Page 5 of Joy Ride
“Jolene… uh…” her eyes dart to the fireplace. “Wood…” Her gaze rakes over me. “Man. Jolene Woodman.” She juts out her chin. “And you? Your name is…?”
“Not sure you’re in any position to be asking questions, sweet cheeks, but it’s Travis. Travis Cassidy.”
“You don’t have to be such an asshole, Travis Cassidy. I was only being polite.” Her bright eyes flicker, sizing me up. “It isn’t like I’m going anywhere.”
“All the more reason for me to find out exactly what you’re up to.” Damn fucking morsel with a tight little ass.
“I’m certainly not a threat. I was simply on my way to my cousin’s house for Christmas and got a flat tire. We’re in the middle of a blizzard, in case you didn’t know. It shouldn’t be that difficult for you to comprehend that I needed to be inside instead of dying from exposure.”
I study her in silence, trying to determine if she’s a maniac, or what.
“I assure you I’m on the up and up,” she claims defiantly. “I just finished decorating the swankiest, most elite hotel in Jackson Hole. I can give you references.” She plays with her wrist, acting annoyed that I have the nerve to ask any questions.Mercy.
“And your plan is?” Because if you don’t leave soon, I’ll be tempted to talk you into letting me fuck your brains out.
“Well, using my phone is obviously out of the question.”
“You’re correct. The cell tower is down.”
“And I can’t drive anywhere, or change my tire, and I’d turn to ice if I tried to sleep in my car.”
Her face softens and I detect a hint of fragility. For a second, I have the urge to wrap my arms around her and protect her from anyone and anything that would ever make her feel afraid. What if she really is some kind of X-rated Goldilocks in distress?
“Well, it is pretty nasty out there tonight,” I say guardedly, mulling over my options. The more I watch her, the more I see that there’s something about the way she carries herself that leads me to believe she just might be telling the truth.
Not threatened in the slightest, Jolene takes her time checking me out more thoroughly, eyes drifting to my shoulders, my chest, and then down.
Maybe she isn’t a criminal.
She might very well be a sexy as fuck young woman who merely had her tire blow out in a storm. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m old enough to be her father and have no business thinking the things I’m thinking. “You’re welcome to stay the night, but I’m hanging on to your gun.”
“Fair enough.” She smiles. And I swear to God, the whole planet stops spinning, which is not a good sign at all. I can’t remember when I’ve ever had such a visceral reaction to a woman. “I guess today’s my lucky day.”
“I’d hardly describe this as being lucky.” After I throw another log on the fire and wait for it to catch, I head for the door.
“And where are you going?” she asks before I turn the knob.
“Downstairs.” Getting as far away from temptation as possible.
Jolene straightens. “To the bar?”
“Yeah.”
“Mind if I join you?” she asks hopefully, getting out from under the covers yet again. “I don’t know about you, but I’m totally wide awake now.”
I blow out a sigh, deciding if drinking with her is a good idea.It definitely isn’t.My cock is still as hard as a hammer, dying to drive into her. Fuck, I could nail her against the wall right this second. “Suit yourself but keep that robe on.” Before I completely lose any sense of control.
“Will do.” She tightens the heavy, terrycloth sash and scurries beside me.
We head downstairs and I flip on one of the house lights but not all. My head’s still a little dizzy from the drinks I had earlier, and I’m so frustrated, I could punch a wall.
“Go ahead.” I point to one of the bar stools. “Make yourself at home.”
“Ah, before you get too comfortable, cowboy, I should inform you that even though you have my gun, I don’t need any weapons to protect myself besides my hands and feet.” She makes a tight fist and throws her leg up for a side kick.
“Shit,” I jump back, just dodging her foot. “You almost kicked me in the nuts.”
“Consider it a warning shot,” she threatens. “I have a black belt, and I guarantee you’ll have at least one less testicle if you try pulling anything on me.”
