“And steal a stud fee you couldn’t afford to purchase.”
At Duncan’s nasty insinuation, Rhianna grabbed Duncan’s drink from his hand and tossed it into his face. Now this was the Rhianna Rafe remembered. Proud. Courageous. Refusing to let any man cow her with insults.
The arrogant horse breeder mopped his sopping face with a handkerchief, his skin red with anger and humiliation. As Duncan sputtered in indignation, Rafe restrained a grin. “I believe you owe the lady an apology.”
The muscles in Duncan’s neck bulged as he pointed his finger in Rhianna’s face. “I’ll apologize just as soon as she pays my stud fee.”
Rhianna shoved his hand away. “If you have to rely on money for what you offer, then you’re not going to be rich for long.”
Rafe stepped between Rhianna and Duncan. He kept his voice low, his arms loose and ready for action, though whether in preparation to deck Duncan or keep Rhianna from doing so, he wasn’t sure. “What’s the matter, Duncan? Are you hurting so badly for cash? Or did the lady hurt your feelings when she dumped you?”
“She used me.”
Rhianna tried to step around Rafe. “Bull! Did I take your ruby necklace? Did I accept your fancy engagement ring?”
Janet gasped. “Duncan asked you to marry him?”
Duncan stuffed his wet handkerchief into his pocket, stomped away and muttered loudly enough for half the roomful of guests to hear, “I should have known she didn’t have enough sense to realize how lucky she was. Imagine turning me down.”
Hal shook his head. “Good riddance.”
“Here, here.” Judge Stuart patted Rhianna on the shoulder. “You can do better. Much better. Now, don’t you have a horse to show us?”
Rafe took Rhianna’s hand as she led the group outside to the barn. Another woman might have burst into tears after the ugly scene. Rhianna kept her head high, her spine straight, but she clutched Rafe’s hand so hard he couldn’t mistake her fury.
Daniel McCloud kept the barn immaculate. The scent of fresh hay greeted them, along with soft nickers and welcoming snorts.
Rhianna proudly led Janet, Hal, Judge Stuart and Rafe to the two-week-old foal. And for the second time that evening, Rafe’s appetite spiraled, his hunger whetted. The chestnut Thoroughbred boasted spectacularly long legs, and Rafe would bet he’d grow to a full seventeen hands high. But it wasn’t just the general characteristics that interested Rafe; well-laid back shoulders, an elegant neck, a short, strong body deep through the girth, well-muscled quarters and clean hard legs. The foal’s head captured his imagination and caused him to envision winners’ circles. With his proud bearing, Sweetness gave an impression of quality, refinement and intelligence, a grand nobility.
The foal nuzzled Rhianna, and she scratched behind his ears, her face softening. “Dad likes the foals to become used to people at birth. Sweetness enjoys his grooming. He’s a friendly little guy.”
Janet lifted her hand for the foal to become accustomed to her scent. “He’s gorgeous. You sure you don’t want to sell him?”
Rhianna shook her head.
“Can you afford to stable him?” Hal asked. “The feed and veterinarian bills will be astronomical.”
“We’ll manage. Somehow.”
Raising a racehorse was an expensive proposition. But the payoffs could be spectacular. Although it would be years before the McClouds would put Sweetness up for stud, Rafe was already imagining crossing the foal’s bloodlines with several of his mares. Deep in thought, he studied the foal. Something about the horse almost shouted “Champion.” He already had a special rhythm in his gait. A certain undaunted flick of his ears, as if he knew he was fast. And the spirit in his eyes told Rafe that this animal had Winner stamped all over him.
Rhianna’s hand on Rafe’s shoulder brought him back to reality. He’d been studying the horse so hard he hadn’t even noticed when the others had left. “He’s spectacular,” Rafe admitted.
“Thank you.” Rhianna slid her arms around him, and she fitted against him just right. For a moment he wondered why he’d always preferred thin, small-breasted women when he could have gone for a woman with curves. And then Rhianna’s lips met his, but not before he saw the aftereffects of Duncan’s hurtful words still clouding her lovely eyes.
Surprised by her action, he kissed her gently, then pushed her away. “Rhianna, what’s this about?”
Her brows arched over wide, green eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m not a child anymore, Rafe.”
“That’s more than obvious. You’ve changed. I haven’t.”
She kissed his neck, and a tremor rocked him. “So, you’re still one of those love ’em and leave ’em kind of men.”
He didn’t deny the truth, but cocked an eyebrow. “And that doesn’t bother you?” This grown-up Rhianna was just full of surprises, and he was having difficulty adjusting to the new version.
“When I was sixteen, I had a crush on you. I wanted to cut off your dates’ hair—each and every one of them.”
“You’re not sixteen anymore.” Rafe fisted his hands into her hair, gorgeous red locks that shimmered like an autumn sunset. He marveled at the softness until he revealed her delicate neckline, where he traced a path to her collarbone with his lips.
“Precisely my point. There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she murmured.
“I’m willing to learn.” He reached for the zipper at her back, amazed that his hand trembled. Years ago, she’d been like a pesky kid sister to him. He’d never thought of Rhianna this way—as a woman, a woman with needs and wants and desires beyond her horses. Now he wanted her badly, with a hunger he hadn’t known in a long time. Maybe ever. She smelled so good, felt so right, and the fire she’d kindled with her first kiss flared again.
He’d always suspected Rhianna McCloud would grow into a fascinating woman. But he’d never imagined she could be so eager, so passionate, so willing. He hadn’t specifically kept track of her, but the horse set was its own small world, and her father was one of the best trainers in the country.
Though she was known for her warmth and genuineness, when it came to dating, Rhianna had the reputation of a cautious woman. As far as he knew, she’d only been serious with one man. She’d never been free with her favors, preferring to spend her time with the horses rather than with the boys who used to hang around the Sutton barn.
She tugged him closer and whispered into his mouth. “There’s a blanket in the hayloft. I read up there sometimes.”
Her invitation was so clear, he almost kicked out of his boots. “You want to show me…your library?”
“I intend to show you much more than my library.” At the suggestive huskiness in her tone, Rafe’s jaw must have dropped. She started toward the ladder and spoke over her shoulder. “I’m a big girl. I know what I want.”
She wanted him.
Amazed, excited and still in shock, Rafe couldn’t get over the changes in her. Rhianna knew his reputation. She knew he never spent more than a few weeks with a lady before moving on. Rhianna and he went way back. He didn’t want to hurt her or lead her to believe anything could come from a romp in the hayloft except one night of pleasure.
He stepped to the ladder, enjoyed the sight of her kicking off her shoes and tossing them above. Agile as a cat, she climbed, and he followed her up the ladder into the hayloft, where he spied a reading lamp, a bookcase stacked with books, chocolates and fresh daisies in a jar. She tossed a blanket over a bed of hay, then dragged him down beside her. “Now all we need is rain.”
“Rain?”
“It’s romantic, don’t you think? All that power of nature unleashed while we’re safe and cozy. Besides, I like the sound of raindrops on tin.”
In some ways she appeared the most sophisticated of women. Yet she could enjoy simple pleasures, and that made him want her all the more. Rhianna the schoolgirl had charmed him. Rhianna the woman set a fire burning in him that smoldered with intensity and promise.
Rafe tumbled onto th
e blanket beside her, already knowing the night would be special. The air tasted sweeter just from Rhianna’s presence. The weather even cooperated, as lightning lit up the night sky and thunder rolled across the mountains. Light rain pattered on the tin roof, enclosing them in their own private cocoon.
With Rhianna’s auburn hair cascading onto the blanket, a perfect foil for her wide eyes, dark as an evergreen forest, he had to take a deep breath and remind himself of the pleasure to be gained by going slowly. But he could barely contain his impatience as he marveled at the avid light in her eyes and the kind of curves a man could only dream about.
She reached for his shirt and unfastened the first three buttons before he slipped down to her toes. He nibbled the inside of the arch of one foot, caressed her delicate ankle, wanting to leave no part of her untouched.
“That tickles,” she murmured.
“You have pretty feet.”
She sat up and eyed him suspiciously. “Rafe Sutton, you don’t have a foot fetish, do you?”
“I’m just deciding which part of you I like the best.”
“Oh.”
“And until I investigate all of you—”
“Hmm. I like the sound of that.”
He trailed his hand up her calf and played with a delicate spot behind her knee, tracing lazy circles. “My investigation could take hours.”
“Hours?”
Rafe sensed her inexperience behind her sassy impatience, and set out to put her mind at ease. “Relax, sweetheart. We won’t do anything you don’t like.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair, her voice throaty with a hint of excitement and desire. “I think I’d like to try everything once.”
“That’s the Rhianna I remember.” He shimmied up from her knees to look her in the eye. Up close her eyes were a clear, luminous green surrounded by a glittering circle of dark emerald. “You were always fearless.”
She sighed as she nipped his shoulder. “And you always had a silver tongue.”
He kissed her deeply and wondered if he should stop. This was no ordinary seduction—not for him. Too many feelings surged through him, mucking up his thoughts and making him unsure of himself. Rhianna’s pure uninhibited pleasure, her complete submission to her own desires and his, had Rafe edgy. His pulse kicked hard. This union would be much more than shared pleasure and simple release.
He should apologize to the lady and get the hell out. But he couldn’t. And he couldn’t deny her, any more than he could deny himself the exquisite bliss of discovering how good lovemaking could be.
He would give himself the night, one night of bliss. One night to savor this special woman. Surely a man couldn’t fall in love in just one night?
Chapter Two
And Rafe hadn’t fallen in love, he assured himself. Although making love to Rhianna had been special, it was so special he never intended to do it again. He refused to be caught in that trap. But if he was really a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy, why did his attraction to Rhianna scare him so much? He’d proved he could stay away from Rhianna for the past eight and a half months, refusing to phone her, using any excuse to stay out of the Denver area. After all this time had passed, he thought it odd that McCloud would call. The foal hadn’t raced yet, and Sweetness was still too young for stud. Perhaps the foal had taken ill and needed Rafe’s new vet?
Rafe hurried from the barn to the house he’d built on Sutton land. After Brent’s murder, his father had deeded each of his four sons a huge tract of acreage, but the brothers still ran the ranch as one big operation—or Tyler, the eldest brother, did. Chase, the next eldest, divided his time between the Sutton operation and his wife’s ranch at the Embry place, while Cameron had set up a medical practice in Highview.
The current arrangement suited Rafe just fine. His brothers had left him free to rebuild the stable. He’d begun by erecting a new barn, since the old one had burned to the ground last year. He kept a veterinarian on permanent call, had hired a trainer, and then, educating himself about breeding stock, had set out acquiring the best of the best. Slowly, surely, Rafe built a reputation that had spread within the state and then coast to coast. Other breeders and trainers often called for his opinions and advice.
Rafe entered his house and reminded himself once again that if he’d remember to carry his cell phone with him, he would have to do less commuting between the barn and his house. Only he hated interruptions while working with his animals.
With a sigh, he tossed his hat on a peg and picked up the phone. “How are you, Daniel?”
“Fine.”
“The foal coming along?”
“That’s why I called.”
Rafe’s pulse edged up a notch. There was nothing worse than a prime animal coming down with the croup or pulling up lame. And Sweetness was born to run…just like Rhianna was born to love.
Damn.
That thought about Rhianna had sneaked in when he wasn’t paying attention. The woman might be easy on the eyes, but she sure was brutal on the heart. Why couldn’t he forget her?
McCloud cleared his throat. “You still want to buy the foal?”
Rafe didn’t hesitate a second. “Yes, sir.”
But why was McCloud willing to sell him? He must need the money badly, and for a moment Rafe felt sympathy for the man who would have to forfeit such a magnificent animal. But business was business. Daniel McCloud’s loss could be Rafe Sutton’s gain.
And what an addition to the Sutton stable Sweetness would be. Even if the foal’s speed didn’t pan out, Rafe wanted to mix those championship bloodlines with several of his mares. The stud fees alone would make him worth any reasonable price.
“How much do you want for him?”
McCloud named a price that Rafe found agreeable. “You’ve got a deal.”
But then McCloud added, “There’s just one condition.”
A condition? That McCloud wanted to dictate terms was highly unusual. But then so was the horse. Rafe imagined the trainer wanted to arrange for a stud with another of his own mares in a year or so, and that would be acceptable.
“I’ll only sell him to you if you help out Rhianna.”
“Rhianna?” Surprise turned Rafe’s nerves edgy.
“She’s in a bit of trouble.”
“Trouble?” Rafe shut his mouth, realizing he was starting to sound like a parrot. He just couldn’t imagine Rhianna in trouble. Or why Daniel had come to him.
“It might take some of your lawyering skills. I’m not sure.”
Rafe propped his boots on his desk and leaned back in his chair, but his casual pose did nothing to relieve the sudden pressure in his chest. He’d attended law school to please his father and to have a career to fall back on in case he didn’t succeed as a horse breeder. If Rhianna was in trouble, she should have the benefit of a more experienced attorney than Rafe. “Look, I’ve got a law degree, but I’m not a practicing attorney. You’d be better off selling me the horse and hiring—”
“No.”
No?
Rafe took a deep breath, trying to clear his head, trying to think straight, but when it came to Rhianna that wasn’t easy. He could still remember how she felt, how she tasted, how she’d spoiled his desire for any other woman. Hell, maybe he needed to see her again to get her out of his system.
Daniel’s offer of Sweetness made Rafe realize that he would never have made such an offer unless Rhianna was in real trouble. And while Rafe might make a business deal if Daniel needed money, Rafe wouldn’t profit off Rhianna’s trouble.
Rafe considered Rhianna a friend and he would help without being bribed by the offer of a horse. Gripping the phone tighter, Rafe set about straightening out Daniel.
“If Rhianna needs my help, she has it. I can’t buy Sweetness under these circumstances.”
“And I don’t take charity,” Daniel countered.
Rafe heard the pride in the man’s voice and decided Rhianna’s well-being was more important than arguing with her father.
Rafe thrummed his fingers on the desk. “Daniel, why don’t you start at the beginning and explain what kind of trouble she’s in.”
“We’re not exactly sure, but we think she’s being stalked by some psycho.”
The pressure in Rafe’s chest increased with worry. “Have you gone to the police?”
“They can’t guard her twenty-four hours a day.”
Rhianna needed round-the-clock protection from some nutcase, and her father wanted him? Why him? Rafe frowned, still puzzled. “You want me to protect her? Why not hire a bodyguard?”
“Look, I think it would be better if Rhianna explained everything to you in person.”
Daniel McCloud was trying to suck Rafe in. And it was working. Rafe tried to tell himself he would go to Rhianna and help her because he was worried over her safety. But he refused to lie to himself. Yes, he was worried. But he also wanted to see Rhianna. He didn’t like the thought of some madman stalking her, and realized that McCloud must be at his wit’s end to make him the offer. The man must be fearful for his daughter’s life.
A sudden chill on Rafe’s neck erased all his hesitation. He checked his watch and calculated the time. “I’ll be in the Denver area by late afternoon.”
RHIANNA MCCLOUD LOOKED UP and down the Denver street, praying for a black-and-white squad car. Where were the police when you needed them?
With no help in sight, she grabbed her keys, her purse and the gun she kept loaded in the glove compartment. She’d shoot the stalker if necessary and be grateful that her mother had insisted she learn to defend herself. Still, Rhianna knew the danger of using force. In her condition, she moved slowly. If she fired the gun and missed, the weapon could be turned against her. And her unborn child.
Rhianna couldn’t waste a precious second—not with the stalker so close. She scooted out of the truck. Headed for the police station.
She heard her pursuer slam his car door. Heard footsteps behind her.
Rhianna clutched the gun. At this stage of her pregnancy, a fast waddle was all she could muster. Gritting her teeth, she hurried on.
Lullaby and Goodnight Page 2