Beau (Remington Ranch Book 4)

by SJ McCoy

  Her heart was still racing, though it wasn’t with fear anymore. She opened the door and got out as he approached.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. His eyes were full of concern.

  She nodded. “I am now I know it’s you. You had me scared silly for a moment there.”

  “Did your car break down?”

  “No. I’d just stopped to watch the sun go down.”

  “I see. Well, I’m sorry I scared you, but you scared me, seeing your car sitting there like that. I wondered what had happened.”

  She smiled. He really did seem relieved that she was okay. “I’m fine, like I said, I just stopped to take it all in for a few minutes. What are you doing out here anyway? I thought you lived up in town.”

  “I do.” He looked shifty. “I came after you.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say to that. “Why?”

  He dug in his pocket and held out her cell phone. “You missed this when your things fell out of your purse.”

  “Oh, wow! Thank you! I didn’t even know I didn’t have it.”

  “I’m glad. When I saw your car parked there, I was worried that you’d broken down. I was just praying that you were still in the car and hadn’t wandered off to find help since you didn’t have your phone.”

  Corinne shuddered at the thought. It wasn’t too far back to the cabin, but it wasn’t a walk she liked the idea of taking at this time of night by herself.

  He held out the phone and she took it from him. She looked up in surprise as their hands touched. She felt the same rush of heat, the same fluttering of her insides as she had every time he came close, but the touch of his hand intensified everything a hundred fold. Oh, he could be dangerous! Especially to a sex-starved woman living alone in the middle of nowhere!

  From the look on his face he felt it, too. He smiled down at her. “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot.”

  She nodded. So was she. Looking up into his big brown eyes, she wished he was the kind of guy who loved kids and would enjoy hanging out with Ruby.

  “Maybe we could try again? Start over?”

  She sucked in a deep breath as he stepped closer. What exactly did he have in mind? He put his hands on her shoulders and looked down into her eyes, leaving her incapable of words, incapable of doing anything other than lifting her lips to meet his. It was the briefest kiss, a mere touching of lips before he lifted his head, but it left her senseless. His closeness eclipsed common sense, any sense at all. She stood there, looking up into his eyes, wishing he’d do it again.

  One corner of his mouth lifted in the hint of a smile. “So what do you say?”

  “To what?” She couldn’t even remember what the question had been.

  “To us starting afresh. To you forgetting what I said about Ruby.”

  Oh, damn! If only he hadn’t mentioned Ruby! That had gone and broken the spell. She shook her head slowly.

  “No?”

  “There’s no point, Beau. I like you, you like me. That’s all well and good. However, I love Ruby and you can’t stand her. That’s not a recipe for anything good to happen, is it?”

  “I’m not asking you to let me into your lives and become a permanent fixture or anything. I just thought we could see each other sometimes. Just you and me.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? And was her heart beating so fast because she hoped he was? “What are you saying?”

  He shrugged. “That maybe you’d like a grown-up night now and again.”

  She still wasn’t sure that he meant what she thought he did. There was only one way to find out. “Are you suggesting we just…”

  He held a hand up before she could finish. “Stop.” His tone was so commanding that she did.

  He stepped toward her and the look on his face made her take a step back. Now she was trapped between him and the car. He closed his arms around her and held her close to his chest. She wanted to moan and melt in his arms, his presence surrounded her, engulfed her. His lips came down on hers. There was nothing brief about this kiss, it was deep, and long and thorough as he tasted her and explored her. He pressed her back against the car and thrust his hips against hers. She did moan at the feel of his hard-on pushing between her legs. She couldn’t help it, she rubbed herself against him, wanting more. So, of course, he lifted his head and smirked at her.

  “So now, before you ask if I’m possibly suggesting what you think I am, answer me this.”

  “What?” she breathed.

  “Can you honestly tell me you don’t want to?”

  She stared at him. How could she deny it? How could she admit it?

  He brought his hands up to cup her face and smiled. “Just think about it, beautiful.” He covered her mouth with his own and she clutched his shoulders, kissing him back hungrily, knowing it made her answer plain as day.

  Then he stepped back. “I’ll be waiting.” He turned around and walked back to his truck. He didn’t pull away though. He waited while she got into her car and started it up.

  She kept an eye on him in the mirror as she drove the last few miles home and he followed. Who the hell did he think he was? Who did he think she was? It seemed he had a pretty good idea who she was, actually. A sex-hungry woman in the middle of nowhere who didn’t have many options. She shook her head. That wasn’t fair. It was him. He made her feel that way. She hadn’t had sex in way too long, but it hadn’t bothered her until she met Beau! And it wasn’t that she wanted sex all of a sudden, it was that she wanted him!

  ~ ~ ~

  Beau pulled over as she turned into the driveway at the ranch. She was home safe. It was crazy that he’d followed her the last couple of miles back here, but for some reason he’d had to. When he’d seen her car pulled over at the side of the road like that, all kinds of horrible scenarios had run through his head. He’d been worried sick until he’d seen her step out of the car. He wasn’t the kind of guy who went around worrying about people. Like Wanda said, they ceased to exist for him when he wasn’t around them. It wasn’t that he was cold or heartless, at least he didn’t think so, it was just that he was pretty much self-contained. People came into his world for a few minutes, or hours, then they were gone again, until the next time. Usually. Corinne was proving to be the exception. He hadn’t managed to get her out of his head since he’d first heard her in the wine store. And when he’d watched her drive away after he’d kissed her, he couldn’t stand the thought of not knowing that she’d made it home okay.

  He turned the truck around. So, yeah. Now he knew she’d made it home. Home to Ruby! Life could be a bitch when it wanted to. Why couldn’t he just meet a gorgeous woman who didn’t have a kid? Or even one who had a sweet kid? He sighed as he headed back up to town. He had to wonder what she’d made of his offer, and whether she’d allow herself to take him up on it. He wasn’t stupid, he’d known his fair share of women. More than his share if he was honest. He knew when a woman was attracted to him. There was no doubt in the world that Corinne was. He knew from the way she’d kissed him back that at least some part of her would love to have a grown-up night with him now and then. He shifted in his seat as one part of him grew bigger and harder at the thought of such a night.

  The idea had come to him while he was driving after her to give her phone back. He’d been trying to figure out what the hell he was playing at. Why hadn’t he given her the phone before she left? Because he’d wanted to go after her, to see her away from the others. He was attracted to her, but didn’t want to get involved with her—because he didn’t want to get involved with a kid. So he’d decided he may as well go after what he did want and lay it out for her. He’d love to spend time with her, and he’d love to get to know her better—in every sense. He could only be honest about it, and if she was in, great. If not, tough luck.

  It was dark by the time he arrived home. He unlocked the front door and went through to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of wine. He’d been back to Deb’s
and bought another four bottles of the Cab. He needed to finish the one that was open.

  His cell phone rang in his pocket and he pulled it out. Shane.

  “What’s up?”

  “Just making sure there’s nothing up with you.”

  “What might possibly be up with me, oh littlest of the brothers?”

  Shane laughed. “Umm, my new manager maybe? It was hard to miss the fireworks flying between the two of you. Then you shot out of Carter’s place to chase after her. Want to tell me what’s going down?”

  “Nothing.”

  Shane waited.

  “Yet.”

  “Yeah, that’s more like it. But how’s it going to work?”

  Beau thought about it. He didn’t really want to tell Shane that he’d just made his newest employee an indecent proposal. He wasn’t sure what Shane would make of it. He wasn’t sure what he made of it himself really. “I don’t know yet. It might not even work at all, but there’s a spark there.”

  “Jesus, Beau. That’s no spark, that’s a big-ass flame waiting to ignite a wildfire.”

  Beau laughed.

  “Seriously, bro. You’re getting into something big there.”

  “You sound concerned.” Beau might have expected that from Carter, but not Shane. It seemed his littlest brother really was growing up. Or maybe it was just the love of a good woman that helped him see farther than jokes and sex.

  “I am. I don’t see you taking on Ruby. And I don’t see Corinne being interested in a guy who doesn’t like her kid. I don’t want to see you screw yourself over.”

  “And you don’t want to lose your new lodge manager?”

  Shane laughed. “No, I don’t. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing her turn into my next sister-in-law. I mean, then we’d have a full set.”

  Beau stared at the phone for a moment. “What the fuck, Shane? Have you lost it? This is me you’re talking to, remember? Even if I was looking to settle down, it sure as hell wouldn’t be with Ruby.”

  “Yeah. I know. Just pulling your leg.” He didn’t sound as though he was.

  “Okay, well is that all you wanted to know?”

  “I guess. Will you be out to the ranch this weekend?”

  “Yeah. I want to ride Troy again, and I need to see the oldies.”

  “Uh-oh. Are you still on the warpath about the ranch?”

  He sighed. “No. As a matter of fact, I want to do something nice for them. Not that you’ll believe that of me. See ya.”

  He hung up, pissed that everyone got so antsy about his opinion on the division of the ranch, or more specifically on Chance getting a share. He stared out the window. Why shouldn’t they get that way, though? He never missed an opportunity to make his opinion known. He felt bad. Shane had only been trying to talk honestly with him, and he’d shut him down. He needed to stop doing that. Wanda’s words about him putting up walls and keeping people out echoed in his head. He picked his phone up and called Shane back.

  “Hello?”

  “It’s me, asshole.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Can you just wait while I find a way to record this conversation and then repeat that?”

  He had to laugh.

  “I’m sorry, too, Beau. I didn’t mean to piss you off. I guess we’ve just gotten so much more relaxed with each other lately. I felt comfortable enough to say it before I remembered I shouldn’t go there.”

  “Damn.”

  “What?”

  “Am I that bad?”

  “You haven’t been lately, no.”

  “Well, I guess that’s something, at least.”

  “It is. Anyway, we don’t need to be on the phone for hours doing kissy, kissy make up stuff. I’m sorry, and I’m thrilled that you called me back.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I think I’m getting a bit better. And I’m glad I called you back, too.”

  “Great. Then everything’s just peachy again. Kissy, kissy, smoochy, smoochy, love you big bruv. Talk to you soon.”

  Beau laughed. “Yeah, right. See you soon, Shane.”

  Beau hung up smiling to himself. Not so long ago it would never have occurred to him to call Shane back. Nor would he have given the conversation another thought. It seemed he was changing. Was it just because Wanda had pointed out his shortcomings? He didn’t think so.

  Chapter Eight

  Corinne woke early the next morning and lay staring at the ceiling, running over her encounter with Beau. At dinner at Summer’s house, she’d seen a guy she liked, in personality as well as looks. Well, apart from that one minor detail about Ruby! He was someone she could be friends with. Then when he’d come after her on the way home she’d seen a guy she liked even more, and someone she’d like to be more than friends with. Was that true though? What he was offering was sex. That wasn’t more than friends. It was different from friends, wasn’t it? She sighed. And was it something she was interested in? A wave of heat washed through her. Hell, yes! Her body, at least, was more than interested. The question should be whether or not it was a wise move. It’d be the odd night here and there. He was her new boss’s brother. He was an integral part of the social life she was going to have here. How would it be when they were out with everyone else as they no doubt would be? Would they just screw each other on the quiet and then be civil acquaintances when anyone else was looking? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. And the most important question was, what about Ruby?

  “Mommy? Are you awake?” As if on cue, Ruby came into the bedroom clutching her favorite bear.

  Corinne sat up. “Yes, I’m awake, sweetie. I’m just getting up.”

  Ruby climbed onto the bed and sat beside her. “How many days until I start school?”

  “Four more.”

  Ruby smiled. “That’s not many.”

  “Are you excited to go?”

  “Yes, I get to play with Tara and Josie, and I get to go to Miss Susie’s with them after school too.”

  Corinne nodded. Ruby was an outgoing little person. She was glad she didn’t have to worry about her being shy or nervous. “Did you have fun with Miss Susie last night?”

  Ruby nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. We did letters and we went for a walk and she told me all the horses’ names. When can I ride Gypsy again?”

  “I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll have to ask Mason.”

  “Tell him I’ve been good, won’t you?”

  Corinne smiled. “I will, because you have. You’ve been very good. Now, do you want to come and help me make us some breakfast?”

  “Yes! Can I squish the oranges?”

  Corinne laughed. “You can help.”

  Once they’d had their breakfast and were dressed and ready for the day, Ruby wanted to take Corinne for a walk to show her where she’d been with Susie last night. Although she still had a lot to do before she started work on Monday, she agreed, knowing that once she did start work there wouldn’t be many opportunities like this to just enjoy time together.

  As they walked down the path from the cabin toward the barn, Ruby chattered about the horses she’d seen last night.

  “Do you want to know who’s my favorite?” she asked.

  “I bet I can guess.”

  “Go on then.”

  “Gypsy?”

  “Nope.”

  “Oh, I don’t know then.”

  “Him!” Ruby pointed to a tall dark horse grazing by himself.

  “And what’s his name?”

  “Troy! Isn’t he handsome?”

  “Yes, he is.” He really was a beautiful horse.

  “He belongs to Beau.”

  “Oh.” Just the mention of his name sent shivers racing through her as she remembered the feel of his lips on hers. Thinking about the way he’d felt as he held her to him, she wondered if there was any way she could turn down his offer.

  “Are you okay, Mommy?”

  “I’m fine, sweetie.” There was her reminder why she should turn him down. She
’d have to keep secret from Ruby where she was going, and that just wasn’t right.

  They’d reached the fence and Ruby called to Troy. He lifted his head and looked in their direction, but didn’t come over.

  “I don’t think he likes me.” She looked so disappointed.

  “I’m sure he does.”

  Ruby shook her head forlornly. “He wouldn’t come last night either. All the others do.”

  “Maybe he just likes to be by himself more than the others do.”

  Ruby shrugged. “Gypsy!” The pony lifted her head and neighed loudly when she saw them. She came cantering over and stopped at the fence, poking her head between the rails to nose at Ruby.

  Ruby giggled. “See, I know Gypsy likes me.”

  Corinne nodded. It certainly seemed that way.

  “Hi, ladies.” Shane came out of the barn and striding toward them. “I wondered what was up with Gypsy, now I know she’s just excited to see her friend.”

  Ruby grinned up at him. “She is my friend. I’m excited to see her, too. Can I ride her?”

  “Ruby!” Corinne didn’t want her pestering for rides every time she saw Shane. That would get old very fast.

  Shane smiled. “Not right now, I’m afraid. Maybe this weekend.”

  “Thank you!” Corinne was relieved that she was appeased with that, and that she remembered her manners. It was important to her that Ruby should be polite to her new boss and not get too familiar with him. Shane was easy to be around, but he was still her boss.

  He smiled at her. “So, you got home okay last night?”

  She nodded, willing herself not to look embarrassed. He couldn’t know what had happened between her and Beau on her way home, could he? She forced herself to smile and to speak. “Yes, thanks. It was a lovely evening.”

  “It was. You’d better get used to it, we do that once a week at someone or other’s house.”

  “I did enjoy it, but don’t feel you have to invite me all the time. You gave me a job, you don’t need to provide a social life too.”

  Shane grinned. “Sorry, too late. You’re stuck with us. Can you imagine the…” he hesitated and looked at Ruby, “...the grief Cassidy would give me if you weren’t there? You’re one of the girls now. You’d better get used to it.”