Jared: Red, Hot, & Blue, Book 4 by Cat Johnson Page A

show. In fact, he’d reminded her enough times how angry he was at her all throughout the incredible sex. At least during the beginning. Neither one of them had managed many words after they’d really gotten into it.
    Just thinking about it had the tension building low in her abdomen. Apparently sex with Jared was like eating Chinese food. It wasn’t very long before you were hungry for more.
    Sighing, she realized she would just have to get over losing Pigeon Hollow and use her second choice. Somehow, she’d make it work. She always did. Although, she had a very bad feeling giving up Pigeon Hollow would be easier than giving up Jared Gordon. The thought of never seeing him again caused another, different feeling in her gut. This one wasn’t so nice.
    Face washed and teeth brushed, Mandy pulled her hair into a quick bun and shuffled over to her suitcase. She would get dressed, get something to eat at the diner, and drive to the airport without looking back. She felt a little nausea in her belly and wrote it off to her hangover. It definitely was not disappointment that she would never see Jared again.
    On the path past the desk on her way to the suitcase, Mandy stopped when she noticed her folder open on the desk. She walked backward and stood staring at the single piece of white paper. Her face grew hot, her heart began to pound, and her hands trembled. If she had been a cartoon character, the top of her head would have blown off by now. She reached out one shaky hand and picked up the signed consent form.
    That one piece of paper, with that one signature, Jared Gordon , turned her into exactly the kind of woman she’d spent her entire career trying to avoid being. Jared had signed the paper after she’d had sex with him. He might as well have just left cash on the nightstand.
     
    Still in a post-coital daze, Jared instinctively worked his way through the morning chores. Good thing his body remembered what to do, because his mind was back at the Hideaway with Mandy.
    It was still early. He liked to get the heavy chores done before the heat of the day struck. Mandy would likely be still in bed, but she might be starting to wake about now.
    Knowing her, his little bundle of contained energy, she couldn’t lounge around long. He imagined her in bed still wearing the little silk thing she’d been in when he’d left her. It would have been really nice to wake up with her in his arms.
    Why had he left her again? He sighed. He knew exactly why, but a night of contemplating the show and his decision had helped ease his mind.
    He laughed to himself. She was probably going to be pissed as hell when she woke up and remembered what they’d done. Jared had a feeling Mandy wouldn’t like that she’d given in to her desires. She’d particularly hate that he’d seen the softer side of her.
    Her having a few beers in her had helped conquer the workaholic in her. She was a tiny thing, and a few beers could in someone smaller than he was, especially if she wasn’t used to drinking.
    Yup, she was really going to be pissed when she woke up and realized she’d been tipsy when they’d done it right on the dresser still half-dressed. Mmm, mmm. He liked her even more when she was angry. Although, maybe when she saw the signed form, she’d be happy. Maybe she’d be so overwhelmed and grateful she’d throw herself into his arms. He definitely could handle her showing him her gratitude.
    Jared climbed into the seat of the tractor thinking how, angry or grateful, he couldn’t wait until he saw Mandy again. Whistling the whole drive out to the manure pile, he imagined what their next kiss would be like. This one wouldn’t be fueled by anger. Maybe it would be gentle. Or even better, it would be because they wanted each other so badly they could barely breathe.
    He dumped the contents of the tractor’s bucket, turned and was on the trip back to the barn when he spotted her car.
    Hot damn, she was earlier than he’d hoped. He