Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Kelsey moaned. Her hands roamed the hem of Parker’s shirt finding it too constricting at the moment she tried to tug it off him. Parker leaned back sitting himself over Kelsey’s hips. Quickly he lifted his shirt off and tossed it across the room.

  Parker smirked. “You want me don’t you…” he trailed.

  “Uh…” Kelsey mumbled. She openly kissed him as he returned his lips to hers. Kelsey felt herself wanting more, she wanted to rub those glorious abs. She wanted to trace the curves of his body with her tongue.

  Quickly, she took a chance and flipped them both over placing herself over Parker’s hips. Parker grinned. “Well, this is getting interesting.”

  “Quit.” Kelsey giggled. She leaned down and kissed him allowing Parker to grip her shirt and tug it off. Kelsey gasped feeling bare beneath his gaze. “Parker.” She breathed, trying to shield herself.

  “Don’t hide yourself from me beautiful.” Parker breathed. He pulled her down and kissed her as he trailed his hands up her bare thigh. She had worn shorts that night. She groaned when his hand lingered slightly too close to the right spot.

  Standing up Kelsey backed away from the bed slowly unbuttoning her shorts. “Mmm.” Parker groaned as he watched her like a hawk. He quickly tossed his legs off the edge of the bed, jumping up, and collapsing his arms around her tiny waist. He walked her back towards the wall as his lips assaulted hers. “Ahhh…. You’re so sexy.”

  “No…” Kelsey mumbled.

  “Don’t.” Parker shook his head, pressing a kiss against her jaw line. He trailed kisses down her throat until he backed her against the wall. As he kissed her Parker worked at Kelsey’s shorts, quickly dropping them to the floor. Kelsey yelped as Parker gripped her butt, she wrapped her legs around him.

  There was a knock on the door and Kelsey groaned as Parker set her feet down on the floor.

  Chapter 33

  “You want me to answer it?” Parker asked noticing how flustered Kelsey was. She nodded slowly. Parker grinned. “Okay princess, go lay down.” He gestured toward the bed as he pulled the bedroom door open. “Yes?” He said.

  “Uh Mister Parker, there has been some fences that need to be fixed in the morning and Nick asked me to talk to Miss Lodge before she goes to sleep.” Annie said anxiously.

  “Just a moment,” Parker said looking back toward the bed, “Princess…” Parker said.

  Kelsey stood slowly. She grabbed a small blanket from the top of her bed wrapping it around herself before walking over to the door. “Annie?” she said stepping up behind Parker.

  He wrapped an arm around her waist standing beside her proudly. “Miss, Nick wanted me to ask you if you planned on fixing the fences in the western range tomorrow or if he should just plan on sending Dylan out, since you have company and such.”

  Kelsey looked over at Parker for a moment then back to Annie “Uh…”

  “He wanted me to ask since you and Mister Parker didn’t get up until late this morning…” Annie added on.

  “Right” Kelsey giggled nervously. “Uh, Parker would you want to ride out with me tomorrow?” Kelsey asked.

  “I’d love to, but my flight is tomorrow.” Parker told her. “You go ahead.”

  “Well I guess that’s a yes.” Kelsey told her “Tell Nick I’ll ride out as soon as we’re done with our breakfast in the morning.”

  “He’ll be happy to hear that. Take your time getting up in the morning.” Annie winked.

  Kelsey groaned and shut the door. Kelsey turned in Parker’s arms and hid her face in his chest. “Oh my goodness, she thinks that we were…”

  “Going to do precisely what we wanted to do.” Parker said gently brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Now where were we?” He murmured kissing Kelsey’s lips.

  Kelsey shyly looked away.

  “How about a shower?” Parker asked in a whisper. “We had so much fun earlier…”

  “It’s late.” Kelsey shook her head. “How about…” Kelsey said tracing the top hem of Parker’s jeans.

  “Well then.” PARKER smirked quickly unbuttoning the pants and dropping them to the floor before stalking toward Kelsey pinning her against the wall.

  Chapter 34

  When Kelsey sat up the next morning Parker was still by her side. She couldn’t help but grin as she traced her eyes over his naked backside. Then the thought popped into her head. It was a bad thought but a thought none the less. It made her scoot toward the edge of her bed.

  “Hey beautiful,” Parker murmured taking Kelsey out of the bad thoughts.

  “Hey.” She answered.

  She wrapped a blanket around herself as she stood from the bed. She was still naked from last night as well. She had fallen asleep with her head on Parker’s chest and his arm wrapped around her.

  She patted across the room disappearing into the bathroom. She dropped the blanket and climbed into the shower. Moments later the door opened and Parker slid into the shower. Kelsey stared at him before bursting into tears.

  “Are you just after me to get my ranch and money?” She cried.

  “What?” Parker choked. He shook his head and pressed a hand to Kelsey’s arm. “Princess…”

  “No…” Kelsey whimpered she yanked her hand from Parker’s grip and jumped out of the shower grabbing a towel. “You heard me. Are you after me for my money?” Kelsey demanded.

  “Kelsey, that’s beyond ridiculous.” Parker shook his head and stepped out of the shower as well.

  “Well I guess that’s my answer then and just f.y.i., I don’t have as much as you would think.” Kelsey cried and quickly running out of the bathroom. Really everything she owned was wrapped up in the horses, cattle, and the ranch itself, she had originally considered downsizing but thought better of it. She made a good living with this ranch and was even considering expanding now to something else… what she wasn’t quite sure.

  “Kelsey!” Parker called “Gah!” He yelled punching his fist into the wall.

  Kelsey had disappeared into the closet and was dressing quickly. How come he couldn’t just answer her?

  Once she pulled on her clothes Kelsey raced down the stairs to the kitchen. Annie offered her an apple and a bottle of water before Kelsey hurried out the door to the barn. She burst through the barn doors with tears streaming down her face and quickly saddled her horse, grabbing the supplies and riding away.

  Parker couldn’t think of what had just happened. Kelsey had burst into tears and ran away from him after asking if he only wanted her ranch and her money. It was just silly.

  By the time Parker had made it to the kitchen, Kelsey was gone. He groaned and flopped down in a chair. He had to catch his flight soon and he really didn’t want to leave things this way. Though he would be back once he settled things at school, he was planning on finishing school over the internet or something from Kelsey’s home. “Are you alright Mister Parker?” Annie asked setting a cup of coffee before Parker.

  “Please call me Parker or Mister MacKay. Mister Parker doesn’t sound right.” Parker told her. “But yeah… I have to catch my plane.”

  “What did you do?” Ryder rolled his eyes as he stepped into the kitchen. “If you hurt her I swear…” Ryder growled.

  Parker went on to explain Kelsey’s change in mood and how he desperately had to speak with her. “Our plane leaves soon…” Ryder frowned. “I bet she knew that…”

  “I can’t leave like this.” Parker groaned. “Can someone show me how to get to where Kelsey is?” Parker asked.

  “You won’t make it back in time.” Ryder told him.

  “GAH!” Parker roared “That girl is infuriating sometimes.” He slammed his hands onto the table and put his head down on top of his hands.

  “You’ll just have to prove to her that’s not what you’re interested in. That I’ll help you with at my birthday party” Ryder told his friend patting Parker on the shoulder.

  “I thought you don’t want me with her…” Parker said softly as he looked up at Ryder.<
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  “I give up. I know you love her and I know she’s just a little too stubborn to say what she feels. She’ll come around give her till next weekend. I’ll get her to come over to the birthday party, it’s hers to so…” Ryder told him confident that he could get his sister to come back home for the weekend.

  Parker didn’t speak he just hopped up and wrapped his arms around Ryder in a tight embrace. “Annie we need a ride to the airport.” Ryder squeezed out.

  The boys loaded their things and Hannah’s things up into the back of Annie’s car and she drove them to the airport. Along the way, Ryder had convinced Annie to play a part in his scheme to get Kelsey back to the city for the weekend.

  “Remember she can’t know Parker’s going to be there.” Ryder told her.

  “Yes Mister Lodge.” Annie muttered for the hundredth time. “She’ll be there. I might have to drag her but she will be for her nineteenth party.” Annie told him with an evil glint in her eye.

  “Thanks.” Parker told her gently hugging Annie.

  She liked the boy. He would be good for Kelsey in so many ways. He was strong where she was weak and he would tame her like she would tame him. The guys and Hannah said their goodbyes, wishing all the while they could say goodbye to Kelsey, and boarded the flight.

  Chapter 35

  When Kelsey had finally calmed down and came to her senses, Parker, Ryder, and Hannah were gone. Annie had explained how Parker was extremely upset and she could tell how much the boy loved Kelsey. She had also told her that she had dropped them off at the airport. Kelsey felt so alone.

  Kelsey had tried to call Ryder or Hannah but she knew it was impossible with them on the flight and decided she would call in the morning. She had settled into the couch and was going to watch a movie. All alone was just flat out lonely.

  “Hey Kelsey” Dylan said walking into the living room. “How are you doing? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “I’m holding on right now.” Kelsey mumbled.

  Dylan frowned “Would you mind if I sat with you?” He asked, hoping he could help Kelsey feel a little happier.

  “Free country.” Kelsey mumbled.

  “Want to talk about it?” Dylan asked as he sat down on the couch. Kelsey could now smell the alcohol on his breath.

  Kelsey didn’t chose to confide too much in Dylan but she enjoyed his company yet his drunkenness worried her. Half way through the movie Kelsey had fallen asleep. She had curled up against Dylan. He gently stroked her hair wondering how he could change her mind into liking him instead of the player which had been here earlier. Yes that was her brother’s friend but…

  He leaned down and kissed Kelsey softly on the forehead. She hadn’t been quite asleep fully and her eyes snapped open. Scrambling to sit up Kelsey stared at Dylan. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel it.” Dylan grinned.

  “I am engaged.” Kelsey choked. Yes, the engagement was a spur of the moment thing but she knew deep in her heart that Parker would have asked her eventually anyway. She knew she wanted to at least try with Parker and she didn’t want to change their status. Kelsey was afraid to say it but she loved the man, that was possibly the reason for her screw up this morning but she couldn’t just come out and say ‘if we get married will you sign a pre-nub?’ could she. Instead, she had to go and spew words that screwed everything up.

  “You don’t want him.” Dylan shook his head. “Give me a shot.” He reached for Kelsey snapping his hands around her waist and pulling her to him.

  “What are you doing!?” Kelsey screamed “Let go of me!”

  “We both know you want this.” Dylan chuckled darkly as he pressed his lips to Kelsey’s skin. His hands quickly and furiously waved around Kelsey’s body. He shoved his hand into her yoga pants and tried to fondle her down below.

  She let out a blood curdling scream and pushed herself away as much as she could. He was trying to hold her in place while he tried to pull his jeans off. It was no use. Dylan’s strength was far too superior to her.

  Tears stung her eyes and she was frantically trying to get away from him. Yet at that moment Kelsey was extremely grateful because she heard the racking of her shotgun by the door. “If you don’t drop your hands and let go of my little darling, I will blow you apart.” Annie’s voice was dark and dangerous as she flicked on the light and pointed the gun directly at Dylan’s head.

  “I was just…” Dylan tried.

  “Miss Lodge, come over here.” Annie directed.

  Dylan’s hands regretfully let go of Kelsey. She quickly scurried behind Annie. Thankful she wasn’t home alone. “James!” Annie called out. James, Annie, and Toby were the only ones that normally stayed in the house with Kelsey. When James had moved in Nick had moved out to one of the ranch hand houses, yet he had stayed in the main house for years. It had always seemed safer for there to be at least one man in the home, he figured. He had looked at Kelsey as if she was his sister or maybe even a daughter and looked at her mother like a friend who needed someone there.

  “Annie? Kelsey?” James came running down the stairs. “I heard a scream and then I heard you cry out to me, Annie is everything…” James stopped at the base of the stairs. Annie had the gun still pointed directly at Dylan and Kelsey was crying behind her. “What the hell did he do?” James growled out.

  “Get him out of here before …” Annie snarled. “He tried to…” Annie looked behind her slightly at Kelsey and sighed.

  “He…” Kelsey mumbled but couldn’t get the words out.

  James shook with anger as he stormed over to the couch. Dylan had his hands up and behind his head in defeat and surrender. “Kelsey look… I don’t know what got into me.” Dylan defended.

  “Boy, get up.” James snapped from beside Dylan. “Get walkin,” James yelled as he kicked at Dylan’s butt. “Don’t you look at her!” He yelled as Dylan’s head drifted toward Kelsey.

  “I’m calling the sheriff.” Annie said handing the gun over to Kelsey. “Don’t be afraid to pull that trigger.” She said as she stormed away.

  Kelsey slowly followed after James watching carefully of where Dylan was at the entire time. “Sit down.” James hissed as he pulled a roll of duct tape and a bundle of twine from the porch.

  “What?” Dylan squeaked as he looked back at James.

  “I said sit down!” James demanded.

  Dylan looked around nervously and when James stormed over to him, Dylan’s eyes went wide. “Wait… no what are you doing?” He cried out as James tried to secure his arms.

  “I am tying you up until the sheriff gets here. Sit down or I’ll make you.” James snapped.

  When Dylan didn’t comply fast enough James clobbered the boy. James may have been a smaller man than Dylan’s big, young, and muscular size but James had the power of his wisdom. He had his share of fights and he knew how to throw a punch. Unfortunately, Dylan wasn’t so lucky. He was out cold.

  James shoved the boy into place and secured his hands and feet with the duct tape and twine. Then he huffed and sat down on the far side of the porch glaring. “I’m sorry about this idiot Kels. I shouldn’t have gone to bed with you still up.” James told her.

  “Uncle James. It’s alright.” Kelsey muttered. “You couldn’t have known.”

  “Where’s Parker and your brother? They should be down here protecting you.” James scowled. He was still glaring at Dylan’s unconscious form.

  “They went home. I…” She began but that’s when the sheriff’s car came barreling down the drive.

  He skid to a halt with dirt flying all over. Pushing his door open the beefy man stomped toward the porch. “Boy, are you in for a lickin.” The sheriff growled and then shook his head once he realized the boy was passed out.

  He stepped up to the porch and sighed “Are you alright darling?”

  “I’m alright now.” Kelsey admitted. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Of course” The sheriff said. He was standing before her in his normal everyday clothes. With his
gun strapped around his hips and tennis shoes on. “I’m sorry I am not dressed ah… more sheriff like.” He shrugged.

  “That’s alright.” Kelsey giggled shaking her head. The sheriff was one of their closest neighbors and Kelsey was so undeniably glad for that.

  “He’ll be locked up and won’t be bothering you again. Do you need to get a restraining order against him?” The sheriff asked.

  “He’s been working on the farm. We need to know who to contact about his things.” Nick said. The commotion had woken up many people and those whom weren’t sleeping, had begun to wonder toward the main house to find out what was happening.

  “Well, I will call yall in the morning with that.” The sheriff said. “Someone want to help me get this kid in the car?”

  Nick, James, and the sheriff worked together to hoist Dylan into the sheriff’s back seat. Once they had gone, James and Nick escorted Kelsey back inside the house. “As soon as that mother of yours comes around to get her things I’m movin’ back in this house. At least till you have a husband to protect you.” Nick demanded.

  “I don’t know if that’s going to happen now. I screwed up.” Kelsey groaned. She knew that he would forgive her, well at least she hoped so, but right now she felt really down in the dumps.

  “I think tomorrow we are goin’ to have ourselves a packin’ party.” Nick chuckled. “I’ll get some boxes from town and we’ll get Dylan’s things out of the back house” Nick told Kelsey.

  She looked at him skeptically but shrugged. “Okay,” Kelsey sighed. “Thanks for your help. Thank you Annie.” Kelsey said hugging her. “I’m going to bed.” She knew that Nick would have everything taken care of for her. He was a good worker and great friend.

  Nick watched as the girl escaped up the stairs before lying down on the couch. “Goodnight Annie.” Nick said as Annie smiled meekly and shut off the lights. He was going to stay inside for the night.