by Tia Siren
I fiddled with the pearl buttons on my shirt and stared at myself in the mirror. “Wesley, I’m going to say this once more. I don’t give a flying fuck about DNA tests. I don’t care who he is or what our connection is. I do not want my old man’s mistakes interfering with my life. Period. So handle it. And if you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”
“You are the biggest fucking prick on the planet,” Wesley said, shaking his head. “Fine. I’ll fly to Dallas and meet with them, but you have to face this at some point, Con. This little boy is not going away, but if you keep acting like the world’s biggest asshole, I just might.”
“You’ll never quit,” I said with a grin. “You love me too much.”
“I don’t love you nearly as much as you love yourself,” he said. “And that’s what’s gonna do you in, my friend. You’ll grow old and alone with nothing but your money to keep you company because you can’t love anyone as much as you love yourself.”
“Thanks for the psychobabble, Wesley,” I said with a dismissive wave. “Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got to finish getting ready.”
“You’re an asshole,” he said.
“No argument there.”
He turned and disappeared down the hallway. He had a car waiting at the lodge to take him back to the heliport, and then on to Amarillo for the flight home to Dallas.
He’d figure this whole “little brother” bullshit out. He better. That was what I paid him the fucking big bucks to do.
Thoughts of my old man’s bastard child quickly left my head as I went through the house looking for a hat to wear.
I had a girl to woo, and according to the employee roster, her name was Miranda Carson from Fort Worth, Texas.
I just grinned and said, “Miranda Carson…come on down!”
CHAPTER NINETEEN: Miranda
“Are you sure? There must be some kind of mistake. I’m the masseuse from the lodge. Mr. Blackstone left instructions for me to be at the chateau at one o’clock. I’m supposed to massage his guests.”
The old cowboy who had met me at the foot of path leading up to the chateau scratched his whiskered chin and shook his head. His other hand was holding the reins of a beautiful black mare that was all saddled up and ready to go.
“Must’ve been a change in plans, ma’am,” he said, nodding at the mare. “Mr. Blackstone said to put you on this horse and tell you to ride west along that path.” He nodded toward the path that had been cut through a pasture for horseback riders. It disappeared over a rolling hill half a mile away.
“He’ll be waiting for you in the west pasture, just over that hill.” He narrowed his eyes to give me the once over. “You wanna change clothes first?”
I looked down. I was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and flip flops and a tan smock from the spa. I was obviously not dressed for whatever Conner had in mind. The old man and the horse stared at me as if both were waiting for my answer.
“Okay, yes. I’ll change into jeans and boots,” I said. “I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“Take your time, ma’am,” the old man said, tipping his hat. “We’ll be waiting right here.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later I was on top of the mare, trotting along the path toward the west pasture. I grew up riding horses, but it had been a while since I’d been on one.
My butt bobbed up and down on the saddle until I finally settled in and started to remember how to ride.
I had no idea what was in store for me over the top of the hill, but my heart was racing at the thought of being alone again with the infamous Conner Blackstone.
CHAPTER TWENTY: Conner
When I spotted Miranda coming over the rise, my heart started beating a little faster in my chest. My pulse quickened and I felt my entire body tense.
My horse seemed to sense her presence, too, because he kicked the ground and snorted at her. Or maybe he just wanted to screw the mare she was riding. Obviously, I’d picked the perfect horse for me.
I smiled and gave her a wave as she approached. She smiled and waved back.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” I said as she pulled back the reins to stop her horse next to mine. “I’m glad you did.”
“I thought I was coming to work,” she said, giving me a suspicious look as she let her eyes go around the pasture. Other than a few stray head of cattle, we were alone. “I was told I would be doing massages for your personal guests this afternoon.”
I couldn’t help but gawk at her. God, she was beautiful. She had her long hair pulled back into a ponytail that accentuated the angles and lines of her face. Her eyes sparkled in the bright sunshine and her skin glistened with a faint film of sweat that I had to resist licking off.
I said, “I’m afraid I might have just made that up to get you out of the spa today. I thought we could take the afternoon to get better acquainted. My way of making up for my awful behavior the first time we met.”
“That’s very nice of you, Mr. Blackstone,” she said, her blue eyes narrowing, “but if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. I’m not here to have a vacation. I have a family back home to support, so I can’t waste a day of my time riding around and playing cowboy with you.”
A family back home…fuck. I forced a smiled and said, “Family back home? You mean like a husband and a bunch of kids?”
When I saw her amused smile, I knew there was no man waiting for her back home. I had no problem banging a married woman on occasion, but for some reason a little voice in my head kept telling me that Miranda Carson might not be just another conquest. She might be—could be—something much more.
“I have three brothers,” she said. “Our parents are gone, so they depend on me. That’s why I have to work.” She tugged the reins to turn her horse around. “So, I better be getting back.”
“Wait,” I said with a touch of alarm in my voice. “What if I just pay you to keep me company then?”
She gave me an angry look. “You mean like the whores you’re used to being with?”
I blinked at her. “Whores?”
“The way you talked to me the first time we met,” she said. Her beautiful nostrils flared. “You called me a whore. I assume by the way you acted and spoke, that’s who you’re used to being with.”
“Christ, did I really call you a whore?” It was a genuine question. I didn’t remember calling her a whore. And if I did, shit, maybe Wesley was right. Maybe my cock took over and my brain shut down and shit just spewed from my mouth. I suddenly felt like a total heel.
“I’m really sorry,” I said, meaning it. “I guess I…well...when I get in certain situations I…fuck…. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
“You are one fucked-up individual,” she said, her face softening into a smile. “I’ll forgive you, but I really do have to work.”
“How much did you make yesterday?” I asked.
She eyed me for a moment. “Around four hundred dollars.”
“Tell you what, I’ll make sure you’re paid that same amount for the day and you don’t have to put your hands on anyone to earn it.”
“Anyone?” Her eyes became slits as she studied my face. “Including you?”
Bingo. I had the fish on the line. All I had to do was reel her in. I gave her a big smile.
“Especially me,” I said as sincerely as I could. “Look, I just thought we could ride for a bit and get acquainted. No strings. No evil plan. There’s an old cabin at the base of the hills where the cowboys used to brand cattle a hundred years ago. I thought you might enjoy seeing it. We can come back whenever you’re ready. You’re completely in charge.”
It took her a moment, but finally she smiled and said, “Okay, Mr. Blackstone. Lead the way.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Miranda
I had my doubts at first, but the afternoon I spent casually riding around the ranch with Conner Blackstone was one of the most relaxing days of my entire life. There was nobody yelling orders at me or bitching because their scallops were overcooked or crapping the
ir pants or giving me teenage attitude.
It was quiet, peaceful, with the blue sky overhead and the warm wind blowing through my hair. It was, in a word, wonderful.
And so was Conner. He was like a different person now. I started to wonder if it truly was him that I’d encountered in the massage room or his evil twin.
We talked about everything: life, plans, dreams, food, movies. The only time Conner seemed apprehensive at all was when the topic turned to family. I got the impression that he and his father hadn’t ever been close but he’d worshipped the old man like a god that constantly let him down. I didn’t press him too hard. If he wanted to tell me about it, that was fine, but I was not one to pry.
“There’s the old cabin,” he said as we came to a hilltop that overlooked a patch of flatland covered in saw grass.
It was a tiny log structure, probably a third of the size of the bunkhouse I was staying in back at the lodge.
There was a catering van with the Big Sky logo on the side parked at the back of the cabin. I could see Wanda Jean and another worker carrying platters of food inside. Crap. I knew she’d be waiting back at the lodge with a million questions for me later.
“My grandfather built that cabin with his own two hands over a hundred years ago. Come on, I’ll give you a tour.” Conner gave his horse a gentle slap of the reins and started trotting down the hill. I clicked my tongue and my horse fell in behind his.
We got off our horses just as Wanda Jean came through the front door. When she saw me, her jaw literally dropped.
“Uh, hi, Miranda,” she said, her eyes bugging. “Fancy seeing you here.”
Conner’s eyebrows went up. “You two know each other?”
“Wanda Jean and I are best friends,” I said quickly, before she could say something totally embarrassing. “We drove up together. We’re both from Fort Worth.”
“Very cool,” Conner said with a smile. He turned to Wanda Jean, who was standing on the porch at parade rest, like a soldier awaiting orders. “Well, Wanda Jean, is our dinner ready?”
Wanda Jean looked a little like the cat that ate the canary. She said, “Yes, sir. Exactly what you ordered: flank steaks, baked potatoes, homemade peach cobbler. There’s also a cooler with an assortment of beer, wine, and soft drinks.” She gave me a smile. “Hope you both like it.”
“I’m sure we will,” Conner said, reaching into this pocket and bringing out a wad of cash that would choke a horse. He peeled off four one-hundred-dollar bills and held them out to Wanda Jean between two fingers. “For you and your helper. Y’all can go on back. I think we can handle it from here.”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Blackstone. Thank you.” To me, she lowered her voice to say, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
It wasn’t great advice, because there wasn’t much Wanda Jean wouldn’t do if she were in my shoes.
She took the money, cut me an amused look, and then disappeared back into the house and out the back door.
I heard the van start up and Conner extended a hand to welcome me inside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Conner
We sat at the little table at the center of the old cabin and feasted like kings. The food was perfect and the company was amazing. Miranda and I talked for hours. There was no agenda, no ulterior motive. We just liked each other.
Talking to her was easy. Looking at her was even easier. It was like reconnecting with an old friend you didn’t know you’d missed until they showed up. I couldn’t remember ever being so relaxed and unguarded.
“You mentioned your family back in Fort Worth,” I said as we sat eyeing each other across the table covered with empty plates. I was drinking Coors and she was nursing a glass of red wine. We weren’t drunk, but I didn’t think either of us was feeling much pain. “Tell me about them.”
“I have three brothers,” she said, holding up three fingers. “Scotty is eighteen and the twins are four.”
“And you’re raising them?”
She eyed me for a moment, maybe wondering if that was going to be an issue with me. She said, “Yes. When my dad and stepmom died, I became their legal guardian.”
“That must be hard,” I said. “Young woman, just starting outing out in life, suddenly burdened with three kids to raise.”
“It’s not a burden,” she said defensively. “I love my brothers and would do anything in the world for them.” She took a sip of wine and watched me from over the top of the glass. “Tell me about your family.”
I shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. My mom died when I was six. My old man died a few years ago.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“No,” I said quickly, and then I gave her a shrug. “Well, I’m told I have a younger half brother, but I’ve never met him, so…”
“How old is he?”
I picked up the beer bottle and started peeling the label with my thumbnail. This wasn’t a topic I wanted to pursue with her, at least not now. I had other things on my mind. Still, I knew I had to play along if I was going to spend the rest of the evening exploring her magnificent body with my tongue.
I said, “He’s four or five, I think.”
“You think?” She was frowning at me. “How can you not know how old your little brother is?”
I bit my tongue and fought the urge to tell her to go fuck herself because it was none of her business. Instead I said, “I told you. I’ve never met him.”
“Where does he live?”
“Galveston.”
“With his mom?”
I forced myself to breath normally. “No. She died a few months ago.”
“Is he coming to live with you then? I mean, he is your brother and he’s only four. Surely you’re not going to let someone else raise him?”
“Why are we even talking about this?” I asked, no longer able to keep the anger out of my voice. I slammed the beer bottle down onto the table. “We’re not here to talk about our fucking families, for Christ’s sake!”
She set the wine glass on the table and sat eyeing me with her jaw set. “Then why are we here, Mr. Blackstone?”
“I’m really not sure anymore,” I huffed, pushing myself up from the table and knocking over my chair in the process. For some reason, I didn’t want to have sex with her anymore. I didn’t even want to be around her. I just wanted to be left the fuck alone.
“Come on,” I said, moving toward the door. “It’s getting dark. We need to get back.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Miranda
I wasn’t sure why it set Conner off, but the talk of his little brother seemed to throw a switch in his head, and he went from smiling and happy to frowning and pissed off in the blink of an eye.
He slammed his beer bottle onto the table and headed for the door. I took a deep breath and followed close behind.
It had gotten dark out, but when I looked up at the night sky, I didn’t see stars. The sky was black as pitch. Low clouds rolled above us. Just off to the west the sky was suddenly ablaze with lightning, and a second later, a boom of thunder hit so loudly that our horses jerked away from the hitching post and hightailed it back toward the stables, as they had become programmed to do.
“Goddamn you, old man!” Conner yelled as a hard rain began to fall. He held up his fists like he was cursing God himself. I stood on the covered porch, watching him for a moment. I didn’t know why, but something inside me ached for him. I knew at that moment that a lot of his bravado and alpha male bullshit was just the wall he’d built to protect his true feelings. As he stood there getting drenched in the pouring rain, my heart went out to him.
Conner sank to his knees on the wet ground and covered his face with his hands. Without thinking, I ran across the yard and wrapped my arms around his head and let him sob into my breasts as the rain came down hard on us both.
I put my hands on his cheeks and forced him to look up at me. As the rain drenched us, I lowered my lips to his and realized that this man needed me as much as I needed him.
> CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Conner
The feel of Miranda’s lips on mine seemed to wash away the anger I was feeling toward my father and a child I had never even met.
The image of the photograph Wesley had shown me, the one of my old man holding the little boy and looking happier than he ever looked when holding me, melted from my mind.
I somehow knew, as Miranda’s arms went around my neck, that everything was going to be all right.
I got to my feet and scooped her up into my arms. Our kiss continued as I carried her into the cabin and kicked the door closed with my foot.
We stood in the center of the room, peeling off each other’s wet clothes and dropping them onto the plank flooring. Once we were naked, I guided her to a cot that was set up in the back corner of the room.
Rather than commanding her to do so, I gently laid her back on the cot and put my hands on her knees to spread her legs so I could see my prize.
Her pussy was beautiful. The blond curls above her clit were trimmed short. The lips were pink and glistening with moisture as if they were dying to be kissed.
It was all I could do not to hammer my cock into her. It was already as hard as a rock and ready to go, but I wasn’t ready to do that just yet.
I was still the alpha male, the king stud to her queen bitch, but sometimes being the alpha meant knowing when to hammer it home and when to take your time and just enjoy the spoils of the conquest.
I wanted to take this slowly.
I wanted to make it last.
I wanted to burn every touch and smell and taste of her into my memory for all time.
And that was exactly what I did.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Miranda
I lay back with my eyes closed and my breath held. I had never been with a man before. Heck, no man had ever even seen me naked. That was why I was a little surprised that I had no inhibitions where Conner was concerned. I was willingly opening my legs to him, inviting him to do as he pleased, knowing he would be the one to take my virginity at last.