LITMIR.BIZ

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catch the door but came up short. The foot that was going to touch the ground first was connected to my bum leg, and it wouldn’t hold my weight. I was going to crash and burn in front of Jase and end up with tea all over my head.

      As I started to fall, I hoped I landed on my face, because at least then I wouldn’t have to see the look on his face.

      Out of nowhere, two arms shot out and hands landed on my shoulders. One second I was horizontal, halfway out of the truck, and the next I was vertical. My feet dangled in the air for a second and then I was standing, clutching the cup of tea to my chest.

      ‘Good God, you’re going to break your neck.’ A deep voice rumbled through me, causing the tiny hairs on my body to rise. ‘Are you okay?’

      I was more than okay. My head tilted to the side. I was up close and personal with the most perfect chest I’d ever seen. I watched a bead of sweat trickle down the center of his chest and then over the cut abs, disappearing among the fine hairs trailing up from the center of his stomach. Those hairs formed a line that continued under the band of his jeans.

      Cam hurried around the front of the truck. ‘Did you hurt your leg, Teresa?’

      I hadn’t been this close to Jase for a year and he smelled wonderful—like man and a faint trace of cologne. I lifted my gaze, realizing that my sunglasses had fallen off.

      Thick lashes framed eyes that were a startling shade of gray. The first time I’d seen them, I had asked if they were real. Jase had laughed and offered to let me poke around in his eyes to find out.

      He wasn’t laughing right now.

      Our gazes locked, and the intensity in his stare robbed me of breath. My skin felt scorched, like I’d been standing out in the sun all day.

      I swallowed, willing my brain to start working. ‘I have your sweet tea.’

      Jase’s brows crept up his forehead.

      ‘Did you hit your head?’ Cam asked, coming to stand beside us.

      Heat flooded my cheeks. ‘No. Maybe. I don’t know.’ Holding out the tea, I forced a smile, hoping it didn’t come across creepy. ‘Here.’

      Jase let go of my arms and took the tea, and I wished I hadn’t been so eager to shove the tea in his face, because maybe then he’d still be holding me. ‘Thanks. You sure you’re okay?’

      ‘Yes,’ I muttered, glancing down. My sunglasses were by the tire. Sighing, I picked them up and cleaned them off before slipping them back on. ‘Thanks for … um, catching me.’

      He stared at me a moment and then turned as Jack ran up to him, holding out a shirt. ‘I got it!’ the little boy said, waving the shirt like a flag.

      ‘Thanks.’ Jase took the shirt and handed over the tea. He ruffled the boy’s head and then, much to my disappointment, pulled the shirt on over his head, covering up that body of his. He looked at Cam. ‘I didn’t know Teresa was with you.’

      A chill skated over my skin in spite of the heat.

      ‘I was out showing her the town so she knows her way around,’ Cam explained, grinning at the little tyke, who was slowly creeping toward me. ‘She’s never been down here before.’

      Jase nodded and then took back the tea. There was a good chance that Jack had drunk half of it in that short amount of time. Jase started to walk toward the barn. I was dismissed. Just like that. The back of my throat burned, but I ignored it, wishing I had kept the tea.

      ‘You and Avery coming to the party tonight, right?’ Jase asked, taking a sip of the tea.

      ‘It’s the luau. We’re not missing that.’ Cam grinned, revealing the dimple in his left cheek. ‘You guys need help setting it up?’

      Jase shook his head. ‘The newbies are in charge of that.’ He glanced over at me, and I thought for a second that he’d ask if I was coming. ‘I’ve got a few things to take care of here first and then I’m heading back home.’

      The stinging disappointment rose swiftly, mixing with the burn in my throat. I opened my mouth, but immediately snapped it shut. What could I say in front of my brother?

      A small hand tugged on the hem of my shirt and I looked down, into gray eyes that were both young and soulful.

      ‘Hi,’ Jack said.

      My lips stretched into a small grin. ‘Hi to you.’

      ‘You’re pretty,’ he said, blinking.

      ‘Thank you.’ A little laugh escaped me. It was official. I liked this kid. ‘You’re very handsome.’

      Jack beamed. ‘I know.’

      I laughed again. This boy was definitely Jase’s little brother.

      ‘All right, that’s enough, Casanova.’ Jase finished off the tea and tossed it into a nearby garbage can. ‘Stop hitting on the girl.’

      He ignored Jase, sticking out his hand. ‘I’m Jack.’

      I took the little hand in mine. ‘I’m Teresa. Cam’s my brother.’

      Jack motioned me down with his chubby finger and whispered, ‘Cam doesn’t know how to saddle a horse.’

      I glanced over at the boys. They were talking about the party, but Jase was watching us. Our gazes collided, and like he’d been doing ever since I started at Shepherd, he broke eye contact with a distressing level of quickness.

      A pang of frustration lit up my chest as I returned my attention to Jack. ‘Want to know a secret?’

      ‘Yeah!’ His smile grew big and broad.

      ‘I don’t know how to saddle a horse either. And I’ve never even ridden one before.’

      His eyes grew as wide as the moon. ‘Jase!’ he bellowed, spinning toward his brother. ‘She’s never ridden a horse before!’

      Well, there went my secret.

      Jase glanced at me, and I shrugged. ‘It’s true. They scare the crap out of me.’

      ‘They shouldn’t. They’re pretty chill animals. You’d probably like it.’

      ‘You should show her!’ Jack rushed up to Jase, practically latching himself onto his pants legs. ‘You could teach her like you teached me!’

      My heart lurched in my chest, partially at the proposition of Jase teaching me anything and due to my fear of those dinosaurs. Some people feared snakes or spiders. Or ghosts or zombies. I feared horses. Seemed like a legit fear considering a horse could stomp you to death.

      ‘It’s “taught” not “teached,” and I’m sure Tess has got better things to do than ride around on a horse.’

      Tess. I sucked in a breath. It was his nickname for me—the only person who ever called me that, but I didn’t mind it. Not at all. While Jack demanded to know why I had told him my name was Teresa and Jase explained that Tess was a nickname, I was sucked back into the memory of the last time he’d called me that.

       ‘You have no idea what you make me want,’ he said, his lips brushing my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. ‘You have no fucking clue, Tess.’

      ‘Mind if I use the john before we get out of here? I’ve got to get back,’ Cam said. ‘I promised Avery dinner before the party.’

      ‘I’ll show you,’ announced Jack, grabbing Cam’s hand.

      Jase arched a dark brow. ‘I’m sure he knows where the bathroom is.’

      ‘It’s okay.’ Cam waved him off. ‘Come on, little bud, lead the way.’

      The two of them headed off toward the farmhouse, and we were officially alone. A hummingbird took flight in my chest, bouncing around like it was going to peck its way out of me as a warm breeze

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