Chapter Eleven
Never one to sleep in, Jessie typically awoke early and jumped right into her day.
Regardless of a lifetime spent rising before dawn, this morning, she lingered in bed. Caught between a state of not quite asleep and not fully awake, she felt more content and secure than she’d ever been in her life.
Uncertain what was different, she started to roll over and found she couldn’t. Something big and warm blocked her. Something that smelled exactly like Chase’s enticing fragrance.
Instantly, her eyes popped open and she glanced over at Chase’s face on the pillow beside her.
Suddenly, she recalled being so cold, she started shivering after she climbed into bed last night. Chase had pulled her close and folded his strong body around her, sharing his warmth.
Jessie had gone from freezing to nearly overheated in a matter of seconds as he cuddled her. If she hadn’t already been half in love with him, that simple, sweet gesture would have done the trick.
He didn’t try to seduce her or talk her into doing anything. He’d simply held her.
Jessie had never known anyone who simply gave something to her without expecting anything in return. But Chase had.
Last night, after that amazing kiss at midnight and the way he’d carried her inside the house, her husband could have talked her into any number of things. But he hadn’t even tried. The sliver of vanity she possessed caused her to wonder why he didn’t find her attractive.
Then again, she’d seen something spark in his eyes when she’d walked out of his bathroom wearing the skimpy outfit Ashley or Stacey had left for her there. Even though Jessie didn’t have a lot of experience with men, she had enough to recognize desire when she saw it. Chase’s eyes had been filled with it as he looked at her, watched her. Yet, he’d been a perfect gentleman.
For that, she was grateful.
Carefully, she shifted away from him and slid out of bed. Instantly chilled without his warmth around her, she hurried into the bathroom and took a shower. Quickly dressing in the clothes Ashley helped her choose for the photo shoot today, Jessie liked the cream crocheted maxi skirt that reached her ankles. A denim blouse, her tooled leather belt, and the fancy-stitched boots she’d worn the day of her wedding completed the outfit. She fastened a chunky turquoise necklace around her neck then stepped into the bedroom. Chase had rolled over, but continued sleeping.
Jessie indulged in a moment of watching him, amused by the way his hair stuck up on top of his head and a crease from the pillow marred his cheek.
“Sleep well, cowboy,” she whispered, and pressed a feather-light kiss to his cheek before leaving the room and hastening to the kitchen.
She’d barely got a large pot of coffee started when Amy and Jack walked into the room.
“Good morning, honey. Did you sleep well?” Amy asked, giving Jessie an observant look.
“I did, Amy. I didn’t realize how worn out I was until my head hit the pillow,” Jessie said, hoping Chase’s aunt would leave well enough alone. It wasn’t a secret to her or Chase that his aunt and uncle hoped they’d fall in love.
Jessie certainly wasn’t going to tell them she was more than happy to oblige their wishes, but Chase never would.
Determined not to think about their relationship, or lack thereof, she pulled on an apron and rolled up her sleeves. “I have no idea how many we are feeding for breakfast, but we better make plenty.”
“Just tell us what to do,” Amy said, accepting the apron Jessie held out to her.
An hour later, Jessie pulled a breakfast casserole from the oven as Chase strolled into the kitchen from the mudroom. His cheeks and nose were red with cold from doing chores. He headed straight for her and kissed her cheek, letting his hand linger at her waist before sliding it around to rest at her lower back.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, bending down so his lips brushed her ear.
The enticing aroma of leather, snow, and rugged man enveloped her. Unsettled by his proximity and his touch, she nodded her head and set the casserole on a hot pad before she dropped the dish.
“I’m glad, Jess. I sure enjoyed having you in my bed. Best I’ve slept for a long time. Feel free to visit anytime you like.” He offered her a teasing wink before greeting his aunt and uncle, and Stacey.
Voices echoed through the house as guests awakened and made their way to the kitchen. Without a table long enough to seat them all, they decided to serve the food buffet style and let people sit wherever they liked.
Jessie ended up sitting next to Cooper and Paige James. As they ate, the two women spoke at length about Lasso Eight’s advertising plans for the coming year. After breakfast, Paige asked Jessie if she had some samples she could review. Nervous, she handed the woman a thick binder with printed copies of projects she’d done then showed her a digital slide show of some of her favorite creations.
By the time Cooper and Paige packed up to leave, Jessie had a verbal agreement to do several pieces for Lasso Eight in the coming year and a promise that Paige would send an official contract the following week.
Over the moon at this boon to her career, Jessie beamed with joy as Chase’s rodeo friends gathered their belongings and bid them goodbye.
She overheard one of them asking Chase if Jessie had any sisters. Warmed by the comment, she couldn’t help but smile as a reporter and photographer from Rodeo At Home arrived.
Throughout the interview, Chase led the conversation, but Jessie contributed when she could. In spite of everything, the two of them worked well together as a team, aligned in the majority of their beliefs and thoughts, even if they hadn’t discussed them in depth.
The photographer took several photos of them in the house in a variety of poses.
“Your house seems rather bare. Are you planning to redecorate?” the reporter asked, looking at Jessie.
Chase hugged Jessie up to his side and chuckled. “When I remodeled the house last spring, my cousin recommended going with all white walls just to get the project finished. She assured me color could be added to each room when I was ready to decorate it. Now, Jessie has a blank canvas to work with as she turns the house into our home.”
Jessie looked up at him as her heart softened. Did he really want her to decorate the house? She’d love to do it, but she suspected he’d made the comment just to impress the reporter.
“Do you have ideas for each room, Jessie?” the reporter inquired.
“I have a few. I think I’ll start in the kitchen.” Jessie smiled and answered a few more questions before the photographer asked if they could take some photos outside.
Almost a foot of snow had fallen during the night although it had stopped right after breakfast. Overcast with a hint of fog lingering in the sky, it made for some intriguing backgrounds for the photos. The photographer asked Jessie to scoop a handful of the fluffy flakes and blow it toward him.
He had Chase catch two horses and took several shots of the newlyweds leading them or standing in front of them.
Jessie had been cold the moment they stepped outside, but after half an hour of shooting the images, she felt frozen from her icy toes to her aching ears.
When the photographer told them he needed a minute to switch lenses, Chase raced inside the house and returned with a Pendleton wool blanket. The aqua-colored blanket featured a Chief Joseph pattern done in shades of cream, orange, and turquoise.
He wrapped it around Jessie then pulled her against his chest, kissing the top of her head. “Is that better?” he asked in a deep voice that rumbled against her ear as she rested against his solid warmth.
“Much. Thanks,” she whispered, swamped by emotions she didn’t know how to handle let alone process. Chase had played the role of doting husband this morning to perfection, but she wondered what would happen when the reporters and his friends all went home.
Chase rubbed his hands up and down her arms and across her back, making her shiver, not from the cold, but from the wild swirls of longing it stirred deep inside her. Longings to be as cherished and loved by him as he made it appear she was in that moment.
“Okay. Let’s try some shots with you two over by the barn,” the photographer said, pointing to the big building behind them.
He had them walk hand in hand down the lane that led to the bull pasture, pose next to a pole fence, and even had Chase sweep Jessie into his arms for one shot.
“Just one more pose and then we’ll be finished,” the photographer said, setting up his camera in front of an expanse of undisturbed snow. “Can the two of you stamp down the pattern of a heart in the snow?”
“A heart?” Chase asked, staring at the photographer then Jessie.
“No problem,” Jessie said, lifting her skirt high enough she could take a wide step into the snow then started tromping a large heart in the snow. When she finished, the photographer motioned for her to step inside the heart.
She did and then Chase joined her.
“Give me an ‘I’m goofy in love’ kiss,” the photographer said with a broad smile.
Panic coursed over Jessie but before it showed on her face, Chase pulled her close. He bracketed her face with his hands and smiled at her.
Suddenly, she didn’t have a care about parties and photographers and magazine reporters. Her frozen fingers and toes were forgotten as Chase’s hazel eyes flickered with heat and something that terrified yet enthralled her.
“Come, on, Jess. Give the man what he wants,” Chase said in a low, enticing voice.
Jessie wasn’t sure if he meant the photographer’s pose or if they’d moved on to an entirely different topic.
Chase lowered his lips to hers, scattering every last thought in her head except how warm and soft his lips felt as they brushed across hers.
Just when she was sure he’d pull away, he moaned and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground as he deepened the kiss and it changed from sweet and light to something demanding and fervent.
Oblivious to the photographer snapping photos or the stunned looks on Stacey’s and Ashley’s faces as they gaped beside the reporter, the kiss continued until Chase and Jessie were forced to come up for air.
Mortified, Jessie’s cheeks blazed with color, but Chase merely rested his forehead against hers and grinned. “That was pretty convincing, Mrs. Jarrett,” he teased. He kissed her on the nose then set her back on her feet, although he kept an arm around her waist.
She was grateful he had because she felt completely off balance and incapable of holding herself upright. If he hadn’t continued to support her, she would have sunk down into the snow.
“I got what I needed. Thanks, folks,” the photographer said as he gathered his equipment.
“We so appreciate you making time to speak with us today. We’ll be back in the spring for the second installment of the story,” the reporter said, shaking Chase’s hand and then Jessie’s. “Happy New Year to you both.”
“And to you,” Jessie said, forcing a smile as the reporter and photographer turned to leave.
They stood with Ashley and Stacey watching until the rental car disappeared down the driveway.
Once they were gone, Stacey looked over at Jessie and grinned. “Way to go. After watching that kiss, I’m totally sold on you two being madly in love.”
Jessie’s blush deepened and she scowled at her friend. “That’s enough out of you, Stace. Instead of tormenting me, we better get your things packed and loaded. Your flight leaves in a few hours and it may take a while to drive you into town.”
Chase draped the blanket back around Jessie’s shoulders as they walked toward the house. “If you don’t mind riding with one of my friends, Stacey, I think Shaun has a plane to catch this afternoon, too. He rented a car and will be heading back to the Tri-Cities soon.”
Stacey looked at Chase. “Is he the one with the gorgeous hair the color of copper and the sweet hiney that makes you just want to…”
“Stacey!” Jessie admonished.
Ashley laughed and gave Stacey a playful shove. “That’s the one, girlfriend. Maybe I should leave a day early so I can go along as a chaperone.”
“No way. That cowboy is all mine,” Stacey said, making fists and playfully jabbing at Ashley while she laughed. “I’ll fight you for him.”
“Ladies, no need to resort to violence. There are plenty of cowboys to go around, although I think all of them have gone home except for Shaun and Gage.”
“Oh, is Gage the one with the scar on his cheek that makes him look like danger in a pair of cowboy boots?” Ashley asked, taking a step closer to her cousin.
Chase rolled his eyes. “He does have a scar on his cheek. The rest of whatever you said is totally debatable and open to your personal interpretation.”
“I interpret him as a sexy cowboy. Does he ever pass through LA?” Ashley asked.
Chase shook his head. “Not that I know of, but I suppose you can ask him.”
Stacey and Ashley rushed ahead into the house while Jessie stopped on the porch and shook the snow off the blanket then folded it and handed it back to Chase. “Thank you for that. I thought my teeth might start chattering.”
He grinned and guided her inside the house, stopping on the doormat to stamp the snow from his boots. “If they had, I’d be happy to warm you up like I did last night. If you want to put that little outfit back on, we could give it a go right now.”
Red stained Jessie’s cheeks with embarrassment. “That won’t be necessary, but thank you for such a magnanimous offer.”
Chase’s chuckles followed her down the hall to the kitchen where she helped Amy and Jack set out a lunch of leftovers from last night’s party.
By evening, Ashley and her parents were the only guests left in the house. Jessie moved her things back to her room, oddly disappointed she wouldn’t spend another night in Chase’s muscular arms.
The man was a temptation she found incredibly hard to resist when he was fully dressed. However, sleeping next to him while he wore only a pair of pajama bottoms was more than she could take.
She lacked the strength required to make it through a second night beside him without rolling over and begging him to love her. Since she’d never beg and he’d never love her, it was better she returned to her room.
After she finished unpacking, she returned to the kitchen and found Chase sitting at the kitchen table, eating a piece of leftover cake and drinking a glass of milk.
“Want a piece?” he asked, pointing to the cake.
“Sure,” she said, getting a plate and fork and carrying them over to the table, then making a cup of tea. As she sank down onto the chair, she released a weary sigh.
“Quite a day, huh?” Chase asked, forking a bite of the cake.
“It’s been rather exhausting the last week. I suppose now that the party is behind us, things will seem rather boring.”
“I don’t know,” Chase shrugged, taking a drink of milk. “It seems to me that on a ranch things are never boring.”
“True. There are too many unknown variables at play for things to ever stay calm and quiet for long.” Jessie sipped her tea and observed Chase as he cut another bite of cake.
He raised an eyebrow at her in question then dabbed at his face with a napkin from the ample supply Jessie had purchased when they went to town together before Christmas.
“What?” he asked. He appeared slightly uncomfortable and uncertain as she studied him.
She picked up her fork and toyed with the frosting on her slice of cake. “Did you mean what you said earlier?”
Confused, he stared at her. “Which thing in particular? With the reporter asking questions and all the company we’ve had in the house today, I’ve said a lot of things.”
A smile softened her face as she looked at him. “I meant about me decorating the house. Do you really want me to decorate it for you?”
Chase studied her as she grew self-conscious and dropped her gaze back to her plate. He cleared his throat and reached out, touching the back of her hand. When she didn’t pull back, he enfolded her hand with his, giving it a squeeze. “Jessie, you are under no obligation to do anything here on the ranch this year, unless you want to. If you want to decorate the house, I have no problem with that at all. I’ve seen enough of your tastes and talent to know you’ll do a good job. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to do it, that I expect it from you. If you don’t want to do it, I might hire someone to do at least the living room before the magazine people come back in the spring.”
“No. I’d be happy to do it. I like that sort of thing,” Jessie said, lifting her gaze again and smiling at her husband. “If you’re sure you trust me, I’d be happy to work on it. Maybe I could do a room at a time and if you like what I’ve done with one room, I could move on to the next.”
“That’s a great idea. You can always ask if you have questions or send me photos of ideas if you want my opinion on something.” Chase took his phone from his pocket. “I just realized I haven’t given you my cell number. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
Jessie returned to toying with her cake. “I just figured you didn’t want me bugging you.”
Chase appeared stunned. “You would never, ever be a bother to me, Jessie. Not ever. You can call or text me anytime. I may not be able to get back to you right away, but I will get back to you. I promise. Now, give me your phone.”
She took if from her pocket and handed it to him. He entered his contact info in her phone then sent himself a text from her phone so he had her contact info, too.
“There. All set.” He smiled and pointed to her cake. “You better eat that instead of just playing with it before I take it from you. Chocolate is my favorite.”
“Mine, too.” She took a bite of the moist cake and smiled. “What else do you like?”
As they sat together at the table, Jessie learned that Chase liked raspberries better than blackberries, that he didn’t like cheese unless it was melted over something, and he liked his cookies chewy or soft instead of crispy. He loved bacon and scrambled eggs, which she’d already learned from making breakfast the last few days, and that he disliked cucumbers and broccoli.
In turn, he found out that Jessie usually ate yogurt for breakfast and salads for lunch, that she loved all things chocolate, and couldn’t resist Hawaiian pizza.
“Are you really going to be okay here when I’m gone on the rodeo circuit?” he asked, giving her a look of concern.
“I’ll be fine, Chase. In fact, I look forward to exploring the ranch and maybe even doing a little riding. It’s kind of you to give me permission to ride your horses.” In truth, Jessie could hardly wait to ride the mare Chase had suggested she use while she was at the ranch. Tulip was sweet-tempered and would be the perfect mount as Jessie got back into the swing of riding.
“You’re welcome, Jessie. Just make sure you don’t try to ride Dustup. He’s a handful and then some,” Chase warned, then leaned back in his chair. “But I hope you’ll make yourself feel at home here on the ranch while I’m gone. Paint your room, decorate the kitchen, ride the horses, follow Lucas and Lori around. Do whatever makes you feel like you belong.” He glanced away, as though he worked to gather his thoughts before he spoke again. “I can’t thank you enough for going along with this crazy scheme, Jessie. I know it isn’t what you wanted to do, but I truly do appreciate your help. Honestly, I owe you big time.”
“It’s fine, Chase. I’m glad I can help. We only have three more interviews to get through, right?”
“Right. Unless Ashley comes up with some new half-baked plan.”
Jessie laughed and they fell into the easy conversation they’d shared from the day she’d arrived on the ranch.
“Lucas said Tinman is doing great over at their place.” Chase tossed her a teasing glance. “I really do appreciate your understanding about my allergy.”
Jessie sighed. “Tinsel didn’t seem to mind moving in over there. He’s sensitive and knows you don’t like him.”
Chase scowled. “I like your gray fur ball just fine. In fact, as far as cats go, he seems like a nice one. I can’t help it if he makes me sick.”
She hid her smile. “But you could call him by his name instead of making up all those ridiculous names.”
He smirked. “I don’t think Rin-Tin-Tin cares what I call him. We’re practically buds.”
“Practically.” Jessie picked up their empty plates and carried them to the sink. Chase covered the leftover cake and returned it to the fridge then set his empty milk glass in the dishwasher.
Jessie tried not to tremble when he stepped behind her, hemming her in at the sink. His tantalizing scent pervaded the air around her while his warmth seeped into her back.
“You look so pretty today, Jess.” His voice held a deep timbre as he spoke.
Her fingers curled around the edge of the sink when he trailed an index finger along the exposed expanse of her neck. She’d pinned her hair up that morning for the photo shoot and hadn’t taken time to do anything else with it after everyone left that afternoon.
“You really are a beautiful woman.”
No one had ever called Jessie beautiful. No one. She’d been called pretty or told she looked nice. She knew men sometimes found her attractive, but never beautiful.
“Chase,” she said in a breathy voice that sounding nothing like hers. “I…”
What she planned to say, what she wanted to express, flew right out of her mind when Chase pulled the pins from her hair and burrowed his hands in the long, silky tresses.
“I’ve wanted to do that all day,” he said, burying his face in her hair and taking a deep breath.
This time, Jessie couldn’t suppress the quiver of excitement that rolled over her.
“Jess,” he groaned, spinning her around and capturing her mouth in a heated, driven kiss that wasn’t like anything she’d ever experienced or even imagined.
As much as he took from her, he gave, offering her something she never knew she wanted but so desperately needed.
Jessie had no idea when he swept her into his arms and carried her down the hall toward his room. She didn’t recall unfastening the snaps on his shirt so she could touch his hot, smooth skin.
It wasn’t until he stopped outside his bedroom to open the door that she crashed back to reality.
“Chase, no. We can’t. I can’t do… We shouldn’t be... It’s not…” She pushed against him, frantic to stop what they’d started, yet desperately afraid he would.
Desire fogged his normally clear gaze. Her heart hammered in her chest as he stared at her then slowly set her down and took a step back.
Fingers trembling, he ran a hand through his thick blond hair and expelled a long breath, focused on his feet instead of facing her. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I… I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.” When he lifted his gaze to hers, his eyes were clear, although she could sense his disappointment. “I apologize for getting carried away. You just are so pretty and smell so nice, I couldn’t help myself. It won’t happen again.”
She nodded and backed toward the kitchen. “Good night, Chase.”
“Night, Jess. Sleep well.”
Jessie hurried up the back stairs to her room. She flung herself across the bed and wondered how she’d ever get to sleep when all she wanted was to race back downstairs and into Chase’s arms.