Page 21 of Dreaming About Forever

Perking up, Alicia stuffed her hands into the pockets. “I’d rather see the ranch first.”

Jordan opened the door and let her exit first. “It shouldn’t take long to see everything. Most of it is pastureland.”

Alicia stopped on the porch. “That’s it?” She pointed at the four-wheeler.

“Yeah. Are you okay? We don’t have to use it if you don’t want. I can drive Mom’s truck.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve just never been on one, but I’m up for it.” She stepped up beside the four-wheeler and kept her arms tucked around her.

Jordan slung a leg over and held out a hand for Alicia. She looked back and forth between his hand and the seat before resting her hand in his. It was so small, and the cold sent a jolt up his arm. The places where they touched burned white-hot.

She slung her leg over and wiggled into place behind him, careful to keep plenty of space between their bodies, even if their legs touched.

“You’re gonna need to hang on,” Jordan said.

Yep, this was a bad idea. He was a glutton for punishment.

Alicia’s small arms slid around his middle, and he closed his eyes, trying to block out his physical reaction to having her arms around him.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Ready.” At least she sounded sure.

He started slow, letting the loud whine of the engine block out all thoughts of Alicia Carver.

Fat chance. Nothing was pushing those thoughts out. They were front-and-center, taunting him every second.

He hadn’t been on a four-wheeler since his leg injury, and thankfully, the mechanics of driving one hadn’t changed. He’d been forced to re-learn how to do a lot of things with a prosthetic leg, and it was always a toss-up as to whether it would be an easy transition or just difficult enough to flare his impatience.

“Losing a limb is a lifetime healing process.” His doctor’s words always fanned the flames, reminding him of the incident he’d never get over.

Alicia scooted closer, pressing her body to his back. Jordan let the wind hit his face and steal the breath from his lungs. Her gentle hands flattened against his middle, warming him from the inside out.

The South barn came into view, and Jordan picked up a little speed. He needed distance between himself and the woman clinging to him.

The client. Maybe if he kept thinking of her in a business mindset, he could solidify their platonic relationship in his head.

He parked in front of the barn and killed the engine. Holding out a hand to help Alicia off first, he flexed and fisted his other one.

Space. That would help get her out of his head.

Hopefully.

9

ALICIA

Alicia slung her leg over the four-wheeler and planted her feet on the ground.

Sweet, sweet solid ground.

Clinging to Jordan had her heart racing just as much as the ride, and being plastered to his back did nothing to stifle the budding physical reactions she was having for her new bodyguard.

She clung to his hand, still tense from the ride.

“You okay?”

Alicia’s head jerked up at his question. “I’m fine.”

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