Heartbreak's Reward (Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight Book 2) (12 page)

“How’d ya learn?” She’d like to watch him break a horse.

“My dad taught me, and when he got too sick, my brothers took over.”

“Oh, your dad was sick?” Brenna tried to stop asking so many questions like the other night. She liked him as he was right now. But, she liked him a whole lot the last couple nights they were together, too.

“My dad had cancer and died eight years ago. Tristan, my middle brother, spent more time than me here with him.” Jase sat their glasses on the table and escorted her out the front door. “My little brother, Dane, decided he didn’t want to be a rancher anymore. He’s a soldier and good at it. Damn smart, too. An Army Ranger as a matter of fact.”

“Impressive,” said Brenna.

Once outside, they turned to the right and headed toward a big red barn. Brenna walked in with him, and they stopped at the first stall.

“This one’s a beauty,” said Brenna. The horse stuck its nose out through the opening in the side of the stall.

“This guy’s mine. We’ve been together for a while now.” Jase adjusted his hat lower on his head.

He went into the stall and took hold of the horses harness. With his hat pulled down over his forehead like that, she lost all focus when he lifted his chin, looked downward to see past the brim, and it looked awful sexy to her.

He brought the horse out. “This is Warrior. I’ll hook him into these cross ties and you can see him better. He’s awesome, ain’t he?”

Brenna patted his back and ran her hand over his sleek body. “What is he? He’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“My horse is manly, not gorgeous.” Jase chuckled. “Your hair is almost the same color as his mane and tail. His color is called light golden and his mane is considered flaxen. He’s a palomino.”

“Do you have more like this?” She threaded her fingers through his thick mane and slid her hand over his back again. “He’s big.”

“Follow me. He’s the only palomino right now.” Jase took her to Jaelle’s horse. “This is Sugar Plum, a Welsh pony. She’s as sweet as a puppy dog, everything perfect for my little girl.”

“Can I call
her
gorgeous? Her hair is so shiny. Do you brush her a lot?” Maybe she overdid it. “Does Jaelle ride her alone?”

“Only in the ring. We started out walking beside her, but she went to a lead rope. She can handle a cantor.” Jase patted the mare and took hold of Brenna’s elbow and they moved on. “She used to get brushed a lot. Not so much anymore.” He led her into the next stall, pointing at her feet. “You should have boots on.”

She peeked down at her shoes. “You’re correct about that. I’ll get a pair.”

“Both of my kids have their own horses. I thought it was important for many reasons. Being responsible for an animal is number one.” Jase showed her another horse. “This mustang is Joey’s. He’s considered dun in color.” Jase gave him a big pat and hugged his neck. “Meet Shadow. My son picked him out when he went to an auction with me. This horse took me for a lot of money. My kid has great taste.”

After visiting Shadow, Jase went in and out of each stall, patting and talking to the horses. If they stuck their nose through the small opening, she’d give them a pat. Brenna pictured him as a dad with his kids and the horses. A different man than she saw in the parking lot that night. She wanted to know him as he used to be. Was he a gentle soul who had bad times thrown upon him? Was it possible for that man to return? Here in his barn, she detected some of the person he might have been. “Your horses are all so gentle.”

“I try to get them that way, Brenna. Then I sell them to riding schools and they’re much easier on the students and trainers. If I get lucky, I make a lot of money selling it to the right buyer. This is what I hope for. The big one.” He removed his hat and wiped sweat from his brow and pushed his hair back before putting it back on. “More importantly, my own kids. Joey likes to ride others beside his own, and I keep that in mind when I’m buying and selling. I do some horse breeding too, but it can get expensive.”

This choked-up Brenna. His family had been his whole world. What a shame he was so broken-hearted. How could someone hurt him like that? The urge to touch him overpowered her and when he came out of the stall, she clenched his arm. He turned to her, eyes full of questions.

She didn’t say anything. What was there to say? Brenna liked him…and she didn’t care if anyone called her a fool, but his body summoned her. He placed his hands on her waist and took a half step closer. His body so close, it was almost touching hers and she wanted to touch him, press close into him. Jase pulled her to his chest as if reading her mind and nuzzled his face into the hair at her neck, fisted the back. She released a big breath, whispering his name, “Jase.”

Releasing her hair and placing one hand at the back of her neck, he pulled her tighter against him. Her breathing became erratic and she didn’t know if he detected it.

Not sure what to do with her hands, she wrapped her fingers around his arms and he continued to hold her, but pulled back and stared into her eyes.

“Brenna, I-I don’t know…I’ve had such a great time with you these past few days.” She hadn’t noticed the rasp in his voice before. Maybe because he hadn’t spoken that low.

Trembling inside wouldn’t stop. He lowered his face closer to hers and peered into her eyes again. She moved her hand to the nape of his neck before lowering her gaze. Before she made a total fool of herself, she said, “Should we get to those steaks?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He didn’t release her until Warrior tapped his hoof on the floor a few times and grunted. “He wants to eat, too. Time for all of them. Wanna help feed before we get to the steaks?”

“I’d love to.” She slowly lowered her hand from his nape and dragged it down the front of his hard chest.

Jase leaned forward. He peered at her lips and back to her eyes. She so wanted to kiss him.

He backed away and pulled his hat down. “I’ll show you what to do.”

She sighed and he glanced over his shoulder, indicating for her to follow. Her body ached. It wasn’t something she was used to either.

Back at the house after the feeding and water chore was finished, Jase carried steaks to the grill on his outside patio. Brenna tossed together a salad. He came in and stood behind her when she wiped down the counter.

“Can I wash my hands?” Brenna moved to the side. “How do you like your steak?” he asked pushing down the hand soap dispenser.

Brenna wondered what there was not to like about this guy. He cooked and had healthy food in his refrigerator. His wife had to be crazy for…wait, she didn’t know why they broke up. He turned off the faucet and flipped his fingers in front of her face, splattering water all over her, grinning so innocently.

“Hey, what are you doing? You don’t want to start splashing.” His face beamed with a delightful mischievousness.

“Must I repeat my question, Miss Brenna Page? How do you like your steak? Tell me or you’ll get it like I give it to you.”

She was sure he didn’t mean it like it sounded. “Good’n cooked.” She leaned one elbow on the counter. “Are you always so bossy?” Surveying his face, not afraid to stand there checking him out now, she loved what she saw. She was no longer distrustful of him. This wasn’t like her at all. Alone in a near strangers home? A single, hot guy? What got into her? Her conscience reminded her that a man named Jase weakened her.

“Well, we have something in common, girl. I like my meat cooked, too, sort of. You wouldn’t like it my way.”

Brenna tried not to smile when she looked at him, but it was like her quirking lips had their own will.

“Where the hell did our beer go? We had it before we went outside.” Jase glanced out the window. “I have to turn those steaks.” He left for the patio, turned them over, and grabbed the beer mugs from the dining room table when he returned. He handed one to her. “Warm now.” He downed it.

Brenna took a drink and made a face. “Warm beer is awful.”

He sauntered to the refrigerator and pulled out another can, popped it, and dumped the warm liquid before filling her glass with the cold brew. He poured another into a mug for himself. Brenna stood straight. Here they were again and she sizzled like the steaks out on the grill.

This time Jase set his beer down, wrapped his hands around her waist and took a step in. Her breath caught. She circled her arms over his shoulders. He was even more handsome close-up with just a tad of scruff beginning to show on his face. She liked the way it gave him a rugged look, but now she met his gaze.

Jase took a deep breath, his solid chest rising with the inhale and falling back as he exhaled. She still wanted nothing more than to kiss his mouthwatering lips. He lowered his face closer to hers. Brenna could have moved if she wanted to. That was the problem. She didn’t want to, for she was so attracted to him she could barely see straight. What about him? She licked her dry lips. “I want to kiss you.”

He clenched her upper arms and brought her in. “I might not be able to stop if you kiss me again.” Words barely spoken, and he crushed his lips against hers. She stood on her toes to reach him better when she wrapped her fingers around his neck, taking in every soft touch from his mouth. His kiss was hungry as if a rage battled inside of him, but hers might have been hungrier, the rage battling longer.

She lost all sense when she stroked her tongue across his. Lost, not knowing if she ever had a kiss so good, and his tongue teased her back. He tasted like sweet beer, his mouth warm and wanting. She didn’t want it to stop, but he pulled away. Swallowing almost didn’t happen until she forced it.

Their gaze connected. Brenna glanced at his lips. Kissable lips. Lifting her eyes back to his, she sighed, a rather loud sigh, and he smiled like she hadn’t seen before. The sadness in his face, softened and his eyes danced.

“My goodness,” she said. She repeated her last words, but Jase covered her mouth with two fingers. “Shh.” She held his hand against her chest, and he wrapped his fingers around hers. She had no doubt that this could easily turn into something fabulous. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything, Brenna. I wanted it.”

His seductive grin sent chills throughout her entire body—she placed her hands on his waist and moved closer to him. This was the look of the real man—Jase Carlson. She knew it had to be. “I want you to be happy again.”

“You made me real happy there with that kiss, girl.” He closed his eyes momentarily then focused on hers again. “Real happy. You give me hope.”

Her eyelashes fluttered at what she wanted to say…that making him happy appeared to be her goal, but she didn’t know why, or how any of this even happened. All she knew was she kissed him again…and she could kiss him continually. So she did, and his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him. Hungry, yes. They were both hungry. She melted against him, her arms tight around his back, squeezing, pulling at his shirt as if to rip it off.

Jase jerked away. “Damn, the steaks!” He turned and headed toward the door to the patio, gripped the door jamb with both hands. He stopped where he was, pivoted abruptly on one heel and raced back—hugged and kissed her one more time. Jase winked. Her heart beat out of control. He left and ran for the door, grabbing a meat fork off the counter on the way out.

Brenna fell back against the counter, shuddering. Focusing on her breathing, she attempted to get it under control, because at the moment her control went out the door with him and jumped into those hot coals. She lifted her mug and took a drink. Placing the cold glass against her forehead, he found her that way when he entered.

“The cold mug is a good idea.” He set the plate of charred steaks on the table in the dining room, came back and drank the rest of the beer in his glass. “Are you a wine drinking kind of girl?”

“Sometimes, but not now. I don’t like to mix it with beer.” She inhaled and let out a slow breath. “Do you like wine?”

“I’m more of a beer or whiskey kind of guy. Now.” He went to the refrigerator and grabbed another one, offered one to Brenna, but she refused it. “Here ya go.” He brought out steak sauce, the salad with dressing and handed the bowl to her, and closed the fridge. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go eat.”

They set the items on the table. He pointed to the cupboard in the kitchen where she could find plates and she took a stack, and bowls for their salad while he grabbed utensils and steak knives. Jase poured the third beer into his mug.

“Looks like the steak is how you like it tonight.” He held the chair out for her.

“Thank you, kind sir.” Brenna tilted her head back, lifted her eyes to his and gave him a simple nod.

“I’m not a kind sir. I’m a plain old horse rancher kind of guy.” When he took a seat he stared at her, his eyes narrowing.

In an instant, his other look retuned—the one she met at her school building. “It’s okay to be kind
and
a rancher.”

“Is it now? I tried that. It didn’t work.”

She gave him a serious stare. “I suggest you don’t give up on trying again.”

***

Brenna helped Jase put things away and clean up when dinner ended. “I’d ask you to take a seat in the living room and watch the sunset with me, but I don’t have anything to sit on.” He snickered in a devious way and stood at the window, asking her to join him. She decided not to ask for details.

“See that big pile out there? That’s what’s left of my furniture.”

Reading his eyes was impossible. He lifted his beer glass to his lips and took a drink.

“Do you mind if I get a glass of water?” She headed for the kitchen. “Which cupboard do you keep the glasses in?” Turning back she saw he had watched her, but he didn’t answer her question. She waited. “Jase?”

He lifted his eyes to hers. “What are we doing here, Brenna?” He licked his lips and stuck his hand into his pocket. “I can’t do anything about you.”

Huh? Where’d Jase go? Brenna entered the kitchen and began looking for a glass, found one and held it under the faucet. At the moment she couldn’t turn to face him. What had he meant? She listened as his footsteps came closer and he stopped behind her.