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“We will,” they chimed and disappeared into the house.
Jasmeka took only a moment or two to drink her iced tea and then put the glass in the kitchen before heading down to the meeting spot. Her heart hammered in her chest as she went. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous. Maybe because this idea was outside of her comfort zone, and she already knew how far she was willing to go.
As she stepped off the paved trail onto the beaten one made by years of town residents, she picked up the pace. Anticipation came over her to see him, to feel his arms around her and their lips touching.
“Wow, Jas, it’s been a while.” She chuckled under her breath. “Get a grip, girl. Next, you’ll be thinking you’re falling for him. That can’t happen.”
She found him leaning against a tree when she arrived, his handsome profile making her pulse even more erratic. He didn’t look her way, although he must have heard her approach. She paused, drinking him in with his jeans slung low on his hips and wearing cowboy boots. The pale colored tee caught the light of the moon. All he needed was a hat tucked low over his eyes, and he’d be perfect. Did he know how much he had slipped into the role of a cowboy in the few days since he had been home? This was where he belonged. She was sure of it. That scent of the big city had already faded, and she couldn’t help liking the fact. Maybe she should do all in her power to convince him to stay.
“Contemplating your existence?” she teased.
His gaze shifted to her, but she couldn’t see into his eyes. Did he feel a shortness of breath the way she did? Probably not. Attraction maybe. “You kept me waiting,” came the deep response.
“I couldn’t help it. I had things to do, and the boys hadn’t turned in yet.”
“You’re ignoring their warning, after all the trouble they went to. I don’t blame you for hiding.”
She pursed her lips. “You’re the one who wanted to meet down here.”
He pushed off from the tree and faced her. “Because I didn’t want any disturbances.”
He opened his arms and waited, threatening to stop her heart. She hesitated only a moment before drifting into his embrace. As soon as she rested against his chest, his hands came around her, sending fire through her body from his fingertips on her rear. He drew her closer, and she went up to her tiptoes. His head came down, and he claimed her lips in a searing kiss. She surrendered to the thrust of his tongue and moaned softly.
Afterward, she panted but was satisfied to hear he’d lost his breath too. Sliding her hands up his chest, she nestled closer to him and locked her fingers at his nape.
“You taste sweet,” he moaned.
“I had iced tea before I came.”
“Not that.”
She tilted her head to the side. “What?”
His gaze flicked to her lips, and she licked them. It was as if a spark of lightning passed between them. Just that tiny move had heightened his interest, and it blew her mind to know it. Nervous tension stirred in her belly, and she found a need to talk.
“Miguel, the boys are supposed to be breaking in a horse tomorrow. I don’t know if you know anything about it, but could you at least keep an eye on them? It would be a huge favor to me.”
His eyebrows rose, and his hold loosened a little. “It shouldn’t be a big deal at their age.”
“Aunt Rosa has protected them like they’re babies all their lives, and David didn’t go against her all that often.”
He frowned.
“If you don’t want to, I can find someone else.” She started to pull out of his arms, and to her surprise he let her go. He moved to the water’s edge, and she watched his back all rigid and unyielding. Frustration washed over her. “They haven’t done anything to you, Miguel. They’re kids, and they don’t deserve to have you take your dad’s sins out on them.”
He swung to face her, obviously ticked off. “I’ve never acted against them!”
“You haven’t done anything for them either.”
“You’re blaming me too?”
She snapped her lips together, shocked at her own anger. He stepped forward, and for some reason his presence was so overwhelming, she dropped back a pace. Before she could get out of reach, Miguel’s hand snaked out, and his fingers encircled her wrist. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of struggling.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” he growled.
“I-I don’t feel anything.” She looked away. “I’m just thinking of the boys.”
“You’re lying. I deal with criminals every day.”
