Rocky Mountain Heat (19 page)

Unfuckingbelieveable
.

At the end of it, Gabe pulled away to collapse onto the bed near the edge of the mattress, allowing him and Helen the majority of the room. In the brainless, sated moments that followed, he and Gabe dealt with their condoms, then returned to touch and caress Helen. All three of them lay flat out and exhausted.

“Thank you, darling.”

That was all Gabe said as he planted a kiss on Helen’s sweaty forehead. He didn’t hit the bathroom, just pulled on his clothes and hightailed it out the door with a final wink and grin for Matt.

In the cleanup that followed, Matt worked patiently. He took his time to not only wash away all signs of Gabe, but to try and write himself alone into her heart. She snuggled in close, her lips tucked against his chin. The puffs of warmth from her mouth as her breathing slowed stroked him like perfumed air.

“Thank you, Matt.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Was it what you’d hoped for?”

Helen was quiet for a minute. “Yeah. I guess.”

She snuggled up again and was snoring softly in a few minutes.

Matt laid wake, too many thoughts in his brain to rest for a long, long time.

Jaxi crawled up on the concrete ledge outside the movie theater to wait next to Blake, resting a hand on his shoulder. “And I want licorice and the biggest damn bag of popcorn they’ve got.”

She held her grin even as Blake gave her the evil eye. “You want more to eat after what you already put away back at the house? I swear you ate half a side of beef all by your lonesome.”

As if.
“Working around the ranch works up an appetite. Male or female. You should know that, oh Mr. Two ten-ounce steaks, three baked potatoes with all the works and… Now, how many pieces of pie did you eat?”

Blake twisted to stand between her legs. With the height of the ledge, that put their eyes at the exact same level, and he leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. “Okay, fine. I won’t tease you about being able to out-eat me if you promise not to count slices of dessert anymore.”

Jaxi wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed tight. Man-oh-living, this wooing thing or dating or whatever the heck they were doing had turned out to be a heck of a good time. It was everything she’d wanted.

He turned to greet Matt and Helen, keeping hold of her fingers in his. Showing off that they were together.

That was the most startling part of this whole situation. He’d been so resolutely staying away from her, she’d had no idea how much they could actually do as a couple. From chores to trips to town. The extra work it took to care for Marion’s tasks hadn’t stopped her from spending more time with Blake than she’d thought possible. And he seemed determined to not allow anyone to either ruin their dating or push them forward too fast.

Not even her. Which also sucked since she really missed having him touch her. She’d barely gotten to enjoy having sex before it had been taken from her. Masturbating when the oh-so-desirable man she wanted was nearby was not nearly as much fun.

“Glad you guys made it on time.” Blake wrapped an arm around Jaxi’s back and leaned on her legs. Jaxi smiled at Matt and made sure she held her expression firmly in place as she nodded at Helen.

“So, is it girls’ choice or boys’ tonight?” Helen gave Matt a gentle shove, her streaked hair fluttering in front of her face. “Because I’m not sure I’m up for some of the flicks playing here.”

Oh God.
Jaxi resisted the temptation to suggest the most violent and gory movie available. Something about Helen just rubbed her the wrong way. She resisted the devil on her shoulder for Matt’s sake. “Well, I haven’t seen any of them so I’m game for whatever.”

Blake nodded his agreement.

Helen turned to examine the posters and Matt frowned at Jaxi. “What’s wrong?” he mouthed.

Oops. Jaxi wiped her lips and shook her head at his questioning glance. She’d better work on her stage face. Her instinctive dislike for Matt’s girlfriend wasn’t going away, and every now and then her aversion showed.

She tugged Blake close, and he willingly leaned his ear toward her. “I’m going to the end of the line for a minute. I just spotted someone I need to talk to. You make plans without me, okay? I’m good with any of the shows.”

Blake nodded. He lifted her off the ledge and gently lowered her. She savoured the sensation of rubbing against him briefly, longing for more.

She ducked past Matt and Helen. Halfway down the line she checked over her shoulder. Yup, as she suspected, Blake still had his eyes glued to her ass. She wiggled her hips hard for a second, and his gaze snapped upward, his mouth crinkling up at the corners.

Oh yeah. He was trying hard to keep them on target, but the physical attraction simmered all the time, just under the surface, and she saw absolutely nothing wrong with that.

“Hey, girl, what you doing?”

Jaxi pumped knuckles with an old schoolmate. “Well, he’s about six foot four and…”

Eve laughed. “I heard you finally hit the jackpot. Good for you. Any tips on how to land one of the other Six Pack boys?”

She shook her head. “Now, you. I thought you’d decided the twins were nothing but trouble, and you didn’t have the patience for Daniel to notice you were alive, and Travis is too much of a ladies’ man. And you can’t have Blake, so try one of the other Colemans. Moonshine Steve is looking hot these days.”

They laughed and compared stories for a few minutes. Who was seeing who, which couples had split up. It was like going back in time, but Jaxi felt every minute of the growing up she’d done over the past years.

“Hey, I needed to find out if you’ll be around for the picnic in a couple weeks’ time. There’s still a few spots open for helpers.”

Eve nodded. “I’ve started university, but I’m back in town most weekends. Let me know where you need me and I’m there.”

Jaxi gave her a quick hug before working the line, walking slowly back to where Blake waited. Her plan worked wonders—by the time she’d returned to him she had a dozen more names for the volunteer crew.

Blake had a dark expression in his eyes as he took her hand and pulled her close. She looked up in confusion at the change in his attitude. When there was break in the conversation with Matt and Helen, she tugged him to the side and pulled his head down to whisper in his ear. “Something wrong?”

His hands on her hips squeezed for a second before spilling around her to caress her back. He sighed, then lifted her chin. “I’m glad you’re you.”

Jaxi paused. “That’s cryptic.”

“Just don’t leave me alone with Matt and Helen again, okay? I swear you could give that woman a bag of gold and she’d complain about how heavy it was.”

Jaxi laughed against his neck. So she wasn’t the only one Helen rubbed the wrong way. “I’ll be like glue.”

“You done all your visiting? Planning on sitting next to me for the show?”

“Of course.” She poked him in the ribs, and his face lit up as he focused in and kissed her, right there in the middle of the waiting line. She wrapped her arms around him and gave back completely. It was like no one else was around—just her and him, and caring, affectionate touching.

“The doors are opening.” Matt’s laughter broke in and pulled them apart.

Blake held his hand toward her. Jaxi slipped her fingers into his and let him lead her into the theater. She smiled sweetly at the older couple she recognized who stood beside them as the two lines merged.

“Evening. How’s your grandson doing with his therapy?”

Mrs. Bridges gave a quick nod. “Better all the time. Thanks for asking. Oh, and can you tell Marion I’ll be by in a few days with that pattern she was wanting?”

“Sure thing.” Jaxi waved and let Blake pull her along without even looking where he was taking her.

“You know everyone in town or just about everyone?” They’d stopped in front of the concession. Jaxi’s stomach growled and his eyes widened. “Damn it, I thought you were kidding about still being hungry.”

Warmth and contentment filled her. They chatted, teasing and joking easily. Waiting for their snacks, glancing around and pointing out
coming soon
movies they were looking forward to. By the time Jaxi had a full armload of food, she’d just about figured out what was out of the ordinary.

While he made her thrill with every touch and every glance, the heat tonight was something altogether new. It was…familiar and tender and less about wanting to roll around naked with the man and more about getting to plan for the future.

It felt different.

She had thought things through, but until this moment, it had never registered as a reality. How being in love with him meant all the different parts of being in love. Being by his side, not just now, but years from now.

The Bridges slipped into seats a few rows ahead of them, Mr. Bridges helping his wife in first. Careful, tender.

Jaxi blew out a slow breath and swallowed hard. She was going to be in tears if she wasn’t careful. Somehow she had to haul in her foolish emotions before she ended up blubbering like a damn idiot.

Blake managed to balance his tray and still touch her shoulder to guide her to where Matt and Helen had saved seats.

She sneakily managed to avoid having to sit next to Helen. It made her sad that she didn’t like the woman more, but she wasn’t going to waste time figuring out why. She wasn’t the one kissing the chick, Matt was, and if he was happy, that was all that counted, she supposed.

They were all seated, and she leaned into the protective circle of Blake’s arm along the back of her chair.

“Blake. What are we watching?”

He chuckled. “Well, blood and guts were shot down by Helen, Matt refused the chick flick, and if I want to watch a historic anything I’ll stick with the History Channel. You got action. That okay?”

That was more than okay. The last thing she needed tonight was a tearjerker. Action, tension. Those would be perfect.

Guns. Hmm, some guns would be good.

Chatter died around them, the lights dimmed and Jaxi caught a glance of Blake’s profile lit by the flickering motions on the screen. His square jaw, the strength in his features. She stared, mesmerized. She thought she’d memorized his face long ago. Stolen glances at the dinner table while she was dating Travis. Times around town as he loitered for a few minutes, chatting with the men, and she’d stopped in some hidden space to watch him.

There was something new in his features she’d never seen before. The strength, still there. The almost frightening beauty, rough but undeniably attractiveness.

He turned to face her, and her breath caught in her throat. Something deep and dark rolled out from him and softened as she watched. He wasn’t trying to be the man of the family or the person in charge. Hunger and need and a light filled with the promise of laughter right behind it shone in his eyes.

She couldn’t inhale. It was too much, too powerful and beautiful. The corner of his mouth twisted upward, and suddenly it was all she could do not to throw her arms around him and never let him go.

He stole the popcorn container from her and placed it on the floor, then slipped his hand around the back of her neck and slowly, oh so slowly, drew her lips toward his.

“Hey. Down in front.”

Jaxi cursed silently as Blake paused, their mouths less than an inch away from each other. Was that…?

“Oh, stop your whining. There’s nothing happening yet.” Jesse’s light tenor tickled in her ears.

Joel snorted in response. “On the screen or in front of us?”

Oh lordy, this was not real. Jaxi swallowed hard for minute. Blake never lost his smile. “You want to pretend they just ain’t there?”

He tugged a little closer and their lips met. Jaxi opened eagerly. Who the hell cared if they gave the twins a show? Served them right for coming out and crashing the party.

“If they keep that up, it’s gonna be tough to enjoy the special effects.”

Jaxi froze. Blake jerked back in a rush, and both of them spun to examine the row behind them.

“Now, Mike, hush. The movie’s not started. It’s just the trailers.” Marion waved at them from two seats down, Mike grinning broadly at her side, his arm tucked around her shoulders.

He shrugged tolerantly. “Okay, fine. You kids go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”

Jaxi turned to face the movie screen, placing herself as exactly in the middle of her seat as she could. At her side, Blake did the same, although he snuck his hand over to grasp hers. The upcoming movie trailers played across the screen, and she wondered when the time warp back to ninth grade had taken place.

His elbow bumped hers, and she glanced over, wondering what was going on. Then a complaint rose from behind them, and she grew even more curious. Blake squeezed her fingers, then guided her hand toward his lap.

She resisted.
Oh my God, no
. She’d been longing to touch him, but not in the dark of the theater with his entire family seated around them. That would be like some nightmare of a sexual experience.

He tugged harder and unless she wanted to make a huge fuss, she had no chance of winning an arm wrestle with him. She faced forward resolutely in the hope nothing would show up on the screen that would brighten the room enough to allow people around them to see her touching…popcorn?

His grin shone white against the darkness for a second before he turned and seemed to ignore her. But his fingers reached over hers and pulled some of the corn from under her grasp. Then he leaned back, and as she watched, a fast glint of something flew through the air.

“Fuck.” Jesse gasped a second later. “Sorry, Ma. I meant, damn, something hit me.”

His whispered complaint was all she needed to understand the rest of the story. Blake’s shoulder was all warm at her side, his fingers held hers tight, except when they both took turns surreptitiously tossing popcorn over their shoulders, attempting to hit Jesse and Joel most often.

It was silly and childish, and one of the most right moments Jaxi had ever experienced in her life. No rules, no expectations. Just fun, and being literally surrounded by family.