BEFORE

Chapter 12

JACK

Mrs. Gee gave me the afternoon off for good behavior apparently. Not only had I wowed the guests with my culinary efforts, I'd earned some serious brownie points from my biggest critic.

She'd hovered over me the first few days when I'd been experimenting with her favorite recipes, giving advice when needed. I'd learned more about cooking in the last two weeks than I had in the previous twelve months when I'd cooked for sheep shearers, cane cutters and the occasional travelers' outpost.

If Reid Harper came through for me with that offer of an apprenticeship in Sydney, I'd be indebted to him and Mrs. Gee. If it weren't for her, I never would've had the opportunity to try cooking fancy stuff let alone have someone like Reid taste it, enjoy it and want to recommend it.

Reid had headed off this morning, along with Doreen. Leaving the homestead to run as per usual. Stockmen taking care of the cattle, Bluey the station manager in charge of the everyday running, Gladys ensuring the household ran smoothly, Mrs. Gee and I doing the cooking.

And one pest of a houseguest who I couldn't stop thinking about.

If I had a rare afternoon off, I'd usually go for a horse ride. I liked the rush of galloping that would clear my head. And the solitude. But looked like I might have a hanger-on today.

"You going for a ride?" Jess propped in the doorway of the stable, looking way too tempting for someone who should be off limits.

Not that there was anything particularly sexy about her faded skinny jeans and red T-shirt, but it was the way she wore them. Comfortable in her own skin. Classy. And way out of my league.

"Yeah." I cinched the girth, checked the stirrups.

"Want some company?"

"Not really."

Rude? Hell yeah. But the last thing I needed right now was to be accompanied by the woman I wanted to get my hands on.

"Why? Afraid I'll show you up?" She sauntered into the stable, a determined glint in her eyes. Big, beautiful brown eyes that were fixed on me. "I didn't pick you for a coward."

Was she talking about the ride or something else? Like the fact every time we were within two feet of each other, we sparked, and I ran.

"What are you, twelve? Trying to use reverse psychology on me?" I patted the gelding's neck as the horse skittered slightly when Jess approached.

"God, you're full of yourself," she said, wrinkling her pert nose like she'd just stepped in a pile of horse shit. "How about we forget the fact I saw your dick and get past it so we can hang out without any crap?"

She actually blushed when she said dick and I laughed. She was adorable. And I wanted her real bad.

"What if I don't want to get past it?" I threw it out there as a deliberate taunt, knowing she'd bolt if I harped on it. "What if I want you to remember it in vivid detail?"

I expected her to tell me to fuck off. I expected her to turn tail and run. I didn't expect her to take a step forward, invading my personal space, as she placed a hand on my chest.

"What if my memory's not that good and I need a reminder?" She stared up at me from beneath long lashes, her bravado making me want to kiss the smirk from her lips all the more.

"Already told you, swing by the shack at dusk any day."

"Maybe I will." She patted my chest in a strangely intimate gesture that made me want to haul her into my arms, back her into one of the empty stalls and demonstrate what a roll in the hay meant. "But for now, I'll settle for a ride."