Grand Parade (Show Time Fever Book 1) Read online

“I’m glad you’ve found me today. Otherwise, I would’ve had to put an ad in the paper for you.” He winked.

  Already she felt at ease with him. “I don’t read the paper.”

  “No? Then, it’s just as well you found me.” He pressed his lips on hers. “Was that Julie with you? Was she mean to you again?”

  “No, yes.” Megan couldn’t concentrate with his lips on hers. “I mean, it’s fine between us.”

  “Good.”

  The sound of someone clearing their throat nearby caused Jackson to look back to the arena. His cheeks turned bright red. “I’d better go. You can sit in the stand if you want, but sorry, I’m going to be here until after lunch.” He looked disappointed. “I’d rather be with you.”

  “Me too.” Megan smiled. “Hey, I’ll sit for a bit, then I’d better go and see my boss. I could meet you at say two this afternoon?”

  “I’d like that, but it’s hard to put a time on the judging. It will take as long as it needs to.”

  “Okay, then. How about I can come by that time and see how you are going?” She hated leaving it like this. She’d much prefer to set a time, especially after not seeing him all of yesterday and her phone going dead.

  “Text me.” He paused. “Your phone is charged?”

  “Yes. Yours?”

  He nodded. “See you later.” He hurried back to the grumpy looking judge.

  Megan sighed, rolling her lips together, remembering his kisses, as she found a seat nearby. Taking out her camera, she did what came naturally and took a few photos, trying not to include Jackson in every single one. She couldn’t work out what exactly was going on in the arena, but she didn’t mind sitting and watching Jackson helping out.

  “It’s to help the next generation learn about cattle.”

  Megan turned her head to see Jackson’s mum sitting next to her. “Hi Mary.”

  “They have to judge the cattle, write up their reasonings and then they are judged on that too,” continued Mary.

  “Oh.” Megan sort of understood. To her all the cattle looked the same. She had a lot to learn.

  “Yeah, they get to learn the characteristics they should look for and when they come to breed their own cattle, they will have some experience to draw on.”

  “On the job training then?” Megan cradled her camera in her lap, listening and also keeping an eye on the arena. And of course Jackson. He looked at ease, standing around the cattle, waiting patiently for the teenagers to fill out their forms, and talking quietly.

  Mary laughed. “Yes, you could call it that.”

  Megan smiled back, her nerves still rustling inside of her like autumn leaves. She’d never met a boyfriend’s mother so early. But, then she could hardly call Jackson a boyfriend. What am I doing here? She looked out into the arena and caught his eyes. That’s why. She sighed. Where could this lead to? If she moved away from her dad, how would he cope without her?

  Mary’s comment broke into her thoughts. “You’re deep in thought, dear for so early in the day.”

  “Just thinking.” Megan packed away her camera. “Of my mum. She died of cancer and I worry about my dad.” She could sit here all day, enjoying the slice of peace here, while around her the show buzzed with noise and business. She found herself thinking about a future that held so many unknowns. She didn’t know whether to hope for things to continue with Jackson or not. And sitting next to his mum wasn’t helping. Plus it was reminding her too much about her own mum.

  “I’m sure she’ll be proud of you.” Mary put her hand gently on Megan’s arm.

  Deep emotion rushed to the surface and Megan blinked furiously.

  “Yes. And before you say I don’t know you, and I don’t, or your mum, you’re right. However, from what I’ve seen and heard from some of the sheep exhibitors yesterday, you have a good heart about you and you’re willing to learn.” She smiled warmly.

  Megan wasn’t sure what to think about being talked about between the exhibitors, even though it was positive. But, those thoughts blurred quickly as emotion choked in her throat. Most people didn’t know what to say around her when her mum died, and she’d learnt to push it aside over the last year. It was like Mary knew about death. And of course she did. She’d lost her daughter.

  “Thank you. You seem to understand unlike most.”

  Her eyes watered and went a little red. “I do. And I know a mother’s hopes for her daughter.” She picked a tissue out of her bag. “Now I have to apologise, Jackson would have a word for me being too forward. It’s not the done thing in the city, so I’m told.” She dabbed the corner of her eyes with the tissue.

  “It’s okay. It’s good to be reminded what a mother thinks.” Megan inhaled deeply, in an attempt to keep the tears from falling. But, one slid down her cheek. It wasn’t as hot as the tears she’d cried in the past. Something had changed. With a mix of sadness and hope, she knew what it was. She was moving on. And thanks to Mary, Megan knew in her heart that her mum would want her to be doing this.

  Chapter 13

  Jackson had to stop himself from glancing over to see Megan. Every time he did, he soaked in her image, sitting there watching, enjoying what was happening in the arena. His stress levels went through the roof when his mum sat down next to her.

  He held his breath. His mum had a habit of being very blunt. He blamed it on living in the country. It was a little different for him because he’d been sent to private school for year 11 and 12 in Adelaide, and some of the country quirks had been beaten out of him. Not literally, but he soon realised if he wanted to do well, he needed to sometimes hold his tongue and not say the first thing that came into his mind. But, then he’d returned to the country, back on the farm, where he truly felt at home and he couldn’t help thinking he might have forgotten about being subtle.

  Jackson saw his mum dabbing a tissue at her eyes. Oh no. He glanced at Megan. She looked sad too. I’ve got to intervene. He didn’t want anything to disturb the budding romance with Megan. Not that his mum would mean to cause any harm, but not everyone was thick-skinned enough to deal with her. And definitely not after the hiccup with Julie. He didn’t want to risk things not working out with Megan.

  Would Megan move to the farm? Jackson shook his head. That was something that could be thought about later. First things first, he needed to get to know Megan further, and he knew exactly where to start with that. He went to walk over to his mum, his eyes firmly on Megan. His pulse increased as he approached. Megan was having such an effect on him. He couldn’t stop smiling.

  “Jackson over here,” called the Over-Judge.

  Damn it. Jackson stopped, turned to see the man beckoning for him. He glanced back at Megan. His mum was still there. They were talking, maybe looking sad, but not angry. He remained still, trying to work out what he was going to do.

  “Jackson,” repeated the Over-Judge, his voice a little louder, and definitely annoyed.

  Jackson had duties he’d committed to and Megan knew that. She was waiting for him to finish up here anyway. He hoped as he walked back to the Over-Judge, that whatever his mum was saying wouldn’t put off Megan on his family, or more importantly farm life.

  “Help me tally the score sheets.”

  “Sure.” Jackson took the gathered score sheets from the contestants and sat with the judge while they went through and added up the marks. When he finished, he looked over to where Megan had been sitting. She was gone. He missed seeing her there. And he really wished that he could see her now. He wanted to familiarise himself with her lips, her taste, and the curves of her body. Jackson felt himself stir, and quickly changed the path of his thoughts. God I’m worse than the bull with a herd of cows to service.

  It’s okay. I’ll see her later. He hoped. Yesterday had been such a mix-up and not seeing her had made him wonder if she was really interested in him. One thing was certain, when he had looked over to see her today, sitting there, relaxed, smiling, he knew he wanted to keep Megan around. What had maybe st
arted as a bit of a show fling, was fast developing into something else. He had to make sure that she felt the same.

  Photos taken and uploaded for the day, Megan finally had time to spend with Jackson. I hope he’s free. Not wanting a repeat of the day before, she leaned back in her chair in the office and texted him. Her pulse increased. The simple thought of seeing Jackson soon sent her hormones wild. After a few text messages, they’d agreed to meet at the cattle barn.

  Megan wandered down to the cattle shed, figuring she would wait for him there. Surprised that the smell didn’t hit her senses like it had the first time she entered the cattle shed, she walked confidently down the rows of cattle, easily missing the paddies of poo on the ground. I’m getting the hang of it. But, she wasn’t game enough to sit down with the cattle, especially not Bruce. There was a fold-up chair in the corner. Megan sat down there. She suppressed a yawn. Relaxing, she started to doze, despite the noise around her.

  Jackson couldn’t wait to see Megan again. He’d been patience enough doing the paper work from the Junior Judging and since they were always looking to rope in younger people to help them out, he decided he’d done more than his share, and politely excused himself. He wished he could shower. He hated to think how much he smelled like the cattle. At least, Megan hadn’t complained the other night.

  His heart increased in speed like a stampede when he saw her sitting asleep in the chair. Her eyes closed softly, mouth slightly open and head resting to the side. His heart ached for her. So did other parts of his body. This time he didn’t push those thoughts aside as he walked up to her, quietly knelt in front of her. He put his hands on the arms of the chair, so as not to scare her.

  “Hey, you,” he said softly.

  She stirred. Then her eyes fluttered open. “Jackson.” She sat up, waking quickly.

  “Finally we get to see each other again.” He smiled, reaching for her hand. He wished they had some more privacy. Last time he hadn’t cared, he wanted to feel Megan, and be inside of her. This time he wanted to savor the experience even more. Should’ve booked a hotel room or something. He wasn’t sure if that sounded sleazy or not. He was pretty sure it was. That was the last impression he wanted to make on the girl that was sending his heart wild and his body hard.

  “Finally.” She smiled. The look she gave him was inviting with her dark brown eyes.

  Jackson couldn’t resist any more. He leaned forward and kissed her. Softly. His lips pressing tentatively on hers, then he pulled away, and went in again, a little harder. Her mouth opened under his. He dipped in his tongue before he slipped his lips off of hers, sucking gently. Then he couldn’t hold back anymore. This time he met her open mouth with his, dancing his tongue inside of her, wanting to taste all of her, and feel her own salty heat explode over his tastebuds.

  He could feel himself stirring harder. He couldn’t stay here. And there was no way he was taking Megan back to the cupboard of a room where they first had sex. The guys were still teasing him about that. But, there was nowhere else. He tucked a strand of Megan’s hair back off her face. Then he saw the area above them. There was plenty of hay stacked up there above the wide landing of the stalls. That would do just fine. At least to start with. They would have to be quiet.

  “Let’s go somewhere a little more private,” he said, unable to stop himself from touching his lips to hers.

  “What? There’s somewhere more private than here?” asked Megan.

  “Sort of.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Come on.” He helped her stand. He guided her to the edge of the stall, where she’d climbed up the other day.

  “I’m not sure that’s really private.” She leaned into him.

  The feel of her body close to him sent his mind foggy with pleasure.

  “It will be. You’ll see when you get up there.” He took her camera bag and slid it on top of the stall. “You’re next.”

  “Okay, but I’m not one to be on display, you know.” Megan put her foot on the middle rail, trying to work out how to climb up, especially in a skirt.

  “You didn’t mind the other night,” said Jackson. “You weren’t exactly quiet.”

  “I’ll be silent this time if we do it.” She lowered her voice. Her face flushed with heat. Her mind filled with a glorious image of Jackson, naked, hard, and ready to pleasure her.

  “Oh,” Jackson said, disappointment in his tone. “I like your noises.”

  Megan let out a little sigh as heat coursed through her body. Her muscles clenched with anticipation. Moisture released between her thighs and she hoped that it was going to be suitable for them up here, because she wasn’t going to be able to walk away unless she got some sexual satisfaction to ease the tension burning within.

  She glanced over her shoulder. He came in closer to her, wrapped his hands around her waist.

  “I like your noises,” he repeated. His breath hot on her neck prickled her skin with anticipation, electrifying her body. He kissed her gently, his lips barely brushing her skin. Then pressed his mouth on her skin again, harder, sucking a little this time.

  Megan made a gasping noise, soft and sweet. She tilted her head back, enjoying the way Jackson brought her body alive. “I like the way you kiss me.”

  He pressed his body into her from behind, enveloping her with his masculinity, and she leaned back, folding her arms over his.

  “I know.” He planted a few more fiery kisses on the base of her neck before pulling away. “Let’s go up before I undress you here and take you.”

  “I’m not one of the cows, you know,” joked Megan. “You can’t have me like that.”

  Jackson groaned softly, burying his face in her hair. “Don’t speak like that. It turns me on too much.” He pushed her gently. “Up, quick.”

  Megan felt his urgency pulse through her and she reached to the edge of the wooden railing and pulled herself up. “Don’t look up my skirt.”

  “Thanks for the idea.”

  She looked down, part way climbing onto the top of the stall to see his cheeky grin, and him moving in closer and taking a peek up her skirt. “Jackson,” she hissed, but she wasn’t angry with him. Instead she laughed, feeling freer than she had for, well since forever.

  She was driven by a more primal desire that she no longer had the strength to ignore. His last few kisses tipped her over the edge and she didn’t want to be left wanting. She sat down on the bale of hay, ignoring the scratching of the stalks on her bare legs. She already felt giddy sitting up here, along with the heat from Jackson stirring inside of her.

  He clambered up with ease. His grin sent another pulse of anticipation contracting through her body. “See, it’s fine up here.”

  “Not quite.” She looked around. It wasn’t private at all. The only thing different was that they were up higher.

  “As long as no one looks up,” said Jackson.

  “And if they do as long as they don’t call the police,” said Megan. Maybe I should’ve just taken him home? Dad always said I could. But, it wasn’t something that she’d ever been comfortable with.

  “I got an idea.” Jackson held out his hands to her. Megan took them trustingly. “I’ll move a few bales around.”

  ‘Would that be enough?”

  Jackson pulled her up easily. “Stand here out of the way.” He guided her to the far side, not too close to the edge, and then began shifting the bales of hay.

  Megan enjoyed watching him move. His arm muscles contracted under the weight of the hay. She wanted to touch his biceps, feel them around her, like a few moments ago when she was on the ground. Now, she felt like she was high on the clouds. With him next to her once more, her body betrayed her with the desires of wanting his skin on hers, and him touching her, and finally him inside her. Even though it wasn’t private here at the show, her urges intensified so much that if she didn’t alleviate the pressure she felt she would burst. Her muscles clenched with desire.

  The shed had quietened in the late afternoon. Th
ere weren’t many people around, just cattle stirring below them. No one seemed concerned they were standing on top of a stall. In circumstances that Megan was pretty sure they looked suspiciously like they were two horny youngsters that couldn’t keep their pants on. She looked at Jackson and her heart increased and a fiery heat burned low in her abdomen. Yep it’s true. I’m hot and horny. And she couldn’t wait to get her panties off.

  “There.” He brushed his hands together. “That should do it.”

  He’d put the bales up around the edge, making a large square shape in the center, so that there was no way people could see them, unless they came up here. She didn’t think that would be likely.

  This was the last place she was expecting to have sex. At the show. On top of the stall. With the sounds of cattle below them. She laughed suddenly.

  “Can’t say I did anything funny,” said Jackson, a cute, confused expression on his face. He pulled her in tight, her breasts crushing pleasantly against his chest.

  “Sorry.” She looked up and smiled at him. “You sure this will be okay up here?”

  “Don’t worry. No one will come up here.” He held out his hand to help her step down in the nest he’d quickly made for them.

  She jumped down into the center, landing on a hay bale underfoot. It was cosy. Smelt of fresh hay, like springtime, the sort of smell that gave itself to the act of procreation.

  “Unless you’re too noisy.” He winked, standing in front of her.

  “I won’t be too noisy.” She didn’t want anyone coming to disturb them. She didn’t really want anyone to know what they were doing up here.

  “Sounds like a challenge.” He pulled her into him. He moved his hands to cup her face and kissed her.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tight as she tilted her head back ready for him. He pressed his mouth on hers with hard, passionate force, sending her head giddy with pleasure and her knees weak. There was no challenge. She knew there and then she wasn’t going to be about to control herself. She might be able to keep the tone down, but that was about it. And that was going to be a big maybe, especially as his hand slid down her chest, over her breasts, pinching her nipples hard through her shirt and bra. She groaned.