Page 32 of Blackstone's Heart
Ethan was still steamed as they pulled into Krista's driveway. She had beaten him. How in the ever loving hell did Krista Jameson out shoot him at pistols? He had been expert marksman in the Corps at pistols, specifically on the 1911, yet she hit the target dead center.
"Still pouting over there?" She giggled.
"You cheated. That's it, you cheated somehow." He countered.
She laughed as she climbed out of the truck and headed inside. He followed, slamming his truck door just a little harder than he needed. He closed the door behind him and set the alarm. He heard her in the kitchen and headed that direction. Krista had flipped on the radio and began working on lunch, but that smug smile still in place.
"Well, what's my penalty?" He sighed sitting at the bar.
"Hmm, still haven't decided." She replied.
As she continued working on their meal, Ethan rested his chin in one hand and watched her. She seemed more relaxed now. The worry and stress he had seen on her face that morning was gone, at least for the moment. He didn't like seeing her upset. She was too beautiful to have traces of fear, worry or stress on her face.
"What's this book you’re about to release about?" He asked.
"It's the sixth in my latest series. Midnight follows a family of ranchers up in Colorado. There are four brothers, two sisters and three cousins. The ranch is called Midnight Creek, hence the series title Midnight. All the books have midnight in the title. This one is called Midnight Passion and is the oldest brother, Cayden's, story. He is the main operator of the ranch.
"He has sworn off women saying they're nothing but trouble after he was jilted at the altar. Anyway, enter the heroine, Makenzie. She comes to the ranch as the live on site vet. She and Cayden butt heads big time. The book is full of sexual tension, heated arguments, a creepy stalker and hot bedroom scenes." She explained laying the plate of chicken salad sandwich, chips and pickle spears in front of him, along with a glass of sweet tea.
"A stalker?" Ethan questioned.
She sat across from him with her own meal. "Yep. Figured I could turn my shitty situation into inspiration. It's been working pretty good for me so far."
Ethan found it breathtaking how animated she got when talking about her book. Her face alight with emotion talking about the characters and the story line. Her hands flying as she spoke of her creation. He felt himself smiling. "Sounds interesting."
"Oh it is."
He took a bite of his sandwich as he collected his thoughts. "You mentioned hot bedroom scenes."
Krista saucily winked at him. "Oh yeah, like five alarm hot. I don't write that fluffy magnolias and moonlight shit. Oh I do write romantic scenes but they all have a bite to them."
"How so?"
"Well, the men I write are all Alpha with a capitol 'A'. The women aren't meek and timid either. I like to read romance with an edge so my writing reflects what I myself read. If I wouldn't read it, I sure as hell ain't going to write it."
"What do you parents say about you writing porn?" He teased.
"Geez, it's not porn." She countered, rolling her eyes. "Mom and Dad love them. In fact, after my second book dad thanked me for giving mom ideas for the bedroom. Course I think I had nightmares for a freaking week! No kid wants to hear about their parents banging like rabbits."
Ethan nearly fell off the stool from laughing so hard. His laughter doubled at the glare and double bird Krista sent at him. He finally calmed down, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Oh damn. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."
Krista snorted. "Glad you find it amusing. Of course your own mother told me the same thing and so did your dad."
That wiped the smirk off his face. "Jesus Krista, I'm eating here."
"Serves you right. Jackass." She threw out, taking her plate to the sink.
Ethan finished his food and helped her clean up the kitchen. They then headed for the living room. Krista pulled her laptop from where she left it on the coffee table and fired it up while Ethan flipped on the flat screen to ESPN. Yet, his mind wasn’t on the football stats for the upcoming weekend game, but rather the beautiful blonde sitting at the other end of the sofa typing like a mad woman.
‘How did I get so lucky to have a second chance with this amazing and strong woman? She means so much to me and I can’t lose her.’He thought.
Without knowing completely why, Ethan moved down the sofa so that he was now right next to Krista and slid an arm around her shoulders. It was almost as if he had to touch her in some way. Without pausing in her typing, Krista leaned over and kissed him sweetly on the cheek before looking back at the laptop screen. Ethan knew he had to be grinning like an idiot, but he didn’t care. For the rest of the afternoon they sat there on the sofa. Krista working on her novel and Ethan flipping between reading over her shoulder and channel surfing.
Chapter 9
"Hey Jer." Krista greeted as she and Gage walked into the hospital room.
Jerry opened his eyes and smiled a little. "Hey darlin'. You okay?"
