Mason (Remington Ranch Book 1) (Contemporary Western Romance)

by S. J. McCoy

  “Mason. Last night was wrong. I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have let you do that.”

  “But you did let me do that. For all your words, babe, you let me because you wanted me to. You still want me to. So I thought it was only fair that I should come tell you, before you leave we're going to do it again. Except this time I won't be showing any restraint. When I spread your legs, I'm going to remind you how I make you feel. Remind you how my cock feels inside you, stretching you, filling you, driving you wild until you come for me.” He looked deep into her eyes. “Remind you that you don't hate it at all.”

  Gina squirmed in her seat. If he kept talking like that, she was in danger of coming for him right now!

  He smiled, knowing what he was doing to her. “So what do you say, babe?”

  What could she say? It was all wrong! But her breath was coming low and shallow and her panties were wet. She'd be lying if she said she didn't want him.

  He saw her hesitation. “Gina, sweetheart. If you're going to marry this guy, you need to be sure. You can't tell me you haven't thought about me over the years. Can't tell me you haven't remembered how good we were, haven't wished we could have one more time?”

  She shook her head. She couldn't.

  “So why pretend you don't want to? You'd have let me last night if I hadn't left.”

  She nodded. It was true.

  “Tell me you don't want me. Tell me and I'll walk out of here right now. Wish you the best and leave you alone.”

  Gina was shaking. If she could do it. If she could tell him one last lie. It would be over. Finally. She swallowed around the lump in her throat, furious with herself as she felt her eyes sting with tears.

  Mason's smiled faded. Hope shone in his eyes. “Tell me you don't love me anymore.”

  Gina shot out of the booth and fled.

  Chapter Five

  Mason rested his feet up on the coffee table and looked at his brother. “I need you to tell me whatever the hell you remember, Shane.”

  Shane pulled a chair out from the dining table and turned it around. He straddled it and propped his arms on the back. “Mase, how many times have we done this whole inquisition thing? I must have told you everything I know at least a hundred times over the years.”

  Mason stared at him. “But maybe I missed something. Maybe you missed something. I mean when I first realized she wasn't coming back, I wasn't thinking straight for months. Then for the first few years, I was angry. When she wouldn't talk to me, didn't even have the decency to tell me why she broke it all off, I was madder than hell. I'm starting to think that I should have tracked her down and made her explain. This is the first time I've pushed her, and she couldn't bring herself to say that she doesn't love me anymore!”

  Shane looked at him. “I don't know what to say, Mase. I've badgered both of you for all this time to just sit down and talk to each other. I never understood why she did what she did and I never understood why you let your pride stop you from going after her.”

  Mason rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Because I'm a complete asshole! That's all I can think of.”

  Shane grinned. “I didn't like to mention that possibility. There's no point beating yourself up for what's already gone, though. What are you going to do now? That's what matters.”

  Mason shrugged. “She said this guy of hers is going to be here this weekend. That I should come meet him at Chico. She seems to think he can put me off. I think I can put him off. I'm definitely going to go. But what the hell I'm going to do when I get there, I don't know. You're going to come with me, right?”

  Shane laughed. “You know it, bro.”

  “What did her old man say about this guy? I don't even know his name.”

  “Al has never met him, but from the way he talked, he doesn't like the idea of him. You know he's always wanted to see the two of you back together. I'd say he's got even more reason to want that now, too.”

  “Why's that?”

  “Think about it. If you and Gina got back together, she'd come back here. Al wouldn't have to go to New York because Gina wouldn't be there anymore.”

  Mason did think about it. “You really think there's a chance she'd have me back?” He could hardly dare to hope. But since he'd seen her in Gardiner, he couldn't help but hope. He'd known she wouldn't be able to tell him she didn't want him. The physical attraction and connection they shared had always been strong. Stronger than any other he'd known. The other night in her dad's kitchen had proved it was still as undeniable as ever. What had given him real hope was when he'd seen the struggle on her face, seen her eyes fill with tears. She wouldn't have been like that if she didn't care, if she didn't… And she hadn't been able to tell him that she didn't love him. That put a whole different spin on everything.

  There were a few details that stood in the way though. Details like a fiancé who was going to be here this weekend, and a life and career that she had in New York. Still, if she loved him, nothing would be able to stand in the way. He'd driven himself crazy these last few days, thinking about it all, finally admitting to himself that he still loved her. That he always had, and that he'd been stupid to accept that she meant it when she'd said it was over between them.

  Chance came in the back door. He kicked out of his boots and hung his hat and coat on the rack before coming through. “What's up, guys?”

  Shane grinned at him. “We're making plans to go to Chico this weekend. You coming?”

  “I could do. It's been a while. Is there a good band coming?”

  Shane laughed. “I don't know who's playing. All I know is that big brother is going to go meet Gina's fiancé and I need to be there for that.”

  Chance turned to Mason. “What's the plan?”

  Mason shrugged. “There isn't one. All I know is that I'm not going to give her up without a fight this time.”

  “Good. Then count me in.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Gina sat by the big fireplace in the Bozeman airport. She shuddered in spite of the warmth. Nothing about this trip was working out the way it was supposed to. Liam had insisted that the real estate market was picking up all over the country and that she should get her dad's place up for sale. That it would sell fast. The realtors had told her a very different story—that it was taking at least six months to a year to sell properties like her dad's. She'd thought that while she was here, she would perhaps be able to catch up with Shane and definitely be able to avoid Mason. She'd only seen Shane briefly and had three major run-ins with Mason. Liam wasn't going to come at all and yet here she was waiting for him to land. The fact that he was going to have Kaitlyn and Ian along for the trip confused matters more.

  When she'd asked Liam to come, she'd been hoping the two of them would get to spend some time together. That she'd be able to share the place she loved with him and that, seeing him here, she would remember what she loved about him. She'd begged him to come because she'd believed that his presence would be enough to make Mason leave her alone. Even that had been turned on its head! She was dreading him coming, dreading having to spend time with Kaitlyn and Ian, and seriously regretting the fact that she'd told Mason he should come out to Chico to meet Liam!

  She stood up as passengers started coming down the escalator towards the baggage claim area. Ian spotted her first and waved. She waved back and frowned as she saw Kaitlyn leaning a little too close to Liam, smiling up at him as she said something that made him laugh. The two of them didn't even notice her until they were almost at the bottom. She shrugged it off. Kaitlyn had been Liam's PA at the gallery for years. They were close. Ian came straight over to give her a hug.

  “Gina! I hope this resort we're staying at is civilized. It feels like we've come to the ends of the earth to find you. We must've flown over at least seven mountain ranges and nothing that looked big enough to even call a town since Denver.”

  She laughed and hugged him back. “Don't worry. It may be a little more isolated than you're used to, but Chico is very civiliz
ed—and they have a great wine cellar. You'll be fine.”

  Ian laughed as he let her go. “Glad to hear it.”

  Liam put his hands on her shoulders and pecked her lips. “Well, we're here. I'm not sure what your plea for help was all about, but we came to the rescue.”

  No hug. No good to see you. Or I've missed you. And we not I came to the rescue. Gina smiled to cover her disappointment.

  “Hi.” Kaitlyn smiled.

  “Thanks for coming,” said Gina, even though she wasn't at all glad that Kaitlyn was here.

  A little over an hour later, Gina pulled up in front of the lobby at the resort. “Shall we meet you in the bar once we're all checked in?” asked Liam.

  Gina looked at him. Was he serious? He was going to let her go park the car while he and his friends went and got settled in their rooms? He didn't want her to come with him? Didn't want a moment alone with her? “Sure,” she replied.

  Liam climbed out and helped Kaitlyn down from the truck. Ian seemed to understand. He ruffled her hair as he climbed out himself. “You know what he's like, Gina. He's just doing what he thinks is going to be most efficient.”

  Gina smiled at him. “I know. I wish he could show a little more interest in me than in efficiency sometimes.”

  Ian shrugged. “He is what he is. We all know that.” He grabbed his bag and closed the door before hurrying to catch up with the others.

  Gina drove around the lot looking for a place to park. It looked like it was going to be a busy weekend, judging by the lack of empty spaces. She eventually found one and parked up. She was making her way back to the lobby when she saw a very familiar red Tundra coming towards her. Shane!

  She stood still, blocking his way and he flashed his lights and revved his engine at her. She laughed and folded her arms, refusing to move. She laughed even harder when he started flashing his headlights in Morse code. Blinking S.O.S. at her. She stepped to the side and he pulled up next to her, rolling his window down.

  “You know what that was about, right?” he asked.

  “Of course I do!” They'd learned Morse code together when they were ten years old. “Save our souls.”

  “Nope.” Shane laughed. “Scoot over sister!”

  Gina laughed with him. He felt more like a brother than a friend. They'd been so close for so many years growing up.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  Gina was uncomfortable now. Just on the drive over from the airport she'd realized that Liam didn't belong out here. He'd commented on pretty much everything he'd seen—and not in a complimentary way. She was pretty sure the resort wouldn't be up to his standards and he wouldn't hesitate to make that known. Asking him to come had been a bad idea, but it was done now. He was here and she would have to make the best of it. “My fiancé, Liam, and some of our friends are here for the weekend.”

  Shane cocked his head to one side. “You don't look thrilled, G. And you didn't invite me to come meet him. What's up?”

  He knew her too well. There was no point lying to him. “Honestly, I don't think he's going to like it here. And...”

  “And what?”

  “And I don't think you're going to like him.”

  Shane grinned. “You underestimate me. I may be a valley boy through and through, but I've been out in the big world, remember? I can make allowances for snooty city shits. I mean it's not their fault. They just don't know any better, do they?”

  Gina had to laugh. “I didn't say he was a snooty city shit!”

  Shane winked at her. “You didn't need to. Don't worry. I'll do my best not to embarrass you. You are going to introduce me, aren't you?”

  She nodded. She hardly had much choice, did she? And besides, introducing Shane to Liam was going to be a lot easier than introducing Mason. She waited while Shane went to park up. Then walked arm in arm with him into the saloon.

  Ian was sitting at the bar, but there was no sign of Liam or Kaitlyn. He waved when he saw them. Gina had to wonder why on earth he'd come. He ran the gallery with Liam, and the two of them spent most of their free time together, but coming all the way to Montana seemed a little much.

  He looked apologetic. “They should be down soon. Kaitlyn had a problem with her room and Liam was helping her to get a better one.”

  Gina pursed her lips but didn't comment. “Okay. I'd like you to meet a dear friend of mine. This is Shane Remington, we grew up together. Shane, this is Ian Rawlings, Liam's partner at the gallery.”

  Shane held out his hand. “Nice to meet you. Are you a photographer, too?”

  Ian shook his head. “No, I'm a business brain, not a creative one. Liam and I simply showcase the talents of people like Gina. And you?”

  Shane grinned. “I run a dude ranch on my parents’ property.”

  “That's like a vacation ranch, right? Where people stay to ride horses and pretend to be cowboys for a while?”

  Shane laughed. “Yeah. Pretty much. The way the economy is going, it's tough for any of the ranches to survive. So we take in paying guests and give them a taste of the Old West. Usually, it's more like picnic rides exploring the back country, but some of them want to try real ranch work and we get them involved in as much as they're capable of.”

  Ian nodded. “Sounds cool.” He looked at Gina. “That would make an interesting show, wouldn't it? A study of how the West is changing in order to survive?”

  Gina frowned at him. “Don't start me on that one. I've tried for ages to get Liam to agree to it. He won't hear of it.”

  “Sorry.” Ian looked uncomfortable.

  Shane raised an eyebrow at her. “Wasn't that what you always wanted to do, G?”

  She nodded. Her dearest professional dream had been to come back out here to do a study of the West. She knew the kinds of shots she wanted. The dilapidated old barns that dotted the landscape, the ghost towns in the eastern part of the state, the weathered faces of old cowboys. She would stand those in contrast to shots of places like Chico, the new organic farms that were springing up, and ventures like Shane's dude ranch. Setting the new and thriving against the old and disappearing ways of the West. Liam thought it was a sentimental indulgence on her part and refused to see the cultural value of documenting so much that would soon be lost.

  She looked up as Liam and Kaitlyn came in. She couldn't help but compare him to Mason. Where Mason was tall and broad shouldered, Liam was shorter, five feet eight. He was a much slighter build, too. Where Mason's face was tanned and weathered, Liam's was smooth, unlined thanks to regular facials. While Mason was rugged, Liam was...pretty. She gave herself a mental shake. She didn't need to be thinking like that. The only difference that mattered between the two men was that Mason was her past, while Liam was her future.

  When they reached the bar, he pulled out a seat for Kaitlyn and stood beside her. “Sorry, that took a while. Can you believe they don't have any hypoallergenic rooms? The staff are useless. I had to get the manager down before we could get anything sorted out. He wasn't much better.”

  Shane caught Gina's eye. Her heart sank. Liam was hardly making a great first impression. “Liam, this is Shane Remington, an old friend of mine.”

  Shane held out his hand and Liam shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” said Shane. “I'm glad you could finally make it out here. What plans do you have for the weekend?”

  Liam frowned at him. “If you'll excuse us, I need to talk to Gina about that.”

  Shane looked a little taken aback but took Liam's rudeness in stride. “Not a problem. I was just leaving.” He pulled Gina into a hug and whispered in her ear. “You were right. I don't like him.” He pecked her cheek and left.

  Gina couldn't believe Liam had been so rude and told him as much. “Liam! Shane is a very dear friend of mine. I wanted you to meet him.”

  Liam shrugged. “Sorry, but Gina these people aren't exactly our kind of people, are they? I don't want to spend the evening talking about cows and bears.”

&nb
sp; Kaitlyn giggled, making Gina even angrier. Was he serious? Was he deliberately being a pig? It certainly felt like it. “These people, are my friends, Liam. I thought you were here to meet them. To let me show you around my life.”

  “I'm sorry, sweetie.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “I think I'm just tired and grouchy from the trip. I didn't mean to be rude.”

  She smiled a tight smile. “That's okay.” He got a little cranky when he was tired, and he had a habit of going for the laughs in front of his friends. It was just his strange sense of humor. That was all. They did much better when they were alone together. “I thought I could take you over to see my dad.”

  “Not tonight?” asked Kaitlyn. “We want to get some dinner and then soak for a while. After all that traveling I want to make the most of the hot springs.”

  Gina did her best to keep her temper. “That's okay, you go ahead. I was only asking Liam.”

  Liam squeezed her shoulder. “I'm looking forward to getting in the water, too. We can see your dad tomorrow.”

  Gina couldn't believe it. He'd rather soak in the hot springs with Kaitlyn than come to the ranch and see her dad? Why had he even bothered to come? And why the hell had he brought the others?

  Ian smiled at her, always the one to try to keep the peace. “It does sound like fun, Gina. We can soak for a while and then hit up that wonderful wine cellar you were telling me about.”

  “I don't have a bathing suit.” And besides she hated going in the water here. She loved the resort, but she preferred natural hot springs, the ones you had to hike to, where there was hardly ever anyone else there. She didn't enjoy sitting in the man-made pool with dozens of other people. It made her feel like one of the ingredients in a huge vat of people soup!

  She turned to Liam, desperate to salvage what was looking like it would turn into a disastrous weekend. “Please come and see my dad with me?”

  “Tomorrow, sweetie.”

  Well, screw him! “Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then.” She stalked out of the bar and left them to it. As she climbed into the truck, her cell phone rang.