by Lara Lacombe
“I know you will both figure out a compromise.”
Ajax let out a deep sigh as Wyatt began running the soft brush over his body. This was the horse’s favorite part—he loved to have the spot just behind his ears brushed. “In the meantime,” Wyatt said, “we need to figure out how to stop these attacks.”
“I know,” Diego agreed. “I’ve already called the sheriff’s office. They’re coming out first thing in the morning to talk to us.”
“How did they react when you told them we’ve removed the traps and disposed of the carcasses?”
“Not well,” Diego admitted. “But I pushed back and told them I couldn’t leave the site as-is. It’s too dangerous for the rest of the herd, or any unwitting hiker who trespasses on our property. The deputy calmed down when I told him I’d taken photos of everything, and that we’d give them the traps.” He began to wipe Miel’s face with a soft rag. “The truth is,” he said, lowering his voice even further, “I’m not convinced the sheriff or his people are going to be able to do much.”
“Why’s that?”
His friend shrugged. “Think about it. Those devices have been outside, exposed to the elements. I doubt they’ll get any kind of fingerprints from them, and even if they do, if the person doing this isn’t in their database, it’s not going to matter.”
“That’s true,” Wyatt allowed.
“And besides,” Diego continued. “I think they know it’s going to be next to impossible to find out who the culprit is. The area is so remote, and with no clear suspects or motive, it’s hard to know where to start.”
“Have you been watching those cop shows again?” Wyatt teased.
“Yeah,” he admitted. “But you know I’m right.” Diego grabbed a hoof pick and began to inspect Miel’s feet. “I did tell them to check out Gabriel, though.”
“You think he’s involved?” Wyatt considered the possibility, but things just didn’t add up.
“I do. I can’t put my finger on it, but I think he’s part of this.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” Wyatt bent at the waist and lifted one of Ajax’s feet, checking his hooves for embedded rocks or damage. “He’s trying to claim a part of the business—he said himself he wants you to buy him out. Why would he try to sabotage the ranch, when that only hurts his bottom line?”
Diego shook his head. “I don’t know. But I know he’s connected.”
“You just don’t like him.”
Diego conceded the point with a nod. “Never claimed otherwise. But can you blame me?”
“Not really.” Gabriel might indeed be part of the Cruz family, but he could have done a better job of introducing himself. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here. You know that, right?”
“Yeah,” Diego said. “I appreciate it.”
They finished grooming the horses in silence, then put them in their respective stalls and topped off the food and water.
Knowing their time alone was drawing to a close, Wyatt decided to broach a more delicate subject. “So... Now that you know about me and Isabel, are we still cool?”
Diego flashed a grin as they wiped down their tack. “Yeah. I’m still adjusting to the idea of you and my sister, but it’s all good.”
Relief washed over Wyatt as he realized he wasn’t going to have to choose between his lover and his best friend. “I’m glad to hear it.”
After hanging everything up, they headed for the barn entrance.
Ruben was there, hanging up his saddle blanket to air out overnight. Diego clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for your help today.”
“Yup.”
“Come on to the house. Join us for dinner.”
Ruben glanced in the direction of the big house. Light blazed from its windows, giving the place a gilded look in the twilight. “Probably shouldn’t,” he said. “It wouldn’t be nice to surprise Maria with another mouth to feed.”
Diego laughed. “I can promise you, she has made enough food to supply an army.”
“I’m filthy—”
“We all are. No more excuses. Join us, please. You’ve more than earned a hot meal for your efforts today.”
Ruben hesitated then nodded.
The three of them walked to the house and then went their separate ways to wash up before dinner.
Wyatt poked his head into Isabel’s room and found her sitting on the bed, her laptop open in front of her. She was frowning as she stared at the screen.
“Hey.”
She glanced up, relief washing over her face when she saw him. “You’re back!” She jumped up, crossed the room in a few strides. Without hesitation, she threw herself against his chest and wrapped her arms around his body.
“I’m here,” he said, dropping his head to stick his nose in her hair. He inhaled deeply, the scent of her shampoo replacing the odor of death that still lingered in his sinuses. “What are you working on?”
“Hmm?” She glanced back at the computer. “Just trying to organize my thoughts. I’ll tell you about it later.” Her hands cupped the back of his neck and she drew him down for a kiss. Her mouth was hot and hungry against his, and she kissed him with a desperation that told him how worried she’d been all day.
“I’m fine,” he said once they’d come up for air. He touched her cheek lightly, aware of just how dirty he still was. “Everything is all right.”
“I want you to go back to the park tomorrow,” she said. Her brown eyes were serious as she stared up at him. “I don’t want you involved in this any longer.”
Wyatt shook his head. “Come on,” he said.
“What? Where are we going?” She followed him into the hall.
“To the bathroom. I’m a mess, and I’m not going to have this argument with you while I still reek of today’s work.”
“Oh.” She followed him inside the small room, shut the door behind them and leaned against the sink. “I don’t see why this has to be an argument,” she said. “You need to go back to work—you said so yourself this morning.”
Wyatt turned on the shower and stripped off his clothes, gratified to hear Isabel’s breath hitch as he stepped free of his pants and boxers. “My job is not something you need to worry about.” He stuck his hand under the spray, found it hot. Pulling the curtain back, he stepped inside. “Care to join me?”
She swallowed hard. “No. No—that’s okay.”
He shrugged. “Lady’s choice.” He jerked the curtain shut and stepped fully under the spray. The hot water felt like heaven to his tired muscles and his skin rejoiced as the dirt and sweat and grime began to rinse away.
“As I was saying.” She’d raised her voice to be heard over the shower. Wyatt grinned and reached for the shampoo. Isabel was nothing if not determined.
“I want you to go back to work tomorrow.”
“Tired of me already?” he teased, lathering up.
“No.” He closed his eyes, picturing her expression. He’d bet a month’s paycheck she was standing there wearing that look of prim annoyance combined with fond exasperation.
“Then why are you so desperate for me to leave?” He stuck his head under the water to rinse off the shampoo.
“I don’t want you to put yourself in danger for us.”
Ah, there was the root of the problem. She was scared.
He peered around the curtain. She was staring at the floor, gnawing on her lower lip. “Shouldn’t that be my decision?”
She jumped at the sound of his voice so close to her. “No.”
“No?” he repeated, raising one eyebrow.
Isabel shook her head. “I know you, Wyatt. You’ll do anything to help us, even at your own expense. I can’t have you get hurt. I’d never forgive myself.”
He reached for her, water dripping from his arm to land on the mat with soft plopping sounds. She took his hand and
let him pull her closer. “I’m not going to get hurt,” he promised.
“I want to believe that,” she said. “But...things are getting worse.”
“I know.” He’d thought of little else all day. “Do you honestly think I’d walk away while this is going on? There is no chance I’m going to leave you when things here are so precarious.”
“I don’t want to lose you.” Her voice was hardly more than a whisper. “We’ve only just found each other again.”
He smiled, warmth spreading through his chest as she echoed his thoughts. “You won’t. Come here.” He tugged gently on her hand.
Isabel’s eyes went wide. “What, you mean in there?” She’d declined his first invitation, but he could tell she was considering this one.
Wyatt nodded. She looked uncertain, but she took off her clothes and stepped over the ledge of the tub to join him.
He drew the curtain closed behind her, further sealing them off from the rest of the house. Then he pulled her close, loving the feel of her skin against his own.
“You’re not going to lose me.” He captured her mouth, kissing her deeply as he ran his hands down her body. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’d better not.” Isabel gripped his shoulders, her short fingernails digging into his skin. Her earlier worry seemed to be fading, replaced by a growing passion.
Her hands slid across his shoulders, over his chest and down his stomach until she wrapped her fingers around him in a clear gesture of possession. His hips thrust involuntarily, seeking more friction from her touch. She made a low humming sound and began to stroke him, gently at first, then with an increasing pressure that made his eyes roll back in his head.
He could have stayed like that forever, but the need to claim her drove him forward. Wyatt shifted their bodies, shuffling back until he pressed Isabel against the tile. She let out a soft cry as her skin made contact with the cold surface, but he was too far gone to care.
Before she had a chance to react, he dropped to his knees and lifted one of her legs, hooking it over his shoulder.
“Wyatt!” His name came out on a gasp as he leaned forward, using his lips and tongue to explore her most private places.
He felt her muscles tense, heard her cries of pleasure. Her hands landed on his head and she gripped his hair tightly, anchoring him in place.
Not that he intended to move anytime soon.
He couldn’t stand for her to be afraid, so he used his body to chase her fears away. He wanted—no, needed—to fill her with pleasure, to leave her limp and satisfied, with no room for doubt or worry.
Something primal rose in his chest as he tasted her. She squirmed against his mouth, her breath coming in hard pants above him. “Mine,” he growled against her core.
“Yes,” she gasped. “Always.”
He pulled her to the floor of the tub, the water raining down on them from above. She was on her knees facing him, mouth slack with pleasure. She reached for him, but he wasn’t done with her yet.
“Turn around.”
She blinked then a sensuous smile spread across her face as she did what he instructed.
Wyatt entered her slowly, fighting against the urge to take her hard and fast. There would be time for that later; right now he was totally focused on her.
He leaned over her, sheltering her from the shower spray as he settled into an easy rhythm. “You belong to me,” he said in her ear. “And I belong to you. Nothing will change that.”
“Promise?” Her voice was tight and he could tell she was on the edge of release.
“I promise.” He reached around to the front of her body and stroked her sensitive nub with the pad of his thumb. She jerked under him and let out a soft cry.
“I’ll never let you go,” he said, feeling her muscles grow tense with pleasure as he continued to move.
Her core gripped him tightly, inner muscles spasming as she reached her climax. “I love you.” The declaration tumbled out of her as she came, her back arching against him.
The words shot straight to his heart, burrowing deep into his soul. He felt his own release approach and, mindful that he wasn’t wearing a condom, slipped free from her body. Even though they were no longer joined, he still kept his arms around her to maintain the contact between them. “I love you, too,” he said, his mouth next to her ear. “Always have. Always will.”
Chapter 12
They were the last ones to make it to the dinner table, but no one said anything about their late arrival.
Isabel took her seat next to Wyatt, her body still thrumming with the aftershocks of pleasure. She’d never been so thoroughly possessed before; all her previous sexual experiences had been nice, but nowhere near as intense as what they’d just shared in the shower. Wyatt had claimed her, body and soul, and offered up his heart in exchange.
It was the best bargain she’d ever made.
The bathroom had never been her idea of a romantic location, but she hadn’t wanted to leave. They’d created a cocoon for themselves, blocking out the rest of the world with its attendant worries and stresses. The intensity of those stolen moments took her breath away and helped to ease the sting of knowing they could have spent the last ten years in each other’s arms.
Would she ever get used to being with Wyatt? Would there come a point when she no longer felt sparks of sensation every time he touched her? Or was the magic between them strong enough to last a lifetime?
There was only one way to find out.
She slid a glance in his direction, watching from the corner of her eye as he spooned beans onto his plate. He moved with a graceful economy, his hands gentle as they held Maria’s aging china. Heat bloomed in her chest as she considered the contrast between Wyatt’s banked power and his careful gestures, recalling other, more intimate times when his strength had been deliciously overwhelming.
“Did you have any trouble today?” Abuelo asked Diego.
His question snapped Isabel out of her reverie, snuffing her arousal and forcing her thoughts back to the present. As much as she wished she could revel in her newfound reconnection with Wyatt, there were real problems she needed to consider.
Diego shook his head. “We got it done.” He nodded at Wyatt and Ruben. “Everyone worked hard.” Then he turned to Isabel. “Your horse is getting better. She didn’t shy away from the blood as much this time.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she said. “I knew she had it in her.”
Abuelo nodded. “I stayed busy myself today. I had Isabel take me to Alpine.”
Diego narrowed his eyes slightly. “Why’s that?”
“For the DNA test.”
Diego leaned back in his chair with a sigh. “I would have done that,” he said, his tone slightly scolding. “There was no need for you to make the trip.”
Abuelo shrugged. “It had to be done. We need to know for certain.”
“When will you have the results?” asked Wyatt.
“Tomorrow. They’re expediting them.”
A clatter at the end of the table made everyone turn. Ruben picked up his fork with an apologetic grimace. “Sorry. My hands are stiff.”
Maria waved off his apology and handed him the plate of tortillas with a smile.
Diego nodded to himself. “Well...” He scooped up another bite. “We need to decide what to do next.”
“We also need to give the energy company an answer,” Isabel said. She hated to talk business at the table, but this was the first time they’d all been together today without dead cattle and cyanide traps vying for attention. “They’ve presented us with another offer,” she continued. “It’s higher than before.”
She’d been pleasantly surprised when she’d opened the folder the company representatives had left earlier in the day. It seemed her earlier fears that they were going to rescind their offer had been incorrect.
Diego huffed. “I guess they’re not giving up.”
“How much higher?” Abuelo asked.
She named the figure in the paperwork the men had handed over this morning. Everyone gasped.
“Damn,” Diego muttered. “That’s some serious shi—”
“Mijo,” Maria cut him off.
“Sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair then reached for his beer. “I suppose you’re even more eager to accept now?”
Isabel nodded. “I think we have to. I don’t know if they’ll increase their offer again. They might even take it off the table entirely, if we continue to stall.”
“They won’t,” Diego proclaimed. “I’ve been talking to a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases. She thinks the only way they can drill on our land is if we let them. They can’t have the state pressure us, or use eminent domain to seize our property.”
“When did you do this?” Abuelo sounded surprised.
“Shortly after they made the first offer,” Diego replied. “I remember what happened with the pipeline a few years ago, how the state swooped in and took over tracts of land from the owners. She told me in these cases, drilling on private property is considered a separate category from pipeline construction and operation. Since we own the land outright, the company can’t force us to do anything.”
Isabel saw her brother’s resolve strengthen, and her own frustration grew. “I’m glad our property is safe from seizure, but that doesn’t solve our revenue problem. I still think we should sell the rights. Maybe we could put in a condition, like they can’t set up a well for a certain number of months?”
“No.” Diego shook his head. “Don’t you see? If we give them an inch, they will wind up taking a mile. We cannot be short-sighted about this.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Isabel dropped her fork; it landed with a clang against the plate. “We can’t keep going on the way we are. Something has got to change.”
She glanced to Wyatt in mute appeal, but his frown told her he wasn’t on her side.