Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger (22 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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a large pail down from the top shelf, and filled it with cold water. Proceeding on to the kitchen, she dumped three trays of ice into the pail and tiptoed back down the hall to the bathroom, her face a mask of concentration as she sloshed the heavy pail along beside her, plotting feverishly.
She stopped in front of the bathroom door and turned the doorknob slowly, hardly believing her luck. The dummy had left the door unlocked! Creeping stealthily into the bathroom, Jessica stopped just outside the shower door and listened to Jason singing a boisterous version of ''Blow the Man Down," unaware of his impending doom.
With a screeching karate cry, Jessica swung the door open and heaved the pail of ice water on an astounded Jason, causing the last note of his song to sound like the mating call of a banshee. With a loud bellow of rage he bounded rapidly out of the shower, reaching the door before Jessica could, locking it firmly, and turning to stalk a wide-eyed Jessica.
"Now, Jason"she grinned shakily"don't do anything rash! Turn about's fair play," she reminded him in a panicky voice. He continued, undaunted by her sense of fair play, his magnificent body still lathered in white soap. "Jason," she warned, trying her best to sound stern, but at the sight of his mean scowl her laughter threatened to bubble over. He made one powerful lunge at her and dragged her, clothes and all, into the shower with him, turning the hot water off completely and letting the cold water slice down on them unmercifully. "I'm already dressed, you toad!" she shrieked.
"You want to play rough, do you, wildcat?" He pushed her head firmly under the hard spray, her clothes becoming drenched in the onslaught. Struggling wildly to break his steel grip, she dissolved in a fit of uncontrollable giggles as his grip only increased.
Jessica's ear-piercing screams could probably be heard for miles as they romped and scuffled in the cold shower,
 
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Jason showing his captured prey no mercy. Flinging her hands out for support, she encountered Jason's wet body, the effects of their horseplay evident in his blatant arousal.
''Let me out of here," Jessica petitioned halfheartedly as she pushed ineffectually at his hard body.
"Not until you've paid for your sins," Jason told her determinedly, shoving her head back under the water. His hands came in contact with her wet breasts, the clinging fabric of her blouse revealing all of her "assets" clearly.
Just as Jessica let out another ear-piercing scream a loud pounding on the bathroom door shattered their mini-war instantly. They both stopped struggling, Jason holding her tight up against him as he heatedly shouted, "Who is it?"
"Jason, what in the world is going on in there?" Monica's agitated voice reached them above the pounding water of the shower.
"Aw . . .
damn!
" Jason muttered. "What's she doing here this early?"
"I don't know." Jessica giggled, her mouth pressed tightly against his neck. "Want me to yell out there and find out?" she whispered sweetly.
"Hell, no, I don't want you to yell out there!" he hissed. "I don't want her to know we're in here together."
Jessica laughed even harder, her body shaking seductively against his. "I think you're out of luck! I believe she may have already figured it out on her own."
"Jason!" Monica yelled again.
"Be right out, Monica. Nothing to worry about." Jason reached up to shut off the shower, whispering in a low voice, "Just stay in here after I leave. I'll handle it."
Jessica tiptoed meekly out of the shower stall and sat quietly on the seat of the commode, grinning broadly as she watched a muddled Jason towel off briskly before slipping on his briefs and his tight jeans.
Noticing her roving eyes, he grinned recklessly. "Wipe
 
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that smile off your face, Cole. You're not seeing anything you haven't seen before.''
Grinning back at him smugly, she shot him a mock salute. "Aye, aye, sir. Can't blame a girl for enjoying the view!"
He gave her an affectionate peck on the nose as he slipped out the door, issuing a firm, "Stay here!"
Closing the door firmly behind him, he confronted a bewildered Monica.
"What in heaven's name is going on in there, Jason? Is Jessica hurt?"
Looking her directly in the eye, his face as innocent as an angel's, he asked calmly, "What are you talking about, Monica?"
Monica's mouth sagged slightly. "What am I talking about? I'm talking about all that loud screaming going on. What was that all about?"
"Oh, that," Jason said unconcernedly. "That was Jessica."
"Jason"Monica sent him a penetrating stare"I
know
it was Jessica. I
don't
know what her problem is. Is she hurt?"
Shrugging his broad shoulders nonchalantly, he brushed passed Monica, her eyes openly admiring his massive body and thick hair, which was still wet and glistening from his exuberant shower. "Monica, you're making a big deal over a few little screams," he said blandly.
"A few
little
screams?" Monica plainly thought he was nuts.
"Jessica just spilled a pail of water in the bathroom, and she was mad because I asked her to clean it up." Jason closed the door to his bedroom, leaving a perfectly dissatisfied Monica staring daggers at his closed door.
The hayride had gotten off to a roaring start with everyone in high spirits. Close to thirty couples showed up, Willis and Marcy among them. Jenica had to smother a
 
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laugh when she first saw Willis. His new jeans bagged unmercifully, his western shirt was outrageously loud, and his new Stetson hat made him look like Quick Draw McGraw on the Saturday morning cartoon.
He was about as exciting as a cello player at a rock concert,
Jessica thought amusedly.
The night flew by rapidly with all the laughter and high spirits, but as Jessica let herself into the dark house long after midnight a sense of deep depression settled over her. Her thoughts turned back to the hayride. Rick had been at his most charming all evening, making her laugh with his lighthearted foolishness. Just as the ride was about to start, he had held her down and stuffed hay into every available pocket of her jeans and shirt. She had squealed with delight, but her laughter had died quickly as her eyes caught the deep scowl on Jason's face. He had been talking to the driver of the hay wagon, going over the route with him. At the sound of her pealing laughter he had jerked his head around, shooting her a
very
irritated glance before continuing the conversation. But Jessica hadn't let that spoil her fun. They had all indulged in the huge barbecue, then later had a horseshoe tournament, a sack race, and a rolling-pin contest, in which the woman throwing the rolling pin the farthest (indicating bad news for the boyfriend or spouse) won the prize. A red-faced Marcy Mercy took the trophy home while a grinning Willis, his hands jammed in his jean pockets, quietly beamed on the side-lines.
It was very late when they all piled back on the wagon for the return trip home. The wagon became quieter as the moon crept higher in the sky, the couples busy, wrapped in each other's arms. A man with a beautiful voice sang the sweet strains of ''Moonlight Bay." Rick had pulled Jessica into his arms but was still keeping a respectful distance from her. She didn't want to encourage anything romantic with him, no matter how hard she teased Jason about him. He was a friendly, happy person to be with, but
 
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like all his predecessors, he left Jessica feeling empty. There was only one person she loved. She shifted around on the hay, turning over to lie on her side more comfortably. Her breath froze momentarily as her eyes locked with Jason's. He was beside them on the hay, sitting close to Monica, who was snuggled contentedly against his shoulder. Jessica unconsciously looked to see where his hands were, blushing when his eyes followed her searching gaze. Satisfied they were decently draped lightly around Monica's waist, Jessica dropped her eyes sheepishly. Monica's eyes were closed dreamily as Jessica hazarded another glance at Jason, his steady gaze still on her.
Electrical currents surged through her body as she began to slowly drown in the liquid fire of his beautiful jade eyes. Becoming slightly breathless, she fought an overwhelming urge to reach out and simply touch him. With sudden clarity it occurred to her that she had reached her breaking point. No amount of money on earth could make her stay on here, dying a little more each day. Without Jason life held no meaning for her. She knew at this moment what she had to do. Tears began to drip, like a soft summer rain, from her eyes, which were violet pools of living torment. She would give up the inheritance, go back to Austin, and try once more to fit the torn shambles of her life back together. This one last night she would allow herself to drown here in his eyes. The agony of not being able to lie in his arms, breathe his unique fragrance, touch his soft, full mouth, which had brought such unbearable pleasure to her, caused the tears to fall swifter.
Jason was aware of her tears, his eyes tenderly caressing hers, visually beginning to make love to her without ever touching her. The vocalist began to sing a beautiful, tender love song as the tractor crept silently toward home. Jason and Jessica lay under the stars together, yet alone, trapped in their own corners of hell. The words wrapped painfully around Jessica's heart as the prophetic lyrics filled the quiet moonlit night, the singer's deep, melodious voice
 
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proclaiming that this might be the loving couple's last night together, that someday they would have only memories of each other. . . .
Jessica remembered the hay wagon pulling quietly into the farmyard long after midnight, depositing its sleepy occupants. She felt emotionally exhausted as she climbed out of the wagon and longed only to reach the privacy of her room, where she could cry her heart out alone, but Rick had insisted on walking her to the door, sensing the change in her mood. He pulled her into the comfort of his arms and gave her a reassuring hug, placing a light kiss on her temple. ''I don't know what the problem is, pretty lady," he said in a comforting voice, "but things will look different in the morning."
"I doubt it." Jessica gave a shaky laugh, the hot tears pricking her eyes once again.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"No, thank you, Rick. It's something that I have to work out alone . . . but thanks."
"Anytime you need someone, Jessica, I'll be here." Jessica remembered how serious Rick's face had been as he shifted uneasily in the soft moonlight.
Oh, Rick,
Jessica had thought tenderly,
how I wish that I could fall in love with you. How I wish I could take a surgical knife and literally cut all the painful memories and the love I have for Jason out of my heart
. But instead she had given Rick an affectionate pat and told him good night at the door.
Jessica sat wearily in her bedroom, fighting to make her mind a total blank, trying to erase the memories of tonight. She took a quick shower before slipping into her nightgown and brushing the loose hay out of her hair. Her mind seemed determined to keep her imprisoned as her thoughts once again drifted back to Jason's eyes as they had held hers tonight. As she replaced the brush slowly on her dressing table the dam of self-control finally broke. She switched off the light and fell across the bed, burying
 
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her face in the pillow, the hateful tears overcoming her once more.
A loud bang as the door to her bedroom was thrown violently open brought her abruptly to her feet, the hot tears still streaming down her face. Jason stood in the doorway, dressed only in his jeans, his large frame blocking out the light from the hall. He stood perfectly still, his eyes moving painfully over her soft rounded breasts, which heaved with every sob, then traveling languidly on down her slender length.
Jessica's lavender eyes found his emerald ones as he walked calmly to her, still not saying a word. With a frightening determination written on his face he literally jerked her up into his arms. Jessica had been barely holding her breath, afraid to move. As she became aware of his naked chest and his lean, muscular body, pressed to hers, she let out a deep shuddering sob, burying her face in his neck, clutching tightly to his shoulder.
He carried her silently down the hall to his bedroom, kicked the door closed behind him, and stood her before him, his eyes locked rapturously with hers. He stripped off his jeans, his eyes never leaving hers, and with trembling hands reached for her. ''Dammit, Jessica, I may hate myself in the morning, but I can't fight this any longer!"
He brought his mouth down on hers roughly, devouring her lips, almost bruising them with his intensity. She heard the sheer fabric of her gown give way as he ripped it from her trembling body.
Jessica's heart froze. She had never in all her years seen Jason so disturbed. "Jason," she murmured helplessly, "why are you doing this?"
"Why! Because you're driving me out of my mind!"
He grabbed at her forcefully as she cringed in terror. "Jason, please don't do this. You're hurting me . . . scaring me," she whimpered.
Jason stared at her frightened face, shocked back to normalcy. His shoulders sagged apologotically as he gen-

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