by Mandy Magro
Charlize gave him a firm slap on the arm. ‘You’re a stirrer.’
‘Sure am, and you love it.’
‘Do I now?’ She rolled her eyes and laughed. ‘And bloody oath I’m up for a swim. I just wish I’d worn my togs.’
‘You don’t need togs out here.’
‘Oh yes I do. I’m not going to be doing any skinny dipping.’
‘Who said anything about skinny dipping?’ He scooped her up into his arms and ran for the water with her kicking and squealing. But just before he crashed in, he slid to a stop. ‘Any final words before I dunk you.’
She slapped his arm, enjoying the sensation of his muscles bunching and straining around her. ‘Put me down now or I’ll—’
He laughed, deep and throaty and challenging. ‘You’ll what?’
She wriggled but he held her tight so she couldn’t break free and with him being almost twice her size, she gave up and collapsed into his arms. ‘Okay, you win.’
He grinned victoriously. ‘You’ve got a bra and knickers on, don’t you?’
‘Of course I do.’ Charlize looked down at her boobs. ‘These babies wouldn’t fare too well without a bra, especially while out galloping on a horse.’
‘Fair point.’ Dallas said with a playful nod. ‘Well, strip down to them then.’
‘Oh my god, no.’
‘Why?’
‘Because that’s almost like being naked.’
‘Oh bullcrap, it’s the same as wearing togs.’ He shrugged. ‘And besides, you’ve seen me naked so what the big deal?’
‘Hmm, true…’ She smiled a little waywardly.
‘Come on, Char, let your rebellious side out cause I know it’s in there.’
She jiggled on the spot as she considered it. ‘Okay, as long as you turn around while I strip.’
‘Deal.’ He placed her back down. ‘Just for the record, I wouldn’t have thrown you in with them sexy boots on anyways.’ Then undressing down to his jocks without a care in the world, he tossed his jeans, shirt and hat to the side and ran into the water, his deliciously strapping back turned to her. ‘I promise I won’t turn around until you’re in,’ he called out as he waded in.
Charlize almost drooled at the sight of him. She felt a rush of giddiness as she stripped down to her underwear. This was so not like her—but then again, maybe it was because it felt so damn good, and so damn right.
Now in her matching lacy pink bra and G-string, she dashed for the water just as Dallas turned around to face her. The blaze in his eyes as he looked her body up and down spoke of everything he wanted to do to her, and then some, making every single inch of her crave for him to have his wicked way.
Instinctively, her hands flew over her top and bottom halves as she ducked beneath the water, leaving just her head afloat. ‘Hey, you promised you wouldn’t look.’
‘I had my fingers crossed when I said that, so my promise was null and void.’
‘You rogue.’ She splashed water towards him, hitting him straight in the face.
His gloriously brawny arms rose from the water as he wiped the droplets from his face, and his lips curled into a just-try-that-again smile.
And so she did, this time with ten times more force behind the splash.
Dallas retaliated and water was going left, right and centre as they yelled and laughed and played.
It was free-spirited fun, and Charlize loved it.
‘I surrender,’ Dallas hollered as he broke through the walls of water and grinned sexily, waywardly even, as he swam towards her, making her heart gallop even faster, so much so she could feel the pulse in her throat. What was he going to do when he got to her? The entire way his eyes never left hers, making her feel as though he was caressing her from the inside out. And then he was only inches away. Unable to hold his gaze for fear of doing something she would regret, she glanced around at the towering trees casting shade across the water. ‘This place is so beautiful it just doesn’t seem real.’ She instinctively turned back to face him as she waited for him to respond.
‘It sure is.’ Dallas’s gaze intensified as he reached out and cupped the back of her neck, his thumb sweeping over her cheek. ‘Much like you are.’
Her breath caught in her throat and flames of longing shot through her with the flash of desire that swept across his face.
She bit her bottom lip to stop it from quivering, and then slowly shook her head. ‘Dallas, I—’
‘Shh, I know.’ A smile played at the corners of his mouth. ‘I’m not going to take advantage of you, so don’t worry. I just wanted you to know how beautiful you are.’
She blinked, half in shock and the other half trying to ward off tears of bliss. ‘Thank you.’ Her voice was shaky.
He ran his thumb over her lips as he once again seized her eyes with his. ‘You don’t deserve what your husband did to you. He’s a lowlife idiot.’ He shook his head, anger flashing in his eyes as a muscle in his jaw twitched. ‘I wish I could teach him a lesson, breaking your heart the way he has. No woman deserves to be cheated on, especially one as beautiful and kind-hearted as you are.’
‘How did you know?’ A lump formed in her throat, but she choked her words past it. ‘Did your mum tell you?’
‘She’s worried about you, that’s all. I hope you don’t mind.’
She didn’t mind at all because she knew their concern was genuine. She shook her head, unable to speak now for fear of crying.
Dallas saw her tears welling and he moved his hand from the back of her neck to wipe them away. ‘I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to bring it all up for you. I just wanted you to know I care that you’re hurting.’
She looked at him now, really looked at him, searching for the connection they’d both held back from since they’d first laid their eyes on each other, and when she found it, she could barely breathe. ‘I’m not crying because of the hurt he caused me, I’m crying because you’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, and what you’ve just said means the world to me.’
He smiled now, and his warmth enveloped her, making her smile through her tears too. ‘We may never get a chance to discover what this is between us, Char, but always know I’m here for you, anytime you need me, okay.’ He eyed her like he knew her inside out. ‘I know you’re a toughie, but you don’t need to get through everything yourself and try to be so strong all the time.’
And with his beautiful words her walls finally crumbled and she wept for the man that had broken her heart because he didn’t really love her, and for a man that appeared to care more for her than Alistair ever did but who she would never be able to have because they were from different worlds.
His eyes full of compassion, Dallas drew her into his strong arms and held her to his chest, his protective yet gentle touch caressing her aching heart. Letting herself fall into him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tucked her head underneath his chin, her heart welling even more as he dropped a soft kiss against her head. And then, with their bodies moulding into one as though they’d been made for each other, he allowed her to cry all the tears she needed to as they floated in the middle of the dam’s enveloping embrace.
CHAPTER
22
The atmosphere of the rodeo grounds was electric as the last remnants of the setting sun disappeared over the horizon, giving way to a half moon and a velvet back sky scattered with glittering stars—a country night sky at its best. Clicking her camera for what felt like the hundredth time that night, Charlize then left it hanging from the cord around her neck. From her prime position in the grandstand she looked around at the sea of smiling faces circling the arena during half time, and felt somehow connected to all of them. She’d already had her fair share of nail-biting seconds watching the action take place in the centre ring but the thought of watching Dallas do the same thing in the second half sent an icy chill through her.
What if he got hurt? How would she cope? What if it was life-threatening? The mere thought made her sick to the stomach.
After watching a bull rider being carried out of the arena unconscious and then witnessing another being thrown around like a ragdoll because his hand was stuck in the rope after he was thrown off—only to be saved by the courageous bullfighters with a death defying feat—she’d learnt that adrenaline rushes weren’t restricted to the hard-as-nails riders. The two incidents had left her hanging to the edge of her seat, and panicking about the fact that it could have been Dallas. God forbid.
Standing for a few moments to ease the pins and needles in her bum, she turned to look behind the grandstands, and into the bar area that was filled to the brim with partygoers. They seemed to be having a wow of a time, the chatter and laughter reaching up and making her feel as though she was a part of the fun. Alongside the bar were food vans selling everything from gravy-laden roast beef rolls to woodfired pizzas, dagwood dogs, mammoth sized ribs dripping in smoky barbeque sauce, and much to her mortification, deep-fried Snickers and Mars bars. It certainly wasn’t a pescetarian’s delight, but for meat eaters it would be absolute heaven.
She tried to spot Katherine and Reg’s faces amongst the milling crowd, but it was impossible. They’d headed off almost twenty minutes ago to hunt down some dinner, asking her to stay put to save their seats. Her stomach rumbled, and with her nerves on tenterhooks, she couldn’t wait to take her first sip of coffee. Although some believed it made them ever more jittery, caffeine always seemed to calm her down, or so she liked to think.
Stretching before she sat back down, she watched a water truck doing rounds in the arena. The driver was attempting to settle the dust that was hovering over everything in sight, and creating playful havoc by lightly spraying the bottom row of spectators. She laughed as she watched people duck and weave, most of them fruitlessly, and a figure waving from the top railing of the nearby chutes caught her eye.
The sight of Dallas, chaps and all, stole her breath away. She waved back, mouthing ‘Good luck’. He grinned brazenly as he mouthed thanks. Far out, he had a killer smile, and with the sparks it caused inside she found herself falling further down the rabbit hole. She couldn’t help the wistful smile that touched her lips as she remembered his big strong arms wrapped tightly around her at the dam seven hours ago. And yes, she knew it was seven hours because she’d been praying as each hour passed that she would get over what she hoped was some foolish city girl / country boy crush, but she’d found her feelings had only intensified with each passing hour, minute and second.
Floating around in the dam as he’d silently comforted her had been one of the most intense experiences she’d ever shared with a man. Dallas had made her feel more treasured and protected than she’d ever felt. It had left her falling for him in a way she wished she wasn’t. She was all for striving for your dreams and desires, but why waste energy longing for something that could never ever be? It would only spell heartache and disaster for both of them, and she’d had her fair share of that already.
Her mobile phone chiming from her handbag caught her attention. Fishing for it as though her hand was in a lucky dip—her bag filled with everything but the kitchen sink—Charlize pulled the iPhone out and grinned when she saw it was Jasper. She’d rung him yesterday after the photo shoot, just to let him know it had all gone smoothly, but he’d been running out the door so they hadn’t been able to chat longer than two minutes. ‘Howdy there, city slicker.’
‘Well, howdy there yourself, you country bumpkin.’ Jasper’s laughter reached through the phone and made her smile wider. ‘Sounds to me like that country air is getting to you a little more than you thought it would, darling.’
Charlize looked down at her new boots and then touched the wide-brimmed hat Katherine had lent her. ‘I have to admit it has, and I’d say much more than a little.’ She squirmed, waiting for what she knew was coming.
‘I told you you’d have fun out there if you allowed yourself to. I think this trip was just what the doctor ordered.’
She rolled her eyes and sighed lightheartedly. ‘Yes, okay, you were right, as usual.’
‘And the sooner you learn that the better.’ He chuckled audaciously. ‘Now, I want to know what you’re thinking about the article, but more importantly, has this time away helped clear your head about the whole Alistair debacle?’
Charlize felt a warm surge once again with the recollection of the magical few hours at the dam. ‘Yes, it sure has, more than words can say.’
‘Good. Excellent.’ He sucked in a sharp breath. ‘So tell me, have you made a decision? Will he be getting another chance?’
Was Jasper referring to Dallas? Charlize panicked. ‘Who?’
‘Alistair, darling … Who else would I be talking about?’
‘Oh, sorry, I was distracted by all the action here. Not in this lifetime he won’t be.’ Charlize felt a fire in her belly as she said it.
‘I’m glad you said that.’ He tutted. ‘I feel bad telling you this, Char, but I saw Alistair and that wretched woman out the other night and they looked very cosy. I was going to go and give him what for, but Greg stopped me. Which was probably a good thing because I’d drunk my fair share of red wine by that stage.’
Charlize was surprised to find the news did nothing to her, other than cement her decision to ask for a divorce. ‘Nothing would surprise me.’
‘I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But you’ve made the right decision. You can never forgive a cheater. It will only come back to bite you on the arse if you do.’
‘Don’t be sorry, Jasper, I honestly don’t give two hoots about what he does anymore.’ She offered a resigned sigh. ‘Now I’ve had time to really think about things, Alistair and I were over ages ago. We should never have gotten married.’
‘We all make mistakes, so don’t be too hard on yourself, okay.’
‘Yeah, I know, I’m trying not to be.’
‘Big hugs to you, Charlize.’ He blew out a breath. ‘Anyway, darling, time to put my boss’s cap on now and have a little chat to you about something that’s been brought to my attention.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘I had a very strange call from a woman called Vivien Hiller this afternoon.’
Charlize’s body tensed. She tried to keep her voice casual. ‘Oh, yes. What did she have to say?’
‘She told me that she had some juicy information in regards to the Armstrongs. Is this true?’
Charlize’s foot began to tap nervously. ‘Oh yeah, she approached me a few days ago. Claims she has some big secret, and wants us to pay her for it. I just haven’t got around to asking you yet, that’s all.’
‘You just simply haven’t got around to asking me yet?’ Jasper’s voice was getting higher, and Charlize braced herself for a lecturing. ‘Have you forgotten about the possibility of getting that promotion?’
Charlize closed her eyes, her shoulders slumping. ‘No, I haven’t.’
‘Hmm, you could have fooled me, Charlize.’
She could hear Jasper’s pen clicking in and out as silence reigned. She caved in, feeling awful for not doing her job as she should have been. She wanted the promotion, with everything she had, but she’d also gotten lost in her protective little world at Rollingstone Ridge and life back in the city didn’t seem as important. ‘I’m sorry, I’ve just been really busy working on my story angle with Dallas.’
‘Forgive me for suggesting the obvious, but—’ he sighed impatiently ‘—don’t you think this could add to the story?’
‘Yes, but like I said, I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.’
‘And just when were you going to g
et around to it, darling? Because don’t forget you’re heading home in three days’ time?’ This time the darling was not pronounced with affection, but irritation.
Charlize’s mood plummeted. She hated disappointing Jasper. ‘Soon.’
‘Good, because I’ve taken the liberty of making a time for you to go around to her house to talk to her.’
Her heart skidded to a stop. ‘Oh, okay, when?’
‘Tuesday morning at ten.’
She feigned confidence. ‘Yep, righto, I’m on it.’ She needed to snap back into journalist mode, and keep her focus on the potential prize at the end of this—her very own office and position as managing editor of the newspaper.’
‘And Charlize, one more thing …’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you remember me asking you to tell me if anything juicy came up?’
She wished she could crawl under a rock. ‘Yes.’
‘So why didn’t you?’
Charlize dropped her head as the reality of the situation came crashing down upon her. She’d been so enchanted by her attraction to Dallas and his family that she hadn’t wanted to burst the bubble by finding out something that might change how she felt about them. ‘I’m sorry, there’s just something about Vivien that makes my skin crawl, and I’ve been putting it off because I don’t trust her, or like her.’
‘Okay, you’re allowed to feel like that, but isn’t it your job to follow leads regardless?’
‘Yes, but—’ her voice broke ‘—I feel bad chasing up a lead that might cause heartache to these lovely people.’ The thought of going behind their backs made her heart ache beyond belief.
‘Oh sweetheart, you’re not letting yourself get emotionally invested, are you?’ Jasper’s voice was back to normal now, and filled with empathy. ‘Because you know that’s the biggest mistake a journalist can make. It will cloud your judgment.’ He clucked his tongue. ‘Maybe it was wrong for you to stay there with them.’
She nodded in agreement, unable to speak for fear of crying.
‘Charlize, are you still there?’