Claimed By The Devil - Joanna Blake Page 0,6

and contemplated my current situation.

Not situation. I had a predicament.

Hendrix contentedly munched on some tall grass nearby, totally oblivious to the absolute cluster fuck going on in my head.

I was stunned. Thunderstruck. I could not believe what had just happened to me.

I had to go back to the stables eventually. I couldn’t hide out here all day. That was ridiculous. What kind of man hid from a cute little girl? Cute was the wrong word. She was gorgeous from head to toe. But still, she was a little girl. She was more than half a foot shorter than me.

This man did, I realized. Me. One hundred percent me.

I couldn’t stay out here and try to get my emotions under control. That could take hours. Days, even. I had to get to work. But I was terrified of what might happen. I didn't know what to say or do around her. Something inappropriate, I was sure. What if I grabbed her and kissed her against her will? Saying or doing something flat-out obscene was a definite possibility.

I’d never felt like this before. I'd never been unsure of myself before. Not even for a fucking second. It wasn’t fun. It was excruciating.

And yet . . . my whole body was thrumming with excitement. Something warm and expansive was happening in my chest. The world felt alive with possibility.

Man up, Nick. The girl won’t bite. Not unless you’re very fucking lucky.

I grabbed Hendrix's reins and started back. I’d gone further than I thought. I was almost at the edge of the property.

Nice, Nick. You really are a pussy.

There was no sign of Melissa as I took Hendrix back to his stall. I couldn't help it. I was disappointed. I'd been fighting the relentless urge to get another good look at her. Maybe I’d been wrong. Maybe she wasn’t everything I’d dreamt about and more. Maybe seeing her wouldn't be like a shot to the gut. I was probably overreacting because I hadn't been attracted to anyone in so long. That was it. It was just a fresh crush when I didn’t usually get them.

They called me ‘Nick the Nun’ for a reason.

Working two jobs, visiting Hendrix, and my duties at the club took up a lot of time. And trying to save up to save the farm was taking up so much energy. I didn't have time for more than a couple of beers with the guys on a weekend between my two jobs and Hendrix. I’d go over to Jack’s woodworking studio every chance I got to work on learning as much as I could. I was learning to make furniture, but it would all come in handy when I got the family farm back. Lord knows, the place was starting to fall down after being left empty for so long.

Thank God Jack didn’t care if I was there late at night. In fact, they encouraged me to come whenever I liked. He even kept my favorite beer in the fridge out back. He and Janet definitely treated me like I was part of their family. I worked as much as I did because I’d always worked. And also because I didn’t have anything else to do. My mind raced and the emptiness rushed in after dark.

Most nights, I was lucky if I got any sleep at all.

Sleep deprivation. That explained it. That's what was happening to me.

“I brought more coffee,” a soft voice said from behind me. “I even brought you a cup.”

I turned slowly, eager to see her but terrified at the same time. I felt like a little kid bracing himself for a wave in the ocean. And I was right.

Fuck. Me.

She was focused on pouring me a cup of coffee from her replenished supplies so she didn’t notice me staring. That was good. Hopefully, she wouldn’t catch me mid-drool. Because oh, boy, was I fucking drooling.

Melissa was even sweeter and juicier than I remembered from earlier that morning. She was perfectly feminine and natural. She was the girl from every soap commercial, but even curvier and prettier.

And she clearly had no idea what she was doing to me.

She smiled at me sweetly and held out the steaming mug.

“I hope you don’t mind it black.”

I shook my head mutely, taking the cup from her. I couldn’t help but let our fingers brush like they had the first time. That’s all you’re going to get, Nick, I warned myself. Fucking enjoy it.

Yeah, even her fingers were making me googly-eyed.

“Quick visit?”