Under Pressure Page 6

  “Holy Moses! I didn’t know you had company.” She brought her hand up to her chest as if to stop her racing heart.

  “Another sister?” Spark asked Jewels.

  “Pearl. The middle one,” Jewels answered then turned to Pearl. “Not what you think, sis. This is Spark, the new ranch hand.”

  “Oh.” Pearl’s thin brows lifted over curious eyes. “Is this a new thing? We skip the doctor and give the employees their physical here in the kitchen? No wonder you kept this quiet.” She rolled her gaze over Spark and he shifted under the scrutiny. Not one sister had a problem saying, or doing, exactly what was on their mind.

  Jewels chuckled. “No different than examining the horses I assume.” She held Spark’s gaze a moment too long. “But I’m sure kitchen physicals are against some sort of federal regulations.”

  Pearl stepped forward and held out her hand. Spark shook it. He’d usually be comfortable with his pants down in the company of two beautiful women, but not under these conditions—and certainly not with these two.

  “Did you already get hurt on the job?” Pearl examined his salve-covered legs.

  “No. I’m afraid I had an unexpected waxing incident.” He caught Jewels’ awkward glare out of his peripheral. “Thanks to your sister here.”

  Pearl looked at Jewels, her mouth slightly parted. “Oh no, sis. What did you do?”

  Jewels’ gaze narrowed on Spark. “It’s a long story. One I’ll share over Thanksgiving dinner this year.”

  “Ahh, why not share now?” Spark urged, finding the humor in this at Jewels’ expense. Obviously, she had a conscious.

  “I’m getting very curious.” Pearl crossed her arms over her waist and tapped her bare foot. “So what happened?”

  “And like I said, I’ll save it for another time.” Jewels’ tone left no room for argument.

  Pearl dropped her arms and sighed. “All right. I’ll grab what I came for and leave you two alone, doing whatever it was I interrupted.” She chuckled, grabbed an apple from a nearby bowl and left.

  “I like her.” Spark laughed. Jewels could have burnt a hole through an iceberg with her laser gaze. “I’ll pull up my pants now. It’s too dangerous to have a scorned woman this close to the family jewels.” His words earned him another heated glower.

  Chapter Five

  “I SEE THE wax did nothing to ease the oversized ego.” Jewels sniffed loudly. The audacity of this man irked her, and he actually thought her frustration was funny.

  While touching him, innocently putting ointment on his wax burns, she could barely contain the shaking in her hands. Kneeling in front of him, she’d peeked through the gap in his boxers, glimpsing tanned skin and crisp hair. She’d almost swallowed her tongue when he’d grown and the tip of his erection had popped out the hole. He’d quickly adjusted himself, but far too late. She’d never had a stronger urge to wrap her fingers around a man and pump him into satisfaction.

  More than just a touch. She wanted to taste him…to smooth her mouth over his taut skin, easing him back into her throat—

  “You okay?”

  His easy drawl brought her back to reality. “I’m fine. I was only thinking that I should go and get dressed then show you the cock—I mean—the ropes.” Her flesh scorched from humiliation. If only the floor would open up wide and engulf her so her misery would end.

  “I’ve enjoyed the view of the itty-bitty outfit, but I’m afraid I can only take so much for one day.”

  Darting her glance downward, she sucked in a breath. The outline of her nipples and the shape of her breasts were clearly visible under the material. When she’d tossed it on in the wee hours of the morning, she hadn’t been expecting company.

  Bringing her chin upward, she blinked. “I-I didn’t think— I jumped out of bed…” He stepped closer to her, put a finger under her chin and gently closed her mouth.

  “I could kiss you right now,” he whispered. Her inner thighs quivered. Her pulse quickened. “But don’t worry, darlin’, not today anyway…”

  “Wha-what?” She hated that her voice shook—and hated even more that she felt rejected.

  A grin that could make the devil jealous curved his lips. “I think I’ll wait until you ask me to kiss you.”

  Jewels jammed her hands on her hips. His ego returned full force. “Don’t hold your breath. I’ll never ask you to kiss me, or ask for anything else for that matter.”

  “Sweetheart, haven’t you been warned never to say never.”

  “Oh, trust me, you and I will never kiss again. Once was enough to last a lifetime,” she stammered.

  He brushed past her and stopped to look at her over one brawny shoulder. “So, what do you say?”

  “About what?”

  “You going to change and show me around or would you like to follow that warm urge tickling the back of your brain and ask me to kiss you?”

  “You’re an ass, Spark!”

  “And yet you know you want my touch.”

  “Go to hell!”

  “I’ve been there and I didn’t like it much. I’ll wait for you outside.” He dipped his hat, and his whistle faded down the hall followed by the slamming of the screen door.

  Jewels leaned against the stool where Spark had been sitting, hoping her knees would stop shaking.

  “What the hell just happened?” she whispered.

  He was playing her out of a sick need for retaliation. That was all! She refused to allow him to pull her strings. The last thing she wanted, or needed, was to tumble into another fruitless affair, especially with an arrogant cowboy who thought he was God’s gift to women.

  She’d resist his charm and show him that she was one woman that wouldn’t fall for his magnetism.

  After changing out of her nightclothes and into more appropriate ranch attire, and applying a good amount of lip tint because every cowgirl needed pretty lips, and not because she’d be kissing anyone, she stepped outside

  ~°°°~

  Spark followed Jewels across the grass, and he cursed with every step. He was hell bent on torturing himself, and yet he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. When she’d gone to change, he’d hoped she’d return wearing a nun’s habit, but he wasn’t in luck. The tight jeans she wore fit her like melted wax and did wonders to an overworked man’s imagination.

  His dick hurt like a bitch. He’d ridden bulls that didn’t work his balls to a point of ache like they did now. No, this pain came with a need that only a woman could create.

  He swallowed the thickness in his throat and forced his gaze on something besides Jewels. Since the rodeo wasn’t happening any longer, he needed the job, for mental peace rather than financial. After the last ride on a bully of a bull, every bone on his body had been jarred, and a cruel reminder that at thirty-five, it was time he hung up his bull riding saddle. He’d won the grand prize and the ride was worth it, added with his savings account, but the ache in his hip wasn’t going away as fast this time as when he’d gotten hurt in his twenties.

  Bringing his gaze back on the sultry cowgirl walking in front of him, he bit off a growl. Damn, she’d gotten him good with the wax strips on his legs, and then she’d been nice enough to apply some salve that helped ease the irritation. Hell, he could have done without the ointment because now his insides were burning with a hunger he wouldn’t be appeasing any time soon.

  She stopped by the wooden fence and turned to face him. His gaze naturally dropped to her nice looking chest pushed up under the white tank top. He’d guess she wasn’t anything more than a B cup, but nowadays bras made a man think he was getting DD’s when he was only getting average. It deserved a man right because most put too much thought into a woman’s rack.

  He’d always been more of an ass man—but if he had a choice, he’d take a woman who had big brains. He couldn’t think of anything sexier than one who could talk politics and knock out numbers like a mathematician.

  Jewels was the whole package.

  His cock jerked, and he forced his
mind to take control over his fervid body. Jewels was a beautiful woman, and intelligent, but she wasn’t one to mess with—no matter what his intentions.

  Too bad she sent warmth oozing through his body and straight to his loins.

  She stepped inside the open door of the barn. “Hank? You in here?”

  Spark leaned against the fence and propped his booted foot against the bottom rail. He forced his gaze to stay off Jewels and gazed out over the field at the horses.

  He remembered Stone telling him that Jewels loved horses and had started riding while still in diapers, growing up spending more time in a saddle than on a swing. Spark could see a wild, spirited side to her but she kept a blanket over it. He wondered if she ever let her guard down.

  “I was told to expect a burly man, but I didn’t think he’d be a sucker to boot.”

  The raspy voice brought Spark’s gaze around, and he smiled. “Well, well, if it isn’t Scrawny. I haven’t seen you in years, my man.” Spark pushed away from the fence, held out his hand and the other man gave it a firm shake. Scrawny had gotten his name for being short and thin, but Spark knew the man was as strong as an ox.

  “Scrawny?” Jewels lifted a thin brow.

  “That was my rodeo nickname, ma’am.” Scrawny scrubbed his scraggly beard.

  “Is that how you two know each other? From the rodeo?” She nailed Spark with a curious eye.

  “We met on the circuit years ago,” Spark said.

  “But you had a lot more years left when I hung up my spurs. You were the best damn star the rodeo had. What the hell happened?” Scrawny pushed back his dusty hat and rubbed his forehead. “I heard about the fall. Man, you’re lucky to be alive.”

  Spark shrugged, noticing that Jewels’ gaze had narrowed into tiny slits. “Everyone gets old.” He hated to admit it.

  He heard her sigh, but he didn’t even bother looking her direction. He’d probably get another lethal stare.

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Scrawny chuckled.

  “So, it’s great you have a friend who can explain everything,” Jewels said.

  “You want me to show ol’ Spark the ropes?”

  “That’d be great. I have a meeting I’m late for. You men enjoy your day.”

  Spark met her gaze for a split second before she glided past him, leaving a scent of candy slamming into his awareness. He wouldn’t mind sucking on her sweet—

  “Careful not to let your eyes get you into trouble, Spark,” Scrawny warned.

  “No worries, my friend. She doesn’t like me and I like my women warm.” Spark dragged his attention away from the spot where Jewels had disappeared around the side of the barn.

  Scrawny smiled, showing off a gap in the bottom row of teeth. Spark remembered the ride when Scrawny had taken a face plant in the dirt and luckily only lost a tooth.

  “She can be a bit direct at times, especially since she came back to live here.” Scrawny kicked the dirt. “Can’t say I blame her. She was with some rich, corporate man who cheated on her. I haven’t been privy to the whole story, but I heard the rumors.”

  Spark sighed and leaned his elbows on the fence. “I don’t care much for gossip.”

  “You’ll like working here, son, as long as you keep your hands out of the garden, if you know what I mean.” Scrawny sniffed loudly.

  “Don’t worry. I don’t have a death wish, and Jewels isn’t my type.” He rubbed the back of his neck. His jeans were finally fitting less tight around his zipper.

  Scrawny swatted him on the back. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, brother. Maybe you’ll start to believe it. You wouldn’t be the first hand that sneaks a peek every chance he gets, but the smart ones are careful and the idiots are all gone. Papa Bear is protective over the cubs.”

  “I hear you loud and clear.” Too bad his cock was brainless.

  Chapter Six

  “ARE YOU GOING to tell me the story behind those green eyes?”

  Jewels looked from behind the open door of the refrigerator and caught Pearl with a narrowed expression. “What are you talking about?” She decided it was best to play stupid.

  “The cowboy who had his pants down in our house. I don’t think we’ve had a naked cowboy in here since, well, Dad was away on business and Em snuck in that Walters boy. You know the one I’m talking about. The brother of Satan,” she huffed.

  “Satan as in the man who you almost hit with Dad’s truck?”

  Pearl nibbled the corner of her lips. “That’s not true. If I’d wanted to run him over I would have done it years ago. He thinks he’s better than anyone.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t like that man. Not one bit!”

  Jewels hid her smile behind the bottle of orange juice. “And he doesn’t like you much either.”

  “Back to my point, is that how it works around here? Dad is away and the chicks will play? I don’t blame you, though. Spark is worth the risk.” She laughed.

  Jewels slammed the refrigerator door shut. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

  “Oh. Really?” Pearl pulled out a stool at the bar and slid on. “Then by all means, explain.”

  Uncapping the juice bottle, Jewels poured a tall glass. She could see that her sister was determined not to let the conversation rest. “I thought he was the cowboy who’d played Em. I sort of took revenge out on the wrong man.”

  “Sort of?” Pearl lifted a brow and grabbed a handful of grapes from a bowl of fruit.

  Jewels rubbed her eyes then dropped her hand. “I seduced him, if you can call it that, took him back to the room and while he was sleeping I applied wax strips all over his legs.” Jewels cringed as she told the story.

  “You did what?” Pearl squealed, dropping a grape and it bounced across the counter.

  “Don’t make me repeat it. In my defense, I was doing it out of love for our sister.” Seeing Pearl’s suspicious eye, Jewels sighed. “It’s the truth.”

  “If you say so, sis, but I have a feeling you were seeking retribution for something more personal. It hasn’t been that long since Kiefer cheated. It’s only natural you’d have some built up resentment for the male gender.”

  “You’re off base. My own resentment toward cheaters and players has nothing to do with what happened to Em. Completely different scenarios.” Talking about the past always made her anxious. She needed to keep herself busy. “I could use some coffee. Want some?”

  “Sure. But don’t think you’re changing the subject.”

  “What’s left to discuss?” Jewels filled the carafe with water and dropped coffee granules into the filter. She didn’t look at Pearl until she’d hit start.

  “I know it’s a touchy subject, but I’m worried about you.” Pearl’s serious expression made Jewels’ blood run cold.

  “I don’t need or want you to worry. I’m over Kiefer. I’m also over the fact that he slept with a girl who is barely out of high school.” The words were like acid on her tongue, proving that maybe she did have an ounce of resentment left in her. “Okay, I’ll admit the sting remains but I’m doing really well.” She forced a smile to her lips.

  “I agree—some. After all, you didn’t look too unhappy bent over the new ranch hand, rubbing his, uh, leg.” Pearl teased. “I didn’t know which part of him had your attention when I first saw you.”

  Jewels grabbed the towel from the hook and threw it at Pearl. It landed on her shoulder.

  With all of her might, Jewels wanted to deny the accusation, but truth was, she’d enjoyed herself a little too much while standing so close to Spark. It irritated her that his masculine, clean scent and warm skin could turn her topsy-turvy. But observing those feelings would only make things worse. “You know cowboys aren’t my type.”

  “Is that so? Because why?” Pearl grabbed a banana from the bowl and peeled it, watching Jewels over the top.

  “We grew up with them in our backyard.” Pathetic excuse, Jewels realized.

  “Oh yes, and I remember on more than a few occasions sitting out on the p
orch, sipping root beer floats and eating cherry licorice while watching brawny, shirtless hunks work. There was even a time we swore we’d marry a cowboy.” Pearl bit into her fruit and moaned.

  “Every little girl has a dream. Too bad that’s all it is—a fantasy.” Jewels thrummed her nails against the granite counter.

  “I blame Daddy for ruining it for us. Remember he promised to lock us up and throw away the key if we didn’t stop ogling his help?”

  Jewels chuckled. “I even believed him when he said cowboys liked horses better than women. After all, I liked horses better than boys at the time.”

  “Until you got a sample of Kiefer and then you changed your mind.” Pearl laughed. “It must have been his fast car that revved your engine.” She chuckled.

  “And look at how that turned out.” Jewels wrinkled her nose. “But no fast cars, or cowboys, for me. No matter how handsome.” The coffee maker beeped and she made each of them a cup.

  “It’s time you start dating again, Jewels. It doesn’t have to be a cowboy, but anyone with testosterone to get you back into the saddle would be good. They say the best way to get over someone is by being under someone.” She wriggled her brows.

  Jewels picked a grape from the bowl and tossed it at Pearl’s head. She ducked just in time. “That would be nice, if I found someone interesting enough to make the effort.”

  “And Spark doesn’t ‘spark’ the imagination just a bit?”

  “Dad would have my head, and Spark’s job,” Jewels said.

  “Then you are a bit curious. Otherwise, you would have simply said no.”

  Shrugging, she sipped her coffee, staring at Pearl through the steam. Placing the cup onto the counter, she clicked her tongue. “I did get a glance of the package, and I must admit, even flaccid I could see he was built.”

  They both laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Jewels and Pearl turned.