by Alison Mello
We pulled up onto my driveway for Ash to inform me Scott had been round, asking for my forgiveness. He’d apparently gifted him a black eye to match his broken nose before telling him where to go. I smiled, walking inside my bare house. Then the reality hit home of what I’d done.
Paul chuckled next to me. “Did a proper job, didn’t you?”
I nodded, sighing. How could a couple of hours change me from a desperate woman in the middle of a meltdown to one feeling empowered and in charge of her own life?
“Here.” He pulled a card from his wallet. “Go to this place tomorrow. Tell them I sent you and to put it on my tab. Furnish your house and get yourself back on track.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Yes, you can and you will. Don’t make me come down there with you. This whole mess is my fault. This is my way of trying to make up for it.”
“How is this your fault?”
He hesitated for a second, softness seeping through his eyes. “Well, maybe if I’d been honest with you from the start, then perhaps things may have turned out differently.”
My heart warmed at his words. I looked at him, expectation rolling off me.
“No, Ky. It’s far too complicated.”
And there it was again. Those hated words that buried deep into my soul. I sighed, nodding my understanding to him. He pressed his lips to my forehead, my heart crying for him to complete me. I closed my eyes, thinking of new furniture when Ash came running in, his face pale as his hands shook with his phone in them.
He glanced at me, tears streaming from his dark eyes. “Mum’s been killed.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“What?”
“Mum’s been killed in an accident.”
His words rattled around my head for a few seconds before I burst into tears. Paul stepped back, allowing Ash to swallow me in a hug. Guilt about our tattered relationship gnawed at me as my legs collapsed.
“Where’s my damn sofa when I need it?”
He chuckled as he sat on the floor with me, kissing my head. After a few minutes, I regained enough composure to ask the vital questions.
“How? When?”
“Just before seven this morning our time. It was just before one in the morning their time. I don’t fully understand what happened myself. Something to do with one of the horses getting out during a thunderstorm. She went to catch it but it spooked or something and kicked her in the head. It killed her outright.”
I gasped. “What? Mum wouldn’t be that daft.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “It seems she was.”
I frowned, suspicion setting in right away. “Tim told you, didn’t he?”
Ash sighed, pushing me away. “Don’t start this again, Ky. Please. Not now.”
“Why have you never believed me? I don’t get it. He’s a creep, Ash.”
“Kyra—”
“Whoa, steady on guys.” Paul intervened, taking my hand and putting some distance between Ash and me. “Don’t fall out now. This is where you’re supposed to support each other.”
Ash crossed his arms. “He’s booked us onto the first flight out. We fly at seven, which means we have about two hours before we need to leave.”
I snorted. “Typical Tim. Taking control of everything again. Why can’t you see it?”
“Kyra, he’s just paid for our flights for goodness sake. Have some damn gratitude and respect.”
I glared at him. “Why can’t you respect me in the fact that what I said is true?”
His jaw clenched before he announced he was going home to pack some stuff. I trudged upstairs, feeling defeated. Paul followed me up, asking what the issue was.
“The guy came on to me at the wedding reception. The same reception where he’d just married my mum.”
“Ah.”
“Yes. It wasn’t just a case of him trying a glancing kiss. He pinned me against a wall and practically forced his tongue down my throat.” I shuddered as I still remembered the vile taste he left in my mouth. “He was too strong and his hands went places they shouldn’t have…” My eyes started watering. “If I hadn’t stomped on his foot and bit his tongue, I dread to think what would have happened.”
“Did you tell your mum?”
“Of course I did. She thought it was me overreacting to her remarrying. Ash agreed with her because he thinks Tim is the next best thing. Before he went to Australia, he spent six months in America. Some of it with them. Of course, he and Tim became best buddies.”
He wrapped his arms around me, stroking my hair. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I gasped. “You’d really do that?”
Stroking my cheek, he nodded. “Of course I would.”
“I…I really want to say yes but is it a good idea with how…odd things are with us?”
He chuckled. “I’d do anything for you. You know I would. I just…the complications…”
“I know. Stop reminding me.”
Sighing, he released me from his embrace. “Perhaps it’s best if I stay behind, but if you do need me, promise you’ll call?”
I nodded. “Of course.”
Spending the next couple of hours packing my life into a suitcase with the man of my dreams next to me was less than easy. Especially when I combined that thought with the reality of having to see Tim again in a few hours. When Ash reappeared to drive us to the airport, tearing myself away from the safety of Paul’s arms only made my heart ache even more.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The flight to Austin was a little over ten hours. Silence had encompassed us during the majority of the flight. What Ash had failed to tell me earlier was that good old Tim had also paid for Ben to come out with him. How charming. I was pleased Ben was with us but also fuming that I was seemingly on my own as Ash turned to Ben for comfort.
We trundled our way through the airport towards the exit, my stomach turning into a complicated mixture of gnarled knots as I braced myself for meeting Tim once again. He was picking us up from the airport and the closer it came to seeing him, the more nauseous I felt. My mind had replayed that night over and over again, refusing to let it go.
Walking through the doors outside, there he was, leaning up against his big black truck, legs crossed at the ankles as he chewed on gum. He looked far from the grief stricken husband he should be. His panther-like green eyes settled on me and a depraved smirk spread across his face.
“Well, hello there.”
Hearing his lazy Texan drawl once again sent shivers down my spine. Ash gave him a man hug before introducing Ben. I stayed well back, letting Ash steal the show. The less attention that man had on me, the better.
Ash turned to me, his eyes glowering. “Kyra?”
I nodded, sighing. “Hi.”
Tim broke out into a huge smile. “Hello, dear. Good to see you again.”
He took a step forwards, his arms outstretched. I glanced at Ash, who narrowed his eyes at me. I had little choice but to accept Tim’s hands wrapping around me in a supposed hug. Patting his back in my half-assed attempt at a hug back, his hands dropped to my lower back.
“You look good.”
His whisper covered me in chills, and I stepped back. He let his hands wander around my hips before allowing us to get in the truck. I chewed on my lip and kept my thoughts to myself. I was well aware Ash was watching my every move like I was a naughty child or something.
The half an hour drive back to the ranch was quiet on my behalf. Ash took pleasure in catching Tim up on all his adventures of late. As we turned down the dusty road to the guest quarters, my stomach turned itself inside out. Why was he putting us down here and not in the main house?
Part of their business had been running a dude ranch. The log cabins for the guests were on the other side of the ranch to the main house. It was easily a mile long walk from one side of the grounds to the other. Again, I kept my thoughts to myself, not wanting any more upset with Ash.
Pulling up in front of the U-shaped col
lection of cabins, Tim informed Ash and Ben they would be sleeping in cabin number two whilst I would be in number eleven. The furthest point from them. A horrid feeling of unease settled inside me. Brushing it aside, I took my luggage inside, making sure to shut the door behind me.
I looked around the cosy setting, quite liking the rustic theme. An open fire dominated one wall whilst a king-size bed took centre of attention. The bathroom suite was large, airy, and all sparkling white marble. I smiled, thinking to myself how this could actually be enjoyable if it wasn’t for the letch who owned it.
Starting to unpack my stuff, I jumped as Ash burst through the door.
“Stop being so damn rude.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “I’m not being rude. I’m being civil.”
“You’re being rude, Kyra. Get over yourself already.”
My jaw dropped open. “You’re unbelievable.”
“No, you’re unbelievable. The man just lost his wife for goodness sake.”
I snorted. “I’m well aware of that. She was my mum, remember.”
His dark eyes hardened over. “Not that you treated her like one for the past couple of years.”
I gasped as he slammed the door shut behind him. I couldn’t understand his behaviour at all. Starting to feel the effects of being alone, I crawled into bed and curled up into a ball. I drifted off into a deep sleep, my dreams playing me scenes of Paul and me together.
A gentle shoving startled me awake. I looked up to see Ash leaning over me.
“It’s tea time. Are you coming?”
I blinked my sleep away before nodding. Waking from sweet dreams of Paul to then walk outside to a living nightmare was quite a stark contrast. Still, if those dreams of Paul were to continue, at least I had some comfort.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tea was awkward. Tim and Ash dominated conversation whilst I sat quietly, mulling over my own thoughts. Ben joined in their man talk now and then. He kept giving me sympathetic looks from across the table, smiling at my obvious discomfort.
“How are you feeling, Kyra? Tired?” Tim asked.
“Yes,” I said, glaring at his glee-ridden face. “Still a little tired.”
“I hope you like the room.”
I nodded.
“The beds are the best money can buy. Should give you an excellent night’s sleep.”
I nodded again, faking a smile.
A sharp kick in the ankle followed by a glare from Ash only worsened my mood. I sighed, grinding my teeth together before announcing I was heading to bed.
Tim turned behind him and lifted up a crystal decanter. “Nightcap? Before I take you all back?”
“Just what I was thinking,” said Ash.
I grumbled under my breath, taking mental notes of what to shout at Ash for later. A couple of minutes later, the sharp tang of aged whiskey flooded my mouth. An awkward few-minute car ride later and I was back in the safety of my room.
I peeled my clothes from my body, collapsing into the soft duvet before falling into a deep sleep.
Paul visited my dreams once more.
He glued his lips to mine with a tender yet urgent kiss before trailing down my chin and showering my neck in kisses. He roamed over my naked body with his hands, each gliding stroke only heightening my burning need for him.
I reached for him, wandering my way across his fine body, savouring every millimetre of his perfect form. I wandered south then, wanting that part of him that satiated me so. He brushed my hands away, whispering for me to just enjoy myself. He grazed his fingers over my chest, sharp tingles shooting straight between my legs. A moan escaped me as he kept repeating his motion, each time increasing the potency of my excitement.
His mouth replaced his hands, coursing throbs of heaven through my veins. The things he could do with that tongue, oh my. I couldn’t help but whisper his name as my joy began to climb towards its peak. He crept his fingers down between my thighs, slipping inside. I groaned, silently begging him to give me my end already. Drawing his fingers out, he slid them up along my folds before starting a lazy rhythm over my aching sweet spot. My pulse echoed through my ears, drowning me in the familiar wave of delight reaching its heights.
He moved his free hand back to my chest, skimming his way over me, sending me into a fast spiral towards my edge. And then his tongue replaced his fingers over my needy area. Flicking it back and forth, and round and round over the tightening bud, he pushed me well over my edge within seconds.
I gyrated against him, and his lips smiled against me as he continued to lap at me with an almost unbearable slow rhythm…
I jolted awake, panting. I sat up in bed, letting out a shaky breath as I calmed myself down. I’d never had a dream quite that intense. I was a little flustered, and embarrassed to admit to myself I had now had my first sexual dream with a happy ending. But, boy, was it worth it.
I debated texting Paul to tell him about my saucy dream but decided I would keep it to myself, to enjoy whenever I wanted. Running myself a hot bubble bath, I relished in my newfound dreams, hoping they would continue to return.
Chapter Forty
Tim picked us up for breakfast at nine. I sat in the back of his truck, grinning and blushing as I relived my delicious dream. Ben and Ash made senseless chit chat with him through breakfast whilst I smirked to myself in the corner.
As I finished my second pancake, I pushed my plate away as I’d had my fill.
“Did you sleep well?” Tim asked.
I nodded.
“Good. I like to take care of my guests.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, which served me with another kick in the shin from Ash. He narrowed his eyes, giving me a steely warning. I flashed him a sweet smile before deciding to get down to the nitty gritty.
“So, Tim.” I paused as I caught Ash’s hardened stare and smiled at my charming brother. “What exactly happened with Mum?”
His jaw clenched as he glared at me. “We had a thunderstorm. Your mum heard one of the horses getting upset so she went to check on them. It was Nelson, my big black stallion. He can be rather sensitive and temperamental at the best of times. I don’t know what happened but something made her go in his stable. Something spooked him and he lashed out and caught your mum on the side of her head. I didn’t find her for nearly half an hour. It wasn’t until she’d been gone that long that I realised something was wrong.”
He broke down in tears and started sobbing.
I rolled my eyes at his crocodile tears. Something niggled at me that there was more to it than that.
Ash threw his arm over Tim’s shoulder and comforted him for a few minutes.
Unable to help myself, I questioned his actions. “Why didn’t you go out to them?”
Ash gave me a definitive if looks could kill look but I ignored him.
“What?” Tim asked.
“Why didn’t you go out to the horses? It was the middle of the night and pouring with rain, so why did Mum go?”
He faltered for a moment, wiping at his tearstained face. “She was already dressed as she hadn’t come to bed yet. She grabbed her hat and coat and off she went.”
“Why didn’t you follow her? Why would you leave your older wife to deal with spooked horses on her own in the middle of the night? Especially when there are stallions in there?”
I wasn’t going to leave it alone. It didn’t make sense to me. Unless he was just a coward of a man.
Ash kicked me once again. “Kyra…”
“Stop kicking me, Ash. I’m entitled to ask questions.”
A sheepish look crossed Tim’s face before he whispered, “I’m scared of thunderstorms.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his pathetic admission and poor excuse. I wasn’t sure which side of it was funnier.
Ash comforted him whilst my growing anger itched for me to leave. “I’m going out for some air.”
“I’ll come with you,” Ben said.
Surprised but grateful, I s
tepped outside into the cool November air. We meandered our way around the yard in silence. Finding ourselves a fair distance from the house, we leaned over the post and rail fencing, gazing out across the rolling hills at the grazing horses.
“I don’t like that guy,” Ben said.
I turned to him, trying to read his confused emotions in his dark eyes. “Can I ask why?”
He shrugged his big shoulders. “I don’t know. Just something a little—”
“Off?”
He nodded, smiling. “I can tell there’s tension between you both.”
“I presume Ash told you what had happened?”
He nodded again. “To be honest, I think I’m more inclined to believe you than him. I know why Ash thinks you did it, freaking out about your dad and all, but I don’t know, there’s just something not right with him.”
I grinned. “I know exactly what you mean.”
***
The rest of the day was spent listening to Tim’s sorrowful howls combined with lame excuses and his stories about my mum. We were due to go to the funeral parlour on Monday and pay our last respects. In all honesty, I didn’t want to go. It had been difficult for me to see Dad laid out in his coffin. The nauseating smell of the embalming fluid hanging in the air was something I would never forget. It was definitely not something I wished to repeat. Not only that, I wanted Mum buried at home next to Dad but she was being cremated and having a memorial stone here. I was not impressed.
After tea, Tim drove us back to the cabins and said he would leave the truck there for us to use ourselves in the morning. Ash offered to drive him back to his house but he refused, saying the walk would help clear his head.
Ash disappeared back inside his cabin with Ben. I was well aware he’d barely spoken to me since we’d arrived but I didn’t care. I knew he had to deal with this in his own way, and if that included him snapping at me about Tim, then fair enough. I knew the truth even if he refused to accept it.