Texas Two Steps Four-Pack Bundle (5 page)

"Aw, come on, honey. Don't be scared. Relax. It's just a little farther." Jim led Kristy to the third row of tall white boxes and the last hive. "Here we are. This one's yours."

Kristy stood beside Jim and looked at
her
hive. He'd taken her hand in his to help her out of the truck and hadn't let go. His clasp was strong and sure; his big hands rough and calloused. She wondered what he did for a living. He wasn't a desk jockey, working inside an office every day, that was for sure. Not if his dark tanned skin and work-hardened hands were any indication. And the way he called her honey just about made her insides melt.

"What do you think?" he asked, squeezing her hand and sending electrical charges shimmering up her arm.

I think I'm falling for you fast. That's what.
"Why is my hive shorter than all the others?"

"The others have supers for the extra honey the bees are making. Yours is just the hive body. Your bees are still settling in. I'll put supers on your hive when they start to make more honey."

Kristy watched the bees going in and out of the hive. "They seem to be happy with their new home. They sure are busy.
Ouch! Ouch!
" She swatted a bee on her arm, then another. She jerked her hand from Jim's and turned to run, swinging her arms this way and that, trying to deflect the stinging missiles.

Before she knew what was happening, Jim scooped her up in his arms and sped for the truck. "Don't swat them. That only makes it worse." He held her close and she could feel the strength of his muscles and the warmth of his skin. His aftershave teased her senses.

He opened the driver's side door and dumped Kristy onto the bench seat and jumped in beside her, slamming the door shut. One or two bees flew in the truck, but Jim dealt with them in swift order.

"Don't rub those welts or try to pull the stingers out," he said. "You'll only make the poison release faster. Sit still. I'll take care of you." He dug in his back pocket and took out his wallet. He removed a credit card and set the wallet on the dashboard.

"What are you going to do?" Kristy asked, eyeing the credit card and the stinging welts on her arms. They hurt like hell.

"I wouldn't have had this happen for the world. Usually, my bees are calm, even docile. I'm so sorry." Jim took Kristy's arm in a firm grip and carefully scraped the edge of the credit card across one welt until the tiny stinger popped loose. He did the same with the other two welts, then sat back. "That should help. You're not allergic, are you?"

Kristy stared at the red bumps on her arm, then looked at the man sitting so close to her. She could feel the heat from his big body, and she could see the golden flecks in the irises of the dark brown eyes. "I don't think so. I'm not sure. Thanks for getting those stingers out."

"Don't thank me. I feel awful about it. I wouldn't have had you hurt for anything." Jim grabbed his wallet and replaced the credit card. He stuffed it back in his pocket, then leaned across Kristy to open the glove box.

Kristy's stomach clenched at the contact. She forced herself to sit still and not reach out and touch him. You'd think the pain of the bee stings would diminish the attraction, but somehow it didn't. His big body was jammed against her in the confines of the truck. He felt hard and strong. Heat and energy radiated from his big body.

Jim shut the glove box and straightened back to a sitting position. "Here's an antihistamine. It should relieve the swelling and help with the pain and itching." He tore open the packet and handed it to her along with a bottle of water. Their hands brushed and gazes locked. Kristy sat frozen in place, mesmerized by those golden brown eyes.

Jim nudged her hand. "Take the pill, honey. Then I'll take you home."

Kristy swallowed the pink pill and handed the water back to him. "Thank you. I'm glad to see that you're prepared for emergencies like this."

He set the water bottle aside and took her hand, holding it in his. "I get stung now and again. But it's rare. I'm so sorry you got tagged. Not the ideal way to make a good impression."

Kristy smiled. "You made an impression all right."

He leaned toward her. "But was it good?" He looked deeply into her eyes, searching their depths. "I want to make a good impression. I want to ask you out." His eyes dropped to her lips and he touched a finger to the bottom one. "I want to kiss you."

His mouth covered hers in a tender kiss. Kristy didn't think she'd ever received such a gentle kiss in all her life. She couldn't resist draping her arms across the muscular shoulders and deepening the embrace. Her hurts were forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Jim gathered Kristy close and plunged his tongue into her sweet warmth. She responded with an eagerness that matched his own. He thrust his fingers into her short blond hair, tilting her head for better access. He felt her arms tighten around his shoulders and her breasts rub against his chest. His body hardened and flexed against the zipper of his Wranglers.

He tangled his tongue with hers, tugging and sucking; mimicking what he'd like to do to her naked in bed. Trailing his fingers slowly down the curve of her neck, Jim traced the path across the satin-smooth skin and soft fabric of her t-shirt until he found a firm round breast. He cupped the soft mound, squeezing gently, weighing it in his hand.

Kristy moaned into his mouth and tightened her arms around him. Suddenly it wasn't enough. He had to touch her. Jim slipped his hand under her t-shirt, lifted the hem and pushed aside the bra. He inhaled a shuddering breath when the palm of his hand connected with the bare skin of her breast. Kristy wiggled against him, seeking more. He plucked at the nipple, rolling it between his thumb and finger, feeling it swell beneath his touch.

Holy hell! He couldn't remember any woman ever reacting so responsive, so quickly to him.

Breaking off the kiss, Jim leaned down to take the beaded nipple into his mouth. Kristy's slender fingers wove themselves in his hair, holding him close to her breast. He swirled his tongue around and around then sucked hard. She arched into the caress, whimpering with pleasure. He reached down and cupped her through her shorts and felt her dampness and heat. He wanted to plunge inside her and explore this passion burning between them.

"Jim . . . oh God, that feels good . . . but . . . w-we have to stop."

Kristy pushed him away and straightened her bra and shirt. She slid to the passenger side of the truck, brushed her hair from her face and managed a tremulous smile. "I think you'd better take me home." Her face was flushed, her blue eyes glossy with passion. All of a sudden, she yawned hugely and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. "Goodness. I'm sorry. I think that pill is starting to take effect. Antihistamines make me sleepy." She yawned again and tilted her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. "Very sleepy."

"Kristy . . ."

She turned her head and blinked at him. "Hmm?"

"Are you free for dinner one night this week? I want to see you again."

"That would be lovely," she said. "Any night except Thursday. I work late on Thursdays. Bingo night, you know."

"Bingo night? Where do you work?"

"The Rock of Ages Rest Home." She smiled sleepily. "Where do you work? Not in a stuffy old office, right?"

Jim grinned. "You're punch drunk. I work at the fire station."

"The fire station?" Kristy squinted at him through drooping lids. "A fireman? You're a firefighter?" She tried to scoot up into a sitting position, but slowly slid back down in the seat. She shut her eyes, her lips curved in a smile. "Such a shy man, but brave and sexy as well."

He shook his head and turned the key in the ignition. The truck rumbled to life. "Go to sleep, honey. I'll get you home soon."

"I love how you call me honey," she murmured with a soft sigh.

Chuckling, Jim pulled away from the barn and headed out the gate. By the time he jumped out to lock it and climbed back in, Kristy was dead to the world.

****

All day at work on Monday, Kristy wondered if and when Jim would call. He'd said he wanted to see her again.
Talk about making a good impression!
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment every time she thought about how that little pink pill had completely knocked her out. Had she actually yawned in the middle of that awesome kiss? Surely, not in the middle. At the end, right? It was all a little fuzzy in her memory.

She vaguely remembered Jim getting her home from the bee yard. He'd been gentle and kind helping her into her house. Even tucking her into bed. He must have dressed her in her nightgown, because she'd found her shirt and shorts folded neatly on the chair in the bedroom instead of on the floor in the bathroom, as was her usual unfortunate tendency. Maybe she should feel outraged he would do something like that, but she could only feel grateful for his help.

Kristy pushed the cart of oatmeal cookies and refreshments toward the media room. She showed old classic movies three afternoons a week to the Rock of Ages residents. Kristy was the recreation coordinator for the rest home. She enjoyed her job and did her best to keep morale high. She scheduled various activities throughout the week and liked to believe she made a difference in these folks' lives.

She'd had to field curious questions concerning the red welts on her arms. Many of the residents had a story or two to tell about encounters with honeybees. Some knew Jim Hennessey and told a few tales about the handsome beekeeper. Kristy listened with interest as the residents painted a charming picture of the man. The more she saw and heard about him, the more she liked.

And that kiss . . .

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and her heart accelerated when she saw Jim's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey." Jim cleared his throat and Kristy had to smile. Even though they'd shared a kiss and he'd pretty much undressed her, the man was still shy as all get out. Although, he hadn't been shy about that kiss and touching her pretty intimately.

He cleared his throat again. "How're you doing? How're the stings on your arms?"

"Better. Thanks for taking care of me yesterday. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. That pill really did a number on you." He paused a moment, then cleared his throat again. "I was wondering . . . are you free for dinner tonight?"

Kristy grinned. So much for chitchat or beating around the bush. "As a matter of fact I am."

A big exhale whooshed in her ear. "Good. I'll pick you up then. Seven okay?"

"Seven sounds great." She could hardly wait.

****

They ate dinner together every night that week, except Thursday. On Thursday, Jim headed to the nursing home and bingo night. His third grade teacher was a resident and she latched onto him for the whole evening. Kristy seemed please that he was visiting with Mrs. Connors.

He sat with the little old lady and helped her watch her bingo cards while Kristy stood at the front of the room, calling out numbers. When Mrs. Connors finally won a game, she threw her arms around him, hugged him tight and called Jim her good luck charm. When Kristy brought the prize to the table, she hugged Mrs. Connors and Jim, too. He couldn't resist stealing a quick kiss, much to the delight of the interested audience. He thought Kristy adorable when she blushed and ran back to the podium.

During the course of the week, he kept a tight lid on his libido. He wanted to get better acquainted with Kristy. He liked her a lot and found that he wanted more than sex. He wanted a relationship. But his body was about to explode. Every night when he kissed her goodbye at the door, he lingered a little longer. Kissed a little deeper. Touched a little more. He'd hold her in his arms and feel her tremble with desire. He knew he was torturing them both when he declined her invitations to come inside.

He wanted more than a quick romp in bed. Maybe he was old-fashioned. He didn't want to be rushed. He wanted their first time to be candles and romance. He wanted to spend the night with her, make slow passionate love to her and hold her in his arms while they slept. He wanted to wake up in the morning and leisurely make love again.

He had it all planned. Saturday would be the day. Unfortunately, plans don't always work out.

****

Kristy cleaned her house all day Saturday, her body humming with suppressed sexual excitement. Tonight was the night. They were finally going to make love. She knew Jim wanted her as much as she wanted him, but he'd kept her at arm's length all week long much to her consternation.

It wasn't like she was in the habit of falling into bed with men right and left, but she felt as if she'd known Jim forever. Their relationship had quickly turned into something hot and heavy. Not only on a physical level--technically all they'd done was kiss and touch--but also on an emotional level. They'd lingered over the dinners they'd shared. Drinking coffee and talking about everything under the sun.

Watching Jim at the bingo game interacting with his old teacher had only emphasized how sweet and kind he really was. And the kiss he'd stolen in front of God and everyone had taken her breath away. Very hot. Not sweet at all. When the residents laughed and applauded, Kristy had quickly returned to the front of the room to call out more bingo numbers.

Had it only been a week ago that she'd actually met Jim Hennessey?