by Ally Prince
“Nice ride.” I may have grunted a little, I’m certain the disgust was clear on my face. Her cheeks flushed, perhaps from the cold, or from my words. I think it was the later, though.
“I hate it and everything it represents.” Her blue eyes were sharp. Where her father’s were icy her eyes were warm and kind.
“Take care, Kitten.” I graced her with a small smile that she returned before I hopped in my truck.
I needed to make a plan. One that would finally put that man in his place, and allow me to get my hands on that girl, but I had no idea where to start.
Chapter 2
Kayla
Walkers Arms had a buzz going for a Tuesday night. There must have been something in the air I wasn’t aware of because the number of smiles in this place was nearly blinding. I felt like shit. My work days without Margaret resembled something of a nightmare. A few men had filed through for the Foreman’s position, but I could tell some of them already didn’t want anything to do with my father and I didn’t blame them.
The way he acted was appalling. I was even embarrassed for him at one stage. The guy was a dick, and he either had no clue or thought that was how you treated people.
I had settled into a stool at the bar. Harry welcomed me with a smile.
Ever since that night, Harry had become a friend. He called and always checked in on me. He was a good-looking man, but not someone you’d pick for running a bar. He looked like he preferred outdoor work—I think he owned a small ranch.
He slid me a beer across the bar and leaned on it to get closer.
“He get to you?” He didn’t need to clarify the ‘he’ he spoke about. He knew a great deal more than most. I had somehow found it easy to confide in him and blurted out a lot of my troubles around him.
“Margaret won’t be in ‘til next week.” I sighed before sipping the beer. I wasn’t really a beer person, but I’d look funny sitting there sipping water all the time. Bill would be going in for an operation tomorrow and with recovery time, she hoped she’d be back next week. I hoped so too because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do much more without her. I had been so tempted to tell my father to stick it. If only I had the balls.
“I’ll be needing a barperson soon. Wanna apply?” He rose a thick dark brow at me and a small smile tugging on his lips.
“Naw, I like our friendship too much to do that to you.” I smiled at him, but he shook his head.
“You’d do fine at whatever you wanted. Why don’t you look into that old crap stuff you talk about?” The ‘old crap’ stuff he referred to was antiques. I loved them. I loved re-purposing old household furniture. But my father looked down on it, so I did a few things on the sly. Imagine a Summer working with their hands, gasp, the scandal of it all. I would love my own little shop, but I didn’t have the clientele to afford to open one and I would never open it on my father’s dime, so he could hold even more power over me every day.
“One day. Just not today.”
“I have that old fruit stand, just off the highway.” My mind tried to picture it, but I couldn’t place it.
“Tell me more.”
“Ma used to sell homemade jellies, relishes, pies and fruit we grew. It’s solid, would need a clean, but you’re welcome to check it out.” This had me beaming at him. I would work from a shed. People assumed I wouldn’t because of who my father was, but I loved a little dirty.
“For real.”
“I wouldn’t mess with you, chick.” He tapped the bar and winked before leaving me to serve a customer. I stared ahead at the bottles on the wall, the small mirrors here and there. It was nice to sit at a bar and not stare at your sorry ass self as you drank. Walkers Arms had a nice homey feel, and it didn’t stink, that was probably my favorite part.
I had recently purchased a kitchen dining set that included a hutch and I had nowhere to store it. I wanted to make it over and re-sell it. Obviously, I would love to keep it, but I needed to find my own place for that to happen. I needed to cut all ties with my father before attempting a happy life.
I hoped Mom didn’t suffer the consequences from the fallout.
“That’s a solid frown, Kitten.” A deep voice I now knew said from next to me. It washed over my skin causing gooseflesh to appear. I turned to my right to find him sitting there. I must have been too lost in thought to even notice. He was so close. His green eyes intense, the long lashes I noticed yesterday fanning his tan cheeks and his face hidden by his short beard. He seemed to ooze confidence and authority.
“You’re still frowning.”
“Oh.” I blinked several times and turned my attention back to the bottles on the wall. “Sorry, busy thinking.” About how shit my life really was.
“Wanna share?” He briefly turned his attention to Harry and made this gesture with his hand. I guess it was the universal sign for beer because that’s what arrived.
Harry tapped the bar top in front of me. “You right?”
“Sure, sure.” I nodded, my smile forced, his eyes narrowed for a second before he smiled.
“Good,” he said as he moved on to the next customer. Out of curiosity, I wondered how many steps Harry did on a busy night.
The man next to me wrapped his huge hand around his glass and brought it up to his lips. I watched as he sipped and swallowed. His neck is insanely hot. What?
I forced my eyes back to my own beer and cleared my throat.
“You doin’ all right, after the other week?” he asked. My stomach sank, and I thought about dropping my head to hide but I didn’t want to hide anymore.
I had to fight the urge to apologize. Like it was my fault! I was sick of feeling that way. I shouldn’t have to apologize for the shit people in my life and their crappy actions. Why should my first thought be, I’m sorry you had to witness that? What about me? What about what I had been through?
“Yeah, I guess. It’s hard knowing he hurt a friend.” I turned a little in his direction. He leaned closer and our elbows nearly touched. But those green eyes were not assessing me, they were kind, warm. Not something I was accustomed to if I was honest.
He nodded for a moment before taking another sip of his beer. That thick throat working. And cue the need to look away.
“It wasn’t your fault, not the other broad’s either.”
I snorted at his words. “Penny, her name is Penny. Broad.” I chuckled to myself. This man, I tell you.
“Well, she ain’t to blame either. You should never think you need to take the blame. You’re a victim, Kitten. He did what he did.”
“I don’t want to be a victim.” The words fell quietly from my lips before I even knew I was going to say them. I hated being a victim, I really did. It sat like a heavy weight on my shoulders all the time.
“Well, only you can stop that, Kitten.” The way kitten rolled of his tongue had me looking in his direction. He kind of purred it, all sexy like. Forbidden even.
“Why do you call me Kitten?” I watched his tongue peek out and wet his lips.
“Because I bet I can make you purr like one.” I was still watching his mouth. The way it moved. I wanted to feel his beard on my body. I wanted to know what it was like for a man to take control and show me what I’d been missing.
“You sittin’ there gettin’ all excited isn’t helping things.” He leaned closer, so did I. Now just a sliver away, the heat of his breath brushed my cheek. I could see the specks of dark green in his eyes and the way his body tightened—he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
“Come find me if you want a good time, Kitten,” he purred, his eyes on mine for a few more beats before he pulled back, quickly drank the rest of his beer, got to his feet and headed out.
I wanted to take him up on his offer, but I knew I was too chicken to do that. Kayla Summer didn’t take control. But maybe it was time I started.
“Harry, what’s that guy’s name?”
Nick
The cool night air hit my face and I blew out a breath. That girl had
me all kinds of worked up. I didn’t need to be getting mixed up with her right now, I had enough shit on my mind. I did get the feeling that once Kayla Summer let go, she’d be a real firecracker. I would love to explore that.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and hunched myself against the cool wind. I considered winter the worst season, I liked the sun.
I didn’t normally stop by the bar on a weeknight, but I been in town picking up an order from the feed store, and on the way past that shiny silver car caught my attention. I should have driven on, but I stopped. I shook my head at my own stupidity. I didn’t need the hassle, I needed to keep my dick in my pants.
“Nick,” her soft voice called from behind me.
Damn it. She had a moment there in time where she could have walked away, but she followed me out here. I stopped walking and turned to face her. The dim lighting of the parking lot shone off her pale hair giving it a halo effect. I had no doubt she looked like an angel naked too.
Jesus, I needed to not think about her naked right now.
She slowed her pace, her bag clutched in one hand like she left in a rush. My eyes dropped to her long legs in skin-tight jeans and the heeled boots she wore. Decked out in designer wear, but I wanted to see what they looked like on my bedroom floor.
I turned away from her for a second, trying to calm the raging hard-on I now sported and to gather the courage to walk the fuck away.
“Nick?”
I had to look at her, there was something in the way she said my name, something almost seductive, enticing.
Her blue eyes darted all over my face, probably couldn’t see much of it with my hat on.
“Kitten.” Jesus, did I sound breathless?
I watched as she licked her lips and rubbed them together. Did she realize how sexy she looked? I somehow thought that maybe she didn’t understand the true appeal she had. Perhaps I should tell her. With my hands still in my pockets, I took a step in her direction.
“What can I help with?” If she said undressing, I would hustle her in my truck stat, because a man only had so much patience and being naked outside in this icy wind was not something I wanted to experience.
“Where do I find you?” I full on smiled at her. I felt the cold air hit my teeth while her face lit up.
“Is this a booty call?” I raised my brows, a smile still on my lips. She ducked her head, her hair falling to cover her. “I’m just messin’ with you, Kitten.” I would be down for a booty call any time of the day with her.
She seemed to take a moment to gather herself before her eyes lifted to mine and she stepped forward until her shoes met my boots. Out here in the cool air, her sweet scent washed over me—strawberries and vanilla perhaps. Her wet lips parted, and she looked as though she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
“I’m out at Red Oak Ranch, ‘bout ten miles south.”
She swallowed and nodded at my words. “What do you do there?” There was a tint of pink visible on her cheeks and I couldn’t help myself I had to touch it. I pulled a hand from my pocket then brushed the back of my knuckle over her soft as fuck skin.
“Run a ranch, Kitten. I’m a workin’ man. Not sure you’ve seen one of them before.” My eyes focused on the small freckles on her nose, my hand looked so tanned and rough next to her.
“And if I want to?” My eyes snapped to hers. Was she serious? I fucking hoped so, and at the same time, I kind of wished she wasn’t. My focus was on her full lips as they parted a little more. Fuck! What I would give to sample those just one time.
“Well, you know where to find me now, Kitten. The rest is up to you.” I could take her right now, I knew that. But having her come to me, ask me, would be so much sweeter. It would allow her some control over her body and who she let touch it. And if I had my way, I would be the only guy touching her for the foreseeable future. The thought of her letting anyone touch her had me growling a little, deep inside.
“I don’t share, Kitten. When you come find me, I will take what I want,” I warned her before I leaned in and scented her neck. Her hair brushed my face and her skin was right there, I was so close to heaven. I let the hair on my chin rub at her tender flesh, wanting to do it over and over until her skin got raw and people knew I’d been there. There wasn’t going to be a place on her pale skin that wouldn’t shine with the burn from my beard. Fuck that sounded awesome.
“I’m not on the pill.”
I paused, my mind reeling a little. I took a deep breath and blew it out across her neck before pulling back.
“You wanna have this conversation now?”
She nodded a little eagerly, scared even.
“We’ll be safe, no big deal, Kitten. I’ll buy some condoms on the way home just in case you drop by.” I offered her a wink, but her eyes widened now and perhaps, I thought for a moment, she might be trying to talk herself out of it.
“I didn’t sleep with them all,” she blurted out, and I had to look down because I was certain she didn’t want to see me laughing at her. This girl, I fucking tell ya.
“We’re both adults.” I managed to look up and meet her eyes. “We can have that conversation if you want, but it’s not happening here in this shitty parking lot. Just know when you’re with me, that’s it.” I wasn’t sure I would let her go but we would work that out another day. Right now, I needed to head home and hit the shower and try to rub one out.
“Okay. Will it be awkward?”
“Kitten.” I kind of growled again. I stepped toward her and placed my lips on hers. Fuck, so soft and pliable. She opened and let me explore, her small hands coming to my waist as I placed my hands on the side of her face and held her to me. If we could kiss like this straight off the bat, there would be nothing awkward about getting naked. It would be fucking explosive, and I hoped like fuck she paid me a visit sometime soon.
I pulled back, she made a little sound of protest, but I didn’t cave. “There’s something for you to think about. Come find me if you want, Kitten.” Her eyes watched mine, she looked a little dazed and whole fucking lot hot, but I stepped away and headed for my truck.
The girl would chase me. I wanted her to take what she wanted. I wanted to show her what it meant to be with a real man.
Chapter 3
Kayla
I stared at the little note I had written myself in my lap and looked up at the house once again. I had seen many like it. After all, Brookfield was in a county known for ranching. The long house made of stone looked amazing. I didn’t come from a poor family, I grew up in the best house in town but this, I had no idea this existed ten miles from home.
The beams on the porch were made from actual tree trunks. There were three faded green rocking chairs and an abundance of shade made from the enormous live oaks. The place was incredible.
I glanced in my rear-view mirror, I looked decent. Blue eyes perhaps a little too wide but I was nervous as all hell.
It was time to focus on me and what I wanted out of life. I wasn’t sure what that was exactly, but I knew what it wasn’t, so that was a great start.
I opened the door of my car, the one that had been given to me a few days ago—yet another bribe from my father—and hopped out. A light breeze blew, making me glad I’d worn a sweater.
I closed my door quietly and began the short walk up the stone path to the door. The garden bed to my left had small shrubbery in it, I bet it looked awesome in spring.
The main door looked to be frosted glass and with no doorbell in sight I knocked a few times and stepped back. I kind of felt stupid because as Nick stated he was a working man. Did I really expect him to answer the door at eleven a.m. on a Wednesday?
I knocked again.
And waited some more.
I decided to move forward and listen. I pressed my ear to the cool glass. I couldn’t hear a thing.
Maybe this was a bust. How long did I hang around the front of someone’s house before it became uncomfortable for both me and whoever was hiding? Perhaps Nick didn
’t want to see me at all.
I spent this morning doing a little digging around. My father headed to Dallas yesterday for a meeting, so it was the perfect opportunity, and with Margaret away no-one knew I was snooping. I’d seen the face I was looking for, but I didn’t know his name. However, when I found it on several transactions, I knew it was him. If a bored daughter could find this kind of information, I would hate to know what a professional would dig up on him.
I turned away from the house and walked toward my car. This was a working ranch, there had to be somewhere for all that work to take place. I noted the roads looked well used and decided to follow one to see who I could find and if Nick wasn’t it, I was leaving and marking this off as an absolute bust.
I drove around the back of the house which was as stunning, if not more, than the front. And there in the distance were several buildings and perhaps machinery sheds. I drove slowly up to them and parked next to a white truck, there were three others like it. I did note however, that Nick’s truck last night was dark, and I didn’t see that anywhere.
I climbed out and walked around toward the front of the shed. Thankfully, the noise of people talking and working reached my ears.
A tall man rounded the rear end of a tractor and stopped when he noticed me. I waved and smiled awkwardly at him.
“Can I help ya, darlin’?” he drawled in a thick accent.
“I’m looking for Nick.” He didn’t seem to appraise me, or squint at me, or judge me, he just nodded.
“Sure thing. See that long building over there.” He stepped back a few paces and pointed for me. I nodded. “He’s in the first office on the left. Have a good day.” He offered a tip of his hat, and he was off doing whatever it was that happened on ranches.
I walked over the uneven terrain wishing I had for once decided against heeled boots. Even though they were cute, they really were not made for anything other than flat surfaces.