Page 28 of Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas 2)

“Almost!” Rand pulled the dress over her head and yanked off the panty hose.

“Do you need any help?” The taunting tone came from the other side of the bedroom door.

She pulled the sweater over her head quickly and started to yank on her jeans, hopping around. “No I’m Fi-oof.” She lost her balance and fell over onto the hard wood floor.

“Rand, are you ok?” Jake rattled the door knob and Rand reached down to pull her jeans all the way up.

“I’m okay, just tripped.” She grabbed socks and her boots, and finally opened the door. “I’m ready.”

His eyes trailed over her and she fidgeted as she waited for his approval.

“You know, if we were really dating, I’d back you into your room and kiss you until we forgot all about dinner.”

Her heart made a ker-plunk in her chest. It was things like that which were making her crazy and confused. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re not really dating.”

He didn’t smile as he replied, “Yeah. Good thing.”

Was it her imagination, or did he sound disappointed?

Chapter Seven

Awkward did not begin to cover Rand’s feelings among all of Red’s ultra-feminine sisters, Jake’s bright eyed mama, and Red’s constant staring. And the worst part about it was dinner hadn’t even been served yet.

Jake slipped his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “You doing okay?”

Rand nodded. “I thought you were going to tell your mother this was all a scheme?”

Jake shrugged. “Haven’t found the time yet.”

Before she could respond, Red’s sister Tabitha came over in a slinky black top and a pair of wranglers so tight it was a wonder her legs weren’t numb.

“Miranda, I love your hair. I wish I had natural wave to mine, but it’s just so flat without a hundred products.”

Rand shifted her feet, unprepared for the other woman’s enthusiastic compliment. “Thank you. I usually just throw it up, but Jake likes it down.”

“Well of course he does. Men like a little something to grab onto in the bedroom which is why I keep mine short. Swearing off men for the rest of my life. Mama keeps saying I’ll change my mind, but if she wants grandchildren, she better find me a good sperm bank and a turkey baster.”

Jake choked next to her and Rand asked before she really thought about it, “What’s the turkey baster for?”

Tabitha stared at her like she had spoken French. “Well, you know, the sperm needs to get up there somehow…” She looked helplessly at Jake.

Rand stared at the two of them, taking in Jakes shaking shoulders and Tabitha’s mouth twitching in amusement.

Mortified, she said, “You know, I need to use the bathroom.”

She moved out from under Jake’s arm to the bathroom and while she was washing her hands she got Tabitha’s meaning and groaned. “Oh man, that is so gross.”

She came back out to find Jake smirking at her and she returned his amusement with a disgruntled, “This is not funny. She’s going to think I’m stupid.”

He wrapped his arms around her and said, “Naw, just a little naïve.”

She tried to pull away, but he held fast. As Red approached them, Rand noticed he was frowning darkly.

What’s the matter with him?

“Jake, I want to talk to you,” Red said gruffly, barely meeting her ey

es.

---