Axel nodded and popped his plate into the microwave.He was starting to get a bit hungry, and he couldn’t wait to devour the food he’d made.It smelled so good.
“Storm’s coming this way,” Nick said as he rushed back into the ranch house.
“Looks like Jenna is bringing in the horses.You better go out and help her .I've seen plenty of horses get hit by lightning during my time on the prairies.I'll head back over to Sam's place and take care of the horses there.I’ll do more repairs if the rain subsides.And I look forward to a roll in the hay tonight,” Nick teased as he snapped up the truck keys from the table where Axel had just placed them earlier.
“You bastard,” Axel said softly as he and Nick headed out the door.
As they stepped outside, sure enough Nick was right.There were some nasty looking dark clouds accumulating in the western sky, and it appeared to be heading this way.The air was heavy and smelled of ozone, hinting at the severity of the storm.
Man, it had seemed decent weather when he’d come back in.Weather sure did change fast around here and maybe he would have noticed had he not been busy kissing Jenna.
Nick turned to Axel, concern evident in his tone.
“You’ve probably got about half an hour.Remember what I told you about horses in prison?You’ll need to get the halter and lead ropes out of the tack room in the barn so you can bring in the horses.When you approach the horses, you don’t come at them from the front or the back.They have blind spots.Approach them from their shoulder area and talk gently to them.Remember they don’t know you, so they might be scared.Make sure they see you coming, so they don’t get spooked and kick you where the sun doesn’t shine,” Nick said.
Axel couldn’t help but grin at Nick’s last few words.
“Don’t you worry.I remember everything you’ve ever told me about horses.And I’ll keep my family jewels intact.You make sure you do the same, my man.From here on out expect trouble around every corner.Watch your back,” Axel warned.
Nick responded with a playful salute and Axel watched him saunter to the truck.He was met by the white dog he’d come with, and Nick opened the door and the dog jumped in.It was just as if the two of them were old friends.
A swell of emotions filled Axel’s chest, and he couldn’t help but marvel at how much he cared for Nick and think on how impossible prison life would have been without that man by his side behind those bars.
Not just as his cell mate, but as his lover as well.
* * * * *
Jenna could barely contain herself.When she’d run from Axel, she thought she would cry.Instead, she felt as if she was going to self combust.Axel’s kiss had been lethal crashing through any barriers she thought she might have built against him.The reality was overwhelming.The guy hadn’t even been here one day, and she wanted to go to bed with him.
How unprofessional!
How unbelievably arousing!
It had to her pregnancy hormones at play.Yes, that must be it.What else could account for such overwhelming feelings?Especially since she was supposed to be a grieving widow.
Or maybe she was mad.Insane.Out of control.
The manwaswildly irresistible.One look into his eyes and she’d been magnetized yet again, leaning into him, wanting to kiss him.
A low rumble of thunder rolled through the air, capturing her attention.
Glancing to the west, Jenna saw a tumble of dark clouds amassing.
A storm was coming.
When thunder roars, go indoors.
She’d heard that saying countless times over the years and had adopted the safety adage for her ranch too.But with all that had been going on, she had forgotten to check the radio for the weather update.She was about to head toward the barn in order to get the halters and lead ropes for the horses when she spied Axel hurrying toward her carrying the items she needed.
Oh damn, her heart picked up speed as he grinned at her.Her breath snagged for a split second.He looked maddeningly unaffected, like nothing had happened between them.
“Nick said I should help you bring in the horses.He’s gone back to Sam’s place.”
“He shouldn’t have gone alone.Why did you let him go?Why isn’t he in bed?He just had a head injury.He should not be working, or be alone,” Jenna replied as worry gripped her for Nick.
“Didn’t know you cared about him?”he chuckled.
Frustration flared, pushing aside her arousal.
