One-Click Buy: July 2009 Harlequin Blaze

by Julie Kenner

  Hayley stared down at her lap, twisting her fingers together. “I was supposed to wait, I know. And I tried. I was so angry when you left.”

  “I thought you wanted me to go. You said—”

  “What was I supposed to say? I was confused. I thought I could survive alone but as soon as you left, I was…lost. I felt like part of me had been cut away. Once you were gone, there was nothing left for me at Wallaroo, nobody who cared whether I stayed or left.”

  “But we’d talked about it over and over. I wasn’t going to be gone forever. And once you turned eighteen, you could leave on your own and come to Perth.”

  “My parents were supposed to come home, too, and they never did. I guess I was sure once you left, you’d find someone else, someone smarter, someone prettier. And I didn’t want to wait around for that to happen.”

  “But we made plans, Hayley.”

  “I know. But the longer you were away, the angrier I got. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight. I was confused and scared and a little self-destructive. It’s taken three years of therapy to deal with all my rubbish and, believe me, it goes real deep.”

  “I tried to phone, but Harry wouldn’t let me speak to you. And I wrote. Almost every day.”

  “Harry never told me you’d called, and I never got your letters,” she said, frustration filling her voice.

  “Would that have made a difference?”

  “I don’t know. I was in love with you and you left me behind and that’s really all I could think about. It was like my parents all over again.” She sighed softly. “We can’t fix the past, Teague. There’s no use talking about it now.”

  Hayley opened her door and hopped out of the truck. He followed her to where she stood at the tailgate. She picked up a bag of feed and carried it into the stable, and Teague hauled a bale of hay in, as well. An uneasy silence grew between them as he watched her feed Molly.

  He sat down on the hay bale, bracing his elbows on his knees, refusing to let the subject die. “Tell me what happened. I mean, I’ve read the stories in the magazines, about how you were discovered. But tell me.”

  She stood next to Molly, smoothing her hand along the horse’s neck as if it brought her comfort. “I got to Bilbarra hidden in the back of a feed truck. And from there I hitched to Brisbane and then to Sydney. I didn’t have any money, so I did odd jobs where I could, mostly washing dishes at restaurants along the way. And then, when I got to Sydney, I found a job at a T-shirt shop on the beach. I lived on the streets and in the parks, in the bus station and the train station. And then one day, this guy walked into the shop and next thing I knew, I was standing in front of a camera, reading lines from a script.”

  “I came home for semester break and I rode out to the shack and waited for you. Three days I hung out there. I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep. And then Callum told me he’d heard you left Wallaroo two months before. I was… I was scared. Scared I’d never see you again.”

  “But here I am,” she said, glancing over at him.

  “That’s not what I meant,” Teague snapped. She seemed to be so unaffected by what had happened. Surely she must have felt something. She’d walked away from a relationship that had meant the world to him. It wasn’t just a teenage crush. He’d loved her. He’d planned his whole life around her. Irritated, Teague stood and strode to the truck, then grabbed another bale of hay.

  When he returned to the stall, she was vigorously grooming Molly, wielding the currycomb with careful efficiency. She was angry, too. He knew the signs—the stony silence, the refusal to meet his gaze, the haughty expression.

  “I think I have a right to be angry,” Teague said.

  “I don’t know what you want to me to say. I was a kid. I was seventeen. I didn’t understand what I was feeling.”

  “And now?”

  Hayley turned to face him, her arms crossed beneath her breasts. “We’re both older and wiser. And just because we slept together last night doesn’t mean—It doesn’t mean anything.”

  Teague crossed the distance between them. He slipped his hands around her waist and spun her around, pinning her against Molly. His eyes searched her face, then focused on her lips. “I know you, Hayley. Don’t forget that. You can’t hide from me.”

  He leaned forward, his mouth hovering over hers, her breath mingling with his. He wanted to kiss her. But he thought better of it. Instead, he let go of her and stepped back. If she was so determined to push him away, then he’d be happy to oblige. “I have to go. I’ve got calls this afternoon.”

  “Thanks for the feed,” she said.

  “No worries.”

  Teague returned to the ute and dumped the last bale of hay in front of the stable door, then got inside and started the engine. He glanced in the rearview mirror to see Hayley watching him, her chin tilted up in a defensive manner so familiar to him.

  She was like one of his wounded birds, so fragile, yet so frantic to escape. He’d been too stupid and naive to see the true depth of her pain when they were younger. But now, he could read it on her face, in the grim set of her mouth and the indecision in her eyes. She was terrified and he knew exactly what was frightening her.

  It scared the hell out of him, too—the possibility that what they’d shared all those years ago was real. That the connection between them was still there, as strong as ever. And that she was the only woman he could ever love.

  He had his answers now. And yet, Teague found himself plagued with a whole new list of questions.

  HAYLEY STARED at the ceiling above her bed, watching a fly crawl across the painted surface. She picked up the script she’d been reading and attempted to finish the page she’d started an hour ago.

  The house was silent. Her grandfather usually went to bed immediately after watching the evening news, still keeping stockman’s hours even though Wallaroo no longer kept stock. Once the sun went down, there really wasn’t much to do…except…

  Tossing the script aside, Hayley sat up and brushed her hair out of her eyes. She walked to the bedroom window and looked out into the darkness. It was past ten and the moon hung low in the night sky, softly illuminating the landscape.

  Though she and Teague hadn’t planned to meet that night, Hayley knew he’d be there waiting. She’d spent the evening devising a litany of excuses not to go to him. Reasons why giving in to her desire was dangerous. But as the night wore on, the reasons became less and less important.

  Turning from the window, Hayley retrieved her jeans from a nearby chair. She tugged them on, then stepped into her boots. Her jacket hung on a hook behind the bedroom door. She shrugged into it, buttoning it over her naked breasts, then tiptoed into the hallway.

  The stairs squeaked as she made her way down to the kitchen. She slipped out the back door, then ran across the yard toward the stable. Molly’s stall was near the door and there was just enough light to see the bridle hanging from the hook on the wall. Hayley grabbed it, went inside and slipped it over the horse’s head. But as she reached for the buckle, she felt an arm snake around her waist and lift her off her feet.

  She screamed and a hand came down over her mouth. A moment later, she was outside the stall, twisting against the grasp that held her tight. His grip loosened and she spun around, ready to defend herself. But when his mouth came down on hers, the instinct to fight dissolved, leaving her heart slamming in her chest and her breath coming in shallow gasps.

  He didn’t say a word and every time she tried to speak, he covered her mouth in another demanding kiss. His palms smoothed over her body, finding bare skin beneath her jacket. Teague turned her around, tucking her against him as kissed her neck.

  His touch seemed to be everywhere at once, teasing each nipple to a peak, sliding over her belly, then dipping beneath the waistband of her jeans. He wasn’t in any hurry to undress her and in truth, Hayley found the seduction incredibly erotic.

  His fingers fumbled with the button at her waist and when it was undone, Teague lowered the zipper. He found the d
amp spot between her legs and slipped his finger between the soft folds of her sex.

  Hayley’s breath caught in her throat as desire snaked through her body. Slowly, he caressed her, drawing her closer to the edge while he moved her backside against his hard shaft. They were like teenagers again, too impatient to undress, too desperate to bring each other to release. It was safe, but it was still seduction.

  His breath was hot on her neck and she shifted against him, the contact causing a moan to slip from his throat. Hayley wanted to stop, to strip off all their clothes and begin again. But this headlong rush toward completion was impossible to resist.

  Her knees grew weak as she lost herself in the pleasure he was providing. Rational thought was replaced by single-minded focus. A burst of sensation spread through her body and then she was there, quivering, waiting, then tumbling over the edge, the spasms too delicious to deny.

  She arched back, and his lips found hers, possessing her mouth in the same way he’d taken her body. The orgasm seemed to last forever and Teague wasn’t satisfied until she was completely spent and limp in his embrace.

  When she could stand on her own again, she turned to face him, ready to return the pleasure that he’d given her. He was still hard, his erection pressing against the faded denim of his jeans. She ran her hand along the length of him and he sucked in a sharp breath.

  There were so many ways she could please him, but in the end, she brought him to completion with her fingertips, teasing him, edging him closer and closer, until he came in her hand.

  Teague chuckled softly as she continued to stroke him. “The things you do to me,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck.

  “How long have you been waiting for me?”

  “Not long.” He brushed her hair away from her temples. “I went out to the shack first and got tired of waiting there. So, I decided to come here and kidnap you out of your bed.”

  “That would have been exciting,” she said. “Although, you may have ended up on the business end of Harry’s rifle again.”

  “It would have been worth it.” He looked into her eyes, his features barely visible in the moonlight. “I’m sorry about this afternoon. I shouldn’t have gotten angry.”

  “And I shouldn’t have been so irrational. Sometimes, I get a little scared.”

  “Hayley, you never have to be frightened of me. I would never hurt you.”

  “You already did,” she said. “Once.”

  “But not deliberately. I was a teenager. I didn’t know how you felt. Hell, I couldn’t even figure out how I felt. But I think I understand now and I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  Hayley pushed up on her toes and kissed him softly. “I’m not sure I understand,” she said. “But I know we need to be careful. It would be so easy to depend on you again, to feel safe. But I have a life in Sydney and maybe a life in Los Angeles. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get all wrapped up in each other.”

  “Los Angeles?”

  Hayley nodded. “My contract with Castle Cove is up in September. My agent thinks I could have a career in films, maybe even in Hollywood. He says Australian actresses are hot now. I’m supposed to go there and meet with some casting directors before the end of the month. And he’s trying to set up some auditions, as well.”

  “Los Angeles,” Teague repeated. “That’s a long way to go for a job. Especially when you have one right here in Australia.”

  “And the work is good here, don’t get me wrong. But if I got a movie, a good movie, then things would change. I’d make more money. My future would be more secure. I wouldn’t have to worry. And maybe people would start to see me as a serious actress.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I guess. I’m not really qualified to do much else. I didn’t go to university. I don’t have any other talents or skills. Acting is what I do.”

  Teague forced a smile. “Then I hope everything works out for you. I mean it, Hayley. I want you to be happy.”

  “This doesn’t mean we can’t see each other,” she said, reaching up to rest her palm on his cheek. “I just think we should try not to…”

  “Fall in love?”

  She giggled. Teague didn’t mince words. “Yes. Fall in love. I think we should avoid any infatuations. We have to be practical. You have your life and I have mine, and when I leave in a few weeks, everything will return to the way it was.”

  “But until then, we’ll be friends. Friends who might happen to have sex occasionally?”

  “Friends with benefits,” she said. “I think that’s the proper term.”

  “Ah. So this is a familiar concept to you?”

  Hayley shook her head. In truth, she didn’t have many friends and certainly no male friends. And the lovers that she’d had were temporary diversions at best. “I’ve heard it works.”

  “I’m willing to give it a try.”

  She held out her hand. “Come with me. I’m sleepy and I want you in my bed.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a little risky? With your grandfather in the house?”

  “You’ve slept in my bed before, don’t you remember? Two or three times as I recall. The first time was on a dare. You crawled up on the porch roof, then shinnied over to my bedroom window. I’ll need to sneak you out before the sun comes up, but we should be safe if you don’t act like a yobbo once your clothes come off.”

  “I can be very quiet,” Teague said. “But we’re too old to be doing this, Hayley. I don’t want to have to watch what I say in bed or sneak out before the sun comes up. If we want to sleep with each other, then we shouldn’t need permission.”

  “We can go back to the shack, then,” she suggested.

  “That’s not exactly five-star accommodations, either,” he said. “Hell, I have a plane. We can go anywhere we want.”

  “No, we can’t,” she said.

  “Why not?”

  “Because people recognize me everywhere. Anyone who has a telly knows who I am. My personal life is all over the tabloids. And yours will be, too, if you’re seen with me.”

  “So what do we do?” Teague asked.

  “We take what we can get. We ride out to the shack and spend the night together. And in the morning, we go our separate ways.”

  “Then let’s go,” he said. “We’ll ride out there right now. I want you in my bed tonight.”

  She wanted to test her resolve, to prove that she could resist if she had to. But in the end, Hayley saddled Molly and they rode out into the moonlight. There’d come a time when she would have to refuse. It wouldn’t be tonight. Tonight, she’d give him what he wanted—her body. But she’d take care to keep her heart safe.

  4

  “DAVEY SAID the colt in the next stall has been sold. He’s beautiful.”

  Teague watched as Payton Harwell tended to his horse, cleaning the gelding’s hooves with a pick. Since Payton had arrived on the station a few days before with Teague’s younger brother, Brody, the stable had undergone a makeover. The tack room was tidy, the stalls clean, the feed arranged in stacks against the wall. Though Callum hadn’t been enthusiastic about hiring the American, Teague could vouch that she knew her way around horses.

  She moved with an easy efficiency, feeding and grooming and mucking out the stalls, all in a very orderly fashion. She wasn’t afraid to work hard and seemed to enjoy what she was doing, curious about the breeding operation that he oversaw.

  “He’s going to be trained as a show horse,” Teague said. “Some of our horses are used for polocrosse. And some for campdrafting.”

  At any other point in time, he might have been attracted to Payton. She was smart and beautiful and she seemed to be very well educated. The kind of woman he ought to want. But there was only one woman who captured his imagination these days.

  Funny how a few days with Hayley could change his outlook so completely. He found himself anticipating the end of the day, searching for an excuse to see Hayley again. He’d spent the morning and early afternoon making calls, but he
didn’t intend to spend the evening alone.

  Payton set the horse’s hoof onto the concrete floor and straightened, brushing her dark hair out of her eyes. “What’s that?”

  “Besides Aussie rules football, polocrosse and campdrafting are the only native Aussie sports. Polocrosse is a mix of polo and lacrosse and netball. And I reckon campdrafting is kind of like your rodeo riding. The horse and rider cut a calf from the herd, then they have to maneuver it around a series of posts.”

  “I’d like to see that,” she said.

  “I’ll take you sometime,” Teague promised. “There’s a campdrafting event in Muttaburra in August if you’re still around.”

  “I’d like to try it.”

  “Then I’ll teach you.”

  “Teach her what?”

  Teague turned to find Brody standing at his side. Though his brother was smiling, Teague sensed an undercurrent of aggravation. Brody was sweet on the new arrival and wasn’t doing much to hide his feelings. “Hey, little brother. Where have you been?”

  “I went out with Davey to fix the windmill in the high pasture,” Brody replied.

  “Good to see you putting in an honest day’s work,” Teague teased, clapping his brother on the shoulder. He smiled at Payton, then tipped his hat. “I’ve got a call. I’ll see you later, Payton. Maybe you can give me a hand tomorrow morning. I’ve got vaccinations to do on the yearlings.”

  “Sure,” Payton replied. “I’d be happy to help.”

  He nodded again. “I think I’ll like having you here,” he said. Teague turned to Brody. “Have you had all your shots?”

  Brody’s jaw grew tense and Teague decided to make his exit before his little brother decided to reply with an elbow to the nose. Brody had spent five years playing Aussie rules football on a pro team. Aussie rules was a mix of rugby, soccer and professionally sanctioned assault. There was no question who the toughest of the three Quinn brothers was.

  “Don’t mind Teague,” Brody called as Teague strolled out of the stables. “He has a bad habit of yabbering to anyone who’ll listen.”