Page 82 of Rocky Mountain Home

They were both sucking for air as if they’d finished a marathon.

One perfect moment before reality kicked back in, and Jesse held on tight and enjoyed the sensation.

Chapter Fifteen

For the first time that day her muscles unclenched. Dare rested her head on Jesse’s shoulder and took a deep, albeit unsteady breath as she let the sexual bliss in her veins trickle through her system.

“God, I needed that.” Jesse sounded like Dare felt. Buzzed out on endorphins.

She let her fingers drift over his shoulders, slowly tracing the rock-firm muscles as he held her supported in midair. “Yeah, me too.”

Dare would’ve been happy with the day magically coming to a close right then. To be instantly whisked back to her place for some peace and alone time.

Unfortunately, she was all out of magic.

“Sorry I missed your meeting with my folks.” Jesse murmured the words against her neck, his tone sincere and a little sad.

“I’m still a bit pissed at you,” she admitted.

His chest moved against hers as he let out a huge sigh. “Yeah, there’s a lot of that going around.” She attempted to straighten up so she could examine his face, but he leaned against her harder. “Stay put for ten seconds, woman. We don’t have anywhere to be for a while.”

Time to recharge their batteries in private sounded great. But this position wasn’t one they could keep for much longer. “Could we at least pull up our pants?”

He chuckled softly, but separated them.

She bit back a moan at the teasing sensation as his body left hers. Her legs were shaky, and she held the gazebo for support as Jesse helped get her pants back on. Her blouse was useless, so he gave her his shirt, his hands lingered on the soft swell of her belly before he pulled back abruptly, jerking his jeans back into position as if angry.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded.

“I’m sorry.” Jesse growled the words.

Dare stared at him, confusion rushing in. “You better not be apologizing for the sex, because that was the first good thing about this entire day.” She paused. “Okay, I’m exaggerating, because Vicki turned out to be pretty nice, and your parents, and the baby, but…but what the hell are you talking about?”

He gestured toward her belly. “I shouldn’t have been so rough. It can’t be good for Buckaroo.”

Oh. Well, his concern was kind of sweet, even though it was uncalled for. “We’re okay. I think sex on a trampoline is on the banned list, but that was fine. That was awesome, in fact, and exactly what I needed.”

He led her to the bench and left her to get comfortable as he moved to the side of the fire pit and opened a small box that held supplies. He piled wood high then lit the kindling, the flames flickering steadily stronger. Dare stared at the orange and yellow flames crawling up the edge of the wood as Jesse returned to her side. She leaned her shoulder against his and they sat in silence.

Her body thrummed with lingering pleasure.

She had a special kind of situation with her family at Silver Stone. They were always around if she needed them, but with having her own place, she’d gotten used to being able to retreat and get away when she needed a moment of solitude. A moment to recharge and retreat from others’ expectations and judgment.

Dare took a quick glance at Jesse’s face.

He was watching the fire, but his expression had grown tight again. Dare debated coming right out and venting her displeasure with Blake’s high-handed dismissal.

Confusion rolled in along with her irritation—the refusal of Jesse’s generous offer had been clear, but Blake’s greeting toward her had been kind and sincere.

How was she supposed to deal with such contradictory reactions?

Jesse slipped an arm around her, tugging her against his side. “You upset with me?” He sounded tired.

“Mixed up, annoyed, confused.” Sitting side-by-side meant she couldn’t easily see his face, and maybe that was better. She stared at the logs as the fire consumed the fuel an inch at a time. “This whole trip might’ve been easier if you told me ahead of time there was something wrong between you and your brother.”

Jesse stiffened.

“I was one second away from punching him in the gut in the hospital,” she admitted.