“Why would she leave him?”
“Her version of the story would be that she felt trapped. But the only version I know, is she was trapped underneath Wade’s best friend. That’s who knocked her up and then left her on her own. But, Wade… he was still gonna marry her.” When he looked at her, his smile reached his eyes. “See… you’re cryin’ over his past pain, Carly. You love him.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Yeah… he’s had a hard life. He was made to be a man too soon, not to mention cleanin’ up my messes. He doesn’t have the greatest faith in women. I could tell you some stories, but I know he’d kill me so I’ll leave those up to him.”
Carly stood, and going back to the refrigerator, she removed some items. Clutching them to her chest, she shut the door with her foot. She grabbed a knife from the block on the counter and then sat. Peeling the white paper apart, she unwrapped a steak, and started to slice thin strips from the chunk of meat. “Oh,” she looked up from her task. “I brought stuff for dinner. You don’t mind if I cook, do you?”
“Hell no. But, darlin’ you’re killin’ that steak. I don’t think it’ll fit on the grill if you keep cuttin’ it like that.”
“I’m makin’ a stir-fry.”
“You’re gonna make that cow feel like he died in vain, aren’t you? That was a nice piece of meat. Now you’re makin’ that hippie stuff.”
“Oh, stop. You’ll like it—trust me.” She pulled the vegetables in front of her and started slicing. “Why me, Levi?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why do you think he likes me? I’m way too young. I’m not even sure we have much in common. He hates my music.”
“I don’t know, Carly, but if I see somethin’, I’ll tell you. You need help?”
“What’s that?” She said in a teasing tone. “Mr. Tough-as-Nails cowboy wants to help out with the hippie food?”
“Yeah… I’m expandin’ my culture.” He reached out and grabbed the green beans. Taking a stalk, he snapped the end, turned it, and snapped the other. “He thinks you’re gonna leave him.”
“What?”
“I think that’s his fear… that you’re gonna leave him. You know, the abandonment issues.”
The thought was unsettling. If they got together, would he be constantly thinking that? If Levi was right, then she’d have to change this feeling inside him, at least toward her. She’d have to prove that no matter what, she wouldn’t leave.
* * * *
After a long ride, Wade brushed his horse with soothing strokes. The ride had been good for him. He’d find a way to call Carly when he got a chance and apologize for his behavior. His heart hurt from the loss of her, but he didn’t hate her. She made her choice, and it wasn’t him; he needed to deal with that. He took a deep breath, relieved that Levi would have taken care of her and saw to it that she left. His nose stayed in the air and he inhaled again. Something smelled good and it was coming from the house. His brows tipped down. They were supposed to go out tonight and burn it up together. What could have changed Levi’s mind? He’d never pass at a chance for beer and women, and Wade needed a night out now more than ever.
He walked to the back door and entered the kitchen. The laughter hit him first, and then his eyes landed on the back of Levi. His hand wrapped around one of Carly’s wrists. She held his other arm out as they faced each other. Her eyes were alight with laughter, a laughter he’d only heard a couple of times, and now here they were—in his kitchen—acting like playful lovers.
“I’m not tastin’ that shit.”
“Will you just try it?”
Wade clenched his fits at his sides. “What. The. Fu—”
“Ask Wade… I bet he won’t try it either.” Levi dropped her wrist and turned to face his brother.
Wade locked eyes with her. Her gaze faltered, and then she tensed and took a step away from him. Son of a bitch… she tensed. On him! His eyes narrowed. His redneck wanted to go crazy and rip the kitchen apart, but he tamped it down. “What is it?” His question came out harsher than he expected. He watched her swallow with some effort.
“It’s asparagus with rosemary.”
“I’ll try it.” There was no way she was getting away from him right now. If she wanted to stay and wreck his world, she’d pay the price. She looked like a trapped rabbit.
“There’s some in the dish right beside you.” Her eyes didn’t leave his as he approached her. When he grabbed her wrist, her fingers tightened around the asparagus stalk, and she backed up. He followed until he trapped her against the refrigerator. He tilted his head, briefly dropping his eyes to her lips. Her breathing accelerated, and his was no better.
“I’ll take this one.” He bent slowly, keeping his eyes on hers and bit the top off the stalk. When her lips parted, her eyes zeroed in on his mouth, and he heard a faint sound coming from her throat that he couldn’t make out. “It’s good. Did you make it?”
“Yes.”
“Is this what we’re havin’ for dinner?”
“That, and she butchered some steak.” Levi’s voice behind him pulled him back from the depths of her eyes. He was falling again, it was that easy.
“I take it, despite my wishes, you’ll be stayin’?” He stepped back and looked at them both before he focused his gaze on Carly.
“Yes.”
“Okay, then… I’ll pay you to cook, clean, and do minimal work on the ranch. You’ll rise in the mornin’ with us,” he threw his arm around Levi’s shoulder, “and you can stay here. Of course, there’s room and board so you’ll have to minus that from your pay. When you’ve paid your debt—you leave.” He had no idea what was driving his mouth, but his brain didn’t agree with it. His smile didn’t reach his eyes because the thought of her leaving, after he’d just been so close to her, killed him. He wasn’t one to sleep with another man’s wife, but God help him if she stayed too much longer.
Dinner was fast, and he didn’t say a word during the meal or while Carly cleared the table. As she stored the leftovers, Wade walked to the sink, grabbed a sponge, and dropped a dollop of green liquid into its center. He never thought he’d like stir-fry, but she could cook. He loved it. He picked up a plate and felt it tug to the left.
“I can do the dishes.” Carly yanked the dish again, but he held it tight.
“You cooked, I can clean.”
“Thanks, but I got it.” When she jerked the plate this time, he tugged back and turned toward her.
“I’m already here.” His smile was deadly, and he held the sponge up. “Soap is ready to go.”
“Great, I’ll take that.” She reached for the sponge, and he held his hand high.
“What is your problem?”
“What is your problem?”
“Right now, you.” His voice rose. “I said I’d do the dishes.” He stepped forward and glared down at her. Her freckles were cute, especially when she was trying to be a bad ass.
“If you’re payin’ me to do the dishes, then step off, and let me do the damn dishes!” She yanked hard on the plate, but he held it tight.
“Well, excuse the fuck out of me, Miss Scarlett. Regardless, I still thought I was in my house.”
“Carly.” When Levi called her name, they both looked toward him. He sat back in his chair, staring at the both of them like he was watching his favorite television show. “That’s why.”
“Why what?” she asked.
“The answer to your question earlier… why you.” He lifted a beer bottle to his lips and smirked. “Pure fire.”
She returned her attention back to Wade and yanked. “Give me the dish.”
“No.”
“Ugh! Fine.” She pushed his chest, moving him back an inch and stormed past him toward the stairs. “Seems like the only time I can get you to say somethin’ to me is if you’re yellin’ it.”
“You can leave anytime. I’m sure they miss you back at Tara.” He watched her pause midway up the steps. Her hand tightened on the rail.
And then he watched her features soften as if the previous anger he’d felt moments ago vanished.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“Fine!” he yelled after her. He placed the dish in the sink and threw the sponge on top of it. “I’m goin’ for a ride. You can do the dishes.” With a creased forehead, he eyed his brother.
“What? How’d I get pulled into this?”
“Oh… you know how.” He shook his finger at him. “You’re just not tellin’ me.”
“Y’all are acting like a couple of teenagers…” He tilted his head back and yelled toward the ceiling, dragging out the last word. Wade assumed he was trying to make sure Carly heard him too.
Wade opened the back door to the kitchen. “Don’t wait up.”
“Ah, hell… I don’t want to do the dishes.”
Chapter 25
Cowgirls Rock Hard
When the alarm went off by the bed, Carly bolted upright. The sun wasn’t up, but she wanted to get a head start before anyone else woke. She twisted a knuckle in the corner of her eye and yawned. Another sleepless night had her dragging ass already. She could feel the fog weighing her down. She’d need extra caffeine. Scuffing her feet across the floor, she shoved her arms through her knee length robe.
The bathroom was at the end of the hall. Levi had his own bathroom downstairs by his room. The only person she had to worry about running into was Wade. And there he was. The bathroom door stood ajar. He rinsed his toothbrush and tilted his head toward her. With his palm on the sink, he bowed his head and shook it. A white towel wrapped his waist and she knew exactly what was under it. She stood and stared at him like a pervert because that’s all she could do. Although he looked as tired as she felt, he was absolutely gorgeous. Her eyes trailed over the ripped muscles in his stomach. They were perfect; not too big but defined enough where she could run her fingers over the bumps like the super slide at the fair. His hair lay in a sexy wet mess, and water beaded on his skin from the heat of the bathroom. The steam strayed out from the crack, and when the door opened, it followed him like some sex god as he walked toward her. He stopped directly in front of her. All mind functioning ceased.
“If you’re goin’ to be stayin’ here,” he reached down, and she felt the sides to her robe tug forward. “You can’t walk around like this.”
“Why? It’s a robe.” She felt the tie pull tight at her stomach and looked down to watch his hands release both ends.
“When it’s like this… it’s just a robe. When it’s open… showing me lace panties and tan skin, it’s torture. A man can only take so much before he follows through with what he really desires.”
“What’s that?” She stopped breathing when he moved closer. So close, the dampness from his body rubbed onto her skin. Locked into his intense stare, she was paralyzed. He leaned down, and when his breath blew against her ear, she thought she’d melt into a puddle.
“I want to fuck you, Carly. And, not gentle like the last time. Hard. Hard enough to break you. But I can’t, and that’s why it’s torture.” His head came up, and their eyes met.
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both.” He walked past her and slid into his room, but not before she caught the extension of the towel from his erection.
She scurried to the bathroom and shut the door behind her. She let out a breath like she had run a marathon and bent over. He was way too much for her. She had no idea how to handle this situation. He’d taught her everything she knew, and what she knew wasn’t much. She’d die of spontaneous combustion before this was over with, especially if he kept saying things like that. He was at least attracted to her. She’d never get the upper hand though, and she wasn’t the kind of girl to play games anyway. Why’d he have to be so stubborn? She would have laid down right there in the hallway for him. He wanted to break her? My God. She turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face. It was no use. She could feel the wetness at the top of her thighs. His tone held a promise of his intent, and her body shuddered as his words rolled over her skin. He’d at least given her one bit of information she could use. It appeared tan skin and panties set him off. She had to shower, find something suitable to wear for Wade and make breakfast.
* * * *
When she pushed the bacon on the plates, Wade and Levi entered the kitchen from the back door. “Breakfast is ready.” She kept her back to them and slid the eggs onto another plate.
“Jesus Christ.” She heard Wade mutter behind her before he spoke words under his breath she couldn’t hear.
She smiled to herself and turned toward them. As they took their seats, she placed the plates on the table. Wade muttered more words, and she caught Levi’s hidden grin. She sat, pleased with her attire. He must like her Daisy Duke shorts. She’d felt like the devil when she cut a brand new pair of shorts earlier to make them sexier. She’d never worn anything this short and hadn’t planned to, but she was playing to win.
“Mornin’, Sunshine.” Levi smiled and shook his head.
“Mornin’, Angel.” She smiled back. Wade remained quiet, and she watched him suck down his breakfast without taking a breath.
“What does your shirt say?” Levi tilted his head and tried to read the layered words. She took a sip of her orange juice and watched Wade’s eyes steal a glance at the shirt.
“It says, ‘Cowgirls Rock Hard’.” She tried not to jump when Wade’s fork dropped and hit the plate, and it was all she could do but hold in a giggle. “So what are we doing today?”
“Mendin’ fences in the back—” Levi tried to answer.
“Balin’ hay.” Wade leaned back in the chair and stared at her. His fingers rubbed over his mouth.
“That’s tomorrow. I thought…” Levi looked between the two of them. “We can’t bale hay with her wearin’—”
“I said we’re balin’ hay.” Wade stood, grabbed his hat from the back of the chair, and walked toward the door. Levi followed.
“Well, we ought to be mendin’ some damn fences with the two of you.” He looked back at her. “C’mon.”
Carly brushed her hands on the napkin and followed behind them. “Now I get to be stuck all day with you dressed like that, and him—” he pointed to Wade “—throwin’ hay bales at me.”
When they neared the truck, Wade grabbed Carly’s arm and swung her over to his side of the truck. “Oh, no… you can get in my side so I can get a full view.”
Okay. Maybe the shirt was over kill. The shorts would have probably been enough. She did love the shirt though. It was indigo blue in the same burnout material as her tank. And the scoop neck was awesome. She hadn’t bought a lot of stuff, it was Wade’s money, and she felt guilty for spending it.
“No worries, little brother. You can sit in the truck, listen to music, and pull the trailer. I’ll be throwin’ bales at Carly.” Wade watched his brother’s jaw tighten. So he was protective over her. Why? It wasn’t just because she was a woman. They had their southern manners, yes, but there was something between them. She’d called him angel, twice now, and it pissed him off the second time more than the first.
Did she know how that shirt looked on her? It made her eyes look like blue fire. He slanted his gaze, going right to her cleavage. His hands curled in his lap, and his cock tightened as his thoughts turned wicked. He trailed his eyes over the curve of her breast, down to her gorgeous hips, and stopped at the hem of her shorts. He leaned forward a bit and trailed his eyes between her legs. How small was the material there? Could he rip it easily? If she ever wore these shorts out in public, he’d spank her ass.
He didn’t care if she had a husband or not. Fuck. Her husband. He was probably buying her all these sexy clothes and showing her off like a prize, knowing that asshole. He remembered Chet saying if she didn’t like the clothes she wore, she could change her look once they wed.
When the truck stopped, he looked up, and they were in the hay field. Lost in thought, he hadn’t realized they’d moved. He barked out orders and bit his li
p as Carly climbed onto the trailer. Those shorts would kill him today—if he allowed it. His mind took over as he tossed the first bale up to Carly. She pulled it over, making the first row as he instructed. He tossed another bale as he walked behind the trailer. There was no noise, no shorts, just his thoughts. He wondered if Chet was taking care of her, making her happy. She didn’t look that happy, but it could be because she was here with him and not her husband. God, it didn’t make any sense. She hated Chet, he thought. Or did she just hate people telling her what to do? He shook his head. He’d thrown ten bales, he thought; he wasn’t paying attention. None of this mattered. She’d made her choice. Why did his mind keep rehashing this as if there were a chance? She’s in another man’s bed.
He threw another bale.
He’s probably making her come. I mean, an idiot can figure out where a woman’s clitoris is and if he were smart, he’d use that knowledge often. Did she say Chet’s name like she said his?
He tossed another bale.
He wanted to pound Chet’s fucking head in and beat him until his ancestors felt it. His skin started to burn with the thought of anyone touching her. It drove him crazy.
He released another bale into the air, and then he was on the ground with Levi on top of him. “I said stop!”
“What the hell?”
“Where are you, brother?” Levi jumped up and headed toward the trailer. “I said stop at least five times. Are you tryin’ to kill her?”
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