“Maybe you should slow down on the beer,” I said with a grin.
Jase held up the beer bottle and looked at it. “Jesus Christ, lay off of him. It’s not like you’re married to him. If he wants to drink let him drink.”
I curled my lip and peered at Jill. “Maybe you’ve had too many as well or do you make it a habit to hang on men who are taken.”
“Oh shit,” Jase mumbled. “You know what, you’re right, Tay. I’ve had too much to drink. Let’s head to the cabin. My head is pounding.”
I didn’t even bother to look back at the little bitch this time. I was seething mad. “Which cabin is ours?” I asked.
“Ten. I’m not feeling so great.”
“Wonder why? Oh wait, it’s probably the twelve pack of beer you drank.”
“Fuck, my head is killing me.”
Making my way up the steps to the cabin, I opened the door and turned on the light. It was cuter than I thought it would be. “It’s cute in here.”
Jase pushed past me and ran into the bathroom.
When he started throwing up, I rushed in there. Grabbing a wash cloth, I ran it under hot water and handed it to him. “Did you drink anything else besides beer?”
He slowly nodded. “Rick gave me a couple shots. I should have known better. I haven’t had a thing to eat all day since breakfast.”
Not wanting to nag him about it, I rewet the washcloth. “How’s your head?”
He stood and stumbled. “Shit, I’m more drunk than I thought.”
Wrapping my arm around his waist, I led him out of the bathroom and over to the bed where he collapsed.
“Fuuuck. My head.”
Sighing, I closed my eyes. He was only going to get worse unless I had something to give to him.
“Jase? Baby, I’m going to take your truck and run to HEB. Get some water and Advil. Do you want anything else?”
“Hamburger. I want a hamburger.”
Smiling, I kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll grab one on my way back to the cabin from the pit.”
He mumbled something about my sexy ass and telling Rick off. I guess that explained why Rick had stayed away from me for the last few hours.
“I need your keys, Jase.”
He flipped over on the bed and spread his legs open and gave me that crooked smile of his. “They’re in my p-pocket . . . you needs to reach in there and get ‘em.”
“You’re a terrible drunk, do you know that?”
Jerking his hips up, he wiggled his eyebrows. “Crawl on top of me, baby. I want you to fuck me.”
“As tempting as that is, I’d be afraid you’d puke on me.” Pulling his boots off, I dropped them on the floor.
“Damn . . . I feel so bad.”
My heart broke for him. Even though a small part of me was glad he felt so bad. He should have never drank so much.
Reaching into his jeans, Jase smiled. “That’s what . . . I’m talkin’ . . .”
He started snoring before he finished his sentence. Leaning over, I kissed him on the lips. “I love you, Jase Morris.”
Taylor
A part of me was glad we were away from everyone and in the cabin. I was having a miserable time. I got the feeling Jase must have been a very eligible bachelor in Llano, because I was not welcomed at all by the female members of his little group. Even Shay, who had a fiancé, seemed to dislike me.
Rick was now manning the grill when I walked up carrying four HEB bags.
With a smile, he asked, “How is he?”
“Drunk. He passed out before I left. He did however request a hamburger. Since he hasn’t had anything to eat, I think that might be a good idea.”
Rick chuckled and handed me a plate. Grabbing a bun, I put mustard on it only. Holding the plate up for Rick, he placed a burger on it.
“Thanks, Rick.”
Turning to leave, Rick called out for me. “Hey, Taylor?”
“Yeah?” I asked as I stopped and turned to him.
“I’m really sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable around me.”
I furrowed my brows. “Jase talked to you?”
“If you want to use the word talk . . . I’d say yell.”
Glancing down to the ground, I replied, “I’m sorry. I asked him not to. I was going to talk to you myself. The last thing I want is to get between you and Jase. I know how long y’all have been friends.”
“Nah, you had every right to say something. I actually knew I was hitting on you and a part of me was doing it because I was jealous.”
“Jealous? Why?”
With a shrug, he looked away. “I don’t know. Jase was happy, really happy and I knew how much he loved you. Guess a part of me wants what he has. But I am honestly happy for him. I swear.”
I smiled weakly. “I should get back to him. Thanks for the burger.”
Rick nodded and focused back on the task at hand. As I walked closer to the cabin, I noticed a group of women standing there talking with two guys. They were the same group Jill had been hanging with. I walked past them and one of them grabbed my arm. “Wait! Um . . . why don’t you hang with us for a bit? I mean, with Jase passed out and all what fun is it in the cabin?”
I went to answer her when it dawned on me. “How did you know he was passed out?”
Her smile faded as she glanced up at the door to the cabin we were staying in.
My heart dropped. “Let go of me, now. Please.”
The girl dropped her hand as I quickly made my way up the steps and pushed the door open.
Dropping the bags onto the floor, I gasped. Jill was naked and attempting to take off Jase’s pants.
“What in the hell are you doing?”
Stumbling back, Jill tried to cover herself up. “Jase asked me to come in here.”
My eyes drifted over to Jase who was sound asleep and in the same position he was when I left. “Is that so? He asked you to come in here and what?”
She quickly grabbed her dress and pulled it over her head. “Isn’t it obvious? He wanted a quick fuck, but he passed out again.”
A part of me panicked. What if Jase had woken up and asked Jill to come in here? My heart raced as her perfume suddenly became overpowering and turned my stomach.
“Please get out.”
Lifting her chin, she smiled. “Fine. It’s not my fault he isn’t happy with what you’re giving him and he had to seek it out on his own.”
My patience had now run out. Walking up to her, I reached for her boots and grabbed her by the arm. Dragging her toward the door, I opened it and used all my might to push her out. I tossed her boots out and glared at her.
“Get out and stay the hell away from him.”
The two guys and three girls standing outside started laughing. Stepping back into the cabin, I slammed the door shut. Turning, I leaned against it and tried to calm my breathing down.
Jase mumbled my name and rolled over. My hands came up to my mouth as I tried to contain my sobs while I sank to the floor.
My mind was racing. Pulling my knees to my chest, I buried my face in my arms and cried silently.
Hearing water running, I opened my eyes and tried to adjust to the bright light. Stretching, I sat up and yawned. It was then everything from yesterday hit me again. My eyes landed on the empty bed.
“Hey, morning.”
Jase’s voice calmed my rapidly beating heart. Standing, I turned to see him in the little kitchen area holding a cup of coffee. He took a drink before setting it down and grabbing the Advil and popping some in his mouth, followed by water.
“How do you feel?” I asked.
He grimaced and took another drink of water. “Better than I should. I’m so sorry, Taylor. I ruined yesterday and last night. I’m not even sure why I was kicking them back. Being around my old friends I guess.”
Wringing my hands together I tried to remember what I had told myself last night. Nothing happened. Jase didn’t ask Jill to come in. I knew he would never hurt me like that. Shay’s words of adv
ice played over and over in my head last night after I had my mini breakdown.
“How much do you remember?”
He pushed out a frustrated breath and sat down at the small table. “I remember getting sick, you helping me fall into bed. You taking off my boots and me asking you to crawl on top of me . . . which honestly, I’m still hoping you’ll do.”
I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Do you remember Jill being in here . . . trying to undress you?”
His eyes widened in horror. “What? What are you talking about? When?”
“I left for HEB and when I came back, one of her friends tried to keep me from coming into the cabin. When I walked in, she was naked and trying to take off your pants.”
Jase quickly responded. “Taylor, I would never.”
Holding up my hands to stop him talking, I smiled. “I know that. I won’t say that last night I wasn’t a bit upset walking in and seeing her trying to have sex with my boyfriend who was clearly passed out. I was very upset. But I trust you.”
“I would have woken up and stopped her. You have to know that.”
Placing my hands on his chest, I looked lovingly into his eyes. “I know you would have.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “We shouldn’t have even come. You didn’t enjoy yourself at all. I could see it on your face all afternoon.”
Reaching up on my toes, I gently kissed his lips. “It’s okay. I am ready to go home though, I learned something important.”
Lifting his eyebrows, he asked, “What’s that?”
“I don’t think I like your old high school friends and I’m certainly never going to a party where Jill will be.”
Jase threw his head back and laughed. “Same goes for me.”
Pushing my body into his, I flashed him a sexy smile. “Now, about me being on top.”
Before I could say another word, Jase had me in his arms and was carrying me over to the bed. When he placed me on the ground, things turned frantic. We couldn’t get undressed fast enough. Jase laid on the bed while I crawled on top of him. Positioning myself over him, I slowly sank down until he filled me completely.
We both moaned as I moved slowly at first, then faster. The feel of making love to him like this was heavenly. My orgasm hit me quickly as I called out his name. Jase lifted his hips and moaned as he poured himself into me. It was still fairly new for us to be having sex with no condom. We had both been so freaked out by the false pregnancy results that we had used a condom for a month after I started the pill.
The first time we didn’t use one was the first time Jase came before me while having sex. Actually, it was the first he came as quick as he did. I couldn’t blame him though. It felt amazing.
Collapsing down on to his chest, I fought for air while his dick continued to jump while inside me.
“That felt so good,” he softly spoke.
Once my breathing was under control, I pushed up and smiled down at him. “It always feels so good.”
He lifted his hips and wiggled his eyebrows. “Yeah, it does and if you give me a few minutes, I might be ready for round two.”
I was about to agree when his cell phone started ringing. “Shit. That’s my dad’s ring.”
Lifting myself off of him, I missed the feel of him immediately.
Jase jumped up and grabbed his jeans. Pulling his phone out.
“Hello? Shit, are you serious? Yep, I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. No, we’re in Llano. Right. Will do.”
I quickly headed to the bathroom and cleaned up when Jase came walking in. He took a towel, wet it and cleaned himself off. “Someone cut a hole in the fence. Probably trying to hog hunt. We’ve got about twenty-five head of cattle missing.”
“Oh no!”
“Do you mind heading over to my folks place? I’m sure my mom is home but I need to get there right away.”
“That’s totally fine. I’ll grab a book or something to read while I wait if your mom is busy.”
Jase placed his hands on my shoulders. Capturing my eyes with his, he turned serious. “I would have woken up, Taylor.”
My finger came up to his mouth. “Nothing happened. It’s over and done. Just another lesson we both learned. No harm.”
“No foul,” he replied.
“Right. Now come on, let’s get the hell out of here. I’m afraid if I see Jill I may want to knock her lights out.
Jase chuckled as we both quickly got dressed, gathered up our stuff, and headed to the ranch. Right before we pulled down the driveway, Jase stopped his truck.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“There was something I wanted to talk to you about last night, but I obviously never got the chance to.”
“Is it something that can wait until later or do we need to talk about it now?”
Jase licked his lips as he looked about nervously. “I was wondering if you would go with me to see Drew . . . I mean Gunner tomorrow. He was going to ask me some questions about the house and well . . . I see you as part of my future, Taylor. And that means we need to talk about things like where you want to live and where I want to live. Things like that.”
Warmth radiated through my body as my smile grew bigger. Knowing Jase wanted me to be a part of something so big in his life made my stomach flutter. I loved that he was thinking of our future in the same way I was. “I see you as part of my future too, Jase.”
His hand slipped behind my neck as I unbuckled my seat belt and let him pull me closer to him. When his lips crashed against mine, he made a low growling sound from the back of his throat. My insides quivered while he kissed me more passionately.
When we finally pulled away from one another, we rested our foreheads together.
“I want so badly to do things the right way. To sweep you off your feet, Tay. But I have to ask you right now before I burst. I swear to you I’ll make it up to you and ask again, but I have to ask now.”
A tear slowly made its way down my cheek as I held my breath.
“Will you marry me, Taylor?”
A sob slipped from my lips as I pulled back and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. My tears spilled out as Jase reached up and wiped them away.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! A million and one times yes!”
I’d never seen Jase smile so big before. “You have no idea how happy I am right now!”
“You?” I said with a giggle. “I’m pretty sure I have an idea.”
“Buckle up, I need to get going.”
Doing as he asked, I quickly buckled up. My heart was beating rapidly and I couldn’t contain my smile.
Jase asked me to marry him.
Marry him!
When he reached for my hand, butterflies danced around like mad. I wonder if I’ll ever tire of his touch? Never.
Pulling up, Jase parked and jumped out of his truck. He ran over to my side, opened the door and pulled me out. Holding me in his arms, my feet dangled while he kissed me again.
“Don’t say anything to my mom!”
Nodding. “I won’t.”
“I’ve got to run.”
Running back around the truck, Jase jumped in and rolled the passenger side window down.
“I love you!”
“Wait!” I called. “Is your mom expecting me? Do I just walk in?”
He flashed his dimples and nodded. “Just walk in, sweetness.”
Putting the truck in drive, he started to take off slowly. “I love you too! Be careful!”
“Always!” he shouted and took off. I stood there like a silly girl who had just received her first kiss. Watching his truck until I couldn’t see it anymore, I wrapped my arms around my body and started running in place as I let out a squeal of delight.
“My . . . that must have been some kiss.”
I spun on my heels and looked at Whitley. “Oh . . . um . . . well.” I let out a soft chuckle. There was no way I could hide how happy I felt. My cheeks actually hurt from smiling so big.
Whitley w
alked down the front porch steps toward me. “That smile is the most brilliant smile I think I’ve ever seen.”
Covering my cheeks with my hands, I could feel my face on fire.
Stopping right in front of me, she tilted her head and examined me. My hands moved to my mouth where I tried like hell not to smile. The back of my throat ached as I attempted to hold it in. There were no words I could say. If I tried to talk I was surely going to laugh or cry.
“Oh my word,” Whitley whispered.
Wrapping her arm around my shoulders, she guided me up the stairs and into the house. She took my hand and pulled me quickly into the kitchen where she motioned for me to sit down. Whitley stood back and regarded me carefully before turning and getting two wine glasses down.
I’d never in my life experienced being this happy before. There could not have been any better way for Jase to ask me that than right at that moment. Straight from his heart.
Whitley poured wine into each glass and handed me one while she sat down and watched me carefully.
Taking a deep breath, I took a drink and set the glass down.
“Now . . . breathe in and slowly let it out.”
I did what she said.
With a wide grin, she lifted her brows and waited for me to talk.
“Sorry about that. Jase and I have just had a really wonderful day.”
“That’s obvious and I’m glad to see he makes you happy, Taylor. I hope you know how happy you make him.”
Nodding my head, I bit the inside of my cheek.
“You seem to be glowing. I take it something . . . magical happened today.”
Chewing on my thumbnail, I grinned. “Every day is magical with Jase.”
“Every mother wants to hear a woman talk about her son that way.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “Oh, Whitley. You and Layton did an amazing job because Jase makes me feel so alive.”
Feeling my face heat, I shook my head and looked away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking about your own son that way.”