The Claiming

I blushed when I thought of what else might fit that description. Dammit why was it that he could do that to me, make me think and feel this way, when he obviously saw me as nothing but a nuisance, it was so unfair.

“What are you thinking so hard about over there?”

I started guiltily.

“Who me, nothing.” I felt the heat in my face as the lie left my tongue.

He studied me like a bug under a microscope until I started to squirm in my seat.

“So…how is school.”

What? He was actually talking to me? Well hell, it only took a snowstorm and about four feet of snow give or take.

“Schools good, um, yeah, it’s good.” Real smooth Jade, tongue-tied much?

“What is it you’re studying again?”

“Um, the sciences, I want to be a vet.”

“Tall order for such a little girl.”

“That’s so sexist.”

“You think so, I just don’t see you doing that that’s all.”

“Oh yeah, what do you see me doing?”

“I don’t know, kindergarten teacher maybe?”

“Huh, never thought of that, I guess ever since I moved here with my dad I fell in love with animals, now I want to take care of them.”

“So you plan on staying around here after schooling and working on the ranches in this area?”

“Something like that, your dad promised to help me out with that when the time comes.”

“So you’re as good as got it made then I guess.”

“If I do well in my classes, but I have along way to go yet.”

“Why not the local college? They have a good program there.”

“I know but dad wanted me to spread my wings a little so we made a deal, if I stick it out for one year I can choose to change schools next fall if I still want to.”

“And how’s that going?”

“I can’t wait to get back.”

“City life too much for you little girl?”

I knew the peace wouldn’t last for too long.

“Why do you always do that?”

“Do what little Jade?” He smirked at me.

“Put me down in some way.”

“I wasn’t aware that I did.”

“Well you do…a lot, it’s not nice, especially since I’ve never done anything to you.”

“But you do.”

“What, what the hell have I ever done to you?” I was at a lost for words, had I inadvertently done or said something to cause this? If I had I had no recollection of it whatsoever.

He looked at me for a long time without answering, then….

“I changed my mind, I think we should turn in after all; Denise’s room is made up so you can go on up, I’ll be up later after I close things up down here.”

I guess I’ve been dismissed, whatever, good riddance, grouch.

I tossed and turned for what felt like hours, the howling wind beating against the windows keeping me awake. There was a loud crash and then the lights went out.

I was out of the bed and running before my brain knew what my body was doing.

“Jade…”

“Brax…I’m scared.” Please don’t let him rebuff me, not now, I hate storms ever since I was a kid they’ve always done something to me that I never outgrew.

“Follow my voice baby, I’m right here.”

I made my way in the dark over to his bed; I didn’t stop to think about the impropriety of my actions, all I knew was fear, heart wrenching gut-churning fear.

It sounded as if he climbed down off the bed then I felt his hand come around me making me jump.

“Ssh, it’s only me, I’ve got you.”

He led us back to his bed and sat me on the side before going back around to his side.

I heard the striking of a match and then there was light, the light of a single candle. My breathing headed back to the vicinity of normal and I looked around me.

I’d never been in this room before, it was so him, all dark woods and minimalist. He had a wall full of CDs and DVDs, a huge entertainment system that my dad would probably sell his first born namely me, to get his hands on.

His bed was one of those plush pillow things that felt like a cloud under me.

Braxton

I’m in deep trouble here, then again I’ve been in trouble ever since I met her a year and a half ago.

Her special blend of sweet, sexy innocence was a cocktail for disaster where I was concerned.

My little sister’s best friend.

She was a transplant; her father had taken the job as head of the search and rescue team in our little corner of the state and brought his only child with him.

As providence would have it, my father had asked me to come home a year later to help out on the ranch.

My business was such that I could run it from anywhere in the world thanks to technology and a team of executives that I paid extremely well to look after my interest with drop ins back east every once in a while.