by C. M. Allen
Getting a look in her eyes that I recognize from when we had our meeting this morning in my office she says "You didn't scare me, it's fine." Getting out of the SUV and shutting the door I grab all the bags out of the trunk and sling them over my shoulders. "I can carry my own,” she says in a low almost sad voice, walking up next to me.
Handing her the keys, I point to the front door. "I've got the bags, you unlock the door."
Walking in, I turn on a low night light and point her in the direction of the stairs. "It's late, I'll just show you to your room and we'll put this day to bed and tomorrow I'll give you a tour of the ranch." As I pass her to head up the stairs our arms brush against one another and it feels like a shock of electricity hits my system. I just know sleep isn't going to come easily tonight with me wondering what she'll be wearing in bed just down the hall from me, Is it lacy? Pink? Black? Or red? Or God help me, nothing at all? Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I guide her down the hall until I find her door. Flipping the light on I tell her. "This is where you'll be sleeping. There's a closet over there, you're more than welcome to hang your things up in, and the dresser over by the window is empty. The bathroom is right through here." I show her turning the lights on. "The towels are all clean and there's more in the cupboard there. Also the drawers under the sink are all empty so you can put your stuff in there." Looking at me like she's half asleep I say, "Any questions?"
Shaking her head she answers "No, I just want to go to sleep and forget this day ever happened."
"Alright, I'm just down the hall last door on the right before the stairs if you need anything good night Presley.” I say walking out the door, hearing no response.
Entering my room, I know the first thing I'm going to need, a shower a very cold one. That woman has to be the most beautifully frustrating woman I have ever met in my life. She drives me absolutely crazy in every way possible and I can't get her out of my head, her smell, her smile when she shows it even though it's usually in a sarcastic manner, the way she sticks her hip out and crosses her arms over her chest when she's about to throw one of her child like tantrums. It all should scream "high maintenance, run!" But she really cares too, I saw that today. I just don't think she ever really allows herself to show it very often. She's been groomed by someone to be this spoiled ice queen she wants people so desperately to believe she is. The question is; who was he and what did he do to her? She's a woman who's been hurt before that's clear as hell with the 'tough bitch' act she puts on.
After I chill my body down from the ice cold shower, it heats right back up all over again the moment I lay down on the bed and shut my eyes. Her, it's all I can see when I close my eyes. "Shit!" First thing tomorrow morning I'm in that barn and beating the shit out of that bag. It's the only way I'll be able to release all this sexual tension I feel pulsating between us and even though she would never admit it, I saw the look in her eyes tonight, she feels it too.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN PRESLEY
Waking up this morning I feel almost hung over. I think I went through just about every emotion a person could have yesterday, from fear to lust and everything in between. Flipping the covers back I do a zombie walk into the bathroom to take a shower and wake up. After I've showered, I pull my hair up into a ponytail not bothering with any make-up; I mean who the hell is going to see me anyway, the cow, pig or a horse? Well Hudson will but I don't want him to think I want his attention. Deciding a little mascara and lip gloss won't look like I'm trying too hard, I put some on and get dressed in shorts and a tank top, then head out to find Mr. 'my way or the highway'. Walking down the stairs into the living room I take in my surroundings, not having seen much when I came in half asleep last night. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. There's a huge old wood burning fire place, all light wood floors and furniture. It's all a very rustic looking, like what you would think a farm house should look like. The accent colors are all dark browns which surprisingly contrast well with the light wood making me wonder just who helped Hudson with the decorations, an ex-girlfriend, ex-wife, or worse, a current one of either. The kitchen is simple and small and has a little six person dining table. Noticing I haven't come across Hudson yet, I call out his name. "Hudson! Hudson are you here?" Not getting a response I decide to check outside. Walking out the back door I find a small manicured yard with a table and fire pit, then just open field for miles. Hearing some music playing off in the distance, I look to see where it's coming from. Having decided it's got to be coming from the barn to the back side of the house, I head over towards it to see what the hell he's doing out there. Getting closer, I can now make out the music he's listening to, it's the song 'A reason to fight' by All That Remains. Pretty hard core music for ten thirty in the morning making me wonder just what he's really doing out here.
Rounding the entrance to the barn, there's not a single way in hell I could have ever prepared myself finding him like this. His body is glistening with beads of sweat that drip down his toned, tanned body as he punches and kicks the shit out of the black bag that's hanging down from a beam in the barn. As I stand there watching him, I can see all his muscles flexing as he moves in smooth strokes over the bag, and what he's wearing, or lack thereof has me licking my lips. He has on just a pair of black board shorts and black work boots, that's it. Looking closer when he shifts his body I can see that he has a few more tattoos on his chest and back then just the ones that I saw on his arms. Losing myself in the sight of him I'm startled when I hear him say. "You just going to stand there gawking at me all day, or do you want to learn how to box?"
Snapping my head up I repy in a sarcastic, matter of fact tone "I was not gawking at you. I was just wondering what that stupid bag did to you to make you beat the crap out of it?"
Grabbing a hold of the bag stilling it, he turns to me letting out a heavy breath "Boy, you just never quit with the act do you?"
Crossing my arms and glaring back at him I ask. "And just what act is that?"
Chuckling, he lowers his head shaking it before bringing it up to look at me again motioning me over. "Come here, I want to show you something."
Not moving my feet I ask. "What?"
"Jesus, can you just please get your ass over here? Just once can do what I ask you to do instead of always fighting me?"
Mumbling "whatever" to myself I walk over to where he stands by the bag, "Now what?"
Taking off his gloves he reaches for a smaller pair that looks to be for a woman with the pink and white colors. "Put out your hands I'm going to lace you up and have you go a few rounds."
Playing the dumb rich chick he thinks I am I tell him "No way I'll break my hand or something." Pausing for a moment to look around the farm, "and I don't think there's a hospital anywhere near here."
"Again with the act, just give me your hand."
"Hey!" I say as he takes my hand shoving a glove over it and lacing it up then the other. Standing on the side of me he tells me how to hold my hands and shows me how my fist should connect with the bag when I hit it so I don't break my wrist. As he goes over the instructions, I try to keep my mind focused on what he’s saying instead of how he makes me feel when he’s so close, hot. Deciding to just let him think I know nothing about boxing instead of enlightening him on the kickboxing classes I take five days a week, I continue to play the roll he's painting me in right now. The dumb, "try not to hurt yourself little lady" roll most men assume about me.
After he's done going over it all, he stands behind the bag and holds it still for me. "Okay now remember how to hold your hands and wrists when hitting the bag?" Nodding my head he adds "Now put someone's face on it that you hate and go for it." Raising my eyebrow as I look at him letting him know it will be his face I see on it, he lets out a chuckle, "Whatever you have to do princess." Hating it when he calls me that I let the first punch fly knocking him back a step, seemingly surprising him at how hard I can actually hit. I punch it hard a couple more times before kicking it a few times as well. "Wow! Look at you
go princess. Better watch it, that crown of yours is slipping." Getting even more pissed I hit the bag a couple more times before raising my foot up straight in front of me and punching it forward kicking into the bag hard enough to put Hudson on his ass.
As he sits there staring up at me in disbelief, I walk around to where he's sitting on the ground. Stilling the swinging bag and leaning down closer to him I ask in my sweetest Texan accent "So did I do that right, the way I hit this black bag thingy here?"
Laughing he gets up dusting himself off then holding his hands up in surrender "Okay, okay you got me. I shouldn't have assumed you've never hit a bag before."
Starting to take the first glove off I tell him "Damn right you shouldn't have, I'm not just some dumb rich chick that sits on her ass all day eating Bon Bon’s you know."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN HUDSON
When I notice Presley watching me at the entrance to the barn, it's clear she has no idea that I clocked her the second she was close. It's like there's some internal alarm inside my body lately, well mainly it’s my dick that goes off whenever she's near me or I smell that strawberry body spray she uses. After she tries to deny checking me out I talk her into going a few rounds with the bag. Knowing her perfectly manicured hands have probably never done a day’s work in their life let alone hit something, I go over all the safety instructions needed when hitting the bag. My first mistake was under estimating her. My second was falling for another one of her acts. After she knocks me on my ass and enlightens me about assumptions, she begins to take her gloves off, but I've got a little plan for some payback that's way overdue "Wait, leave your gloves on."
Letting out a huff she asks. "Why? I've already put you on your ass once Hudson do you need me to give you a replay on that?"
"No, but how about you put your money where your mouth is. How about a little bet?"
Putting her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow at me she asks "And just would that bet be?"
"How about a bet of power?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well ever since I've taken on this job you and I have done nothing but fight over who's in charge. So how about you and I go a quick round, and whoever gets in the most jabs in five minutes time is in complete control for the next twenty four hours, and that means whatever the winner says goes. No fighting about it. So if I win and say jump, all I want to hear from you is how high. Got it?"
Getting a smirk on her face she says. "And if I win and tell you to make me dinner, all I want to hear from you is, yes your highness."
Chuckling I agree. "You are on, but don't worry I won't hit you too hard princess."
"Well, I plan on hitting you hard bodyguard boy, so let’s go." She says taunting me and waving me closer.
Knowing just what I've got planned for my twenty four hours, I walk closer setting the timer on my phone. "Ready?"
"I was born ready." She replies crouched down and glaring at me.
When the timer starts we both put our hands up to guard our faces and begin to circle one another. Wanting to make her mad enough to drop her guard I say "Well come on princess I'm waiting for this knockout punch of yours."
"Nice try Hudson."
Chuckling I'm just about to say something when she cold cocks me square on the chin. Fuck!
"Ha! Me one, you zip!" She says bouncing on her toes.
Waiting for the perfect second, she finally drops her left hand just enough that when I throw my punch it connects lightly with her cheek. As she sits there stunned rubbing her face I can't help but laugh. "You hit me!"
Dropping her right hand, I tag her cheek lightly again on the other side just as the timer on my phone goes off. "Yep and it would also appear that I just won."
"That's not fair! I got distracted! Reset that timer! I want a do over!”
Shaking my head I tell her "Sorry sweetheart, there’s no mulligans in boxing."
Taking the gloves off and throwing them on the ground she storms off mumbling to herself making me laugh even harder. If she only knew what the next twenty four hours was going to hold, and it starts now. "Presley!"
Stopping mid stride she turns to face me crossing her arms over her chest. "What?"
"Come here."
"Why?"
Chuckling to myself, because I knew she would never play by the rules unless she won I tell her, "Because you and I made a bet. Your ass is mine for the next twenty four hours and I plan on using every second of that time to hear you say nothing but, 'yes Sir'."
Giggling she walks closer, close enough to smell that strawberry body spray again that floods my senses every time with wonders of how she will taste she says. "I just made that bet so you'd let me hit you I had no intentions of following through with it if I lost."
Stalking closer to her she backs up until her knees hit a bale of hay behind her and causes her to fall on top of it. Knowing I have the upper hand I continue closing in on her as she almost fully lays down to get away from me. Propping my hands on either side of her waist I hear a skip in her breathing, telling me she's just as turned on as I am right now. I don't know what it is with this woman, but the more she fights me, the more I want her. Maybe it's the chase, or maybe it's the fact that I've never come across a woman that has made getting her attention so hard. Women are usually the ones begging for my attention, not the other way around. I prop myself over her watching her closely, and I can see the lust that fills her eyes making them a reflection of my own. "So are you going to play by my rules or are we going to do the,
'you throw a fit’ and I hog tie you up to get you to cooperateagain?"
Eyes wide she says "You are not tying me up again! Now get off of me and let me up!"
Going even lower so we're almost nose to nose I tell her. "I think you know I can. And you know I will. Now if you promise to play nice I'll let you up, or we could just stay out here on this bale of hay for the next twenty four hours, your choice?"
Swallowing hard and taking a shaky breath she finally says "Fine but if you make me do anything disgusting you'll regret it when we get back to civilization."
Smiling, I get close to her ear and breathe the words. "Why? Are you going to sick daddy on me?"
Pushing hard against my chest trying to get me off of her I hold my position.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN PRESLEY
Pissed off that he won, I take the gloves off and throw them to the ground walking off. This wasn't how it was supposed to go, I was supposed to win and torture him for the next twenty four hours not the other way around. When he calls me back everything inside my body responds to his voice causing me to stop and face him. Damn hormones, you're all traitors! When he closes in causing me to fall back on a bale of hay everything in my body stiffens in anticipation of what he'll do next. Then he leans down over me, so close I can smell the mouth wash he used this morning, and I find myself having to grip the hay beneath my fingers in order to keep my hands from reaching out to touch him and grip his hair pulling him to me for the kiss I've been dying to give him. Snapping out of my lust filled thoughts, I can feel his hot breath float over my ear caressing it momentarily, causing my eyes to close and not even hear the words he's said. Finally focusing once again I know if I don't get him off of me I'll end up giving into him. Pushing at his chest to no avail I tell him with what I can only hope is a strong voice "Would you please just get off of me."
Stroking my cheek with his fingers causing my heart to beat faster he asks "Did I actually just hear Presley Crawford, say please?"
Starting to get overwhelmed by my feelings of confusion, tears begin to invade my eyes. "Please, I can't do this."
Standing up quickly he grabs me by my wrists bringing me to a standing position with him. "I'm sorry. I was just giving you a hard time I didn't mean to scare you. You have to know I would never hurt you if that's what you were thinking." He says with a tone of concern.
Shaking my head I answer. "It's not that...it’s...I'm just so confused, I don’t…."
Unable t
o finish what I was going to say, I just end up turning away from him and heading back towards the house only to feel his hand wrapping around my wrist to stop me.
"Presley, please stop and look at me."
Stopping but not turning around a single tear streams down my cheek. "I can't. Please just let me go." I say in a faint voice. Without any words he releases my hand leaving me to flee at a running pace towards the house. As I get closer a beautiful black horse grazing in the open field catches my eye. Having taken equestrian lessons as a child I've always had a fondness for horses. The power they have and freedom to run wild with no worries in their lives. And even though we have a stable full of horses to ride at any given time, I find I've had no time to these past few years. Walking out to where the horse grazes, I begin to really think about why that is. As crazy as the thought is, it's that pivotal point in my life when things changed for me. The things that I grew up loving were replaced with materialistic things. I think it all revolves around the year that my mother left my father and I for the life of a drug addict with her new boyfriend. My father did everything he could to save her, but she still ended up dying of a heroin overdose three years later. I didn't even attend her funeral, I was sixteen then. When she left us, my life changed. And if being I'm honest with myself, it changed for the worst. A couple of years after she passed away I realized she and I were more alike than I would ever care to admit. I seemed to pick the same kind of men who would use me and everything I had to give before casting me aside for another, using me up and each one taking another part of me with them when they left. The good parts, until there was nothing left but the cold shell I live within today, the ice queen.