“The water was an excuse to come out here to see what was going on.”
He sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with.” Glancing away, he cleared his throat. “You probably won’t be surprised to hear that Briana propositioned me.”
She sucked in a breath.
“So you are surprised.”
“I shouldn’t be, but damn her.” The news made her sick to her stomach. The woman was a predator if she’d take advantage of a guy who’d just gotten his first big break.
“I’d hoped she was kidding around, but when I tried to make a joke out of it she set me straight real fast.”
Geena’s stomach churned. “That explains everything. You know what they say. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”
“I did not scorn her.” He tunneled his fingers through his hair again and swore. “God knows I wanted to. I was furious, but I was also humiliated. I wanted her to like and respect me for my acting, but you know what? I wonder if she was jealous of the attention I got. Maybe she thought that if we had sex she’d have some leverage, some power over me.” He glanced over. “Does that make sense?”
“Unfortunately it makes perfect sense.” Her heart ached for the loss of his idealistic dreams. Briana had ruined what should have been special.
“I knew that yelling would make things worse so I tried to be nice. I had to think of something that didn’t sound insulting, so I made up a personal rule—never get involved with a costar. I don’t have any damned rule like that. It sounds stupid and anal, especially coming from somebody as green as I am, but I tried to make it sound believable.”
“But you still rejected her.”
“I had to! But I swear I wasn’t mean about it.”
“Doesn’t matter. Once she made a move, she put you in a no-win situation.”
“Are you saying I can’t win this fight?”
“No, I’m definitely not saying that.” She considered telling him that he had all the ammunition he needed right here on this ranch—his background as a foster kid, his bond with his foster brothers, his amazing foster parents and his scholarship plan to support the new venture. All he had to do was turn her loose on this PR bonanza and everyone would forget about the stupid scandal as they soaked up Matt’s touching past.
But she could predict his response to that idea, especially after a long and emotional day. Timing was everything. “We’ll figure this out, and I’m grateful to you for taking me into your confidence. Obviously it’s a painful episode and we don’t have to bring it up again.” She stood.
He got to his feet, too. “You can see why I don’t want this to come out, right?”
“Yes, I do. Besides, it would be tacky and pointless to accuse her of trying to seduce you. That could really backfire on us.”
“And it would hurt Cliff.”
She sighed. “You’re gonna have to let that one go. He married a toxic woman. That decision will come back to bite him eventually, and everyone who knows and loves him will hate seeing it happen. But it can’t be helped.”
“Rosie said basically the same thing.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “He was in Utah with us for a couple of weeks. He was great, always complimenting me on my work and encouraging me whenever I struggled with a scene.”
“I’ll bet Briana hated that. I’m guessing his primary job is telling her she’s fabulous. No wonder she propositioned you. She could gain power over you and punish her husband at the same time.”
“Guess so.” He looked destroyed. “And now, if he believes Briana’s lies, which he has to since he loves her, he must hate my guts.”
She closed the gap between them. “Matt, I’m so sorry. We’ll fix it.”
“I hope so.” His troubled gaze searched hers. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” She reached up and stroked his cheek. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”
He muttered an oath and drew her close. “I shouldn’t be doing this. But God, you smell good.”
“I shouldn’t be doing this, either.” She slid her arms around his waist and nestled against him. Sure enough, her glasses misted and she couldn’t see him. “Wait. I need to take off—”
“Don’t. Once I see you naked I won’t be able to stop.”
“I meant my glasses.” She pulled them off and held them in her hand.
“Oh. I could work around those.”
“But they fog up whenever we...whenever I...”
“I’m not surprised.” His gaze roamed her face. “We generate a hell of a lot of heat.” He shuddered. “I need you, Geena. One kiss. Just one.” And his lips came down on hers.
She held tight as his big body trembled with the force of his powerful emotions and his attempt to keep them in check.
His tongue thrust deep as he lifted her hips to meet the hard ridge of his erection. He pressed forward with an urgency that tightened her core as moisture gathered between her thighs. She whimpered, yearning for that connection that he promised with each stroke of his tongue but ultimately would deny her, at least for tonight.
And then, as if a storm had passed, he gently eased away. Keeping his hands at her waist to steady her, he raised his head and gulped for air. “Enough.”
Breathing hard, she looked into eyes that glittered with passion. “Is it?”
“For now.” He paused and took a breath. “It has to be.” He let go of her and stepped back. “I shouldn’t have started that. But I...it helps when I can hold you.”
“I’m glad.”
“But this isn’t the place or the time. I’m going to the barn.”
“Me, too.”
Smiling faintly, he glanced down at her bare feet. “I think not.”
“You can carry me.” She felt safe saying that because of all his lovely muscles.
“Lady, you are temptation personified.” He swallowed. “But I want you to stay here.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with the tip of his finger. “Please. I’d rather not take a chance that we’d get so involved that a member of my family would find us in the morning, all tangled up together and naked as the day we were born.”
“I guess you’ve had enough embarrassment for a while, huh?”
“Actually, I was thinking of your embarrassment.”
A surge of warmth moved through her, warmth that had little to do with sex. “Thank you, Matt.”
“Don’t give me too much credit. I was this close to pulling off your sleep shirt a moment ago, despite what I said.”
“But you didn’t.”
“You whimpered as if I was being too rough. That was enough to bring me to my senses.”
“For future reference, I wasn’t whimpering because you were being too rough.”
“You weren’t?”
“When I make that little noise it means I’m frustrated beyond belief and I’m hoping you’ll take care of the issue immediately.”
“Oh.”
“Just FYI.”
He picked up his hat and settled it on his head. “Probably a good thing I didn’t know that.” He touched the tips of his fingers to the brim. “See you in the mornin’.” And he walked out the front door.
* * *
Geena’s questions had been answered by the interlude with Matt, even if her libido hadn’t been satisfied. Apparently answers were more important than orgasms right now because she slept soundly until her phone chimed at five in the morning. Dawn would break in fifteen minutes.
Obviously the birds outside her window hadn’t gotten the memo. They chirped and chattered as if the sun had come up an hour ago. Must be the early birds determined to get that worm. Which was a gross image, now that she thought about it.
Ten minutes later, her hair in a ponytail and wearing a tiny bit of makeup because she’d be seeing Matt
, she put on a pair of beige linen pants and a green silk blouse. Until Rosie coughed up some cowgirl duds, it was the best she could do. Her open-toed slides didn’t seem appropriate, either, but at least she wouldn’t go prancing down to the barn in four-inch heels.
As she walked through the living room she heard Rosie rattling pans in the kitchen, but she didn’t stop to chat. She’d promised to be down at the barn by five fifteen and she would, by golly, honor that promise. Anticipation curled in her stomach the way it used to on Christmas morning when she was little. Those mornings might be the only times she’d been up at dawn.
Despite her mother’s many failings as a parent, she’d always made a big deal about Christmas. She and her boyfriend du jour would be standing at the foot of the stairs, their arms loaded with gifts. Another big pile would be waiting under the tree.
On some level, Geena had known the truckload of presents stemmed from her mother’s guilt because the rest of the year she’d left Geena in the care of Beatrice, the nanny. Beatrice had always spent Christmas with her family, so the holiday had been all on Geena’s mom. When it came to extravagance, her mother had written the book.
But as Geena stepped out on the front porch, the commercial splendor of her childhood seemed tawdry compared to the scene spread before her. The ground sparkled as if diamonds had been scattered there, and she finally realized it was dew touched by sunlight. And, oh, the mountains! She’d driven in after dark and she’d been too worried about getting lost to notice the dim bulk of the range that stretched as far as she could see.
Shadows chased by the rising sun moved gently downward from peaks still tipped with snow. If she lived here she’d never get anything done. She’d spend all her time on the porch in an Adirondack chair watching the light shift on the mountain slopes.
A horse whinnied. She’d left her prescription sunglasses in her room, so she shaded her eyes with her hand as she glanced in the direction of the sound. The barn doors slid open with a soft rumble and Matt walked out to gaze up at the house. He was looking for her!
Her pulse raced at the sight of him framed in the doorway of the barn. He had on a white T-shirt, possibly the same one he’d worn the night before. After all, he’d slept down there. She waved and started toward him.
He waited for her, and she found that incredibly sweet. He could have ducked back in to help with the chores, but instead, he’d made welcoming her a priority. Too bad she couldn’t get there faster, but her open-toed shoes weren’t happy with the uneven terrain. She’d rather not embarrass herself by falling down on her way to the barn.
When she drew close enough, he called out a greeting. “You look great!”
“Not exactly Western wear.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He walked to meet her. “You climbed out of bed and made it down here for feeding time.” He hadn’t shaved, and his rakish grin made him look like a certified bad boy.
If he had a rebellious streak, he kept it firmly in check. But last night she’d caught an exciting glimpse of his wild side. She liked it.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I like the ponytail. Sassy.”
“Thanks.”
“You impress me, Geena Lysander.”
“That makes it mutual.” If she could wake up to the sight of Matt in a snug T-shirt and jeans every morning, she’d have no problem becoming an early riser. He would inspire any woman to sacrifice a little sleep. “But I don’t want to interrupt your work.”
“Since I slept down here, I had some of it done before my dad and Cade came. They sent me out to see if you were on your way. And here you are.”
“I hope I didn’t miss everything.”
“Oh, no. I shoveled stalls instead of feeding. I knew you wanted to watch that part. Let’s go let them know you’re here and then I’ll introduce you around.”
“But I already know Herb and Cade.”
“I meant introduce you to the horses.”
“Oh! Then I’d be delighted to meet them. I don’t think I’ve ever been personally introduced to a horse. Like I said yesterday, I have no experience with them.”
“Then we should change that. They’re amazing animals.” Matt paused before heading down the wooden barn aisle. “She’s here!”
“Excellent!” Cade poked his head out of one of the stalls.
“Hey, Geena!” Herb walked toward them. “Come on back. I was about to feed Lucy and Linus.”
“Then let’s start with them,” Matt said. “I promised to introduce her to everybody. She’s never met a horse face-to-face.”
Herb chuckled and reached into his pocket. “Then it’s a good thing I brought carrots.” He handed her six chunks. “Give them three apiece. Those two love their carrots.”
She put the pieces in the pocket of her pants and decided not to worry if they left a stain. She’d have fun explaining it to the dry cleaner.
“I’d start with Lucy,” Herb said. “She gets her nose bent out of shape if her son gets treats before she does.” He motioned toward the last stall. “That’s Lucy.”
A golden horse with a white streak down her nose put her head over the stall door and whinnied.
“She’s gorgeous!” Geena gazed at the sleek animal. “She looks just like Roy Rogers’s horse!”
Matt glanced at her in surprise. “I thought you didn’t know horses.”
“I don’t, but I know movies. My mother has a collection like you wouldn’t believe.” Then she noticed another horse, nearly identical, peeking out from the neighboring stall. “Two of them! Lucy and Linus. I see the family resemblance.”
Herb folded his arms and beamed. “Amazing, isn’t it? You don’t always get a palomino foal just because you have a palomino mare, let alone one with a blaze that’s almost identical. Linus just had his first birthday. He was born here last May.”
“Wow.” Geena stared at the young horse. “He looks pretty big to me. They must grow fast.”
“He’s big,” Herb said, “but he’s not nearly filled out yet. And he’s still a kid at heart. You can go ahead and give Lucy her carrots whenever you want.”
“Okay.” She approached Lucy, who looked extremely interested in the hand she’d shoved in her pocket. “How do I do it?”
“One piece at a time and rest it on your palm.” Matt walked up to stand beside her. “Hold your hand flat, like this.” He straightened out her fingers. “Perfect.”
He’d only touched her fingers, yet she felt a zing in every cell of her body. “So, I just hold out my hand and she’ll take it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She was growing very fond of his country manners. Shoot, she was growing very fond of him. If they’d been in LA she might not have allowed herself to give in to this attraction, but circumstances had changed. She expected the dynamic to reverse when they went back. Once again he’d be in a goldfish bowl and they’d need to rethink their arrangement.
Then Lucy began to nuzzle her palm in search of the carrot, and she forgot all about what would or wouldn’t happen in a week or so. A horse was eating from her hand. It tickled, making her giggle. She pulled out another carrot and repeated the process. “Matt, I love this.”
His soft laughter danced along her nerve endings. “Knew you would.”
Chapter Seven
Watching Geena feed carrots to Lucy and Linus caused a major shift in Matt’s thinking. She wasn’t dressed for hanging out in a barn, but despite that, she looked as if she belonged here. He’d figured she’d like the horses and he’d been right about that. Her uninhibited delight as she interacted with them for the first time was touching.
But until this moment he’d thought of her as a city girl getting a taste of country living. She might enjoy the visit, but without any prior experience to draw on she’d be a fish out of water. Not so. She already fit i
n, even without the right clothes or any knowledge of horse behavior.
Cade wandered down to join the group and then took her over to meet his sleek black gelding, Hematite. The horse had good manners, thanks to Cade’s training, but Hematite didn’t warm up to everyone. He warmed right up to Geena, though, leaning into her hand as she scratched his neck the way Cade had shown her.
Herb came over to stand next to Matt. “She seems to be having a good time.”
“Yep.”
“That incident with Briana is unfortunate and I wish it had never happened, but at least it brought us Geena.”
“True.” It brought us Geena. Like she was a gift. He was beginning to think she was.
“I like her, son. She’s welcome anytime.”
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate knowing that.” So did he. Over the years, he’d learned to trust his dad’s instincts regarding people. His mom was no slouch in that department, either. Many times in the three years he’d lived in LA he’d wished one or both of them had been on hand to size up a situation.
Geena finished loving on Hematite, and she and Cade started back down the barn aisle. “Cade says it’s time to turn them out into the pasture but he thinks I should meet Navarre and Isabeau first.”
“Absolutely.” Matt glanced at his dad. “Do you want to do the honors of introducing them?”
“You go ahead. In fact, if you and Geena could turn out all the horses when you’re finished, that would be a big help. Cade and I have to go fiddle with the automatic watering system.”
“Cade’s going to help you?” Matt wondered if this was a joke. His brother had many talents, but dealing with mechanical malfunctions wasn’t one of them.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Cade said, “but I’ve developed a basic understanding of this pain-in-the-ass watering system.”
“That said, I’m still planning to replace it.” Herb grimaced. “Darn thing is always acting up. If you decide to put one in over at your new place, don’t get this brand.”
Matt laughed. “Okay. But I’m a long way from installing a watering system in the barn. I haven’t bought a horse, yet.”
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