Free Harm's Hunger by Patrice Michelle Page B

and her boots, she stood in front of Harm wearing nothing but a white tank top and underwear.
    When Harm’s gaze lowered to her nipples clearly showing through the thin white shirt, she inwardly reveled at the flash of heat flaring in their chocolate brown depths. Keeping her face perfectly composed, she stripped out of her tank and the tiny scrap of underwear then dropped them on the pile of stinky clothes.
    “Jena…” Harm said in a low tone, amusement completely gone as he took a step closer. Just as his gaze returned to her face, she turned and walked out of the barn with her chin held high.
    As she opened the front door, Harm’s reflection in the glass made her pause for a split second; he stood in the doorway of the barn watching her, his hands fisted by his sides. But thoughts of how she’d laid in bed every single night since their passionate time together, reliving memories and desperately wanting him all over again rushed forth. She stiffened her spine and smirked as she walked inside.
    An hour later, Jena was surprised to see Harm shutting a stall door when she strolled into the barn. A long shower had cooled her simmering frustration while bolstering her determination to finish the job she’d left behind. The muck pile and the clothes she’d planned to trash had disappeared. Only her boots sat by the barn door. Once again, the horses had been fed and watered. “Why’d you do that?” she said, gesturing to the empty space where the pile had been.
    Harm shrugged. “It needed to be done.”
    “I was coming back to finish up, Harm. Maybe if you take your horses, I won’t feel obligated to take care of them.”
    “I told you I’m not moving them until the deal is done.”
    Jena spread her hands wide. “And I’m not selling all the land. So who’s going to camp out and make the earliest shift tomorrow, hmm?”
    Harm’s mouth tightened as the tension between them rose. “I can take care of—”
    “Hello?” a man’s voice cut Harm off.
    Jena turned to the dark-haired cowboy wearing faded jeans, scuffed boots, and a lopsided smile on his face. He stood in the doorway of the barn holding a casserole dish, his eyebrows raised. She returned his smile as she approached. “Hi.”
    “Are you Jena Hudson?”
    She nodded. “The one and only.”
    His smile shifted to a full grin. “I’m Hunter, Mary’s son.” Holding the dish toward her, he continued, “My mom asked me to bring this casserole by.”
    “That was so nice of her,” she said, taking the dish. “Please tell your mom I said, ‘thank you for thinking of me.’”
     He nodded and touched the brim of his straw cowboy hat. “Will do. My mom also asked me to ask you if you’d like to volunteer for a charity event she’s running at the summer festival on Saturday. It’s a dance-a-thon type thing. You shouldn’t have to work the whole time. There’ll be games and rides and great food. She said it’d be a good way for you to meet lots of people from Boone.”
    “That sounds great. Hopefully I’ll meet some people in the medical community. I’m a nurse and will be looking for a job soon.”
    Hunter pushed his hands into his jean pockets. “I’m sure my mom can introduce you to the hospital administrator.”
    “That would be great.” Jena pressed the warm casserole dish to her belly, wrapping her arms around it. “What’s the charity event about?”
    “It’s for juvenile diabetes. We lost my youngest brother to it, so Mom’s a big supporter.”
    Jena’s smile faltered slightly. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, please tell your mom I’d be happy to help in any way I can.”
    Hunter’s green eyes lit up. “Great! I’ll pick you up around seven-thirty and drive you over.”
    “See you then.”
    Glancing up at Harm, who casually leaned against the stall door he’d just closed, Hunter said, “Hey Harm.” When Harm only grunted in response, he shrugged and returned his attention to her. “Guess I’d better get