She didn’t kiss like a prude, a nig

She didn’t kiss like a prude, a niggling voice reminded Owen.
No, damn it, she didn’t. She kissed with a sweet sinfulness that had made him go hard and aching the instant her lips parted for him. He hadn’t been that turned on by a kiss since he was … that he couldn’t remember that far back was one more reason to be aggravated by her irrational dictates. And if she kissed like that, he could only imagine how responsive she would be when she made love. He took a long sip of ice water to cool his thoughts.
“So where do you live, when you’re not working on a house?”
“I have an apartment over the firm’s office in Alexandria.”
“And your family’s from Virginia originally?”
Careful as he was to avoid entanglements, being subjected to the third degree was for him as novel an experience as meeting the family of one of his lovers. Since he wasn’t even involved with Jordan, Margot’s grilling both amused and exasperated.
Her sisters and her brother-in-law had clearly appointed themselves Jordan’s protectors. Even the old gent, Ned Connolly, who Owen gathered was Rosewood Farm’s second-in-command, had given him the distinct impression that he would come after him with a pitchfork if he gave Jordan a second’s distress.
It was interesting that none of them seemed to realize that Jordan was very much a grown woman. But while Owen’s parents might have been better at raising dachshunds or growing orchids, they hadn’t produced a total fool. He wasn’t going to rile the Rosewood clan or mess with any of them individually. Travis Maher looked more than capable of going at it hammer and tongs; Jade would probably slash his tires. He couldn’t guess how Margot would retaliate, but something warned him to underestimate her at his peril. If she wanted to do a background check, he’d provide a few answers.
“I don’t really have a family home. My father’s a career diplomat in the Foreign Service, so my parents are what you’d call permanent ex-pat nomads.”
“Oh. Where are they now?”
“Warsaw.”
“Wow. Cool.”
Owen smiled at Jade. “They like the life.”
“So you must’ve traveled around a lot growing up.”
“Yeah, quite a bit.”
“That would definitely be cool,” Jade repeated. “I’d be totally into saying ‘sayonara’ to my fellow inmates at Warburg High right now. They’re all either loser dweebs or evil, vicious, and malicious bit—”
Jordan seemed to have recovered from the shock of hearing he’d be at Hawk Hill on a daily basis and jumped into the conversation before her kid sister could finish that particular declaration. “So, Jade, I was at Steadman’s today. I gave Adam your chaps. He’s going to have Brian call you tomorrow as soon as they’re ready so you can pick them up. I wouldn’t call Brian a loser dweeb—”
“Definitely not,” Margot chimed in. “And he’s a good rider, isn’t he, Travis?”
Owen had already witnessed how seriously they took anything related to horses and riding. Leaning against the rail of the outdoor riding ring, he’d watched a scene that might be nothing more than routine to this family, but that possessed the marvel of an equestrian circus fused with the disciplined movements of the cavalry. At Owen’s end of the ring, Jordan’s little boy bounced around and around on a shiny dark bay pony that was attached to a long longe line, a beatific expression illuminating his freckled face as he followed Jade’s instructions. The girl, Kate, stood beside her, a pigtailed version of her aunt’s utter seriousness. Her little face was a study in concentration, as if she were memorizing her aunt’s every instruction to her brother in preparation for her own lesson. It stunned him that for the half hour of Max’s lesson, Kate never fidgeted or whined that it was her turn to ride.
When Max’s jouncing grew too painful to watch, Owen let his gaze stray to the others. Here was a lesson to be learned: if you started bouncing in the saddle at about Max’s age and somehow survived irreparable damage, you might, if you were very lucky, end up being able to sit a horse like Margot Radcliffe or Travis Maher.
Of course, the real trick would be to ride beautifully and fluidly with a maniac toddler clasped in front of you. The incumbrance daunted neither Margot nor her husband. They took turns passing Olivia between them whenever they slowed their horses to a walk. The maneuver was done with the ease of long-standing habit, this equestrian method of babysitting clearly as natural to them as cantering over the brightly painted jumps positioned around the center of the ring. Owen bet they’d have been equally able to make a circus act out of it, tossing Olivia from one rider’s lap to the next, the toddler chortling with fearless glee as she flew through the air.
Travis nodded in response to Margot’s question. “Brian’s got serious talent. He did really well at the horse trails at Crestview last month. He and Castlerock won the crosscountry and came in third overall.”
“Yeah, and guess who has the major hots for him? My BFF, Blair Hood.” Jade’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So thanks but no thanks—not that I’d want to go out on a date with him anyway. I’ve got better ways to waste my time, like going bowling with God.” At this she glanced at the clunky watch strapped to her wrist and jumped out of her seat. “Speaking of which, I gotta fly. The Rev had to bring his car into the shop so I’m driving. Think Robocop will give me a ticket if he catches me speeding with the Lord’s main man as my copilot?”
“You could have the whole heavenly host crammed into that car and Rob Cooper would still nail you, so don’t even think about it,” Margot fired back. “Really, Jade, I am serious. You do not want to mess with him.”
“Jeesh, you need to chill. After all, Robo would have to catch me first.” With a grin that probably struck terror in the hearts of her two older sisters, she snagged another lemon square and sauntered out of the dining room. Seconds later, the sound of her feet hammering the wooden steps as she raced up the stairs reached them.
“Dear God, why did she have to inherit Nicole’s Porsche?” Margot asked to no one in particular.
Travis reached out and placed his hand over hers. “She’s just razzing you. Didn’t you see how much she wanted to avoid talking about Brian Steadman? Bringing up Robo—uh, Rob was a guaranteed diversion. Anyway, getting pulled over for a speeding ticket is way too tame for Jade. When she screws up, it’s on a grand scale.”
Margot frowned at her husband. “Thanks. I find that so reassuring.”
Owen cleared his throat. “Excuse me, I know this is none of my business, but I just have to ask. What is bowling with God?”
Owen earned a rare smile from Jordan for having steered the conversation away from Jade’s penchant for trouble. “Jade and our minister, Reverend Wilde, have struck up an odd friendship. After the plane crash we arranged to have Jade talk to him, hoping it would help her with her grief. The reverend’s an unusual man. Once Jade got comfortable with him, he suggested they go bowling together. He thinks it’s a healthy and safe way for her to release some of the anger inside her.”
Owen considered the idea, taking into account Jade’s character. “Whatever works. I remember I had a drawing teacher at boarding school who counseled going into the school woods, taking a big stick, and whacking the daylights out of the rocky outcrops. Knocking down pins might be even better.”
Margot nodded. “The competitive aspect works for Jade. She and Stuart Wilde have a standing rule that whoever loses buys the pizza for the week. I hope the man doesn’t go broke. So, you went to a boarding school?”
“Yes.”
Jordan noticed the look in Margot’s eye and realized her sister was all set for another round of cross-examining Owen. This was really getting to be too much. “Would anyone like more coffee?” she asked.
Margot would not be diverted. “Was your school in Europe?”
“No, here.”
“So you went back to wherever your parents were posted during the school vacations?”
Owen shook his head. “No, I was on a scholarship and airline tickets were pretty steep back then. But I had roommates who invited me to their homes over the breaks. It was interesting to see how other families lived.”
Jordan found Owen’s casual answers, and the picture they painted of what must have been a lonely childhood, disturbing. As Margot looked ready to continue peppering him with questions, Jordan decided it was past time she cut her off. She stood and began to clear the dessert plates and coffee cups. Margot and Travis immediately rose to help.
Owen followed suit, brushing away objections. “I usually have to pay to enjoy a meal this delicious, so let me at least help with the dishes.”
That was nice of him, Jordan thought, though she rather wished he wouldn’t be so gallant. Then she wouldn’t feel conflicted in the least. But knowing he was going to be staying at Hawk Hill, and how appealing he could be, would only make it harder for her to ignore her physical attraction to him.
“If you offer to do the dishes around Jade, she’ll probably pay you to have dinner with us,” Travis said, taking two fruit-stained plates from him and putting them in the dishwasher.
Owen grinned. “I’ll be sure to mention my love of a well-scrubbed pot.”
“You do pots? That settles it, then,” Margot said lightly. “You have a standing invitation. Right, Jordan?”
Oh, no, she thought. “Of course,” she replied.

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 1:

Dia tidak mencium seperti seorang pemalu, suara picik mengingatkan Owen.Tidak, sialan itu, dia tidak. Dia mencium dengan keberdosaan manis yang telah membuatnya pergi keras dan sakit instan bibirnya berpisah baginya. Dia belum pernah yang diaktifkan oleh ciuman sejak dia... bahwa ia tidak ingat bahwa jauh ke belakang adalah satu lagi alasan untuk diperburuk oleh menentukan irasional nya. Dan jika ia mencium seperti itu, ia hanya bisa membayangkan bagaimana responsif ia akan ketika dia membuat cinta. Ia meneguk dari air es untuk mendinginkan pikirannya."Jadi dimana Anda tinggal, ketika Anda tidak bekerja pada rumah?""Saya punya sebuah apartemen jabatan perusahaan di Alexandria.""Dan keluarga Anda dari Virginia awalnya?"Hati-hati karena ia menghindari keterbelitan, menjadi sasaran derajat ketiga adalah bahwa dia sebagai novel pengalaman sebagai pertemuan keluarga dari salah satu pecinta nya. Karena ia tidak bahkan terlibat dengan Jordan, Margot's memanggang geli dan jengkel.Adik dan ipar dia jelas telah ditunjuk diri Jordan's pelindung. Bahkan lama gent, Ned Connolly, yang Owen berkumpul adalah Rosewood pertanian belajat, telah memberinya berbeda kesan bahwa ia akan datang setelah dia dengan pitchfork jika ia memberi Jordan kedua tertekan.Itu menarik bahwa tidak satupun dari mereka tampaknya menyadari bahwa Jordan sangat banyak wanita dewasa. Tapi sementara pengkhotbah Owen ini orang tua mungkin telah lebih baik dalam meningkatkan dachshunds atau anggrek tumbuh, mereka tidak menghasilkan bodoh total. Dia tidak akan membuat marah klan Rosewood atau mengacaukan mereka secara individual. Travis Maher tampak lebih mampu pergi di itu hammer dan tongs; Jade akan mungkin slash Ban nya. Dia tidak bisa menebak bagaimana Margot akan membalas, tapi sesuatu memperingatkan dia untuk meremehkan dirinya pada bahaya nya. Jika ia ingin memeriksa latar belakang, ia akan memberikan beberapa jawaban."Aku benar-benar tidak punya rumah keluarga. Ayahku di diplomat karir di jasa luar negeri, sehingga orang tua saya apa yang Anda sebut permanen mantan-tepuk Nomad.""Oh. Mana Apakah mereka sekarang?""Warsaw.""Wow. Keren."Owen tersenyum di Jade. "Mereka seperti kehidupan.""Jadi Anda harus sudah berkeliling banyak tumbuh.""Ya, sedikit.""Itu pasti akan keren," Jade diulang. "Aku akan benar-benar mengatakan 'sayonara' untuk narapidana saya sesama di Warburg tinggi sekarang. They're semua dweebs pecundang baik atau jahat, kejam dan jahat bit — "Jordan tampaknya sudah pulih dari shock mendengar dia akan berada di bukit Hawk sehari dan melompat ke dalam percakapan sebelum adiknya anak bisa menyelesaikan Deklarasi tertentu. "Jadi, Jade, aku berada di Steadman di hari ini. Aku memberikan Adam chaps Anda. Dia akan memiliki Brian menelepon Anda besok segera setelah mereka siap sehingga Anda dapat mengambil mereka. Saya tidak akan menyebut Brian dweeb pecundang — "“Definitely not,” Margot chimed in. “And he’s a good rider, isn’t he, Travis?”Owen had already witnessed how seriously they took anything related to horses and riding. Leaning against the rail of the outdoor riding ring, he’d watched a scene that might be nothing more than routine to this family, but that possessed the marvel of an equestrian circus fused with the disciplined movements of the cavalry. At Owen’s end of the ring, Jordan’s little boy bounced around and around on a shiny dark bay pony that was attached to a long longe line, a beatific expression illuminating his freckled face as he followed Jade’s instructions. The girl, Kate, stood beside her, a pigtailed version of her aunt’s utter seriousness. Her little face was a study in concentration, as if she were memorizing her aunt’s every instruction to her brother in preparation for her own lesson. It stunned him that for the half hour of Max’s lesson, Kate never fidgeted or whined that it was her turn to ride.When Max’s jouncing grew too painful to watch, Owen let his gaze stray to the others. Here was a lesson to be learned: if you started bouncing in the saddle at about Max’s age and somehow survived irreparable damage, you might, if you were very lucky, end up being able to sit a horse like Margot Radcliffe or Travis Maher.Of course, the real trick would be to ride beautifully and fluidly with a maniac toddler clasped in front of you. The incumbrance daunted neither Margot nor her husband. They took turns passing Olivia between them whenever they slowed their horses to a walk. The maneuver was done with the ease of long-standing habit, this equestrian method of babysitting clearly as natural to them as cantering over the brightly painted jumps positioned around the center of the ring. Owen bet they’d have been equally able to make a circus act out of it, tossing Olivia from one rider’s lap to the next, the toddler chortling with fearless glee as she flew through the air.Travis nodded in response to Margot’s question. “Brian’s got serious talent. He did really well at the horse trails at Crestview last month. He and Castlerock won the crosscountry and came in third overall.”“Yeah, and guess who has the major hots for him? My BFF, Blair Hood.” Jade’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “So thanks but no thanks—not that I’d want to go out on a date with him anyway. I’ve got better ways to waste my time, like going bowling with God.” At this she glanced at the clunky watch strapped to her wrist and jumped out of her seat. “Speaking of which, I gotta fly. The Rev had to bring his car into the shop so I’m driving. Think Robocop will give me a ticket if he catches me speeding with the Lord’s main man as my copilot?”“You could have the whole heavenly host crammed into that car and Rob Cooper would still nail you, so don’t even think about it,” Margot fired back. “Really, Jade, I am serious. You do not want to mess with him.”“Jeesh, you need to chill. After all, Robo would have to catch me first.” With a grin that probably struck terror in the hearts of her two older sisters, she snagged another lemon square and sauntered out of the dining room. Seconds later, the sound of her feet hammering the wooden steps as she raced up the stairs reached them.“Dear God, why did she have to inherit Nicole’s Porsche?” Margot asked to no one in particular.Travis reached out and placed his hand over hers. “She’s just razzing you. Didn’t you see how much she wanted to avoid talking about Brian Steadman? Bringing up Robo—uh, Rob was a guaranteed diversion. Anyway, getting pulled over for a speeding ticket is way too tame for Jade. When she screws up, it’s on a grand scale.”Margot frowned at her husband. “Thanks. I find that so reassuring.”Owen cleared his throat. “Excuse me, I know this is none of my business, but I just have to ask. What is bowling with God?”Owen earned a rare smile from Jordan for having steered the conversation away from Jade’s penchant for trouble. “Jade and our minister, Reverend Wilde, have struck up an odd friendship. After the plane crash we arranged to have Jade talk to him, hoping it would help her with her grief. The reverend’s an unusual man. Once Jade got comfortable with him, he suggested they go bowling together. He thinks it’s a healthy and safe way for her to release some of the anger inside her.”Owen considered the idea, taking into account Jade’s character. “Whatever works. I remember I had a drawing teacher at boarding school who counseled going into the school woods, taking a big stick, and whacking the daylights out of the rocky outcrops. Knocking down pins might be even better.”
Margot nodded. “The competitive aspect works for Jade. She and Stuart Wilde have a standing rule that whoever loses buys the pizza for the week. I hope the man doesn’t go broke. So, you went to a boarding school?”
“Yes.”
Jordan noticed the look in Margot’s eye and realized her sister was all set for another round of cross-examining Owen. This was really getting to be too much. “Would anyone like more coffee?” she asked.
Margot would not be diverted. “Was your school in Europe?”
“No, here.”
“So you went back to wherever your parents were posted during the school vacations?”
Owen shook his head. “No, I was on a scholarship and airline tickets were pretty steep back then. But I had roommates who invited me to their homes over the breaks. It was interesting to see how other families lived.”
Jordan found Owen’s casual answers, and the picture they painted of what must have been a lonely childhood, disturbing. As Margot looked ready to continue peppering him with questions, Jordan decided it was past time she cut her off. She stood and began to clear the dessert plates and coffee cups. Margot and Travis immediately rose to help.
Owen followed suit, brushing away objections. “I usually have to pay to enjoy a meal this delicious, so let me at least help with the dishes.”
That was nice of him, Jordan thought, though she rather wished he wouldn’t be so gallant. Then she wouldn’t feel conflicted in the least. But knowing he was going to be staying at Hawk Hill, and how appealing he could be, would only make it harder for her to ignore her physical attraction to him.
“If you offer to do the dishes around Jade, she’ll probably pay you to have dinner with us,” Travis said, taking two fruit-stained plates from him and putting them in the dishwasher.
Owen grinned. “I’ll be sure to mention my love of a well-scrubbed pot.”
“You do pots? That settles it, then,” Margot said lightly. “You have a standing invitation. Right, Jordan?”
Oh, no, she thought. “Of course,” she replied.