Riding Red Read Free Page B

her something she knew she could never have, and had convinced herself long ago she didn’t even want.
    “You know Jeff is going to chase you until he finally catches you. That’s just the Downing way, but if you ask me, I say it’s about time you finally got caught.”
    BJ’s words finally snared Teresa’s hard gaze. “Well, no one asked you, BJ. Besides, Jeff Downing is not a man to tread the dating waters with. If anything, you should be warning me away from him.”
    “And I would have, had this been a year ago, but I know the man beneath the façade, and he is a good one. Just as I know his feelings for you are genuine.”
    Teresa snorted. The only thing genuine about Jeff Downing was his custom leather belt and that he genuinely wanted to fuck her six ways to September. But as for his feelings? She couldn’t help but snort again. If his feelings were somehow packaged in his nine inch cock, then yes, he had real feelings for her all right. But she knew the score—Jeff Downing only wanted one thing.
    Teresa started to tell BJ just that, but before she could, they pulled to a stop in front of her home. What was the point in telling BJ anything anyway, she decided? BJ knew how Jeff was, and yet she still defended that man, and her next words proved she was determined to defend him to the very end.
    “With me and Jackson gone for the week, I say you take advantage of the time you and Jeff will have alone together. Once you get to know him, I think you’ll see there is a lot more to him than you realise.”
    Teresa didn’t argue but she didn’t concede either as she hugged BJ goodbye and piled out of the truck. When it came to Jeff Downing, Teresa had had pegged him from day one—the third eldest of the infamous Downing clan was nothing but trouble. And for one week she was going to have to figure out a way to stay out of his sight so that she could remain out of his mind, and more importantly, out of his bed, which was where she knew he would have her if she wasn’t careful.
    Yes, Jeff Downing was nothing but trouble, and had been from day one.
     
    * * * *
     
    Jeff was silent as he followed Jackson into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. He still wasn’t pleased that Teresa had taken off with BJ, but he consoled himself with the knowledge that soon he would have Teresa all to himself.
    Well, mostly , he corrected, as he glanced over at his younger brother, who was casually leaning against the doorjamb.
    “I know that look,” Jackson remarked in the midst of preparing dinner.
    “What look?”
    “That look that tells me you two intend to seduce Teresa while we’re gone.”
    There was no point in denying it, so Jeff didn’t as he hitched his lips into a small grin. “Well that is the plan, but when it comes to Teresa, one can never really plan, now can they?”
    Jason shrugged. “That’s Jeff’s plan. I’m just tagging along for the ride.”
    A wry chortle rumbled out of Jackson as he shook his head. “If there were ever two men to do it, I would bet on the two of you, but you’re going to have your work cut out for you.” Jackson sobered. “I just caution you…”
    Jeff sat up straighter when his older brother’s gaze bullseyed on him.
    “You especially, Jeff, ‘cause I know how you feel about her. I won’t betray her confidence or that of my wife, but after what her ex did to her, she’s still very skittish around men.”
    “I know that,” Jeff said, a little sharper than was necessary, only because he’d been cautioned and warned more times than he could count. “I know her ex hurt her real bad. And BJ has threatened to kill me and then chase me all the way to hell just to do it again if I don’t tread carefully with Teresa, but she knows just as well as you that I would never hurt that woman.”
    “ I know that, but Teresa doesn’t .” Jackson held up his hands then as if surrendering. “And hey, don’t shoot the messenger, bro. I’m just trying to watch out for you