Page 24 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

Her stomach fluttered at his words. She knew he was only teasing and she scolded herself for the reaction, but when she opened the door, all thoughts flew out of her head. It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever seen Jake in a suit; it was just that today, he was for all intents and purposes, wearing that suit just for her.

Boy, did he look stunned. His jaw was slack, his eyes wider than silver dollars, and she was pretty sure he stopped breathing.

Tucking her hair back nervously, she stepped out onto the porch and shut the door. “Geez, could you look more surprised?”

His mouth snapped shut and he smiled. “For a minute there I didn’t recognize you.”

“Shut up,” she snapped, feeling stupid. “I’m going to change; I feel ridiculous.”

Catching her arm, he stepped close enough to press her back against the closed door. He leaned over her, and kissed her hard before she could say a word. When he finally broke the kiss, his breath warmed her tingling lips. “You look great.”

She stared up at him dumbly. “As opposed to how I normally look?”

He kissed her again. “No. Just different. And I really like your hair.”

“Are you always so kissy and complimentary when you go a courtin’?” Not that she minded. Every time he kissed her it was like a burst of electricity that warmed her from the outside in.

“Nope, you’re special.” He leaned in close to her neck and whispered, “And so

very sexy.”

Maybe it was the way he said it or the feel of his breath on her neck but she clenched her thighs together and didn’t even try to give him a clever comeback. When his lips trailed over her skin she whispered, “We’ll be late.”

He pulled back with a grin. “Good. Then everyone’s focus will be on us.”

They pulled in front of the church and Rand started to open her door, but Jake stopped her. “I’ll get your door.”

“I can get my own door.” She hadn’t meant to snap, it was just a habit.

He leaned towards her and said, “Not the point. You let the guy get your door. It will tell you if he was raised right.”

She started to tell him that was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard, but he had already jumped out to get her door. She waited for him to open it, telling herself she was only humoring him, and let him take her hand to help her out. When he didn’t release it, he grinned. “It will have everyone’s tongue wagging.”

She bit her cheek to keep from laughing. He was so ridiculous sometimes. She let him lead her up the steps to the church and once inside, she glanced around nervously as a few people turned around, including Kim and her hoard. Kim’s eyes widened and she leaned over to speak to her minions. Rand felt Jake pull her forward and she focused on where he was leading her, which was right next to a wide eyed Red and his family. Rand’s gaze met Mrs. Hansen and she could have sworn Jake’s mother covered a smile as she turned back to face the pastor. Weird.

Rand glared at Red in warning as she sat down between him and Jake, but he leaned over anyway. “Damn Rand, you have boobs.”

His mother, who was sitting on his other side, must have heard him because she slapped him upside his head at the same time Rand pinched his arm.

“Ow!” Red yelped, glaring at his mother. “Ma, what was that for?”

“Mind your manners, you are in a church.” Hannah, Red’s mother, sat forward and said, “You look lovely, Miranda.”

Miranda couldn’t stop blushing, nervously tugging her hair. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Red rubbed his arm and gave her a dark look which she returned by sticking her tongue out.

“Real mature,” Red said with a smirk.

Jake squeezed her hand and she turned to see what he wanted. He kissed her cheek and whispered, “Jay has been watching you since you walked in.”

Rand would have turned to look but she was mesmerized by the flecks in Jake’s eyes and the warmth his kiss had left on her cheek.

“Stop looking at me like that or I’m going to forget we’re in a church,” he said it quietly but Red must have been listening because he squawked, “What?!”

Rand’s face was crimson as the pastor began his sermon and she looked around, catching Jay’s eye. He gave her a smile and a wave and Rand waved back, thinking for a man who should be overcome with jealousy, he looked awfully cheerful.

Jake was grinning by the time church ended. He’d held Rand’s hand the whole service, trailing his thumb over her skin and loving her reactions to him. He didn’t know what it was about Rand, but he didn’t want to stop touching her which was a major complication if she was going to marry someone else real soon.

---