by Leslie North
“No, it’s not.” Ava sniffed indignantly. “It’s a fact that if no one makes him do different, Hunter will keep on working six and a half days a week, eating breakfast with Bran on Thursdays, and hovering over Scout like a nervous old aunt. He wouldn’t know what’s good for him if it walked up and whacked him over the head. Someone has to take charge and tell him what he wants.”
Kit wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or to laugh. “Well, since he’s my boss, it certainly isn’t going to be me,” she replied, one eyebrow raised.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s the best guy in the world, and we’re all lucky to have him. If it weren’t for Hunter, Percy’s llama would have run most of us out of town by now. But he can’t spend his entire life doing for everyone else and never for himself.”
Irritation spiked in Kit’s gut as she listened to Ava describing Hunter. “I can’t believe you’re criticizing a guy for taking care of his responsibilities.”
Ava turned to gaze at Kit, and Kit didn’t like what she saw there. It looked a whole lot like pity.
“Hon,” Ava said softly. “I know how much your responsibilities mean to you, and I know it’s been really hard on you with your mom’s illness all these years. But no one, not Hunter, and not even you, should give up everything they want in their own life to take care of others.”
Kit clenched her teeth and didn’t respond. Ava had no idea what it was like to have a parent who needed you night and day. She had no idea what Kit’s mother’s care meant and how difficult it was for her dad to handle it all on his own. Maybe Hunter didn’t need to devote all his time to family and work, but Kit did. It was the way she and her dad had worked it out, all those years ago. It was the plan, and it was what she’d do in eight weeks when she was finished with her residency. Ava might mean well, but she couldn’t possibly understand.
But Hunter did, and that was one reason Kit was drawn to him.
“I’m sorry,” Ava said when Kit didn’t snap back. “I shouldn’t have said that, I just worry—about both of you—and it seemed like you guys had some real chemistry.”
Kit tried not to think about their chemistry at the honky-tonk bar. Thank God, Ava didn’t know about that. She’d never give up if she did.
“It’s okay,” Kit finally said, putting on a gentle smile. “I know you only want what’s best for me—and for Hunter, I’m sure. You just have to trust that we’re grownups and can figure these things out in our own way.”
Ava sighed. “Fine. But can you figure it out so that you and Hunter get together and both live here and then I can go shopping with you every weekend if I want?”
Kit laughed. “And use me to avoid your work deadlines? Not a chance.”
Ava laughed too, and peace was restored. But that night, after going to bed, Kit could still hear her friend’s words. No one should give up everything they want to take care of others.
“That is one furry cow,” Bran said as he stood next to Hunter, watching Cam inspect his newest pet.
“You realize he’ll just get attached, and then he won’t ever want it eaten,” Hunter warned.
“You mean like you, when Dad got you that calf in first grade?” Bran smirked.
“Exactly.” Hunter grimaced. “Thank goodness Dad didn’t insist on sending Marvin to slaughter. It would have scarred me for life.”
“Dad never had any intention of sending Marvin to slaughter. He just wanted you to understand what it takes to care for cows and then to realize that if you’re going to be a cattleman, you have to take that care—but also be willing to let the animal go.”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t a bad lesson for being a vet, either. Putting suffering animals down is as much a part of the job as caring for them.”
“The circle of life,” Bran sang in a Lion King voice.
Hunter rolled his eyes. “So, you planning on Cam being a cattleman, then?”
Bran watched his son thoughtfully. “I want him to know it’s an option. That he could have the ranch if he wants it.”
“You’re a good dad,” Hunter said, an ache lodging in his throat.
Bran stood silent for a few moments, then nudged him with his elbow. “You’d make a good father too, you know.”
Hunter scoffed.
“I’m serious.”
“Eh, I don’t really see that happening. Least, not anytime soon.”
“You’d also make a good boyfriend, according to my wife.”
“What is it about you newlyweds that y’all feel the need to get everyone else hitched, too?” Hunter asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “I don’t have time to be someone’s boyfriend.”
“Not even Kit’s?” Bran subtly stepped farther away from his brother so Hunter couldn’t hit him.
Hunter sighed. “She’s my resident. Period. End of discussion.”
Bran seemed to accept that. “Did I tell you I went out and saw Scout the other day?”
Hunter’s gaze shot to his older brother’s. “You did? Why?”
Bran looked as if he visited Scout every day, even though he hadn’t gone once since the day Scout started working at the farm.
“I ran into him in town, and he told me about his new milking equipment and Kit’s music idea. I wanted to see it in action for myself. I’m thinking if we played music while we’re loading and unloading for auction, my herds might behave better.”
“Huh,” Hunter grunted. “So you two, what…just watched the cows getting milked to a concerto?”
Bran laughed. “Pretty much, and then we had a beer with some of his crew. Ava invited him to dinner next week, too. He’s only met Cam once. I think he wants to get to know him.”
Hunter stared at his older brother in shock. Since their parents had died, Bran and Scout had been near-strangers. Once Scout graduated from college, he’d gotten a job at the dairy farm, moved into the staff housing there, and never looked back. Bran had given him his space…for seven years. Hunter had been the link that connected the two.
“Put your jaw back in place,” Bran scolded. “I didn’t negotiate a nuclear treaty with North Korea, just visited our little brother and invited him to dinner.”
Hunter cleared his throat, a funny feeling prickling all over his body. “Okay,” he said quietly.
They stood in that brotherly silence again, until Bran said, “We’re gonna’ be okay, Scout and me. He’s doing well, and I’m doing well. Your practice is successful, you’re one of the best vets in the state, from everything I hear when I go to auctions and ranching conventions. You don’t have to put away everything else to watch out for all of us anymore.”
Bran laid a heavy hand on Hunter’s shoulder and waited until Hunter looked him in the eye. “You kept us going when we couldn’t do it ourselves. But we’re going to be fine now.”
Hunter blinked at his older brother, not sure what to think or feel or say. Finally he settled on, “You’re both too stupid to make it without me…but maybe I can take a break every now and then.”
Bran grinned. “That sounds like a good place to start.”
10
Hunter picked up the heavy picnic basket and put it in the back of his truck before climbing into the cab and setting off from his small downtown bungalow that he mostly just used for the bed.
His heart was in overdrive, and he nearly turned the truck around four times before he pulled onto the dirt road that led to an empty field, with a tiny stream, on the edge of Bran’s ranch. He’d gone and lost his mind. The whole thing was an idea of epically stupid proportions, and he really ought to go back home immediately.
He pulled to a stop and maneuvered the truck off the road, out into the middle of the field. Then he stopped, windows down, and just listened. Birds chirped in the trees that cropped up along the edges of the stream, and grasshoppers clicked and rubbed in the field all around him. He could just make out the sound of the water trickling by on the other side of the truck. The sun shone, and the sky was cloudless. If he’d believed in fate or
signs, he’d have thought this day was created for what he’d planned.
But he was still an idiot and shouldn’t be doing it.
Then a cloud of dust sprang up from the adjacent road, and soon he saw a sporty little red Honda Civic churning along toward him. Well, hell. It was too late to back out now.
So he took a deep breath and climbed out of the truck.
Kit used her hand to shield her eyes from the sun as he approached her. She wore a pair of denim shorts with a light, flouncy top of some sort. Hunter was too nervous to pay attention to the details, but it showed her smooth, tan shoulders, and that got an A-plus from him.
“Hi, there,” she waved as he came closer and then walked into the field to meet him. “This is really pretty out here…but I don’t see any animals. Are we collecting bugs or something today?” Her smile was bright, trusting, and so beautiful, it nearly undid him. Maybe this was a mistake. Dr. Marshall would have his head on a platter if he knew what Hunter had planned for this meeting.
“Um…” he stalled, uncertain how to proceed and pretty much speechless.
Kit’s brow furrowed. “Hunter? Are you okay?”
He sighed. No. He wasn’t okay, and he hadn’t been since Kit had crossed the town limits into Gopher Springs.
“I’m not sure,” he answered truthfully. “But I’m hoping you’ll be willing to have a discussion with me.”
She cocked her head and studied him. “Of course. I’m sure whatever it is, we can find a solution.”
He led her to the truck and opened up the tailgate.
“I, uh, I brought some lunch. Do you want to eat while we talk?”
Kit smiled. “That was so thoughtful of you. I’d love to.” They climbed into the truck bed and laid out the blanket and food he’d gotten at the grocery store deli. He left the bottle of champagne in the basket. It was too far. He’d gone too far when he’d planned this.
“So what’s the big mystery, Doc?” Kit asked. She took a bite of a juicy plum and nearly sent Hunter running for the nearby stream. Dunking his head might cool him off for a moment, but he really needed to dunk everything south of his waist. Her pearly white teeth, her plump pink lips, that juicy fruit, it was enough to make a man lose all sense.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” he began. “And it’s probably a lot of stupid thinking, so feel free to tell me to go to hell.”
She suddenly looked wary, and he didn’t like it.
“See…” He fumbled on, because in for a penny and all that. “There’s something between us—at least, it seems that way to me.”
She nodded in confirmation before taking another bite of her plum, and he let out a slow breath.
“And I’m your supervisor, so we have that going on. But also, you’re leaving to go back home in a few weeks.” Seven weeks and two days, actually. Not that he was keeping track. “But I was thinking that we’re both adults, we seem to communicate and work together really well. I mean, we’re not in a position for anything long-term, but what if we just…” He didn’t know how to say it. He was lost.
“Netflix and chill? Friends with benefits?” she offered.
“Until you go,” he spit out.
Kit was on top of him almost before the words left his mouth. She straddled his lap as she pressed her forehead to his, and his heartrate skyrocketed, adrenaline making his whole body tingle.
“Yes,” she whispered, rubbing her nose along his.
“Yes?” His hands found her waist, and triumph surged through him when he discovered her little flouncy top was loose at the bottom so he could slide his hands underneath to feel her silky skin.
“Yes. Let’s Netflix and chill until I leave town.”
“We’ll have to be discreet. If the staff at the office finds out, they might tell someone at the state board.”
She pressed her lips to his throat, and he nearly hollered with pleasure. “Got it,” she murmured, touching his skin with the tip of her tongue. “Discreet.”
“I just don’t want to…Jesus, Kit…”
He could feel her smile against his cheek as her hands stroked over his pecs and then dug into his hair. The tug on his scalp was the kind of pleasure-pain he’d felt when he’d touched Kit at the bar—arousal, yearning, anticipation.
She held onto his hair and pulled back to look him in the eyes. “I trust you, Hunter. I trust you not to jeopardize my residency. I trust you to keep your promises.”
She was so earnest, it nearly undid him. How had he ever gotten so lucky? He shook his head slightly, trying to clear the lust enough that he could form words. When he spoke, his voice was husky with want.
“I promise to protect your career and your reputation—even over my own. I promise to give you fun and adventure and some really great memories.” He paused. “And then I promise to be your friend after you’ve gone, and if you ever need anything with your dad’s practice—advice, a helping hand, a recommendation—I promise to give you that as well.”
He watched her closely, hope in his heart.
“And I promise to…” Then she leaned closer and made the kinds of promises that lovers kept, and Hunter’s mind went blank with white-hot passion.
Kit giggled as she and Hunter battled their clothes. His t-shirt landed on a nearby bush, her left shoe bounced into the picnic basket, it was frantic and silly, and by the time they lay on the picnic blanket, his chest pressed to hers, his fingers wandering to delicious places, she was out of breath, and half in love with him, which wasn’t, of course, what this was all about.
“You’re sure?” he whispered as he slid his finger through the slickness between her legs.
“Stop talking and get on with all those promises.” She gasped and arched into his touch.
Hunter chuckled, then rolled and pulled her on top. “That metal truck bed will ruin your back if I put all my weight on you,” he said.
She laughed low and sultry. “You just want me to have to do all the work.”
He made a humming sound, closing his eyes in ecstasy as she ran her nails lightly down his chest. “But no one’s going to have any fun if you don’t have a condom,” she said, one eyebrow raised.
He gestured toward his jeans that lay next to the picnic basket. “Rear pocket.”
Once the basics were covered, Kit lifted up, wrapped her hand around his cock, and lowered herself onto him, going slow to feel every last inch as he slid inside her.
“Fuuck, you feel amazing,” he said, opening his eyes just enough to look at her. His dark hair was ruffled around his face, and the smattering of hair on his chest was soft and warm. They stayed frozen for a moment, just gazing at one another. It was far more intimate than anything they were doing with the lower half of their bodies, and Kit nearly turned away, but then Hunter’s hips began thrusting, and her eyes drifted closed as she worked to catch the rhythm with him.
They rocked and grinded, thrust and rolled, until Kit felt the blooming ache that grew and grew, finally exploding in a sea of fireworks and tsunamis. The waves of pleasure crashed over her again and again, and in the midst of it she felt Hunter tense, his rough voice growling, “God, Kit,” before he relaxed onto the floor of the truck, pulling her down on top of him, his hands settling in to stroke her back as murmured things in her ear. Things that made her giggle, things that made her blush, things that made her wish even more that her life hadn’t been planned for her years ago. Because Hunter Beckett was like the reward for a job well done, and she wanted to keep him even though she knew she never could.
11
The next few weeks flew by as Kit and Hunter kept up a grinding pace with work and a secret life outside the office. Surgeries on horses, physical therapy for Great Danes, and a cow with a serious kidney infection. But work was followed by dinners in Kit’s apartment, movie nights at Hunter’s house, and a few more of those very satisfying picnics on the empty acreage of Hunter’s family’s ranch. Every morning when Kit walked into work, she had a smile that couldn’t be eras
ed, along with a new memory to hold on to when she went back to Houston.
“There’s the second most cheerful person I know,” the receptionist remarked one Thursday morning.
Kit grinned as she picked up a stack of Hunter’s mail and began to sort it according to priority. “And who’s the first?”
“The doctor himself. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so cheerful as I have recently.” She gave Kit an appraising glance. Kit sobered immediately.
“He just has too many animals for a solo practitioner,” Kit said. “I think he’s been happy to have another set of hands.”
The phone rang, and the receptionist answered it while Kit continued to the rear of the building where Hunter was at his desk preparing for the day’s appointments.
“Good morning,” Kit said as she walked in and closed the door behind her.
Hunter looked up, and even though he maintained a neutral expression, his gaze was so hot, it was all Kit could do to refrain from throwing herself at him across the desk.
“Good morning.” His voice was deep, nearly as sizzling as his gaze. “Though it was a lot better two hours ago,” he murmured, looking back at his computer screen as if he hadn’t just reminded her of how he’d woken her up, his mouth between her legs, his hands on her breasts.
She cleared her throat, one eyebrow raised, and sat in an armchair facing his desk.
“You’re starting to make your staff suspicious, Doctor,” she said. “You’re too damn happy.”
He scoffed, tapping rapidly on his keyboard before shifting his gaze back to her. “They used to complain I wasn’t happy enough. Can’t seem to please them.”
She struggled to quell the urge to go to him, dig her fingers into his soft, thick hair, and kiss him witless.
“They noticed I’m extra happy, too.”
Hunter’s brow furrowed. “Do you think they’re on to us?”
“Maybe? It was hard to tell, but I guess we should be more careful.” She sighed. Careful was a drag. Especially when someone as sexy as Hunter was part of the equation.