Guilty Pleasure Read online

  Guilty Pleasure

  By

  Michelle Freeman

  Copyright © 2013 by Micronic Inc.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the author. Reviewers may quote brief passages in reviews.

  Guilty Pleasure

  Chapter 1 – Meeting the Handsome

  Chapter 2 – Love Me Tender

  Chapter 3 – Please Me, Please

  Chapter 4 – Guilty Pleasure

  Chapter 5 – Season of Sex

  Chapter 1 – Meeting the Handsome

  The first time Ann saw Jason, he had a sheep between his legs. The sheep’s name was Molly, and she seemed perfectly relaxed as Jason expertly ran the shears over her body, removing her wooly fleece in one large bundle. Ann, however, was anything but relaxed as she watched Jason. There was a distinct increase in her heart beat, a fluttering in her chest she hadn’t felt in a long time.

  Jason was tall, with a broad chest, and very tan. He was also incredibly attractive, so much so she almost dropped the pitcher of lemonade she had brought from the house to go with the picnic lunch beneath the trees. And he was young. You’re at least ten years older than he is.

  Molly belonged to Ann, one of several hundred pure-bred Jacob sheep that she owned as part of her sheep ranch, and one of several hundred sheep that needed shearing each year. Ann had no experience with shearing and left that to Ben Crenshaw and his small crew. But for Ann’s ranch, he’d brought only Jason. The job was small enough for just one man to do over two days.

  Ben traveled to the area farms during shearing season as an itinerant sheep shearer. He’d told her last year he’d be retiring after one more season and that he’d be turning his business over to his nephew, Jason. Ann hadn’t been outside when Jason had been setting up this morning; she’d actually never been introduced. She’d been talking to Ben, going over some mundane detail, something she now no longer remembered. I’m not sure I’d have survived even shaking hands with him.

  She watched Jason expertly flip Molly on her feet, the ewe giving herself a shake before walking off to join her flock-mates in the pasture. As Jason stood, he looked directly at her. She found herself looking into a pair of startling green eyes, beneath a shock of sun-bleached hair. He smiled at her, a smile that sent a jolt of heat through Ann’s body. She was caught off guard, swallowing hard, managing a small wave in return.

  Then he stretched, working the kinks out of his back and shoulders, muscles flexing. That was too much for Ann; she was totally undone. She fled the barn, back to safety beneath the big oak tree outside, anything to take her mind off Jason.

  Everyone was taking a break for lunch, Ben talking with Paul Monroe from a nearby ranch, who had come by to help out. Shearing was a nice time. Everyone made the rounds from farm to farm: the shearing crew, neighbors, and various relatives from the city who wanted to get a taste of country life all showed up. Everyone brought something to eat, so lunch was a big affair. Ann set down the lemonade with shaky hands and busied herself with paper plates and cups, even though there was really nothing that needed doing out here.

  “Excuse me, ma’am?” She turned at the sound of a man’s voice. “Is there a place I can clean up before lunch?” Jason was standing a few feet away, all green eyes and long legs. He had his t-shirt over his shoulder, jeans riding low on his hips, displaying smooth tan skin over those well-muscled arms and very masculine chest.

  “Oh, sure.” Ann shook herself, realized she was staring. “This way. You can use the bathroom in the house.” What in the world is wrong with me? She’d seen men before, handsome men, even dated some of them, and married one once. But Jason was obviously something completely different, triggering a cascade of sensations in her body she’d thought long gone.

  “I can just clean up at the faucet, if you point the way. I don’t want to tromp through the house.” Jason took a step closer. Ann found herself lost in those eyes.

  “It’s okay. You’re not any dirtier than anyone else.” She managed to extend her hand. “My name is Ann Franklin. I missed meeting you earlier.”

  Jason shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jason Mitchell.”

  Ann led him up the steps and across the porch into the house. “Right here. You can use the towels on the rack; they’re washable.” She smiled at Jason, hoping for an answering smile, wanting to see if it really did light up his face and reach all the way to his eyes. She was rewarded with another grin and found she was right. Jason ducked into the shower, and Ann returned to the kitchen.

  Ann busied herself at the counter, stirring another spoonful of mayonnaise into the potato salad. Her mind was on Jason, lost in thought.

  She wondered what exactly drew him to her. Was it just that he was young—really good looking—and she was lonely? That didn’t sound very appealing. It made her sound old… and desperate. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone interested in her. There had been no one… well, no one serious… since her husband David had left her, over a year ago.

  Jason was handsome, no doubt. But there was something else, something in the way he looked at her, something in his eyes that made her heart beat faster, her hands tremble and her knees go weak. Or, you’re just making all that up because he’s young and cute and he’ll be gone by the end of tomorrow.

  “Need any help?” Jason’s words were soft, but Ann jumped nonetheless. The spoon flew from her hand, landing between them on the hardwood floor.

  “I’m sorry,” Jason said, bending down to retrieve the spoon. “No five-second rule for spoons full of potato salad.” He put it in the sink. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  He’d put his t-shirt on, and Ann breathed a small sigh of relief. It was enough to have him here, so close she could smell the sun on his skin, sheep on his clothes, and beneath all that, the unmistakable scent of the man himself. She realized it really had been a long time, if just the smell of a man who’d been working in the sun all day with sheep made her knees weak.

  “It’s okay,” Ann said, smiling back. “I wasn’t paying attention. No harm done.” She grabbed another spoon from the crock on the counter, sticking it in the potato salad.

  “The lunch looks great. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble. We…I appreciate it.” Ann glanced over at him, meeting his eyes just so she could feel that tremble in her stomach again.

  “Thanks, it’s my pleasure. The neighbors help, so it’s not that much trouble to add a few things.” Ann was reluctant to leave the kitchen, but she was running out of things to do to keep her there, with Jason. There was only so much they could say about potato salad. “Ben tells me he’s almost done, that you’re taking over the whole operation pretty soon.”

  Jason took another step closer and leaned against the counter, all long legs and blonde hair. She turned back to the potato salad, giving it another stir, if for no other reason than to keep from staring at him. If they stayed here much longer, she’d be serving mashed potato salad. She forced herself to stop stirring and looked at Jason as he talked.

  “That’s the plan. He’s riding along just to say good-bye to those that he’s worked with for a long time, like you. I haven’t seen him put clippers to a sheep in weeks.” Jason laughed, before growing serious. “He deserves a rest though. He’s been doing this since I was a little kid, long before you ever started raising sheep, I would imagine.”

  “So you’ll be on your own then starting next season?” Ann was desperately casting about for any topic to keep the conversation going.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m pretty much on my own now. But I’ll be back here next year to shear your flock. If you’re interested, that is.”


  Ann nodded. And then her heart sank. It would be a whole year before she saw Jason again, after he finished up tomorrow. She frowned, lost in that thought.

  “You’re not bound by a contract to hire me, so there’s no worries there.” Jason’s voice held what sounded like disappointment.

  She met his gaze, kicking herself. Everyone told her all the time her thoughts were written on her face.

  “Oh… no. It’s not that. I… just… thought of something else. No, I’d be happy to have you shearing here again next year. You’ve done a wonderful job.” She reached out, touching his arm. “I just….”

  Jason took one step closer, and she suddenly found herself in his arms, potato salad forgotten. He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, looking down at her.

  “Just what?” His voice was low, smooth like honey. Ann looked up into his eyes, her lips parted, breathing shallow but heart pounding rapidly.

  “I just… would miss you, I guess… between now and then.” There, the words were out. Why do I have such trouble saying what I mean?

  Jason’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Why, I think I’d miss you too, ma’am.”

  “Jason!” Ben’s voice carried through the open windows. Jason held Ann a moment longer before letting her go, his eyes never leaving hers. She could feel the thud of her heart, sure that Jason could feel it as well.

  “I’ll take this.” He stepped away from her, grabbing the bowl of potato salad and heading out the kitchen door, leaving Ann standing at the sink. She watched out the window as he set the bowl on the table before turning to Ben.

  You’re a foolish, crazy woman, Ann Franklin. You need to get a grip here.

  Ann took a deep breath, heading out to the lawn beneath the trees, checking over the dishes of food on the picnic table. Everyone had taken a plate and had started serving themselves, sitting on lawn chairs or on the ground beneath the large trees. She wandered through the groups, making sure everyone had what they needed.

  As she walked behind the big oak tree, she overheard the end of the conversation between Ben and Jason. Ben sounded insistent, and Jason appeared angry.

  “Sarah said to call, Jason. She said this time it was important.”

  Jason was shaking his head. “No, she made her decision, and that’s it. I know how much you like her… but I can’t go back. Not after the things she’s said and done. She just knows this is the end of the season, and she thinks she can get me to come back… since I have nowhere else to go.”

  “She said she loves you, Jason. Can’t you give her a second chance?”

  “She’s lonely, not in love. She’s afraid of being alone, that’s all. And she’d never have given me a second chance….”

  Ann hesitated, not wanting to interrupt. She’d turned, taking a few steps back to the house when she heard Jason’s voice behind her.

  “Ma’am, just wanted to say again how much we appreciate your business, and the hospitality you’ve extended. Thank you.”

  Ben was standing next to Jason, nodding. She wasn’t sure if they realized she’d heard their conversation.

  She met Jason’s gaze, saw something clouding his green eyes. And she felt a small pang of regret. For what? For something that was even anything? A touch in the kitchen? An almost-kiss?

  She shrugged. “My pleasure. It’s the least I can do, for the work you do for me. Thanks for….” She caught Jason’s eye again. “Thanks for doing such a good job.” She turned away, walking back toward the house, sudden surprising tears of loss in her eyes.

  It was late afternoon when Ben came to tell her they were finished for the day and that he was leaving Jason behind to finish up tomorrow.

  “You’re my last job, Ann. This is it. I’m officially retired.” Ben was smiling broadly, but Ann caught a hint of sadness in his eyes. Impulsively she reached out, hugging him. He was blushing when she let him go.

  “Well, if I’d known I was going to get a hug from a pretty girl, I’d have told you every year I was retiring.” Ben smiled, leaving her in the yard.

  She wondered briefly where Jason was, but decided it was better to just let whatever happened—or didn’t happen—in the kitchen go. Just your over-active imagination, Ann.

  She leaned on the fence, watching Ben drive away in his old dusty pickup truck. The sheep were in the field now, grazing, looking amazingly skinny and a bit awkward in their newly shorn state.

  “Ma’am?” She recognized Jason’s voice behind her.

  She turned. He was still wearing the clothes he’d worked in, grimy with dirt from the sheep, his shirt sweat-stained.

  “Hi, Jason. What can I do for you?” She was hesitant, not sure exactly what to expect from him, or herself. And now, after the fragment of conversation she’d heard, not sure she could trust him. Girlfriends, former or current, usually meant trouble.

  “Well, I was wondering if I could impose on you one more time, for a shower. I have my own towel and soap, so all I’d need would be the water.” He smiled at her and it started all over again, that odd thumping of her heart.

  “Um…well…” She hesitated briefly. What the heck. The guy still did a hard day’s work. “Sure. Same bathroom you used before.” She caught his gaze, saw something that looked like relief.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “And you can call me Ann now. You’ve spent an afternoon with my sheep. They know you better than I do. I think we can be on a first name basis.”

  Jason smiled. “I’d like that.”

  Ann left Jason at the bathroom door. She sat at the kitchen table, listening to the water running. She tried hard not to imagine him in the shower, water sliding over all that smooth tan skin, the bubbles from the soap streaming over his body, his hands moving over himself as he took his shower. She sighed. It would do her no good to get all wrapped up in someone who wasn’t going to be around.

  When he came out of the bathroom, Jason was wearing a white shirt, well-worn but clean, and clean jeans. He saw her and walked over, his bare feet almost silent as he crossed the kitchen floor.

  “Thanks, Ann. I feel a world better after getting the day’s sweat off.” He ran his hand through his damp hair, mussing it up, making it just that much sexier. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could stand. Her heart was fluttering along in her chest, her palms were damp, and there was a distinct low-level thumping going on in her belly. It had been a long time, but she still recognized all the signs: she was turned on by Jason. No doubt about that.

  “And I’m sure I smell a far sight better.” He laughed.

  Ann smiled up at him. “You’re welcome. Did you eat lunch? I don’t remember seeing you get a plate.”

  Jason shook his head. “No…I got busy with…something came up, and I didn’t get a chance. And then I went back to work.”

  Ann stood up. “Let me fix you a plate then. There’s plenty of leftovers….” Her voice trailed off.

  Jason was standing between her and the counter, not moving. She almost walked into him. He looked down at her, his green eyes searching her face.

  “I think there’s something else I want, Ann. I think you want it too.” He reached out across the small space between them, his hands sliding along her bare arms. The touch of his fingers on her skin sent a wave of heat through her body. She could feel the rough callouses from his work, the strength in his hands. And she realized she wanted those strong hands on her body, holding her, touching her.

  Ann felt her body responding to his touch, to his nearness, to his very scent. A tiny voice in her mind told her this was a mistake, that nothing good could come from a one-night stand with an itinerant sheep shearer. Especially one who might have someone else back home named Sarah. Or the Sarah left behind at the last ranch.

  But Ann didn’t care. In that moment, all she wanted was Jason. It had been so long since any man had sparked her interest, or, for that matter, had shown even the slightest interest in her. She wanted Jason, wanted to see his naked body in the soft ev
ening light, all that smooth skin and those hard muscles. And to be there with him, to have him see her, touch her, take her.

  Ann found herself going willingly into Jason’s arms, letting him wrap them around her, holding her close. His lips found hers, brushing over them softly. She felt his tongue slide along her lower lip and she opened her mouth to him.

  His tongue danced with hers, sending little tingling rivers of electricity through her. She felt his hands on her body, sliding up her bare arms, moving down over her breasts.

  Ann shivered, pushing herself against his hands. His grip was firm, squeezing her hard, his thumbs skating across her nipples. She moaned against his mouth, feeling his lips curve into a smile in response. His hands felt amazing on her breasts, but she wanted his mouth, his tongue on her bare breasts, kissing and licking, sucking her nipples.

  His hips were pressing forward, the pressure of his erection hot against her stomach. She shifted her body, sliding her hips across his, and heard an answering moan from Jason.

  Ann’s body was vibrating, responding to the touch of Jason’s lips and hands, the press of his cock against her. And she wanted to feel more of him. Those thumps of arousal low in her belly were stronger now, insistently driving her toward what she wanted… and what Jason obviously wanted as well.

  She broke away with a gasp, her eyes locked with Jason’s. “Come with me.”

  Ann took his hand, pulling him down the hall to her bedroom. They were barely through the doorway when Jason spun her around, hands on her arms, fingers flexing against her skin.

  He pulled her hard against him for a moment, his lips insistent, as his fingers started undoing the buttons of her blouse. Ann looked down, her heart pounding, breath coming in shallow gasps, watching as his big hands moved down the front of her cotton shirt.

  Jason pulled the shirt down her arms, dropping it on the floor. She watched his face as he looked down, his fingers moving over the sheer fabric of her bra. He met her gaze and she nodded, reaching behind to undo the clasp of her bra. That too fell to the floor. His eyes traveled back to her breasts, his gaze hungry and hot, watching his own hands on her skin.