Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“What?” I managed to squeak out loud enough for him to hear.
“Of the steering wheel,” Jesse replied.
Oh, boy. I placed my hands on the wheel, reeling from that moment when I actually thought something was going to happen. Nothing needed to happen because I was here for business with these guys, but I would be a complete, utter liar if I said I wasn’t attracted to them.
Once all of the hay was unloaded, I felt his arm wrap around me to help me down off the tractor seat. Part of me whined internally that I had to get off his lap and no longer feel his firm chest pressed against my back.
Sheesh. It had been too long since I’d had sex. The temptation was driving me crazy, and my sense of control was chipping every single time one of them touched me or smiled at me in a smoldering manner.
“What next?” I asked him.
“You can handle more?” Jesse asked as brushed his jeans off.
“Absolutely,” I said, copying his tone.
Jesse chuckled and motioned for me to follow him away from the cattle shed and deeper into the field.
“We need to check on their water troughs,” he told me.
I walked alongside him.
“Ryder said you guys even stay at the ranch house from time to time,” I commented. Last night, it was just Ryder and me, but I retreated to bed pretty soon after everyone left. I just wasn’t ready to be all alone with him yet.
“I don’t stay over much. I don’t like leaving my daughter for that long,” Jesse replied.
“You have a daughter?” I asked, sounding as surprised as I looked.
Jesse nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“That’s pretty much my origin story of moving here,” he replied. “I stopped here on my way to another city to play a show with my old band, and I had a one night stand with a woman from here that led to Maria.”
“Are you still with the mom?” I asked, unable to help my curiosity. I had no idea that he was a dad until now. What else did I not know about these guys?
“I moved here to be with her and raise the baby, but she left soon after Maria was born. So, I stayed and raised her myself,” Jesse said with a small frown on his face. “She deserves a mom, but I’d like to think I’m doing okay giving her everything she needs. I spoil the hell out of her.”
I smiled as I listened to his laugh.
“Sounds like she’s lucky to have a dad like you. How old is she?” I replied.
“Six. She’s in first grade,” Jesse told me, his eyes literally lighting up. I could see the love in them. “She can be a little shy, but I don’t think I’ve ever met a sweeter kid. She loves to paint and listen to me read to her.”
A warm, glowing sensation built up in my chest as I gazed at him, taking in his words and feeling all of the emotion behind him. Was there anything sexier than a man who cared so deeply?
Jesse looked over at me and grimaced a little.
“Sorry, I always ramble on about her. I talk the guys’ ears off about her, but she knows them as her uncles,” he said.
I placed my hand on his shoulder as we paused in front of the water troughs.
“No, don’t apologize. I think it’s great you care so much about your daughter,” I assured him.
Jesse’s eyes locked with mine, and it felt like the world paused for a moment.
“She’s my world. I would’ve given up my music career for her, but Ryder and the guys are flexible with me. They only schedule studio sessions when she’s in school. They give me plenty of warning before we travel for shows so that I can get a babysitter,” he explained to me. “I’m really lucky.”
I smiled, feeling genuinely happy for him. I wasn’t opposed to having kids, but I wanted to experience the full possibilities of my career first. At least he had the support to do both.
“Well, I’m glad we’re able to work together. I don’t think I’ve worked with a bassist before,” I told him, my fingers gliding down his arm slightly before fully drawing away.
“Glad I’m your first,” Jesse chuckled, lingering close to me before stepping away to look at the water troughs.
There were so many things that I could’ve said to spice things up even more. Things that I wanted to say. However, I kept the words at bay and let him show me the ropes of the rest of his duties.
All in all, it was fun and innocent for the most part, aside from the occasional flirty comments and brief touches. By the time we were finished, I was exhausted and ended up crashing on the couch to rest for a second.