“How’s our invalid doing?” Bobbi heard her mom ask the next evening. She’d been isolated at the cabin and abandoned by everyone for the snow carriage ride. Everyone except Jared. He stayed steadfast in his role of the gentry.
“Better I think,” Jared’s friendly response rumbled from the living room.
Drying off from her warm shower, she smirked as Jared and her mom chatted like old friends on the other side of the door. He remained himself, and she was thankful for his quiet nature. Jared didn’t put on airs for anyone. She liked it about him. Her ex-boyfriend had been the exact opposite. Now, as she thought about it, most of the men she dated were pushy and conceited. Jared had his own flaws, but none that added up to her exes. While Asher told her the younger Whitaker was a playboy, Bobbi didn’t see him as one at all. Sure, he could charm any lady, but he didn’t. At least not around her. She couldn’t believe he was infatuated with her cousin either. Erin was high maintenance, and he’d already rejected her once. They’re friends. Nothing wrong with it. The more she thought it over, the less she wanted to talk to Erin or Jared about their relationship. She was sure she could handle the response.
She lotioned her legs and wondered how the rest of her family was doing. After sleeping off and on the day before, her muscles were too sore to do anything of note for a day or so. Slipping into a pair of yoga pants and a fleece sweatshirt, she padded to the bedroom and grabbed one of the romance books she brought from home. A little escape from reality was in order after yesterday. If Jessie’s recommendation held merit, this particular book was the way to go. She wasn’t familiar with the author, but the cover art was sexy.
The edge of her magazine poked out from under the bed. “How’d you get here?” She snatched it up and haphazardly scanned the one and only article she cared to reread.
“Well, I guess I can cross be vulnerable and eat junk food off the list.” She put little check marks by them and pulled on her slippers. “This is ridiculous. I don’t need a stupid list.”
She opened the bedroom door and saw Jared in one of the chairs by the enormous window of the A-frame cabin. But it’s working. He offered to stay behind and even told Erin to leave earlier. If his words didn’t mean anything, his actions did.
The aroma of coffee compelled her feet to the kitchen. She snagged a mug and filled it to the brim. It smelled almost as good as it tasted. “This is amazing,” she complimented after taking the first sip.
Jared put down the book on Colorado archaeology. “Asher likes to boast about his brew, but it’s an old family recipe.”
She shook her head. “I’ve had Asher’s. This is different.” She took another drink, savoring the flavors. “Better.”
Her praise seemed to please him, and he stood. “Asher puts cinnamon in his. I put cinnamon and vanilla in mine.”
Bobbi leaned against the counter, her book now long forgotten. Why read about romance when you’re in a real life novel? “Hmm, it must be the combination. It’s my favorite, you know.”
His toned body made it to her location, and she surveyed his form. The brown sweatshirt couldn’t hide his muscular torso, and the light wash jeans made her recall the strength in those long legs. He smelled like a wintry day, woody and crisp. It wasn’t a scent she’d come across before in a man. It was now her favorite, and she doubted it was a cologne. It was simply Jared.
“I noticed.” He stole her mug and took a drink. “You smell amazing, although, I like the peach and rose perfume you wear too.”
She bit her lip and retrieved the coffee mug, only to place it on the counter. “It’s actually my body wash.”
He let out a huff. “Well, damn.” Leaning over the counter, he inhaled. “You need to stop smelling so good.”
“Why?”
Jared cupped the side of her face and moved around the kitchen island. He tilted her head up and burrowed his nose to the side of her neck. “Because it makes me ravenous for your body.”
She gasped at the sultry words. She’d never expected any such phrase to escape his bearded mouth. His brother, sure, but Jared? No way. Bobbi found herself holding her breath as she studied the soft bristles along his handsome face. Only his bright green eyes lured her away from staring at the dark shadow all day.
“I should, um, read for a while.” She pulled back and grabbed her book, making a beeline for the couch.
Jared let out an exasperated breath as she cracked open the spine and settled a warm quilt over her lap. She’d forgotten her coffee, but with the way her body buzzed from Jared’s words, she wasn’t as cold as she let on.
“Romance, huh? I should’ve guessed as much.” He sank onto the other end of the couch.
Damn, should’ve sat in the recliner, she thought but nodded nevertheless. Being this close to him all alone in a cabin sent all sorts of naughty ideas to her mind. “Yep, they’re my favorite. I read all of Asher’s even before I knew who he was. I went all fangirl on him when I found out his identity. You should’ve seen me. It was beyond embarrassing.” She sighed at the memory.
Stretching out his legs, Jared slouched in the cushion. “Yeah, Asher has a way with words.”
“Oh, please, so do you,” she pointed out. “From what I’ve heard, you’re the Whitaker family heartbreaker.”
He let out a muffled laugh and stared out the window. “I suppose you could say so, but don’t let Asher fool you. He was just as much of a ladies’ man as I was in high school and college.”
“And the Army,” she filled in. With their staggering good looks and military tags, Bobbi was positive both men got their fair share of women fawning over them. A twinge of envy coursed through her at the thought, so she stuck her nose in the book.
She was about halfway through the first page when she felt Jared’s gaze on her. Doing her best to ignore him, Bobbi shifted in her spot. “Can you not watch me while I read, please?”
“Why? You’re cute when you read. You’re all serious, and you rub your lips together.”
Bobbi set down the novel and gave him a pointed look. “I’m trying to enjoy a romance book about a hot firefighter and a school teacher. Don’t you have some push-ups or something you can do?”
Jared’s face broke into a wide grin. Before she could stop him, he chucked her book behind him and cozied up to her. “What? You don’t think I’m fit enough?”
“Oh, uh, no—you’re plenty fit.” She unabashedly slid her eyes down his body.
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Then maybe it’s because I’m not a hot firefighter?”
She gulped hard. “No, I like you being a Ranger.”
“Hmm, then it must be because the book is full of hot and sweaty sex.” His green eyes dipped down her chest and then back to her face. “And well, we haven’t done that.” He smirked. “Yet.”
Pushing his chest, Bobbi frowned. “Nope, it’s because you’re staring at me while I’m reading.” She stood and retrieved the forlorn book. “Women like to be wooed, and I bet this author does it quite well.”
Jared jumped over the back of the couch, blocking her exit. Tugging her to him, he cradled her chin in his hands until she was nose to nose with him. “I bet I can do it better.” She cocked her eyebrow up, but he continued. “I bet I can make you fall in love with me in the amount of time it would’ve taken you to read your book.”
The book in her grip fumbled to the wooden floor as his words registered. This was far better than the dialogue the best seller could give her. This was real, genuine, and increasingly addictive. She didn’t want to read a dusty book when she could have the hero in physical form. “Those are some big promises.”
“You’ll soon discover I don’t say something unless I can follow through.” He leaned down but didn’t kiss her. It took all of the resistance in her body to stop from capturing his mouth with hers until he consumed the very essence of her lips. “And I can with you, Bobbi.”
“Wh—what’re are we doing the rest of the day? I’m sure my mom has it all planned out.” As much as she wanted to see Jared make good on his words, she couldn’t cross the line until she knew what was going on with him and Erin.
“Yep, she did. While you were showering, she gave me the schedule.” He put distance between them and opened the freezer. It appeared, he needed to cool his jets just as much as her. “Hope you brought your swimsuit because we’re heading to the hot springs in an hour.”
Alarm flashed through her. She’d packed one, of course, but with the new way Jared was acting toward her, she almost didn’t want to strip down for him. Again. She couldn’t trust what she might do if her hands were anywhere close to his near naked form. “Good thing I shaved.” Her eyes bugged when she realized her thought was said aloud.
Jared took out leftover pizza from the refrigerator and bit into it. “Darlin’ you could be a furry Wookie, and I’d still like you. I’m not picky,” he said, nudging her elbow on the way back to his book. “It’s not the outside that matters.”
Heat flooded her blood. What the hell? The article is working! How is this possible? She just about waltzed into the bedroom and snuck another checkmark by the one about smelling like yourself then went in search of her suit. If she kept it up, Jared might fall for her before their holiday was over. She studied the purple bikini. Did she want to fall? Hell…yes.
»»•««
Jared snuck out of the cabin when the Davis’ returned from their horse-drawn ride through the snow. He needed to speak with Erin before things got complicated. Hell, they were already more complicated than he expected. Finding her in the living room of the large cabin, he yanked her away from wandering ears.
“Whoa, calm down there, Davis. We’re not a couple,” she whispered with a smirk.
“I know. And I wanted to talk to you about it.” He saw Grandma Jane toddle up the stairs and disappear before he went on. “I need you to stop our charade.”
“Damn. Not even a kiss? This sucks,” she jested.
“Be serious.” She wiggled blonde eyebrows. “Okay, okay, I know I got you into this, but I changed my mind.”
Erin pulled a book from the shelf behind Jared and thumbed the pages. “You fell for her when she fell through the ice, didn’t you?”
He clenched and released his fists. Was it so simple? Did seeing a potential world without a sassy Bobbi push him off the ledge? He needed to be honest with himself. “No, I fell for her long before. I couldn’t accept it before now though.”
Shaking the book in the air, Erin hugged him. “Not to judge, but you didn’t even need me.”
Jared squinted in her direction. “I guess not, but I needed to make sure she wasn’t toying with me.” He pulled out his phone and flipped to his photos. “I wasn’t off since she’s trying to pull a fast one on me after all.”
She grabbed the phone and reviewed the image. He’d managed to take a quick picture of the article in Bobbi’s room when she was sleeping. Slow, giddy laughter erupted from Erin. “She’s doing these things to win you?”
“Yes, but I caught on. Not fast enough.” He pointed to the marks by the completed ones. “She attempted this one, but I think I caught her in the practice run.”
“This is so Bobbi.” Erin couldn’t stop laughing, causing eyes to glance their way. “So, then you’re going to play into her scheme or will you resist?”
Contemplating the options, he stuffed his phone into his back pocket. “This afternoon, I played along, but I may play a little hard to get.”
Erin’s eyes turned serious. “Don’t break her heart, Jared.”
“Oh, I won’t.” He poked her side. “Thanks again for I guess having my back.”
“No problem. We’ll be family soon enough if I know my cousin.” Moving away, she flicked her blonde braid over one shoulder, “And to show I have no hard feelings, I’ll help you with number three on the list since the only eligible bachelors are family or you. I think she’ll give up quickly when I smother you with affection in the pool.”
“I don’t know…”
She waved her hand. “Oh, it’ll be fine, believe me.”
He laced his fingers behind his head as she bounded to the door. Bobbi had no clue what she was up against. One thing was for certain ─she would fall in love with him. She was halfway there already. This will be fun.
»»•««
Light snowflakes drifted from the pitch-dark sky by the time the Whitaker and Davis families reached the hot springs at the base of the mountain. Despite the cold, Bobbi was looking forward to sinking into the steamy depths and allowing the springs to ease her tense muscles.
Heated tents lined one side of the large pool, entirely different than during the warmer months. The springs only opened for private parties in the winter, and the Davises always booked at least one day during the holidays.
Shedding her fur-lined boots and coat hanging to her knees, Bobbi frowned when she heard giggles and girlish voices coming from the tent next door. Jared’s low voice added to the frenzy. The dick was flirting with her cousins while she watched. Is he trying to torture me? She spread lip balm over her lips. Probably.
Emerging from the heat, Bobbi tiptoed to the water’s edge and dipped her foot in. It was perfect. She caught sight of Asher and Jessie wading in the shallow end, so she took a deep breath and dove in. The rush of water calmed her warring mind within seconds. She didn’t care about Jared or Erin or anyone else. It was just her and the bubbles as she took long strokes to the other end of the pool.
When she saw Jessie’s slender legs intertwined around Asher’s waist, Bobbi sputtered to the surface.
“Hey there, mermaid. Where’s your singing crab?” Asher kidded when she wiped water from her lashes.
The Ranger turned writer was a sight to behold, she had to give him that. Her sister did well and all by accident. Lucky. She pushed her hair back. “Hardy-har-har, jackass.” She pointed to her sister’s belly. “You ready to pop her out?”
Jessie gripped the side of the pool. “You have no idea.”
“But it’s a him, so…” Asher argued with a peck on his wife’s lips.
Bobbi dunked under the water when Jessie started making googly eyes. She’d seen enough to know this particular Whitaker worked magic. Her sister’s subtle changes were proof enough.
Coming up once more, she witnessed Jared jump into the deep end of the pool. He held a certain allure too, but she couldn’t figure out his end game. He’d made it very clear at Jessie and Asher’s wedding he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Then he reiterated it in New York. Despite his words, his actions told her the exact opposite. Those light green eyes of his followed her when they were in the same vicinity, and he’d been glued to her since the Big Apple whether he meant to or not. “I don’t get it,” she told the tepid water.
Switching to her back, she floated and watched the stars above peep through the clouds. A buzz in the air kept her nose tingling but offset the temperature of the spring. She could get used to a hot tub in the winter, yet decided it would be better with someone else to raise the degrees a few notches. Alone it was just sad.
The list swam across her mind, and she righted her body in time to watch her family interact with the Whitakers. To her surprise, the parents entered the steaming springs, though in the oversized hot tub instead of the pool. Grandma Jane watched from her roost, bundled up in Grandpa’s flannel coat. Her cousins splashed and laughed, and she wished at least one of her male cousins had made the trip. Since it wasn’t Christmas and it was winter, a mere few could make the trip. Namely, the ones who lived nearby or had vacation time to burn.
Bobbi freestyled to the deep end and wondered if the whole getting an ice bath in the lake incident counted as being adventurous. The day before flashed in front of her eyes. “Yeah, I’m making it count. Five down, five to go.”
She scanned the water but didn’t spy Erin or Jared. Her mouth dried at the potential places they could be. They didn’t act like a couple, but sneaking away together fit the bill of a horny friendship. Paddling her arms, she reached the other side and watched a chicken fight emerge from Daisy and Gretta. They’re crazy, she decided, though most the time it was her who initiated such an act. She scolded herself for not doing so. This time, she was off her game, and she knew why. Jared.
Swimming over, she grabbed Asher’s hand. “Come on, Romeo, you and I are going to win.”
Asher chuckled but didn’t fight her hold. Hoisting her onto his shoulders, they made an impressive tower. “All right, you chicks, prepare to go down,” he heckled.
The freezing breeze pebbled her skin, but Bobbi clamped her thighs on Asher’s shoulders. She wasn’t going to lose. Jared reappeared with Erin prepped and ready to enter the water war. I’m not losing to anyone.
As if by fate, the brothers paired off and Bobbi was hand-to-hand with Erin.
“I bet my favorite dinner we win,” Asher heckled. “Loser has to make it.”
Jared grinned. “Sounds fair enough, big bro.”
Fingers colliding, Bobbi was taken aback by Erin’s upper body strength. She was downright lethal. Merriment filled her opponent’s brown eyes as they wrestled for a victory. Screams from falling cousins echoed in the valley, but Bobbi stayed focused on her battle.
“I’m thinking Cornish hens and potatoes au gratin,” Asher teased, steadying Bobbi’s wobbly body. “Then you have to drive all the way to Salida for the ingredients.”
“That’s not your favorite,” his brother pointed out.
Asher moved to balance them out. “It is now.”
Jared took a lunge forward, sending Erin a bit higher. “Well, I think I’ll go with my actual favorite dinner. Homemade Spanish rice, queso dip, and steak and cheese burritos.”
Erin pushed Bobbi off-kilter, but she held her position. “Sounds good. Too bad you won’t get it,” she promised, shoving the blonde back. Erin teetered, but her firm abs pulled her upright again. “Damn. Very Matrix. So not fair,” she complained when Erin’s eyebrows wiggled. She patted her stomach. “Brownies and jogging don’t do have the same effect for me.”
“Enough talk, knock her down,” Jared called after Asher splashed water on his face.
Twisting her torso, Bobbi dug her heels into Asher’s chest. Slick hands met hers and the chilly air whipped through her wet hair. In one quick move, her fingers slipped, and Bobbi pommeled into Erin. The two knocked heads and then splashed into the heated pool.
The warm water stung her eyes almost as much as the growing bump on her forehead. Coming up, she coughed and caught sight of Jessie’s wide eyes. “What?” Her sister casually pointed to her own chest.
Lowering her eyes, Bobbi saw the damning evidence. Somehow, her bikini top had loosened during the chicken fight and now floated at the surface of the water. “Shit!” She sunk to her chin and quickly grabbed the tiny straps.
“Let me,” Jared insisted, somehow behind her.
Turning her head, Bobbi noticed Erin had left the pool and was wrapped up in a towel. Asher was tending to Jessie, and her two cousins were in the throes of a backstroke race. No one was watching. A fact she wasn’t sure she appreciated or regretted.
Jared’s rough hands grazed her shoulders as he captured the string. It shouldn’t have felt sexual, but it did in so many ways.
“So, who won?” she asked, her breath causing a cloud in the air. The purple fabric tightened at her neck.
“Me.” His voice was husky and increasingly sexy. “I always win.”
“Too bad. I like to win too.” His solid body spread warmth through her back. All she wanted to do was lean against him and feel every muscular, wet part of him. “I guess I’m making you dinner.”
Fingertips dallied over her neck and dropped to her shoulders then beneath the water. Heart pounding, Bobbi held her breath when he traced her spine. Settling his large hands on her hips, Jared tugged her flush to him. The hard lines on her back made a small gasp escape her lips. She could only imagine what he’d feel like without a pair of red swim trunks.
“And dessert?” she squeaked.
His nose pushed aside her hair and inhaled her nape. “You smell good enough to eat. Maybe I’ll sample you after everyone else leaves.”
Bobbi’s breath hitched at his sultry words. He wasn’t joking earlier. Asher wasn’t the one and only Whitaker with a romantic tongue. “What about your date?”
His chuckle vibrated along her ribcage. “Ah, Bobbs, I like when you’re jealous.” His lips briefly touched her right shoulder blade. “Your eyes get all fiery, and your body stiffens. Plus, your scowl is adorable.”
“I’m not jealous.”
Jared’s thumb hooked under her bikini bottoms, causing heat to flood to her stomach. “You sure?”
“N—yes.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Jared ran his palms over her belly and settled them just above the top of the material snug on her hips. She couldn’t move without him coming with her. The zing he spread over her skin was nothing compared to the internal one.
“Hmm, too bad.” He snapped the strap of her swimsuit top.
“Bobbi, come help us get out. I think your sister is stuck,” Asher called, interrupting whatever may have happened between her and Jared.
Glancing over, she saw Jessie in the hot tub with a scrunched face. No doubt, Asher could handle it, but it gave her an excuse to escape the fog Jared enveloped her in. “Be right there,” she yelled and took a step toward the ladder.
Jared’s grip didn’t loosen. “If you want to lose the rest of your suit later, I’d be happy to oblige.”
Bobbi’s face felt like it was burning. He let go and swam in the opposite direction. By the time she reached her sister, she realized Jared had managed to make her jealous. Even though it was supposed to be the opposite according to the article, she still swayed him to her instead of Erin. Somehow, it was working, and it scared the hell out of her.