Branded

by Candace Havens

  She laughed. “I’m Caroline. I think we met a few years ago at the club. My parents just moved back to the area. James tells me you two have always been thick as thieves.” She was glancing between us. Probably trying to figure out why her date was acting like a Neanderthal with me.

  “Yep. BFFs for life.” I fist-bumped him. “He’s good people.”

  I saw Cole and the kids getting in line at the Ferris wheel. “Well, it was great to see you both. I don’t want to miss the ride.” I pointed over their shoulder.

  “Have fun,” she said.

  “Hey.” James caught my arm. “Be careful,” he said. “That guy has a reputation around town as a man ho.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Like I said, we’re just friends. What you just saw was him trying to set me to rights after riding the Spider. I must be getting old, because I’m still feeling the effects.” I laughed and put a hand on my head.

  I was the world’s worst actress, and I wasn’t fooling anyone here. Probably best to cut and run. “Bye, guys.”

  But I was worried. What if James said something to my grandfather? I mean, they knew I was here. But they had no idea how close Cole and I were. One weird comment from James and Cole might be in trouble.

  I cared. Too much. I worried more about him and Addy than myself. I was being selfish. My grandpa was the nicest guy in the world, but I was his Precious. If he found out… Well, it just wouldn’t go well for Cole.

  Torturing Cole didn’t seem like so much fun anymore. I just wanted to be alone in his arms, soaking up these memories of our last few days together.

  …

  Three hours later, Callie and I were watching the fireworks from the back of my truck. The kids were sitting on blankets up on the hill. I was keeping my eye on my sister, but also stealing glances at Callie. Something had happened with her friend. She’d been her sweet, friendly self, but she hadn’t tried to touch me again.

  I was worried maybe that asshole might say something, but we hadn’t been doing anything wrong. And her grandparents knew we were here looking after my little sis.

  “You okay?”

  She gave me a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yep. I love fireworks.”

  It was another ten minutes before the show began. “You want to talk about what happened with your friend?”

  She bit her lip. “He told me to be careful. Said you had a reputation. I told him we were just friends, but I’m worried he might say something to my grandparents.”

  Crap. “We’ve all been hanging out. They know we’re friends. If you remember, they’ve encouraged it.”

  “Yeah. I just worry James might say something that will make them think differently. He’s not a bad guy, but he’s sort of protective where I’m concerned.”

  “I can see why. Who was the girl he was with?”

  “I think it’s his new girlfriend, which is a very good thing.”

  “Maybe he’ll stop putting the moves on you?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Jealous?”

  “Yes.”

  Her head snapped around.

  “I can’t help it. The idea of another man touching you drives me insane. I’ve missed you the last two days. But if you want to go to that concert with him, I’m not going to try and stop you.”

  Her pinky finger moved closer to mine, touching me, but not overtly. “This is killing me,” she said. “I wanted to torture you tonight. To make you want me. But I forgot it works both ways.”

  A loud boom sounded and flashes of light went off overhead. She jumped and then laughed. Her head fell back as she watched the fireworks display.

  “I never stop.”

  “What?” she whispered, glancing over at me.

  “Wanting you. I thought I made that clear.”

  She blinked. “Same here.”

  “Stay,” I said. I’m not sure where the words came from, but the idea of her leaving in a few days was ripping me up. “Please.”

  “I want to,” she said, “only it will make it even tougher when summer is over. But—”

  “But?”

  “The idea of leaving hurts. I know what this was supposed to be, but it’s…more.”

  “Yes. It is.” I wouldn’t lie to her. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met. You’re burned on my brain and my—”

  “Whoohooo! That was so awesome.” Addy and her friends were heading down the hill. I jumped up and closed the picnic basket.

  “Yes.” Callie cleared her throat. “It was.”

  A few hours later, we’d managed to get all the kids to their homes, and Addy was spending the night again with a friend.

  “Come home with me?” I wasn’t in the habit of asking permission, but it was important after everything that had happened that she say yes.

  “Yep.” She blew out a breath.

  “It’s going to be different—for both of us,” I said as I let her in the house.

  “How so?”

  “I’m going to make love to you tonight.” I had to show her why I wanted her to stay. I should have been worried about her grandparents, or what would happen if they found out. But all I cared about was showing her how I felt about her.

  Might make me the biggest fucking idiot in the world, but if she did leave for Europe, she’d know she’d changed me.

  She’d made me better.

  “I was kind of looking forward to wild and crazy,” she said as she slipped her dress over her head. We were in the living room, and even though the only light was from the moon, it outlined her curves perfectly. She had more meat on her bones since she’d come home from college. I liked her better this way.

  I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder.

  She squealed, and I slapped her on the ass, which made her do it again.

  Then I tossed her on the bed and pulled her thong down her legs. She still had the boots on and started to take them off.

  “Leave ’em on,” I said as I stripped. “And I lied. This first one is gonna be fast, babe, then I’ll make it up to you.”

  She wrapped her boot-clad legs around my waist and dug her heels in my ass. My cock was already hard, but that shit made me come unglued.

  “I told you earlier, I like it fast and hard.”

  “So you did,” I said as I slammed into her.

  She arched up and threw her head back. “Yes,” she hissed. “I missed you. So much.”

  Those words drove me to pound her hard. I thumbed her clit, knowing just how to touch her.

  “Cole!”

  “Right there with you, babe.” Three more times, and I was shuddering right along with her.

  A short time later, we were curled up in bed. I felt something wet on my chest. I lifted her chin to find tears in her eyes.

  “Hey,” I said, thumbing them away. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  She sniffed. “I’ve got a crazy case of the feels. Tonight was intense in a whole different way.”

  Yep. “Feels?”

  Smiling, she nodded. “Yep, it’s what Bethany and I say when we see those stupid Hallmark card commercials or a sad movie. I’m probably just tired. I had a tough time sleeping the last two nights.”

  I kissed her. “Do you want me to take you up to the house?”

  “Nah.” She snuggled into me. “I want more of this, at least for a little while longer.”

  Then she sighed and hugged me. I hugged her back.

  A little while was all we had. And I had a feeling when she did leave, it was going to be with a part of my heart.

  But I wasn’t ready to think about that. No good in it.

  We had a contract, and for both of our sakes, it couldn’t be broken.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The country club party was suffocating and boring. Even Addy was yawning in the corner. She was talking to Jake, the kid who usually washed the dishes for the bartender, and his friends. All I could think about was Cole. I wanted to be in his arms, snuggled together like we’d been last night.


  What was I going to do? That I was leaving for Europe in a few days was killing me. I didn’t want to go. At all. But was I the kind of girl who let a guy rule her life? One who made dumb decisions because of a man? Besides, all of this was temporary. Had to be. But my heart was tangled up in a bad, bad way.

  Bethany would be here soon. Maybe she could help me, though I could never tell her who my guy was. I would never break the contract.

  The music from the party was hitting my last nerve, and my head throbbed. “Can you keep an eye on Ads?” I asked my grandmother. “I need some air.”

  “Sure. Should I have them change up the music? I noticed none of the kids are dancing.”

  “Yep, that would be great. Tell the DJ to use the playlist I gave him last time.”

  “I’ll do that. You’ll come back in soon?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I just need a little fresh air. The perfume is getting to me, and the old-people smell. You’ve got to talk to Mr. Glen about his Aqua Velva showers.”

  She playfully tapped my shoulders. “You are incorrigible, young granddaughter. But you speak the truth. Don’t be too long. I may need your help getting this party started.”

  Ouch, that bit about speaking the truth hurt. I turned away so she couldn’t see my face. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I headed out to the pool. After kicking off my heels, I sat down on one of the lounge chairs.

  “Hard to get a tan this time of night,” James said.

  I sighed. “I didn’t see you at the party.” I wasn’t in the mood for one his lectures about how I needed to socialize more with our friends, who were his friends, not mine.

  “Just arrived. What are you doing out here?”

  “Had old-people overload. You know me, too many smells.”

  I heard the chair next to me scrape against the pool deck, but I didn’t look his way. “I was kind of looking for some space.”

  “Yeah, I get that. What I want to know is why you’re ignoring one of your best friends. I’ve texted you half a dozen times to go out with me and Caroline, and you always have an excuse.”

  I opened my eyes and stared up at the moon. “I’m not ignoring you. I’m going to school part time online, which is a secret, and if you tell anyone I will have to kill you. Working at the ranch and trying to help Gran with her six thousand charities this summer.”

  “So it has nothing to do with the cowboy?”

  My head shot around so fast I was worried I’d give myself whiplash.

  “What are you talking about?”

  He leaned forward, his elbows on knees. “Just so we’re clear, this isn’t about me being an asshole earlier in the summer. We’re past that, and things are really good with Caroline. Like really good. I’m not gonna screw that up.”

  “I’m glad, about Caroline. I was talking to her earlier. She’s real, and she’s funny. And I’m pretty sure she can kick your ass.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure she can as well. She does that Krav Maga stuff you do. What is up with that? Did all of you start taking that, like, in high school or something? And she teaches self-defense at the youth center. I found out the hard way yesterday that she has a black belt. I won’t be sneaking up to surprise her ever again.”

  My hand flew to my mouth. “No.”

  “Yep, she threw my big ass right over her shoulder. But it serves me right.”

  I couldn’t help the laughter as it bubbled out.

  “Stop trying to deflect,” he said. “I’m being serious. You’ve got to stop seeing that guy. I checked into him. He’s probably not a bad dude, but he’s been in trouble a couple of times for fighting, never arrested. I’m worried he might hurt you. And you deserve better. I know things were tough for you at school, but don’t give it up to the first guy who shows you some interest.”

  “For your information, he was never arrested because he was the one stopping the fights. His sister told me. And, oh my God, I’m not sure what I’m more appalled about. That you think I’m that desperate, or that you’re trying to tell me who I can date.”

  “So you are dating him?”

  Shit. “What I’m saying is it’s none of your business. And I have no idea what you’re talking about. Did I mention I came out here to get away from pesky assholes? And, no, he and I are definitely not dating.”

  He watched me carefully. “But you are doing something else.”

  “Stop. If you want to be friends, stop asking stupid questions. You’re just pissing me off.”

  “James?” Caroline’s voice came from around the corner.

  “Over here at the pool,” he said quickly. “Just talking to Callie.”

  “Callie’s here? Thank God. That place is full of boring people.” She came down the steps. “What’s this? You two look serious.”

  “Your boyfriend is trying to tell me who I can date.”

  James rolled his eyes. “No, I’m trying to protect you from gold diggers. Girls like you have to watch out for that sort of thing. I’m not saying he’s bad guy, but I saw you two at the festival. That looked pretty serious.”

  “It isn’t what you think. We were hanging out. With his sister and ten of her friends. People who want to do what you’re thinking about don’t bring eleven chaperones.”

  He shrugged. “I saw the way he was looking at you. That wasn’t his sister he was thinking about.”

  Hell, Cole did have a habit of looking at me like he wanted to eat me up. That was exactly what he had been worried about. Shit. “I’m not saying I am, but if I were, that sort of thing would have an expiration date. As in, I leave for Europe on Saturday.” Of course, I hadn’t told Cole that I was absolutely leaving. But this was best for both of us. I had to get out of here before he broke my heart.

  Too late.

  “Good. I’ll give you this week, and then I’m going to casually mention it to your grandfather.”

  I jumped up. “Oh, hell no. You aren’t saying a damn thing.”

  “She’s right,” said Caroline. “You aren’t going to say anything. That’s an asshole thing to do. Tattle telling—what are we, four?”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I’m protecting my friend from someone I think might take advantage of her. If that makes me an asshole, then so be it. But I’m doing it.”

  “You do that, and we won’t be friends or anything else,” I said. “That kind of rumor could cause trouble for him and his family. I won’t let you hurt them like that.”

  “Then get your ass off to Europe and you won’t have to worry about it.”

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  Caroline pulled out from under his arm. “You”—she pointed—“get inside. I want to talk to Callie.”

  He looked like he was about to argue but then started walking. “Just so you know, it’s not blackmail when you’re trying to help someone.”

  Yes, it was. I’d planned to break it off, but now I had to. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  When he was gone, Caroline said, “I’ll try to talk to him. I have my ways.”

  I blew out a breath. “It’s not what James thinks,” I said.

  Caroline pursed her lips. “Actually, I think it’s way worse.”

  “What?”

  “I saw you guys as well, and while my boyfriend was focused on Cole, I had my eyes on you. The way you were looking at him. You’ve fallen…hard. I know that look. I see it every morning when I look in the mirror and think of James. Don’t fool yourself. Whatever it is, it’s more than you want to admit to yourself.”

  No. No. We were just having fun.

  Who the fuck are you kidding?

  “I’ll try to talk to James,” she said, “but you know how he is. If he believes he’s in the right, he’s going to do whatever it takes to protect you.”

  Yep. That was one of the things I loved about my friend—his dedication to those around him.

  “He’s lucky to have you, but he’s an asshole sometimes,” I said.

&nb
sp; She laughed. “I’m not sure he understands just how lucky, but he’s going to find out.”

  I wasn’t sure what she meant by that.

  She started to walk off but stopped and turned back to me. “Look, I’m the last person to give love advice to anybody. Hell, my track record sucks like you wouldn’t believe. But if you love someone, you should tell them. And if they’re worth fighting for, then you should fight. But if you aren’t sure, and something bad could happen to you both because the truth came out, well, sometimes it’s best just to cut your losses. Don’t let anyone pressure you, but make sure you’re doing what’s best for everyone. I’ve talked to that little sister of his. She’s a sweet thing. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, because… Well, you know.”

  There was some good logic there. “Thanks,” I said as she walked off. I didn’t have a future with Cole. How many times had he said that? We were temporary. I’d promised myself I’d be grateful for whatever time I had with him. That time was coming to an end. I’d give myself these last few days, and then I’d do it. I’d do what was best for the both of us.

  I couldn’t risk him being hurt because I had to get my sex on. And what would happen to him and his sister and their poor Uncle Charlie? I could beg and plead with my grandfather, but he was kind of protective when it came to me. I’m not sure he’d understand.

  Being a grown-up sucked. But I had to do this.

  And it already hurt like hell.

  …

  They weren’t supposed to be home yet. I heard the golf cart coming down to the barn from the big house. I’d been working on the new program to help keep inventory of the livestock. I was just about done, but curiosity got the best of me, and I stepped out of the office.

  Callie came through the barn door still dressed in her dark green dress.

  “Everything okay?” I asked her. “Where’s Addy?”

  “She’s with the grans. She wasn’t ready to leave.” Her brow was creased—something wasn’t right.

  “What is it?”

  “I’ve been trying to call you, and when you didn’t answer…”

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing.”

  I touched her cheek. The cameras were off—I’d shut them down when I’d heard the cart.