“I remember,” she nodded, “but I didn’t realize it was in this area. I thought it was north, not south.”
“Just as well,” he remarked. “Anyway, I was gonna have us spend a couple of nights there, then drive down here for a romantic getaway. Richard was gonna squeeze me in when he had a vacancy. He’s almost always booked out.”
“Oh, Caden.”
“I didn’t wanna spoil the surprise.”
“Can we stay here now? Wait, what am I saying? Do I have a job, or was that just-“
“You most definitely have a job,” he interrupted. “Richard is always lookin’ for good people, especially this time of year, but he knew there was a chance you’d leave if we got back together. If you wanna stay and work, it’s up to you.”
“It’s up to us,” she said softly. “I do love it here, and I think it would be a fun job for a while, but I don’t want to be away from you.”
“My ranch is about an hour away drivin’ the horse van, so about forty-five minutes in a car. I spend most of the spring and summer down here. My ranch is also a breedin’ farm, and we have a lotta babies. I oversee all that.”
“Really?”
“You can come and spend your days off with me if you want, and I can visit you here.”
“As long as I can still see you, I’ll stick around.”
“Don’t tell Richard you’re stayin’ unless you’re sure.”
“I love this place, and what he wants me to do here is right up my alley. Teach people how to ride, take them out on the trails, all that stuff. I need to get to know the horses though. Max has told me about them, but I need to spend a day just riding them all, learning their habits.”
“They’ve all be trained by me, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble,” he smiled.
“Caden, this, uh, other you,” she said quietly.
“Uh-huh.”
“Why didn’t you let me see it before?”
“It’s a timin’ thing. Not every woman wants a man like me, and I don’t like to show my hand, if you’ll pardon the pun, until I’m sure the lady won’t run screamin’ from the room.”
“You weren’t sure about me?”
“You’re a real headstrong girl, Bridget, and some headstrong girls are difficult because they’re lookin’ for a man to step up, but others, well, others are just that way. Opinionated, obstinate, and bratty, and they don’t wanna change. I was fairly sure you’d respond like you have, and I was close to openin’ the door, lettin’ you have a peek, when everything blew up.”
“Oh, I see,” she murmured. “Sorry about that.”
“You ever heard of domestic discipline?”
“Um, no. What’s that?”
“When you come back to my place I want you to get on my computer and look it up, but it’s exactly what it sounds like.”
“Oh, I get it. You get to spank me when you think I need it. You’re the man about the house.”
“Yep. Are you all right with that?”
“Very all right,” she sighed leaning into him.
“I’ll keep that butt tender.”
“I know you will, but you’ll also take care of me, you’ll take care of my heart.”
“Yes, darlin’, I will.”
“I guess I should call Richard.”
“You’re not goin’ anywhere. I wanna hold you for a little while longer.”
“Yes, Sir,” she smiled.
“There you go,” he sighed, “now that works.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Celeste, Richard and three other staff members were the only people at the large table when Bridget and Caden entered the dining room for dinner.
“Ah, hello you two,” Richard smiled. “I wasn’t sure if we’d see you.”
“I promised we’d be here,” Caden replied. “You know I’m a man of my word.”
“Yes, I do. Hello, Bridget. Tell me, am I losing you?”
“I’d love to stay on if you’d like me to.”
“Will someone please tell me what’s happening?” Celeste asked. “Why would you be leaving? You just got here.”
“Uh, Bridget and I had a bit of a fallin’ out,” Caden said pulling out a chair for her then sitting down himself, “and she wouldn’t talk to me, so Richard here, bein’ the gallant guy that he is, offered her a job so I could corner her and try to work things out.”
“How romantic! I wish a man would do something like for me,” Celeste said wistfully.
“Maybe one day he will,” Bridget offered. “It was kind of shocking though, shocking but wonderful.”
“Hmm, speaking of shocking but wonderful, I suspect Heather Chadwick will be both of those things when she arrives tomorrow,” Richard remarked. “Heather and her mother will be the only guests for a couple of days, and I’m sure she’ll expect to be waited on hand and foot.”
“What time will she get here?” Bridget asked.
“Late morning. There’s a private airfield about twenty minutes away, that’s where our guests land and we send a car to fetch them. Her flight’s due in at ten-thirty. Her mother told me she’s a horse nut, so I’m sure you can expect her at the barn at some point. Jane and Tim will be there tomorrow, so you won’t have to deal with her by yourself. As I told you on the phone, those are the other two handlers. They’re used to working with our celebrity guests. Jane is Max’s right hand, so she’s who you should go to first with any questions.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m starvin’,” Caden declared wanting to change the subject. Jane. I totally forgot about her. I’m gonna have to deal with her before she runs into Bridget.
“How can you bring up food when we’re talking about meeting Heather Chadwick?” Bridget exclaimed.
“Simple, like I said, I’m starvin’,” he replied, “and I’m not real impressed with most of the Hollywood gang. Narcissists, most of ‘em.”
“Well, I can’t wait to meet her,” Bridget declared.
“You have your choice of roast beef or salmon,” Richard said answering Caden’s question. “Here comes Julia now. I don’t think anyone else will be joining us so we can place our orders.”
“Thank goodness,” Caden said gratefully.
“Richard, can you tell me about this place?” Bridget asked. “How did you end up here? It’s so gorgeous.”
“I’d been in the high-end hospitality business for years, and it dawned on me one day, that what these famous people really wanted was a true escape,” Richard explained. “A place where they couldn’t be hounded by photographers, and the general public simply didn’t exist. Somewhere they could lounge by a pool, or ride a horse, play tennis, or sleep all day, but in a luxurious home-like atmosphere. It took me a couple of years to find this property, and it fit the bill.”
“Was the private airfield here then?”
“That’s what clinched it. There are some extremely wealthy ranchers in this county and it was built to service them.”
“I wondered about that. I thought it was weird there’d be a place for private planes in an area that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.”
“That was the other thing. It does feel like the middle of nowhere, and it kind of is,” Richard grinned.
“At last, here comes some food,” Caden said as Julia arrived with two large salad bowls.
“I’ll be bringing in some hot appetizers in a minute,” she said placing the bowls on the table.
The meal continued in a light vein, Caden and Bridget’s joy shedding its light across the table, and when the last dish was cleared, Caden suggested a walk through the grounds.
“Bridget, you should definitely go,” Richard agreed. “All the lights are on tonight.”
“Lights?”
“We have landscaping lights,” Celeste explained. “They’ve been off for the last four days, but they’re back on. It’s like a fairyland out there.”
“Oh, yes, I’d love to see it,” Bridget said eagerly. “That was a fabulous dinner, Richard, thank
you. I’m surprised so few of the others were here.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you two joined us. As far as the rest of the staff goes, the night before business starts back up they like to stay in their cabins.”
“You ready?” Caden asked rising from his chair.
“I am,” Bridget said taking his hand. “Take me where you will.”
Holding hands they left the grand dining room and headed outside, and as they closed the front door, Bridget looked around and took a long deep breath.
“What a lovely night,” she sighed. “Can we walk down to the barn? I’d like to check on Valentino, make sure he’s happy in his paddock.”
“I’m sure he is,” Caden said putting his arm around her, “but I’d like to check on him too. Max was going to call the shoer. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see anything in the dark, but I’d like to take a look.”
As they began their walk, the many lighting effects came into view, and she was completely captivated.
“Celeste was right,” she said softly. “It is like a fairyland, and it’s so romantic.”
“You know what I’m thinkin’,” he whispered.
“Exactly the same thing I am,” she giggled. “Will the barn be empty?”
“Let’s find out.”
They were soon walking into the stable yard, and finding it quiet and serene, Caden twirled her around with one hand, then pulled her against him.
“Bridget,” he breathed, “I’m gonna make love to you, but slow, real slow. I wanna explore you all over again.”
“Yes, please,” she sighed, and lifting her arms around his neck she brought her lips up to his.
She kissed him longingly, her mouth pressing sweetly, and when she slipped her tongue between his teeth he clutched a fistful of her hair, jerking her head back.
“I might have to take back that slow part,” he said huskily, his blue eyes glinting into hers, “I want you so bad!”
Swooping her up he carried her into the barn. It was dark, but the outside lighting cast a subtle glow, and moving into the hay area he laid her down.
“I’ll be right back,” he promised. “I’m gonna go grab a blanket from my van.”
The hay was kept at the back of the barn, and though it had a sliding door that was closed in inclement weather, being spring it was wide open, and Bridget gazed up at the large silver orb hanging low in the black sky.
I can hardly believe this is real. I’m back with Caden, and it feels so good. I was such an idiot. My God, I’m so lucky he didn’t give up on me. How can I ever repay him for that?
Deciding to surprise him, she quickly stripped off, and had just stretched out on top of her clothes when she heard him returning.
“What do we have here?” he said with a wide grin walking towards her.
“A naked lady waiting for you,” she laughed.
He flapped open the blanket, and as she rolled on to it, he hurriedly undressed and dropped down next to her.
“You know,” he said leaning over her, “I didn’t have any dessert, and,” he said with a wicked look as he retrieved a bandana from his pocket. “I seem to recall you likin’ a blindfold.”
“Oh, yes,” she breathed, “I loved it when you did that.”
Slipping it over her eyes he tied it securely behind her head, then pushing her back he began trailing his lips across her neck. He lingered, tasting her flesh, then journeyed his tongue across her shoulder to her breasts, lapping hungrily at her nipples before taking them into his mouth. Her soft moans echoed through the still night, and when he cruised his lips to her stomach, promising to head further south, she wriggled, aching for the tantalizing touch she knew was coming.
Though his cock was rigid and demanding attention, Caden was taking his time, relishing the taste and feel that was uniquely hers, but as he slipped between her legs to kiss her inner thighs, her plaintive begging sent a fresh surge of need to his loins.
“I’m gonna fuck you so hard,” he grunted, gripping her hips and moving his mouth to her pussy.
Hearing the hushed comment, Bridget squirmed in his grasp, inciting his lust. Diving his tongue into the promised land he lapped salaciously, then swirled his tongue around her clit. She cried out her delight, and filled with a voracious fever, Caden attacked his job, devouring her with an all-consuming passion.
“I’m there,” she panted, “please…”
Her fingers curled into the blanket as her gasps of pleasure announced her quick, powerful orgasm. Caden didn’t let up, milking her moment until her cries became soft whimpers, then sliding up her body he drove his cock home.
Her pussy was drenched, his cock was ravenous, and laying on top of her he brought his hands underneath her bottom, clutching her tender cheeks as he stroked. Riding her relentlessly, his nostrils were filled with the heady smell of the barn mingled with the warm feminine fragrance radiating from his girl, and he could feel his eruption rising to the surface.
Grunting and groaning as his spasm rattled down his spine, he felt her stiffen below him. She was calling his name, and he realized she was in the throes of a second release. Pumping harder, her taut nipples rubbing against his chest, one last, intoxicating convulsion shot forth, and he was done. Rolling off her on to his side, his heart battering his chest, he took several long deep breaths.
“Caden, are you okay?” she breathed.
“If I was any more okay they’d have to lock me up,” he panted. “You?”
“The same,” she gasped. “It was almost worth all the drama for this.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want a repeat, thanks very much.”
“Me either,” she sighed. “The moon is so full tonight. I feel like I could reach out and touch it. It’s almost like it’s there just for us.”
“Maybe it’s a perigree moon,” he suggested.
“What’s a perigree moon?’
“It’s when the moon is the at the closest point to the earth.”
“I’d like to buy a telescope,” she snuggling closer to him. “I think it would be amazing to see all the craters and everything.”
“I have one at my ranch.”
“Really? Okay, now I’m excited. I’m not sure I can wait five days. I’m going to suggest to Richard that he get one for this place.”
“That, my angel, is an excellent idea. Wait…did you just hear something?”
“Uh, no, I don’t think so,” she replied.
“Probably just a creature, but we should probably get dressed,” he said kissing her warmly.
“Probably, but I hate to end this,” she lamented. “It’s so wonderful laying here with you.”
“Let’s wander over to the swimming pool. We can lounge there, maybe risk a skinny dip.”
“You think we could?” she smiled.
“Let’s find out,” he winked.
Rising to their feet, Caden finished dressing first, and folded up the blanket.
“I’m going to run this back. I’ll only be a minute.”
She watched him march away, and pulling on her boots and T-shirt, she stuffed her bra into the pocket of her jeans. Still on a cloud she wandered into the barn, but to her shock, the lights came on, and she heard the sound of a horse’s feet.
“Who the hell is bringing a horse in at this time of night,” she muttered.
Hurrying forward she was shocked to see a tall, attractive blond girl placing Valentino in the cross ties.
“Uh, excuse me,” Bridget called.
“Who are you?” the girl asked frowning at her.
“I’m Bridget Cooper. What are-?“
“Oh, of course, you’re the new girl,” the young woman said cutting her off. “I’m Jane, Max’s assistant. Since you’re here, would you go into the tack room and bring me out a grooming kit.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t know what a grooming kit is?”
“Of course, but why, what are you doing with him?” Bridget asked pointing at Valentino.<
br />
“I’m going to clean him up, throw a sheet on him, and put him in a stall so he’ll be ready for me to ride in the morning.”
“No, no, no!”
“What?” Jane scowled.
“No, you can’t ride him, no-one can ride him, only me.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“And he doesn’t need to be in a stall all night, and he sure as hell doesn’t need a sheet. It won’t drop below sixty tonight.”
“Okay, listen, Bridget,” Jane said tersely, “you don’t have a say in-“
“NO,” Bridget shouted interrupting her. “You listen. That horse belongs to-
“Me!” Caden announced walking in on the squabble. “Bridget’s right, Jane. He’s not for public consumption, he shouldn’t be in a stall in this barn all by himself overnight, and he sure as hell doesn’t need a sheet on him.”
“Caden,” Jane said excitedly, and to Bridget’s shock, the girl completely ignored Caden’s lecture and walked quickly towards him. “I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow,” she continued. “Are we finally going to pick up where we left off?”
Bridget watched, holding her breath, as the girl attempted to put her arms around his neck.
“No, Jane, absolutely not,” he said firmly, grabbing her wrists and pushing her away. “Bridget is with me, I’m with Bridget, I mean, Bridget and I are together.” Damn that was clumsy, but at least I got the point across.
“Obviously you two need to talk,” Bridget quipped grabbing a lead rope. “I’m taking Valentino back to his paddock.”
“Wait, let me see his feet,” Caden exclaimed.
Marching away from Jane he walked directly across to Bridget and Valentino, and as he leaned down to see if the horse had been shod, he glanced up at her.
“Nothing happened with Jane,” he whispered. “I’ll explain later.”
“Looks as if the shoer did come,” Bridget remarked trying to compose herself.
“Yes, he did, excellent. Let’s take him out together.”
“Are you sure? You don’t need to, uh, finish your conversation with her?”
“Absolutely sure,” he nodded standing up. “There’s nothing to finish.”
When a Cowboy Loves a Woman Page 7