They exchanged a serious look that she softened by saying, “Why, sir, are you flattering me in hopes that I will have sex with you?”
He grinned at her. “Guilty as charged.”
She raised a hand. “There’s a real possibility it could happen, but I’ll race you to the shower. First one there is the only one allowed to speak until we both orgasm again.” She bent like a runner at a starting line.
Being with her was like nothing he’d dared hope for. He felt lighter—happy, even. He copied her stance. “You’re on.”
Of course, he let her win. He was done talking. He had better ideas for what to do with his mouth.
Chapter Twelve
Great sex is exhausting.
Chores started much later than normal, but only because cuddling naked in Bradford’s arms was Joanna’s newest favorite place to be. She took a break from cleaning a stall to watch Bradford finish one and move on to another without hesitation. How is he not tired? The man was a machine—a big, beefy, deliciously muscled and oh-so-talented-with-his-mouth machine.
I do this every day and I thought I was good, but he’s done double the number of stalls I have.
As if sensing her attention, he looked over at her. The smile he gave her made her want to drop her pick and throw herself in his arms. There was too much to do, but that didn’t stop her from indulging in a quick fantasy of another naked cuddle. She nodded toward the wheelbarrow of horse manure behind him. “You’re a natural.”
“I’ve always enjoyed manual labor. Clears my head.”
She nodded. “People who don’t have horses think I’m nuts when I say starting and ending my day like this makes me happy. It’s when I organize my thoughts or shed the stress of the day. Some people do yoga—I clean stalls and paddocks.”
“Doesn’t sound crazy at all to me. We live complicated lives but the things that make people the most happy are usually the simplest of things. I often go for early morning runs. There’s a quiet before the sun rises that isn’t there the rest of the day.”
“That’s beautiful.” The more time Joanna spent with Bradford the more she found to like about him. That wasn’t the case with most people. Buddy padded down the aisle of the barn and wagged his tail when he saw Bradford. “What did you say to my dog that has him following you around like you’re his?”
“I don’t talk to canines,” Bradford said. At the sound of Bradford’s voice, Buddy did his excited dance that was often followed by him jumping up on a person. Joanna watched with fascination as Bradford shook his head almost imperceptibly. Buddy went down in a playful stance, front feet stretched forward, tail wagging wildly. Bradford pointed toward the ground and Buddy sat.
Joanna almost called bullshit on Bradford’s claim that there was no conversation going on between him and Buddy. Bradford was absolutely communicating and he was doing it with a clarity that Buddy respected. She wondered what Bradford’s response would have been had her dog ignored his signals. She had no doubt Bradford could defend himself, but she couldn’t imagine him ever mistreating an animal.
She’d been impressed with how he’d handled the minis he’d led to the pasture. Some were well-behaved, some were still fearful around people. Charlie, one of the newest rescues, often still panicked whenever anyone went into his stall. She’d intended to lead him out herself, but when she’d returned to get him she’d found Bradford in his stall, sitting on a clean area of shavings, allowing Charlie to sniff him from head to foot.
Some people had to be told that towering over a miniature horse often intimidated them—especially those who were struggling with trusting people. Bradford appeared to instinctively know what Charlie needed and adapted his behavior without fanfare. Joanna’s heart was thudding wildly in her chest when Bradford walked by her with Charlie like it was nothing at all.
Bradford looked down at Buddy. “I’m surprised he doesn’t sleep in the house. I took you for someone who would have him at the foot of your bed.”
Guilty as charged. “It’s his choice, not mine. Whenever a new mini comes in they have to be quarantined on the other side of the barn. Horses are herd animals and isolation can be stressful for them. Buddy stays with the newbies straight through the night. Sometimes I think he thinks he’s a horse and they’re his herd. If you watch him in the field today you’ll see him moving them around like he’s the alpha and watching for predators.”
“What predators do you get around here?”
“Mostly coyotes. Once in a while we’ll get a bobcat or a bear. I put all the horses away at night to be safe, but Buddy sounds the alarm if anything even thinks about coming near his herd.”
Bradford smiled down at the dog. “Good boy.”
Buddy’s tail went wild again, but his behind stayed planted on the ground.
The sound of stone crunching beneath tires caught Joanna’s attention. She checked the time on her watch. “Oh, my God, it’s already ten. That’ll probably be Leslie and her son, Paul, coming to help. They’re staying in the hunting cottage on the other side of the pasture.” At first Joanna wasn’t going to share more than that, but she decided it might help Bradford connect with them. “Leslie lost Paul’s father a few months ago in a motorcycle accident. They weren’t married so his family swooped in and booted her and Paul out of the house that was only in Paul’s name. They’ve lawyered up and are trying to fight it, but in the meantime they have no place to live, so they’re here with me. Paul has been taking it really hard. First his father, now he feels like he’s lost that side of his family as well. I do what I can for them, but Leslie is too proud to accept anything more than a place to live while she figures out her housing.”
Bradford didn’t say anything but he placed his pick against the wall and followed Joanna to the driveway. Introductions were made then Leslie offered to finish the stalls. There were only two left so Joanna agreed.
Paul hung back. At thirteen he was in the awkward, gangly stage. His clothing was worn, but clean. “Do you need anything done this morning?” he asked without raising his eyes from the ground.
“The barn is just about done. Everyone is fed and out. Your mom will have those two stalls done before you could even get back there. You can visit with Charlie if you’d like. He needs all the human interaction he can get.”
Paul nodded and was about to walk away when Bradford said, “Wait. Paul, someone gave me something yesterday that I have no use for. Any chance you could use an extra skateboard?”
Paul’s face lit up as he lifted his eyes to Bradford’s. “I don’t have mine here and we can’t—” He stopped, a sad expression came and went then he said, “I’ll take it. Thank you.”
“Be right back.” Bradford jogged to the house and was back in a heartbeat with not only the skateboard but a bag of snacks. “Take these as well. Joanna fed me cake for breakfast. Is she plotting to make me fat?”
Joanna laughed. “Yep, that’s the plan.”
Paul tucked the skateboard under one arm while inspecting the contents of the bag. “Thanks. I’ll definitely eat all this.”
Leslie returned and Paul showed her what Bradford had given him. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ve been meaning to pick him up another board, now I don’t have to. And boys his age are a bottomless pit when it comes to food. Did you thank him, Paul?”
“He did,” Bradford replied. “And I’m glad I found a home for the board.”
Paul shifted with the impatience of the young. “Mom, Joanna said Charlie needs company. Mind if I go down to the pasture?”
“Sure, honey. I’ll join you in a few.” Once Paul was out of earshot, Leslie sighed. “I’m worried about him. He doesn’t want to see any of his old friends.”
“Should I ask Angelina to bring Whitney over again? They seemed to get along,” Joanna asked.
Leslie pocketed her hands and shrugged. “Maybe? I don’t know. The boys like each other but they are in very different places. Angelina is marrying a movie star, Whitney is training with professi
onal soccer players and attending a private school—Paul and I are living week to week and careful of how much we spend on groceries each week.”
“Oh, Leslie. If you need anything.”
Leslie shook her head. “You’ve already done so much for us. I’m applying for work every day, something will come through. As soon as I have a steady income we’ll be back on track.” She blinked back tears. “We’re grateful to be here. Things will work out.” She let out a shaky breath and said, “Well, it was nice to meet you, Bradford. Sorry that this is your first impression of me. I’m usually much more upbeat.”
Bradford gave her a long look. “I’m sorry about Paul’s father.”
Leslie hugged her arms around her waist. “Me too. I still can’t believe he’s gone. We were together since high school. Almost got married back then but we decided to build a house instead. Then I got pregnant. There was just never extra money to pay for a wedding. We always thought there would be more time later when we could have something nice.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Sorry, there I go again. I need to stop. Nice to meet you, Bradford. Joanna, tell me what you need as far as tonight and chores. I don’t mind doing them all.”
“I’ll text you,” Joanna said. Her heart broke for Leslie, but she held her sympathy in because that wasn’t what Leslie needed. Leslie had already cried for hours while Joanna sat and listened. They were entering the stage where Leslie needed to pretend she had her shit together. Joanna wanted to help her more but wasn’t sure how to best do it.
After Leslie had gone to join Paul, Bradford said, “She seems like a nice enough person.”
“No background check on her?”
“She has fifty-eight dollars in her savings account and six thousand dollars in credit card debt. She was in college, major undeclared, before she got pregnant and dropped out to raise her son.”
The ease with which he revealed that he knew more about Leslie than even Joanna did was disconcerting. “Do you ever think it might be better to get to know people the old-fashioned way? You know, like through asking them questions as you get to know them?”
Bradford frowned. “No. Information is power.”
She cocked her head to one side. “So, you always have to have the upper hand?”
He didn’t answer, but the expression in his eyes was telling. It made sense that he would, but Joanna was concerned what that would mean as far as having any kind of meaningful relationship with him. One date? Two? A few hot romps? If that was all they had then his issues weren’t hers.
Was that all she wanted with him, though? It was too easy to imagine waking up with him, sharing the barn chores, then falling into his kisses each night.
Aly would ask me if that’s a realistic dream to indulge in. And she’d be right. I don’t know what he is looking for after today. All he’s said is that this is where he wants to be.
I wanted to be with him, but now that I have, what does it mean? She wasn’t used to having sex outside of a steady relationship. What do I want it to mean?
She sighed. I see why it’s not a good idea to have sex with someone right away. I feel so close to him, but how much do I really know about him?
She cleared her throat. “If you weren’t here I’d spend the morning working with the horses and the afternoon writing. What would you like to do?”
He gave her a look that she guessed would frustrate her for as long as she knew him. There were no answers in his eyes, no hint of what he was thinking in his expression. It was likely a learned defense. His silence protected him, maintained his control in situations that made him uncomfortable.
Communication requires words with me—I’m not Buddy.
She was debating what she could say to encourage him to open up, when another vehicle pulled up her driveway. This one was a truck with a horse trailer in tow. “Oh, no.”
“Who is it?” Bradford asked as he spun on his heel to face the approaching truck, standing taller as he did as if in preparation for battle.
“It’s my parents.” Joanna waved at the couple climbing out of the truck.
She glanced at Bradford. His expression remained carefully blank. She took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. His hand tightened around hers painfully, the only tell that he was uncomfortable. Tapping the back of his hand lightly, she called attention to something she was reasonably certain he wasn’t aware of. “Easy there, I need these fingers for chores later.”
His grip immediately loosened. “Why are your parents here?”
“I don’t know, but I have a feeling they’re about to tell us.”
Bradford was freaking the fuck out on the inside, but he’d learned early how to keep his feeling about anything to himself. Her parents? Were they there to meet him? Would they ask him questions he had no idea how to answer?
They wouldn’t want the truth. I had the best night—and morning—fucking your daughter. What are my plans? I have no idea.
What am I doing with her if I don’t know where my head is yet? I don’t know. I’ve tried and failed to stay away from her.
What do I do for a living? You don’t want to know.
Joanna’s mother was a beautiful, albeit older, duplicate of her. They shared so many features they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that looked straight out of Joanna’s closet. Her father was a tall man, easily Bradford’s height, with a leaner physique, a mop of gray hair, and an easy smile.
Her mother came to a stop about a foot from where he and Joanna stood. She glanced down at their linked hands then shot a look at her daughter before continuing. “I’m Lydia, Joanna’s mother.”
Buddy bounded up to Lydia and jumped up on her, knocking her a little off her feet. She righted herself then bent to pat Buddy’s head. The dog was about to jump on Joanna’s father as well when Bradford said, “Buddy, sit.” Buddy looked from Joanna to Bradford then sat, wagging his tail with his tongue hanging out. He was a goofy dog, but easy enough to like. Bradford released Joanna’s hand. “Bradford.”
She stepped forward to hug her mother. “Mom, you didn’t tell me you were coming by.”
“And you didn’t mention you’d have company,” her mother murmured in a low tone that Bradford likely wasn’t meant to hear, but he did.
Joanna’s father shook Bradford’s hand. “My name’s Gerry. I’ve heard your name before.”
Joanna greeted him with a hug as well. “He’s Ian’s friend.”
“So, did you drive in early this morning to meet the horses?” Joanna’s mother asked Bradford.
“Mom.” Joanna said her mother’s name in reprimand.
Bradford wasn’t about to lie, but not every truth needed to be proclaimed either. “It’s my first time here. I have to say I’m impressed with the facility as well as its goal.”
Joanna’s father beamed at that. “We’re proud of what Joanna has accomplished as well.”
“In fact, that’s why we’re here,” her mother said as she referenced the horse trailer behind them. “Joanna, don’t be upset.”
Joanna tensed beside Bradford. “What did you do?”
Her mother looked to her husband for backup. “I tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up. I even sent a text this morning. No answer.”
“Sorry.” Joanna made a pained face while not looking her mother in the eye. “I was busy.”
“We’d keep him at our place,” her father said, “but our stalls are full right now. He’s no trouble and we’ll help you find a home for him. With all the trainers you have coming in and out of here, we figured he’d have a better chance of getting what he needs here.”
From where he was standing Bradford looked at the trailer. A white nose was poking out of a side window on the trailer but it didn’t look small enough to belong to a mini.
“He’s not as old as he looks,” Joanna’s mother interjected. “Put some weight on him and he’ll be gorgeous.”
Joanna moved over a foot o
r so until she also saw the large white nose. “You know I don’t train full-size horses. I’m also really careful about how many I take on.” She looked up at Bradford. “Rescues go under all the time and the number one reason is they overextend.” Even while she shook her head, she said, “I do know a couple of rescues that might have room for him, though.”
If she was looking for Bradford’s support, she had it. Although this was the first animal rescue he had any personal experience with, he’d seen many close over the years for taking on more than they could manage.
“Meet him first, then decide what to do with him.” Her father began to walk toward the back of the trailer. “Lydia, tell them how he rescued himself.”
“We took our stock trailer to the auction last night because Teri, you know our neighbor’s daughter? She has a farm near the store that used to be Tommy’s Convenience.”
Joanna linked her hand with Bradford’s again. Just above a whisper she said, “I know I sound cold, but my parents would bring me a new rescue every week if I let them. They are not the kind of people who should go to animal auctions because they always come home with something. The town issued them a warning about how many animals they’re allowed on their property. They can’t start bringing them all here.”
“That makes sense,” Bradford said. He didn’t want to get in the middle of their squabble, but he understood the line Joanna was attempting to hold.
Her mother continued, “Anyway, Teri is starting to raise alpaca and we’d heard there were several coming through the auction. Sometimes things work out that way—the perfect find happens just when someone needs it most.”
“That’s not an alpaca,” Joanna said after stretching to look at the side of the trailer again.
“No, it’s an Appaloosa. No name. No papers. Wait until you see him, it’ll break your heart. Not only was he abused, but he was also starved. The poor thing is completely blind.”
Reluctantly Rescued (The Barrington Billionaires, Book 9) Page 16