“I can hold down the fort here while you’re all out,” I say.
“You’re coming too, silly!” Libby exclaims.
“Down,” Jacob says before I can respond. He wriggles in Mason’s arms and he lowers him to the ground, plucking his hat off Jacob’s head. “Ria,” he says as he toddles toward me. “Play?” My heart melts as he tries to say my name, and I drop to my knees next to him.
“I can’t play, buddy. I’ve got to work. Maybe later, okay?” He nods and throws his arms around my neck. Completely taken aback, my eyes go to Jack, who smiles at me. I can’t help smiling back as my arms go around Jacob’s tiny body, holding him tight.
“You’ll come for lunch, won’t you, Aria?” Jack asks. I look across to Libby, who nods.
“Yeah, I’ll come.” I release Jacob, who runs to Jack. “I’d better get finished here if I’m sneaking off in work time.”
“Let me help you.” He moves to pick up another pitchfork, but I step in front of him.
“No chance! Go and have fun with Jacob. Do you want to see the horses, little man?”
“Yeah!” he cries, bouncing up and down by Jack’s side.
Laughing, I point to the door at the back of the stables. “They’re out in the exercise area.” He runs through the stables and out the door, Mason and Libby following him.
“I’m sorry if I came on a bit strong earlier,” he says quietly. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“No! You didn’t.” My stomach drops as I realize he thinks he’s done something wrong. “God, I’m sorry I made you think that. I just…” I trail off and sigh.
“What?” he prompts, taking a step toward me.
“Whatever this is between us, Jack, it has to be casual. Just some fun while you’re here.”
His eyes flash with disappointment. “So, friends with benefits?” I nod. “Okay. If that’s what you want?”
“It has to be that way. I can’t fall for you and then have you leave.” He pulls me to him, enveloping me in his arms.
“I won’t hurt you, I promise,” he whispers in my ear, and I shiver as his hot breath hits my skin. I don’t tell him it’s probably already too late for that, and when he walks away, I’ll be broken. I just have to keep my feelings for him under control and not get too close. I can do that, right?
Jack
“Whatever this is between us, Jack, it has to be casual. Just some fun while you’re here.” I try to hide the disappointment I know must be evident on my face.
“So, friends with benefits?” She nods and my heart hurts a little. “Okay. If that’s what you want?” I tell her, knowing I’ll take whatever she’s willing to offer, even if that’s only friendship.
“It has to be that way. I can’t fall for you and then have you leave,” she whispers.
I pull her to me, wrapping her in my arms. She’s protecting herself from getting hurt. I can understand that.
“I won’t hurt you, I promise,” I whisper in her ear, and she shivers as my breath hits her skin.
“So, we can keep things casual?” she asks, and I nod.
“Casual includes kissing, right?” My hand reaches up to stroke her face, and she leans into my touch.
“Oh, definitely.” Her voice is breathless, and I lean down, pressing my lips against hers. Her hands reach up and loop around my neck as her tongue pushes into my mouth. I open up to her, deepening the kiss, and she moans. It’s like a direct line to my cock, which is now straining against my jean shorts. There’s nothing casual for me about this kiss. It’s all consuming and like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I can’t tell her though. She’s already running scared, and I don’t want to push her away. Pulling out of the kiss, I take a step back, her arms falling from around my neck.
“Are you sure you don’t want some help?”
She shakes her head. “No, go and spend some time with your sister. Have you seen Brody or Josh yet?”
“No. But I think they’re heading over later.”
She smiles at me and I want to kiss her again, but after what she’s just said, I don’t. Instead, I walk backwards toward the exercise area.