by Lauren Canan
“I told you, Amanda, it isn’t a date. And we really didn’t set a time.” Holly stepped into the bathroom and began braiding her hair. “Are you sure you’re willing to watch Emma on a Sunday?”
“Absolutely. As hard as you work, you deserve to enjoy a day off now and then. Anyway Slanders Ridge is coming on at two. That’s about when Emma takes her nap. I’ll just let her doze on the couch with me. We’ll be fine. Go. Enjoy your day. With that hunk, how could you not?”
Holly took in a deep breath and sighed. She was separated from Emma too much during a normal workweek. She hated missing a day with her on a weekend. The guilt weighed heavily. But this was only one day. Not even an entire day. And how often did she get an opportunity to go riding with Chance? She would make it up to Emma. Definitely.
She hadn’t made it out the door when her cell went off. Chance.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning to you. Are you ready for that ride?”
“Definitely.”
“I’ll see you at the barn.”
“On my way.”
With a hug for Amanda and a kiss for Emma, Holly slipped on her boots, pulled the jean pant legs down over the boot tops and she was ready. “I’ll see you later.”
“Be careful. Have fun.”
The increased volume of the television drowned out anything else that might have been said.
Stepping into the barn, she saw no sign of Chance. She walked down the main aisle to the big gray gelding that nickered when he saw her. She grabbed the halter that hung on the stall door, slipped it on and led him to the grooming area next to the tack room.
“Good morning,” Chance said as he walked inside the barn a few minutes later. His deep voice sounded husky, as though he’d just awakened. His short dark hair was in disarray. He was wearing jeans and a blue sleeveless shirt, unbuttoned and hanging from his broad shoulders. The sculptured muscles of his chest and abs were amazing.
“Good morning to you.”
Holding his coffee cup in one hand, Chance sidled toward her, approaching the gray horse cautiously as if he was afraid his presence would startle it.
“I didn’t know we had any thoroughbreds.”
“I don’t think you do. This is Sinbad and he’s mine. He’s actually a thoroughbred-Arabian mix. Cole lets me keep him here in exchange for being on call for the ranch but I pay for his food.”
Chance ran his hand over the velvety neck. “He’s nice.”
Holly smiled. “Thanks.”
Chance nodded his head in approval. “Well, I guess I need to catch up.”
Stretching his arms, he walked to the center aisle, scanning the horses. He selected a big bay quarter horse that nickered to him as he passed, a good indication he was ready to leave his stall for a while. With the efficiency gained over a lifetime, Chance quickly brushed down then saddled the gelding.
“Do you need any help?” he asked, returning to Holly, leading the bay behind him.
“No, thanks. I’ve got it.” She threw a red plaid saddle blanket onto Sinbad’s back, then followed with a Western saddle. She tightened the girth, switched from a halter to a bridle and was ready to go.
Holly couldn’t help but notice that Chance seemed to hesitate before climbing into the saddle. She’d forgotten he’d been wounded.
“Chance, if you’re still recovering, we don’t have to do this. Don’t do anything that might set your recovery back.”
Absently he rubbed his left arm. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it and he was right. Talking wouldn’t make it heal any faster and the last thing he needed was pity. Still...
“You might tear cartilage or undo the healing. It isn’t worth the risk.”
He looked out over the vast pastureland. “Yeah, it is.”
The gelding was spirited and anxious to get started, but had been well trained, as had his rider. The horse stood in place while Chance jumped up, slid his left boot in the stirrup and threw his right leg over the saddle. He looked back at Holly. “We’re good. Let’s go.”
Gathering the reins, he directed the bay toward the main gate that led to the bulk of the ranch land. Holly was happy to follow. They headed west, toward the river. Neither seemed inclined to talk. It was a day to relax and enjoy and Chance seemed intent on fully taking advantage of being here. Holly sensed he needed the quiet so she rode along next to him without attempting conversation.
They rode for miles. Spring rain had made the rolling pastures a deep, rich green. Chance appeared to visibly relax as they rode farther into the trees that dotted the land. Eventually they topped a rise and saw the river below. She could hear the sound of rushing water over the rock bed.
“Want to stop for a while?” She hoped he wouldn’t think she was mothering him, even if she was.
“Yeah,” he replied. “We can do that. I remember...there. On that gray boulder. You and Jason and I would sit and talk. Remember?”
“Yes. About girls.” She rolled her eyes but was pleased he remembered. A lot of life had been discussed on that boulder. Past worries laid to rest; future dreams shared. Sometimes she’d been allowed to go along.
“How old were you back then?”
She thought for a moment. “I think around nine, maybe ten. You and Jason were still in high school. Aunt Ida used to make Jason take me with him. He would get so mad.” Holly had to smile at the memory. Gosh, how she missed Jason. Aunt Ida, too.
Dismounting, they tethered the horses and climbed onto the large rock that jutted out over the water. The shade of the oak and cottonwood trees was cool on her back. The sound of the rushing water was always melodic and relaxing. Soon Chance sat down next to her.
“Remember when we all used to come here thinking we could catch fish for supper?”
He chuckled. “Yes. And if memory serves, we did catch some once. They weren’t as big as your hand but you insisted on taking them home anyway.”
“Your chef looked at that stringer as though he was being asked to panfry a snake.”
“I know. But the guy tried. Then after one bite you determined they were uneatable.” Chance laughed. “Double whammy. Poor man.”
“Didn’t he quit not long after that?”
“Yeah, he did.”
Holly lay back on the rock. The radiant warmth felt good.
Chance chuckled. “Do you still have the old shoe?” he asked, referring to a centuries-old high-top shoe they’d found inside the remnants of an old cabin.
“Yep. It’s wrapped in tissue and inside a ziplock bag. It seems a shame to keep it tucked away. I mean, it would be nice to display it somewhere, but I’m so afraid something might happen to it. I wish we could have found the other one.”
“So do I. That was definitely one of our better finds.”
“Yes. That and the compass.” Holly glanced over at Chance. “Do you still have it?”
“Yeah. And Jason brought the razor and the musket balls over to the house before he left for college. It’s hard to believe part of the Civil War took place in our own pasture. I wonder if the old cabin on the rise is still standing.”
“I doubt it. But maybe we can check it out before you...while you’re here.”
There was a lull in the conversation. Then...
“How old is your baby?”
She rolled toward him, a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. “Fourteen months,” she answered without any hesitation.
Chance lay on the boulder, one boot crossed over his raised knee, his hands threaded under his head, his eyes closed as he doubtlessly listened to the peacefulness around him.
“She’s Jason’s daughter. You do know that, right?”
He looked over at her. “No. I didn’t have any idea.”
“His wife died giving birth a few mo
nths after Jason was killed. Carolyn didn’t have any family so I brought Emma home. When I look at her I see a little bit of Jason. But Emma is a person in her own right. She’s so smart she’s a handful. You work to keep up with that one.”
Chance rolled toward her, his head propped on his hand. She looked into those smoky-blue eyes and wanted to drown in them. She saw his pupils widen as he gazed at her with serious intent.
She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to know how he tasted, how his hot breath would feel on her skin, how his big hands would feel when they touched her. He was so sexy, so handsome. Most of all, he was Chance. He’d saved her from school bullies, taught her to ride a bicycle, then bandaged her knee when she took a tumble. She’d loved him when he’d signed up and joined the navy and had never stopped thinking of him in the twelve long years he’d been gone. He wasn’t the same man she’d known then. Wherever he’d been, whatever he’d been doing had changed him from the happy-go-lucky cowboy, defying his billionaire status, into a hardened warrior. Clearly he was used to being in command.
“I’m surprised you’re not married.” she said, feeling a bit awkward for some reason.
“What I do doesn’t leave a lot of room for serious relationships. Here one day, gone the next, and no way of knowing when I’ll be back. Sometimes it’s a week. Sometimes nine months or longer.”
“I can see how that would be tough,” she agreed. “A woman would have to be strong and completely head over heels in love to deal with that.”
“Yeah. And have the trust and patience of a saint. And they are rare. Some of the guys in my platoon are married. But it’s hard on the relationship. Eventually he begins to question if she’s faithful, and if that concern takes root and stays on his mind it can get him killed. It’s equally hard on the woman for obvious reasons. One guy in my unit, Ray Shields, has three kids. He never got to be there for the birth of any of them.”
“But some do make it work.”
“Yeah. Some do.”
“Why did you never come back here before now? You loved the ranch so much.”
He was quiet for so long she wasn’t sure he would answer.
“Too many memories. And most of them were not so great. I guess you knew my father and I didn’t get along. I think the entire county knew. Or maybe you were too young to pick up on it. But there was a lot of resentment. On both sides. I blamed him for the death of my mother. Still do. He blamed me for a hell of a lot, as well.” He paused, as though transported deep into his past. “It seemed like the wisest move to take my leaves somewhere else.”
After a long silence, Chance sat up and scanned the horizon. “It looks like rain is coming our way. Are you ready to head back?”
“I guess. If you are.”
She wanted to ask him so much more about his mother. Holly had very little recollection of her. But now wasn’t the time. She sat up next to him and their gazes met and held. How she wanted to kiss him. Right here. Right now. Right or wrong. She couldn’t think of a better place for something she’d waited for for a lifetime. Moving closer to his muscled body, her focus dropped to his mouth. Absently, she moistened her lips.
“Holly.” He shook his head.
“What?”
“This is not a good idea.” His voice was rough, as though he was holding himself back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But her focus remained on his lips that had haunted her for over a decade, now a mere breath away.
“Yeah. You do.” But despite his hesitation, he reached up and smoothed some strands of her hair back from her face. He caught the back of her hair in his fist, gently pulling her toward him. In what seemed like slow motion, she watched as his face came closer. His lips parted, showing a glimpse of strong white teeth. Then his mouth touched hers, gently at first, his lips moving over hers tentatively, as though he was giving her every opportunity to change her mind. He drew back, making her heart cry out. He watched her, carefully, intently, as though he had to be sure this was what she wanted.
“It’s just a kiss,” she whispered. She could hear the pleading in her own voice.
“Don’t bullshit me,” Chance said. “We both know it’s a hell of a lot more than that.”
She raised her hand and touched his face, letting her fingers trail over his deep jaw, feeling the stubble, while her eyes remained fixed on his handsome face. With a last glance, the lure of his lips could no longer be denied. She tilted her head and swayed toward him. Chance pulled her the rest of the way. Strong yet supple, with his tongue he moistened her as though preparing her for something more to come. Then the gentleness was gone as he took her mouth fully and completely. His tongue pushed inside and she was lost. A shiver ran through her at the speed of his immediate possession.
Holly savored the feel and taste of him. Her arms came around his neck, holding him to her. She heard him inhale a deep breath, felt the grip on the back of her hair tighten in his fist. He tasted of raw, hungry male, his mouth and tongue so hot, so demanding, it threatened to overwhelm her senses. Heat surged through her veins like liquid lava, pooling at the apex of her legs.
She felt the warm sensation of the rock against her back and absently realized she was lying prone with Chance’s hard body covering hers. He was ravenous. His mouth moved rapidly over hers, taking her over and over, pushing his tongue in deep time after time. She heard him emit a growl, long and low, and her body responded. She wanted more. She needed more as his mouth continued to ravish hers, over and over, entering the deep recesses of her mouth, seeking the hidden depths, encouraging her to do the same.
His big hand cupped her breast, kneading her almost to the point of pain but never crossing the line, making her sensitive flesh swell under his touch. She arched her back, wanting to cry out at the sheer pleasure. She couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t open to him wide enough, take him deep enough.
As if he could read her mind, he made a simple adjustment and Holly felt his erection pressed hard against her. She couldn’t hold back the moan, the last sound she heard before reality disappeared and left her floating in Chance’s arms. Something seized her deep inside. It was a feeling that burned her like an invisible ray of the sun, heating her skin, surging through her body like a forest fire out of control. It made her forget to breathe, caused her heart to speed up and her mouth to go dry. The sheer intensity of it was indescribable. Her body ached as though she was experiencing withdrawals. She had never felt such a strong physical attraction to anyone before in her life.
Suddenly Chance raised his head, separating their hungry lips, breathing hard. Their gazes locked for endless seconds before Chance rolled away, mumbling some not-so-nice words under his breath. Still, his nearness made her intensely aware of his rock-hard masculinity, the sheer density and power of his body. The sudden stillness poured over her like the cold waters of the stream. Holly wanted to scream at him, beg him to release the building frustration and make it stop. She wanted him to free the overwhelming desire rising inside her, ease the terrible throbbing need to be loved by him.
The world came sliding back and try as she might, she couldn’t stop it. The sound of the running water slowly returned. Birds called in the trees. The branches above them swayed in the gentle breeze, the shadows moving over the two people below like soft caresses.
Holly realized she was lying on her back on the huge rock, her blouse unbuttoned, her body seizing up and needing more. She squeezed her legs together, trying to ease the need, and rolled onto one shoulder to watch as Chance wrestled with what had happened.
“Don’t you dare even think about apologizing.” He turned his head to look into her face. Remorse showed clearly in every feature, confirming that was exactly what he was thinking.
“Holly—”
“No. Not one word. Not one syllable. Please don’t ruin it. I’m just sorry you stopped.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.”
Chance shook his head, then rubbed the back of his neck and mumbled something she couldn’t understand.
“Don’t grumble,” she said as she began buttoning her blouse.
Chance looked over at her as though there was something he needed to say. A whole bunch of things. Instead, he straightened his spine, ran one weary hand over his face and groaned.
The ride back was quiet, but not strained. Holly let Sin go at his own pace. She kept her head turned away so Chance didn’t see the smile that refused to leave her face as she relived their embrace. That had definitely been worth waiting for. But it wasn’t just the kiss or the passion that flared between them. Chance had been right when he’d said there was a lot more to it. Their embrace had been life changing. It had affirmed that childhood was over. Thinking of him as merely a friend was history.
Part of her was thrilled that Chance was attracted to her. The other part reminded her that whatever they shared while he was here would soon be just another memory. And she’d be well advised to remember that.
Six
The sprawling city of Dallas spread out beneath them as the chopper headed toward a landing pad located somewhere in the muddle below. It was a far different sight from flying over the cities in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sitting next to Cole, Chance was content to gaze out the window and let the pilot do his thing. No reason to try to talk over the roar of the engine. They both knew where they were headed and why. It wasn’t enough for Wade to tell him about the corporation and the plans for future development—he wanted to show him. Chance had refrained from telling him he didn’t succumb to arm-twisting and wasn’t about to start now.
Cole pointed to a skyscraper on Chance’s right. Constructed of steel and smoked glass, it gave the impression of wealth, power and sophistication. Soon the helipad came into view and the pilot set down in a near-perfect maneuver on top of the building. A short trip to the elevator and then they were walking down a richly carpeted hallway to Wade’s office.