“I like you.”
“Well, that makes one of us.”
Eli’s grin got broader. “I’m taking you and Azalea on a trail ride today, so be sure to be ready to go right after breakfast.”
“Where are we going?”
“The lake. It’s beautiful right now, and I want to get there before the storms hit this afternoon.”
“So just a morning trail ride.”
“Yes.” Eli winked. “But I think you’ll have plenty of time to chitchat.”
“Chitchat?”
“Yup.” Eli walked away toward the back door, grabbing her hat and jacket off the hanger. “I’m going to go load up the horses. Make sure that doesn’t burn, will you?”
“Uh…sure.” Jewel turned toward it, and Eli was gone.
Doing the only thing she could think of, she made herself a new cup of coffee, made one for Lea, and walked up the stairs to the bedroom. It took a bit of juggling, but she managed to get the door open, glad to see Lea hadn’t locked her out. As soon as she stepped inside, she was surprised to find Lea awake and sitting up in the bed. She looked wrecked—emotional, torn, and beyond exhausted.
“Did you sleep at all?” Jewel asked.
Lea shook her head. “Where were you?”
“I crashed on the couch downstairs.”
Guilt swam through Lea’s gaze.
“I crashed, don’t worry. It wasn’t a choice.” A small white lie wouldn’t hurt anything. “I cleaned up our mess though and helped Eli start breakfast. She said she’s going to take us trail riding today.”
Stepping closer, Jewel held out Lea’s coffee, which she took thankfully. She sat on the edge of the bed as Lea moved to the side to give her some extra space. The words tumbled from her before she could stop them.
“I’m so sorry about last night.”
“Don’t be.” Lea’s voice was quiet and calm. Maybe the night alone had given her back her control.
“Eli was kind of helpful in talking to me this morning.”
“She’s very observant.”
Jewel looked up, making eye contact with Lea. The problem was that while she wanted to be respectful and give Lea the distance she had asked for, she wanted to kiss her again. She wanted to feel that full power of uncontrolled passion she knew was hiding behind the stoic facade. Her gaze dropped to Lea’s lips, remembering the feel of being pressed against them. It was probably a good thing they were interrupted so they could find some time to talk before anything else was done.
When she locked eyes with Lea again, the flush in Lea’s cheeks was self-evident. Well, at least she hadn’t been the only one thinking about it. She gave Lea a small curve of her lips, trying to be inviting and coy, but she was pretty sure it did not come off that way. Why was flirting with women so damn hard? Maybe it wasn’t women, maybe it was just one woman. One woman who truly had her whole heart and the ability to squash it and any dreams Jewel may have had.
“Eli said she wants us ready to leave right after breakfast. Something about storms coming in this afternoon.”
“All right.” Lea sipped her coffee slowly. “I’ll get ready in a minute. Did you want to take a shower?”
And just like that all of Lea’s walls were rebuilt. The small glimpse Jewel had gotten was enough to make her want to push more, want to see where this might lead them, want to see if she could throw a little chaos into Lea’s perfectly formed and tightly kept life.
“I think I’ll shower after the trail ride.”
“Good idea.” Lea grinned. “I think I’ll follow your lead on that one.”
* * *
Lea was smashed between Jewel and Eli in the center of the front seat of the pickup truck. Jewel had not anticipated the drive being the worst part of the trail ride. With Lea pressed so close to her, the heat from their bodies mingling, she couldn’t do anything but think of what this would feel like in a completely different situation.