“I haven’t mentioned this idea to my dad,” she began, watching for Hunter’s reaction, “but there are a lot of recreational horse farms on our side of Houston. I was thinking I could start promoting the practice to the riding stables and horse associations. It’d take me forty-five minutes to reach most of those farms, but if I set aside one day a week to do it, I could get to several in one trip.”
Hunter took a sip of his beer. “Well, that starts to make sense. Great idea.”
Her chest warmed along with her face, and she couldn’t help the grin she gave him. “Really? So would you mind listening to some of the other ideas I’ve had about it, maybe give me your thoughts?”
“Absolutely,” he answered. “I’d be honored.”
* * *
The next hour flew by and turned Kit from somewhat unsure into an enthusiastic bundle of hope. Maybe she could make things work at her dad’s practice. Maybe all her training in large animals wouldn’t go to waste in Houston.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me solve all these problems,” she told him, realizing as she did that they’d moved ever closer to one another as the conversation progressed. Now his knee was touching the outside of her thigh. His hand rested on the back of her seat, brushing her shoulder as he leaned close to hear her. They were so near, she could see his long dark lashes and how the irises of his eyes weren’t just brown but gold and rust.
An old Garth Brooks song came on, and she noticed the lights had dimmed as they’d been sitting there. The place had moved from daytime burger joint to nighttime pickup spot. Her stomach did a little flip, and suddenly she didn’t have any more words, just breath and hope and heat.
“You know,” he said, his voice low and rough. “This is one of my favorite songs, and I’m thinking you could help me solve a problem…” He gestured behind them. “It’s out on the dance floor.”
“We probably shouldn’t,” she suggested, even though she really wanted to.
“This place is a long ways out of town, and I’ve yet to see a single person I know. It’s only one dance, right?” Serious, responsible Hunter winked, and Kit was lost. She put her hand in his and let him pull her toward the floor.
He led her to a dark corner near the hallway that ran behind the stage and took her in his arms. As the soft ballad played on, they began to sway, and Kit knew she was in trouble. But it was such glorious trouble that she didn’t want to reconsider it, she didn’t want to be cautious and responsible. She wanted to feel like she’d felt when he’d kissed her in the Andersons’ barn. She wanted to be able to forget her obligations to her parents and the fact she was leaving Gopher Springs in only a matter of weeks. Right now, all Kit wanted to do was this.
Hunter whispered the words to the song in her ear as he held her, his hands making patterns on her back and shoulders and hips. Soon she felt his breath on her neck, and then his lips. Her insides lit up like the Fourth of July, and she curved into his hold—tighter, closer, hotter.
When the song ended, it only seemed natural that they’d moved into the small hallway where it was dark and private. He pressed her against the wall, and she felt the cool plaster on her back, then the hot pressure of his erection as he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her—gently at first, then more demanding—tasting, probing, asking for everything she was ready to give.
“We shouldn’t,” she whispered, wanting to give him one last chance to get away before she did the inevitable and gave in entirely.
“I know,” he rumbled back. “I just don’t give a damn.”
“Thank God,” she replied, breathless. “Me, either.”
Then words disappeared, and there was nothing but hands, lips, skin, and breath. She felt the fabric of her top lift as he slid his palm up along her stomach, hot, rough skin, questing fingers, electric shocks as he pinched her nipples. Shards of desire shot through her and she found herself grinding against his hard-on, the need so intense, she would have climbed him if she could.
Hunter whispered in her ear, “You make me so hot,” and she gasped, wanting to feel that hot breath on her breasts, between her legs, in her mouth.
She slid her palms inside his shirt, scratching at his back as he worked his hand into the front of her jeans and stroked the most magical spot a man had ever stroked.
She moaned, which only spurred him on as he pressed and thrust and circled until she was about to crawl out of her skin.
“God, you’re incredible,” he murmured before he plunged three fingers inside her. Everything in her swelled, cresting, suspended in a perfect moment of the most intense need she’d ever experienced, and then her core pulsed as she rocked against his hand, craving more and more, while he covered her mouth with his to quiet the cries of pleasure that erupted untamed.
When her body finally tired to the point it couldn’t go on any longer, she melted against him, her arms around his neck, head on his shoulder. He slowly slid his hand out of her jeans and grasped her waist, his calloused skin rough against hers.
“Oh my God,” she told him. “I’m not sure I can walk.”
He chuckled and kissed her temple softly.
They stood there, both breathing hard for a few more moments, and then he said what she’d hoped to avoid.
“I’m sorry.”
“No,” she interrupted before he could go on. “We knew what we were doing. I may be your student, but I’m not a child.”
He nodded, and then pulled away so he could look her in the eyes. “And you’re okay?”
She gave him a slight smirk. “A lot better than okay.”
He just looked at her seriously.
Dammit. “Yes, I’m okay, and you’re right, we shouldn’t have done it.”
“It’s not that I don’t think you’re…” He waved his hand up and down in front of her, then looked pointedly down at his very obvious erection, words having escaped him.
“Super sexy?” she quipped.
“Oh yeah, all that.”
She sighed. “I know. And really, it’s fine. We shouldn’t have. We did. We can move on. I’m not going to report you or run crying to Ava.”
She saw the look of relief that crossed his face and felt her heart shrivel.
“Hey,” he grabbed her wrist as she moved to turn away from him. “This is hard for me—no pun intended—because I have no plans to get involved with anyone, and I respect my position and want to do a good job. But you’re amazing, and I’m having a difficult time keeping my hands off you.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed as hell. “As I’ve just demonstrated.”
Not only was he beautiful, sexy, smart, and kind, Hunter was also a stand-up guy. She needed to let him off the hook even though it killed her to do so.
“It’s fine. Really.” She cupped his jaw with one hand. “I feel the same way, but regardless of the supervisor thing, you aren’t looking to get involved, and I’m not looking for a guy who lives hundreds of miles from Houston. This was just what it was, a nice interlude. I can handle it if you can.”
He nodded with determination. “Of course. We had our fun, now we’ll get back to work.”
“Exactly,” she echoed.
But as Hunter drove away into the night after dropping her back at her apartment, Kit wondered if work would ever be the same again, no matter where she was or who she was with. Something had happened with Hunter in that dark hallway. He had touched her soul, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever get over that.
9
Kit tried not to stare as Ava kissed Bran goodbye in the driveway before he drove away. She could ignore that little twinge of jealousy. She was happy for her friend, she really was. Bran was a good man. He’d taken in Ava’s little boy and was raising Cam as his own. He’d given Ava support and encouragement to pursue her new job as a writer. He was everything she could have wished for Ava, and if anyone deserved the happily-ever-after, it was a woman who’d been widowed before she was thirty.
But in spite of all that, Kit did fe
el some envy. And more than anything, she felt a strange emptiness inside, like there was a hole at her center, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fix it.
“You ready to go?” Ava asked as she approached Kit’s car.
“Let’s do it,” Kit replied, unlocking the car doors.
Twenty minutes later, the highway to Dallas was flat and dull, but Kit knew everything about the book Ava had just submitted to her editor. This day trip was Ava’s reward to herself for making the deadline—a shopping spree with Bran’s credit card and Kit’s company.
“What are the boys doing while you’re gone all day?” Kit asked as she maneuvered around a semi-truck full of frozen food.
“Bran’s taking Cam and Hunter to a small auction in Piperville. Cam doesn’t know it, but there are some Highland cattle there—the cute ones with the long fur—and he wants to buy Cam a calf and let him be in charge of raising it himself.”
Kit wanted to wail with frustration. She repeated her mantra about not being jealous, but good lord, Bran and Ava were making it hard.
“Could y’all get any cuter?” she asked Ava.
Ava adjusted the volume on the stereo in Kit’s little Honda Civic. Kit smiled to herself. Ava had never liked Florida Georgia Line.
“You could be just as cute if you’d give Hunter a chance,” said Ava casually, looking out the window at the scrub brush blurring by.
“You know that’s not possible.”
Ava turned to Kit, and Kit’s stomach dropped a little. Her friend had that look, the one she got when she was fixed on something. The one that meant she wasn’t going to drop this, no matter what. Ava was one of the most determined and intractable humans on the planet. Kit was doomed.
“No,” she said, giving her dear friend a hard look.
“Come on,” Ava cajoled. “You know you want to.”
“But it’s not just about what I want. There’s what he wants—”
“Pssh.” Ava flapped a hand in the air. “He doesn’t know what he wants. You have to tell him.”
“A-va!” Kit stared with wide eyes. “That’s horrible.”
“No, it’s not.” Ava sniffed indignantly. “It’s a fact that if no one makes him do different, Hunter will keep on working six and a half days a week, eating breakfast with Bran on Thursdays, and hovering over Scout like a nervous old aunt. He wouldn’t know what’s good for him if it walked up and whacked him over the head. Someone has to take charge and tell him what he wants.”
Kit wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or to laugh. “Well, since he’s my boss, it certainly isn’t going to be me,” she replied, one eyebrow raised.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s the best guy in the world, and we’re all lucky to have him. If it weren’t for Hunter, Percy’s llama would have run most of us out of town by now. But he can’t spend his entire life doing for everyone else and never for himself.”
Irritation spiked in Kit’s gut as she listened to Ava describing Hunter. “I can’t believe you’re criticizing a guy for taking care of his responsibilities.”
Ava turned to gaze at Kit, and Kit didn’t like what she saw there. It looked a whole lot like pity.
“Hon,” Ava said softly. “I know how much your responsibilities mean to you, and I know it’s been really hard on you with your mom’s illness all these years. But no one, not Hunter, and not even you, should give up everything they want in their own life to take care of others.”
Kit clenched her teeth and didn’t respond. Ava had no idea what it was like to have a parent who needed you night and day. She had no idea what Kit’s mother’s care meant and how difficult it was for her dad to handle it all on his own. Maybe Hunter didn’t need to devote all his time to family and work, but Kit did. It was the way she and her dad had worked it out, all those years ago. It was the plan, and it was what she’d do in eight weeks when she was finished with her residency. Ava might mean well, but she couldn’t possibly understand.
But Hunter did, and that was one reason Kit was drawn to him.
“I’m sorry,” Ava said when Kit didn’t snap back. “I shouldn’t have said that, I just worry—about both of you—and it seemed like you guys had some real chemistry.”
Kit tried not to think about their chemistry at the honky-tonk bar. Thank God, Ava didn’t know about that. She’d never give up if she did.
“It’s okay,” Kit finally said, putting on a gentle smile. “I know you only want what’s best for me—and for Hunter, I’m sure. You just have to trust that we’re grownups and can figure these things out in our own way.”
Ava sighed. “Fine. But can you figure it out so that you and Hunter get together and both live here and then I can go shopping with you every weekend if I want?”
Kit laughed. “And use me to avoid your work deadlines? Not a chance.”
Ava laughed too, and peace was restored. But that night, after going to bed, Kit could still hear her friend’s words. No one should give up everything they want to take care of others.
* * *
“That is one furry cow,” Bran said as he stood next to Hunter, watching Cam inspect his newest pet.
“You realize he’ll just get attached, and then he won’t ever want it eaten,” Hunter warned.
“You mean like you, when Dad got you that calf in first grade?” Bran smirked.
“Exactly.” Hunter grimaced. “Thank goodness Dad didn’t insist on sending Marvin to slaughter. It would have scarred me for life.”
“Dad never had any intention of sending Marvin to slaughter. He just wanted you to understand what it takes to care for cows and then to realize that if you’re going to be a cattleman, you have to take that care—but also be willing to let the animal go.”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t a bad lesson for being a vet, either. Putting suffering animals down is as much a part of the job as caring for them.”
“The circle of life,” Bran sang in a Lion King voice.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “So, you planning on Cam being a cattleman, then?”
Bran watched his son thoughtfully. “I want him to know it’s an option. That he could have the ranch if he wants it.”
“You’re a good dad,” Hunter said, an ache lodging in his throat.
Bran stood silent for a few moments, then nudged him with his elbow. “You’d make a good father too, you know.”
Hunter scoffed.
“I’m serious.”
“Eh, I don’t really see that happening. Least, not anytime soon.”
“You’d also make a good boyfriend, according to my wife.”
“What is it about you newlyweds that y’all feel the need to get everyone else hitched, too?” Hunter asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “I don’t have time to be someone’s boyfriend.”
“Not even Kit’s?” Bran subtly stepped farther away from his brother so Hunter couldn’t hit him.
Hunter sighed. “She’s my resident. Period. End of discussion.”
Bran seemed to accept that. “Did I tell you I went out and saw Scout the other day?”
Hunter’s gaze shot to his older brother’s. “You did? Why?”
Bran looked as if he visited Scout every day, even though he hadn’t gone once since the day Scout started working at the farm.
“I ran into him in town, and he told me about his new milking equipment and Kit’s music idea. I wanted to see it in action for myself. I’m thinking if we played music while we’re loading and unloading for auction, my herds might behave better.”
“Huh,” Hunter grunted. “So you two, what…just watched the cows getting milked to a concerto?”
Bran laughed. “Pretty much, and then we had a beer with some of his crew. Ava invited him to dinner next week, too. He’s only met Cam once. I think he wants to get to know him.”
Hunter stared at his older brother in shock. Since their parents had died, Bran and Scout had been near-strangers. Once Scout graduated from college, he’d gotten a job at the dairy farm, mov
ed into the staff housing there, and never looked back. Bran had given him his space…for seven years. Hunter had been the link that connected the two.
“Put your jaw back in place,” Bran scolded. “I didn’t negotiate a nuclear treaty with North Korea, just visited our little brother and invited him to dinner.”
Hunter cleared his throat, a funny feeling prickling all over his body. “Okay,” he said quietly.
They stood in that brotherly silence again, until Bran said, “We’re gonna’ be okay, Scout and me. He’s doing well, and I’m doing well. Your practice is successful, you’re one of the best vets in the state, from everything I hear when I go to auctions and ranching conventions. You don’t have to put away everything else to watch out for all of us anymore.”
Bran laid a heavy hand on Hunter’s shoulder and waited until Hunter looked him in the eye. “You kept us going when we couldn’t do it ourselves. But we’re going to be fine now.”
Hunter blinked at his older brother, not sure what to think or feel or say. Finally he settled on, “You’re both too stupid to make it without me…but maybe I can take a break every now and then.”
Bran grinned. “That sounds like a good place to start.”
10
Hunter picked up the heavy picnic basket and put it in the back of his truck before climbing into the cab and setting off from his small downtown bungalow that he mostly just used for the bed.
His heart was in overdrive, and he nearly turned the truck around four times before he pulled onto the dirt road that led to an empty field, with a tiny stream, on the edge of Bran’s ranch. He’d gone and lost his mind. The whole thing was an idea of epically stupid proportions, and he really ought to go back home immediately.
He pulled to a stop and maneuvered the truck off the road, out into the middle of the field. Then he stopped, windows down, and just listened. Birds chirped in the trees that cropped up along the edges of the stream, and grasshoppers clicked and rubbed in the field all around him. He could just make out the sound of the water trickling by on the other side of the truck. The sun shone, and the sky was cloudless. If he’d believed in fate or signs, he’d have thought this day was created for what he’d planned.
Wrangling His Sexy Assistant: Beckett Brothers Book Two Page 5