by Avery Gale
“What do you mean the bank in Denver called in the loan? What bank? Pops has always banked in Pine Creek.” Kip watched Caila shoot out of the chair and begin pacing again. Dammit, he’d just gotten her settled after the last round of pacing. Fuck, she was going to make him dizzy at this rate.
“Come on. Sit back down, and I’ll explain what we’ve learned so far. You need to eat a little bit more. Running yourself into the ground isn’t going to help anybody.” Why could he practically hear what other women were thinking, but with Caila, all he could sense was rolling waves of emotion? His sisters-in-law swore he could hear their thoughts, and there were times he did know exactly what they were thinking. Kip had always been very in tune with people around him—he could sense what men were thinking, too, but he’d never particularly cared. He didn’t judge anybody based on their sexuality, but he was all about the ladies.
“I can’t sit down. If I sit, my head will explode. How did you find this out? Oh, wait. You said something about a sign.” She made another pass before continuing, “Crap, someone is bound to see it and make an offer. You know how quickly small acreages are snatched up by city people wanting a mountain retreat. It will be sold before I can even find out what the hell’s happening.”
“The sign is in my truck, baby. I pulled it on the way down here.” She stopped and spun around to face him. Kip knew he would remember the way her eyes lit up forever. The blue sparkled with hope and just a bit of gratitude.
“You took the sign? So no one would know it was for sale?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t imagine your dad wouldn’t have said something if he’d really wanted to sell it. And considering the trouble he’s been having lately…well, I didn’t want anything happening before I talked to you.”
Tears started to stream down her face, and Kip hated like hell he was going to ruin the moment. “Come here, Cal. There’s more, and I want you to promise you’ll listen to everything I have to say before you say anything. Can you do that for me?” He held out his hand and waited for her to step closer so he could encircle her wrist and pull her onto the sofa beside him.
Her hopeful expression morphed into dread, and Kip wished he’d be able to give her the news she wanted to hear. He held her hands in his as he explained everything Sage had shared about his investigation into the small ranch she’d always dreamed was going to be hers someday. Her dad had dug himself into such a deep hole there wasn’t a chance in hell he’d be able to find his way out.
The blood drained from her face as he spoke, and he wondered how pale a woman could become before her skin actually became translucent. When she started to tremble, he pulled her onto his lap. “I’m sorry, baby. I wish like hell I had better news.” Truer words had never been spoken. Damn, he hated knowing she was so emotionally overloaded.
“I don’t understand any of this. Something has to be seriously wrong with my dad. Where would the money have gone, Kip? He’s never spent lavishly. The only thing he ever spent money on was me.” He felt her go rigid in his arms a split second before she bolted off his lap. When the hell was he going to get smart and anticipate that move?
Pacing even faster than before, Caila stalked the length of the room several times before turning to him. “How am I going to help? I have student loans from grad school to repay, and I had planned to buy him out of the practice slowly because I didn’t expect to make a lot the first couple of years. And now I can’t take the good paying jobs I’ve been offered, because he’s going to need care, and I can’t afford to hire anyone to do it.” She was on the verge of hyperventilating by the time she’d finished.
“Stop.” Kip could see her mind was still spinning a hundred miles per hour, but she’d responded to his command perfectly. Her mouth opened once to argue, but when he raised a brow, she pressed her lips together. Kip watched her for several seconds, waiting to see if she could get her breathing back under control, but it seemed to be accelerating rather than slowing down. “Fuck.” She’d started to weave. Kip cursed as he moved quickly to stand in beside her. Leaning down to slide his arm behind her knees, he lifted her into his arms and cradled against his chest.
Settling her on his lap again, Kip framed her pale face with his hands. “Breathe with me, Cal. Come on. In for five seconds…that’s a good girl. Count it out in your head. Now, let it out nice and slow. Perfect. Again.” He repeated the same sequence with her for several minutes until her cheeks finally regained some color. Damn, she could have been seriously hurt if she’d passed out. Hell, there was a lot of furniture close by, and considering her history of disasters, they’d have been visiting the local emergency room if he hadn’t gotten to her in time.
“The clinic is on the ranch, Kip. I’ll never be able to come up with the money in time. I won’t be able to work to pay for his care. Hell, I won’t even have a place to live. How could things go to hell so quickly?” He didn’t answer her; she’d been talking more to herself than to him. “And I still don’t understand why you’re here. I don’t want your sympathy, Kip. I appreciate your compassion, but you made yourself perfectly clear when you walked away from me a month ago. I’d really appreciate it if you would help me keep the distance I need between us.” She shook her head and tried to laugh, but the sound was entirely too hollow. “God, that didn’t even make sense to me. But I think you understand what I’m trying to say.”
“I hear what you’re saying, but you’re wrong if you think I don’t want you. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you just how much I want you if you’ll let me.” He didn’t miss her small gasp of surprise. “I’ve fought my attraction for you for years because I always believed I’d end up hurting you. Christ, you know my reputation with women. I’ve never kept one more than a month, and I believed you deserved better. And let’s face it, my brothers would have kicked my ass if they’d ever found out what happened at your birthday party.” And isn’t that the understatement of the year?
Chapter Seven
Caila took a deep breath and shook her head gently back and forth. “No, your brothers might have been angry, but they are smart enough to know nothing happened that night I didn’t want to happen.” She felt the weight of the world pressing down on her, but she wasn’t going to stand by and watch Kip pursue her out of guilt. How had things gotten so out of control in her life? Last month, she’d been a recent college graduate looking forward to returning to her hometown and diving into practice with her dad. She’d even worked a few days helping him catch up on some ranch visits, including three days at the Morgan Ranch working with Kip.
The irony of the seamless way the two of them worked together wasn’t lost on her. She’d been amazed how effortless it had been, almost as if they’d been working side by side for years. In retrospect, perhaps it shouldn’t be such a surprise. They’d known each other their entire lives, and she’d pitched in whenever they’d let her. As a young girl and teenager, Caila had found any excuse she could to spend time at the Morgan’s.
Her dad became emotionally detached after her mom died, sinking himself into work and leaving Caila alone more often than not. Ben Cooper hadn’t shown the world how desperately he’d grieved, but as his daughter, Caila had been given a front row seat. The loving, physically affectionate man she’d grown up with slowly faded away, leaving in his wake a purpose-driven man who buried himself in work. Over the years, she’d notice more and more medications filling the medicine cabinet. Those years of stress had started taking a physical toll as well.
In contrast, the warmth she experienced at the Morgan’s was like a balm to her young soul. Caila doubted any of the Morgan sons were aware of all their parents had done for her. Oh sure, individually they’d seen bits and pieces, but none of them knew how often Dean and Patsy had stepped in to fill the role of her parents.
Countless times, her dad had forgotten to pick her up from school and other activities, and she’d been grateful when Dean or Patsy just happened to drive by. It wasn’t until years later she found out they�
��d given the school explicit instructions they were to be notified anytime she was left waiting. Dean had taken her shopping for her first car. He’d sworn her dad had given him the money, another story she discovered later was only partially true. Her dad had only give Dean a thousand dollars, barely a down payment on the shiny new Jeep she’d driven off the lot that day.
Patsy had always seemed to have the perfect dress ready for any occasion, and by the time Caila was old enough to question the coincidence, she’d already understood. The only time a dress hadn’t magically appeared from Patsy’s sunroom office had been Caila’s senior prom. The two of them had spent days shopping together for the perfect one. Caila treasured the memories they’d made during their trip to Denver.
Looking at Kip, she suspected his parents were the reason he was here now. They’d probably sent him to retrieve her. That would explain why he’d been sitting in the chair, fully dressed, watching her sleep. She took another deep breath and decided to let him off the hook. “Listen, your family has done so much for me I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay them. And I appreciate them sending you down here to make sure I was okay, but it really wasn’t necessary. Masters Nate and Taz made sure I was safe, and…”
Why did I let her up? Damn, at least she’s pseudo-reasonable when she’s sitting on my lap or wrapped in my embrace. “Stop. Talking.” Kip’s words were growled more than spoken, and she clamped her mouth shut despite the tidal wave of fuck you roaring through her mind. Who in the hell died and made him king? She went rigid as he stalked closer with controlled steps. “You think I’m here because my parents sent me? Are you fucking insane? Have you forgotten everything you’ve ever known about me?” He was now standing toe to toe with her, and Caila had to tip her head back in order to see into his icy stare. “I swear I’m keeping track, Cal, and you’re racking up punishment points at warp-fucking-speed.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he wasn’t having it. His mouth crushed against hers as his arms wrapped around her. His arms felt like being held in a circle of steel bands; she wasn’t going anywhere until he allowed it. The potency of his kiss was devastating, and she fell into a swirl of need so strong it threatened to pull her under. Kip’s kisses had always stolen every rational thought from her, blanking out common sense and self-preservation. But this kiss wasn’t about seduction. This kiss was pure hunger laced with promise.
Melting under the assault, Caila wanted nothing more than to let the fiery passion consume her. Maybe it would block out the harsh glare of reality, at least for a while. Kip was perfectly capable of fucking her into a mindless stupor, but in the end, he’d walk away. And every time he turned his back on her, he shredded another piece of her heart. Pulling away, she could hear his ragged breath and knew how close he’d been to losing control.
“I swear, woman, you push me to the very edge of sanity without even trying.” Wrapping his large hand around her wrist, Kip pulled her to the sofa. “Sit. We are going to clear this up right now.” Using his hand at her shoulder, he gently pushed her until she was sitting at the very edge of the leather covered furniture. He sat on the small table and faced her. Clasping her hands in his, Kip leaned forward. They were so close she could see the small green flecks in his brown eyes and feel the warmth of his breath drifting over her face.
“I know you don’t believe me yet—hell, I haven’t given you a reason to up until now. But you are mine. Mine to protect. Mine to look out for. I’ll gladly accept Nate’s and Taz’s help, knowing your penchant for getting into trouble. I’ll take all the help I can get. But the bottom line is, you’re mine.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he shook his head. “Do your sweet ass a favor and save it a few swats by taking a minute to think carefully about what you’re about to say.”
He was pleased to see her lips clamp together even if he wasn’t thrilled with her mutinous expression. Using the calloused pad of his thumb, he smoothed the wrinkles her scowl formed between her brows. “You haven’t been in the lifestyle long, but I’m sure you’ve been told frowning at your Dom isn’t ever a good idea.” Frowning at any Dom would earn her a punishment; but for now, he didn’t want her focusing on anyone’s approval but his.
He could tell she started to roll her eyes and thought better of it. Smart girl. “I need to get on the road. They have to be clear enough by now.” He watched as she searched the room for the clothes she’d been wearing. Good luck, sweetheart. According to Nate and Taz, they’d stripped her in their office to get her body temperature up as quickly as possible. When they’d offered to bring in the discarded garments and her bags upstairs, he’d made sure they were locked in the armoire.
Kip wasn’t a fool. If he’d given in and let Caila get dressed, she’d have damned well figured out a way to sneak out. Just one of the perils of dealing with a man who’s known you for years, baby. I have your number, my love. I know exactly how you operate. She tried the door of the antique piece in the corner. When it didn’t open, she turned to him, her hands fisting on her hips. “Are my clothes in here?”
“You aren’t going anywhere, so the location of your clothing isn’t an issue. That wonderful piece of furniture holds all sorts of lovely implements designed to punish and pleasure you. Paddles, plugs, chains, cuffs, clamps, floggers—you name it, and it’s probably in there. It’s also exclusively reserved for a Dom’s or Domme’s use. I’ve already extracted everything I want to use.” He gave a short nod toward a small tray sitting atop a high dresser. He’d covered it with a small towel, and he could see curiosity dancing in her eyes. If he didn’t fan the flames of her budding arousal, she’d refocus on getting home, and then she was going to start asking questions he didn’t want to answer yet.
Sage and his brothers agreed the five of them should face her together to explain what they’d done. It was important for her to know they’d worked together, not as Morgan Enterprises, but as the five Morgan brothers—her friends and neighbors. She was right. The roads were almost clear, but Colt and Josie weren’t home yet. Colt had insisted they wait until he could get back to Montana to talk to Caila, and they weren’t flying in until late tonight.
“Brandt will call us when we can return home. Until then, we’re going to set some new ground rules between us, baby. We need to sort this out. Now.” He knew Caila’s concerns were justified, but he wasn’t going to let her take the easy way out. By the time the night was through, she would either commit to what he was proposing or she’d walk away—the key to gaining her trust was time, and that’s what he was hoping to buy.
“We’re going to revert to the same rules we put in place a month ago when we were here.” She must have looked confused because his smile turned heated between one heartbeat and the next. “Remember all that negotiation, baby? Let’s save ourselves some time and start from there.” Caila didn’t remember all the details because she’d been so focused on Kip’s touch. It was hard to guess what she’d agreed to, but if agreeing would make him let her go sooner, she’d do it.
When she nodded, Kip shook his head. “That’s not the way it works, baby. You have to tell me this is what you want. I want to hear the words.” Masking her frustration was getting more and more difficult, but she wasn’t going to give him any excuse to draw this out any longer than necessary.
“Okay, same rules, blah, blah, blah.” Snarky much, Caila?
She didn’t understand what was going on with Kip, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to let her leave until he had his say. Fine. Spit it out and cut me loose. What was the deal with men anyway? Why did they seem uninterested until you walked away? She’d dated a guy in college who’d been wonderfully attentive until she’d said no to sex. When he’d began verbally berating her, she’d walked away…literally. They’d been at a formal party at his fraternity, and she’d walked out the door. He hadn’t followed her or sent anyone to make sure she made it the five miles home in those damned heels, but he’d pursued her relentlessly the rest of the semester.
S
he’d mentioned the mess to Patsy Morgan over the Christmas holiday and probably shouldn’t have been surprised when Dean, Sage, and Colt all joined them for their movie night. Movie night…yeah, right. It had been more like a reenactment of the Spanish Inquisition. As a kid, she’d watched old Perry Mason shows with her dad, and even Perry didn’t hold a candle to the Morgans when they wanted information. They’d examined every detail of her relationship with Alan Hoff, including anything and everything she knew about his family.
After returning to college for the Spring semester, Caila had been pleased to learn her former beau had transferred to another university. It wasn’t until two years later she learned why. Evidently, he belonged to the same fraternity Dean and Sage had been members of during college. Alan’s membership and scholarships had been suddenly withdrawn, and he’d been smart enough to see the writing on the wall. One of their mutual friends told her he’d transferred to a smaller school on the east coast hoping to escape the Morgan’s sphere of influence.
The girl who’d told her about their friend moving had also been swooning over the hot rodeo guy and his friends who’d shown up to help Alan move. She’d described Colt Morgan perfectly and giggled about how they’d thrown most of Alan’s stuff out the second story window. “It’s a good thing they’re cowboys, because they didn’t seem to be very good at catching things. They probably wouldn’t have been good at sports.”
Caila had laughed out loud. “Oh, honey, rodeo is definitely a sport. Those guys are amazing athletes. I assure you, if they were missing, it was on purpose and by design.” She’d seen Colt and his friends in action. They’d probably enjoyed helping the man who’d told her to “fuck or walk” move out of his frat house. She was also certain their offer of assistance had been one Alan hadn’t been allowed to refuse.