon for bears’ territories to cross or overlap, so the fact a second bear shows up this close to the trailer within a relatively short time span could be purely coincidental. But it’s definitely piqued my attention. It’s possible some idiot is dumping their trash somewhere nearby, which wouldn’t be the first time, but other than being illegal, it can also create a hazard. I’ll be keeping my eyes out.

Whether it was the bear, finding Stephanie’s ex on her doorstep last night, or the fact a violent criminal she once put behind bars is out and possibly close by, my protective instincts have been shifted into high gear. I’ll be sticking close for sure, with or without an invitation.

Fifteen or so minutes later, when Stephanie walks in, her damp hair loose down her shoulders, I have cheesy scrambled eggs on avocado toast and coffee ready.

“I could get used to this,” she comments, taking a bite from her toast.

I shoot her a grin across the small table and jump at the opening.

“I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. I was already planning on bringing a bag when I come back tonight.”

She pulls one eyebrow up high.

“Tonight?”

Shrugging, I point at Ash, who has made himself very comfortable on her couch.

“My dog’s more comfortable here.”

I grin when she starts laughing.

“Shame on you; using your dog as bait,” she accuses me, but her eyes are sparkling with amusement.

“Hey, if it works…”

* * *

Stephanie

Janey is waiting for me in the doorway with question marks all over her face.

“What’s Ash doing with you??”

Jackson had just left this morning when she called to invite me over for lunch at her place. I jumped at the chance. Not only would it get me out of the house, but I’d love to get her perspective on what’s happening with Jackson. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the hell out of last night and waking up with him this morning, but I still worry this might be moving too fast.

I’ve been so focused on my career; I haven’t actually dated in a really long time and don’t know what is normal. I’m hoping Janey—who’s known Jackson longer than I have—may be able to give me some insight.

Bringing the dog was an afterthought. Call me silly, but I didn’t feel right leaving him at home alone when that bear might still be out there. Plus, I know he’s buddies with Ginger.

“I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“I don’t, but that doesn’t explain how he ended up with you,” she says, bending down to give Jackson’s dog some attention, before gesturing me inside.

Her house has undergone something of a transformation since I was first here last year. It had still been pretty outdated then—Janey having only recently moved in—but now boasts beautiful wide-plank hardwood floors, a comfortable open concept living space with as crowning jewel the fantastic new kitchen. Beyond that, out the sliding glass wall at the back, it opens up onto a large outdoor living space, where she is leading me right now.

“You don’t mind sitting outside, do you? It’s a nice day and we can let the dogs play.”

“Not at all.”

When we’re settled into the comfortable outdoor furniture with a glass of iced tea, she pins me with a look.

“Lunch has another ten minutes in the oven. So…the dog?”

I take a deep breath and blow it out.

“Has been staying with me for a few days,” I explain.

“Interesting. Just the dog, or the owner as well?” she probes with a sly grin.

My instinct is to clam up. I’ve never had a lot of girlfriends, don’t have a girl posse. In fact, technically, Janey is the only real friend I have, and I’m not used to sharing stuff. Talking about personal things feels a little unnatural, but I came here hoping to get her take on things, so I force myself to open up.

“Last night, both. Jackson came over a few times and a couple of days ago he brought Ash and left him with me. Then last night Jackson stayed over as well.” I take a deep breath and blow it out. “And it sounds like he’s coming back tonight.”

“Wow. Good for you,” she responds with a wide grin. “Jackson’s a good man. I love this for both of you.”

“You don’t think it’s too fast?”

She waves a dismissive hand at me. “Pfff, it’s not like you just met him. You’ve known him for a while.”

“Barely. Besides, I thought he was a bit of a grumpy ass.”

“I’m guessing you know better now.”

I nod. She’s right, I do. He’s kind and thoughtful, is a hell of a kisser, and—as I discovered last night— is a force in the bedroom.

“It was no different with me and JD. I thought he was a bit of an ass at first too, but then I got to know him and I was pretty much swept off my feet. These guys are all cut from the same cloth; once they set their eyes on you, they don’t mess around. They’re not wasting time.”

“So I’ve discovered,” I admit, but Janey must hear something in my voice, because she tilts her head to the side.

“But you’re not sure…”

“I’m sure I like him, but I feel like I’m stuck in a bit of a bubble. Everything is perfect inside, but when I try to look out, everything is blurry. Everything is shifting, and I’m not sure of anything anymore.”

“I get that. I do. It feels like a seismic shift is taking place in your life and you don’t quite know how to balance yourself and where to find steady ground.”

That’s exactly how I feel, and I’m so relieved to know she understands. “Yes, that’s it.”

She leans forward and pats my knee.

“Right, so then what you do is grab on to something steady and solid until you regain your footing.”

She sits back again and picks up her glass, taking a sip, while I quietly consider her words.

“Jackson is a good man,” she softly repeats. “Not perfect, but genuine, and I know he will do right by you. Don’t be afraid to lean a little while you sort out the rest of your life.”

Inside, the timer for the oven goes off, and Janey gets to her feet.

“Can I help?”

“Sure, you can toss the salad and top up our drinks.”

When we sit down at the outdoor table with the delicious-smelling oven dish with quesadillas and a big bowl of salad between us a few minutes later, I send Janey a smile.

“This looks amazing, and thank you for the pep talk.”

She grins back. “Let’s hope it tastes that way. Eat up. And, um, I may need a pep talk myself.”

“You?”

She dishes out the quesadillas and gestures for me to serve myself salad. I brush off Ash, who smells the food and shoves his head in my lap.

“Yeah. I meant when I said I know what it feels like when the earth shifts.”

I already had a bite heading for my mouth when I promptly put down the fork.

“Why? What do you mean?”

She looks at me and her eyes get glossy as she bites her lip.

“I’m almost forty years old, I’m newly married, my clinic is thriving, my house is the way I want it, and life is good…”

When she pauses, I prompt her, “But?”

“I saw my doctor yesterday.”

My imagination spits out every possible diagnosis that could follow a statement like that while I hold my breath, waiting for her to drop what I’m sure will be a bomb.

But then she says, “I’m pregnant.”