by Soraya Lane
“You remember when I met your dad that first time? I was sprawled out on the bed in your dorm, you were down the hall in the shower, and by the time you came back he was giving me an absolute grilling. Your old man was all ready to march down to security and have me thrown off campus. I thought he was gonna knock me out.”
She grabbed Chase’s arm as they walked, howling with laughter at the memory. “Oh my God, that’s right! My mom walked in on him about to pin you against the wall.”
“I tell you, he was ready to have me whipped for being in his baby girl’s room. And that was one fight that I was not going to be a part of.”
“Hey, I was his only daughter. What did you expect?”
“What did I expect?” Chase chuckled, drawing her even closer and laughing into her hair, a too-familiar gesture that took her straight back in time. “If I’d spent the night with you, it would have been worth it. But I’d been a fucking monk where you were concerned and I was still shitting myself.”
Hope had tears in her eyes again, only this time they were tears of happiness. “Don’t act like you were Mr. Fricking Innocent,” she joked. “You would have been in my panties in a flash if I’d shown you any interest in that department.”
“Damn straight! But the fact is that I didn’t, and I still wanted to hang out with you all the time.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “So tell me about your granddad. What’s actually happening with him?” She still hadn’t told him about her mom, about how one minute she’d been fine and the next she was diagnosed with cancer and gone within a few months. That wound was still too raw.
“He’s going through radiation again, and it’s fucked him. He’s still this tall man, but he’s not imposing anymore, you know? He’s lost so much weight.”
“Does he still live here? When he’s not having treatment, I mean?” She could tell how hard it was for Chase, talking about the man who’d raised him, his easygoing smile long gone.
“When he can be home he’s here, with a live-in nurse, but he’s been staying at the hospital for a while now. Hopefully we’ll have him back soon, but I know damn well that it’s probably wishful thinking on my part.” He blew out a breath. “I think the last time he was really himself was when Ryder brought Chloe back here when they were first together. It was like everything was back to normal, him having a whiskey and laughing, but that seems like a lifetime ago now.”
“Hey, if we don’t have faith, what are we left with?”
Chase sighed. His body moved against hers and suddenly he pulled away. “Come on, let’s grab that something to eat.”
She followed him into the house, taking her boots off when he did and walking across the polished timber floor in her socks. She might get away with wearing skinny jeans and cute shirts despite her profession, but her socks and boots were the same as every other rancher’s and vet’s. She wiggled her toes when Chase looked over at her, flashing her his dimple but not saying a word.
“This place is amazing.”
She’d never been inside the house, and it was stunning. Different from her family’s home, but similar in plenty of ways, too. The photos that crammed the hallstand showed the three boys at every age, and as she bent to take a closer look she could see that in most of them they were either riding horses or climbing trees—never sitting still. She moved across to look at another set of photos, only this time she gasped.
“You okay?” Chase called out.
Hope straightened and hurried after Chase. “Me? I’m fine. Just looking at how cute you used to be.” Her heart was racing. Looking at those toddler photos had been like looking at pictures of her son. Guilt hit her like a fist to the gut.
“As opposed to how I look now?”
“Don’t go fishing for compliments. It’s doesn’t suit you.”
Hope peeked into the kitchen when Chase disappeared, wondering who’d spoken. A lady with gray hair pulled back into a bun was waving a finger at Chase and it soothed the panic inside of her to see him being told off.
“Hope, meet Mrs. T. As in the one woman in the world who can keep us boys all in line.”
“Nice to meet you, Hope.”
“You too. And I sure don’t envy you having to keep this guy in order.”
Hope shook hands with the older woman, who smiled as she stood with her hands on her hip, apron covering her front. There was a softness about her that was appealing, that made the kitchen seem warm and welcoming, but she was obviously no-nonsense, too, where the boys were concerned anyway.
“Let me tell you, they were little rascals when they were young. It’s the reason I’ve got all this darn gray hair.”
They all laughed and Hope relaxed. She’d overreacted before, that was all. Her secret was safe. If Chase had so much as suspected something when he’d met Harrison she’d sure as hell know about it by now.
She ran a tongue over dry lips, pleased that her heart had stopped racing. “I’m raising a little rascal myself,” she told her. “He’s four years old and already making me turn gray.”
“We just need to grab some lunch on the go,” Chase said, dropping a hand on Mrs. T’s shoulder as he passed, his smile as warm as the gesture. “Enough for two?”
“There’s always enough for two,” she said with a chuckle. “Especially for a lovely lady like this one. Besides, I’m not expecting Nate back for a bit.”
Hope smiled her thanks and was about to say something when a deep, commanding voice boomed down the hall to them.
“Nate won’t what?”
Chase groaned, and she glanced at him before turning to see Chase’s older brother walk into the kitchen. He was the spitting image of Chase, just as tall and with unruly black hair, although he seemed slightly bigger if that was even possible. Chase was lean and muscled from working on the ranch every day, but his brother looked like he spent time in the gym. He also looked like he could chew up and spit out anything that got in his way.
She instinctively moved a little closer to Chase. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t.
“Oh, hey.” His brother’s face broke out in a big smile, his eyes softening when he saw her. He came over and held out his hand. “You must be Hope.”
“And you must be Nate,” she replied, shaking hands with him. His grip was firm but not too hard and he was still smiling, his eyes not leaving hers for a second. Someone had sure taught the King boys about holding eye contact, and she bet every woman they ever came across appreciated it.
“I think we met way back,” he said, leaning against the counter as he chatted with her. “Back when Chase was…”
“Okay, so we’re off now,” Chase interrupted, glaring at his brother. Hope glanced at Mrs. T and saw she was struggling not to laugh, turning her back to chuckle as she finished up with whatever she was making.
“Hey, I was just getting to know Hope,” Nate protested. “You know I have a ton of questions about the AI work she’s doing here.”
“Fire away,” Hope said, deciding that it would be way easier to spend the next thirty minutes with the eldest King brother than be alone with Chase. He was easy to talk to and even though he was one of the most gorgeous damn men she’d ever met, it seemed that only Chase had the ability to twist her all up in knots.
“You can talk Saturday night, isn’t that right, Hope?”
She tensed as Chase’s hand brushed hers as he spoke, their fingers linking before she had a chance to protest. His palm was warm to hers, fingers firm as they locked on either side of her digits.
“Don’t tell me you actually said yes to poker night?” Nate’s face broke out in an even bigger grin as he pushed off from the counter and reached for an apple. “You can always change your mind, we won’t hold it against you.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fun. Unless you guys are scared of another girl joining the table?” she asked innocently.
Now it was Chase howling with laughter. “Ouch! Yeah, that’s our Nate, hates that Chloe can beat his ass ever
y goddamn time and doesn’t want another woman to take him down.”
“Hey, she’s a professional fucking player,” Nate growled. “There ain’t a man alive who’d find it easy to beat Chloe.”
“You’re serious?” Hope wasn’t sure what they were talking about or if it was some kind of an inside joke.
“Language,” Mrs. T muttered from behind them.
The boys looked vaguely guilty but continued on ribbing each other.
“Chloe is the master poker player,” Chase explained, still keeping his grip on her hand. “Nate’s pissed because he can’t screw with her head and beat her or flirt with her.”
“It’s not for lack of trying.” Nate made a face. “Besides, my problem is that she has no fucking tell. None. It’s just not natural.”
“Yeah, well, she settled a pretty major gambling debt of Ryder’s by being her amazing goddamn self, and even though she showed us all her tricks when we were in Vegas, we’re still nowhere close to beating her.” Chase grinned. “We love her like a sister, but we still hate that we’ll never be able to win.”
“And yet you keep on playing?” Hope asked dryly. “Sounds to me like you boys are just sore losers. Either that or you like being whipped.”
“Hell yes,” Chase replied, laughter shining in his eyes as he met her gaze. “We’re not used to losing and it damn well hurts.”
“Especially to a woman,” Nate muttered. Then he held up his hands, looking guilty. “Sorry, that came out all wrong. I just…”
“Want a shovel?” Chase joked. “’Cause that hole you’re digging is just getting bigger and bigger.”
Nate grimaced but Hope just laughed. “I’m not offended. It’s fine. You’re used to winning and you’re sore losers. I get it.”
“For the record, I’m all for girl power. You know, Beyoncé put a ring on it and all that.”
“Oh my God.” They both raised their left brows at her when she cursed, as alike as twins. “I thought only Chase could be such a complete douchebag, but now I know who he learned it from.”
“I deserved that,” Nate said, taking a bite of his apple. “Kick me in the balls and leave me on the ground awhile as punishment.”
Chase nudged her in the side. “Come on. Now that we’ve wasted time on Nate, we’re outta here.” He let go of her hand, leaving her to stand facing Nate on her own and trying not to laugh at the almost embarrassed expression on his face. “Thanks for lunch, Mrs. T.”
“Oh yeah, thanks for lunch,” Hope called out, remembering her manners. When she was around Chase she seemed to forget everything else.
Hope walked out of the kitchen with Chase and headed for the front door again to retrieve their boots. She took the sandwich he passed her, feeling like a kid again. It was times like this that she had to remind herself she was a grown woman—a mom and a specialist veterinarian—because so often she went straight back to feeling like a college kid in her early twenties again. Time had flown, and she’d had to grow up fast.
“I think Nate’s already looking forward to Saturday night.”
“Ha-ha, I doubt it.” Hope straightened after pulling her boots on and unwrapped her sandwich. She glanced at the filling before taking a bite.
“Mrs. T’s famous turkey and homemade cranberry chutney,” Chase told her as if he’d read her mind. “We always tell her we’ll have everything, but hold the lettuce and tomato and anything else that resembles a vegetable.”
She took a bite. “Yum,” she murmured. “Tastes like home.” Her mom had always been amazing in the kitchen, only Hope hadn’t inherited her skills despite all the hours she’d spent leaning on the counter waiting for cookies to come out of the oven. “My mom made everything from scratch. We had jars of sauce, pickles, and jams everywhere in our kitchen.”
“We were pretty lucky with Mrs. T. She was like a mom to us in plenty of ways. Still is, I guess. She’s the only one you’ll ever hear us saying sorry ma’am too. But back to Nate, he’s a big softy. Don’t let him get to you.”
Hope finished chewing, hand over her mouth before she spoke. “He didn’t offend me, if that’s what you’re worried about. He’s just like you. I get it. Some men like to win, and some men really like to win when it comes to showing off to women.”
“We’re nothing alike,” Chase insisted, looking genuinely surprised.
Hope shook her head as they walked. “Wrong. You’re everything alike, trust me. Talking to him was just like being with a slightly bigger version of you.”
“Damn, you think he’s bigger than me?” Chase pulled a serious face before laughing. “But yeah, you’re right. He’s like the larger, badder version of me. Only a smidge taller though, I’ll have you know.”
Oh, you’re plenty bad enough. And big enough. She bit her lower lip, keeping her thoughts to herself. Any badder and she’d be a mess.
“So what are we looking at?” she asked. If there was one thing she knew, it was that keeping the conversation away from dangerous territory was the safest bet between them.
“Nothing. Everything.” He turned toward her, walking backward, that damn, captivating smile of his hitting her head on.
“So this was just a ploy to get me alone?” So much for keeping the conversation neutral.
“Hey, it’s not every day I get to spend time with a beautiful woman.”
“Bullshit,” she muttered, taking another bite of her sandwich even though her appetite had long disappeared.
“Well, during work hours,” he corrected, his dimple a flash of sexiness as he shrugged. “It’s just nice seeing you again. Is that so wrong?”
“So what made you want to go organic?”
He stared at her, his lips twisting like he was planning on saying something smartass, but thought better of it. He spun back around so he was walking beside her rather than looking back at her. “You mean besides organic being the future of ranching?”
“Yes, smartass, besides that,” she said dryly.
“Hey, it took me a long time to convince Nate that this was a good idea. Sorry if I’m a little smug now that it’s all coming together.”
“Your cows aren’t in calf yet,” Hope reminded him.
“Yeah, but I have the best in the business working with me. What could go wrong now?”
“Chase,” she cautioned, not wanting him to jinx what they were working on.
His chuckle was more of a deliciously deep rumble than a laugh. “Nothing’s gonna go wrong. You always were the worrier.”
She laughed incredulously. “Are you kidding me? If it had been up to you, you’d have drunk your weight in Jack Daniel’s each semester.”
He leaned in close to her, slinging his arm across her shoulders again. The familiarity of his gesture made her uncomfortable, made her body tense. Goose pimples rippled across every inch of her skin when his warm breath touched her face.
“Thank you,” he whispered, before pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek. “All these years, I’ve never said thank you. So there it is.”
“You’re welcome,” Hope spluttered. What the hell was going on? One minute they were into each other, then they were back to friends, and now he was … She blew out a breath as she extracted herself from Chase’s arm, slipping away to force his arm to drop down.
“You can take full credit for keeping my grades up. Without you I’d have been a waste of space.”
“Says the guy who studied as little as possible and still managed straight As.” Hope had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. She’d worked her ass off right through college, determined to make her own way in the world, and Chase had been on cruise control and still managed to ace everything. Although she knew that deep down his determination to succeed had equaled hers, he just didn’t like to show it. “I reckon you would have coasted through without me anyway.”
“Not a chance,” he insisted, stopping when they came to a post-and-rail fence that bordered a huge field that stretched all the way down the valley. The feed was plentiful and s
he could see a few horses grazing, their heads dipped into the long grass. “I was so damn determined to impress you, and it was pretty obvious from the start that my bank account and my good looks weren’t gonna cut it.”
“So modest,” she quipped. “Seriously, Chase, could your head get any bigger?”
He shrugged, clearly not embarrassed in the least. “Hey, I’m just sayin’. Other girls made a play for me without any effort on my part, and you just gave me this look.” He paused, laughing. “That look.”
“What look?” She leaned on the same section of post-and-rail fence that he was propped against, only a little farther down so she wasn’t close enough for him to try to touch her.
Chase’s eyes were crinkled at the corners as he squinted into the sun, making him look older but even more damn gorgeous, if that was possible. He held up his hand to shield his face from the sun, golden-tanned forearm commanding her attention, reminding her what he’d looked like buck naked, how amazing that skin of his had looked stretched over muscle beneath her on the sheets of a motel bed.
“That look that told me in one quick sweep that I was being a dickhead and needed to pull my head in,” he told her. “The unimpressed stare that made me want to be a better man just to prove myself to you. Because I only cared about one person’s opinion back then, and that person was you.”
Her heart was starting its too-fast beat again, thumping away in her chest like mad. “All that in just one look?” She tried to keep her voice light-hearted, but she could hear the wobble in it, hoped she was at least fooling him even if she wasn’t fooling herself. They’d meant a lot to each other, and maybe they still did, which made what she’d done, or what she hadn’t done where Chase was concerned, so much worse.
“Yeah. All that.” His voice was raspy, toe-curlingly deep.
“What do you want from me?” Hope asked, forcing her voice to comply with her thoughts, needing to ask the question.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Chase’s expression had turned from friendly to determined, the glint in his eyes telling her she was about to find out exactly what he wanted from her. “I want you.”