Pressure Rising (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 2) (7 page)

He closed his eyes and a vision of her nipples, puffy and hard through her wet shirt, was etched on the back of his lids. She didn’t have big tits, but she had nice ones. They were firm and her nipples were large—he could suck on them all day.

What she wore now didn’t assuage his aching cock one bit. He’d gotten a good look. The crème colored sundress molded her breasts, hugged her slender waist and, although it flared around her hips, he could still see that they were fuller and perfectly round—he could get a good grip with his fingers.

He guessed he did notice her body every time he saw her…but not close up and personal like this. She didn’t have all of these curves back when she was a teenager. Hell, he was a scrawny boy back in the day.

His cock grew longer and he couldn’t prevent it. Thankfully, he could wedge the growth between the cushions for some relief. He opened his eyes. In his peripheral he could see her flushed cheeks and the plump set of her bottom lip as she concentrated on her task.

He imagined a turtle could have accomplished the task quicker, but he wouldn’t complain. Her fingers on his skin did wonderful things to the areas of his body that were screaming for release.

This was going to be one hell of a week if he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants and his attention off Pearl.

Through the blank TV screen, he caught her reflection. She was nibbling on her bottom lip now. Sweat beaded his brow and heat crawled down his spine. She was into this and he reciprocated the feeling. He drank in her lovely features. The slight upturn of her nose, delicate cheekbones, and the curve of her jaw—she was beautiful. He wondered if the pale pink color of her lips matched the tone of her nipples. Since he’d seen them through the material of her clothes, he had gotten curious—or obsessed. It could go either way.

Visions of her lying in his bed naked and her pussy soaking wet, made his heart thump against his ribcage.

He’d thought about her all night. He should have known better than to give her his room, but oddly, when he’d thought about sticking her in one of his brothers’ rooms, he’d gotten all tense. Not quite jealousy, but something he didn’t want to examine closer.

Her mouth opened slightly. Damn, he wanted to kiss her just to see if she tasted as good as she smelled.

Being that he was a red-blooded man, and against his better judgment, he also wouldn’t mind doing naughtier things. With a mouth as pretty as hers, he could only guess how good it’d feel on all of those places of his body that ached for a pair of nice lips—but not just any mouth would do.

His cock pulsed and he shifted, otherwise he’d have the impression of the zipper forever on the underside of his shaft.

“Pearl.” Her name fell from his lips before he could stop it.

Her head came up. “Did I hurt you?”

Yes, in more ways than you can imagine
.

He cleared his throat. Talk always made a man’s dick flaccid—yes, he should talk. “Why were you named that?” If this didn’t ease the tension in his body, he was going to have to throw trepidation to the wind and toss her back on the couch, even if she slapped him into tomorrow. He had a feeling if he sampled those sweet lips he’d want more and more.

She shrugged. “When Mom and Dad named the ranch Rhinestone, I guess they just thought it was fitting to name us girls after stones. Pearl is a bit old fashioned, but I’ve never had any problems with my name getting confused with someone else’s.” She cracked a grin. “Poor Emerald always hated her name. When she was in elementary school, a boy she had a crush on couldn’t pronounce her name. He called her mermaid and she thought it was the worst thing ever. That’s the reason why she goes by Em—makes it easier on the boys.” She leaned closer and he could see her reflection as she tried to find the best bandage to fit the wound, trying out several from the box.

He liked watching her without her having a clue. “I hear your sister Jewels is getting married. Ever think about it yourself?”

“Marriage? No. There is a natural procession of events that have to happen first, and I can’t be a bride without a groom.” She laughed. He liked how her face softened as she relaxed.

“Sure, but I find it hard to believe you haven’t been swept off your boots yet.”

A thick lock of hair fell to her cheek.
Move the hair
. He couldn’t see her. She brought her slender hand up and pushed the tendrils away. He wished he could see whether her cheeks were pink tinged. From what he’d seen so far, she blushed with the slightest provocation. Wonder how red she got when she was made love to?

“Call me particular, my dad does, but I’m looking for someone special. I haven’t found him yet. Speaking of special, your friend Diana certainly is something.”

“Wow, there wasn’t any sarcasm in that statement at all.” He glanced back at her.

“How else would I put it? She’s the typical woman that most men are attracted to, nothing against her. She’s a beautiful woman with a huge…smile.”

“No wonder you aren’t hitched, lady. You have pegged men all wrong.”

“Oh, have I? Well, obviously Diana was more than a friend. We women know these sorts of things.” Her fingers moved across his skin as she secured the bandage. “All done.”

He was a little disappointed. She wasted no time and moved to the chair. He stood up to fix his jeans realizing that talking did little to ease his hard on. Hell, that was a new one. While keeping his eyes on her, he shifted his hips enough that she couldn’t see his package.

A part of him hoped she might want to examine him a little closer sometime in the near future.

Fuck! He was slowly losing his ability to think clearly.

He stared into her eyes, the same color as warm chocolate. “Yes, Diana has a set of big knockers, but that’s not what attracted me to her.” Seeing accusation in Pearl’s eyes, he rechecked his words. “Okay…yes, I did notice her chest, as well as other things, but Diana’s a good hearted woman. Just unfortunately she doesn’t make my head spin and my palms sweaty,” he admitted.

“You mean to tell me you’re a man who wants more than a big chest and tight ass? I just pegged you as a cowboy who didn’t give much care how big a woman’s mind is.” She batted her eyes.

“I’m not a caveman, darlin’.”

“Of course not. Ever had that physical reaction before, sweaty palms and head rush?” One thin brow curved.

Right now.
But he couldn’t divulge that. “Once or twice.”

She trapped her bottom lip between her teeth, then a smile curved that pretty mouth. “And you let her go? Foolish man.”

“Can’t let go of something you never had. And that was years ago behind a barn.” He sat and stretched his legs, propping them on the edge of the table. There went those cheeks of hers turning a color that matched the pink on her fingernails. The temperature rose and he tugged at his shirt. “Anyway, you have nothing to be jealous of. Diana is pretty, but you’re stunning.” He caught the glow in her eye. “I’m sure you’ve heard that a time or two.”

She laid her palms in her lap. “Not often.”

He watched her mouth, the slight tremble targeted his groin, sending heat radiating through his stomach. She didn’t come to the ranch for a romp with a cowboy and, no matter how much he wished things were different, they still had an ocean of differences between them.

Even if his cock urged him to sample a sweet, sexy Stone sister, his mind was guarded.

“You should hear it often. You’d have more confidence when you’re not hiding behind a shotgun.”

Her eyes warmed. “Dad taught us girls how to shoot about the same time we learned how to walk. I feel real comfortable holding my firearm and I’ve also learned gun safety.”

He swallowed. “I think I have the proof that you failed the safety test.”

“It was an ac—”

“Yes, I know. It was an accident. But you were going to kill poor Pugly.”

She blinked. “I really wouldn’t have shot him. I was angry and, looking back, I do see how silly it was. But Charmin is my prized horse and I had plans for the money I make off of her.”

His chest tightened. “What are those plans?”

“I’d like to expand my horse training and breeding business on the land at Rhinestone.” Pride made her eyes sparkle.

“I have a confession. I’ve been saving for a long time to build a house and maybe multiply the R&R with a few more cabins and trails. I was told I might have to dig into that savings if that horse of yours foals a mule.”

She shrugged. “So that’s why you agreed to this, having me here? Were you hoping you could convince me to not ask for compensation?” Some of the spark left her eye. “Or maybe you were hoping to seek revenge?”

He rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, I guess I did have those intentions, but I want you to know if Charmin has a mule I plan to make restitution. I’m not the only one with dreams. I see why you were as pissed as a horse with a bumblebee on its ass.”

“I appreciate that, but I’d say we’re even.”

He watched her fingers play with the hem of her skirt, rolling and unrolling the material. The action got him right in the gut. “Do I make you nervous?” How was it he’d been accused by every female he’d ever known that he didn’t communicate worth a crap, but with Pearl he told her things easily—things he had no business admitting.

“A little.”

“I think you make me a little nervous too.” Damn, this sharing thing was scaring him. Up until yesterday morning he couldn’t stand her being within ten feet, let alone living in his house. Yet, he was getting way too comfortable. The feelings of want couldn’t be ignored… not when the pressure was dangerously rising.

“I do?” Pearl’s brows shot up.

Smiling, he nodded. “I haven’t lived with a woman that wasn’t a relative, and even that was a very long time ago.” He could make light of the situation, but the knowledge of how attracted he was to her weighed heavily on him.

“Understandable. And I’ve never lived with a man besides my father.”

Her smile made his balls throb. Her face glowed. He was done for.

Shifting, he hoped his jeans didn’t pop the zipper. At this rate, the lack of oxygen going to his brain was going to cause him a loss of intelligence.

“I just want to say that I appreciate your dad hiring hands to help out here for the week. Otherwise, my brothers would have had to come back home.” If his brothers came back home, then Pearl could leave. Why didn’t that sit well in his gut?

“It was the right thing to do.” She slid her fingers through her hair, something he noticed she did a lot. “Never know, maybe we can mend our issues.”

“I think it’s possible.”

She stood up. “I was wondering if you’d be okay for a few hours while I take care of some business?”

“Sure. I’ll just sit here with my handy dandy remote and surf the channels. I haven’t watched sports this much since I was in high school.”

“Most men wouldn’t complain.” She laughed.

“I’m not like most men.”

“That’s the truth.” She sighed. “Okay then, I better go now.” Did he see regret in her expression?

After she’d gone, and hours later as evening came on, DJ sat in the corner of the couch brooding. He was bored out of his mind. The hands had stopped in and gave him the rundown of the day’s events. They would be back later for the last chores of the day. Nash had called and said he was coming home before expected leaving DJ questioning if Pearl would leave then. He needed her to change his bandages because there’s no way in hell he would ask Nash.

In all truth, she could leave now. He was recovering from the injury and could even get around better today. But if he had to go through another round of her changing his bandage, he’d probably do something very stupid.

He laid his head back, closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

DJ realized he was a workaholic. Always had been, and they were shorthanded here on the land. Just as soon as he slacked off, he got behind and there was a helluva price to pay when it came time to catch up.

Eventually, sleep enveloped him.

Chapter Five

“So you’re the cause for all of the drama.” Pearl stood at the newly installed electrical fence and her heart tugged.

Pugly looked at her through the slats as if he wanted her to pet him.

She wanted to dislike the donkey, but when he looked up at her with warm eyes and showing a row of big teeth, how could she?

Looking around the enclosure and inside the small barn, she found the switch to the electrical current and shut it off. Stepping into the fenced area, Pugly took several steps closer and nuzzled his nose against her palm. Reaching into her pocket, she took out the carrot she brought for him. He munched the veggie.

“We’re friends now, huh?” she said. “Listen up, fellow, you can’t visit my Charmin. Some circumstances can’t be helped and she is off limits.”

Pugly grunted.

“Does this mean we’ll have to kiss and make up also?”

At the sound of the rich Texas accent, Pearl swirled and her gaze met a pale, twinkling one. “DJ, what are you doing out here?”

“Maybe I should be asking you that very question.” One thick brow curved.