Read Of Yesterday for Free Online Page B

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pride. This was his land, his new life, his dream. So, where did Taylor fit in
with all of it? He would be lying if he did not admit he wanted to feel himself
buried deep within her. But did he want more? Did he want more than a one night
stand? Was it just an unquestionable sexual attraction, or did he want Taylor
in his life?
    Tonight had certainly proven that he cared. Seeing her fall
from the window had scared him half to death. Spanking her had given him a
sense of...ownership of sorts. He felt possessive, and protective. But at the
same time, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and place soft kisses all over
her body. Removing each thorn and attending to her scrapes had been agonizing.
He hated to see her in any discomfort and wanted to whisper soothing words. All
of the emotions going through his head left him unsettled. For the first time
in Jason's life, he did not feel in control.
     
    ****
     
    The next morning, Taylor stood in the kitchen gazing out the
window at the livestock. Slate-gray skies and threatening thunder clouds formed
the backdrop for the day to come. Daydreaming about Jason, she ran her fingers
along her lips, remembering the way his kiss seared its way into her entire
being. They had been so close to becoming one. Merging their bodies together,
and exploring each other in ways she could only fantasize.
    She worried about the awkwardness between them this morning.
But when she woke up to find him gone, she felt a sense of relief. She was not sure
how Jason would treat her from this point on. Could they forget what happened
and move on? Could they look at each other and not wonder what would have happened
had she not left his bedroom? Could they keep it from happening again? The
biggest question was: did she want it to happen again?
    Her thoughts were broken when Mandy walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Taylor." She looked around. "Where's Jason?"
    Taylor shrugged. "I guess he had to get to work early."
She smiled at the blonde virtue before her. "I made you some breakfast.
Afterwards, I thought maybe you and I could go to the garden and see what we
have in store for us."
    Mandy's smile dominated her entire face. "That sounds like
fun!" She clapped her hands in glee. "I hope we can plant tomatoes.
Jason and I love tomatoes."
    "Tomatoes it is, then."
    Mandy clapped her hands in glee. "Yay! What about you,
Taylor? What's your favorite fruit?"
    "I love lemon trees. There's something really special
about having fresh lemons in your kitchen. It reminds me of my grandma. She had
a bunch of them in her back yard when I was a kid."
    "I never met my grandma. It was just my mom, dad, Jason
and me. And then when they died...well, then it was just the two of us."
    "I was raised by my grandma," Taylor confessed. "When
she died, it was just me. You're lucky you have your brother."
    "I am. He takes really good care of me."
    Taylor made her way to the table with the breakfast she had
just made them, displayed nicely on the plates. "Do you mind me asking
what happened to your parents?" Asking the question was risky. But Taylor
really did want to get to know them better.
    Mandy took a bite of the bacon and mumbled, "They
drowned. Their boat flipped over." She paused for a moment and just
stared. Her eyes darkened. "I was only ten." As if flicking a switch,
she suddenly smiled. "But they went to Heaven and they left Jason here so
we could have each other. So, it isn't all that sad."
    Taylor studied how quickly Mandy went from sad to happy. Her
way of coping was always turning things around to be positive. It was odd,
unsettling, and different than what Taylor was used to. No self pity. No
negative. Watching the way Mandy could paint a bright picture, with even the
darkest colors, was inspiring.
    "I like you, Mandy. You truly make me smile every day."
    "Well, you should never go a day without one."
    They sat in silence and finished their breakfast. Mandy
grabbed the dishes and began washing them in the water