Authors: Roni Hall
Noah started the introduction on the keyboard then began to sing. He had a pure baritone voice that was clear and strong. Jamie kept her eyes on Noah the whole time, her eyes welling up as his song came to a climax.
The music stopped and Noah affectionately commented to Kevin, “If I make her cry, I know I did good.” They all laughed and Jamie wiped away her tears.
“That was beautiful.” Standing up she walked over to hug him.
“That was very good, Noah. You have a remarkable voice.” Kevin was impressed.
“Thanks.” Pushing himself away from the piano, he stood up and put his arm around Jamie.
“Let’s sit on the porch. Brandy, anyone?” Kevin asked.
“Yes,” They answered simultaneously and all moved outside. The night sky provided an encore performance, night after night, and tonight was no exception. Thirty minutes later Kevin made his exit.
“I’m going to turn in. You two stay and catch up with each other. Noah, I’ll see you in the morning before you leave. Next time, try to fit in more than one day.”
“I wish I could stay. Good night and thanks for a great day. You’ve been a gracious host. See you in the morning.”
Jamie looked surprised to hear Kevin was turning in for the evening. Getting up, she walked him inside.
“Thanks for giving Noah such a warm welcome.” She touched his arm then reached up to kiss his lips. Circling his arms around her, he pulled her close to accept her kiss then released her reluctantly.
“Your friends are welcome here anytime. I mean that.” He stroked her cheek with his fingers. “Goodnight. Enjoy your time with Noah. He’s a good guy. I like him.”
“Thank you, that means a lot to me. It was a great day.” Kevin smiled and walked upstairs. He did like Noah but he had an ulterior motive too . . . to keep her happy, to keep her here.
Kevin was the first one up in the morning and made coffee for his houseguest.
“Morning, Kevin. Coffee smells good. Mind if I help myself?” Noah joined him in the kitchen.
“Please do. Mugs are up there.” Kevin pointed to a cupboard near Noah’s head.
“Thanks.” Noah grabbed a mug then poured himself a cup of java. “I had fun last night.” Noah chuckled.
“I did too.” Kevin laughed out loud. “Thanks for sharing some of your old stories about Jamie. There were some good ones.” Kevin paused. “I’m glad you were able to make it out here, even if only for a day. You’re good medicine for her.”
“Hey, it did me a lot of good to see her, too.”
“You two are pretty tight. I’m glad you have each other.”
“Yeah, we’ve been able to keep in touch even though I’ve been on the road a lot lately.”
“Yeah, I meant to ask you about your music. I don’t want to get into your business, but if things aren’t going as well as you hope, I may be able to help. I don’t know how much Jamie told you about my music or if she even knows exactly what I do, but I help new talent and I definitely think you’ve got talent. I can get you in touch with some important people. I’ll give you my number, call me if you are interested.”
“Whoa, she told me you worked with music but gave me no details. I’ll tell you right now that yes, I’m interested in any help you can offer.”
“I’ll make some calls and get back with you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Noah smiled and shook his hand firmly.
Jamie woke early and got dressed. Thinking over the fun of yesterday, she was sad it was over. She loved having Noah here and didn’t want him to leave. Forlorn, she headed over to Kevin’s place.
When she got there, Kevin and Noah were having coffee in the kitchen.
“Good morning.” She tried but her heart was not in it. The time had flown by too fast. Walking over to Noah she hugged him, holding back tears.
“Hey. It won’t be so long next time. I promise.” He tried to console her. Afraid to test her voice, she only nodded. Kevin had asked Consuelo to make them breakfast and excused himself to pick it up.
Noah looked at her. “At least I don’t have to worry about you now. Kevin’s a great guy and you’re in a good place. I feel it. You do too, don’t you?”
Jamie nodded and looked at him. Other than Kevin, Noah was all she had and she didn’t realize how much she’d missed him till she saw him. Her arms still around him she pulled him closer.
“I miss you. It was so good seeing you and catching up. Stay in touch . . . promise? We both have to be better at calling.”
“Yes. Promise.” Noah made eye contact as he spoke.
“But don’t think I’m not mad at you, because I still am,” she stated firmly.
“For what?” he asked innocently.
“For all those horrible old stories you told Kevin last night!”
Noah looked at Jamie and they both busted out laughing. “You told some doozies and I’m not about to forgive you. You were supposed to take those to your grave with you!”
Kevin walked in with a steaming basket of hot breakfast vittles. He smiled since the mood was obviously lighter now. Noah and Jamie were fighting and laughing at the same time.
“A little help here, Kevin,” Noah pleaded.
“What? What now?” He played into it.
“She’s mad because I might have let a few secret stories slip last night. I blame it on the truth serum you slipped into the wine.” Noah looked to Kevin for help.
“Sorry, buddy, you’re on your own. You’re leaving town and I have to live with her once you’re gone.” Kevin pulled the hot dishes out of the basket and set them on the counter. The aroma was killer.
“Thanks. Thanks a lot, Kev.” But all was forgotten as they pulled up seats and dove into Consuelo’s hot breakfast foods. They continued to banter back and forth between mouthfuls of morning delight.
Lingering over coffee, they chatted till it was time for Noah to leave. Kevin carried his bags out to the car; Jamie and Noah followed, arms linked together. Walking him to the driver’s side, she hugged him a final time then kissed him on the cheek.
“I love you, Noah.”
“Love you too, darlin’.”
Kevin came up and shook his hand. “Hope to see you again. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks for everything Kevin. Take care of my girl.” Noah smiled, climbed into the car, and shut the door. One wink at Jamie and he was gone.
Standing close to Kevin she took hold of his arm, watching Noah drive off.
“You okay?” Kevin asked as he put his hand over hers.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Yeah, I’m good. Thanks for asking.”
Jack was chicken soup for the soul so she headed to the barn as Kevin went to work. As evening drew near, Jamie’s sadness about Noah’s departure set in, but her spirit lifted when Kevin asked her out to dinner to a new Tex-Mex restaurant in town. The atmosphere and décor of the restaurant were festive which helped lighten the mood. Rehashing some of the funnier stories of the night before, she tried to downplay Noah’s descriptions of a few of her escapades. With a little help from some margaritas they laughed until they cried and Jamie demanded equal time from Ben on some old Kevin tales.
“Oh, I bet there are some Kevin stories to dig up.”
“Nope, I’ve led a pretty boring, uneventful life. Honest.” But he couldn’t look her in the eye as he feigned innocence.
“Not that I doubt your honesty, but I’ll ask Ben.” Kevin reluctantly admitted he may be in trouble and laughed.
As the waitress cleared away the last of the empty dishes, the mariachi band started to play. Kevin caught Jamie’s eye and nodded his head toward the band. Responding with a full smile, he grabbed her hand and they headed to the dance floor. Neither knew Mexican folk dances but it didn’t seem to matter and their laughter matched their uncoordinated steps. By the third song their energy was waning and even though the cha-cha was not a slow dance, Kevin took her in his arms and held her close. Closing her eyes to appreciate his touch, her insides trembled at the warmth of his tender kisses on her neck. A slow burn ignited inside and she moaned softly. Hoping the music would never end, she was content to stay in his arms forever. A feeling of total peace enveloped her and she needed nothing more. The band took a break but she did not move from the security of his arms. Kevin tightened his hold on her and kissed her lips before releasing her.
Forcing dessert on themselves to make sure the margaritas had worn off, they sat close at the table, hands linked. By the time they left they knew all the staff by name and promised to return soon. Jamie sat close to Kevin in the truck, holding his hand as he drove.
Once home she slid out the driver’s door and holding hands they walked to her cabin. Neither spoke but there was a palpable heat rising between them. Opening the door to her cabin, she never released his hand and he followed her in. As he closed the door, she turned to him feeling vulnerable yet safe. His eyes searched hers as he brushed her hair from her eyes.
“You sure?”
The fact that he asked confirmed what her heart already knew. Nodding her consent, he reached for her, his warm fingers sliding down the nape of her neck as she surrendered to his touch. Jamie sighed as his hand traveled down her back, pulling her close. His scent triggered electric charges causing her insides to quiver. His lips met hers, as his tongue enflamed the fragile tinder deep within. Realizing the genuine goodness of this man, she had no more doubts or reservations. Her insatiable desire could be contained no longer and she responded with all her heart.
Separated by cloth barriers their steamy bodies drew together like magnet to metal. Kevin’s hands slid under her blouse, up her back and sides until he caressed her breasts. Aching for him, she unbuttoned her blouse and he slipped the garment off her shoulders onto the floor. Jamie opened his shirt, her eyes never leaving his, as her fingers slowly traveled across his chest and over his shoulders, sliding the barrier off. The warm smoothness of his skin under her fingertips contradicted the underlying power in his muscular body. She followed the defined lines of his upper arms down to his forearms then back up to his shoulders and neck. Releasing her hold on him she reached her hands behind her back to unhook her bra, letting it slide down in front of her.
Kevin sighed. “You’re so beautiful, Jamie.” Their breaths quickened as they reached for each other and their bodies met with no more restrictions. With her in his arms, Kevin moved toward the bed and they fell onto it, not letting go of each other. Shedding the rest of their clothes, he laid astride her, kissing her with increasing urgency. Jamie was on her back as Kevin pulled away to look at her once again, but only for a moment. She pulled him back to her, unable to tolerate any distance between them. She needed him like she had never needed anyone before. Kissing her deeply, his hands caressed her neck as his hot lips followed, gently tasting her inch by inch, down her neck to her shoulders and breasts as if he couldn’t get enough. Moaning with pleasure at every touch of his burning mouth, she clutched him to her, never wanting to let go. The heat rose as he slid down to her navel.
“Kevin, oh, Kevin.” She called his name over and over as he continued his erotic torture. Finally she pleaded, “Please, Kevin. Please . . .” He lifted his head and she pulled him up to her, their eyes reuniting and hearts pounding. He wrapped his arms around her as he lay on top of her, kissing her deeply, letting out a low groan.
“Jamie.” He breathed her name as finally their spirits, hearts, and bodies were one.
Chapter 23
Jamie had never felt as totally safe and whole as the night she spent in Kevin’s arms. In the morning light they looked at each other in disbelief then smiled when reality hit them.
“Hey,” he whispered to her, reaching over to caress her cheek.
“Hey yourself.” She cupped her hand over his. It was good; it was more than good and each of them knew it, felt it. Unfortunately life set in and they had responsibilities to tend to.
“I don’t want to get out of bed today. Can’t we play hooky?” he pleaded with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“That would be fun,” she blushed, “but no can do. Everyone would be looking for you and I have a feeling they would start here.”
He looked at her intensely but all he said was, “Jamie,” and reached over to pull her into his arms as the rest of her world faded away.
Kevin made it a point not to skip lunch; he knew Jamie would be there and he longed to see her. Entering the mess hall, his heart skipped a beat as he saw her eating lunch with Ben and Rick.
God, she’s beautiful! And to think that woman was in my arms all night
. He had to laugh at his own lovesick thoughts. Grabbing a plate of food, he squeezed in between Ben and Jamie even though there was no room. Shoulders touching, he glanced over at her with a wink, making her blush. Ben looked from Kevin to Jamie and back to Kevin questionably.
After lunch Jamie, Kevin, Ben, and Rick all walked toward the barn together. Kevin knew Jamie was planning a ride, and he didn’t like the idea of her going alone. This was wild country and Jamie was still a novice. Even though she tried to calm his fears, he didn't like it. With a music deadline looming, he could not accompany her but finally Ben offered to go and Kevin’s unease vanished. As they stood just inside of the barn finalizing their conversation they all stopped in mid-sentence when they saw a black Jaguar with dark tinted windows pull up the drive. After a minute, the driver’s door opened and a tall muscular man with olive skin and dark handsome looks emerged from the vehicle. His thick black hair was perfectly coiffed as he removed his Ray Bans to place them on top of his head. He was dressed impeccably in obvious designer attire.
Kevin, Ben, and Rick stared in awe without speaking at the stunning man. The striking figure stood outside the car and looked around. Finally he laid eyes on the foursome by the mouth of the barn and strode confidently toward them.
He stopped a few feet short of them and stood silently. Kevin stared at the man; he recognized him . . . but from where?
Kevin spoke first. “Can I help you?” Kevin’s gut grew active with distrust and his voice had a cold edge to it.
“Jamie.” The stranger spoke as he looked at her.
Kevin took his eyes off the unknown man and looked at Jamie who was pale, her eyes wide with obvious disbelief at this mysterious man.
“Derrick. What are you doing here?” Jamie spoke as her voice wavered nervously. In the background Jack snorted loudly in his stall; the large stallion’s pacing steps were audible.
“Well, looking for you of course, darling,” he answered matter-of-factly. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
Kevin looked from Jamie to the stranger and back to Jamie again.
So this is Derrick
. . .
where have I seen him before?
Kevin’s mind raced a mile a minute.
What the hell is he doing here?
Jamie looked terrified.
How did he find her? Did she call him?
Judging from the look on her face, Kevin doubted that she had contacted him at all. Then it hit him.
This is the guy at the bar that wouldn’t take his eyes off her!
Ben and Rick were speechless. One look at Jamie and they took a protective stance near her. No explanation was necessary. Derrick and Jamie had a history and from her terrified expression he was bad news. All five stood silently for what seemed an eternity.
Finally Derrick spoke. “Jamie, aren’t you going to introduce me?” He looked at her with a sinister smirk on his face.
Jamie, still looking shocked, spoke hesitantly.
“Kevin, Ben, Rick, this is Derrick Stiller. Derrick, Kevin Cunningham, Ben Meyers, and Rick Hall.” They all nodded but nobody shook hands, which was highly unusual for the ranchers. From their expressions, they all had experienced instant dislike for this man. Jamie’s negative feelings were clearly visible. Dead silence hung in the air.
“Derrick, what are you doing here?” Jamie repeated her question, still looking shaken. Jack could be heard pacing back and forth in his stall.
“I told you, darlin, looking for you. Maybe we should talk in private.” Jamie stood motionless, still looking stunned by Derrick’s appearance.
Kevin spoke first. “I don’t think so, bud.”
“It’s okay Kevin. I can speak with him.” Jamie found her voice though it still sounded unsteady.
“You sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Her voice stronger, though still ashen faced she looked at Kevin. He was hesitant but knew that this was between Jamie and Derrick. Jack became more agitated in his stall, making whinnying noises now.
“Okay, we’ll be right outside.” Kevin motioned with his head for Ben and Rick to follow, which they reluctantly did. Once outside, Rick and Ben simultaneously questioned Kevin.
“Who the hell is that?”
“That,” Kevin stated, “is her ex.” He said no more, at a loss for words. They’d exited the barn but Kevin did not go far. In fact, they stood within earshot.
“We need to stay close, he’s hit her in the past.”
“Oh, hell no!” Ben moved nearer to the door.
“Derrick! What are you doing here?” She could not contain her anger.
“I’ve been worried about you, sweetie. You just disappeared.” He feigned exaggerated concern.
“We’re done, remember?”
“I was never done, I told you that. You left town without even telling me. Of course I’d come looking for you.”
She was livid now. “I broke it off months ago. What are you doing here? You have no right! No right at all to come here. We’re done.” Tears of anger were erupting.
How dare he come and jeopardize what I have!
His dark eyes simmered black with anger. “Nobody walks out on me! Nobody! Who do you think you are? Do you think you can humiliate me like that? Oh, no. Nobody walks out on me. Not even you.”
“What do you want?” she asked, anxious to find out just to be rid of him.
His eyes softened. “I want you, that’s all. I want
you
. And I want you to come home. DJ’s is almost finished, almost ready to open. I know you want to be there for that. It’s our place, remember? I need you.”
“That was never our place, Derrick. That was your place, never mine, and I told you that from the beginning.”
“But we named it DJs, Derrick and Jamie’s . . . remember?
“No, you named it and I told you to leave me out of it. What we had was long ago and we’re done . . . finished.”
“No, you don’t get to decide that. I never wanted it to end. I can be better. I’m sorry I hit you. I’m sorry I hurt you.” He looked sincere, but Jamie shook her head.
“You need to leave, Derrick, now. There is no us. We’re over. We’ve been over for a long time.” She stood firm.
His face hardened again and his black eyes grew cold. “Oh no, we’re not over. Not by a long shot.” His tone frightened her. As his anger grew, memories flooded back.
“Go. Get out of here and don’t ever come back. Do you hear me?” She raised her volume.
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” He approached her, grabbing her arm. Jack went nuts in his stall, rearing up on his hind legs and snorting.
“I’m talking to you, Derrick.” Scared shitless, she tried to jerk her arm free, but he pulled her close. With her face inches from his she could smell the liquor on his breath. His eyes narrowed as they shot daggers into hers and she pulled back in fear. Drawing her in with both arms, he kissed her on the lips hard as she shut her eyes tightly. Jamie’s first reaction was to resist but she didn’t, she let it happen. After he released her, he looked at her with a smug grin.
“Thank you.” Making eye contact, she steadied her voice. “I always wondered how I’d feel if you held me again and kissed me. Now I know. Want to know what I felt, Derrick?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “Nothing, I felt absolutely nothing . . . at least nothing positive. Repulsed is the one word I would use to describe it.”
Derrick reached for Jamie’s arm again, his eyes glaring with rage. “Don’t touch me!” Jack reared, hitting the stall door with his front hooves.
“You heard her! Get your hands off her!” Kevin’s voice bellowed from the entrance as he marched toward them, putting his face inches from Derrick’s. Kevin pushed Jamie behind him and stood between her and Derrick with a clenched fist looking ready to pounce.
Derrick stopped cold and looked at Kevin who was now in his face. Smiling, he looked at Jamie, “Is this your new boyfriend, a cowboy?” Sizing Kevin up with his eyes, he sneered. “Oh, you’re going to stop me?” Derrick questioned with a smirk.
Ben and Rick walked out and stood behind Kevin as Derrick’s grin vanished. Rick’s size was intimidating, even for him.
“I’m done here.” As he passed Jamie, he whispered in her ear, “For now.” Derrick’s eyes met hers and her heart went cold. As the intruder walked away, Ben and Rick followed him. Kevin turned to Jamie.
“You okay?”
Shaking, she could not find her voice as Kevin put his hand on her shoulder. Avoiding eye contact, she excused herself to her cabin, wanting to be alone.
How could this be happening? How did Derrick find me? Why did he come? We are long over. What would Kevin think?
Her mind raced wildly
.
The only positive outcome of Derrick’s appearance here today were her feelings. Seeing him again had brought no positive feelings whatsoever. In fact, seeing him again confirmed that she had been right to end it. Looking at Kevin and Derrick side-by-side . . . there was no comparison. They were as different as night and day. She was over Derrick now, no question about that at all. However, it was clear that Derrick didn’t think it was over. He had always wanted her involved in the club . . . but why? Why was that so important to him? Once when he had been drinking, he told her that she made him look legit. Was that it? Once behind the safety of closed doors, Jamie broke down. She believed Derrick . . . he would be back.
Kevin was at a loss for what to do. He wanted to comfort Jamie but it was obvious that she wanted to be alone. What he wanted to do was kick some ass, kick Derrick’s ass. He wished he could beat the shit out of him, not just for his appearance today but for what he had done to Jamie in the past, especially after what Noah had told him. The thought of Derrick striking her set his blood boiling. He should have beaten the shit out of him in the barn. The three of them should have pummeled him good. Kevin had no patience for men who beat women, especially a woman he now loved.
Was Derrick gone for good? Kevin was not convinced. He’d come all this way to see her and it was difficult to believe that he was satisfied with the outcome of his visit today. And how long had he been in town? Kevin had seen him in the bar days ago. What had he been doing all this time? Kevin wanted to comfort Jamie, to hold her and assure her everything would be all right. But right now she wanted to be alone, and he felt totally helpless.
Once Jamie shed her tears, she was mad, mad as hell and she needed a physical outlet to vent her anger. Donning her track shoes she slipped out the door for a run. Taking a familiar riding trail she ran hard and fast, her feet pounding the rocky terrain. Needing to escape her emotional turmoil, she ran until her sides ached and her body pleaded for mercy. All sound was muffled by her own loud gasps as her lungs begged for oxygen. Her legs cramped with lactic acid and were as heavy as lead. When she thought she hit the wall, she pushed it farther and when she couldn’t take another step she collapsed to the ground. The carnal pain she could deal with, she welcomed the physical exhaustion. It distracted her from her emotional turmoil and heartache. She had this sixth sense of a dark storm coming and its name was Derrick. He was not through with her. Not fearful of physical harm from him, she was more worried that he would sabotage her relationship with Kevin. She wasn’t quite sure where she and Kevin would end up, but she did know that what they had was the most important thing in her life.
Jamie lay on the ground, her tears falling onto the dry dirt. Bolting upright, she felt ashamed of herself.
What a sight I am, coated in dust on the ground, crying
.
Derrick is not worth this
.
I refuse to give him that power over me.
She stood up, brushed herself off, and wiped away any residual tears. Physically drained, she summoned up the energy to jog back to the ranch. Once there she showered, dressed, straightened her stance, and walked to the mess hall for dinner.
When Jamie entered the mess hall, Kevin, Ben, and Rick all turned to her with expressions of concern. Looking surprised to see her there, she was overwhelmed with their obvious worry for her. Her heart swelled with affection and she smiled at all three of them. Wanting to give the impression that all was well, she headed straight to the buffet to make herself a plate and sat down with them.
“Hey, guys.” Forcing a smile they made small talk, knowing they would not talk about what transpired this afternoon in front of any of the other ranch hands. Kevin made eye contact and locked his eyes with her. She held his gaze, gave him a small smile, then looked down at her plate, pretending to eat. Moving her food around without bringing any up to her mouth, she listened to the benign conversation at the table. The crowd began to thin until finally it was just the four of them.
Ben asked first. “You okay, Jamie?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you for asking. Thanks to all of you for being there. I appreciate it. I’m so sorry for the spectacle.” She looked down at her plate and moved her food around some more.