Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off (9 page)

He kissed her forehead and motioned toward the bathroom sign. “We'll meet right here, okay?"

Bethany nodded. She didn't look convinced as she headed off into the ladies’ room.

Jack had grabbed two Coca-Cola's, a large bag of Corn Chips, and a couple Slim-Jims. She took one look at his selection and put all of it but one Coke back. She returned with a Diet Coke, a bottle of water, two pre-packed bagels with cream cheese, and a Hershey bar.

"What am I supposed to eat?” he asked as he took in the selection she placed on the counter.

"This. It's much better than the grease and junk you were going to eat. You'd stink up the truck with that stuff.” She grabbed her soda and opened it as the cashier rang them up.

"Don't try to change me, woman.” He laughed as he grabbed another Slim-Jim from the counter display.

"Those are so gross.” She scrunched her nose. “I'm not kissing you if you eat it."

"'Sat right?” He picked up the bag and followed her back out to the truck. He had pumped the gas before waking her, so they were all set to go.

"It's really beautiful out here.” She looked up at the night sky.

"This is nothing. Wait till we get home. You won't believe the stars you can see when no lights are around.” Jack realized he was getting a little too melodramatic and straightened. “I mean it's good, it's the sky and all."

She laughed as though he just told a joke. He helped her in the truck, handed her the bag of groceries, then walked around to his side. He watched her toss his Slim-Jim out the window toward the trash can.

After settling in and driving a ways down the highway, he asked for it.

"Huh, they must not have put it in the bag.” She looked off to the right as she said it. Good. Now, he knew what face she made when she lied.

"Really? Because I put it in the bag myself.” He wanted to see how far she would go. Plus, he wanted to know why she tossed it.

"Oh, well. It must have fallen out.” She did the same little look with her eyes.

"I saw you toss it."

"Oh. Well in that case, I uh, sorta dropped it out the window back at the gas station.” She fidgeted. He wondered what she thought he was likely to do over a stupid Slim-Jim.

"Why?"

"It's bad for you, has lots of calories, it's processed, and it stinks. You can't eat stuff like that without eventually paying the price.” She frowned at him. Her voice sounded sincere.

"How do you know?” He looked at her and realized he just stepped into something he was not aiming for. Her expression turned sad then quickly turned hostile.

"How do you think I know? I'm fat. And you know what, I feel really good about my body right now because I used to be fatter.” She glared at him. He regretted making an issue over the stupid piece of greasy junk food. Hell, he really didn't like the damn things. He only ate them on road trips because Heath always brought them back to the car. It seemed wrong to drive through three states and not have the traditional gas station junk food to eat.

"Bethany, you're not fat. Trust me. You have a great body, a real body with curves. But that's not why you threw out the Slim-Jim because you didn't throw out the Hershey bar.” He called her bluff. She wasn't going to make him feel bad about her weight. Women were known to be sensitive over weight issues even if they were no bigger around than a stick.

She opened her pretty little mouth then shut it.

"Just tell me the truth."

"They're gross, and I didn't want you to eat it,” she said exasperated.

"Why?"

"Jesus, Jack, because I still want to kiss you! Okay, I want to be able to kiss you and not have to worry about tasting that awful thing.” She crossed her arms and sighed heavily in frustration. “I swear you are such a..."

"A what?” He was torn between being mad about her lying to him over something stupid and being flattered she did it, so she could have her way with him.

"A man,” she said it like it was a bad thing.

He laughed.

"Come here, sweetheart.” He stretched out his arm toward her.

"No.” She looked at him with an evil glare.

"Don't make me pull over."

"Are you threatening me?” She genuinely seemed shocked. “Jack?"

"Threatening to bend you over my knee, maybe, but I would never put a hand on you in anger, sweetheart.” He watched her relax. Had she thought him capable of striking a woman? “You didn't think..."

"No. I didn't.” As she said it, her eyes darted.
Damn it!

"Bethany, has someone hit you before?” He felt his gut twist, and he knew she was going to lie to him before her lips moved. God help the man if he ever met him.

"No.” She undid her seatbelt and slid over to him. Once she buckled into the middle seat, he placed his arm around her and pulled her close. Who could hit such a sweet little thing? She had fire, a sassy mouth, and a lot of nerve to throw his food out the window, but she also had passion and heart.

"I guess I never have to worry about you kissing Heath.” He snorted.

"Why would I kiss your brother?” She leaned into him, keeping her hands in her lap. He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her a moment.

"You wouldn't. He eats those things like candy, but one old girlfriend did back in high school.” He laughed. It wasn't funny at the time, but he should've seen it coming a mile away.

"Tell me about it.” She relaxed against him. He started up the story about Heath and his other high school sweetheart, Chance. About halfway through, he heard her snoring. Low and soft. He looked down, and her arm was wrapped around him. Her neck might end up sore from the position, but he liked having her close, so he didn't bother to wake or move her.

Bethany awoke to some of the loudest noises she'd ever heard. It was like a herd of buffalo were running through her mind. As she sat up, she realized she was in a bed. A big bed. And she was alone. Her eyes adjusted as she took in the very masculine surroundings. There were log cabin style walls, wood floor, huge ceiling, even the bed was wood. It was beautiful, no doubt about it. The room looked like it belonged in an expensive retreat or vacation house. The noise sounded again. A big thump, another thump.

She wondered if she should stay in the bed and wait for Jack to return, or go see what the hell was going on outside the door. More noise sounded and a bunch of masculine laughs followed. The sound of laughter was all it took. How dare he leave her in bed alone!

She got out of the bed and realized she was butt ass naked.
I really need to sleep lighter.
There was no telling what Jack could have done to her. Somehow, she knew he didn't do anything except undress her and tuck her in.

Expecting to find her stuff in the closet, she opened the door. Clothes were hanging in there alright. Jack's clothes. Her suitcases were nowhere in sight.

With no other choice, she pulled one of the flannel shirts off the hanger and put it on. Lucky for her, Jack was a big man. The shirt hung mid thigh and covered her completely as she buttoned it up.

Taking a breath, she inhaled the smell of a mild detergent or fabric softener on his clothes. Squaring her shoulders, determined to face whatever was on the other side of the door with the same brave face she gave everyone, she turned the knob. The bedroom led to a small hall. Voices seemed to be coming from one direction, but straight ahead was the living room. She decided to go straight into the living room area.

Big windows opened up to a breathtaking view. The morning breeze filtered through carrying the sweet smell of summer on the air. As she wistfully tried to take in the scenery, she heard the thumping again.

She barely had time to see it before it sounded like thunder rolling around in the next room on the floor. She followed the sounds of who knew what. She heard the men talking, but she couldn't hear what they said over the commotion. Stepping into the next doorway, she found everyone had gathered in the big country kitchen.

Three big men and two gigantic dogs were there. The dogs were running around wild, jumping and playing. She had never seen a Great Dane up close before. She met two at once this morning. They stopped tugging on either side of the same rope. They looked at her for a heartbeat, and all of a sudden they ran over.

"Jack?” She took a couple steps back as the dogs advanced.

"Big Blue, Jessie Boy!” Jack shouted as the two big dogs decided to welcome Bethany to the family. Blue jumped up on her, effectively knocking her down. Jessie stepped on her and proceeded to lick her face. While Blue tried to get Jessie aside so he could greet her, Bethany tried to escape. High feminine squeals matched the hands working to keep the shirt from revealing her.

Poor thing, she turned over after Jessie let up and tried to crawl back into the living room. Her decision gave him, the dogs, and his two nosy brothers a great view of her ass.

"Damn it!” he shouted as she continued to squeal, and the dogs continued to lick and paw at her.

"Sit!” He reached for the dogs’ collars and gave them both a yank. Not hard, but enough to halt them. “Stay."

They both remained like good dogs. He reached for Bethany who had almost made it to her feet. “Sweetheart, I am so sorry..."

"Jack.” And so much warning was in her tone.

"Oh, don't be mad, they were just trying to welcome you,” Heath said and leaned against the hall doorway.

"Heath.” Jack laced his own words with warning. Then, he spoke to her in a much softer voice. “Let me help you up."

She stood on her own steam and faced the crowd. Jack wanted to kick himself for not waking her up earlier, but she seemed so peaceful sleeping.

"Where are my clothes?” Bethany asked, ignoring the gawks of everyone around her. The two dogs sat still but looked as though they desperately wanted to jump on her again.

"How many times have you heard that one?” Another male voice sounded. Heath, apparently, moved aside so Rafe, she imagined, could step in.

"Rafe.” Jack was looking at her with pleading eyes and warning his brothers with his tone.

"So, where did Jack pick you up, sweetheart?” Heath asked.

Her heart sank. They all called women sweetheart. Here she had fooled herself into thinking Jack used it as an endearing term. Stupid, stupid!

"That's my wife you're talking to,” Jack said and turned away from her to face his brothers. The two Great Danes then turned eyes to Heath and growled.

"The hell you say.” Rafe clapped. “Well shit, Jack. We thought she was just another one night stand. Come on out here, girl. Let us get a good look at you."

"I got a good look at her,” Heath teased.

Scoundrels, the whole lot of them!

Jack took a step forward with a curse. She grabbed his arm. No way was she going to have him fighting them, especially since they were going to have to live together at least a couple weeks. Maybe it would only be days if this was any indication of their hospitality.

"Jack, it's okay. I'm sure he wasn't raised to be a prick, he just is.” She stepped up beside him, put her arm around his waist, and faced the two brothers.

"I like her!” Rafe clapped. “Woman's got fire. So, where did you meet?"

Heath stood there with a hint of blush creeping over his cheeks. She could see he wasn't going to be the most fun to be around. Rafe, on the other hand, seemed unalarmed and just fine with everything. Like his brother got married on a regular basis or something. Maybe he was just one of those people who took everything in stride.

"Online,” she blurted before Jack could respond. “We've been e-mailing for about six months, decided to go to Vegas, and once we met, well. Here I am."

"Online?” Heath lifted off the doorframe and gave her a look, letting her know he wasn't buying it one bit.

"That's what we plan to tell everyone anyways.” Jack squeezed her shoulder and gave her the same look his brothers were giving her. Was he planning on telling them she was nothing? Just there for three months? A joke? Then, he explained to them. “It makes it less shocking than the fact we had a few shots of tequila and fell crazy in love with each other."

"Love?” Heath snorted. “You drink a couple shots this morning?"

Heath lifted from the doorframe and left the room laughing.

"Ah, don't pay him any attention..."

"Bethany.” She supplied to Rafe.

"Bethany, yes, nice name. Well, Heath is a little, what we like to call damaged goods, if you know what I mean.” Rafe looked over his shoulder toward the doorway as if Heath might hear. “Had his heart broke, been a bitter bastard ever since."

"Oh.” She felt bad. How could she not? Here she was kicking him out of his home though he had one of his own to go to, and she would be gone in a few months anyways.

"Thanks, Rafe. Now, she thinks he's always an ass.” Jack squeezed her again.

"He isn't?” Rafe chuckled. “I'll make you some breakfast B. What do you like?"

"Don't go to any trouble on my account."

"Steak and eggs it is then.” Rafe headed back to the kitchen.

She looked at the last two men facing her. The two Great Danes. Their tails thumped against the floor, and she realized these were Jack's dogs, not his brothers, and one of the three rules was not to mess with his dogs.

"Are they going to bite me?” She had never been around animals. Her parents didn't have time for animals. How could they when they didn't have time for her?

"No.” He laughed. “But you can't run from them or let them know you're nervous. They just want to smell you and say hi."

"Okay.” She looked up at her new hero. Willing to fight his brothers, jumping up to tame his wild dogs, she could learn to trust him a little.

"Come here boys,” Jack called, and they were on their feet in a flash. “Now be nice."

She held out her hand, and they both tried to nuzzle it. She gave them each a hand and realized they just wanted to be petted. “They are very friendly."

"Yes, they are. Big Blue is blind in his left eye, and Jessie Boy has one leg just barely shorter than the other on the back. Bubba found them one morning at his feed shop. Tried to keep them, but as they got bigger, they got into everything, so I brought them home with me.” Jack smiled and patted his chest. Big Blue jumped up and placed his paws on his shoulders. The dog stood eye to eye with him. “He's going to be taller than me pretty soon."