by K. Langston
Standing in the mud room, I shoved my socked feet inside my mother’s rubber boots. Once I fired up the coffee pot, I was out the door.
My father was a retired FedEx pilot-turned farmer. We used to have cows, chickens, pigs, and the whole shebang. But they’d toned it down a bit over the last few years. Now, they only had a ton of chickens, the horses, and Drake. My parents weren’t rich by any means, but my father had bought stock in his company early on, so they lived comfortably. They’d made a good life for themselves. They’d made a good life for me.
Growing up, these were my everyday chores. Only, they didn’t feel like chores then, just like they didn’t feel like chores now. I loved being around the animals, especially my horses.
Bella and Samson had their heads peeking over the door of the stalls when I walked inside the barn. I could hear Bella’s hooves stomping the ground in excitement when she saw me. “Bella,” I cooed, rubbing up and down her silky white neck. “I’ve missed you, girl.” I rested my forehead to hers. Bella had been mine for fifteen years now. She was a beautiful white and tan mare. Samson, our gelding, snorted and bobbed his head. He would not be ignored. “Alright, alright.” I chuckled, petting the center of his chocolate and white diamond patched head. The door to the barn creaked open, and my heart hammered against my chest at the sight of Holden standing in the doorway. “What the hell are you doing here?” I yelped.
He walked towards me while his eyes roamed the length of my body. I shivered beneath his deliberate stare. “I came by to see ya before I got started in the field.” His eyes crawled back up to mine, a shit eating grin marring his handsome face. “Forget something?”
His grin morphed into a smirk.
What the hell?
I took a few steps back as he inched closer. “What the hell are you talkin’ ‘bout?” He rubbed the side of Samson’s neck with one hand and smoothed the other down the front of his head before locking eyes with mine. My nipples pebbled beneath his gaze, it was then I realized…I didn’t have on a bra.
Shit!
I folded my arms across my chest. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.” Heat flushed my cheeks.
“I’ve seen tits before, Maddie.” His hand continued stroke Samson.
“Well, you haven’t seen my tits before. And its Madison,” I sneered.
“You always this pleasant in the mornin’?” He crossed his arms and faced me.
“No, I’m much worse when I haven’t had my coffee in a timely manner.” The longer he stood there, looking at me like that, the more my anger melted….into…something else.
“That’s a great idea. Why don’t you go make us some coffee and I’ll finish up in here.”
“Listen, Hol-” I started.
He took another step forward, his arms still crossed. “I’m not leaving here ‘til we talk. It seems we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here, and I’m willing to bet that us being at odds won’t sit well with your father. And in his condition, I’m not aimin’ to piss him off. Now, if you wanna feed the horses first…fine. I’ll whistle while you work, sweetheart.” He took another step forward, dropping his arms. His fierce blue eyes held mine, bolting me to the ground as he towered over me. “But I have a feeling you’ll want to run along and dress properly before we have that cup of coffee. That is, if you don’t want me staring at your tits the entire time.” He licked his lips, shrugging his shoulders. “Your choice, Maddie.”
I swallowed hard several times before stomping out of the barn. I couldn’t find my voice anyway. I wanted to tell him to go to hell so bad, but my mouth just wouldn’t work. And oddly enough, I actually wanted to have coffee with him.
Barreling up the stairs, I found proper clothing as Holden had instructed, and took a little extra time in front of the mirror swiping on lip gloss and putting on a coat of mascara, making my wide blue eyes look brighter. What the hell was I doing? Chucking the mascara in my bag, I took a deep breath. He was just a man.
No big deal.
I’d never been so damn conflicted about a man like this before. One minute, I wanted to ring his neck, the next, I wanted to kiss him senseless. God, I wanted to do so much more than kiss him.
Wiping the slew of naughty thoughts from my mind, I went back downstairs. I found Holden leaning against the counter when I walked into the kitchen. My stupid heart leapt in my chest.
“How do you take your coffee?” he asked, setting down his cup.
“I can make it myself.” I took a step towards the coffee pot.
“Sit down and tell me how you take your damn coffee. Please.” he demanded.
“You always this bossy?” I jerked the stool, sitting down at the island.
“You always this stubborn?” he retorted.
Yes.
“Splash of hazelnut.”
“No sugar. Why does that not surprise me?” he mumbled.
“You tryin’ to piss me off?” I asked blowing the top of the steaming cup he’d just handed me.
“Nope. Just trying to figure out why you’re so…” he trailed off, shaking his head.
Holden took a sip of coffee, studying me from over the rim of his cup. His plain grey
T-shirt stretched across his broad chest in the most delicious way, and that dirty Farm Boy hat he had on was ridiculously hot.
“So…what?”
“Bitchy.” he finished.
“Oh, now you’re callin’ me a bitch? You’re an asshole-you know that?” I bit out.
“Hell no! Look,” He placed both hands flat on top of the island, bracing himself. “I’m just doing what your father asked me to do.” he stated.
I relaxed back in my seat. “Ok, fine. Do whatever it is you think you gotta do. Just keep your comments to yourself. We don’t have to be friends, ya know.” I rolled my eyes.
“Has anyone ever told you how fuckin’ sexy you are when you’re pissed off like that?”
Seriously?
“I wanna punch you in the throat right now. Do you think that’s sexy?”
He moved quickly. Like a jungle cat attacking his prey. My body was already tingly and heated from just being in the same room with him, but with him standing this close to me, I felt like I was standing inside of a sauna. He smelled so good, and for some damn reason, I had an overwhelming urge to rub up against him.
It’s official. I’ve lost my damn mind.
“So tell me, Maddie,” His rugged face hovered inches above mine. “You gotta boyfriend?” He was entirely too close, and in serious violation of my personal space. I wanted to move away, but his intense blue eyes wouldn’t allow it.
“Why do you care?” I questioned, tilting my head to the side.
He leaned in closer, lowering his deep sexy voice to almost a whisper. “Because I wanna make sure you don’t belong to anyone else before we move forward.”
His hypnotic gaze made it damn near impossible to speak. I swallowed hard and found my voice. “Move forward with what?”
“Gettin’ rid of all this…tension we have between us.” One hand moved to the back of my chair while his other hand rested on the island in front of me. His face moved in closer. Another inch or two, and we would know exactly what the other tasted like. That thought excited me. My parted lips searched for words, but I came up with nothing. His head dipped towards my neck and his calm, even breath met my sensitive skin. My tortured lungs sucked in a breath. “You feel it…don’t cha?” he pulled back, looking deep into my eyes.
“I don’t feel anything.” I lied.
Holden studied my face, his knowing eyes moving back and forth as he searched mine. “Right. I gotta hit the field.” He walked around the counter, picked up his coffee cup, rinsed it out, and placed it in the sink. Without another word, he sauntered his cocky ass out the back door while I sat there…speechless. Trying to figure out how the hell I was going to avoid Holden Brooks and all of this…
Tension.
Katy greeted me with a hug when I arrived at her townhouse to gather her for our lun
ch date. We video chatted at least once a week, but that was nothing compared to hanging out with your best friend in person. We’d decided last night we would go for lunch today, and then go visit my father.
Katy and I had been best friends since we could walk. Her father was the preacher at our church growing up, and we did everything together. She was the perfect child until she turned eighteen and moved out of her parent’s religious home. Then, she went crazy. Well, as crazy as Katy could get without compromising her faith, that is. Underneath all of her tattoos and rough exterior, was the kindest person I’d ever met. She never met a stranger and her heart was good as gold. Each and every tattoo that sleeved her right arm had some sort of significant meaning to it. She had too many to count, but they only made her look even more beautiful.
Today she had on a white flowing top that made her lightly tanned skin glow, a pair of dark skinny jeans that highlighted her every curve, and cute black flats with her usual funky jewelry. “Come in. I’m almost ready.”
A few things to know about Katy, the girl loved thrift stores and Pinterest. She was a fountain of information when it came to DIY or turning someone else’s trash into treasure. Until Katy had educated me, I had no idea you could make a coffee table out of palettes or use shower rings for purse holders.
Who freaking knew?
I followed her to the bathroom. “Where do you wanna eat?” I asked, watching her apply her red cherry lip gloss in the mirror.
“Windy City?” She smacked her lips then smoothed her long black hair.
I shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” I followed her into the bedroom. “Katy, where the hell is your bed?”
“I burned it. Archer had a crawfish boil a few weeks ago for the staff, and said he needed wood for the fire.” she chuckled. “I had some guys at work chop it up for me. I got shit faced and watched the damn thing burn to ash. It felt so good, Maddie. It was…liberating.” Katy and her boyfriend Luke had broken up a few weeks back. They’d been together two years before she caught him screwing another girl.
In her bed.
“Shit. I’m so sorry, Katy,” I offered, moving in to give her a hug.
She held her hands up to stop me. “Don’t. I’ll cry. And I’ve cried enough tears for his sorry ass. I’m DONE!” she sucked in a breath.
Her big brown eyes filled with tears, but she held them back. Grabbing her bag, we left the bare room. I silently prayed that I would never have to go through something like that. I was a strong woman, but finding the man you love in bed with another woman…or man…would be devastating.
Upon arriving at Windy City Grill, we were seated by the window overlooking the courthouse square.
“Come hang out at Archer’s tonight? I get off at nine and Reckless Heart is playing. They’re really good, and they always bring in a fun crowd.” she beamed.
“Sure.” I agreed, looking over my menu.
“So,” Katy laid her down menu on the table, clasping her hands. “How’s work?”
“Work’s good.”
She leaned forward. “Are you still sleepin’ with him?” she whispered across the table.
“No. That was…that was a big mistake.” I shook my head, still refusing to look up.
Huge.
“Yes,” She sat up straighter. “Fallin’ in love with your boss could be a disaster.”
Katy would never have casual sex. Either she was in a committed relationship, or she was single. There was no in between. She’d had two serious relationships in her entire life. Ben had been her first boyfriend right out of high school. They were together for three years before he decided that being in a rock band was way more important than being in a relationship. Then, there was Luke. I thought that was going good, until she caught him with another woman.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. I don’t plan on falling in love for a good long while. I’ve got too much shit to do before I even think about settling down.”
“You can’t control who you fall in love with, Maddie. That shit sneaks up on you.” she dipped her head, trying to catch my eyes.
“Speakin’ of bosses, what’s up with you and Archer?”
“I like him. I like him a lot, actually. But I don’t think I’m ready yet. Luke really messed me up this time, Maddie. He’d been sleepin’ with that girl behind my back for months. How do you trust another man after that?” I’d never seen Katy like this. She looked so…defeated.
I was the last person who should be offering relationship advice, so I told her what I thought she wanted to hear. “He’s still out there, Katy. He’ll find you.” The waitress placed our drinks on the table with two straws.
Katy had always been a true romantic at heart. She believed in true love, soul mates, and all that fairy tale bullshit. Since we were kids, Katy had been searching for her knight in shining armor, a prince charming to swoop in and sweep her off her feet. It was sweet, really…the idea of true love. However, I was smart enough to know that wasn’t reality. That kind of stuff only happened in books and movies. Not real life.
Katy sipped from her straw, gazing out of the window. “Maybe.” she shrugged.
I quickly moved on to more tolerable lunch time topics. Avoiding subjects like love and men.
CHAPTER seven
Fear is stupid. So are regrets.
-Marilyn Monroe
HOLDEN
Fuck.
I told myself I wouldn’t do this. I told myself she was off limits and that I absolutely could not and would not cross that line. But I was learning quickly that I was a weak bastard when it came to her. This morning, when I’d found her in the barn, standing there with her long dark hair cascading down her back in a messy ponytail, talking and cooing to the horses…I thought I’d lose my fucking mind. She was the most beautiful women I’d ever seen in my life.
The look in her eyes when I got close to her in the kitchen, told me that she felt something too. She just didn’t want to admit it. I wondered if she ever would.
Shaking my head, I turned into Archer’s. Saturday nights were always busier than Fridays, which was a good damn thing. Maybe, that would help me keep my mind off her.
Katy was busy wiping down glasses when I walked in. “Hey, Holden,” she greeted.
“What up,” Katy had on her usual Archer’s tank top, but while the other girls wore cutoffs she always wore ripped blue jeans instead. “Gonna be busy tonight.” I said, leaning across the bar.
Reckless Heart was playing tonight. The band was made up of five members. The two lead singers were married, and they’d been singing together for years. Their harmony was insane, and they sang a broad range of music from country to pop. They brought in a good crowd, and they were entertaining has hell.
“Yep. Hey, my best friend is stoppin’ by later tonight. I want you to meet her.” Katy smiled.
Yes. Just what I needed. A distraction.
“You tryin’ to hook me up, Katy Vaughn?”
Her innocent smile morphed into a mischievous one.
“We all set up back there?” Archer asked with folded arms from my side of the bar.
Rolling her eyes, Katy straightened to face Archer. She tucked her bar towel into her back pocket. “Good to go.”
Archer’s jaw tensed. “Did you really just roll your eyes at me?” he asked, a deep scowl creasing hard face.
Katy fixed her tiny hands on her slim hips, lifting her chin.
“Careful,” Archer cautioned with narrowed eyes before he addressed me. “I want you to watch the door like a hawk tonight. I’m gonna find out who’s lettin’ in bait. And when I do, I’m gonna fuckin’ kill ‘em.” He turned his attention back to Katy. “Everybody gets carded. Got it?”
“Gah, I know that Archer. I always ID everybody.” Katy huffed.
Archer’s face twisted in anger and his deep voice echoed throughout the empty bar. “Can you please, for once, just fuckin’ say ’yes sir’ when I tell you to do something? I know you card everybody; I am just reite
rating the fuckin’ need to be extra cautious.” I’d seen Archer reprimand the staff before, and I’d never had a problem standing witness. But this was different. I didn’t want to be a witness this at all. Katy was a good employee.
“Yes, sir.” Katy gritted through her clenched teeth.
“Now was that so hard?” Archer relaxed his shoulders.
Her voice was tight and clipped. “No.”
It sure as hell looked hard.
“I’ll be in my office if you need me. And I’ll be watching.” he said with a nod before stalking off.
“Got it.” I threw at his back then I leaned over the bar, making eye contact with Katy. “I look forward to meeting this friend of yours.”
She gave me a weak smile. “Me too.”
***
For the next four hours, I was focused and alert. The crowd was getting thick but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. I tried not to think about her, only to wonder why I wasn’t thinking about her, and then in turn, leading me to think about her. It was a pleasant mind fuck to say the least. The woman was literally making me crazy. Getting sucked into my own head, I never had a chance to prepare myself for what happened next.
Maddie walked into Archer’s.
I take that back.
Maddie floated into Archer’s. It felt like the air had been sucked out of the whole goddamn bar and my knees wobbled due to the lack of oxygen traveling to my brain.
Yep, they fucking wobbled.
She walked towards the bar slowly with ease and grace, looking perfectly confident and impossibly fucking beautiful. It was difficult to pull my eyes away from her. My hands itched to know if her legs were as soft as the cotton dress she wore. The one that swished across her creamy thigh with every step she took.
Sweet fucking hell…it swished.
Madison Waters could very well be described as every country boy’s dream. Well, this country boy anyway. Every swinging dick in her path had their eyes on her. My pulse quickened and my teeth felt like they could crush granite as jealousy washed over me. If one of them even thought about touching her, I’d lose my fucking shit. The overwhelming need to prevent that from happening had my feet moving in her direction.