Page 33 of Jonathan

Lifting a large, calloused hand, he used his thumb to wipe the moisture from her cheeks.

“I have a better idea.” Shifting slightly, he picked up his phone and pressed the icon. “We need some food at the cabin.” He murmured before hanging up.

“Who was that?”

“Bull, one of my men.”

“And he’s just going to leave the activities and come running?”

He chuckled at the image. “Bull is in his late eighties, so running is not something he does very much of. And he hates parties and looks forward to any excuse to get away. He’s also closemouthedand will not reveal any information if questioned.” He glanced at his watch. “He should be here in twenty minutes.”

“Will he be riding?”

He tilted his head in contemplation. “Possibly taking one of the jeeps. He does not ride much these days.”

“Why isn’t he retired?” She asked curiously.

“Retired?” Jon shook his head. “If you mention that cursed word to him, he goes off. My dad tried to get him to do just that several years ago and he stayed in his cottage for days without coming out.

We know now not to mention that to him again. He’s useful around the place and do plenty of odd jobs to stop him from feeling useless. He does not have a family and think of the ranch as his home.

He’s loyal to the family and has eyes like an owl. Nothing gets past him. he also minds his own business.” He kissed her on the lips. “He will bring the food and then go off somewhere with a bottle of scotch, he would have stolen from the cabinet in the living room and just enjoy the solitude.”

She gave him a speculative look. The harmless conversation was giving her a chance to recover from the earth-shaking lovemaking and the emotions coursing through her body. She did not want to think about it or what it entailed. “You admire him.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “He’s an institution that has been around since before I was born.” They heard the doorbell.

“It took him less time than I anticipated.” Giving her a rough kiss on the lips, he eased out of bed. “I’ll be right back.”

She watched as he dragged on just his trousers and zipped them up, leaving his magnificent chest bare.

Settling back on the pillows, she closed her eyes and acknowledged that she was in big trouble. She shied away from putting a name to what she was feeling. And the fact that she had never felt this way before. Nothing ever come close. Rubbing her hand over her damp cheeks, she wondered what the hell she was going to do.

She wondered if it was time to call for reinforcements. She had lied to her friends and made a conscious decision not to tell them anything. Now it was time to reveal all and ask for their opinions. Sighing softly, she leaned back and closed her eyes.

Chapter 9

They ate in bed. Her eyes popped wide open when she saw him coming back carrying a large picnic basket.

“What did he think? That we’re going to be here for weeks?”

“Perhaps.” His boyish smile had her heart doing a slow dive.

“There are all sorts of goodies. Sandwiches, chicken, roast beef…” Placing the basket next to her, he dug in. “Pies.” He looked over at her. “You’re in for a treat. Mother makes the best pies I have ever tasted, and I have been to too many places to count.”

“I’ll be the judge,” she announced loftily.

But after tasting the peach cobbler and the apple pie, she was sold. The beef pie was so moist and tender, it fairly melted in her mouth and the bread was freshly baked.

“My God!” She murmured, licking the strawberry jam off her fingers and sending heat straight to his sex. “How do you not put on lots of weight?”

He grinned at her dazed expression. “Lots of manual labor. Sometimes, I don’t get the chance to eat a full meal. I would sit down to eat, when something would come up that requires immediate attention.” He poured ruby red wine into two glasses and handed her one.

Reluctantly putting her plate away, she shook her head when he offered her a buttered slice of the baked bread. “I am full to bursting.’ She took the wine and brough the glass to her lips. He had shed his jeans and was naked, washboard stomach rippling with muscles as he move to set the basket aside.

Leaning back on the pillows, he automatically slung a hand around her shoulders and pulled her against him. Somehow, being here with him felt as natural as breathing. And she couldalmost pretend that they were a couple – that they lived together and there were no complications.

Shoving the disturbing thoughts away, she brought up a topic she had been mulling on.

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