Read Online Deadly Desperados by Lily Harper Hart - Free Book Online Page B

as a soft breeze blew Mandy’s skirt up slightly. He glanced at the gathered farm hands – many of whom he’d just met for the first time after dinner – and found them staring at Mandy’s legs. “Of course, perhaps the no-underwear game is something we should only play at home.”
    Mandy shifted so she could see what James was looking at. “Oh, I see what’s going on. Now that someone else finds me attractive, you want me all covered up. I see the way your mind works.”
    “You’re mine, baby,” James whispered, brushing a soft kiss against Mandy’s ear. “People find you attractive every second of every day. No one gets to play the underwear game but me.”
    “Okay, but I want to wear my hat, too. I’m going to be the cowboy and you’re going to be the horse tonight.”
    James snapped Mandy’s lithe body against his. “We’re spending exactly twenty minutes at this bonfire before going back to the cabin, wife. You’ve just earned yourself a very extensive ride.”
     
    “THEY’RE delightful together,” Mary said, moving to Jake’s side as he tossed a log on the fire. Her eyes were trained on Mandy and James as they cavorted next to the fire, James’ hands busy as they kept a hold of Mandy’s wriggling hips. Jake didn’t have to be a mind reader to know exactly what they were plotting.
    “Yes, they’re going to be taking their delightful selves back to their cabin the second they can figure a way to get out of here gracefully. They’ll think they’re being stealthy, but anyone with eyes can see what they’re going to be doing tonight.”
    “Why is that such a bad thing?” Mary asked, fixing her nephew with a quizzical smile. “They’re married and they’re in love. As long as they look at each other the way they do the fire will never go out.”
    “I didn’t say it was a bad thing,” Jake said. “It’s just … where is Ally?”
    Mary smirked. “She’s over talking to your uncle,” she said, pointing to the spot where Ally was enthusiastically recounting some story to a delighted Ben. He was clearly enamored with the little spitfire. “Your uncle loves her, by the way. I do, too. How come you’ve been keeping her from your mother?”
    “I haven’t purposely been doing it,” Jake replied. “I didn’t even realize I was doing it until James suggested bringing her on the trip. I … we’re just in our own little world most of the time. It’s a great world.”
    “You look happy.”
    “I am happy.”
    “Then how come you’re not engaged yet?” Mary pressed, causing Jake to scowl.
    “We just moved in together, Aunt Mary,” Jake chided. “We haven’t even been dating each other for a year yet. Don’t you think it’s a little soon to be thinking about things like that?”
    “Do you see yourself with anyone else down the road?”
    “No. She’s it for me.”
    “Then it’s not too soon to be thinking about things like that,” Mary said, patting his arm. “Jake, I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you look at Ally. She’s a ball of energy and light, and you smile every time she’s around. That’s love.”
    “I do love her,” Jake agreed. “I didn’t know it was possible to love someone as much as I love her. That doesn’t mean we’re getting married right this second.”
    “You don’t have to get married right this second. Is that what I said?”
    “You asked why we weren’t engaged,” Jake argued.
    “That’s because when you’re dealing with a woman like Ally, it’s probably best to make sure she knows how you feel before someone sweeps in and steals her when you’re not looking,” Mary said. She inclined her chin in the direction of the rowdy farmhands, who were having a good time letting their eyes bounce between Ally and Mandy. “Ally draws people to her. You’ve obviously noticed that. You were drawn to her, after all, and I’m pretty sure you weren’t interested in a relationship with anyone at the time. Are you sure she knows