Natural Attraction (14 page)

All thoughts of pushing away from Jax are swept from my mind as I once again melt back into his chest and take another heavenly whiff of his scent.

His hands start to circle and rub and now and then, I feel an extra bit of pressure as Jax finds a hard muscle somewhere on my back and continued his ministrations.  I relax to the point where I almost feel like nodding off.  I sigh, I am officially in heaven.

“Do you like this?” he whispers softly into my ear, his breath tingling through the shell of my ear and gently lifting the hairs away from neck.

“Yes.” I sigh again.  “It’s wonderful, please don’t stop.” I breathe the words slowly.  He is
really
good at this.

Then Jax totally ignores my request and does just that.  He stops.  Just like that, no more rubbing, he just stops and pushes away from me.  I look up to see him looking at me with a serious look on his face.

“Point and case.  Quit whacking your horse every time you think he’s been a good boy.  Horses like to be stroked and rubbed, not thumped on the neck.  This so called thing of ‘patting’ your horse is yet another fucked up notion that you have been taught in the past.  If another horse started whacking your horse like that in the paddock, it would either mean
move the fuck out of my way,
or
let’s fight mother fucker
.  Whichever one, it doesn’t matter, it’s not nice.”

I stare at him gobsmacked.  He is teaching me another lesson.  Still reeling from the loss of his ministrations and his wonderful scent I can do little more than nod and stare at him in disbelief.

It then becomes clear that my mouth is sagging open with my incredulousness at the whole situation.  This is made clear by him leaning forward and gently placing a finger under my chin, giving it light pressure so my mouth pops shut again.

“Okay, got it.” I say regaining my self-control and looking around madly for something else to focus on apart from him.

“Cool.  That’s the lesson over for today little girl.  I suspect it’s time for you to go home.”

And then without another word, he turns and heads for the
gate, opens it and steps back to wave his hand through in front of him with a dramatic flourish.

“After you.”

“Thanks,” I say flatly.  I am
very
disappointed that I am not going to get another cuddle any time soon.

Picking up Mavericks lead-rope and clipping it back on, I quickly give him a
rub
along the neck.  Careful to avoid eye contact with Jax, I give Maverick a light tug and we head back towards my float to prepare for the trip home.

Horses and hairspray

Walking back to my horse float with Jax at my side, I suddenly realize that I am tired.  Bone weary tired. It hit
s me like a ton of bricks. 

Obviously my early start and then the various forms of adrenalin pumping excitement throughout the day have taken their toll.  I have just spent four hours straight playing with Maverick in Jax’s round yard, a fact that I have to double check my watch to confirm.  Four long, physical hours that mean I am almost at the point of extreme exhaustion.

Trying not to appear rude in front of Jax, I manage to plaster on a friendly face as I trudge back to the float.  A brief thought that Maverick is walking calmly beside me without jumping all over my feet crosses my mind. 

I send yet another thank you prayer to the heavens above that he is being a good boy.  Not needing to find the energy to conduct my fast footed waltz to keep my toes out from under his sizable hooves when I am this tired is a blessing.

I groan inwardly as I think about the hour-long drive home I am about to face.  All I want to do is have a hot shower, crawl into my pajamas and pass out in bed.  

I mentally start calculating the number of jobs I need to do before I am going to see my bed tonight.  I then take an imaginary knife to the list and slash it back to a much shorter list of get Maverick home to his paddock, feed the dogs, shower and go to bed. 

I am happy enough to skip the evening meal section of the day thanks to my enormous lunch.

Heading to the back of my horse float, I quickly prepare to drop the tailgate.   I have barely placed my hand on the first tailgate latch when I feel Jax’s warm hand come down over mine. Instantaneously, warmth and electricity sparks spir
al up my arm towards my body.

“
What are you doing tomorrow?” He asks as he gently takes my hand from the latch and goes about undoing it for me.

“Not much at this point
,” I answer honestly.  I haven’t thought that far ahead.  My whole focus over the past week has been on preparing for my trip here today.  I had not made any plans for my Sunday in case I was tired, or even the worst case scenario, injured again.

“Do you want to do some more with Maverick?” He asks as he quickly sets about opening the second latch and swinging the tailgate towards the ground.

“Um, maybe.  Well, to be honest, probably not.  I haven’t paid you for today yet and I’m not sure my funds will stretch far enough this week to cover two days of your hourly rate.  Any chance we can set another day for next weekend or the weekend after that?”

I feel bad admitting I don’t have the funds to spend indefinite hours working with Maverick.  I feel even worse for just realizing we haven’t yet discussed his payment for the hours he has spent with me and Maverick so far. 

I quickly swing my thoughts to the cash I have stowed in my glove box from earlier in the week and silently hope I have enough.  I hadn’t expected to take up so many hours of Jax’s time today.

I see Jax step onto the tailgate and give a little bounce, lightly flexing his knees and making his thigh muscles bulge to test it has settled on the ground solidly.  He then swings his attention back to me.

“Don’t worry about any payment just yet.   We can work that out later.  I’d like you to come back tomorrow.”

I look towards his sunglass covered eyes not too sure what to read into that statement.  Is he suggesting that I need to come back because we have so much work to do with Maverick, or is he asking me to come back because he wants to see me? 

The thought that it might be the latter sends a small thrill of excitement down my spine and through my stomach.  I shake the thought off quickly as my reasoning powers win over and I figure it is far more likely to be the former reason.

“That aside, I still don’t think I can Jax.” A hint of remorse edges its way into my voice.  Although I do like the idea of seeing him tomorrow, it just doesn’t seem like a good idea right now. 

“I doubt I’ve got it in me to drive an hour tonight, and then drive the hour back in the morning.  I’m bushed already and I don’t think I’d make it into work on Monday if I felt like this again tomorrow night.  I’ve had a long day, driving and towing at the same time tires me out.  Add to that the physical activity of playing with Maverick and I don’t have much left to give.”

“Leave Maverick and your float here overnight
,” Jax suggests quickly. 

It does seem like he is keen for me to come back. 

“Even better, why go home?  I’ve got plenty of spare rooms, just sleep here and save your-self all the travel.  There’s a tonne of food inside just waiting to be re-heated or cooked and I will even throw in a hot breakfast if you decide to stay.” 

He delivers the breakfast offer in a sales tone that does make it sound like he wants me to stay. 

“As tempting as that sounds, I still have to get home and feed my dogs.    Besides that, you don’t need me here taking up any more of your time today.  You’ve been a very good host as it is and you have already gone above and beyond the call of duty.  I should get going.”

“Can’t you ring someone to feed your dogs for you?” He asks again quickly.

Far out, does this guy ever give up? 

The idea does sound appealing however.   Under normal circumstances, if he had been someone that I knew better, or someone I had been friends with for a while, I would have arranged feeders for the dogs before
I’d left home so I could have stayed overnight to save the big drive. 

Perhaps I could ring Jen?  She has a spare key to my place anyway so the idea is not as far-fetched as it first sounds.

“Um, I suppose so.” I respond slowly as I consider whether staying is an offer I
want
to follow through with.  Wouldn’t it all feel a bit weird staying over? 

A brief vision of us both naked rolling around in bed skims through my mind. 

Crap!

There is no way I am going there this soon after meeting a guy, what am I thinking?  It is probably the furthest thing from his mind too.  I physically shake my head to clear the X-rated thoughts streaming in.

“If you’re really okay with it, I suppose I could do that.  Are you sure you want me here wrecking your Saturday night?   Surely a good-looking guy like you already has
other
plans for his Saturday night?”

I hint at the fact that he might have already planned to spend some time-out on the town with his mates.  Or perhaps he already has plans to spend some time with a woman friend. 

The latter thought spikes an odd sense of jealousy in my soul that makes my blood run just a little cold.  It occurs to me that I am being a little overdone on the jealousy emotion when I hardly know the guy.

“Well I do sometimes head over to Luke and Teagan’s place for a few beers on a Saturday night, but no, I don’t usually head out on the town.  I’m more one for quiet nights and good movies if you get my drift.  Please stay, I’d like you to.” 

He sounds sincere.  I am tired.  Why not?

“Okay.  If you’re sure it's no trouble.  What should I do with Maverick?  Put him back in the day yard?”

“Nope, I’ve got a spare paddock he can go in.  It's got plenty of feed and it will give him space to wind down and graze.  He’s probably just as tired as you are.  Here, give him to me.  I’ll take him and settle him in while you ring Jen and get your dogs sorted.”

Jen, of course.
  I’d almost forgotten about her and my dogs already.  Thank god Jax was on the ball.

“Sure, thanks.”

I hand Maverick’s lead over to Jax and head towards my car.  I fold into the front passenger seat to take the weight off my feet while I ring Jen.  My feet are now officially aching.  I wonder if Jax would mind if I took a bath?  Hot water and Epsom Salts might even be called for.

I punch the speed dial for Jen’s mobile phone and she answers on the first ring.

“Were you sitting there waiting for my call?” I jib flippantly.

“Sure were!  Why the
fuck haven’t you rung me already biatch?  Are you home?  How was your day with
Ja-a-axx?
How did Maverick go?  Did you have any sex?
”
Jen is rapid firing questions at me too fast for any answers.

“No I did NOT have any sex.  Get your mind out of the gutter woman.  My day is great, Maverick is a star but no,
I’m not home.”

“Where are you?” She immediately sounds concerned.  “Did you break down? Do you need me to come get you?”

“No, nothing like that.  I’m still at Jax’s house and I’ve decided to stay the night.  I am ringing to ask if you can feed my dogs for me.”

“You’re
staying
there tonight?  You’re gunna have sex aren’t you?  I knew it.  I could feel it with my sixth sex sense.  Sure I’ll feed your dogs, how much and what do you give them?  There is no way I would want to be the cause of you missing out on a night with Mr.Hottie himself. 

Fuck you do move fast though, I don’t remember sleeping with Jason until about the third week of us seeing each other.  Then again, I suppose jumping in the sack on Day One fits with your take me or leave me MO so go on, knock yourself out, let him
take you
.”

I launch in to defend myself while Jen is taking a breath.

“I am NOT having sex with Jax anytime soon!  I can
assure
you of that.  I will be sleeping in his spare room.  It is only to save me the two hour drive home and back so we can keep working with Maverick tomorrow.  I haven’t even ridden Maverick for him yet and I’m sure that’s the only reason Jax wants me to stay.”

“
Riggghhht,”  Jen drawls slowly.  “Have you got any sausage suits with you?”

“No I don’t have any sausage suits with me.  Would you quit ignoring what I am saying?  I am not having sex tonight and I won’t be needing condoms.  Subject closed.  Dog food is in the laundry cupboard and they each get a full scoop.  Bowls are still in the dishwasher, but should be clean because I set it off before I left this morning.  Now stop worrying about my sex life and go and manage your own.  Good-bye.”

I stab at the red button on my phone and hang up before she can say any more.  I know Jen will not have taken any offense at what I’ve said or done.  She loves me too much.

I lean back in my seat and sigh.  A little catnap would be perfect about now. 
Although I should go help Jax with Maverick.