| Title: The Ranch Author: Anjell Chapter 5 The next three days went by without incident. All was normal. I finally managed to calm my hormones, I'd ridden Lightning everyday, and Steve and I were getting along as though nothing had happened at all. "Want a cup of coffee?" Steve asked. "Yeah, please." I answered. "Make it when it boils. I need a chew." He said. "You should quit." I said. "Mind your own business woman." And then he smiles and starts chewing. I shake my head and smile back. "I've gotta go into Houston tomorrow. I'll be there for a few days. Anthony's got a contract he wants me to get for him." I said. "You're still gonna be working for me aren't you?" Steve was almost concerned. "Oh yeah! I mean, he can't really drag me off of this one till I'm done can he?" I grin. "Besides, this one isn't for me. The contract I need to pull in for him is a fairly big deal. He'll probably be bringing in 20-25 people to work on it after I've secured it." "Oh." I was only in Houston for three days, thankfully. The contract was easily secured. This of course didn't really have anything to do with me, but more with the fact that there wasn't much competition. I was glad when it was over. I'd much rather be on the farm all in all, with Lightning and Steve. I looked out of my hotel room window. I go back tomorrow morning. I was up by 4:00 am! I couldn't believe it! 4:00 am! That's practically a record! But, it's a long drive back to the farm. I was out of the hotel within forty- five minutes too! That was even more of a record. I bounded into the house when I arrived. Before I had a chance to open my mouth, Steve came around the corner and raised a hand. "I know! You're here!" He said. "Want a cup of coffee?" "Oh, yes please." "What else?" He smiled. "I need a nap! I'm exhausted!" I said. "Not in the middle of the day you don't!" He said. "What?" I was about to whine in protest. He raised an eyebrow. "Lightning has been waiting for you to get back. Are you going to disappoint him? Drink your coffee." I grinned, and he sat down at the table. "So, how did it go?" He asked. "Good. I got the deal for Anthony. He wants me to head the project." I answered. "Are you?" He asked. I shook my head. "Nope! I've had to head off plenty of projects. Right now, I'm relaxing, and working on something for you." I grin. He grins back, pleased. "Besides, heading up that project means back to the office and worse, back into a suit. I much prefer this." I grin again and sip my coffee. "He won't mind?" Steve asks. "Oh he minds, but luckily for me, he can't afford to fire me!" Both of us laugh a little at that. "Oh," Steve suddenly remembers. "I've got relatives coming in tomorrow night." "Oh?" "Yeah. Do you like kids?" I nod. "Oh yes! I love kids." "Good. One of my cousins is bringing hers and my ex-wife is dropping mine off for the afternoon." I nod. He smiles. "Wanna go see Lightning?" Steve asks. "You know I do." ***************** Later on that evening, I decided to run a bath. Hell, my muscles were killing me, and I desperately needed sleep. Tomorrow, Steve's relatives were coming, so I was hoping for a good night sleep, so I would feel cheery enough to make a good impression. I stretched out into the hot, scented, bubbly water. I'm quite sure there's nothing in the world as relaxing as a hot bath. I yawned. Just then, the bathroom door opened. I almost jumped, I was so startled. It was Steve. "What the hell are you doing?" I tried not to yell. "How come you don't lock the door?" He had, of all things, the laptop with him. "I'm having a bath!" I was almost about to get upset. He shrugged. "I know. Don't have a hissy fit. Nothing I haven't see before." He sat on the floor. "I had this great idea..." And with that, he began yammering away about some THING which, in my opinion could have waited. I sank down into the tub. After about ten minutes, he finally asked for my opinion. I leaned my head over the edge of the tub, right by his shoulder. He looked at me, but I was looking at the screen, and didn't notice. "It's ok. But try moving this over here." I reached an arm out to point at something, but he pushed it back with one hand, and moved the laptop away with the other. "You'll get it wet." He said. I looked at him, and he looked at me. He was still holding my arm. Then he let go, and I took a breath. There was a moment of silence, then both of us focused back to the computer. He kept talking. "I was thinking that this would look so much better than what..." I stepped out of the bath. Thank God I had shaved my legs yesterday. I was all red from the hot water though. I grabbed the white terrycloth bathrobe that was hanging on the hook on the door, and put it on. Then I drained the tub and sat on the ground next to Steve. He had stopped talking, and was looking at me. "Well?" I said. He shrugged. "That's it. That's my idea." I nodded. "Yeah, it'll work. But," I said, "Did you really have to interrupt my bath for it?" I smiled, and so did he. Both of us stood up. I never did get an answer to my question. Steve started looking around. Any money says that he wants a chew, I thought. "Want a cup of coffee?" He said. I grinned. Oh, it's coming. "Yes please." "I need a chew... and don't say it! It's none of your damn business if I chew or not." He pointed a finger as he said that, but he was grinning. "Well," I shrugged. "You SHOULD quit." Title: The Ranch Author: Anjell Chapter 6 I followed him out into the kitchen. He made the tea and then put a clump of something that looked like previously chewed grass in his mouth and started chewing that, as we sat at the kitchen table. Oh, I wanted a kiss so badly, chew or no chew. I tried to force it out of my mind, but it would not go. I ran my fingers through my wet hair. Steve was looking at me again. Oh please stop! I thought to myself. You're making it worse. I bit my lower lip, and my toes curled up. I wanted to get laid! Right NOW!!! We made small talk for a while, but being as wiped out as I was, I finally had to go to bed. I shut the door to the bedroom, dropped the bathrobe, and yanked on the nearest t-shirt. My hair was still damp; I'd have horrible bed head in the morning, but I didn't care. I was asleep within moments. About half an hour later, Steve peeked his head in the room. "Jo? You asleep?" Unfortunately, I was totally passed out on the bed, sheets strewn every which way, bare legs hanging out. He stood in the doorway and watched me sleep for a minute, and then left. I dreamt about him all night. I wonder what he dreamt about? Not being a psychic, I guess I'll never know. Too bad huh? The next morning, it was the same old routine: breakfast, coffee and chew. I had to put in some time on another one of Anthony's projects, but that was ok. Steve kept peeking into the room to see what I was doing. At one point, he was leaning over my shoulder, you know, the way that makes you ONLY think about the person doing the leaning? The tobacco smell was wearing off, and he really did smell great. Trying to get my thoughts out coherently was the hardest thing in the world, but by some miracle, I did manage it. "You should think about putting this shit away." He said, and then put a hand on my shoulder. "Family's gonna be here soon." I nodded. "Yup. Just let me finish this one thing." He grinned and looked at me. "If I know you," he said, and by now I think I do, your one more thing will take three hours." I grinned. "Fine!" I sighed. I rolled the kink outta my neck and looked at him. "I'll put it away." I closed everything up. Steve left the room. I sighed. Ok, so maybe the crush hadn't worn off the way I thought. I shrugged. Oh well. I got up, and went out towards the door. |