Of Yesterday (6 page)

Jason was just as busy. He was gone each morning before her
or Mandy woke and only returned for supper, fatigue weighing down his
shoulders. Conversation focused around the project, the development, and of the
ranch.

Thinking of Jason as she kneaded the dough, Taylor wondered
if the fire they once had had simmered down. Jason avoided her, and Taylor did
her best to do the same. She had never worked so hard in her life, so by the
time sunset fell she could barely keep her eyes open long enough to undress and
collapse into bed. Fantasies were replaced with chores, and sexual need
substituted with exhaustion.

She paused a moment and brushed a brown ringlet from her
forehead with the back of her flour-encrusted hand. She lifted her shoulders up
and down a few times, in an attempt to loosen her aching muscles.

"I warned you it was going to be hard work."

Taylor jumped at the sound of Jason's voice. Turning her
head, she saw he'd come into the kitchen. His jeans were dirty and his sweat-stained
shirt clung to his chest. His cowboy hat rested on his head just enough to
shield the depths of his eyes. Even filthy, he exuded sex appeal.

"And I told you I wasn't afraid of it." She turned
her attention back to her bread making.

Jason walked up to her and placed both of his hands on each
side of her shoulders and began to give a gentle massage. "I know how
tired you are." He continued to massage as he spoke, causing Taylor to
close her eyes and relish in the delightful feeling. "I know I haven't
told you, but I couldn't ask for more. You've been amazing these past few days.
You truly are making this place a home."

Taylor turned and faced him, her eyes meeting his. Any
question before, of whether or not the fire between them had extinguished, had
been answered. She wanted to melt into his body.

Jason took a deep breath and a large step backwards. "I
want to take you somewhere. Clean up and meet me outside in five minutes."

"What? What about supper and Mandy?"

"Mandy's at the neighbor's house helping with their
little ones, and I decided to surprise you with a picnic supper. It's the least
I can do for all your hard work."

Taylor stood in disbelief. "A surprise?" She could
not believe he had taken the time to plan it all out.

He smiled. "Just go get cleaned up."

A few minutes later, Taylor found Jason standing by a horse
outside. He smiled at her warmly. "I'll help you up onto my horse and we
can ride there together. If that's all right with you."

"I've never been on a horse before. I'm not really sure
if—"

"Well, get ready for your first experience," he
interrupted. "I love taking a gal's virginity," he chuckled.

"Haha, very funny."

He turned and put his boot in the stirrup, swinging his jean-clad
leg over the saddle. Leaning over, he pulled Taylor onto the horse before she
could even prepare herself. Her heart skipped and fear paralyzed her body as
she desperately clung to the saddle horn. She closed her eyes and tried her
best to control her breathing.

With a kick of his boot, he jabbed the horse forward. The
sudden motion caused a gasp to escape from Taylor.

Jason leaned into her ear and whispered, "I'm not going
to let anything happen to you. You're safe."

His soothing voice sent shivers down her spine but did
little to calm her anxiety. She opened her eyes and saw the ground below her.
She seemed so high and far from safety. Taylor swallowed back her fear and
pressed her back solidly into Jason's chest. His warmth comforting her, his
strong arms around her, reassuring her confidence.

"See, this isn't so bad," he said as he ran his
palm up and down her arm.

"Piece of cake." Taylor's voice trembled.

"I can go faster if you like," Jason challenged.

"No! I like this pace just fine, thank you."

Jason laughed while tightening his grip around her.

The horse prodded along, and after a while, Taylor began to
ease her muscles. Her breathing calmed and her heart seemed to beat regularly
again. Every time she adjusted her body, Jason would squeeze tighter,
enveloping her into his security and safety. She could feel his breath against
her ear, feel his heart beat against her back. The feeling of being protected,
guarded, and cared for replaced any reminisce of fear.

"Over there." He pointed. "There's a natural
hot spring I thought would be perfect to help ease your tired muscles."

Taylor turned her head so she could look up into his
smoldering blue eyes. "A hot spring? That sounds heavenly!"

Jason assisted her in dismounting the horse. She felt a sense
of pride that she had actually managed to ride a horse, even if she did have
Jason seated behind her. She was becoming quite the pioneer woman.

He placed the palm of his hand on her lower back and walked
her to the steaming water. "Go ahead and get in. I'll go set up our
picnic." With a twinkle in his eye, he smiled. "Don't worry, I won't
peek."

"Wait. You aren't going to join me?"

"Well, since we don't have suits, I thought I would
give you your privacy and let you have it to yourself."

Taylor reached for his hand. "I would like you to come
in with me. If you don't mind." She winked and, with a mischievous smile,
began to strip off her clothes. "It's not like you haven't seen me naked
before." Taylor stripped all the way nude and ran towards the water."Come
on!"

"Woman! You really never cease to amaze me." Jason
started removing his clothes as quickly as he could, following close behind.

Taylor slowly eased her way into the hot water, almost
moaning in delight as the sultry liquid covered her body. She closed her eyes
for only a split second, not wanting to miss the full view of the unclothed man
before her.

Jason's body did not disappoint. Muscled, lean, and
mouthwatering, Jason took her breath away. He exuded power as he made his way
to the water, reminding her of a Greek God.

"Ahh, this is exactly what my body needed," he
sighed as he lowered himself in.

Taylor tried to conceal her smile. She could not help but
have images of what her body
really
wanted and needed from Jason.

Jason looked at Taylor, with an eyebrow raised, he asked, "What
are you over there smiling about?"

Taylor just smiled more and shrugged in response.

Jason ran his wet hand through his hair, slicking it back. "I
think we're going to have to make a habit of this." He moved his body
closer to Taylor's, their legs barely touching. "I know I've been away a
lot, but hopefully that will die down soon. We've just had a lot of final
details to throw together and—"

"You don't need to make excuses. I knew how busy you'd
be. But..."

"But what?" He positioned her body so he could
move up behind her and begin to massage her neck and shoulders. His hands were
hard but gentle at the same time. The rubbing turned her body to jelly.

"Are you sure you aren't avoiding me? Ever since that
night, you seem to dodge me every chance you get. Do you dislike me that much?"

Jason stopped massaging and racked his fingers through his
hair again. "I don't dislike you at all. I just...I'm attracted to you in
ways that I can't even explain, and I think you and I getting together could be
a big mistake."

She looked down at her pruning hands. "Why? Is there
something wrong with me? Do you still think I'm a liar and cheat?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't trust you with Mandy if I
truly thought that."

"Then what, Jason? Why would having sex with me be a
mistake?" Taylor was not sure why she was pushing the issue. She did not want
a one night stand. It was not her style, but she wanted to know why
he
did
not. All men did, didn't they?

"When I'm around you, sex is damn near the only thing I
can think about. I want you, I hunger for you like I've never done with any
woman before."

Taylor turned and Jason’s smoldering eyes locked with hers.

"But there are things about me, my expectations, my
demands, that you don't know. And if you truly did, I think you wouldn't want
to be with me."

She smiled and calmed a bit. Knowing he desired her like she
did him, made her heart do flips. "Tell me...these demands you speak of."
She moved forward so she was inches from his face. "Show me."

Taylor gasped as Jason's mouth crushed down over hers. She
clung to his shoulders, pulling him closer. Opening her mouth to the smooth
feel of his tongue, she ached to feel him deep inside her.

A shudder rippled through her as his hand gently caressed
her breast. He continued to ravish her mouth as his hands explored every part
of her wet and exposed chest. Taylor moaned as a hot surge of hunger rushed
through her. She ran her hands across the hard plane of his muscled torso, all
while his fingers continued to stroke her nipples.

Pulling her closer than she thought possible, the hot water
splashing between them, he groaned, "God, I want you. I need you."
Placing hot, wet kisses along her collarbone, he whispered, "I’ve wanted
you since the day I saw you. There was something unique. Something about you
that was unexplainable."

Taylor clung to him, gasping for air. The heat of the water,
the fervor between them, was almost too much. Her mind spun and her body pulsated.

"I’m taking you right here, right now. I can’t fight
this any longer. I need to make you mine."

Taylor looked into his blazing eyes and nodded. "Yes…yes.
I don’t want you to stop."

In an instant, Taylor found herself lying beneath Jason on
the soft grass surrounding the spring.  Jason kissed his way down her body inch
by inch, until his lips made contact with her yearning pussy. She arched her
back as he eased her legs further apart. Little by little he began to place
soft kisses along the inside of her thigh, gradually making his way to his ultimate
target. Taylor tensed as his tongue flicked the sensitive bud, causing her to
moan in pleasure.

A wavering burst of intensity slid into her stomach. Jason
continued to suck and lick pleasure to her very core as he used his rough
fingers to part the folds of her sex, heightening her bliss, bringing her
closer to complete ecstasy.

Taylor tensed. Unsure of letting go completely, she tried to
fight the wave of passion that threatened to succumb her entire being. Having
Jason in such an intimate position battled against her insecurities.

Jason continued to circle his tongue along the outer edges
of her pussy. With a thrust of his finger deep within her heat, he whispered, "It’s
okay. Let go. You’re safe with me. Trust me."

His soothing words, mixed with his sensual ministrations
brought Taylor over the edge. Light flashed, heat conquered, and hunger
satisfied, Taylor released a heavy gasp.

With greedy need, she reached out and wrapped her hand
around his swollen shaft. Thick and heavy with his arousal, Taylor guided him
to her parted legs. Jason grabbed her hips and held her immobile before he
thrust his hard cock deep within her. A rush of pleasure ripped through her
with a force that took her breath away. Jason groaned as he pulled out almost
all the way, just to thrust his hardness back in to her.

Taylor gasped at the suddenness of his submersion, even as
her body hungered for more. Her head fell back as she closed her eyes and
reveled in the sensation of lust pulsing through her core. She moaned loudly as
her body drove upward to meet his pace, driving his cock even deeper within.

His body felt strong and good so close to hers. Taylor
arched her back when Jason slipped a finger to her clit and began to circle,
increasing the pressure in her pussy.

"God, Taylor. You are the most beautiful, sexual, and
passionate woman I have ever seen," he growled as he lowered his mouth to
the crevice of her neck and softly nibbled.

His body felt hot against hers, contrasting with the cool
breeze against her bare flesh. A moan escaped Taylor's lips as Jason thrust
into her, again and again, bringing her closer and closer to ecstasy. The
building pressure threatening to overflow at any second.

Lifting her legs, he wrapped them around his waist. He
plunged in and out, deeper with each pounding motion. Setting up a rhythm, he
rocked Taylor to an orgasm like nothing she had ever experienced. She cried out
his name as heavenly bliss poured through her. He stared into her eyes as the
climax rocked her body, never letting up until he was sure she was fully
satisfied. With one more hungry kiss, Jason’s muscles tightened and his
breathing became ragged. He moaned deep as, he too, followed her to release.

It seemed like hours had passed as they lay entangled in
each other's arms, luxuriating in the late afternoon sun. Jason ran his fingers
through Taylor’s hair, occasionally giving soft and alluring kisses everywhere
his hand grazed. She rested her head on his shoulder, rubbing her fingertips
along his bare chest. Without another moment's pause she kissed him, hungry for
him once again.

Jason rolled her unto her back, with his weight pressed up
against her. "If I knew being with you was going to be like this, I
would've made you mine a long time ago," he murmured against the kiss.

"I need you. I want you." She kissed him again,
hard and demanding.

She wanted him in every way. Having sex with Jason only
sealed the deal. Taylor did not ever want this moment to end.

I love you, Jason
. The words stayed trapped in her
throat, locked tightly in her mind. So close to declaring her feelings, but
afraid of the true power those words could release.

Jason paused, studied her for a few long moments, and shifted
his weight to his side. "Where did you just go? Something changed just
now."

She shrugged. "Nothing, really." No way would she
confess that she was about to proclaim her love. "I'm just taking this all
in, I guess."