Under Pressure (12 page)

But
he couldn’t follow his desire, not with her. He knew her type and she had money symbols for irises.

“I have nothing to prove.” She lifted her chin in a defiant angle.

Just when he thought she’d walk away, and a big chunk of him hoped she would because they needed the distance, instead she surprised him and glided toward him, stopping toe-to-toe. Her gaze held an emotion he couldn’t decode.

“
But I’m not who you think I am.” Her soft voice rippled across his skin.

“Yea
h? Then who are you?” He inhaled sweetness and leather, his senses flooded while his restraint crumbled.

“
I can’t answer that, but I do know I’m not a cold, stuck up daddy’s girl. Just because my dad and mom named their girls like they did, doesn’t mean we’re pompous.”

He winc
ed. “You into snooping? That was a private conversation.”

“When you and
Scrawny are talking where anyone can hear, well, that someone could just be me.” Her bottom lip slightly puckered, making him want to kiss her even more.

He
couldn’t deny that he’d said some pretty harsh things. “I’m sorry but after you let it slip last night that you and I knew each other before I came to work here, and insinuated we were involved, I had to persuade Scrawny that there’s nothing going on. I trust the guy with my life, but I know you want to keep your reputation spotless.”

Surprise lit her eyes.
“Thank you.”

“But in all truthfulness, you can’t deny you have a
n aloof air about you. And I’ve seen a pompous side too.”

The area between her eyes scru
nched. “That was an ass thing to say.”

“
Come on, Jewels, can you really believe you don’t carry around a chip on your shoulder? When was the last time you spoke to one of the hands? Just to ask how their day was?” Seeing her confusion, he chuckled. “There you have it. You put yourself above them, at least that’s the impression they get.” Fire lit her expression and if she thought he would falter, whether he was a hand or not, she had another thing coming.

“Thank you for that bit of awareness. Seeing that
you’ve been here for…what…two weeks is it? I guess you’ve become the spokesperson for the employees.” She moved back to the door.

He shoved his hand through his hair. “Damn, I’m only trying to pave the potholes and it appears I’m making things more complicated.”

She wrapped her arms over her chest. “Could have fooled me. Your stunt at the bar last night sure looked like someone who was creating craters instead of fixing potholes. You must have been as pleased as punch after you jilted me.”

Chuckling, he shook his hea
d. “I didn’t jilt you. I meant every word I said.” His gaze automatically dropped to her lips. “But you were drunk, therefore, off limits—doubly so because you’re the boss’s daughter. It’s okay that you loosened up though and finally let someone see a glimpse of who you are. Too bad it took a shot of whiskey to inspire the change.”

“Wow, thank you for your
candor.”

“Any time.”
He winked.

“
Just for theory’s sake, what if I wasn’t the boss’s daughter?” One brow curved, teasing him, he knew.

He waved a hand. “Then I’d
most certainly follow my desire, and I think you’d let me.”

“And what desire is that?” H
er voice trembled.

“This is dangerous,
Jewels.” He was going to go bat crazy.

She took the space between them in two quick strides, placed her palms
against his chest and gave him a slight push. His shoulders touched the wood of the stall, shock bustling through him. The mare whinnied and stomped the ground, as if she could sense the electricity in the air.

“To hell with propriety.”
The words fell from her lips.

A
second later, she was on tiptoe and her mouth crushed his. Her tongue slipped past his lips, rubbing and rolling with his tongue.

She pulled back,
breathless and eyes glinting. Her face flushed. “Damn,” he whispered.

“Wow, breaking the rules does feel good.”

“I’m glad I could be of assistance.”
He swallowed.

With a disgruntled moan, she met his gaze. “Why do I want you when I know it’s wrong?”

He swept the back of his fingers along the smooth curve of her jawline. He could spend all day exploring her and he doubted he’d get his fill. “Probably for the same reason I want you when I know it’d be the end of me.”

“The end of you?”

“At least the end of this job.” His throat ached.

~°°°~

Jewels had never felt more alive than when she was close to Spark. He did something to her that she couldn’t quite explain.

Her body
longed for his touch—and more kisses. “You can be with any woman you want, I’m sure. One who could ease your need without costing you your job.”

His gaze narrowed. “Is that what you think I’m looking for?
Just any piece of ass?”

She co
uld lose herself in the pools of his gaze. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It sure the hell sounded like it.”

“I meant, why risk everything to be with me?” She stared at him, anticipating what his answer would be.

“The only way to get to heaven is through death, and I’d easily walk down that pat
h to get a sample of you.”

She started to laugh but swallowed it.
The sincerity in his eyes dug a hole deep into her soul. She no longer wanted to fight the desire or urge.

His words slipped a
sleeping pill over her resistance.

Without debating the
rationality of their union, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the back of the barn, into the shadows where they could be alone.

“S
omething urgent, sweetheart?” Thick brows curved above curious expression.

“Yes, something very urgent.” She
pushed him against the wall and slid her hands along his broad chest, locking her gaze with his questioning one. “Before I think this through, I’m going to kiss you again.”

Stan
ding on tiptoe, she lifted her lips to his, running her tongue along the curve of his bottom lip. A moan escaped his throat and his mouth parted. She slipped her tongue in and tasted him. His fingers dug into her arm, his thumb caressed the inside of her elbow and charged her bloodstream with need.

Electric
ity slithered along her flesh, stopping at her breasts and perking her nipples into tight beads. They became increasingly swollen and sensitive.

He lifted his chin, staring down at her, turning her into a mol
ten puddle of quivering warmth. Lord help her. He made her feel things she hadn’t felt in years—if ever.

“Some kiss
coming from someone who doesn’t even like me.” His husky voice made her knees weak, but the meaning made her heart skip ten beats.

“Who said I don’t like you?”

“It’s pretty obvious, sweetheart. When you have the cold wall up in place, you’re targeting me with a deathly stare. Then the barrier slips and those beautiful eyes pull me in, making me want things a man like me has no right to have. As soon as that protective side fires into place, I’m shot back into Iceland.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but the words fizzled. He was right, dang it! “I don’t know why I’m that way with you.
Wishy-washy.”

He frowned. “Do you have something against me or all men?”

Laughing, she tugged her hair behind her ear. “I don’t have anything against you, or any man. I—I…” What could she say?

“
You’ve been hurt and allowed it to ruin your ability to have fun.”

She
sniffed. “I have fun—lots of fun.” This sounded like a lecture she’d get from one of her sisters.

He chuckled. “That’s a lie,
darlin’.”

“No, it’s not a lie. Didn’t you see me laughing
at the bar?”

“Oh, that was a laugh?
I guess I couldn’t get past the underlying sarcasm.”

Thinking over her words carefully
, not wanting to reveal too much, she blew out a breath. There was no being careful around a man who turned her to mush with his sexy eyes and charming smile. “I’m a little uncomfortable around you.”

“Uncomfortable? I’ve always been told that I’m easy to
get along with.” His eyes drove into her.

“You’re a dangerous man, Spark.” Her voice was thick.

He took a quick step back. “I’m not out to steal any hearts, or break any hearts either.”

She moistened her lips, staring at him through the veil of her lashes. She should just get this over
with. It wasn’t like she owed him an explanation, but she wanted him to understand. “Dangerous because you make me feel a certain way—lots of special ways—making me want to laugh again.” There it was—the door to her emotions opened. What would he do with her information? Use it to his advantage—like Kiefer had for years?

“I’m not the danger, sweetheart. The danger is the man who made you close yourself
off. I’m the salve that’ll make you feel better.” A wicked gleam lit his eyes.

Wrapping her arms protectively around her middle, she sighed. “This is probably a bad idea.”
But why did she want to rip his clothes off with her teeth? Lick him from head to toe, and spank his bottom. She’d guess a man like Spark wouldn’t mind a wickedly good time in bed.

“Y
eah, very, very stupid.” He leaned in and curved one hand on the back of her neck.

“St-st
upid…yes.” The apex of her thighs quivered. Inhaling deeply, she caught a whiff of masculinity and straw, making breathing harder. She could run away. He was giving her the chance to back away, but her feet were stuck to the ground.

Run!

Move!

Her
stubborn limbs refused her brain’s command.

Her legs threatened to buckle,
making her lean into him for his support.

“And this is probably another dumb move.” He bent his head and kissed the sensitive area behind her ear then trailed his tongue along the line of her neck. She s
hivered, clutching the fabric of his shirt into her fists. My God, the man was a chemical warfare on her emotions.

Push him away!

His fingers threaded into her hair, his thumb smoothed over her earlobe.

“And for goodness sake, I’m about to be the dumbest bastard this side of Texas.” He slid his
palm along her nape and steadied her while he slowly lowered his mouth, kissing her deep and deeper until she trembled from toes to nose.

There w
as no longer any fight left in her. She was a goner and no dingy was in sight to save her. To hell with the ice-cold wall she’d built to protect her from men like Spark. His arms became the dingy—her life support.

With trembling fingers, she popped the top button of his shirt, then another and another
—each
pop
was a promise— until his heated skin was exposed to her exploration.

Dipping her fingers into the
opened V, she swirled her touch along his chest, over flat nipples and, as more buttons released to her pleasure, following the trail of coiled muscle to the waist of his jeans.

His fingers tugged at the hem of her shirt, dragging it from her body. Then he skillfully removed her b
ra. He sucked in a breath, skimming his warm fingers over her nipples that rejoiced at being the target of his touch. She slightly arched, loving how her breasts became swollen mounds against his palms.

“This…is…”

“Bad, I know. But bad never felt so damn good.” His husky voice beaded sweet poison through her blood.

“It shouldn’t happen. We…need…to
—”

“Tell me to stop,
Jewels, and I will.” He whispered next to her ear.

“I don’t think I can.”
Bringing her gaze up and meeting his, she felt all her chains break. “I want this. I want you.”

“Then let me show you that I’d never hurt you. I’ll only show you how good it is to feel.” He turned her in one swift move, pushing her against the wall, slipping his fingers to the waist of her jeans.
The loosening of the button and zipper sounded loud in the tall building.

A horse whinnied in the background
. A moan echoed off the walls, and she realized it was her—the sound of her willpower fading.

“Nothing can ever come of this. No one can know.” Her voice quivered.

His fingers paused. “I guess it isn’t acceptable for the daughter of the boss to sleep with the lowly ranch hand.”

She squinted. “No, that’s not the reason. My father would never keep you on as a hand if he knew.
But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”