Chapter Nine

After avoiding the Beer and Steer for nearly nine months, Stone found himself at the bar for the second time that week. Both times because of Jovy. Tonight, unlike the first time, he wasn’t there out of aggravation. More like anticipation. Try as he might, he couldn’t get the woman out of his head. And after their erotic ride that morning, she was in his blood but good. Instead of crippling him when he’d made a pass, the northerner had trusted him, responded to his touch, opened up, and let him pleasure her out in the open. Damn, that was so fucking hot. If he hadn’t had the McGregor appointment he wouldn’t have dropped her off. Hell no. If she were willing, he would’ve gone to her apartment and celebrated a completely different grand opening.

Which wasn’t smart considering he was supposed to ignore his libido, and Jovy. His focus took a hike with common sense whenever he was near the woman, and he couldn’t afford that, not with a company to worry about and a friend on the brink. Plus, there was the fact that she was leaving in less than four weeks. A fact he’d reminded himself after he’d left the feed store when his boots had carried him up the street to her restaurant. Seeing dejection shadow her pretty face and her body slumped against the counter in the empty café had twisted his gut something fierce. Before he knew it, he was on the phone rounding up some of the men, determined to turn her day around.

An idiot. A sucker. Yeah, he was both, but he wasn’t the type to sit around and let chips fall if he could lend a hand. Wasn’t in his DNA.

Could his bank account afford it? Not really. Did he care? Hell no. What he couldn’t afford was seeing her sad. His gut told him whatever she was trying to prove to her grandfather was damn important. So, if it was important to her, then he would do what he could to help her succeed. Even though that meant she would leave at the end of her lease.

Yeah, an idiot and a sucker.

“So, bro, I have to say I’m surprised you invited us here.” Brick dropped into a chair while Vince and Cord set two pitchers on the table and sat down.

“Why are you surprised?” He frowned, reaching for a mug once Vince filled it. “We deserve to celebrate landing the McGregor account.”

Cord nodded as he filled two more and pushed one at Brick. “To the McGregor account.”

The four of them drank a toast, then Cord raised his glass again. “To Drew and Leo.”

With a loaded silence, they toasted their absent buddies. Both sorely missed. One was in the ground; the other was out of town celebrating his grandmother’s birthday. Stone was glad Leo decided to go home. Hopefully, the visit would do him good.

After a few minutes, Brick turned to him. “It’s good to see you happy, Stone. I’m just saying, I’m surprised you wanted to celebrate here instead of at the ranch.”

Of course his brother wasn’t going to let it drop. Stubborn bastard. Not that Stone blamed him. It was out of the ordinary for him to want to go to a bar. But he didn’t have a choice. Not after he’d invited Jovy to a celebration that hadn’t yet existed. His need to see the woman had him blurting out an invitation he had to make real.

Brick’s keen gaze narrowed. “Something tells me it’s not just the contract that has you smiling today.”

“Bet I know what it is.” Vince’s lips twitched. “It’s the hazel-eyed beauty from Philadelphia. I always told you eastern girls were special, too.”

Stone sat back in his chair and sipped his beer. He wasn’t rising to the bait.

“Did Jovy pop your cherry?” Brick asked, then slapped Stone on the back when he started to choke on his beer. “That’s great, man. I’m happy for you.”

“It’s not like that,” he sputtered. At least, not yet.

Vince grinned from across the table. “Why not? She’s hot, and definitely hot for you.”

Cord sat back, lips starting to twitch, too. “Oh, it’s definitely like that. Why else would you round up some of the guys and make them eat vegan food for lunch at her café?”

“What?” Brick’s head twisted toward him so fast it was a wonder it hadn’t come clean off.

Vince frowned at him. “Why didn’t you ask me? I would’ve been happy to try her food.”

That’s exactly why he hadn’t asked. Jovy and the New Jersey native had the north in common. Stone wasn’t about to give them the opportunity to bond over cooking, too. Fuck that.

Brick set his beer down on the table with a thump. “You know, Stone, I’m not sure that was such a smart idea.”

“What? Helping out another human being?” He set his mug next to his brother’s and narrowed his gaze. “I’m not wired any other way, Brick. She needed customers, so I provided them.”

“That’s not what I meant, you idiot.” His thickheaded brother cuffed the back of his head. “It’s obvious she’s doing some sort of trial run here in Joyful, and needs to succeed.”

“Yeah,” Cord agreed. “When I was helping her paint, Jovy told me she had four weeks to make as much money as possible in the café.”

Brick reached for his beer while Stone processed the news, and tried not to feel jealous that she’d opened up to his friend and not him.

Vince leaned forward, alarm creasing his brow. “Or else what? Is she in trouble?”

“She said or else wasn’t an option,” Cord replied, then shook his head. “No, I didn’t get the impression she was in trouble.”

Stone twisted his half-empty mug on the table. He didn’t, either. “Probably to prove something to her grandfather.” His gut told him it was business-related.

“Could be.” Brick exhaled. “And that brings me back to my point, little brother. Why the hell are you helping her? You’re assuring her departure.”

Vince nodded. “Don’t you want her to stay?”

He hadn’t known her long, but the more time Stone spent with the remarkable woman, the more time he wanted to spend. “Yes, I want her to stay, but not at the expense of her failure. I’ll do what I can to help her.”

“Even if that means she’ll take a hike,” Brick stated with a shake of his head. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing, Stone.”

Ditto.

He lifted a shoulder. “We barely know each other. Maybe it’s just physical.”

His brother snorted. “‘Physical’ is a helluva good reason.”

“Is this a private celebration or can anyone join?”

At the sound of Jovy’s voice, Stone jumped to his feet, along with the others, and turned to watch her approach. Damn…what an approach. She was gorgeous. Heat rushed through his veins. She’d changed into a sleeveless navy sundress that hinted at cleavage and tied on her left hip, beckoning him to pull the string and unleash her swaying curves. A thin brown leather purse was slung across her body, bouncing against her hip as she walked.

For the first time since they met, she wore her hair down, and the coffee-brown waves were longer than he’d expected, falling well past her collarbone. His whole body tightened imagining her nipples peeking out from the soft, silky curtain of hair.

“Hey, Jovy,” Vince and Cord greeted in unison.

Brick grinned. “We were just talking about you.”

Her gaze was open and heated and glued to Stone’s while she addressed his brother. “I’d love to hear about it, after I thank Stone.”

If he had any air in his lungs to form a thought—or find his voice—he would’ve asked what she meant by thank him. And for what.

But his body was instantly hard and mind was useless as shit, so when she set her hands on his shoulders he let her push him down in his chair and swing a leg over his lap.

Holy shit. She’d straddled him.

In front of the guys.

In the middle of the bar.

“Thanks, Stone.” The woman practically purred, and was so damn close he could feel her breath on his lips, watch her hazel eyes darken to a gorgeous green. She hesitated, hovering, teasing him with the promise of those luscious lips a mere inch away. Sweet Jesus, she drove him crazy. Made him nuts. He could practically taste her.

God, how he wanted to taste her.

Just when Stone was about to take over, Jovy leaned in and brushed her lips to his, touching off a chain reaction his body hadn’t expected. Son of a bitch. It was stronger than before. His mind literally fogged, while heat spread to every extremity in a rush that stole his breath. This was nuts. It was insane. So much more than the last time they’d kissed, and judging by the sexy sound deep in her throat, she agreed.

Warm hands cupped his face while her sweet, eager lips drank him in, feasted, her wicked tongue darting into his mouth as she devoured the last of his control. He grunted and crushed her close, taking over the kiss. That’s when he died and went to heaven. His body craved hers with an intensity that should’ve scared him, but instead, it only added to the excitement and adrenaline coursing between them.

When they finally broke for air, he blinked at the sexy woman sitting on his lap. Her gaze was hot and dazed, confirming he wasn’t going insane alone, while the heat between her legs seeped through his jeans, tantalizing his crotch to bulging proportions. “What was that for?”

“For helping me out.” She sucked in air, a huge smile lighting her face. “For being sweet.”

Vince waved a hand, catching his attention. “I can be sweet.”

Cord nodded in agreement.

“Me, too,” Brick said.

She turned to the others and laughed. “Of that I have no doubt, but I reserve the sit-on-your-lap kind of thank-you for Stone.”

“Lucky shit,” one of them muttered, and he couldn’t agree more.

He felt lucky. Damn lucky. And hard. Zipper-cutting-into-his-erection hard.

When she made to get up, he gripped her hips and held her in place. “Don’t leave on my account.”

Smiling, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss near his ear. “This would be better if we were both naked and back at my place.”

Check please.

His dick pulsed, and he had to talk his body away from the edge. The image her words created was exactly what he wanted. Exactly what he needed. Now. Yesterday. Damn, she was intoxicating.

But it all led to distractions he’d spent nearly the past year trying to avoid. The memory of Leo’s comatose body hooked up to wires and machines in the hospital last year was enough to cool Stone’s libido. If he hadn’t been in Kernville, balls-deep in a waitress…maybe his buddy wouldn’t have taken the pills. Bottom line, Stone had let his friend down. No way was he going to allow that happen again. Ever. He needed to be available 24-7. On his game. Coherent. Alert. Focused. And not just for Leo. For all his men.

If he went with Jovy to her place, his focus would strictly be on her mouthwatering curves. God, he wanted that. So damn bad. Maybe Leo would be fine tonight, his mind reasoned. He was with family. He’d been good the last two days. Hell, the guy had been great this morning. Laughing and joking, even somewhat excited about spending a few days with his grandmother.

Stone wanted to tell Jovy yes, to take her up on her offer, but dammit, his responsible side dug in. He didn’t refuse the offer. Just sort of left it in limbo as his mind waged an inner battle of need versus responsibility.

“Think about it,” she whispered against his lips, then pulled out of his hold and got off his lap.

He wasn’t likely to get it out of his head. Ever.

Stone watched as his brother shoved a beer in Jovy’s hand and grabbed a chair from an empty table. “Thanks for joining the celebration.”

“My pleasure,” she replied, settling down between them like she had the other day. “Congratulations on the new contract.”

Brick smiled. “And congratulations on your first day. How’d it go?”

“Good. Thanks to Stone.”

He reeled back. “Me? I didn’t do anything but enjoy your chili.” Which was true. It had been damn good, even without meat.

She gave him one of her electric smiles again and he felt like he was sitting under a warming lamp. “You did a lot more than that, cowboy. You got the ball rolling. People talking. By late afternoon, customers were stopping by because I had been recommended.” She set a hand on his arm and squeezed. “Thank you.”

“Not necessary.” He covered her hand with his, mesmerized by the warmth in her gaze. “I owed you.”

Her eyes took on a wicked gleam and tripped his pulse. “No, as I recall, it’s I who owe you.” Her heated gaze dropped to his crotch.

Stone stilled. His whole body tightened with an almost painful intensity. She was potent. His dick throbbed as if touched, and he was sporting the biggest hard-on of his life.

Maybe if he’d had sex during the past few months he wouldn’t be reacting to the woman with such ferocity. No. Instinct told Stone his lack of control had nothing to do with abstinence and everything to do with Jovy Larson. They connected, meshed, on a completely different level. A rarity that scared the hell out of him.

With a long, indrawn breath, he dragged air into his lungs, and because his brother and two buddies watched closely, Stone diverted the conversation back to neutral ground. “It’s the least I could do for helping me find the paper that led to the estimate that got us the McGregor job we are now celebrating.” He released her to lift his mug in a toast. “To Jovy.”

She let go of his arm and voiced a thank-you. God, she was sweet. And gorgeous with the color in her cheeks deepening the green in her eyes. She made him nuts, in a good way, and as she laughed and joked with everyone for the next half hour, he was having trouble remembering why he hadn’t jumped at her offer.

“I’ll be right back.” When she stood, he and the other men rose to their feet, watching as she sashayed her way to the restroom.

“Damn, bro. Take these.” Brick grabbed his hand and slapped two foil packets into his palm. “Forget what I said before. You need to get her out of here and put these to good use.”

Condoms?

Jesus. His heart stopped. “Are you nuts?” Stone tried to give them back but Brick backed away, shaking his head, leaving him no choice but to shove the condoms in his jeans while he kept an eye on the restroom door. “She might’ve seen that,” he growled, sitting back down.

“Dude, you’re so uptight. It’s been what? Nearly a year? Here.” Vince tossed another condom at him, hitting him square in the chest. “You’re going to need more than two.”

Son of a bitch.

“Vince is right.” Cord dug in his pocket, then slid another packet across the table. “And don’t show your face at the ranch before noon tomorrow.”

It was a conspiracy.

Spewing a curse, Stone rescued the condom from the table and the other from his chest and quickly stuffed them in his jeans—all while keeping an eye out for Jovy.

Brick scratched his temple. “Had I known tonight was the night my brother was going to pop his nine-month cherry, I would’ve sprung for a box.”

“Christ, Brick.” Not that again. He leaned forward as Jovy came out of the bathroom. “Keep your voice down.”

The jerk grabbed his arm as they both rose. “As long as you promise to let loose tonight and enjoy yourself. You can’t keep living like a saint, denying yourself life’s pleasures. It ain’t right. It ain’t healthy.”

“Leo m—”

“Leo is fine,” his brother insisted. “He’s with his family for the next few days. And if by some fluke something comes up, we’ll handle it. Enjoy yourself for a damn change.” Brick nodded toward the bombshell approaching with a smile and said under his breath, “That woman is hot, and hot for you. Do something about it.”

Her smile widened as she drew near. “You are all so sweet. Standing when I get up, and when I approach. A girl could get used to it.”

“A girl like you should,” Stone said, and was rewarded with another pretty blush.

Brick dipped his head. “A Southern boy isn’t worth salt if he doesn’t show respect to a lady.”

“Not just a Southern boy,” Vince corrected with a wink.

Jovy laughed. “Well, thank you kindly. All of you. And thank you for the drink, but I’d better be going.”

Four pairs of eyes shifted to Stone. Three narrowed and imploring, and one open and hopeful. The moment of truth. Whatever decision he made would affect his life for the next three and half weeks. Or more.

What was it going to be? Ecstasy? Or torture?

He reached for her hand and set it on his arm. Ecstasy. “Can I take you home?” He might be dumb, but he wasn’t stupid.

“I’d like that.” The heat entering her eyes told him she wanted this as much as he did.

Why shouldn’t they take advantage of the opportunity fate granted?

Five minutes later, Stone parked behind Jovy’s building and hurried to the passenger side to help her from the truck. Light from a pole at the back of the property cast a soft glow on the small parking lot behind the stores. “Allow me.” Stone took her hand and walked her across the lot, his jeans full of condoms and a throbbing erection dying to put them to good use.

When they stopped in front of her door, she leaned against it and stared up at him. “I’m…uh…not really good at this, but would you like to come upstairs?”

Definitely. Literally. In her. Several times. Jesus, he was pathetic. He lifted his free hand to brush back the hair a light breeze blew across her face. “Very much.”

They stared at each other a beat, then in the next second they were kissing, devouring, clinging together as if their lives depended on it. When they broke apart to suck in air, Jovy pulled keys from her purse, but her hand shook too hard for her to unlock the door. Knowing that kissing him knocked her off-kilter went a long way to stoking his confidence. He wasn’t the only one driven to distraction on a crazy-ass train with no brakes. She was along for the ride.

Hell, she was driving.

He unlocked the door, slipped the keys back into her purse, and followed her sweet ass up the stairs. By the time they entered her apartment he was ready to burst.