Under Pressure (11 page)

“And like you don’t!”
With a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head that sent long waves around her shoulders, Pearl added, “You should stop acting like Miss Prim and start living a little.”

“I do live—
a lot. It’s not my fault I have to watch over our little sister because she’s always getting herself into a pickle.”

“No one has named you
Em’s guardian, sweetie. If you haven’t noticed, she’s all grown up with a mind of her own. The more we try to protect her the more she rebels. It’s her nature. Let her fend for herself for a while and she’ll learn her lesson, and she might find who she is.”

Jewels
sighed. “I’m afraid she’ll learn the hard way.”

“Then th
at’s what’ll happen. I love her, but I can’t monitor her every move. So, for tonight, let’s have a little fun. We both deserve it.” Pearl held up her glass.

Jewels
clinked
her glass with Pearl’s and finished the red liquid that settled hard in the pit of her stomach. The waitress brought another round for them, and usually she’d stop at one, but she’d go easy on the second.

Mid-way through he
r drink, feeling braver with a slight buzz, and while Pearl danced, Jewels slipped from the chair. Determination stiffened her spine as she slipped into the space between Scrawny and Spark. “Hello, fellows.”

Both men targeted her w
ith a confused expression followed by one of shock. Hell, she was even a little stunned at her boldness.

“H
ello, ma’am.” Scrawny dipped his hat in greeting while Spark remained silent.

“Please, Hank—or
Scrawny—call me Jewels.” She corrected. Ma’am made her seem too much of a boss.

Scrawny nodded. “Can I get you another drink? What are you having?”

“Thanks, Scrawny. I’m drinking a Backdraft.”  She glanced at Spark. He was staring at the neon sign above the liquor bottles lined up on the shelf.

He
leaned back into the chair and his arm brushed hers, the crisp dusting of hair against her skin sent a heated twister darting to the apex of her thighs.

Jewels attempted to focus on the
bartender when she approached.

“What can I get you?”

“I’ll take a whiskey,” Spark said. “And she’ll have a foo-foo drink—what’s it called again?” He lifted an antagonizing brow.

Irritation spiraled through her. “I’l
l take a whiskey too.”

A grin played at the corner of his
mouth. “Are you sure about that?”

“Of course I am!”
She wasted no time in answering.

“I’ll take another beer,”
Brunette said, looking at Jewels through a veil of mascaraed eyelashes.

When the bartender
returned with their drinks, Jewels took the tumbler, realizing she had three sets of eyes watching her.  She had more pride than logic. Tossing back the entire contents, the liquid burned a path straight into her stomach. Biting back a need to cough, she set her glass down with a
clang
. What had she been thinking? She caught a glimpse of reverence in Spark’s expression. Had he believed her incapable?

Seconds passed into minutes while
the whiskey warmed her blood, washing away valuable inhibition. Her brain still functioned, but her worries numbed. She didn’t mind it one bit.

Leaning closer to Spark, she laid a hand
on his wrist and an electrical flicker spread between them. Did he feel the connection too? “How’s work?”

He gave her a sidelong glance. “Work’s good.” Hi
s throaty tone sent ripples of delight along her flesh.

The
brunette leaned closer. “Hi. I’m Candy.” She held out her hand to Jewels.

Smiling, she placed her palm in
to Candy’s. The grip was firm and full of purpose. Apparently, buxom-Candy didn’t like the competition for Spark’s attention. “I’m Jewels.”

“Nice to meet you
Jewel,” Candy simpered.

“So Spark, did you te
ll your friends how we met?” Jewels raised a brow.

He blinked. “No, I haven’t.”

“But it’s such a good story. Would you like me to do the honors?”

“They aren’t interested.” His lips thinned.

“You don’t like me much, do you Sparky?” She whined dramatically.

Scrawny’s
inhale of breath snapped the air. He pulled his hat lower on his forehead, shading his eyes. Spark met her with a narrowed gaze. “I like you just fine.”

“Liar!” she chuckled.

“I have no reason to not like you,” he muttered.

“Of course you do. I tied you up and waxed your legs.”

Candy’s gasp competed with the loud music. “Let me get this straight. You two have a thing?” Her glossy red lips thinned and her irritation was palpable.

Spark
pushed his full glass to the side. “No, never.”

“Is that right? You
don’t call what we shared
something
? It sure seemed special at the time.” She dropped her gaze to his zipper.

He slid o
ff the stool, gently grabbing her elbow and leaning close to her ear. “Come with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. Now get you
r hand off me.” She jerked away.

“Yes you are!”
He removed his hand, but wrapped his arm around her waist, which only made the warmth in her veins increase to an unbearable burn. She wanted to pull away, but if she stepped back from him she wasn’t sure her weak knees would hold her. “This way.”

Without any
further resistance, she allowed him to lead her into the hallway, down the shadowed corridor and past the restrooms. Once they were away from prying eyes, his gaze turned intense. “Look, lady, I don’t know what you’re trying to prove but maybe we should air our differences in private.”

“I have no clue what you mean. I was only having a conversation with you.”

“And you’re drunk!” he seethed.

“I’m not drunk!” H
earing the slur to her words, she swallowed. “Okay, I could be slightly inebriated, but I know exactly what I’m doing and I’ll remember everything in the morning.”

“That’s good, and I
’ll accept a thank you for keeping you from being an ass tonight.”

“An ass?
Seriously? I’m just keeping you from the likes of a woman named Candy.” She took a step back and her back pressed the cold wall, leaning against it for support.

“I don’t need your protection.
And what I do, and who I do it with is
my
business. You acting as my boss only works from nine to five, sweetheart.” His gaze grew colder.

“Then let
me get out of your way so you and Candy-pants can get back to whatever it was you were doing.” She took a step and he caught her, gently pushing her to the wall. He stepped closer, planting his hands on either side of her head. She could smell whiskey and mint.

“You are beginning to get on my last n
erve.” He sighed heavily.

“Is that right?
” She dropped her hands to her hips.

“Oh, yes.” He swirled a tendril of her hair around his finger, bringing it to his nose and inhaling. “Is that
coconut?”

Her throat
tightened and her toes curled. “Yes.”

“Nice.” He held her gaz
e—steady and warm. “I think you like driving me crazy.” He smirked.

She gasped and heard a loud grumble in his chest. “Don’t fl
atter yourself.”

His eyes locked with hers. “
Your words contradict your eyes, sweetheart.”

“I’m no
t your sweetheart.” She huffed and blew out a breath as he leaned in, their noses brushed. “What are you doing?”

“I want to do what your eyes are begging of me.”

“Then by all means, step aside so that I can pass.”

“Is that what you truly want” H
e dropped his hand to her collarbone and swept his thumb along the exposed skin. Desire jumped across her flesh. “Just admit it.”

She
couldn’t even be sure any longer. “You’re so full of yourself.”

“I’ll admit,
since we kissed the very first time I haven’t thought of anything but kissing you again.”

Jewels
noticed his pulse pounding in his neck, and his eyes turned darker. Smoothing her eyes downward, over broad chest and shiny belt buckle, she swept her gaze across the noticeable bulge behind his zipper. If she didn’t see the proof for herself she’d believe he was only teasing her with his words.

Rolling her tongue across her lips, she inhaled his scent—loving the rich,
soap-scented maleness. “I have thought about the kiss.” The divulgence slipped from her like warm honey.

“I thought so.”

Would he kiss her?

She leaned in, ready and willing.

He took a step back and cool air slipped between them. “Too bad you’re drunk or I’d like to see where this would lead.”

His words
shattered her back to cold reality. She clenched her hands into fists as annoyance sizzled through her. “You—you did this on purpose.”

“What?” Brows curv
ed over piercing pale eyes. “Made you admit that you want me to touch you?” He was gorgeous. And it drove her mad!

And
she didn’t need to be fucking noticing.

Without another word, she stomped past him.

Chapter Seven

SPARK DIDN’T FEEL like he owed Jewels an apology, but when he walked into the barn and found her removing the saddle from her mare, truth jolted through him and nestled like a weight in his gut. He had lured her in at the bar just so he could pull himself away. Sure, she deserved to be proved a point, but he didn’t dislike her. In fact, against better judgment, he liked her—more than he should.

The ranc
h was quiet because the hands were off for the weekend. He’d agreed to work because—well—he had nothing better to do. He could have a conversation with Jewels without anyone hearing.

When he approached,
she shot him a glance over her shoulder. Pure anger dappled his skin from the invisible laser. “Still angry?” he asked.

“Why would I be angry?
” She put the horse back into the stall and locked the gate.

“You were last night.” He pulled off his hat an
d held it.

She started to walk toward the
exit, but then she turned back to him. Her cheeks were a pale pink and her lips were thin. “I think it’s best if you and I stay far away from each other. I’ve apologized for the incident at the motel, but I guess we just got off on the wrong foot.”

“It was more than a misunderstanding
as you would make it seem. You tied me up and tortured me.”

“T
ortured? That’s a little extreme, isn’t it?” One brow curved.

“Have you ever waxed?” His eyes automatically dropped to the apex of her thighs. Her gasp brought his gaze back to safe ground.

“I have.”

“Then you don’t think
it was torture?”

“Okay.
Again, I was wrong.” She pushed her fingers through her windblown hair.

“But I’m
no longer angry—not really. Hell, I can’t fault you for having your sister’s back. I’d do the same for one of my brothers.” He twisted his hat in his hands. He wasn’t sure why his nerves were a wreck.

Her jaw
worked. “And I’m sorry for last night. I hope I didn’t spoil anything between you and that woman. I think her name was Candy.”

“There was nothing to spoil.
” The slight rolling of her eyes told him she didn’t believe a word he said. “Do you think I like one night stands?” He shouldn’t care one speck what she thought, but a part of him did—a big part of him.

“I don’t know what you do in your spare time.
It’s none of my business. Remember, I’m only your boss from nine to five.”

Her tone
dripped of sarcasm. “Yeah, I guess so. But it’s time you lost the bad impression you have of me. I may have rough edges, but all in all, I’m a good guy.”

“Your reputation
precedes you, Spark. From what I hear, you were a favorite among the buckle bunnies.”

He sighed. “E
veryone has a past, sweetheart. That includes you.”

She blinked. “Is that right? Please, enlighten me. What in my past still haunts me?”

“I hear you like men with a thick wallet.”

“Who told you that?”

“Does it matter? If it’s true…”

He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath, her breasts pushing against the thin tank top—the swell of her hard nipples outlined underneath the material. She was beautiful and he stared like a kid in a candy store.