Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger (21 page)

Read Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger Online

Authors: Lori Copeland

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #General, #Contemporary, #Westerns, #test

BOOK: Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger
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Page 153
Jessica looked up as he came in, the tired lines on his face showing clearly. Her heart turned over with love for him as she realized that he had had very little time for his personal life the last few weeks. He had worked from before sunup until long past sundown to keep the two farms running efficiently. No matter how he had teased about the way he was going to spend his ten thousand dollars, he must really be in great need of it to put himself through all this misery, Jessica thought tenderly. Maybe she could manage to slip an extra thousand in his pay envelope when this job was over. It would undoubtedly come in handy for whatever he had in mind.
As Jason knelt down beside her his clean smell washed over her, causing a tight knot to form in her throat as she closed her eyes momentarily, fighting the urge to throw herself into his arms.
''How's the expectant mama coming along?" Jason asked lightly, running his large hand smoothly over Tabby's soft shiny fur.
Jessica envied the cat as she watched Jason's strong hand tenderly stroking her. She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue, her mind unwillingly remembering his hands on her body, stroking and exploring, gently showing her the difference between heaven and earth.
"Just fine," she answered, striving to keep her voice steady. "I've warned her that's what happens to 'loose' women."
Jason chuckled softly, giving Tabby one final pat before rising to his feet again. "Now, what would you know about 'loose' women?"
"Not too much." Jessica grinned honestly. "Tabby could probably curl my hair with some of her varied experiences."
Jason leaned back against the counter, crossing his husky arms, apparently in no big hurry. "When's the big event due?"
"Very soonI think. I'm not too sure when her night
 
Page 154
of passion was spent.'' Jessica giggled, her eyes coming up to meet his shyly.
His emerald gaze held hers for a moment. Jessica's heart thudded. Finally he spoke in a quiet, serious tone. "You know, Jessie, I used to lie awake nights for the first few months after the annulment wondering if anything had ever come out of that 'night of passion' we spent together."
Jessica looked surprised, asking softly, "Come out of it? What do you mean, Jason?"
Jason continued to hold her eyes with his. "I wondered if maybe you were carrying my baby," he said bluntly.
Jessica was flabbergasted now, her temper slowly rising. What did he take her for, some nitwit who would deny her child his father! No, if that had happenedand she was heartbroken it hadn'tshe would have told the world to go to Hades and been back in Jason's arms so fast it would have made everyone's head swim! It hurt her feelings something fierce for him to think she wouldn't have informed him about such an event.
Looking up at him, her eyes flashing, she said in a tight voice, "Jason, I really don't know how to tell you this." She paused effectively before continuing, her pixie face deadly earnest. "I have good news, and bad news."
Jason straightened, his arms falling to his sides, his face assuming an expectant air. "What's the good news?"
"Well," she said, dragging out the announcement with agonising suspense, "I
was
pregnant with your childin fact I had quadruplets!"
Jason's face was a mask of horror now. "Quadruplets!" he choked out.
Jessica nodded her head proudly.
Jason managed to get himself under control and asked skeptically, "What's the bad news?"
Jessica hung her head in shame. "I gave all four of them away as Christmas presents."
 
Page 155
Jason let out a snort of exasperation. ''Dammit, Jessica, that's not funny! You had me going there for a minute."
Jessica was laughing delightedly at the look of consternation on Jason's handsome face, her bubbly giggles catching. Jason began to grin sheepishly, taking a playful swat at her. Jessica dodged his hand as he grabbed for her, capturing her arm. He pulled her up roughly to him, their faces only a breath apart. "I'll make you pay for that," he whispered huskily.
Jessica's laughter caught in her throat as she saw the deep pools of jade darken as desire sprang alive in them.
"I'm not afraid," Jessica whispered bravely, her hands creeping up around his neck. "Do your worst, Rawlings."
Jason's shimmering green eyes looked into her luminous violet ones as he brought his mouth down to capture the sweetness of hers. The kiss started out slow and sensuous, his mouth moving lazily but firmly on hers. Suddenly the tranquility of it ignited into a raging inferno as Jason forcefully jerked her slender body up tightly against him, violently molding her soft breasts to the granite surface of his broad chest, his fingers burying deep in her thick hair, pulling her roughly toward him. A small whimper escaped her lips as he crushed his mouth on hers, hungrily devouring the sweet moistness.
He broke away just as abruptly as he had brought her to him, his face registering painful mixed emotions as he gazed into the lavender pools of her eyes. He let his breath out slowly, pressing his lips against her hair, his warm breath sending shuddering rivulets of delight through her veins.
"Jessica Cole," he rasped hoarsely, "do you know what you're doing to me?"
She slowly tilted her face upward to tenderly kiss each eye in an attempt to ease the clouded confusion she saw, whispering softly as her lips brushed his eyelids, "I know what I'd like to do with you."
He paused a moment, searching the depths of her eyes,
 
Page 156
overwhelmed by the innocent honesty he saw there. ''Damn, Jessie! You
know
I can't go on much longer like this."
She tightened her hold on him, overcoming his hesitancy, their mouths again joining, this time in a softer, more tender embrace. Jessica moved against him, moaning sweetly as his tongue united hotly with hers, the familiar ache of passion sweeping riotously through her. How she loved this man! She would move heaven and earth if only he were hers to love once again.
"Angel," Jason grunted breathlessly, his lips breaking away momentarily to kiss her eyes and nose, then reclaiming her mouth once again passionately. The kiss was so intense that Jessica sagged weakly against his taut frame, her hands burying deep in his thick hair, their breathing becoming ragged and uneven as the loud knocking on the back door echoed through the room.
Letting out a soft curse, Jason pulled away from her and agitatedly walked. over to yank open the back screen. A smiling Rick stood there, a bouquet of autumn flowers grasped foolishly in his hand. "Hi, boss. Where's the pretty lady?"
Jason jerked his head impatiently toward Jessica, still standing breathless in front of Tabby's box. "In there," he mumbled shortly as he brushed rudely past Rick and stormed out the back door.
Jessica's heart sank as she watched him go, her senses still achingly alive for him.
"Have I come at a bad time?" Rick asked hesitantly.
"No, of course not, Rick. What can I do for you?" Jessica brought herself regretfully back to earth.
"These are for you, pretty lady." Rick extended the bouquet of flowers proudly.
"They're beautiful, Rick. Thank you!" It was hard for her to stay angry with Rick. He was always all sunshine and light when he was around Jessica.
"Well, there's a catch to them." Rick grinned broadly.
 
Page 157
''And what might that be?" Jessica returned playfully.
"You have to agree to be my date for the hayride Saturday night."
"What hayride?" Jessica looked puzzled.
"The one Jason always has every Fall. Hasn't he said anything about it to you?"
"It seems he did mention it awhile back. Is it this Saturday night?"
"Sure is. Every couple in love, engaged, or just 'hoping' will be there. What do ya say? Will you go with me?" Rick's face wore a hopeful expression.
Jason would undoubtedly be taking Monica, she thought silently, so why not. "I'd love to," she assured him, putting the flowers in a vase of water.
"Fantastic," Rick shouted, scooping her up in his arms and whirling her around the room until both of them were laughing and breathless. He stayed around for another fifteen minutes, having a glass of tea with her before returning to his chores.
Jessica waved good-bye, then closed the back door slowly, leaning against its hard surface wearily. Her mind drifted lazily over Jason's heated kiss before Rick interrupted them. The torture of being around him, yet so far away from him, was becoming unbearable. She couldn't go on much longer like she was. She was going to have to throw in the towel soon, but her stubborn loving heart just wouldn't let her do ityet.
The week flew by with the farm crew preparing for the hayride Saturday night. The big hay wagon had been brought up to the farmyard, and bales of hay quickly covered it. One of the large farm tractors had been attached to it and stood ready and waiting for the happy couples. Rick told her they would go about five miles down the road, where they would have a barbecue dinner awaiting them. Jason hired several people to come in and cook for the boisterous group. Apparently Monica had
 
Page 158
helped him plan the whole affair, since he had barely mentioned it to Jessica.
He had asked her if she was going with Rick, and when she confirmed she was, he had turned and left the room in a dark mood. Jessica had sighed deeply, wishing he had asked her to go with him. Somehow she would have found a way to comply with his wishes. But of course he hadn't. Jessica was sure who she would see beside him Saturday night, and it wouldn't be her.
Jessica finished her chores as quickly as possible Saturday afternoon, hoping to be the first one in the shower this evening. The old relic of a hot-water heater had been causing some trouble lately, providing only enough hot water for one person, leaving the other to shower rapidly in a stream of ice-cold water. With a triumphant smile on her face she barely managed to scurry past Jason that evening as he headed for the bathroom. Smiling pertly, she moved to close the door. ''Sorry . . . I was here first!"
Jason stepped back slightly, eyeing her suspiciously. "Couldn't you have showered earlier?"
"Nope! I've been busy, too," she said, trying unsuccessfully to close the door in his face.
Jason stuck out his hand, effectively blocking her move, a mischievous twinkle invading his eyes. "You use all that hot water, and you're a dead woman."
Jessica smiled back innocently. "Would I do a thing like that to you?"
"You have three times this week already," Jason told her dryly.
"Tough luck, Rawlings," she retorted, throwing her slight weight against the door.
Jason held his ground solidly, his muscled arms easily blocking her attempt. "You fool with me, and I'll come in there and supervise your shower personally. Then I'll
know
I won't have to freeze my buns off again tonight, Cole." It was Jason's turn to smile triumphantly.
A small pucker of indecision crossed Jessica's face as
 
Page 159
she mulled over his threat.
That wouldn't be half bad,
she thought wickedly. But, not wanting to see that knowing look in his eyes if she dared him to, she settled for heckling him a little. Sighing dramatically, she batted her black spiky eyelashes at him seductively and said breathlessly, ''I've just decided to take a nice
cold
shower anyway. I feel it will help me control my lustful tendencies around Rick tonight. You know how romantic hayrides can be," she finished theatrically.
Jason looked disgusted. Jessica seized the advantage and slammed the bathroom door loudly in his face. Giggling impishly, she quickly stripped her clothes off, leaving them in a heap on the floor as she turned the shower knobs on full blast and hopped into the shower, letting the hot water soothe her tired body. Humming softly, she closed her eyes dreamily, the steam from the hot water softly filling the room. A piercing scream tore from her lips as a glass of ice-cold water, thrown over the top of the shower stall, hit her full blast.
"
Jason, you dog!
" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
He arrogantly jerked the shower door open, grinning at her belligerent face. "Just thought I'd help you and Rick out, Angel!" he said brightly. His eyes fastened appreciatively on her nude form as she stood there sputtering, grabbing for the wet washcloth, which she angrily threw at him, barely missing her mark as he slammed the shower door shut and, laughing fiendishly, left the room at a dead run.
She finished her shower in a fit of anger and blazed out of the bathroom, still boiling. Jason was nowhere to be seen. She whirled around, stomped into her room, and slammed the door, jarring the windows in the whole house.
She had just finished her makeup and slipped into a pair of western designer jeans and a soft yellow top when she heard the water running in the shower again. Throwing down her hairbrush, she rushed into the utility room, took

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