“You ever drop those barriers enough to let anyone in, O’Donnell? Really in, I mean, the fall in love, ‘you’re the sole reason I breathe’ in.”
“You read romance novels, McBride? Because no man I’ve ever met has said the words ‘you’re the sole reason I breathe’ before.”
The sound of their feet hitting the road was the only noise for a few seconds, and Branna was congratulating herself on the fact that she’d headed him off when he said, “I guess that answers my question.”
She wanted to snap something back at him, tell him to stuff his comments somewhere she’d never have to hear them again, but instead, she ran on in silence. She was older now, twenty-six to be exact, and no longer needed to snarl like a rabid dog when someone annoyed her, even if it was Jake McBride… still the hottest guy in town.
They ran on in silence, both lost in thought; he led and she followed, as she didn’t know the way, and when her sides started to hurt, she looked up and found herself back where they had started.
“You swim, Rosebud?”
“Why?” Branna watched as he pulled off his running shoes and socks, which revealed long feet. He then stood once more, and somehow, he was now inches from her.
“You always answer a question with another one?”
“Do you?’
He snorted, and even with bloodshot eyes and sweat running off his big body, he was sexy as hell.
“Yes or no?”
“Maybe.”
“Well then, get your shoes off and that brace.”
Branna slapped his hand as he reached for the straps on her arm. “Touch me and I’ll drop you, McBride.”
“You and whose army, Rosebud? You’re an itty-bitty thing compared to me.”
His smile was slow and easy, and to her, it was the exact one a wolf would give before it gobbled up its prey.
“I’m not swimming in that,” Branna shot the lake a look. “It’ll be freezing. I’ll probably never thaw out.”
“I can help you with that.” He took another step toward her, but she spun around and started running away. His laughter only stopped when she heard a loud splash as his body hit the water, but she refused to look back. The thought of that body all wet was not one she wanted to have put into reality.
Chapter7
She allowed herself a smile as she ran up the driveway. He couldn’t see it, so she was safe. The day would be warm and Branna had plenty to do. Her book was coming along, and she wanted to get the border finished around the garden. Humming, she ran inside and straight up to the shower. Stripping off her sweaty clothes, she stood under the hot spray and let it pound her body.
How was she going to cope with him?
The problem was, he was just so good at getting under her skin. He could irritate her with a few words, and just a look from Jake McBride got her riled up. Squirting a handful of soap into her hands she ran them over her body and her breasts tingled. That was the biggest problem; thinking about him heated her up. He was sexy and smart, and she wanted him, and that annoyed her because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d wanted anyone.
After shutting off the water, Branna wrapped herself in a towel and walked into her bedroom. The morning sun lit the room in a soft glow. She’d put her furnishings in here too. Her big, free-standing oval mirror and the thick, red rug that had yellow and blue splashes of color complemented the room nicely. Across the bed, she’d draped a soft, purple, wool blanket and placed colorful pillows.
After drying her hair, which she vowed to cut because she was tired of it getting in her way, she left it loose, the ends reaching below her shoulder blades now. Pulling some white lace underwear on, Branna then went to the wardrobe and looked in. She wore shorts most days, but today, after her first run, she felt like putting on a dress.
It was a simple pale green shift that stopped a few inches above her knees. On her feet, she wore sandals, and looking down at her toes, she thought about painting them and then thought not as the vision of Jake looking at them filled her head. She would not dress so he noticed her, ever. Strapping on the loathsome brace, she headed downstairs.
Grabbing an apple, Branna picked up her keys and headed out to the van. She needed a few things from town, and then she’d see what Buster’s special muffin was today.
The grocery store was toward the end of town and tucked back behind the row of shops. Making her way inside, she grabbed a cart and started down the aisles.
“The apricots are good this time of year.”
An elderly woman was inspecting the oranges, which were right beside the apricots.
“Thanks.”
