Rocky Mountain Heat

Chapter Nine

Blake took another draw on his beer and placed the bottle down carefully before turning his attention back to the surface of the pool table. He and Leo were maintaining their own over the twins, the score sixty-seven to sixty-four. Better than the previous Friday when he’d still been out of his mind trying to understand what had happened with Jaxi in the shower the night before. Damn, his life had turned into a cheap dime-store romance gone sour.

Joel and Jesse relaxed nearby, cocky grins on their faces.

“Not bad for a tired old man,” Jesse said, twirling his cue as he waited for his turn.

“Well, if someone was a little less distracted, we’d have you boys so far gone you’d tuck in your tails and head home.” Blake tried to decide which ball to sink. This week his partner was the one off his game, checking his watch and cell phone constantly. “Leo, you got troubles? Other than the twenty we’re ready to lose if you don’t concentrate a little more?”

Leo grinned sheepishly. “Cari’s supposed to get back into town tonight or tomorrow. I’m waiting for her call.”

“Save us from the lovebirds. Leo, you and Cari are soooo sweet.” Jesse turned and pulled a face at Blake and Joel.

Blake snorted. “Six ball, right-side pocket.” He lined up the shot and sank the ball in one smooth, easy motion. Handing the cue to Leo, he went back to his beer.

He wasn’t going to let Jesse know he really was tired. Sleep was hard to come by since he’d witnessed Jaxi in all her glory in the shower. His nights had gotten worse after she’d blown up at him at the community hall. He tossed and turned, hard and aching, all night long with no easy solution to his problem.

“You enjoying the guest cabin, Blake?” Joel kicked his legs freely as he sat on top of a nearby table, watching Leo take his shot.

Blake grunted.

“Guess Jaxi needed a little more room than the office space. What a gentleman you are to offer your bed.” Jesse’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

Blake flashed him a dirty look. Damn twins could poke all they wanted, but no way would he would confess he’d changed rooms because he didn’t trust himself to be close to the girl and not make a move on her.

Hell, the way she’d acted in the shower, inviting him to touch her, he didn’t trusted her to stay away from him. There was no use in begging for trouble.

Then there was the whole “Showdown at O.K. Corral” two nights ago. What a fucking nightmare. He hated that he’d hurt her, the expression in her eyes almost enough to make him reconsider, if only to be allowed to wipe away the pain.

He’d admit it. Jaxi had grown up. But he couldn’t let her goad him into doing something she’d regret. She was too young to really know what she wanted for the long haul, and he was not having a one-night stand with her. The pain of rejection was for her own good, even though sticking to his guns choked something deep inside him.

“Course, staying in the cabin means you’ve got much more privacy if you need it.” Joel jumped off the table with a whoop of delight. “Leo, you blew that shot. Our turn.”

Joel and Jesse alternated in sinking balls, raising their score to seventy-five before they missed. Blake sipped his beer and glanced around, letting the familiar décor soothe his tired nerves.

On this side of the hall, people sat and talked, or played pool and relaxed. Next door, the music was louder, the dance floor wide and the bar open late. He and the boys were the only ones playing pool tonight, tucked into the back corner where it was quiet and private.

Blake was getting up for his turn when he saw her. Jaxi breezed in the doorway, pale blonde hair floating around her head.

“Sweet mercy, angel entering the room.” Jesse breathed out the words in mock ecstasy.

She did look like an angel. For the past couple of weeks, Jaxi had worn plain jeans or jean shorts with cotton shirts. She’d pulled her hair into a sensible ponytail while she cooked and canned and worked around the house with his ma.

Tonight her sundress consisted of layers of flimsy material that lifted and floated in different directions as she sashayed forward. The clinging top left her smooth shoulders bare, the scooped neckline revealing deep cleavage of pearly pink skin. The fluttering layers of the skirt slid over her smooth legs, stopping well above her knees. The whole thing was cut from shades of yellow and gold, making her glow like a ray of sunshine.

Jesse rushed forward to greet her. Blake bit back a growl as his brother took her hand and placed it under his arm to escort her to their table, his lips tight to her ear as he spoke. Jaxi’s gaze flicked to Blake for a brief second before she laughed at Jesse, then turned to beam at Joel and Leo.

“Evening, boys. I was looking for Lindy but I’ve been told she’s gone for the weekend. Mind if I join you instead?” Jaxi leaned in and kissed Leo’s cheek, and Blake’s arms jerked as he held himself back.

So much for a relaxing evening with the boys.

“Leo, I haven’t seen you in forever. Where’ve you been hiding?” Jaxi stood close, her hands resting on Leo’s arm. Blake turned away and retrieved his beer. At this rate he would need another one pretty damn quick.

“It’s been busy at the shop lately. And you know, well, Cari and me…” Leo grinned at her. “I owe you one. Big time. Can I get you a drink?”

“Whoa there, stud,” Jesse teased. “You’ve already got yourself a woman. I’ll get Jaxi her drink. What’ll you have, sweetheart?”

“Any you boys drinking draft tonight?”

“Joel and I are,” Jesse volunteered.

“Can I join you?”

Jesse grinned from ear to ear and twirled her in his arms as if they were on the dance floor, snuggling her tight against his body. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Jaxi slapped his shoulders as she laughed up at him. “Jesse, I swear. You’ve got the dirtiest mind. Get me a beer and get on with your game.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Jesse dropped a quick kiss on her nose before he let her go.

Blake stared at Jaxi. She was deliberately flirting with the twins and ignoring him, like she’d done since Wednesday. He couldn’t believe she would taunt him. She wouldn’t dare follow up on the challenge she’d thrown and fool around with the twins just to spite him.

Would she?

“Ma all right alone tonight?” Blake kicked himself even as the words escaped.

Jaxi did a slow rotation toward him, her face flushed. “No, Blake, she had a pounding headache, a pile of laundry to fold and just before I left I set a swarm of wasps loose in the house.” She strode over and hopped up next to Joel on the table, her skirts flaring out to brush his thigh. Joel raised his eyebrows at his brothers, then took a long, slow look along the length of exposed leg next to him, smiling with appreciation.

“So. Now that we’re all clear Blake is an ass, whose turn is it?” Leo didn’t even try to hide his smirk.

Blake stepped forward. “Jaxi, I didn’t mean I thought you’d—”

“You planning on dancing later?” Jaxi leaned a little closer to Joel, her left breast rubbing his arm as she ignored Blake.

“If you need a partner.”

Jaxi slipped her fingers into his and winked at Jesse hovering on her other side. “Your ma and dad went to visit friends and told me they didn’t need me until tomorrow morning. I guess I have some time to kill.”

Blake felt like shit as he turned back to the table.

Although he’d decided it was best for her to not be with him, the decision wasn’t sitting easy. Watching her with the twins hurt worse than he thought possible. He wanted to be the one holding her hand and whispering in her ear. Taking her close against him on the dance floor and feeling her soft skin rub every inch of his body.

“Nine ball, corner pocket.”

Blake and Leo brought the score to eighty-seven before they missed. It was an exquisite form of torture for Blake as he moved around the table taking shots. Every now and then he’d sight his cue in Jaxi’s direction, see Joel’s arm casually tucked behind her back. Jesse sat on her other side, their thighs tight together, his fingers draped over both their legs. She was sandwiched between them just like Joel had described days ago, and Blake’s temper rose.

He had told them to stay away from her. Warned them not to get too close in private, let alone in public. Joel met his eye with a challenge that was about far more than pool as he stepped to the table, and the twins quickly took their score over one hundred to win.

“I guess that means we keep the record for another week, right, old-timers?” Jesse held his hand toward Leo and Blake. Leo slapped a twenty into his palm.

“We have time for another game,” Blake suggested. Anything to keep the twins from taking Jaxi into the dancehall before he decided what he was going to do. In spite of all his good intentions, there was a bitter taste in his mouth.

Jesse gave him a grin that said it all. “Well, that’s up to Jaxi. What do you say, sweetheart, can you wait a little longer for your dance?”

Jaxi wiggled her way off the table, letting Joel ease her to the ground. “You go ahead and play another round. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Dead silence filled the area as they all paused to watch her hips sway as she headed for the ladies’ room, the layers of her skirt flaring around her legs like windblown leaves.

Leo whistled, long and low. “Sweet. That woman is one hot piece of action waiting to happen.” He turned back to the brothers, his face innocent and blank. “So, do I get to watch a fight to see which one of you takes her home tonight?”

Jesse and Joel snickered, their dark blond heads shaking. “We’re all taking her home. She’s staying with us to help our ma.”

Leo flipped a hand at him. “I know that, and that’s not what I asked. She’s been waiting for one of you Six Pack boys for as long as I’ve known her. I just can’t figure which one. Spill.”

Blake glared a warning at the twins. “What do you mean, waiting for one of us?”

Leo shrugged. “I noticed it more after Cari said something to me once. Jaxi’s willing to flirt with the twins, but she’s got her eyes all over you, Blake. The way the woman watches you I’d think you’d feel her burning a hole in your backside.” Leo examined Blake’s face closely. “You had no idea, did you? Maybe you need to spend a little less time in the fields and a little more time around people. Jaxi’s got plans, and she’s moving on them. I can hardly wait to see how this one shakes down.”

Jaxi returned by the time they’d racked the balls, and Leo got ready to take the first shot.

“Playing one hundred again?” she asked.

“It’s our favourite way to embarrass the old folks,” Joel taunted.

Jaxi’s gaze raked Blake from top to bottom. He stiffened at the blatant appraisal, the sexual gleam she didn’t even try to hide. “Pretty nice looking for old folks.” She turned to Jesse. “I haven’t seen you play Challenge lately. Why don’t you do a round of it for me?”

“Challenge?” Leo whispered to Blake.

What was the minx up to? Challenge was usually played with mixed teams and it was definitely a flirting game. Downright foreplay at times. Jaxi tucked her cell phone away in her purse and shimmied back onto the table.

“Challenge sounds fine to us,” Joel called. “We can beat you faster than in a normal game since you’ll be too embarrassed to sink any balls.”

Leo shrugged. “I’m game.” He pointed a finger at Jaxi. “I don’t know what you’re doing, little lady, but I’ll play along this time. You got Cari to give me another chance, and I can put up with a little tomfoolery for your sake.”

Jaxi winked at him and sat back to watch.

The twins won the break, and Blake tried to remember a game challenge that wasn’t too raunchy. He wasn’t interested in getting up close and personal with Leo or his brothers. This had to be the most insane suggestion ever.

“First ten points, consecutive pockets starting with far right.”

Jesse hooted. “You worried about making us blush, big brother?”

Bastard. “Just shoot.”

Jesse and Joel took their turns, managing to sink eight balls in a row into the appropriate pockets before missing. Blake and Leo took over and put away two more before Jesse cleared his throat to announce the next challenge.

“Triple Play.”

“Hell, Jesse, you’re kidding,” Leo complained. “Do I need to worry about why you want to slip between me and Blake while we shoot?”

Jesse shook his head. “Not me. I figured we could talk Jaxi into helping us.” He turned and held a hand to the girl. “What do you think, sweetheart? Run a little interference for us?”

Blake’s heartbeat increased as Jaxi took the hand offered her and smiled sweetly at Jesse. The boy had the guts to clasp her by the waist and slowly lower her to the ground, letting their bodies rub together on the way.

Jaxi propelled herself back from Jesse’s arms with a wink. “I’m in, but I’m supposed to start with the other team. Troublemaker.” She patted Jesse’s cheek and turned toward Blake, her eyes flashing. “Unless you’d rather give up right now and admit defeat. I never took you for a quitter, but I guess you can never tell when things will get too hot for a person to handle.”

Blake shoved down his anger. She wanted to play with fire, did she? He was nearly ready to burn through her teasing and take her on the table, right in front of the whole world, if she didn’t back off. Damn the consequences.

He turned away to examine the table for a sinkable shot. “Twelve in the side pocket, Leo.” His partner nodded and eyeballed the line before placing his hand on the table for Blake to rest the cue on. Leo twisted his body far to the side, leaving plenty of room for Blake to make the shot using only one hand.

Except Triple Play meant Jaxi had to be between him and Leo. Touching them both at the same time. Blake threw Jesse an evil look, and a roar of laughter blasted back at him.

“I did shower recently,” Jaxi said, moving in close.

Bloody hell. Don’t talk about showers right now.

Blake wrapped an arm around her and brought her to his side. She slid her arms around to his back and clung tightly as he leaned over the table, positioned the cue on Leo’s outstretched hand and took the shot.

Jaxi’s sweet scent rose around them, her breath hot on his neck as he stood. Tension built in his gut, not only from the feel of her against his body. Nine more balls to sink before they went to the next challenge, and he would go insane if he had to watch his little brothers spoon Jaxi between the two of them.

Leo picked a shot and Blake set up the cradle. Instead of hugging onto Leo, Jaxi slid close to Blake again, resting against his chest, her breasts compressed against him, swelling to the top of the scooped neck of her dress. Blake bit back a groan.

“You got troubles, Blake?” Jaxi whispered in his ear. She licked him, her hot little tongue slipping into his ear, making his whole body jerk in reaction.

“Hell, Blake, stay still,” Leo complained. The ball bounced sideways, shy of the pocket, and rolled to a stop.

“Our turn for a bit. Come here, sweetheart, and give me some sugar.” Jesse checked Blake for a reaction before bussing Jaxi on the lips.

Blake glared daggers at his little brother.

Joel got into position, kneeling with one leg up, his arm resting casually on the table to his side. “Ride side saddle if you want.”

Jaxi flicked another glance at Blake, then strolled forward confidently. “Side saddle is for cowards.”

She stepped on either side of his leg and lowered herself to straddle him, her skirt lifting to expose more of her long limbs. Blake gritted his teeth as Joel pulled her in tight, squeezing their bodies close as she slid over him. Jaxi made a soft sound of pleasure, her expression nowhere near as confident as only moments before. She bit her lower lip, and Jesse swore, folding his body over them to sink the shot. He lifted her and got ready for the next shot.

Blake drained his beer and tried not to watch as Jaxi and Jesse and Joel wrapped around each other for another six shots. Each time it took longer to arrange the positioning. Jesse slid his hands over Jaxi thoroughly as he prepared, pulling her tighter to himself or pushing her against Joel as he pretended to adjust for line. Jaxi’s face grew flushed, her heartbeat visible in the hollow of her neck, her breathing more and more rapid. Her eyes were huge, her gaze following Blake everywhere.

Blake died a little with every touch of his brothers’ hands on Jaxi. Every time their mouths brushed her skin, every time their hips and torsos pressed together.

He faced the wall and clenched his fists tight. He was going to stalk out the door or he was going to kill someone. Or some two.

Jaxi bit back a cry, breathless and low.

“Holy shit,” Leo muttered.

Blake turned back to see Joel had Jaxi draped over his arm, bent forward, as he pressed against her back to take a shot off Jesse’s shoulder. Joel moved slowly, slipping the pool cue back as if he needed more time. He bent his mouth to Jaxi’s ear and whispered something while he caressed her breast with his free hand. She gasped and arched under him.

Both of Jesse’s hands were free to slide along the long legs spread in front of where he knelt on the ground. One flowed up her leg, under her dress, then over her ass. The other hand wasn’t visible but Blake could imagine what Jesse was doing as the bastard stared into Jaxi’s flushed face, his eyes wild as he watched her tremble under his touch.

Blake saw red. The blood rushing through him heated to boiling as his endurance failed. “Enough!”

The sensual dance fell apart. Joel stood slowly, keeping Jaxi in his arms as he backed them away from where Jesse knelt, head bowed, breathing uneven, fists pressed hard on his thighs. He rose unsteadily to his feet, his eyes glazed as he fought for control. Lifting his fingers to his mouth, Jesse’s blue eyes riveted on Jaxi.

Leo’s phone rang.

He swore and turned away to answer it, retreating to the front room and leaving the three brothers alone with Jaxi.

The only sound was the dull beat of the music echoing from the far side of the wall. Blake focused on the one undeniable truth before him. In the past five minutes something had changed, and there was no going back. Either he stepped up or he stepped aside.

Did he want her?

Damn, he wanted her so bad he had to restrain himself from tossing her over his shoulder like a caveman and hightailing out to his truck for a little action in the back. Or forget even making it to the truck, he’d slip them into the back room and fuck her against the wall, hard and fast, until they both made more of those noises of pleasure she was so good at producing. His cock was rock hard from watching her with his brothers, and every breath he took hurt.

But it was her expression that threatened to bring him to his knees. She’d been in Joel’s arms, Jesse’s hand on her body, but she stared at Blake as if he was the one who had just rocked her world.

The difference in their ages, her having been Travis’s girlfriend, being a big-brother figure when he wanted much more—all the issues haunting him faded to insignificance in light of how much he needed her.

Why in the hell had he kept them apart?

He took a step toward her. Her hair lay tousled around her face, wisps of curls stuck in the air in spots. A trickle of sweat ran down her neck, past her collarbone. She breathed hard, her eyes glittering grey stars shining straight into his soul.

“Blake?”

Her voice trembled.

She bit her lower lip again and Blake drew in a harsh breath. He didn’t step toward her, frozen by the sight of Jesse’s fingers trailing along her arm, by Joel leaning in close to her other side and nuzzling her neck.

“So, you decided?” Jesse whispered. “Are we taking Jaxi home or are you? Or all of us? Because it’s high time this headed somewhere a little more private.”

Blake damned himself for waiting, for giving the twins a chance to touch her and make her want them. Now he couldn’t rip her from their arms.

She had to choose.

He flicked his head to the side. The twins stepped back a pace, leaving Jaxi standing in the middle of their circle. She swayed as her legs supported her full weight alone for the first time since the start of the game.

“Jaxi, who…” He hesitated. He wasn’t going to beg, but he wanted her to know what he was asking. This wasn’t just about right here and right now. He caressed her cheek with his hand. “You offered me something pretty special the other night and I turned you down.”

Jesse and Joel exchanged quick looks.

“I wasn’t sure what the right thing to do was, I’ll admit it. But I’m not uncertain anymore. If you still want me.”

He was going to drown in her eyes. The tip of her tongue slipped out and wet her lips. Jaxi narrowed her eyes, and her voice dropped to a whisper. Soft and intimate, just for his ears.

“You still think you’re too old for me, Blake Coleman? Because I don’t want someone who’s going to be all careful and delicate with me when what you want is a woman to make love with—”

He crushed her to him, slanting his mouth over hers to taste her lips for the first time. Sweet honey and hops lingered on her tongue, but the overwhelming flavor was Jaxi and nothing else. Blake ate at her mouth hungrily, lifting her body to his to mold her close, his fingers cradling the cheeks of her ass as he tried to wrap her around him more intimately. Jaxi had her fingers in his hair, keeping them so tight together that if he needed to breathe it was going to have to be through her. He barely stopped from ripping her clothes off. But as much as he wanted to touch her everywhere, a small part of his mind remembered they were in a public place.

A very small part.

He wrenched his mouth from hers and dropped his head to her shoulder. Somehow they’d crossed the room until they were against the pool table. Jaxi’s hips rested on the edge of the green felt, legs spread wide to allow Blake to fit between, snug against her crotch. The heat of her sex burned through the thin fabric of her dress and his denim jeans, and Blake took a deep breath and fought for control.

“You two want us to create a road block at the door or you going to make it home okay?” Joel’s quiet question hung in the air.

Jaxi squirmed.

“What?” Blake asked.

She pulled him close to whisper in his ear. “You don’t know how tempted I am to say ‘road block’ right now.”

He swallowed hard. “I’m not taking you for the first time on a pool table, Slick.”

“How about the sixth? Or tenth? Promise me sometime we can do it on a pool table—”

Blake dragged her off the table and into his arms. “You keep talking like that, and we won’t make it anywhere but the parking lot.”