Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (15 page)

"Well, I've got the dog vote."

"Aye, it means something. I've never had a woman sleep over before. Why do you think Heath and Rafe were so anxious to see who you were? I've never been so attracted to anyone, and I've also never been so confused,” he said the last word as a whisper.

"About what?” She knew he wasn't trying to have a deep conversation, but their evening out turned a whole new direction the moment Mary attacked his face. She was not going to let herself get involved any farther if he was just a womanizer.

"This.” Jack pointed between them. “Us. You know my mother had no interest in ranching. It killed my grandfather because my grandmother loved it. I can learn things, business wise that is, but you know them already."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?” Her heart began to swell with emotions. Her father had paid a lot of money for an education in business but would not let her work as a secretary much less help out. It was not a paying job, but it was a job to put on a resume nonetheless. In three months, she could make a difference to Jack and his ranch. Then, she would get her own job. “You'd let me help out at the ranch?"

"I'm saying I am thinking about it. I have to discuss it with the family. It's not just my ranch. We all own it,” he explained. She watched him smile in recognition, and sure enough, Patty was back with drinks.

"Food will be up in a few.” Patty smiled. She shook her head after looking at them a moment longer. “Does my heart good to see one of you boys finally settle down."

"She's nice.” Bethany smiled as the woman walked away.

"Her son's a dog. We went to school together. Jasper has been with every woman in this town, except my sister and you.” Jack laughed. “He's known as the local florist."

"I don't get it."

"He deflowers all the virgins.” He shook his head.

"What about Candice?” She hated caring if he was her first, but she didn't like knowing another woman would be like her, always remembering him as the first man to make love to her.

"Junior year. Mary, too. I'm telling you, no man has gone where Jasper hadn't already gone before.” He shook his head and laughed.

"You have.” She smiled. “How many flowers have you taken?"

"Just one.” His gaze turned heated in that instant. Her insides began to melt. She wished now they were home, so she could lead him to the bedroom and do everything she had ever dreamed of doing to a man.

"So, I'm sorta special?” She felt a new sense of pride. His thumb stroked her knuckles. Her stomach flip-flopped in anticipation. She was going to love this man's body tonight.

"You're more than special, Bethany Johnson. You are something else all together.” He turned serious, and her gut tightened in anticipation for what he might say next. “You even got to drive my truck. After you ride one of my horses, hell, you may be through with me. Take everything I have and leave."

His attempt at humor fell flat.

"I would never do anything to hurt you. You've given me so much. You've given me your name and everything that comes with it. Your family, your dogs, I get to live in the most beautiful house. I have to tell you, I might not be able to divorce you in three months. I mean my closet alone is..."

"Do you like me?” he asked abruptly.

"Of course, I do.” She wondered where this was coming from.

"And do you like the ranch?” He spun the diamond ring around her finger.

"I love the ranch. I wasn't sure what it would be like. Being cooped up in the house with nothing to do can be a little nerve racking, but I love the ranch.” She caught the words in her throat. She almost said she loved Jack, but it just was not possible. They didn't know enough about each other.

Ms. Patty returned and set two plates on the table. Country fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans served in huge portions filled the plates.

"Thanks, Ms. Patty, this looks great.” Jack smiled showing off his dimples.

"It smells delicious.” Bethany nodded.

"It's on the house kids. Don't you even, Jack. Just shut your mouth before you say something to make me mad, and then you'll be without dessert.” Ms. Patty nodded and walked away.

"She's serious.” Bethany inhaled the food again, nothing fancy or chic, just good old-fashioned food.

Jack nodded, picked up a fork, and started eating. “The only person around who can cook better than Jasper is Chance."

"Heath's wife?” She took a bite of the potatoes. “So good."

"Told you.” He continued, “I'll have to show you the prom pictures when we get home. Only have two of them, and I had to hide them, but they are hilarious."

"Of Heath and Chance?” Bethany was trying to keep up with the new turn in conversation.

"No, silly, of me and Chance. I told you about it on the way home from Vegas. Chance was one of my high school girlfriends. I dated her and Candice senior year. Chance was my date to the prom, but Heath showed up, and in every picture I'm looking at Chance, smiling, because she's looking at Heath.” Jack stopped talking and looked directly at her. He didn't say anything, didn't make any faces revealing his thoughts. He just stared at her.

Bethany began to wonder if she had something on her face. Finally, he looked back at his plate and started eating and talking again.

"Like you look at me sometimes,” he said then shoveled in the next bite.

"How do I look at you?” She knew how she looked at him. Like he was the most amazing man she'd ever seen or known. It wasn't something she wanted him strutting around acknowledging.

"Like you want me.” Jack winked.

"I do want you.” She relaxed. Want and love were not the same. Or were they? She didn't know anymore. They continued eating the rest of the meal without much conversation. Jack retold the story of Heath and Chance, and Bethany finally understood why Heath was so devastated.

As Ms. Patty approached with pecan pie, a familiar song came on.

"Jack?” Bethany looked for the speakers, trying to make sure she heard the right song. “Is it...?"

"Come on, sweetheart, let's dance.” Jack got up, pulled her by her hand, and led her past Ms. Patty. “We'll take those to go, ma'am."

Jack pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. Bethany melted against him, letting her white sweater leave more fuzz on his navy blue T-shirt. Her head naturally fell in line with his shoulder, and it took more than a little willpower not to break down and cry. Jack's body was like home. Every time she got close to it, she knew who she was and what she wanted. Him.

"I must be doing something right,” Jack whispered.

"Mmm. Yes, you are, Jack.” She didn't care they were the only two people on the dance floor, or the fact it may not actually be a dance floor. She cared about how Jack could pull the square peg through a round hole and make it fit. She looked like a cupcake, all pastel and pretty compared to the casual appearance of everyone else in the place, but she fit. She fit right there against him, and Jack wouldn't let anyone see it another way. “You definitely are."

Jack sat in the truck feeling like ten million bucks, all thanks to the woman sitting next to him trying to play coy. She was not fooling him. He knew she was just as ready as he was to play. He hadn't pulled out of the parking space yet because he needed to kiss her.

"Well?” Bethany prompted.

"Well?” He hadn't buckled in, and neither had she.

"Well, are we leaving or what?” Her attempt to hide the mischievous deed about to take place was useless. The air practically crackled with sexual tension.

"In a minute.” He reached for her hand. “Come sit next to me for a moment."

"Oh no you don't. This isn't about me, Jack Johnson. There will be no removal of my clothes this time,” she said it as she took off the outer layer of the sweater set.

"I hate to point out the obvious, but you seem to be taking off your clothes.” He traced a finger down her now bare arm. The soft fuzzy sweaters she wore just drove him nuts. He could imagine the texture, soft and luxurious, along his shaft. Shaking his head, he snapped out of it. He was getting kinks, first her feet, now sweaters.

"Just the sweater.” She tossed it over the seat then grabbed his hand. “You did wash this in the bathroom correct?"

"Yes, ma'am. I always wash my hands.” Jack laughed. Then, he croaked as she pulled his index finger up to her lips. The lipstick was gone, so there was only soft pink skin sliding back and forth over his rough fingers. “My hands are too rough."

"No. They are strong and sensual, and I like how they feel.” Bethany held on as he tried to pull his hand back. “Now, stop it. I want to practice for a second."

"Practice?” Jack let her have full control of his hand. She put it right back up to her lips and began stroking it again. It was so warm, wet, and welcoming.

"Yes. I've never, you know. So, tell me if you like this.” Bethany licked her tongue out over the tips of his fingers before opening her mouth and closing it around them. Jack's eyes crossed.

"Bethany. I will love anything you do with your tongue, sweetheart. Now, come kiss me, so I can get us out of here.” He moved toward her, and she leaned in.

Their lips met in an explosion of sensation. He had missed this all week long. Bethany was the best kisser. She met him with the same intensity, the same desire, and equal pressure. It was a joint effort to get as much out of it as they each put into it, but Jack always got more. With his hand on her throat, he could feel the vibration as she sighed a sweet moan of release. Nipping her top lip then pulling back, he looked into those light green eyes of hers and smiled. This was his woman.

"Now, let's go home,” he said before kissing her just a minute longer.

"Mmm.” She nodded.

He buckled up and winked at her. As he pulled out of the parking lot, Bethany buckled in at the center of the truck. They were not far from home, but they were far enough she could definitely fulfill her promise.

Bethany sighed. Jack had to be the most amazing kisser. He always kissed her senseless. She'd heard the phrase before but never believed it, at least until now. He was doing a lot of things right this evening. He came home early for starters, took her out to eat, let her drive his precious truck, and danced with her in the middle of the restaurant.

"Why do you wear Levi's?” She'd noticed most of the men at the restaurant and his brother, Rafe, wore Wrangler's.

"Button fly,” he said shamelessly.

"I see.” She gently placed her hand on his muscular thigh and began making gentle strokes and circles, not touching his button fly, or going anywhere near it.

"No, you don't, but if you will unbutton just one or two, I would be a relieved man."

"Well alright.” She sighed as though it were a chore, but she really looked forward to getting his pants open. The first button was tight then the second, but the rest popped out easily freeing him completely. The small task of undoing them was more than just unbutton then zip. It made a woman pay attention, and since he never wore underwear as far as she could tell, it was like undressing him slowly. “Now what?"

"Do whatever you want to, sweetheart. He's captivated by your imagination right now.” He let one hand off the wheel long enough to push a loose curl behind her ear.

The gesture made her desperate to kiss him again. She couldn't possibly as he drove. Instead, she had made a deal, and she planned to see it through. She hadn't really touched Jack when they made love. He took the lead and touched her a lot, but she had been rather hands off. Now was her chance to devour him.

She stroked the tip of his cock and felt the sticky drop of pre-come. Unable to stop herself, she lifted her fingers to taste it. Salty, sticky, not too bad. His penis moved on its own volition it seemed. As she touched it again, it jerked. “Are you doing that?"

"Hum?” Jack grunted.

"Are you making him move?” She stroked her fingers along the soft, smooth skin. Veins roped his shaft, and she wished it were still light out, so she could see the details better.

"It's all you, sweetheart,” Jack said in a low voice.

Bethany continued to explore him with her hand. “It's amazing."

He chuckled. “I think so, but I'm glad you confirmed it."

"I'm serious. It's so soft and smooth on the outside, but underneath he's like, steel or something.” She gripped the shaft harder. He growled his approval.

Encouraged by his reaction, she undid the seatbelt and slid away from him, so she could lean over and put her face in his lap. Holding on to the base of his erection, she pressed her nose and lips to the shaft then inhaled the spicy scent of Jack.

"God, woman, you're going to kill me.” He shifted in the seat.

She opened her mouth and slowly flattened her tongue against him. Then, like an ice cream cone, she licked from root to tip. Once, twice...

"Bethany, please.” His voice was rough and ragged.

"Please what?” She licked again, slower.

"Please, open your mouth and put me in.” He stroked the back of her head for encouragement.

She did as he asked. He definitely was not a small man. She took him in as far as possible and then pulled back. Jack's noises were loud and unrestrained. She had no idea it would feel this good to make him feel good. Her own body was reacting to it. Her sex warmed and wanted what her mouth had.

"Yes, sweetheart, just like that. Now, suck on it.” He stroked her back with his right hand ending at her butt cheek. “Oh yes, good, really good."

She liked the praise and wanted more. She let her hand get in on the action and began pumping against the rise and fall of her mouth. He liked it. He squeezed her ass cheek and groaned. She really started getting into it, sucking harder, licking the rim of his glans as she neared the top.

"Stop!” Jack shouted and pulled her up fast.

"What? Are you alright?” She looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. They were almost home now. He just had to turn down the street.

"I can't see straight.” He breathed in a heavy rhythm. “We're almost home. Let's finish in the bedroom."