by Lindsey Hart
He waited for over half an hour before he decided that the stranger must indeed be having dinner with Asha. An invitation that Colton had never, in fourteen years, received. That galled him as much as the clean cut appearance of the stranger. The man couldn’t look more different than Colton. He was blonde and freshly shaved. Colt looked wild in comparison. His skin was bronzed dark from the many hours he spent out in the fields. His hands were permanently engrained with oil and covered in scars from working on heavy machinery. His hair was long, and shaggy, ever in need of a cut and dark as midnight.
A stab of jealousy ripped through Colt’s stomach and settled, hard and unwelcome in his chest. He was surprised that Asha trusted a stranger enough to have dinner. That wasn’t like her. He himself had never received an invitation and he was, by all accounts, Asha’s lover. Not that she would ever call him that. She didn’t use that word, period. Love.
Oh, but he loved her. He’d been shocked, amazed and incredibly moved when Asha had decided to take their friendship into unchartered territory three years ago. She’d come to his house one night, in the middle of the night. Stood on his doorstep, her eyes wide, her lips slightly parted, breath raspy and raw. Her hair had been unbound, wavy from the braid she’d worn earlier in the day. She’d donned a light black maxi dress as California summer nights were as hot as the days.
She’d said nothing but he could tell that something was different. He’d always hoped she would notice him. Notice the way he stuck around for her, watched over her, did her favours and farmed her land. He always hoped she would realize it was more than friendship or kindness for him.
He’d hoped something more would come of that night. That night, when darkness blanketed them and he pleasured her until she cried out and clung to him. Nothing had. She was still friendly, but never loving. She was careful never to cross that line. To her, love was off limits. He knew her history. He’d known her family.
Colt got it. He understood that the events in Asha’s life had shaped her into a beautiful, compassionate, caring creature but also a flighty one, a wounded one, one with a broken spirit behind all those careful layers.
For her, those dark nights were a meeting of body only, a coming together to satisfy a physical hunger and a lonely ache.
Pleasure being sought, given and taken. For them both.
Did she know it was so much more for him? That he lived for those rare moments where he was able to bring Asha pleasure and hold her afterwards? Did she realize that his hands, rough hands made for fixing equipment and caring for his farm, were infinitely tender with her? Did she know that it was her presence that made his soul complete?
He doubted it. Asha had enough on her plate. Roseland took up most of her time and energy. He did what he could to help. Because he loved her. He always had. They’d grown up together. Gone to school together. His family’s land bordered her own. When his parents retired to the city and left him with the farm, Colt never even thought of selling. He didn’t need the money. His land was rich and always had been. His investments and his money in the bank topped six figures. If he wanted to, he never had to work another day in his life.
He stayed for her. Did it all for her. And not once had he ever received an invitation into her house for dinner.
CHAPTER 7
Gabriel
Gabriel stood in shock. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was mid-morning. He had been up late last night working on the beginning of the website.
When he had first woke and realized it was after ten he felt foolish. He hoped Asha assumed he was working. She probably got up with the sun and went to bed after midnight. If she slept at all. Gabriel seriously doubted it. Asha had a restless energy about her. She seemed to always be moving. At the speed of light.
Which she was doing now. Gabriel had just stepped out onto the porch of his cabin when he caught sight of her, riding a huge horse, unsaddled, with what looked to be bare feet. As she galloped closer Gabriel could see that she indeed had no shoes on and that she wasn't using any reigns. She hung onto the horse's long, flowing mane. The horse was chestnut in colour but its hair was a magnificent cream. Asha was riding so fast the horse’s tail flowed out behind it in the wind. As did Asha’s long wheat coloured hair.
As she drew near the cabin, the wind blew the white, flowy tunic she wore over shorts, flattening it against her chest. Her breasts were defined in stark definition and Gabriel could almost make out the peaks of her nipples. Gabriel felt himself harden in response to his thoughts. He wondered how it was possible to desire someone so much after knowing them for less than a day.
Asha turned, spotted him on the porch and rode up. Gabriel shifted his stance, very conscious that his jeans now felt about two sizes too small and he didn’t want it to be so damn obvious.
“Good morning,” Asha said cheerfully. She stopped the horse right by the porch and slid to the ground.
“Morning,” Gabriel answered. “How did you get on that horse with no saddle? It's huge!” Not to mention dangerous.
Asha looked mildly surprised. “Cinnamon? She's as gentle as they come. Aren't you girl?” She ran her hand lovingly over the horse’s muzzle. The beast gave an answering nicker and nuzzled that hand. “I used a stool back in the stable,” she explained, noting Gabriel’s expression. “Don't worry, she won't hurt me.”
“She could kick you or something,” Gabriel protested. “Or step on you by accident. You're not even wearing shoes.”
Asha’s brow creased into a frown for a second before she burst out laughing. Gabriel tensed, waiting for the huge horse to rear back at the sharp burst of sound, but it did nothing but stand placidly by. “I've had Cinnamon since she was a foal. I bought her, she isn't a rescue. Well, not really. You have nothing to worry about.”
“It wasn't me I was worried about.”
Asha’s expression gentled and her eyes softened. “You'll get used to the animals and they'll get used to you. Just like old friends. You learn to trust each other.”
Gabriel realized how useless he must look standing on the porch gaping at her. “Can I help you with something? I need a break.”
That laugh came again, soft, melodic, poking fun. “Oh you won’t get a break out here. Now, if you’re asking for a break from your computer, that I can help you with.”
He could tell Asha wasn’t trying to humiliate him, but he felt ridiculous all the same. Damn her, did she so effortlessly have to mock him?
“Come on then. You can follow me to the stables.” She flicked her wrist, expecting him to follow.
He didn’t see any other option so he followed behind as she led the horse. She led the horse right to its stall and he was relieved when she put her socks and work boots back on again. Asha groomed Cinnamon, gave her a treat then led her outside to graze. There was one other horse in the corral… or whatever it was called.
She pointed to the other horse, which was white with grey dappling on its hind end. “That’s Amara. She came here a little over a year ago. She was so thin you could see every one of her ribs.”
“She’s beautiful now.”
“She is. We got another horse, just yesterday. I don't know if she’s in good health or what her temperament is yet so she’s being kept separate for now. Penny’s going to work with her to get her healthy and rehabilitated then we can introduce her to the others.”
Gabriel nodded slowly, trying to recall if he’d met Penny yesterday or not. A face swam into his mind, a middle aged woman with dark hair and eyes. Yes, he was sure he had.
“I already milked the cow we had come in yesterday, but you can watch me do it tomorrow if you want. I thought it might be a neat experience for you.”
“Do you always milk them… and what do you do with it?” Gabriel swallowed hard, recalling the milk he’d drank the night before with dinner.
“No. We only milk the ones that don’t have a calf. This poor girl came in yesterday with her udder nearly bursting. She must have a calf somewhere but it w
as already taken away.” Asha’s eyes got a little teary which moved Gabriel. She blinked quickly and smiled. “We are also shearing sheep soon. You’ll get to see that as well. We try and keep them as cool as possible in this heat.”
Gabriel was considering that watching Asha sheer a sheep might be pretty damn hot when she turned and stepped past him. She put a hand to her eyes to shade them from the sun. He turned in that direction to see a pick up approaching. God, she had good hearing.
His eyes flicked back to her face and he was surprised to see apprehension there. Whoever was in that truck, Asha was definitely not looking forward to seeing.
CHAPTER 8
Colton
Colton spent a restless night thinking about that man alone with Asha in her house for dinner. He had decided to come by in the morning to check on her but had been busy with his farm hands, Aaron and Everit, trying to fix the breakdown that had stalled them yesterday. He’d had to go into the city for parts and on his way home decided to stop in and see what the hell was going on at Roseland.
Asha stood off to the side, by one of the barns. Colton saw her shade her eyes then she glanced at the stranger who stood beside her. The stranger from the night before.
A hard ball of emotion that was a mix of jealousy, envy and longing fisted Colton’s insides into a tight knot. His temper flared, hard and hot. The urge to ball his hands into fists was so great he had to flex his fingers.
Asha started moving in his direction and the stranger, like a lost puppy, followed at her heels. Colt didn’t miss the way the pup’s eyes raked over Asha when she turned. The expression on his face said he would worship the ground she walked on. Colt knew that look. He’d seen it on other people’s faces. Asha was an enthralling woman. It was hard not to be captivated by all that ethereal beauty.
Asha didn’t smile when she noticed Colt approaching. His heart sank. He wasn’t sure why he expected her to. Instead she looked nervously back at the pup following her. As if she knew that Colton would want to beat him into a pulp on the spot. Or at least teach him some respect. What kind of man followed a woman around, his eyes on her inappropriate areas? Colton’s mother, if she were still alive, would have beat him raw for such disrespect.
“Asha,” Colt called, raising a hand in greeting. He smiled, trying to disarm her worry, though it was well founded. He clenched his other hand into a fist behind his back. He forced himself to take a deep breath and was surprised how effective it was in cooling his anger. By the time he reached Asha he wasn’t completely calm but he had been able to relax his fist.
“Colton. It’s good to see you.”
“I came by last night but I could see you were busy.”
Twin spots of pink appeared on her cheeks. He was surprised. Blushing wasn’t something Asha was known to do. It made his blood boil.
Did she actually have something to be embarrassed about?
Which meant then, that he was nothing to her. He knew there wasn’t a label for what they were doing. It was a no strings attached deal that couldn’t even begin to be called a relationship, but he still felt protective of her. He’d always hoped that he meant more to Asha then she let on. Surely she wouldn’t disrespect him like this, right in front of his face. She had just been at his house a few nights ago!
“Colton, this is Gabriel. He’s going to be here for a week helping me with the farm and the store’s new website and social media.”
Colt blinked, surprised. Who talked Asha into that? He knew what she felt about social media. She didn’t trust a single thing she read online. Apparently she’d slipped more than a few things past him.
“It was Katelyn’s idea that we improve the website and such, but I think Gabriel has some really good ideas.”
Of course he does. He probably has some ideas as to what to do with you as well. This was what the pup did for a living! Colt actually found himself hoping the man was good at what he did. Maybe then he could do it fast and leave just as quickly.
Colt ground his teeth so hard they clicked audibly. He forced himself to remain calm. “Can I speak with you for a minute, Asha?”
Asha actually shook her head. She stood her ground. “Actually, I was just telling Gabriel about the shearing. I was going to do it tomorrow, but I think I should start today. The poor things are sweltering in this heat.”
“Do you want some help?” Damn it, you have your own work to do. Everit and Aaron were probably wondering where the hell he was and what was taking so long with those parts. He watched Gabriel tense and was satisfied with the fact that the other man seemed uneasy. Why shouldn’t I stay? He’d helped with shearing before. Numerous times. It was hard work and he knew everyone was busy. This time, his offer of help didn’t feel charitable though.
“Sure. Thanks. Gabriel, do you want to stay and watch? I know you probably have work to do.”
Colton’s eyes swept to the pup’s face. He waited for the other man to answer. Of course he had to nod.
Asha smiled sweetly, apparently oblivious to the fact that Colt wanted to lay Gabriel out cold. She walked off, probably in search of her shearing equipment. Gabriel’s eyes trailed after her. God, can he not take his eyes off of her?
Colt’s hand fisted again. It’s going to be a long afternoon. No one should look at Asha that way, especially not while he was right there to witness it. Before his temper got the best of him, Colt turned and stalked off in the direction Asha had gone. He didn’t turn to check and see if the pup followed or not, because he knew, without a doubt, that he was there.
CHAPTER 9
Gabriel
Gabriel followed behind Colton, who for some reason, clearly wasn’t happy to see him. He watched, from the side of the barn, as Asha navigated one of the smaller sheep onto the sheering table. Her movements were confident and adept. It clearly wasn’t her first rodeo.
Colton, for a large, burly man who looked like he was hewn from the earth itself with bronzed skin and eyes and hair that were jet black, was gentler than Gabriel ever would have believed. He steadied the sheep while Asha set to work with the shaver. She gathered the wool after she was done and placed it into a burlap bag.
He imagined her small, calloused hands guiding the wool on the spindle. It was an odd image, one he wasn’t even sure how to properly imagine giving that he had never seen anyone use one of those old wheels. It wasn’t a stretch to imagine her hands on him, running over the hard planes of his chest, exploring, exciting him…
Gabriel swallowed hard and turned his back, pretending to take in the barn. He took a deep, shaky breath, hoping the uncomfortable heat flooding his body would calm down. He gave himself a little pep talk for a few minutes, hoping like hell Colton didn’t notice him.
“There you go Sammy,” Asha crooned.
He waited another minute to calm himself before he turned back around. He was surprised to see the sheep was half its size.
Gabriel watched carefully as Colton led the sheep out and brought in another.
“Thanks for helping,” Asha said softly. Was it his imagination or did her eyes darken with some shielded emotion when she gazed at Colton? The look that passed between them was loaded, full of meaning and Gabriel felt a little like an intruder.
Colton moved swiftly, placing the sheep on the table for Asha and she went to work. Whatever had passed between them vanished. Gabriel almost thought he’d imagined it.
He could honestly say he was jealous. Irrationally, Gabriel wished it was him there, helping Asha. She said instead, that he could watch. It was kind of humiliating standing back while they worked in front of him.
Colton seemed to have no problem with the arrangement. He shot Gabriel a look every now and then, when Asha wasn’t watching. Those dark glances spoke volumes. It seemed very much like Colton was the kind of man who enjoyed a good pissing contest. Gabriel wasn’t overly eager to get into one. Though he went to boxing once a week, Colton looked like he wouldn’t care how many punches he took if it meant that Gabriel wouldn’t g
o near Asha again.
Finally, a few more sheep into the job, Colton announced that he had to leave to fix some piece of machinery. Asha flashed a radiant smile and thanked him for his help. Once he was gone, Gabriel felt like he could breathe again.
“Well.” Asha raised a brow. “It looks like it’s just you and me now. Are you up for helping me finish?”
“Yes. Sure.” Is the sky blue? He had literally been standing there, just waiting for her to ask him to join in.
A couple hours later, Gabriel regretted his decision. It was hot out, his clothes were glued to his body with sweat and he was starving. The wool stuck to his skin, making him itchy and irritable.
Asha put a hand on her lower back and groaned as she stretched it. “Oh no!” Asha exclaimed, looking at Gabriel in contrition. “I totally forgot you needed to go to town and get groceries. The store is probably already closed.”
The mere mention of food reminded him that he hadn’t eaten all day. Asha seemed to realize that at the same time. She face palmed her forehead, leaving a grimy trail of sweat on her brow.
“You should have reminded me to feed you! Sometimes I just get so busy and forget to eat and I lose all track of time…”
“It’s not a problem.”
“Have dinner with me again. Just come now, just as you are. I'll make something and it won't take long.”
Gabriel liked that Asha was concerned about him. He liked the prospect of having dinner with her even more. However, that hulking brute, Colton, had obviously seen him at her house last night and he sure as hell wasn’t happy about it. What right does he have to be so protective over Asha? It’s not like I would ever harm her.