Explosive Memories (16 page)

And if she was completely honest, not knowing much about the cowboy who showed her understanding and tenderness left her feeling a bit deflated. Being here, getting to know the man himself, truly captured her heart.

The events of the past replayed in her head as they had many times before, but this time, she stopped fighting the memories and embraced them until the water ran cool.

****

Trent grabbed a garbage bag and placed the soiled linen inside, then picked up miscellaneous items from the floor before mopping the area. Cleaning up the Parker’s place took no time at all, but he hoped the few minutes would be enough for Jordan to clear her head, because he needed to see her, if only to reassure himself she was okay.

After the ambulance drove away, he turned to ask her how she was holding up only to see her sprinting away toward her cabin. She’d been a real trooper, jumping in and delivering the newest member to society. But the ordeal must have prompted a great deal of sorrow. He could only imagine how difficult tonight had been for her.

As many times as Trent watched animals being born, nothing compared to a human life. To imagine Jordan going into labor alone, without her parents or him, then to deliver a stillborn drew a knife into his heart.

Hurrying to his cabin, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey before continuing to Jordan’s door. The wood stood open, and the boots she wore lay on the floor, but he received no answer when he knocked.

Opening the screen, he let himself in. A path of clothes led to the bathroom, which he found odd. She didn’t strike him as the messy type. Everything else in the place was neat and organized. Alarm drove him closer to the door. Hearing the water shut off in the shower, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Trent made his way to the cupboard and extracted two glasses, filling them half-full of whiskey. He sank onto the couch and waited for Jordan to come out. Minutes later, she opened the barrier, steam billowing out behind her.

Drying her hair with a towel, she turned toward him and jumped.

“What are you doing here?” She tugged the thin, white, knee-length robe closed tighter.

“Checking on you.” He stood and crossed the room.

“I’m fine.”

He studied her freshly scrubbed face, and the longing to hold her was too great. Grasping her upper arms, he rubbed up and down in a slow, rhythmic motion. “Aren’t we past the lying game?”

Confusion shown in her gaze, and he knew she struggled with the notion of letting him in, letting him get close.

All at once, the fight drained out of her, and she sagged against his chest.

Not sure who needed the comfort more, he wrapped her in his arms, swaying back and forth. “Wanna sit?” he asked after a few moments.

Without answer, she shuffled over to the couch.

“Come here.” Lowering himself, he swiveled with his back on the arm of the sofa and positioned her between his outstretched legs.

“I’m okay, really. I was cold when I got home and couldn’t get warm. The hot water helped.”

“It’s seventy-some degrees outside.” How could she possibly be cold?

“I think I had a bit of anxiety coming on.”

“Here.” He pushed her up an inch or two to claim the glasses on the coffee table. “This might help.”

Jordan sipped the brown liquid and coughed. “What the heck is that?”

“Whiskey. Sure way to chase the chill away.”

Eyes watering, she placed the back of a wrist to her mouth. “Thanks.”

He chuckled. “Guess I should’ve warned you.”

“It’s okay. I forgive you.” Smiling, she swirled the liquor. “You know, for the first time, I let myself relive all that’s happened in my life. Going over and seeing each incident take place, step by step.” She twisted to one side. “I’ve always blocked the memories, thinking the pain would be too much, but then I remembered the fun times with my parents, the talks my mom and I would get off on. She really loved me. They both loved me.”

“How could they not…I mean, they’re your parents.” He sipped…or guzzled the drink. No way did he mean to imply he loved her. Like, yes, but he wasn’t ready to mistake that for more…again.

“I couldn’t see that before. And the baby, there was nothing I could have done. I ate fruits and vegetables, even ones I hated. I took my vitamins. I went to my doctor appointments.”

Trent wanted to point out he tried to tell her all this, but kept his mouth shut. She’d accomplished a peacefulness with her past, and that’s what he wanted.

“The one thing bugging me most—was you.”

“Me?” She lost him on that statement.

“Yes, you. I didn’t know where you lived or even who you really were. I needed closure with the fact I slept with a stranger, the closest person to a true friend. I shared more with you regarding my life than any other human being, yet I was unable to find you.” She downed another sip of whiskey.

“You found me now,” he whispered in her ear, then scraped the lobe lightly with his teeth.

“Yes, I did.” Jordan snuggled into his chest, rubbing the wetness from her hair into his shirt.

But it wasn’t the damp cotton distracting him. “You really need to stop pushing your backside against me if we plan on holding much more of a conversation.”

She wiggled again, precariously close to his straining erection.

Hands itching to touch her, he finished off the alcohol and leaned over to set the cup on the table. “You’re askin’ for trouble, darlin’.”

She giggled and flipped her head back on his shoulder.

Not able to resist, he stroked the opening seam exposing her breasts. “What exactly do you have on under this thing?” Running the back of his knuckles up and down, he grazed the sides.

“Mm. I love when you touch me.” She raised an arm behind her, curling a hand around his neck.

His pulse leaped as his groin tightened. He planned on talking with her more, but with her whispered admission, the thought process was lost, and any rational conversation done.

Wanting a taste of her, he nipped and suckled the side of her throat, tasting the salty skin, smelling the soapy fragrance, feeling the erratic beat of her pulse at the base of her neck. He let his hand wander down her body to where her thighs parted and separated the cotton robe. Without breaking contact with his lips, he let his eager hands explore her from collar bone to thigh, breast to breast, lightly caressing, then squeezing, exploring the depths and mounds.

Jordan’s whimper encouraged him, egging him on. Trent circled his tongue around her ear and trailed his fingers to the soft juncture between her legs, skimming lightly over the opening. “You’re so soft and silky, like satin.”

When his thumb grazed her clit, she raised her hips, thrusting into his palm. “Please.”

Not able to deny her plea, he slipped into her warm center, and stroked her. “Is this what you want?” Her sleek wetness met his fingers, and with his other hand, he nudged her limbs farther apart, opening her to his assault. He ran his fingertips up and down her inner thigh as his other continued its massage of her internal muscles. He loved seeing her aroused, the drooping of lids, lips parting as she escalated.

“Yes.” Her breath quickened, and she rotated in a restless gesture, bucking in his palm.

Sensing the rising urgency, he slipped another digit inside while using his thumb to play with the swelling nub. The massive erection in his jeans strained to be freed.

She lifted her bottom half-up, rocking in rhythm with him, riding the whirlwind. “Yes…please…Trent.” Her nails scraped his denim-covered thighs.

The beauty of watching her searching, reaching for the finish was almost his undoing. And when her organism spiraled, he fought hard to contain his own.

A second later, he slipped out of her, tenderly brushing the swollen skin.

She rose, letting her cover fall to the floor. “Your turn, cowboy.” Shaking fingers unfastened his belt buckle and hurried on to the zipper.

Oh, hell, yeah.
He was about to explode.

Operating under due haste, he helped shed the clothing and freed his eager penis. She sank to her knees beside the couch and grasped him in her palm. Her tongue flicked the tip, and he grew stiffer. The black-haired beauty was like a sexual fantasy, taking him into her mouth, licking up one side and down the other with her tongue. Sucking and retreating until he was sure he’d spill over.

He held back, and rigid with restraint, he groaned, tangling his fingers in her hair, holding her still. “For a woman of little experience you…certainly know what…the hell you’re doin’.” He panted as her tongue lashed out, licking the beaded tip.

Glossy lips smiled, lifting off him. “Reading is my favorite pastime.”

“What the hell kind of books do you read? Much more of that and it’s all gonna be over in a matter of seconds.”

She rose over him, lifting his shirt up overhead, rubbing her nipples along his torso.

Unable to take any more, he reversed positions. She was hot and exotic laying on the cushions, openly waiting.

“Don’t move a muscle. I’ll be right back.”

Hurrying to the other room, he grabbed a condom from the bedside table, slid it on and returned, quickly finding his place. With one push, he buried himself deep within her, leaving them both breathless.

“Damn. I wanted this to last.” Unable to hold back, he withdrew and plunged back in, creating the hot, fast friction he sought.

Long, toned legs wrapped around his waist, and she met him thrust for thrust as he drove into her.

Need and pure hunger propelled him faster toward the edge. His mouth found her nipples, licking, suckling, biting each taut pebble until she exploded a second time. He quickly followed, shouting her name.

Chapter Twelve

Early the next morning, Trent rolled on his shoulder, sending a searing burn straight to the bone.

“I told you not to carry me to bed.” Jordan bunched the covers under her arms and rose halfway. “Let me help you.”

“What kind of man would I be if I can’t carry you?” He moved forward while she positioned herself behind his back.

“A healing one.”

Magical fingers worked into the tissues bit by bit, and he closed his eyes, blocking out the discomfort until the muscles relaxed. Having not much more than tenderness the past few days, he’d assumed the surgical site was finally mending.
Damn. One step forward, two steps back
.

“Better?” Her sweet voice surrounded him.

“Yes.”

Warm lips caressed the skin on his back.

“When are you going to tell me what happen?”

“Rotator cuff surgery. Not a big deal.” He scooted to the edge of the bed in search of his clothes. Where were they?

“That explains one scar. What about the other?”

“What time is it? And where the hell are my clothes?” he snapped, suddenly pissed at her for bringing up that part of his life.

Her eyes widened at his tone as she slid down on the mattress. “It’s eight o’clock, and they’re probably in the living room.”

“I’m gonna have to get a damn alarm clock if I spend much more time here.” He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and hurried out of the room.

Why did she have to go and ruin the mood after spending another blissful night together?

Because she doesn’t know what happen, you jackass.

He didn’t want to relive those days with April, didn’t want to subject Jordan to his ugly past. The future was what mattered now. Not the pain and hurt, the deception and manipulation, the humiliation.

Taking a chance on seeing pity in her blue gaze was not an option, so he charged out of the cabin and up to the barns. Regret for leaving in a rush and biting her head off for asking a legitimate question settled in. Why couldn’t she leave his scars in the past where they belonged?

“Hey there, can you help me?”

Trent spun on his heels to find a brunette dressed in a small, black tank top and equally tight shorts, standing behind him.

“You’re Trent, right?” She smiled, revealing straight, white teeth.

“What can I do for ya?” Upon closer examination, he noted her height to be an inch or two shorter than his. Not hard on the eyes with shoulder length, shiny hair, and a slender body with curves in the right places.

“Would it be okay for me take a horse out for a ride?” She crossed and uncrossed her long legs.

He pushed his Stetson back on his head. “Sorry, but we don’t allow the guests to ride unsupervised.”

“Well, you could go with me, then I wouldn’t be unsupervised.” She bowed her head, glanced up sideways, and smiled. “I’m Pam by the way.”

Trent knew a come on when he heard one, but only one woman sparked his interest these days, and he’d be lucky if she was still speaking to him. “I have a full day, but I’m sure one of my brothers are free.”

Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout, but he paid no mind and glanced around to find Chris not far away. “Hey, this young lady would like to go sightseeing. You game?” he hollered.

“Sure thing.” The horny bugger strutted over with a grin from ear to ear. “It’d be my pleasure, ma’am.” He displayed his elbow in a gallant gesture, earning him a giggle from the brunette. “But first, we need to get you out of those shorts and into a pair of jeans. Can’t have those beautiful legs chafing.”

Pam giggled again.

Shaking his head, Trent continued with the day’s work, not stopping to question why he possessed no interest in any of the women on the ranch. Except one.

The hours flew by as he engrossed himself with ranch chores and helped guests untack the horses from the camping trip with Nick and Darcy before his stomach grumbled over a skipped lunch. Forced to head to the house for supper, he wasn’t sure if Jordan would be there or not. At the least, he owed her an apology for his rudeness. When she asked of his injury, old defenses rose, and he hadn’t wanted April to tarnish the moment.

“Hey, I was on my way to find you,” Sam told him as he entered the main lodge.

“Why aren’t you headed for Tulsa?” Trent hung his hat on the peg next to the door.

“On my way out now.” His brother’s gaze bore into him. “April’s on the run.”