Emily grabbed a fistful of his shirt and kissed him back. She shouldn’t allow this, let alone encourage it. But heaven help her, she liked the feel of Jake’s lips on hers.
When he ended the kiss, Emily’s heart continued to race, and she struggled to catch her breath.
Breathing heavily, he held her gaze. Then he smiled and, without a word, lifted her legs and slid out from under them. Without looking back, he walked into the house. A few moments later, he returned with her crutches. He leaned them against the side of the house within her reach.
“I’d better get back to work. I have a feeling it’ll be a whole lot safer to climb on another skittish colt than to stay here with you. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll get bucked off again.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear, his breath caressing her cheek. “You taste good, even without the lip gloss.” Then he walked away.
Emily willed her heart to stop racing.
Jake stopped at the steps and looked back. “Have you figured it out yet?”
“Figured what out?”
“What my weakness is?” He winked, placed his hat on his head, and walked away without a backward glance.
So much for slowing her racing pulse.
Chapter 26
Dinner with Robert, Ben, and Amy proved to be a nice distraction. Jake took plenty of good-natured ribbing from Ben and Robert about his black eye and getting bucked off.
Amy even joked about it. “There are better ways to impress a woman, Jake.”
Jake’s gaze found Emily’s. “I figured that out today.”
Emily scowled at him as her cheeks heated. She searched for a way to shift the conversation. Everything that came to mind only made her attraction to Jake more obvious. That this had turned into a double date didn’t help, since Robert loaded two plates with pizza and joined Daniel on the front porch. Nor did it help that Jake had pretty much told her she was his weakness. The thought both excited and terrified her.
Now was not the time to fall for Jake. She would end up hurting him, like she had Trent.
When Jake told his mother of their plans, Faith immediately made plans of her own to spend the evening with a friend who had recently been diagnosed with cancer and insisted Zane take Lottie out.
Emily felt Jake’s eyes on her frequently, and though the pizza tasted good, her appetite had waned. She forced herself to eat the last half of her slice.
Jake had given her the largest piece; she was sure of it.
Robert rejoined them as they finished up, and Emily was grateful for the distraction his energy provided, until he singled her out. “So, Emily, you’re a psychologist, huh? Have you got Jake all figured out?”
Emily’s cheeks warmed. She’d heard enough stories from Faith and seen enough of Robert to know he like to joke around. Knowing he was teasing, she didn’t plan on answering, but everyone waited for a response. She looked at Jake, who paled.
“I’ve figured out a few things about him,” Emily hedged. When Jake raised his eyebrows, and Robert prodded her to elaborate, she continued. “Jake is a rock. He is solid and secure. He’s passionate.”
Ben coughed to hide his laughter, and Robert laughed outright. Jake’s eyebrows rose even higher, questioning.
“He never does anything halfway. He is passionate about the ranch and skilled with horses. He’s also gentle, patient, and selfless.” Her gaze locked with his. “He’ll sacrifice himself for the sake of others.” Then smiling she added, “He has a high tolerance for pain. He’s horrible at deception, and he likes strawberries.”
Jake’s ears turned red, and he propped his elbow on the table and planted his chin in his hand to hide his smile.
“Jake’s allergic to strawberries,” Robert and Ben said in unison.
“He still likes them.” She looked at Jake, daring him to disagree.
“She’s right, I do. Strawberry flavor, anyway.” His lips quirked up at the corners.
Emily figured he was glad they had picked up on the strawberry part, and not the deception part. That would have been harder to explain.
“He never was good at telling a lie,” Robert agreed, obviously having heard all her words, but didn’t bother asking for an explanation. Then he chuckled. “Passionate, huh?”
“Are you sure Robert’s not the passionate one?” Amy chimed in. “I mean he’s the one who made out with twins—” Amy clapped her hand over her mouth as though she’d said something she shouldn’t have. She looked at Jake, an apologetic expression on her face.
