push past her fear that, despite his kindness, she’d read something wrong in him. Ridiculous, a voice scolded. He’s harmless.
“Payback’s a bitch, Jack. I’ll get you for this. I want my clothes.”
“Later. Maybe.” He cocked up one side of his mouth in an adorable grin. “Eat.”
She tucked the sheet closer around her aching breasts and looked at the plates of food Jack had brought up. A huge bowl of soup for her with fresh bread and melted butter. Jack’s plate disappeared under a huge steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
“You’re a real meat and potatoes man, huh?”
“Beth cooks, I eat. She makes all kinds of things. Besides, I’m a rancher. Tonight happens to be steak. She made the soup especially for you. How’s your stomach, any queasiness?”
“Not really. The soup is excellent. Now, give me a bite of that steak.”
“Bossy. You must be feeling better.” He handed over a forkful of succulent steak.
She closed her eyes and savored. “That’s good.”
His eyes on her mouth, he stared, shook himself out of his lusty thoughts about her mouth on him and ordered, “Eat your soup. It’s good for you and easy on your stomach.”
“Now who’s bossy?”
They ate and talked about their lives. They’d been talking for three hours, and Jack couldn’t remember any other time when he’d sat talking to a woman. Well read, she could talk about anything. She even liked sports. They shared a lot of the same interests. Best of all, she was a good listener. She asked him question after question, interested in everything about him. He couldn’t learn enough about her either and time got away from them. The heavy darkness outside the windows and the quiet of the house surrounded them.
They sat inches apart, yet Jack never touched her. Relaxed with him, he didn’t want to push. He enjoyed just being that near to her and knew with every passing minute of shared conversation—and a few intense, heat-filled moments—he gained her trust little by little. He wanted more than anything to touch her, but she asked for time. He’d give her what she needed and gain what he wanted most. Her complete trust and understanding that he’d never hurt her, no matter what.
Her eyes drooped and she yawned several times, completely worn out. He helped her walk to the bed and settled her in.
“You’re getting your strength back. Maybe tomorrow I’ll take you for a walk outside, get some fresh air. It’ll be good to work your muscles again.”
“I can’t wait to see the ranch. I didn’t really see anything when we drove in. Too sleepy. Like now.”
Jack prepared another needle with the antibiotics.
“You’re not sticking me with that.”
“Come on. It’ll only hurt for a second, and I’ll get to look under that sheet again.”
“Jack, I’m not kidding. I don’t like shots. Enough already.”
“You need the medicine. Now gimme your cheek.”
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
She let him give her the shot and stuck her tongue out when he finished. He loved how easily she made him laugh.
“Smart ass.”
“Sore ass is more like it.”
He chuckled again. Even in her condition, she showed her playful side. Quite something, she trusted him enough to joke, play, and show him glimpses beneath the guard she kept up and reinforced when it slipped and she forgot and caught herself.
Sally lay curled next to Jenna sound asleep. “Looks like you aren’t the only sleepy one. Lucky dog. Good night, honey.”
“I like it when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Call me sweet names.”
“I was talking to the dog.” He gazed down at her, trying his damndest not to smile or laugh.
She cracked up. “Ha. Ha.”
He leaned down and planted a smacking kiss on her forehead. “Sleep tight, baby.”
“Night, Jack.”
He trailed his fingers all the way down her uninjured leg as he walked the length of the bed toward the door. He’d slept in his bed alone for too long now. Having Jenna this close and not tucked beside him sent him through his dark, lonely room and straight into a cold shower.
Chapter Seventeen
* * *
DAVID HID HIS disappointment and annoyance with the woman beside him as the party continued around them. A nice substitute, but the woman he really wanted remained out of reach. He inhaled and imagined the musky scent beside him was softer, tinged with sweet floral notes and Jenna’s elusive scent. He missed the way Jenna smelled, the way her hair flamed red in the sunlight and deepened to rich chocolate in the dark spread over a pristine white pillow, her skin soft