Page 43 of Roping the Rodeo Queen
"According to Miranda, yes.Remember that coaching session she gave us?'Clay, darling, you need to look at Jo like she's the only woman on earth.'As if I need instructions on how to look at you."
Jo's cheeks color slightly, and she turns back to the window."At least you didn't have your mother shoving bridal magazines into your suitcase.I already have a dress, but Mom wants me to pick out ten outfits for before and after the nuptials.Oh, and don't get me started on the honeymoon options she came up with."
"My mom's the same way.She's already planning where to hang our wedding photos at the ranch house so they'll be ready when we get back from the honeymoon."
The truck hits another particularly vicious rut, and Jo's body jolts upward before crashing back into the seat.
"Jesus, Clay!Are you finding these holes on purpose?"
"Nope, just lucky, I guess."I glance at Jo, who's scowling."Didn't you do up your seatbelt, darlin'?"
Her scowl deepens."Of course I did.But I think Betsy is trying to kill me, like the car in that Stephen King movie."
"Betsy loves you, Jo, trust me."I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to avoid the worst of the damage to what's left of this so-called road."Look, there's the cabin."
Through a break in the trees, a small log structure comes into view, nestled against a backdrop of towering pines and jagged mountain peaks.It's rustic in the best possible way---the kind of place that promises wood-burning fireplaces and absolutely zero Wi-Fi.
"Thank goodness," Jo breathes, and I'm not sure if she's referring to our arrival or the end of Betsy's assault on her spine.
I pull up next to the cabin and kill the engine.The abrupt silence is almost overwhelming after weeks of constant noise and chatter.No cameras clicking, no producers shouting directions, no crowds cheering.Just the whisper of wind through pine needles and the distant call of a hawk.
"This is exactly what we needed, baby."I exhale a long breath I didn't know I was holding."Listen to that."
Jo tilts her head, her hair falling in a cascade over one shoulder."Listen to what?"
"Exactly."I grin at her."Nothing.Just the sounds of wildlife and the wind."
We sit here for a moment, soaking in the silence.Jo's eyes close briefly, and I watch the tension visibly drain from her face.Her entire body slackens too.When she opens her eyes again, I note a softness there that I haven't seen in months.
"Come on," she finally says, unbuckling her seatbelt."Let's check out our home for the next three days."
The cabin is everything the photos promised---rustic charm with just enough modern amenities to keep us from feeling like we've completely abandoned civilization.The main room features a stone fireplace, worn leather furniture that's seen better days but looks plenty comfortable, and large windows that frame the spectacular mountain view.The kitchen is small but functional, with a propane stove and a refrigerator that hums softly in the corner.
"Not bad," I say, dropping our bags by the door."Your cousin has good taste."
Jo runs her hand along the rough-hewn dining table, her fingers tracing the knots in the wood."He barely uses it anymore.Too busy with his law practice in Billings."She looks up at me with a hint of mischief."His loss is our gain."
I wander to the back of the cabin where a narrow hallway leads to what I assume is the bedroom.One bed.Queen-size with a patchwork quilt and a horde of puffy pillows.For what I have in mind, all those pillows will come in handy.
"Clay!"Jo calls out."You've got to see the open kitchen.It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
I march over to the bar, sweep Jo up in my arms, and head straight to the bedroom.She keeps her arms around my neck until I toss her onto the plush bed."We can admire the kitchen later.Now, it's time to get naked and do dirty things to each other."
Jo bounces on the bed and laughs, a rich, genuine sound I haven't heard in weeks."So subtle, McKendrick.What happened to the romance?"
I lean against the doorframe, drinking in the sight of her sprawled across the quilt---and imagining her naked."Romance?You want candlelight and rose petals?I thought we were here to be ourselves, no pretending."
She props herself up on her elbows."And the real Clay McKendrick just tosses women onto beds and expects them to strip?"
"Only the ones who've been driving me crazy for months."I push away from the doorframe and saunter toward her."Only the women who look at me like you're looking at me right now."
"And how exactly am I looking at you?"Her voice has dropped to that husky tone that makes my pulse quicken.
"Like you're imagining me fucking you."
Jo slithers across the bed, sliding off it to set her feet on the floor."What should we do about that, honey?"
I take hold of her blouse and rip it open, buttons ticking on the floorboards."I formulated a plan before we got in the truck this morning."I shove my hand inside her jeans, feeling the slick heat of her folds that swiftly coat my hand."Step one, tear your clothes off.Step two, get on your knees in front of me.Step three, follow all subsequent commands until I give you permission to stop.Understand?"
