Under Pressure (15 page)

Chapter
Ten

SPARK WAS BRUSHING a horse when he looked up and saw Jewels striding his direction. She looked beautiful with her long hair flowing in the breeze and the flimsy white dress, covering her legs to her ankles, slipped across her slender curves, teasing his memory.

Once she got closer, he saw the frown.

His chest tightened.

What now?

She’d slipped from his bed sometime before dawn that morning and he doubted she was coming back for a repeat, although he’d remained hopeful all afternoon.

“Is there a private place we can talk?” Her voice
was strained.

Nope, no repeat for sure.

He nodded toward a patch of trees a few feet away.

Once
they were away from prying eyes and ears, and she’d darted a quick glance over her shoulder, she nibbled her bottom lip.

“That’
s not a good look. What’s wrong?” Concern rumbled through him.

“Dad
called earlier and left a message. He said it’s urgent that he speaks to me.”

He was confused. “Okay. What’s the problem?
”

“He knows about us.”

“But did he those exact words?” He never liked the assumption game.

“
I haven’t talked to him!”

“Okay,” he said. “Then call him and see what he wants.”

“Somebody knows you and I have been sleeping together.” Her brows scrunched. “They had to call him and tell him.”

“
We don’t know that, Jewels. And he hasn’t called me. Wouldn’t he have fired me?” He scratched his jaw.

“
I know my father. I could hear the underlying meaning in his tone.” Wrapping her arms over her chest, worried lines appeared around her eyes.

He shrugged. “Don’t let this
ruin your day. I think you’re just being paranoid.”

“Spark, are you missing the importance of this?”

“There is no importance to this.” He failed to see why she was so upset. “Sure, you may know your father, but until he cans my ass I’m not going to freak out.”

“But
that’s just it! If Dad finds out you and I are sleeping together, he will fire you!”

“And
it seems you’re more worried about this possibility than I am. If this is a real issue, I’ll quit.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Quit?”

“Yes. That would be a solution. And then we wouldn’t have to keep ‘sleeping together’ a secret. I get why your dad doesn’t want the line crossed between a hand and any of his daughters. I’d be the same, but if I’m no longer working his land what can he say?”

“Bu—but—”

“But what? I like the job, but I enjoy your company a lot more.”

~°°°~

His
calm attitude unsettled Jewels—especially when her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty.

And now
, he was talking quitting.

That
troubled her even more.

She sighed,
several long seconds passed. He was waiting on her response, but what could she say? Did he want to continue their affair? Quitting couldn’t be an option, not when guilt would plague her.

And
something more.

What if she never saw him again?

“You can’t do that, Spark. Quitting is not a choice.” Her throat constricted. “I knew this was a mistake from the very beginning.”

His eyebrow lifted, he looked down at her with a grim expression. “I’m not
asking for your hand in marriage, Jewels. I just know for damn sure that I won’t allow someone to dictate who I see.”

Her heart struck against her ribcage, her adrenalin increased. Her
bottom lip quivered. “If we could just come up with a viable excuse. Who would do such a th—”

“
Jewels?”

She looked up at him. “What?”

“Does it really matter who’s doing this? Maybe this is what we needed to wake us up. We can’t continue down the road of secrecy forever.” His penetrative stare burst through her guard.

“W
hat are you really asking?”

He shifted and she dropped her
gaze to his worn boots. When she looked back at him, a frown had burrowed his brow. “If you’re only looking for a screw, then I’m not the man cut out for the job. Hell—” he pushed his hat back on his forehead. “I don’t know what our future holds, but I do know it doesn’t include you and me sneaking around like we’re doing something wrong. I’m not ashamed of what we’ve shared. Maybe it’s best Stone knows the truth.”

“No, it’s not. You don’t know my dad.”

“I can’t do this anymore. I’d like to think I’m a man of integrity. I can explain to him that we didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did.”

“It
almost sounds like you’re giving me no choice in the matter.” Her blood pressure skyrocketed.

“No,
but like I’ve said, I don’t play games.”

“Are you sure about that?” Her tongue grew thick.

His jaw tightened. “What exactly are you saying?”

“It seems awfully suspicious that you don’t
appear even slightly annoyed over the call. How convenient this is for you to force my hand.”

He cocked a brow. “
Excuse me?”

“I didn’t
stutter.” He watched her far too closely, making her head spin.

His teeth gritted. “Let me get this straight. You’re accusing me of having something to do with the
call?”

Was that what she meant? Hell, even she
wasn’t sure.

He
wouldn’t do such a thing.

But
he made her feel unreasonable things.

Wicked emotions.

She couldn’t give him what he asked for.

“I guess your silence speaks volumes.” His eyes
pierced her—burrowing into her soul.

“I’m sorry.” Why did she have to sound like
she’d run a mile—breathless and uncertain? “I can’t give you what you want.” She had to finish this before she changed her mind. Before she gave in to the twisted feeling inside—followed her heart down a path of danger. Following her desire wouldn’t be fair to him.

“I hear you loud and clear, but why do your eyes say something completely different?”

Oxygen depleted and she couldn’t breathe. “I have no clue what you mean.”

“The hell you don’t!
The mixed signals. Hot one second, cold the next.”

“I’m sorry.” 
Her brain wouldn’t function.

“You’re sorry?
That’s it? That’s all you can come up with?” His eyes turned darker.

“This wasn’t a romantic relationship. We
understood the rules from the very beginning.”

“Mentioning the rules again.
” He blew out a long breath. “I’ve never seen one woman who patterned her life in living by these make believe rules.”

“I don’t owe you an
explanation.” She couldn’t tell him that she thought of him every second of every day. Even sleep offered no respite because her dreams were full of images of him touching her, exploring her body. He made her ooze with need—made her want to soar the sky, play hopscotch on fluffy clouds. Their lovemaking had embedded her with satisfaction, yet only to suffer with a need so overwhelming that she could barely breathe. 

No,
she couldn’t tell him any of these things.

“No, I guess you don’t.
But using the excuse as the ‘boss’s daughter’ is just that. An excuse to hide behind. It’s time you just admit the truth. You’re afraid to feel. Whatever has happened to you, hurt you, has a lock on your emotions and only you can find the key.” He shook his head. “Good day, ma’am.” He tilted his hat and stomped toward the barn.

It’d
been a long time since someone other than family had called her out. She guessed she deserved his cold words.

Why
didn’t she feel better?  He’d walked away…and wasn’t that what she’d wanted? An easy end to whatever they had between them.

She blinked back moisture in her eyes.

What had she done?

Chapter
Eleven

“YOU LOOK FABULOUS!” Pearl said.

Jewels
looked through the full-length mirror and sighed. “I shouldn’t go.”

“Yes, you should.
And you have to. It’s your responsibility as a committee member.” Pearl patted her shoulder in encouragement.

Jewels smoothed
her hands down the tight fit of the soft lace dress then blew out a breath through the corner of her mouth. “But the call from Dad has me tense. He is supposed to drive from the airport straight to the auction.”

“Sweetie, big deal about
a call from Dad, especially considering you have feelings for Spark. That’s a lot different than screwing around.” Pearl smoothed on lipstick and stopped. “What?”

“Now you’re sounding like Spark.”
Jewels rolled her eyes. “You’re wrong about how I feel.”

“
I sound like Spark because we’re thinking outside of the box.” Pearl made a square shape with her hands around Jewels then winked.

“Oh.
And that means I’m thinking within the box? Maybe I’m the only one thinking clearly.” Seeing her sister’s unconvinced expression, Jewels swiveled on heel and shot her palms to her hips. “So what? Should I just bid on him?”

“Uhh…
yes.
Isn’t that a no brainer?”

“Not going to happen.”
Sweeping past her sister, she grabbed two purses from the hook on the back of her closet door. “What do you think? The black or gold?” She held up both.

“Black.
And tell me why not?”

“It’s not like Spark and I have a
future anyway.” She averted her eyes. She didn’t need to see Pearl’s face to know she’d see accusation.

“Yeah, because who’d want a cowboy t
hat looks that good and is a gentleman to boot.”

Jewels
chuckled. “He is a gentleman. He’ll make a woman a very good partner.”  Jewels turned her huge purse upside down, dumping everything on her bed. She scanned the contents, looking for a few things she wanted to put in the smaller handbag.

“
Sure, I reckon you two don’t have passion, huh?”

“Are you trying to push my buttons?”
Jewels said.

“I’m trying to make you see how silly you’re being.
”

Jewels sighed. “I’m not being silly. By the way, you didn’t tell
Dad about Spark and me, did you?”

Pearl squinted.
“Of course not. You know I’d never do that.”

Seeing her sister’s frown develop,
Jewels’ stomach flipped. “What is it, Pearl?”

Dropping to the bed, she paled. “The night you snuck out to meet Spark,
Em was looking for you. I didn’t mean to tell her.”

“Tell her what?” Jewels
couldn’t breathe.

“I accidently told her that you went down to the stables.
And since it was raining, she knew you weren’t riding. She put two and two together, and because I can’t lie apparently, she knew you were with Spark.”

“But how would she link me with Spark?”

“Because she’s your sister, Jewels. She knows you just as well as I do, and if you hadn’t noticed, lately you’ve been walking around with a big smile and you haven’t yelled at her once. Pretty obvious you’ve been fu—”

“Pearl!”
A sickening wave of emotion washed over Jewels. Throwing her purse on the bed, she stomped from the room, down the hall and threw open Em’s door. Her sister was sliding into black heels.

She looked up and smiled. “Are we ready to go?”

“How could you Em?” Jewels forced the words through tight lips.

Em’s
smile faded. “How could I what?”

Taking a step into the room, Jewels sucked in a furious breath. “Tell Dad about Spark.”

Em’s
grin returned. “What are you talking about? I think it’s about time you—”

“Don’t offer me that sweet smile and expect me to forgive you!”

“I do
not
want your forgiveness. I haven’t done anything. Why should I care if you are banging the cowboy?” Em turned, her hands placed on hips.

“Ladies, this is not the time to discuss this matter. We’ve got to go,” Pearl said from the doorway.

Jewels didn’t even look at Pearl but kept her gaze on Em. “And when would be the best time to explain to our sister that we’re tired of cleaning up her messes, Pearl?”

Em’s mouth dropped. “My messes? You can’t be serious!”