Page 35 of Rainwater
He watched them for a while and felt the apprehension intensify. His body craved Jennifer’s touch as he watched her push Ellie’s hair out of her face. He wanted her hands on him. He tore his eyes away from them. The grief was a heavy pressure in his chest. He rocked forward, trying to ignore the force of his need to get up and cross the street. Where the hell was that damn bus!
He was leaving.
He closed his eyes to block them out, trying desperately to hold on to his composure. He was so close to breaking down right here in the bus terminal. So close to tears, his throat ached with holding them back. Closing his eyes didn’t help. It intensified the feeling, bringing back the memory of her hands on him, urging him faster. The feel of her spasming around him,crying out her release into his mouth. Those soft, hot, moist lips.Oh, Jennifer!
His breath caught with the agony of wanting.
He was leaving.
He knew he could help Ellie win competition after competition. He could train that mare and together the girl and that horse would make an unbeatable team. He would get such pleasure in watching her win. Watching her with that sweet determination on her young face. So fresh, so innocent, and he would fight hard to let her keep that innocence, that verve for life. He would if he deserved the chance.
If it wasn’t for the violence he feared was hidden inside him.
He looked down the street and saw the bus making its way slowly toward him like a fat silver bug. He rose in anticipation of those doors opening. He saw himself climbing aboard, felt the soft cushion of the seat against his back…
Hewasleaving.
Jennifer didn’t hearthe bell on the door ring. She didn’t even notice how quiet the diner had gotten. Her thoughts were in chaos. She had the urge to run out the door and beg Corey to stay. But that was foolish. He wouldn’t. He’d told her time and time again that he wouldn’t. It was for the better.
Then why did it hurt so bad? Why was it every time she closed her eyes she could feel his hands, see him flash that devilish teasing smile, smell the warm, clean scent of him?
She had just decided to beg him to stay when the bus pulled up and obscured him from view.
She rose in a panic, then turned and walked right into Jay Butler and his brothers.
“Where’s your pretty-boy half-breed? Don’t tell me it was wham-bam-thank-you-right-kindly-ma’am.”
“He ain’t so pretty now.” Emmett snickered.
Jennifer didn’t want to admit it, but the words stung. In the next instant, she knew that wasn’t fair. Corey had warned her from the very beginning. He had never lied to her, never let her believe anything except that he was leaving. In fact, if she wanted to be completely honest, she’d thrown herself at him. She’d kissed his neck and said outrageous things to him for one purpose only. To get him into her bed. She would cherish their lovemaking for a very long time. She would not let Jay sully her precious memories.
“Jay, you must have him mixed up with yourself. I know what you’re after, and you’re not going to get it. So back off and leave me the hell alone.” Jennifer distastefully removed his hand from her arm as if it were a live snake.
“You started this the other night, you little bitch, and I’m going to finish it. You’re going to be my woman and my woman only.”
The bell rang on the door and Jay turned around, his lip curling into a sneer. Tucker Garrison stepped into the diner, his eyes narrowing on his father. “What a surprise,Dad, you bullying people again?”
Ellie felt that persistent little flutter in her heart when she looked at Tucker. Quiet and serious, the sixteen-year-old had been her friend for as long as she could remember. He didn’t smile often, but when he did, it was all that more devastating in its rarity. It was only now that she seemed to be having a problem breathing whenever he was around. He kept his distance from all the other kids at school, but there had always been something about him that drew her.
“Jay, why don’t you leave her alone?” Tucker persisted, and Ellie got the impression that he was deliberately avoiding her eyes.
“Shut up, you little bastard, and don’t get in my way,” Jay snarled without taking his eyes off Jennifer. “So come on, Jennifer, give me what you owe me.”
“There’s only one thing larger than your overinflated ego,” she said. “The Goodyear Blimp. I have no interest in a relationship with you now or ever! Leave me alone! Ellie, let’s go.”
Jay grabbed Jennifer’s upper arms, his mean eyes narrowing in threatening malice. “You’re not going anywhere until I get the kiss you owe me.”
There were low murmuring in the diner, but no one intervened. No one wanted to draw Jay’s viciousness to them.
“Let go of my mom, you bully,” Ellie demanded, jumping out of her seat, her dark green eyes flashing.
“Ellie, go out and sit in the truck and wait for me.”
“Yes, Mom,” Ellie said.
Ellie went to leave the booth, and Stuart, Jay’s youngest brother, blocked her way.
Ellie’s little chin lifted and her eyes narrowed. “You’re blocking my way, Mr. Butler. Would you kindly move?” There was steel in Ellie’s voice, and Jennifer couldn’t keep the half smile from her lips. God, was she her mother’s child!
